Doubles Hoopa-Unbound [2/2]

n10siT

Hoopa can do anything!
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[OVERVIEW]

Hoopa-U is a very unique Pokemon. With its absurd offensive stats and ability to break Protect for both itself and its partner with either of its signature STAB moves, Hoopa-U's niche as an offensive powerhouse is one many teams can put to use. Thanks to its good special bulk, Hoopa-U does well in a specially oriented metagame. However, a select number of flaws hold Hoopa-U back from being a dominant Pokemon. Its pitiful physical bulk leaves it open to being knocked out by almost any strong single-target physical attack, especially the very common U-turn. Furthermore, a middling Speed tier means Hoopa-U needs speed control support to function as effectively as possible, and when providing that support itself, it is generally outclassed as an offensive Trick Room setter by Pokemon like Diancie. Finally, it is outclassed as a Dark-type by Incineroar, which also happens to be Hoopa-U's number one counter. With its access to Intimidate, Knock Off, and U-turn and its very high usage rate, most teams will naturally have a strong Hoopa-U counter. With the right support, Hoopa-U can be a very threatening offensive presence, but it requires a considerable amount of support to do so.

[SET]

name: Mixed Offensive Cleaner
move 1: Hyperspace Fury
move 2: Hyperspace Hole
move 3: Gunk Shot
move 4: Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Magician
nature: Hasty
evs: 100 HP / 156 Atk / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

Moves
========

Hyperspace Fury is Hoopa-U's main STAB attack and usually its strongest move. It covers opposing Psychic-types like Mew and Mega Metagross and Ghost-types like Aegislash. Hyperspace Hole is Hoopa-U's special STAB attack, hitting Poison-type targets like Amoonguss or Fighting-type targets like Kommo-o. Both of these moves have the unique property of breaking Protect, the most important move in DOU play. After an opponent is hit by either move, Hoopa-U's ally will be able to hit that target as well, provided Hoopa-U attacked first. This effect also applies to opposing Wide Guard. Both Hyperspace moves also bypass Substitute, which is commonly seen on Pokemon like Kartana and Volcanion. Gunk Shot is a great coverage move for Hoopa, as it allows Hoopa-U to hit the Fairy-type Island Guardians for big damage. Protect is very important on Hoopa-U, as preserving its health whenever possible is best. It can be used to stall out opposing weather or speed control, or to shield Hoopa-U from damage while the partner deals with the threat.

Set Details
========

Using maximum Speed EVs with a boosting nature ensures Hoopa-U will outspeed as many foes as possible, namely any Tapu Bulu not holding a Choice Scarf and any Landorus-T not using a nature that boosts Speed. Hasty is preferred over Naive, as Hoopa-U's Defense is already very low, so there's not much harm in lowering it with the nature. The HP EVs allow Hoopa-U to survive a Gigavolt Havoc from Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt in Electric Terrain. The rest of the EVs are placed into Attack to boost the power of Hoopa-U's physical attacks. A Life Orb best fits Hoopa-U's goal of breaking through teams with various strong attacks.

Usage Tips
========

Hoopa-U works best when it is saved for mid- or late-game, after its checks and counters have been removed or at least significantly weakened. With Hoopa-U's poor speed, it will perform best if it is supported by Tailwind or Icy Wind users. Furthermore, Hoopa-U has a very tough time switching in on physical attacks, and its health should be preserved whenever possible; good opportunities to get Hoopa-U on the field are following a KO or coming off a slow U-turn. Hoopa-U is mainly used to remove the checks for your late-game sweepers or other offensive Pokemon. For example, Hoopa-U can remove Aegislash for Mega Metagross or Kommo-o for Zygarde. Since Hoopa-U essentially prevents your opponent from using Protect (as they run the risk of losing serious momentum if Hoopa-U breaks it), it makes reading their moves significantly easier. If an opposing Pokemon like Aegislash is threatened by Hyperspace Fury, it is basically forced to switch if it does not want to be knocked out.

Team Options
========

Speed control users like Tailwind Zapdos and Icy Wind Tapu Fini are a must for Hoopa-U, as they allow Hoopa-U to apply lots of pressure without worrying about being outsped. Any team with Hoopa-U has to be mindful that it will be knocked out by almost any opposing U-turn, which is a fairly common move. Thus, partners that deal with common opposing U-turn users, such as Genesect, Incineroar, and Landorus-T, are a necessity. Good options for this role include Tapu Fini and Scrafty. Hoopa-U is walled by virtually every Dark-type aside from opposing Hoopa-U, so multiple checks for opposing Incineroar, Scrafty, and Tyranitar are needed. Offensive options like Landorus-T, Kommo-o, and even Fightinium Z Focus Blast Tapu Lele can perform this role by threatening large damage on opposing Dark-types, while defensive options like Tapu Fini can succeed here as well by taking their hits with ease. Stealth Rock Landorus-T is an excellent teammate to hurt the Incineroar switch-ins as well as weaken opposing foes slightly to put them in the range of Hoopa-U's powerful attacks.

[SET]
name: Offensive Trick Room
move 1: Hyperspace Fury
move 2: Hyperspace Hole
move 3: Trick Room
move 4: Protect
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Magician
nature: Brave
evs: 192 HP / 212 Atk / 104 Def

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Hyperspace Fury is Hoopa-U's main attack and the move it will want to click most often. It covers opposing Psychic-types like Bronzong and Cresselia and opposing Ghost-types like Aegislash. Hyperspace Hole is Hoopa-U's special STAB attack, hitting Poison-type targets like Amoonguss, which is a very good Trick Room check, or Fighting-type targets like Kommo-o. Both of these moves have the unique property of breaking Protect, which is especially valuable in Trick Room, as opponents want to use the move to stall out Trick Room turns. The Hyperspace moves also bypass Substitute, which some Pokemon will use to try mitigating the amount of damage they would be taking while Trick Room is up. Trick Room allows Hoopa-U and its slower teammates to move first for four turns, which can really turn the tables on any team that relies on the Speed of its Pokemon. Protect allows Hoopa-U to shield itself from damage while its partner handles a threat, or to stall out opposing field conditions.

Set Details
========

A Brave nature is used to lower Hoopa-U's Speed for Trick Room as well as power up Hyperspace Fury. Hoopa-U can also run 0 IVs in Speed to ensure it is even faster in Trick Room. The given HP and Defense EVs allow Hoopa-U to survive a U-turn from Choice Scarf Victini or an Overheat from Mega Charizard Y in sun. The remaining EVs are placed into Attack to boost the power of Hyperspace Fury. Sitrus Berry is used to indirectly improve Hoopa-U's bulk by allowing it to survive a double target if necessary; oftentimes Hoopa-U will take about 60% damage from both opponents, so Sitrus Berry can prevent those attacks from knocking it out. Sitrus Berry is also useful with Magician, as after it activates, Hoopa-U will be able to steal opposing Pokemon's items.

