OU Hydreigon

[Jordy]

[OVERVIEW]

Hydreigon is one of the best wallbreakers in OU; it has virtually no consistent defensive checks besides Sylveon. Its typing is very good both offensively and defensively, allowing it to break down walls while being able to take advantage of common Pokemon such as Rotom-H, Toxapex, and Seismitoad. Its typing also provides a valuable Ghost resistance, which can make it notably easier to play around Choice-locked Dragapult and Aegislash. Hydreigon's Speed tier is also quite good for an offensive Pokemon, as it can outspeed every relevant defensive Pokemon as well as offensive Pokemon like Dracovish. When holding a Choice Scarf, Hydreigon is able to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame and even some of the boosted metagame. Unfortunately, Hydreigon can be worn down quickly between taking Stealth Rock damage, constantly switching into weaker moves, and taking recoil damage from Life Orb. Its good Speed tier also doesn't prevent it from being revenge killed by the likes of Dragapult, Terrakion, Keldeo, and Conkeldurr.

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot + 3 Attacks
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Flash Cannon
move 4: Flamethrower / Dark Pulse
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Nasty Plot allows Hydreigon to capitalize on relatively passive Pokemon like Toxapex and Hippowdon. With as little as just one Nasty Plot, Hydreigon can OHKO the majority of defensive Pokemon in the metagame, like Clefable and Mandibuzz. Draco Meteor is really important because it allows Hydreigon to OHKO Mandibuzz, Kommo-o, Keldeo, and Terrakion. It also does good damage naturally because of its high Base Power, so Hydreigon isn't entirely reliant on Nasty Plot to break down teams. Flash Cannon enables Hydreigon to hit Fairy-types such as Clefable, Sylveon, Hatterene, and Mimikyu. Flamethrower is preferred to OHKO Corviknight at +2 and to deal with Ferrothorn and Bisharp, but the lack of a consistent move can be bothersome. However, you can run Dark Pulse instead, as it is a spammable STAB move because it has no drawbacks, and Hydreigon can deal with Dark-resistant Pokemon such as Mandibuzz and Clefable pretty handily. Life Orb allows Hydreigon to attain some key KOs at +2, most notably against Mandibuzz and Clefable. A Timid nature is preferred, as it allows Hydreigon to outspeed Pokemon such as Kyurem and Excadrill. However, a Modest nature can be run to improve damage rolls against Clefable.

Usage Tips
========

You usually want to bring Hydreigon in through aggressive double switches in order to pressure the opposition and create opportunities to use Nasty Plot. Hydreigon can also look for opportunities to switch into play against Pokemon like Toxapex, Seismitoad, and Rotom-H, though it has to be wary of getting crippled. (by status?) While doing all of this, you should be wary of Hydreigon's health, as it's quickly worn down by weaker moves, Life Orb recoil, and Stealth Rock. When switching Hydreigon into play, be wary of whether you've revealed its item or not.

Team Options
========

Hydreigon can form an incredible offensive core with Dragapult. Dragapult is commonly checked by Pokemon like Mandibuzz, Clefable, and Sylveon, which Hydreigon can easily overwhelm, paving the way for Dragapult to clean up. Fairy-types can handle Dragapult and Conkeldurr, two Pokemon that can greatly annoy Hydreigon. Certain Fairy-types, Clefable and Sylveon in particular, can provide Hydreigon with Wish support, which is incredibly valuable, as Hydreigon can be worn down quickly otherwise. Through sustaining it with Wish, Hydreigon will get even more opportunities to break down teams. Clefable's access to Heal Bell is also notable, as it gives Hydreigon more freedom against Pokemon like Toxapex, Seismitoad, and Rotom-H, which will often attempt to cripple it. Although Hydreigon can overwhelm Fairy-types pretty well, it's still important to have good checks to them such as Corviknight, Rotom-H, and Aegislash because they can still force an unboosted Hydreigon out. It can also prove to be useful to support Hydreigon with U-turn and Volt Switch from Pokemon like Corviknight, Mandibuzz, and Rotom-H, as they can create safe opportunities for it to switch into play. Fighting-resistant Pokemon such as Toxapex, Clefable, and Reuniclus are useful teammates to keep Terrakion and Keldeo in check.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Thunder Wave / Flamethrower / Fire Blast
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Dark Pulse is a solid STAB move without any drawbacks that enables Hydreigon to revenge kill Pokemon like Aegislash and Dragapult. Although it's often not a good idea to Choice lock Hydreigon into Draco Meteor, it's still important to consistently revenge kill Pokemon like Choice Scarf Dracovish and Kommo-o. U-turn allows Hydreigon to capitalize on the switches it forces against Pokemon like Seismitoad and Rotom-H. Thunder Wave is prefered to Flamethrower or Fire Blast to cripple checks such as Clefable, Sylveon, Terrakion, and Mandibuzz. Flamethrower hits Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Excadrill. Fire Blast can be used instead to KO them from higher ranges. Fire Blast also allows Hydreigon to 2HKO Corviknight, but it's prone to being PP stalled because of its low PP and chance to miss. Without Thunder Wave, Hydreigon becomes rather easy to take advantage of with Pokemon like Terrakion and Clefable, though. With a Choice Scarf, Hydreigon can outspeed and revenge kill Pokemon such as Dragapult, Kommo-o, and opposing Hydreigon.

