Neko
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[OVERVIEW]
Dragon
========
Hydreigon is the premier special wallbreaker for Dragon teams, as its combination of Nasty Plot and Substitute allows it to improve matchups against bulky types such as Poison and Steel. Hydreigon's unique typing, decent bulk, and Ground immunity allow it to also improve Psychic, Ghost, and Ground matchups. However, Hydreigon's Speed is slightly below average, which leaves it vulnerable to being revenge killed by Jirachi, Garchomp, Dragapult, and Latias. Furthermore, Hydreigon's coverage can be exploited by setup sweepers such as Tapu Fini and Tyranitar, which can use it as setup bait.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot (Dragon)
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 4: Substitute / Roost
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Dark Pulse hits Poison-, Ghost-, and Psychic-types such as Galarian Slowking, Galarian Corsola, and Jirachi. Flamethrower allows Hydreigon to threaten Steel- and Grass-types such as Bisharp, Ferrothorn, and Amoonguss. Fire Blast can be used over Flamethrower, as it allows Hydreigon to remove specially defensive Celesteela, Galarian Weezing, and Assault Vest Melmetal at +2. After a Nasty Plot boost, Hydreigon threatens to 2HKO most defensive Pokemon, such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, specially defensive Skuntank, and Galarian Slowking. Substitute allows Hydreigon to set up on passive Pokemon such as Amoonguss, Aegislash, and Toxapex without fear of getting statused. Roost can be used over Substitute to further increase Hydreigon's longevity at the cost of not being able to avoid status. Leftovers allows Hydreigon to stay healthy after setting Substitute and attempt to wallbreak multiple times in a match.
Dragalge is a fantastic teammate that provides utility in Toxic Spikes and Flip Turn while also checking special attackers like Tapu Fini, Keldeo, and Volcarona. Hydreigon repays Dragalge by covering for its Psychic and Ground weaknesses, and removing Steel-types that are unbothered by Dragalge's moves. Kyurem can remove Flying-, Ground-, and Water-types like Landorus-T, Nidoking, and Tapu Fini and run a plethora of sets like Choice Specs, SubRoost, and Dragon Dance. Garchomp sets Stealth Rock, provides an Electric immunity, and removes Pokemon that wall Hydreigon such as Tyranitar, Terrakion, and specially defensive Heatran. Dragapult can be used to deter foes such as Urshifu-R, Thundurus-T, and Gengar from using Fighting-type moves to remove Hydreigon and covers for Hydreigon's Bug weakness due to its Ghost typing, and it also has an excellent Speed tier that lets it outpace and remove threats like Latias and Tapu Lele. Choice Scarf Latias provides a fast teammate for Hydreigon, aids in Fighting and Poison matchups, and can provide Healing Wish to give Hydreigon a second chance to wallbreak.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dragon
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Earth Power can be used over Substitute to remove specially defensive Heatran and Skuntank. Similarly, Flash Cannon can be used to improve the Fairy matchup, as Hydreigon outspeeds most Fairy-type Pokemon and can use Klefki as setup bait. However, Substitute or Roost is more beneficial for Hydreigon, as it allows Hydreigon to avoid status or improve its longevity, respectively. A Modest nature can be used to OHKO Ferrothorn without a Nasty Plot boost, but the drop in Speed leaves Hydreigon vulnerable to Kyurem, Excadrill, and Nidoking. A Choice Specs set with Fire Blast, Draco Meteor, Dark Pulse, and Flash Cannon allows Hydreigon to immediately wallbreak and help in Ground, Steel, Ghost, Psychic, and Fairy matchups. A Choice Scarf set may also be considered, as it can OHKO Galarian Darmanitan with Fire Blast and Alolan Ninetales with Flash Cannon, but Hydreigon will struggle to break bulkier Pokemon such as Galarian Slowking, Heatran, and Gastrodon. However, using Choice Scarf or Choice Specs leaves Hydreigon vulnerable to being scouted with Protect, which could be problematic in the Steel matchup.
Checks and Counters
===================
Dragon
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**Specially Defensive Walls**: Specially defensive walls such as Blissey, Tyranitar, and Heatran take negligible damage from Hydreigon's attacks and can threaten it with status or chip damage.
**Revenge Killers**: Faster Pokemon like Garchomp, Weavile, Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan, and Jirachi outspeed Hydreigon and OHKO it with a super effective move.
**Melmetal**: Melmetal can threaten to OHKO Hydreigon behind a Substitute with Double Iron Bash when using a Choice Band set. Melmetal can also opt to use an Assault Vest to survive a +2 Flamethrower and heavily chip Hydreigon with Double Iron Bash.
**Status**: Paralysis reduces Hydreigon's ability to threaten slower Pokemon. Toxic puts Hydreigon on a timer, making it unable to wallbreak properly. Hydreigon has to be wary of Crobat, as Infiltrator lets Crobat cripple Hydreigon with Toxic behind Substitute.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[fish sticks cat, 542526]]
- Quality checked by: [[Felines, 290520], [roxiee, 481576]]
- Grammar checked by: [[estronic, 240732]]
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