Usage Tips
========

Hoopa-U is usually at its best when it is not the lead Trick Room setter, regardless of whether the team needs Trick Room set up to function. If the team is reliant on Trick Room, a bulkier and more defensive setter is usually a better lead. If Trick Room is not vital to the team's success, it is preferable to wait until the optimal time to set Trick Room presents itself, usually in front of opposing speed control or with the appropriate supporting teammate. Hoopa-U punishes any team that wants to use Protect often, but it works especially well when Trick Room is up, as one of the main ways opposing teams want to stall out Trick Room turns is by using Protect a lot. Hoopa-U essentially prevents opposing teams from doing so, so the opponent has to rely on making defensive switches, which is punishable by making an offensive switch at the same time or by getting off a powerful double target. Keep in mind that firing off Hyperspace Fury will lower Hoopa-U's Defense; however, once Trick Room is set, Hoopa-U is a lot less worried about its Defense stat. Hoopa-U will have a very tough time setting Trick Room if there is no support beside it, such as a Fake Out or redirection user, as the opponent can generally just double target Hoopa-U to prevent its setup. To work around this, try to get Hoopa-U and a supportive Pokemon in as Trick Room is running out so you're immediately ready to set Trick Room again.

Team Options
========

Hoopa-U benefits a lot from a Fake Out partner like Scrafty. Fake Out will make setting up Trick Room easier, as it can stop an incoming target or an attack that could knock out Hoopa-U. Scrafty has the added benefit of threatening opposing Dark-types like Incineroar and Tyranitar, both of which wall Hoopa-U. Any team that is reliant on Trick Room will need a defensive setter to pair with Hoopa-U like Diancie or Porygon2. Diancie is an especially good option, as it has a fantastic matchup versus Incineroar and other opposing Dark-types. Amoonguss can also provide a lot of support for Hoopa-U, as it can redirect moves that would stop Trick Room, as well as spread fast Spores while Trick Room is active. Any team with Hoopa-U will need multiple checks for opposing Dark-types like Incineroar, Scrafty, and Tyranitar. Landorus-T, Scrafty, Tapu Fini, and Mega Camerupt are all good options that have the added benefit of being able to function effectively in Trick Room. Hoopa-U will not be able to do much damage to any of the Island Guardians, except for Tapu Lele, so a Poison-type like Amoonguss or a Steel-type like Bronzong or Stakataka can shore up that matchup considerably.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Focus Blast along with Fightinium Z can give Hoopa-U a way to deal with opposing Dark-types like Incineroar and Tyranitar that would otherwise wall it. It is usable over Gunk Shot on offensive sets or Protect or Hyperspace Hole on Trick Room sets. Hidden Power Ice, along with 84 Special Attack EVs, allows Life Orb Hoopa-U to get the OHKO on opposing Zygarde. However, Gunk Shot is generally better coverage than both of these options. Choice Scarf can be used over Life Orb on offensive sets to make up for Hoopa-U's poor Speed, but being unable to switch moves can really hurt Hoopa-U's offensive presence, and Protect is a vital move for preserving Hoopa-U's health. A Terrain Seed such as Misty or Psychic Seed can be run over Sitrus Berry on Trick Room sets to boost Hoopa-U's Special Defense. This has the added benefit of letting Magician activate immediately, but the recovery of Sitrus Berry is usually more reliable for setting up Trick Room.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Dark-types**: Common Dark-types like Incineroar, Tyranitar, and Scrafty all wall Hoopa-U and threaten large amounts of damage with strong physical moves. They only need to fear the rare Fightinium Z with Focus Blast.

**Fairy-types**: Any set without Gunk Shot cannot do very much damage to Fairy-types like the omnipresent Island Guardians, and they all threaten large amounts of damage on Hoopa.

**Intimidate**: Incineroar and Landorus-T can leave Hoopa-U reliant on its weaker Hyperspace Hole to do damage, with Incineroar switching into Hoopa-U virtually any time it wants to.

**Opposing Speed Control**: Hoopa-U's middling speed tier leaves it reliant on its own speed control to perform at its best, so opposing Tailwind or Trick Room can leave Hoopa-U wide open to getting knocked out thanks to its frailty and render it unable to fire off its extremely strong attacks.

[CREDITS]

- Written by: [[n10sit, 267148]]
- Earlier versions by: [[talkingtree, 232101]]
- Quality checked by: [[talkingtree, 232101], [MajorBowman, 188164]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [talkingtree, 232101]]
 
Last edited:

talkingtree

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  • [Overview] Mention something about breaking Protect in the Overview, that's a pretty crucial part of Hoopa-U's identity in the tier
  • [LO Moves] Hyperspace Fury can mention Gross/Aegis, but also point out that it's generally Hoopa's strongest neutral attack
  • [LO Team Options] Scrafty's a weird teammate to mention here, replace this with Zygarde or Volcanion or something
  • [LO Team Options] Lele's also a good mention, it can run Fightinium to break Dark-types and makes Hyperspace Hole considerably stronger.
  • [TR Set Details] Sitrus Berry is also used for Magician activation, a logistical scenario many singles players won't have seen before
  • [TR Usage Tips] Your tips about when to use Hoopa / when to set TR are pretty misleading but I don't really know how to give you a quick fix, so talk to me over Discord and we'll figure it out
  • [TR Team Options] I think Scrafty's fine as the only mention for Fake Out, Incineroar + Hoopa is weird synergy that I'd personally stay away from.
  • [TR Team Options] Diancie is a good add-on to Dark-type checks and also reminds me that you should mention full TR teams will need more TR setters that preferably cover Hoopa-U's weaknesses (Diancie, Stakataka, Porygon2)
  • [Other Options] Mention that Fightinium Focus Blast can fit onto TR sets or non-TR sets
  • [Other Options] When you mention Terrain Seeds, talk about their other benefit: instant access to Magician for stealing items
  • [Checks and Counters] **Dark-types**: I usually try to stay away from mentioning things in OO in C&C, but Fightinium is common enough that I think it's worth pointing out some sets will work specifically to beat these checks
I think that's everything, go ahead and change those^ and write this up. If I think of or see something else I'll let you know
QC 1/2
 

