Hydreigon
Status - Done.
QC Approved 3 / 3: panamaxis, PK Gaming, Bloo
GP Approved 3 / 3: Zystral, Fatecrashers, Aeron Ee1
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[Overview]
<p>With a fantastic movepool, wonderful mixed attacking stats, and nice base 92 / 90 / 90 defenses, Hydreigon is a Pokemon to watch out for. It can switch in easily using its good defenses and Levitate, and then punch holes in the opponent's team. It is also one of the few Pokemon who can effectively counter the common Ferrothorn + Jellicent defensive core. However, Hydreigon is severely hampered by its odd 98 base Speed, which leaves it outsped by a host of Pokemon. Dark / Dragon is not a great defensive typing either, as it gives Hydreigon unwanted weaknesses to Fighting- and Bug-type attacks. Still, underestimate Hydreigon at your own peril, as it can easily plough through entire teams if given even the slightest chance to do so.</p>
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Focus Blast / U-turn
item: Life Orb
nature: Modest
ability: Levitate
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With its massive base 125 Special Attack, wide movepool, and reasonable bulk, Hydreigon is the ideal candidate for a Life Orb set. Draco Meteor and Dark Pulse are Hydreigon's STAB attacks, hitting common Pokemon such as Jellicent and Reuniclus hard. However, Draco Meteor should not be used recklessly, since the resulting Special Attack drop will force Hydreigon to switch out and give the opponent a free turn. Fire Blast smacks Steel-types switching into a predicted Draco Meteor, meaning that Hydreigon can serve as a great check to Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Skarmory.</p>
<p>There are 2 options for the last moveslot. Focus Blast gives Hydreigon perfect coverage, and allows it to demolish Tyranitar and Heatran, OHKOing all but the most specially defensive versions. Heatran also walls Hydreigon's other moves completely, making Focus Blast all the more useful. On the other hand, U-turn makes Hydreigon an effective scout, and also enables it to weaken special walls such as Blissey and Chansey before switching to a counter.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread is a very simple one: 252 EVs are invested in Special Attack and Speed, enabling Hydreigon to hit hard and fast. The remaining 4 EVs are invested in HP. A Modest nature is preferred, amping up Hydreigon's already massive Special Attack. However, Timid can be used to outrun Jolly Darmanitan and, more importantly, Jolly Haxorus. Since U-turn is meant primarily for scouting, the Attack drop from using a Modest nature is of little consequence.</p>
<p>The biggest problems for this set are the pink blobs, Chansey and Blissey, who wall it to the moon and back. All that Hydreigon can do is weaken them with U-turn and switch out. For this reason, Fighting types such as Terrakion and Trick users such as Starmie make great teammates for Hydreigon. Despite having Fire Blast, Hydreigon will have problems dealing with Steel-types if it has already lowered its Special Attack with Draco Meteor. The removal of Steel-types also allows Hydreigon to spam Draco Meteor more freely without worrying about being forced out. For this reason, Magnezone makes a great teammate, as it can trap and KO Skarmory and Ferrothorn with Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Fire, respectively.</p>
<p>Hydreigon also has a few alternative moves which it can run on this set. Outrage can be used with a Mild nature to 2HKO Chansey and Blissey. However, Hydreigon will get locked into Outrage and cannot switch out, meaning Steel-types such as Skarmory and Ferrothorn can freely set up on it. If Fire Blast's imperfect accuracy is an issue, Flamethrower can be used instead, though Hydreigon will lose out on a lot of power in that case. Dragon Pulse can also be used instead of Draco Meteor to grant Hydreigon a lot more staying power, but Hydreigon will miss the presence of a powerful STAB move which allows it to hit extemely hard before switching out or fainting. Finally, Expert Belt is also an option to feign a Choice item, allowing Hydreigon to lure in and KO Steel-types.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Dragon Pulse
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Surf / U-turn
item: Choice Specs
nature: Modest
ability: Levitate
evs: 64 HP / 252 SpA / 192 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set aims to hit as hard as possible with Hydreigon's huge base 125 Special Attack, which is further boosted by Choice Specs. Draco Meteor and Dragon Pulse allow Hydreigon hit very hard while also maintaining reliability. Flamethrower decimates bulky Steel-types such Ferrothorn and Skarmory. Once again, there are two options for the last moveslot. Surf has a high chance of OHKOing most Heatran, who will otherwise wall this set and possibly gain a Flash Fire boost by switching into a predicted Flamethrower. On the other hand, U-turn maintains offensive pressure. Both moves can be run on the same set, but this is not advised, as it requires the removal of one of Hydreigon's primary moves.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The 64 HP EVs help Hydreigon take Mach Punch from Adamant Conkeldurr, along with other strong priority attacks. 192 Speed EVs give Hydreigon 280 Speed, enabling it to outspeed all neutral-natured Pokemon with a base Speed of 90 and lower. With Choice Specs and a Modest nature, 252 Special Attack EVs give Hydreigon a huge 576 Special Attack. However, if you wish for Hydreigon to outspeed Jolly Haxorus and tie with other Timid Hydreigon, run a Timid nature and 252 Speed EVs.</p>