MajorBowman

wouldst thou like to live fergaliciously?
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Top Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Senior Staff Member Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Top Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Dedicated Tournament Host Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
  • [Overview] The sentence that mentions Hoopa having good matchups against most of the common mega formes needs to be reworked since Gengar is gone
Mixed Offensive Cleaner Set
  • [Moves] Remove mention of Mega Gengar when talking about Hyperspace Fury
  • [Usage Tips] Remove mention of Mega Gengar in sentence about eliminating threats to Metagross
  • [Team Options] "Good options for this role include Tapu Fini, Scrafty, and X." not sure what X is supposed to be
  • [Team Options] When talking about "offensive answers to dark types" you should probably clarify which Pokemon you're specifically talking about. Right now it kinda reads as "Landorus-T offensively checks all dark types" which doesn't seem right
  • [Team Options] Fight Z Lele seems like a weird suggestion here considering that's not a very common set at all but if this was discussed elsewhere I'll concede it
Offensive Trick Room Set
  • [Moves] Remove mention of Mega Gengar as target for Hyperspace Fury
  • [Moves] Some of the wording in this section is the exact same as that in the Mixed Offensive Cleaner set - is that kosher?
  • [Set Details] Remove mention of Hyperspace Hole OHKOing Mega Gengar
  • [Set Details] Clarify that sometimes Hoopa will take 60% from each opponent for 120% total, right now that clause reads as 60% total between both
  • [Team Options] Does Hoopa really OHKO most opposing Trick Room setters? Even the ones weak to Dark (Bronzong, Cress) can usually tank a Hyperspace Fury
Checks and Counters
  • [Dark-types] This might be a GP thing so ignore if it is but you mention 3 pokemon then say "both" immediately

General
  • No mention of Hyperspace moves bypassing Substitute anywhere, that's probably something good to add
  • No mention of being wary of Hyperspace Fury lowering defense, which can be especially important on the bulky TR set
  • Stakataka is listed as an offensive TR setter in the overview but a defensive TR setter in the Team Options section for Hoopa's Trick Room set

Implement these and I'll check again for QC 2/2

edit: stuff was implemented, 2/2
 
Last edited:

n10siT

Hoopa can do anything!
is a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Top Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
oh i forgot to post that the above is implemented, and bowman and i discussed it further over discord before he gave me the go ahead
 

queso

too cheesy
is a Tiering Contributor
Amcheck, feel free to implement what you want
Add, Remove, (AC) = add comma, (RC) = remove comma, (comments)
[OVERVIEW]

Hoopa Unbound Hoopa-U is a very unique Pokemon. With its absurdly strong offensive stats and ability to break Protect for both Hoopa and the partner with either STAB move, Hoopa's niche is as an offensive power house is one many teams can put to use. Thanks to its good special bulk, Hoopa does well in a specially oriented metagame. However, a select number of flaws hold Hoopa back from being a dominant Pokemon. It's Its pitiful physical bulk leaves it open to being knocked out by almost any strong single target physical attack, especially the very common U-turn. Hoopa has a middling speed tier, so it needs speed control support to function as effectively as possible. Finally, it is out-classed outclassed as a Dark-type by Incineroar, and it which also happens to be Hoopa's number one counter. With its access to Intimidate, Knock Off, and U-turn, most teams will have a strong Hoopa counter, thanks to Incineroar's absurdly high usage rate. With the right support, Hoopa can be a very threatening offensive presence, but it requires a considerable amount of support to do so. It is also generally outclassed as an offensive Trick Room setter by Pokemon like Stakataka.

[SET]
name: Mixed Offensive Cleaner
move 1: Hyperspace Fury
move 2: Hyperspace Hole
move 3: Gunk Shot
move 4: Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Magician
nature: Hasty
evs: 100 HP / 156 Atk / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Hyperspace Fury is Hoopa's main STAB attack and usually its strongest move. It covers opposing Psychic-types like Mew and Mega Metagross and opposing Ghost-types like Aegislash. Hyperspace Hole is Hoopa's special STAB attack, and it hits Poison-type targets like Amoonguss or Fighting-type targets like Kommo-o. Both of these moves have the unique property of breaking Protect, the most important move in DOU play. After an opponent is hit by a Hyperspace move, Hoopa's ally will be able to hit that target as well, provided Hoopa attacked first. This effect also applies to opposing Wide Guard. Both Hyperspace moves also bypass Substitute, which is growing in popularity in DOU play. Gunk Shot is a great coverage move for Hoopa, as it allows Hoopa to hit the Fairy-type Island Guardians for big damage. Protect is very important on Hoopa, as preserving its health whenever possible is best. Protect can be used to stall out opposing field conditions or speed control, or it can be used to shield Hoopa from damage while the partner deals with the threat.

Set Details
========

Using maximum Speed EVs with a boosting nature ensures Hoopa will outspeed as many things as possible, namely any Tapu Bulu not holding a Choice Scarf and any Landorus-T not using a nature that boosts speed. Hasty is preferred over Naive as Hoopa's physical defense is already very low, so there's not much harm in lowering it with the nature. The HP EVs allow Hoopa to live a Gigavolt Havoc from Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt in Electric Terrain. The rest of the EVs are placed into Attack to boost the power of Hoopa's physical attacks.

Usage Tips
========

Hoopa works at its best when it is saved for the mid- to late-game, after its checks and counters have been removed or at the least significantly weakened. With Hoopa's poor speed, it will perform best if it is supported by either Tailwind or Icy Wind users. Hoopa has a very tough time switching in on physical attacks, and its health should be preserved whenever possible. Good opportunities to get Hoopa on the field are following a knock out or coming off of a slow U-turn. Hoopa is mainly used to remove the checks for your win condition or your other offensive Pokemon. For example, Hoopa removes Aegislash for Mega Metagross, or it can remove the opposing Kommo-o for Zygarde. Since Hoopa essentially prevents your opponent from using Protect (as they run the risk of losing serious momentum if Hoopa breaks it), it makes reading your opponents moves significantly easier. If an opposing Pokemon, say Aegislash, is threatened by Hyperspace Fury, it is basically forced to switch if it does not want to be knocked out.

Team Options
========

Speed control users like Tailwind Zapdos or Icy Wind Tapu Fini are a must for Hoopa, as they support Hoopa by allowing it to apply lots of pressure without worrying about being outsped. Any team with Hoopa has to be mindful that Hoopa will be knocked out by almost any opposing U-turn, which is a fairly common move, (AC, remove period) So so partners that deal with common opposing U-turn users, such as Genesect, Incineroar, and Landorus-T are a necessity. Good options for this role include Tapu Fini and Scrafty. Hoopa is walled by virtually every Dark-type not also named Hoopa, so multiple checks for opposing Incineroar, Scrafty, and Tyranitar are needed. Offensive options like Landorus-T, Kommo-o, or even Fightinium Z Focus Blast Tapu Lele can perform this role by threatening large damage on opposing Dark-types, while defensive options like Tapu Fini can succeed here as well by taking hits from the aforementioned Dark-types with ease. Stealth Rocks Landorus-T is an excellent teammate, as Stealth Rocks hurts the Incineroar on switches in switch ins, as well as weakening opposing foes slightly to put them in the range of Hoopa's powerful attacks.

[SET]
name: Offensive Trick Room
move 1: Hyperspace Fury
move 2: Hyperspace Hole
move 3: Trick Room
move 4: Protect
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Magician
nature: Brave
evs: 192 HP / 212 Atk / 104 Def

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Hyperspace Fury is Hoopa's main attack and the move it will want to click most often. It covers opposing Psychic-types like Bronzong and Cresselia and opposing Ghost-types like Aegislash. Hyperspace Hole is Hoopa's special STAB attack, and it hits Poison-type targets like Amoonguss, which is a very good Trick Room check, or Fighting-type targets like Kommo-o. Both of these moves have the unique property of breaking Protect, which is especially valuable in Trick Room, as opponents want to Protect to stall out Trick Room turns. The Hyperspace moves also bypass Substitute, which some Pokemon will use to try and mitigate the amount of damage they would be taking while Trick Room is up. Trick Room allows Hoopa and its slower teammates to move first for four turns, which can really turn the tables on any team that relies on the Speed of its Pokemon. Protect allows Hoopa to shield itself from damage while its partner handles a threat, or it can be used to stall out opposing field conditions or speed control.

Set Details
========

A Brave nature is used to lower Hoopa's speed for Trick Room while also powering up Hyperspace Fury. Hoopa can also run 0 IVs in Speed to ensure it is even faster in Trick Room. The given HP and Defense EVs allow Hoopa to survive a U-turn from Choice Scarf Victini. The HP EVs also allow Hoopa to live an Overheat from Mega Charizard Y in sun. The remaining EVs are placed into attack to boost the power of Hyperspace Fury. Sitrus Berry is used to improve Hoopa's bulk by allowing it to survive a double target if necessary. Oftentimes Hoopa will take 60% or so damage from both opponents, so Sitrus Berry can prevent those attacks from knocking Hoopa out. Sitrus Berry is also useful with Magician, as after it activates Hoopa will be able to steal opposing Pokemon's items.

Usage Tips
========

Hoopa is usually at its best when it is not the lead Trick Room setter, regardless of whether the team needs Trick Room set up to function. If the team is reliant on Trick Room, a bulkier and more defensive setter is usually a better lead. If Trick Room is not vital to the teams success, it is preferable to wait until the optimal time to set Trick Room presents itself — usually in front of opposing speed control or with the appropriate supporting teammate. Hoopa punishes any team that wants to Protect often, but it works especially well when Trick Room is up, as one of the main ways opposing teams want to use to try and stall out Trick Room turns is using Protect a lot. Hoopa essentially prevents opposing teams from doing so, so the opponent has to rely on making defensive switches, which is punishable by making an offensive switch at the same time or by getting off a powerful double target. Keep in mind that firing off Hyperspace Fury will lower Hoopa's defense, which may come into play on certain attacks. However, once Trick Room is set, Hoopa is a lot less worried about its Defense stat. Hoopa will have a very tough time setting Trick Room if there is no support option beside it, such as a Fake Out or redirection user. The opponent can generally just double target Hoopa with two powerful attacks to prevent the setting of Trick Room. To work around this, try and get Hoopa and a supportive Pokemon in as Trick Room is running out, so you're immediately ready to set Trick Room again.

Team Options
========

Hoopa benefits a lot from a Fake Out partner like Scrafty. Fake Out will make setting up Trick Room easier, as it can stop an incoming target or an attack that could knock out Hoopa. Scrafty has the added benefit of threatening opposing Dark-types like Incineroar and Tyranitar, both of which wall Hoopa. Any team that is reliant on Trick Room will need a defensive setter to pair with Hoopa like Diancie or Bronzong. Diancie is an especially good option as it has a fantastic match up versus Incineroar and other opposing Dark-types. Amoonguss can also provide a lot of support for Hoopa, as it can Rage Powder away moves that would stop Trick Room, as well as spread fast Spores while Trick Room is active. Any team with Hoopa will need multiple checks for opposing Dark-types like Incineroar, Scrafty, and Tyranitar. Landorus-T, Scrafty, Tapu Fini, and Mega Camerupt are all good checks to those Pokemon that have the added benefit of being able to function effectively in Trick Room. Hoopa will not be able to do much damage to any of the Island Guardians, except for Tapu Lele, so a Poison-type like Amoonguss or a Steel-type like Bronzong or Ferrothorn can shore up that match up considerably. Hoopa has the added benefit of being able to do huge amounts of damage to most opposing Trick Room setters with Hyperspace Fury, bar Stakataka and Diancie. A Ground-type like Mega Camerupt or Landorus-T can help stop those Pokemon from getting rid of Trick Room or setting it up for themselves.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Focus Blast along with Fightinium Z can be run on Hoopa to give it a way to deal with opposing Dark-types, like Incineroar and Tyranitar, that would otherwise wall Hoopa. It is usable over Gunk Shot on offensive sets or usable over Protect or Hyperspace Hole on Trick Room sets. Hidden Power Ice, along with 84 Special Attack EVs, allows Life Orb Hoopa to get the OHKO on opposing Zygarde. However, Gunk Shot is generally better coverage than both of these options. Choice Scarf can be used over Life Orb on offensive sets to make up for Hoopa's poor Speed, but not being able to switch moves will really hurt Hoopa's offensive presence, and Protect is a vital move for preserving Hoopa's health. A Terrain seed, such as Misty or Psychic Seed can be run over Sitrus Berry on Trick Room sets to boost Hoopa's Special Defense. This has the added benefit of letting Magician activate immediately, but the recovery of Sitrus Berry is usually more reliable for setting up Trick Room.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Incineroar, Tyranitar, and Scrafty all wall Hoopa-U and are common in the DOU metagame. They resist all of Hoopa's commonly used attacks (focus blast) and threaten large amounts of damage with strong physical moves. It is possible to run Fightinium Z with Focus Blast, as mentioned in Other Options, as a way to aid this poor match up.