<p>Choice Specs Hydreigon punches holes in the opponent's team, allowing a fast sweeper such as Starmie to clean up the remains. However, you need to need to eliminate Blissey and Chansey to let this set reach maximum potential. Powerful Fighting-types such as Terrakion and Conkeldurr make great teammates, since they can dispose of the aforementioned special walls with their STAB Fighting-type attacks. Steel-types such as Skarmory will also pose a major problem for Hydreigon, as Hydreigon cannot switch attacks unlike the Life Orb set. They can freely switch into any of Hydreigon's attacks barring Flamethrower, and set up. Magnezone is thus recommended as a teammate, since it can eliminate Steel-types with ease.</p>
<p>Dark Pulse is an option over Surf and U-turn, if only for the STAB Hydreigon gains from it. It also hits Jellicent, Dusclops, and Reuniclus hard, but Hydreigon is hard-pressed for moveslots already. Earth Power can also be used instead of Surf, but its only purpose is to hit both Heatran and Empoleon for super effective damage. Surf is generally the better option, as it offers better coverage overall. Getting locked into Earth Power is also a very bad idea, as it will potentially give the opponent a free turn to set up.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Timid
ability: Levitate
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Choice Scarf Hydreigon can function as an effective revenge killer thanks to its great movepool. Draco Meteor is Hydreigon's primary STAB move, and will severely dent or OHKO a large number of Pokemon. Fire Blast has excellent coverage with Draco Meteor, finishing off any Steel-type Pokemon who switch in to wall Hydreigon's STAB Dragon-type attacks.</p>
<p>U-turn allows Hydreigon to scout any switch-ins. Focus Blast is used in the last slot to hit Heatran, Tyranitar, Porygon2, and Empoleon for super effective damage. Without Focus Blast, Hydreigon will struggle to damage the aforementioned Pokemon significantly since its other attacks are not boosted by its item. For this reason, Focus Blast is preferred over Surf. While this set could use all the power it can get, Flamethrower may be used instead of Fire Blast if Fire Blast's inaccuracy is worrisome.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>252 EVs are invested both in Speed and Special Attack, while the remaining 4 EVs are put in HP. A Timid nature helps Hydreigon outspeed Jolly Choice Scarf Haxorus, which can prove to be crucial. Since U-turn is meant mainly for scouting purposes, the Attack drop from using a Timid nature is not an issue. Using either a Hasty or a Naive nature will lower Hydreigon's defenses, and is thus not advised.</p>
<p>Dragon Pulse can be used as a reliable STAB option instead of having to rely on Draco Meteor as Hydreigon's only Dragon-type STAB attack. A moveslot for the same can be created by dropping U-turn. However, keep in mind that Hydreigon will lose the ability to scout switch-ins and maintain offensive pressure, which is important on just about any Pokemon with a Choice Scarf. Special walls such as Blissey and Jellicent will wall this set cold, weathering Hydreigon's unboosted attacks with absolute ease. A stallbreaker such as Thundurus will thus make a great teammate for Hydreigon, as it can deal with the aforementioned walls with a combination of Taunt and either Hammer Arm or Thunderbolt. Once again, Steel-types can set up on Hydreigon provided they avoid Fire Blast while switching in. Thus, Magnzeone also makes a good teammate, as it can trap and finish off Skarmory and Ferrothorn easily.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Hydreigon has the defenses to run a bulky support set consisting of Thunder Wave, Dragon Tail, Taunt, and Substitute with a defensive EV spread, but it would be a waste of its offensive potential. Moreover, such a set would face severe competition from MultiScale Dragonite, who has better defensive stats and access to Roost. However, such a set would work well with entry hazard support.</p>
<p>Charge Beam is an option to boost Hydreigon's Special Attack and attempt a sweep, but its inaccuracy can cause issues. Moreover, the SpA boost is not a guaranteed one. Hydreigon also has a usable base 105 Attack, along with a physical movepool consisting of Crunch, Outrage, Earthquake, and Head Smash. It can put these physical options to great effect by surprising its normal counters and running a mixed set.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Hydreigon's counters are few and far between, as with its good defensive stats, Hydreigon can take just about any neutral hit and retaliate with a strong attack. However, its weakness to common Fighting-type attacks and average Speed will ultimately be the bane of its existence. With its typing and Flash Fire, Heatran walls Hydreigon lacking Surf, and can 2HKO Hydreigon with Dragon Pulse. Special walls such as Chansey and Jellicent can easily wall the Choice sets, and wear down Hydreigon with Seismic Toss and Ice Beam, respectively.</p>
<p>Specially defensive Conkeldurr can take any attack which Hydreigon throws at it barring Choice Specs Draco Meteor, and KO Hydreigon with a combination of Drain Punch and Mach Punch. Speedy Fighting-types such as Infernape and Terrakion can exploit Hydreigon's average Speed and KO it with their powerful STAB attacks. However, these Pokemon have to be careful when they switch into Hydreigon, since they will take massive damage from Draco Meteor.</p>