**Fairy-types**: Any set not running Gunk Shot cannot do very much damage to Fairy-types like the omnipresent Island Guardians, and they all threaten large amounts of damage on Hoopa.

**Intimidate**: Incineroar and Landorus-T can leave Hoopa reliant on its weaker Hyperspace Hole to do damage, with Incineroar switching into Hoopa virtually any time it wants to.

**Opposing speed control**: Hoopa's middling speed tier leave it reliant on its own speed control to perform at its best, so opposing Tailwind or Trick Room can leave Hoopa wide open to getting knocked out thanks to its frailty and unable inability to fire off its extremely strong attacks.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[n10sit, 267148]]
- Earlier versions by: [[talkingtree, 232101]]
- Quality checked by: [[talkingtree, 232101], [name, ID]]
- Grammar checked by: [[name, ID], [name, ID]]
 

Lumari

empty spaces
is a Site Content Manageris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris an Administrator Alumnus
TFP Leader
i'll just mass make those ^ edits now via a find-replace all bc im on a roll now and want to check this, but ya keep it in mind for future reference and stuff
 

Lumari

empty spaces
is a Site Content Manageris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris an Administrator Alumnus
TFP Leader

remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 1/2
[OVERVIEW]

Hoopa-U Unbound is a very unique Pokemon. With its absurdly strong offensive stats and ability to break Protect for both Hoopa itself and the its partner with either STAB move, Hoopa-U's niche is as an offensive power house powerhouse is one many teams can put to use. Thanks to its good special bulk, Hoopa-U does well in a specially oriented metagame. However, a select number of flaws hold Hoopa-U back from being a dominant Pokemon. It's Its pitiful physical bulk leaves it open to being knocked out by almost any strong single-target (AH) physical attack, especially the very common U-turn. Furthermore, Hoopa has a middling Speed tier (RC) so it means Hoopa-U needs speed control support to function as effectively as possible, and it is also generally outclassed as an offensive Trick Room setter by Pokemon like Stakataka. Finally, it is out-classed outclassed as a Dark-type by Incineroar, and it which also happens to be Hoopa-U's number one counter. With its access to Intimidate, Knock Off, and U-turn and its absurdly high usage rate, most teams will naturally have a strong Hoopa-U counter, thanks to Incineroar's absurdly high usage rate. With the right support, Hoopa-U can be a very threatening offensive presence, but it requires a considerable amount of support to do so. It is also generally outclassed as an offensive Trick Room setter by Pokemon like Stakataka.

[SET]
name: Mixed Offensive Cleaner
move 1: Hyperspace Fury
move 2: Hyperspace Hole
move 3: Gunk Shot
move 4: Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Magician
nature: Hasty
evs: 100 HP / 156 Atk / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Hyperspace Fury is Hoopa-U's main STAB attack and usually its strongest move. It covers opposing Psychic-types like Mew and Mega Metagross and opposing Ghost-types like Aegislash. Hyperspace Hole is Hoopa-U's special STAB attack, and it hits hitting Poison-type targets like Amoonguss or Fighting-type targets like Kommo-o. Both of these moves have the unique property of breaking Protect, the most important move in DOU play. After an opponent is hit by a Hyperspace either move, Hoopa-U's ally will be able to hit that target as well, provided Hoopa-U attacked first. This effect also applies to opposing Wide Guard. Both Hyperspace moves also bypass Substitute, which is growing in popularity in DOU play. (no time-ish stuff, if its popularity is relevant to include rephrase it without "growing") Gunk Shot is a great coverage move for Hoopa, as it allows Hoopa-U to hit the Fairy-type Island Guardians for big damage. Protect is very important on Hoopa, as preserving its health whenever possible is best. Protect It can be used to stall out opposing field conditions or speed control, (Tailwind and TR are field conditions, don't believe there are any others it can outstall?) or it can be used to shield Hoopa-U from damage while the partner deals with the threat.

Set Details
========

Using maximum Speed EVs with a boosting nature ensures Hoopa-U will outspeed as many things foes as possible, namely any Tapu Bulu not holding a Choice Scarf and any Landorus-T not using a nature that boosts Speed. Hasty is preferred over Naive as Hoopa-U's physical Defense is already very low, so there's not much harm in lowering it with the nature. The HP EVs allow Hoopa-U to live survive a Gigavolt Havoc from Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt in Electric Terrain. The rest of the EVs are placed into Attack to boost the power of Hoopa-U's physical attacks.

Usage Tips
========

Hoopa-U works at its best when it is saved for the mid- to or late-game, after its checks and counters have been removed or at the least significantly weakened. With Hoopa-U's poor speed, it will perform best if it is supported by either Tailwind or Icy Wind users. Furthermore, Hoopa-U has a very tough time switching in on physical attacks, and its health should be preserved whenever possible; (SC) good opportunities to get Hoopa-U on the field are following a knock out KO or coming off of a slow U-turn. Hoopa-U is mainly used to remove the checks for your win condition late-game sweeper (or w/e else fits and is not "win condition") or your other offensive Pokemon. For example, Hoopa-U removes Aegislash for Mega Metagross, or it can remove the opposing Kommo-o for Zygarde. Since Hoopa-U essentially prevents your opponent from using Protect (as they run the risk of losing serious momentum if Hoopa-U breaks it), it makes reading your opponents their moves significantly easier. If an opposing Pokemon, say like Aegislash (RC) is threatened by Hyperspace Fury, it is basically forced to switch if it does not want to be knocked out.

Team Options
========

Speed control users like Tailwind Zapdos or and Icy Wind Tapu Fini are a must for Hoopa, as they support allow Hoopa-U by allowing it to apply lots of pressure without worrying about being outsped. Any team with Hoopa-U has to be mindful that Hoopa-U will be knocked out by almost any opposing U-turn, which is a fairly common move. So Thus, partners that deal with common opposing U-turn users, such as Genesect, Incineroar, and Landorus-T, (AC) are a necessity. Good options for this role include Tapu Fini and Scrafty. Hoopa-U is walled by virtually every Dark-type not also named Hoopa-U, so multiple checks for opposing Incineroar, Scrafty, and Tyranitar are needed. Offensive options like Landorus-T, Kommo-o, or and even Fightinium Z Focus Blast Tapu Lele can perform this role by threatening large damage on opposing Dark-types, while defensive options like Tapu Fini can succeed here as well by taking their hits from the aforementioned Dark-types with ease. Stealth Rocks Rock Landorus-T is an excellent teammate (RC) as Stealth Rocks to hurt the Incineroar switch-ins (AH, RC) as well as weaken opposing foes slightly to put them in the range of Hoopa-U's powerful attacks.

[SET]
name: Offensive Trick Room
move 1: Hyperspace Fury
move 2: Hyperspace Hole
move 3: Trick Room
move 4: Protect
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Magician
nature: Brave
evs: 192 HP / 212 Atk / 104 Def

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Hyperspace Fury is Hoopa-U's main attack and the move it will want to click most often. It covers opposing Psychic-types like Bronzong and Cresselia and opposing Ghost-types like Aegislash. Hyperspace Hole is Hoopa-U's special STAB attack, and it hits hitting Poison-type targets like Amoonguss, which is a very good Trick Room check, or Fighting-type targets like Kommo-o. Both of these moves have the unique property of breaking Protect, which is especially valuable in Trick Room, as opponents want to Protect use the move to stall out Trick Room turns. The Hyperspace moves They also bypass Substitute, which some Pokemon will use to try and mitigate mitigating the amount of damage they would be taking while Trick Room is up. Trick Room allows Hoopa-U and its slower teammates to move first for four turns, which can really turn the tables on any team that relies on the Speed of its Pokemon. Protect allows Hoopa-U to shield itself from damage while its partner handles a threat (RC) or it can be used to stall out opposing field conditions or speed control.

Set Details
========

A Brave nature is used to lower Hoopa-U's Speed for Trick Room while also powering as well as power up Hyperspace Fury. Hoopa-U can also run 0 IVs in Speed to ensure it is even faster in Trick Room. The given HP and Defense EVs allow Hoopa-U to survive a U-turn from Choice Scarf Victini (RP) The HP EVs also allow Hoopa-U to live or an Overheat from Mega Charizard Y in sun. The remaining EVs are placed into Attack to boost the power of Hyperspace Fury. Sitrus Berry is used to indirectly improve Hoopa-U's bulk by allowing it to survive a double target if necessary; (SC) oftentimes Hoopa-U will take about 60% or so damage from both opponents opposing Pokemon, so Sitrus Berry can prevent those attacks from knocking Hoopa-U it out. Sitrus Berry is also useful with Magician, as after it activates Hoopa-U will be able to steal opposing Pokemon's items.

Usage Tips
========

Hoopa-U is usually at its best when it is not the lead Trick Room setter, regardless of whether the team needs Trick Room set up to function. If the team is reliant on Trick Room, a bulkier and more defensive setter is usually a better lead. If Trick Room is not vital to the teams team's success, it is preferable to wait until the optimal time to set Trick Room presents itself, (comma) usually in front of opposing speed control or with the appropriate supporting teammate. Hoopa-U punishes any team that wants to use Protect often, but it works especially well when Trick Room is up, as one of the main ways opposing teams want to use to try and stall out Trick Room turns is by using Protect a lot. Hoopa-U essentially prevents opposing teams from doing so, so the opponent has to rely on making defensive switches, which is punishable by making an offensive switch at the same time or by getting off a powerful double target. Keep in mind that firing off Hyperspace Fury will lower Hoopa-U's Defense; (SC) which may come into play on certain attacks. however, once Trick Room is set, Hoopa-U is a lot less worried about its Defense stat. Hoopa-U will have a very tough time setting Trick Room if there is no support option beside it, such as a Fake Out or redirection user, (comma) as the opponent can generally just double target Hoopa-U with two powerful attacks it to prevent the setting of Trick Room its setup. To work around this, try and to get Hoopa-U and a supportive Pokemon in as Trick Room is running out (RC) so you're immediately ready to set Trick Room again.

Team Options
========

Hoopa-U benefits a lot from a Fake Out partner like Scrafty. Fake Out will make setting up Trick Room easier, as it can stop an incoming target or an attack that could knock out Hoopa-U. Scrafty has the added benefit of threatening opposing Dark-types like Incineroar and Tyranitar, both of which wall Hoopa it. Any team that is reliant on Trick Room will need a defensive setter to pair with Hoopa-U like Diancie or Bronzong. Diancie is an especially good option, (AC) as it has a fantastic match up matchup versus Incineroar and other opposing Dark-types. Amoonguss can also provide a lot of support for Hoopa-U, as it can Rage Powder away redirect moves that would stop Trick Room with Rage Powder, as well as spread fast Spores while Trick Room is active. Any team with Hoopa-U will need multiple checks for opposing Dark-types like Incineroar, Scrafty, and Tyranitar. Landorus-T, Scrafty, Tapu Fini, and Mega Camerupt are all good checks to those Pokemon options that have the added benefit of being able to function effectively in Trick Room. Hoopa-U will not be able to do much damage to any of the Island Guardians, except for Tapu Lele, so a Poison-type like Amoonguss or a Steel-type like Bronzong or Ferrothorn can shore up that match up matchup considerably. Hoopa-U has the added benefit of being able to do huge amounts of damage to most opposing Trick Room setters with Hyperspace Fury, bar Stakataka and Diancie. A Ground-type like Mega Camerupt or Landorus-T can help stop those Pokemon from getting rid of Trick Room or setting it up for themselves.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Focus Blast along with Fightinium Z can be run on Hoopa-U to give it a way to deal with opposing Dark-types (RC) like Incineroar and Tyranitar (RC) that would otherwise wall Hoopa it. It is usable over Gunk Shot on offensive sets or usable over Protect or Hyperspace Hole on Trick Room sets. Hidden Power Ice, along with 84 Special Attack EVs, allow allows Life Orb Hoopa-U to get the OHKO on opposing Zygarde. However, Gunk Shot is generally better coverage than both of these options. Choice Scarf can be used over Life Orb on offensive sets to make up for Hoopa-U's poor Speed, but not being able to switch moves will really hurt Hoopa-U's offensive presence, and Protect is a vital move for preserving Hoopa-U's health. A Terrain Seed, such as Misty or Psychic Seed, (AC) can be run over Sitrus Berry on Trick Room sets to boost Hoopa-U's Special Defense. This has the added benefit of letting Magician activate immediately, but the recovery of Sitrus Berry is usually more reliable for setting up Trick Room.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Dark-types**: Common Dark-types like Incineroar, Tyranitar, and Scrafty all wall Hoopa-U, (AC) and are common in the DOU metagame. They resist all of Hoopa-U's its attacks, (AC) and threaten large amounts of damage with strong physical moves. It is possible to run Fightinium Z with Focus Blast, as mentioned in Other Options, as a way to aid this poor match up matchup, however.

**Fairy-types**: Any set not running Gunk Shot cannot do very much damage to Fairy-types like the omnipresent Island Guardians, and they all threaten large amounts of damage on Hoopa.

**Intimidate**: Incineroar and Landorus-T can leave Hoopa-U reliant on its weaker Hyperspace Hole to do damage, with Incineroar switching into Hoopa-U virtually any time it wants to.

**Opposing Speed Control**: Hoopa-U's middling Speed tier leave leaves it reliant on its own speed control to perform at its best, so opposing Tailwind or Trick Room can leave Hoopa-U wide open to getting knocked out thanks to its frailty and render it unable to fire off its extremely strong attacks.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[n10sit, 267148]]
- Earlier versions by: [[talkingtree, 232101]]
- Quality checked by: [[talkingtree, 232101], [MajorBowman, 188164]]
- Grammar checked by: [[name, ID], [name, ID]]
 

talkingtree

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add remove comments

[OVERVIEW]

Hoopa-U is a very unique Pokemon. With its absurd offensive stats and ability to break Protect for both itself and its partner with either of its signature STAB moves, Hoopa-U's niche as an offensive powerhouse is one many teams can put to use. Thanks to its good special bulk, Hoopa-U does well in a specially oriented metagame. However, a select number of flaws hold Hoopa-U back from being a dominant Pokemon. Its pitiful physical bulk leaves it open to being knocked out by almost any strong single-target physical attack, especially the very common U-turn. Furthermore, a middling Speed tier means Hoopa-U needs speed control support to function as effectively as possible, and when providing that support itself, it is generally outclassed as an offensive Trick Room setter by Pokemon like Stakataka Diancie. (QC edit) Finally, it is outclassed as a Dark-type by Incineroar, which also happens to be Hoopa-U's number one counter. With its access to Intimidate, Knock Off, and U-turn and its very high usage rate, most teams will naturally have a strong Hoopa-U counter. With the right support, Hoopa-U can be a very threatening offensive presence, but it requires a considerable amount of support to do so. It is also generally outclassed as an offensive Trick Room setter by Pokemon like Stakataka. (you already said this)

[SET]
name: Mixed Offensive Cleaner
move 1: Hyperspace Fury
move 2: Hyperspace Hole
move 3: Gunk Shot
move 4: Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Magician
nature: Hasty
evs: 100 HP / 156 Atk / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Hyperspace Fury is Hoopa-U's main STAB attack and usually its strongest move. It covers opposing Psychic-types like Mew and Mega Metagross and opposing Ghost-types like Aegislash. Hyperspace Hole is Hoopa-U's special STAB attack, hitting Poison-type targets like Amoonguss or Fighting-type targets like Kommo-o. Both of these moves have the unique property of breaking Protect, the most important move in DOU play. After an opponent is hit by either move, Hoopa-U's ally will be able to hit that target as well, provided Hoopa-U attacked first. This effect also applies to opposing Wide Guard. Both Hyperspace moves also bypass Substitute, which is commonly seen on Pokemon like Kartana and Volcanion. Gunk Shot is a great coverage move for Hoopa, as it allows Hoopa-U to hit the Fairy-type Island Guardians for big damage. Protect is very important on Hoopa-U, as preserving its health whenever possible is best. It can be used to stall out opposing weather or speed control, or to shield Hoopa-U from damage while the partner deals with the threat.

Set Details
========

Using maximum Speed EVs with a boosting nature ensures Hoopa-U will outspeed as many foes as possible, namely any Tapu Bulu not holding a Choice Scarf and any Landorus-T not using a nature that boosts Speed. Hasty is preferred over Naive, (AC) as Hoopa-U's Defense is already very low, so there's not much harm in lowering it with the nature. The HP EVs allow Hoopa-U to survive a Gigavolt Havoc from Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt in Electric Terrain. The rest of the EVs are placed into Attack to boost the power of Hoopa-U's physical attacks. A Life Orb best fits Hoopa-U's goal of breaking through teams with various strong attacks.

Usage Tips
========

Hoopa-U works at its best when it is saved for mid- or late-game, after its checks and counters have been removed or at least significantly weakened. With Hoopa-U's poor speed, it will perform best if it is supported by Tailwind or Icy Wind users. Furthermore, Hoopa-U has a very tough time switching in on physical attacks, and its health should be preserved whenever possible; good opportunities to get Hoopa-U on the field are following a KO or coming off a slow U-turn. Hoopa-U is mainly used to remove the checks for your late-game sweepers or your other offensive Pokemon. For example, Hoopa-U removes can remove Aegislash for Mega Metagross (RC) or it can remove the opposing Kommo-o for Zygarde. Since Hoopa-U essentially prevents your opponent from using Protect (as they run the risk of losing serious momentum if Hoopa-U breaks it), it makes reading their moves significantly easier. If an opposing Pokemon like Aegislash is threatened by Hyperspace Fury, it is basically forced to switch if it does not want to be knocked out.

Team Options
========

Speed control users like Tailwind Zapdos and Icy Wind Tapu Fini are a must for Hoopa-U, as they allow Hoopa-U to apply lots of pressure without worrying about being outsped. Any team with Hoopa-U has to be mindful that Hoopa-U it will be knocked out by almost any opposing U-turn, which is a fairly common move. Thus, partners that deal with common opposing U-turn users, such as Genesect, Incineroar, and Landorus-T, are a necessity. Good options for this role include Tapu Fini and Scrafty. Hoopa-U is walled by virtually every Dark-type not also named aside from opposing Hoopa-U, so multiple checks for opposing Incineroar, Scrafty, and Tyranitar are needed. Offensive options like Landorus-T, Kommo-o, and even Fightinium Z Focus Blast Tapu Lele can perform this role by threatening large damage on opposing Dark-types, while defensive options like Tapu Fini can succeed here as well by taking their hits with ease. Stealth Rock Landorus-T is an excellent teammate to hurt the Incineroar switch-ins as well as weaken opposing foes slightly to put them in the range of Hoopa-U's powerful attacks.

[SET]
name: Offensive Trick Room
move 1: Hyperspace Fury
move 2: Hyperspace Hole
move 3: Trick Room
move 4: Protect
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Magician
nature: Brave
evs: 192 HP / 212 Atk / 104 Def

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Hyperspace Fury is Hoopa-U's main attack and the move it will want to click most often. It covers opposing Psychic-types like Bronzong and Cresselia and opposing Ghost-types like Aegislash. Hyperspace Hole is Hoopa-U's special STAB attack, hitting Poison-type targets like Amoonguss, which is a very good Trick Room check, or Fighting-type targets like Kommo-o. Both of these moves have the unique property of breaking Protect, which is especially valuable in Trick Room, as opponents want to use the move to stall out Trick Room turns. The Hyperspace moves also bypass Substitute, which some Pokemon will use to try mitigating the amount of damage they would be taking while Trick Room is up. Trick Room allows Hoopa-U and its slower teammates to move first for four turns, which can really turn the tables on any team that relies on the Speed of its Pokemon. Protect allows Hoopa-U to shield itself from damage while its partner handles a threat, or to stall out opposing field conditions.

Set Details
========

A Brave nature is used to lower Hoopa-U's Speed for Trick Room as well as power up Hyperspace Fury. Hoopa-U can also run 0 IVs in Speed to ensure it is even faster in Trick Room. The given HP and Defense EVs allow Hoopa-U to survive a U-turn from Choice Scarf Victini or an Overheat from Mega Charizard Y in sun. The remaining EVs are placed into Attack to boost the power of Hyperspace Fury. Sitrus Berry is used to indirectly improve Hoopa-U's bulk by allowing it to survive a double target if necessary; oftentimes Hoopa-U will take about 60% damage from both opponents, so Sitrus Berry can prevent those attacks from knocking it out. Sitrus Berry is also useful with Magician, as after it activates, (AC) Hoopa-U will be able to steal opposing Pokemon's items.

Usage Tips
========

Hoopa-U is usually at its best when it is not the lead Trick Room setter, regardless of whether the team needs Trick Room set up to function. If the team is reliant on Trick Room, a bulkier and more defensive setter is usually a better lead. If Trick Room is not vital to the team's success, it is preferable to wait until the optimal time to set Trick Room presents itself, usually in front of opposing speed control or with the appropriate supporting teammate. Hoopa-U punishes any team that wants to use Protect often, but it works especially well when Trick Room is up, as one of the main ways opposing teams want to stall out Trick Room turns is by using Protect a lot. Hoopa-U essentially prevents opposing teams from doing so, so the opponent has to rely on making defensive switches, which is punishable by making an offensive switch at the same time or by getting off a powerful double target. Keep in mind that firing off Hyperspace Fury will lower Hoopa-U's Defense; however, once Trick Room is set, Hoopa-U is a lot less worried about its Defense stat. Hoopa-U will have a very tough time setting Trick Room if there is no support option beside it, such as a Fake Out or redirection user, as the opponent can generally just double target Hoopa-U to prevent its setup. To work around this, try to get Hoopa-U and a supportive Pokemon in as Trick Room is running out so you're immediately ready to set Trick Room again.

Team Options
========

Hoopa-U benefits a lot from a Fake Out partner like Scrafty. Fake Out will make setting up Trick Room easier, as it can stop an incoming target or an attack that could knock out Hoopa-U. Scrafty has the added benefit of threatening opposing Dark-types like Incineroar and Tyranitar, both of which wall it Hoopa-U. Any team that is reliant on Trick Room will need a defensive setter to pair with Hoopa-U like Diancie or Bronzong Porygon2. Diancie is an especially good option, as it has a fantastic matchup versus Incineroar and other opposing Dark-types. Amoonguss can also provide a lot of support for Hoopa-U, as it can redirect moves that would stop Trick Room, as well as spread fast Spores while Trick Room is active. Any team with Hoopa-U will need multiple checks for opposing Dark-types like Incineroar, Scrafty, and Tyranitar. Landorus-T, Scrafty, Tapu Fini, and Mega Camerupt are all good options that have the added benefit of being able to function effectively in Trick Room. Hoopa-U will not be able to do much damage to any of the Island Guardians, except for Tapu Lele, so a Poison-type like Amoonguss or a Steel-type like Bronzong or Ferrothorn Stakataka can shore up that matchup considerably. Hoopa-U has the added benefit of being able to do huge amounts of damage to most opposing Trick Room setters with Hyperspace Fury, bar Stakataka and Diancie. (not really true anymore, since Diancie and P2 are probably the two most common) A Ground-type like Mega Camerupt or Landorus-T can help stop those Pokemon from getting rid of Trick Room or setting it up for themselves.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Focus Blast along with Fightinium Z can be run on Hoopa-U to give it Hoopa-U a way to deal with opposing Dark-types like Incineroar and Tyranitar that would otherwise wall it. It is usable over Gunk Shot on offensive sets or Protect or Hyperspace Hole on Trick Room sets. Hidden Power Ice, along with 84 Special Attack EVs, allows Life Orb Hoopa-U to get the OHKO on opposing Zygarde. However, Gunk Shot is generally better coverage than both of these options. Choice Scarf can be used over Life Orb on offensive sets to make up for Hoopa-U's poor Speed, but not being unable to switch moves will can really hurt Hoopa-U's offensive presence, and Protect is a vital move for preserving Hoopa-U's health. A Terrain Seed (RC) such as Misty or Psychic Seed can be run over Sitrus Berry on Trick Room sets to boost Hoopa-U's Special Defense. This has the added benefit of letting Magician activate immediately, but the recovery of Sitrus Berry is usually more reliable for setting up Trick Room.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Dark-types**: Common Dark-types like Incineroar, Tyranitar, and Scrafty all wall Hoopa-U, resist all of its attacks (redundant) and threaten large amounts of damage with strong physical moves. It is possible to run They only need to fear the rare Fightinium Z with Focus Blast as a way to aid this poor match up, however.

**Fairy-types**: Any set not running without Gunk Shot cannot do very much damage to Fairy-types like the omnipresent Island Guardians, and they all threaten large amounts of damage on Hoopa-U.

**Intimidate**: Incineroar and Landorus-T can leave Hoopa-U reliant on its weaker Hyperspace Hole to do damage, with Incineroar switching into Hoopa-U virtually any time it wants to.

**Opposing Speed Control**: Hoopa-U's middling speed tier leaves it reliant on its own speed control to perform at its best, so opposing Tailwind or Trick Room can leave Hoopa-U wide open to getting knocked out thanks to its frailty and render it unable to fire off its extremely strong attacks.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[n10sit, 267148]]
- Earlier versions by: [[talkingtree, 232101]]
- Quality checked by: [[talkingtree, 232101], [MajorBowman, 188164]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [talkingtree, 232101]]
 

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