Usage Tips
========

Be considerate of what move you Choice lock Hydreigon into. If there's a Fairy-type, Mandibuzz, or Corviknight present, you will constantly want to be using U-turn to prevent losing momentum against them. You should especially be careful of Choice locking Hydreigon into Draco Meteor, as it can easily be taken advantage of by setup sweepers such as Hawlucha, Mimikyu, and Aegislash. Hydreigon's all-around decent bulk and typing allow it to switch into and pressure Pokemon like Rotom-H and Seismitoad, which you can use to generate momentum in your favor. Though, be wary of repeatedly doing this because Hydreigon can be worn quite quickly due to its lack of recovery.

Team Options
========

Hydreigon fits incredibly well on more offensively inclined teams that are weak to offensive Pokemon like Dragapult, Gengar, and Kommo-o. (isn't kommo mostly defensive or is offensive still a thing?) Pokemon such as Aegislash, Excadrill, and Cinderace can take advantage of the fact that Hydreigon often tends to bait in Fairy-types. Hydreigon's susceptible to Conkeldurr, especially when Choice locked into Dark Pulse, so checks to it like Dragapult, Reuniclus, and Clefable can prove to be useful. You will want to consider running Pokemon such as Conkeldurr, Terrakion, and Dragapult alongside Hydreigon, as they can take advantage of paralyzed Fairy-types such as Clefable and Sylveon. Hydreigon can be taken advantage of by Terrakion and Keldeo, so solid checks are imperative; Clefable, Toxapex, and Reuniclus fit the bill.

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

Substitute can be run in tandem with Leftovers on Nasty Plot sets to safely take advantage of Pokemon like Toxapex and Seismitoad. However, it's significantly weaker and misses out on the coverage from Draco Meteor, leaving it walled by Mandibuzz and Kommo-o. Choice Specs can be run on Hydreigon to turn it into a more immediate wallbreaker, but it struggles to compete with Nasty Plot sets because locking yourself into any one move is unfavorable. Roost can be run instead of Thunder Wave on Choice Scarf sets to stay healthy, but Hydreigon can be punished for it rather heavily by Pokemon like Terrakion, Keldeo, and Clefable. Hydreigon can also run Defog on Choice Scarf sets to provide an additional means of entry hazard control, but similarly to Roost, it makes it very easy for Pokemon like Terrakion, Keldeo, and Clefable to take advantage of it.

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

**Revenge Killers**: Hydreigon is vulnerable to being revenge killed by Pokemon such as Dragapult, Conkeldurr, Terrakion, and Keldeo. Dragapult is especially notable because it doesn't care about a potential Substitute from Hydreigon thanks to Infiltrator. Terrakion and Keldeo can sometimes even switch into Hydreigon thanks to their respectable special bulk and resistance to Dark.

**Fairy-types**: Hydreigon can struggle with Fairy-types like Clefable, Sylveon, and Grimmsnarl if it hasn't managed to use Nasty Plot already. It's also worth noting that Sylveon can bypass Substitutes with Hyper Voice, making it even harder for Hydreigon to deal with it.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Jordy, 395754]]
- Quality checked by: [[Gary, 101351], [TDK, 185591], [Leo, 328915]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [martha, 384270]]

 

[Gary]

[OVERVIEW]

* Hydreigon is one of the best wallbreakers in the OU metagame, it has virtually no consistent defensive checks besides Sylveon.
* Its typing is both very good offensively and defensively, allowing it to break down walls while being able to take advantage of common Pokemon such as Rotom-H, Toxapex, and Seismitoad. Its typing also provides a valuable Ghost resistance, which can make it notably easier to play around Choice-locked Dragapult and Aegislash.
* Hydreigon's Speed tier is also quite good for an offensive Pokemon, as it can outspeed every relevant defensive Pokemon as well as offensive Pokemon like Dracovish. When holding a Choice Scarf, Hydreigon's able to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame and even some of the boosted metagame.
* Unfortunately, Hydreigon lacks recovery and can be worn down quickly between taking Stealth Rock damage, constantly switching into weaker moves, taking recoil damage from Life Orb, and the need to set up a Substitute.
* Its good Speed tier also doesn't prevent it from being revenge killed by the likes of Dragapult and Conkeldurr.

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot + 3 Attacks
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Flash Cannon
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

* Nasty Plot allows Hydreigon to capitalize on relatively passive Pokemon like Toxapex and Hippowdon. With as little as just one Nasty Plot, Hydreigon can OHKO the majority of defensive Pokemon in the metagame, like Clefable and Mandibuzz for example.
* Draco Meteor is really important because it allows Hydreigon to OHKO Mandibuzz and Kommo-o. It also does good damage naturally because of its high Base Power, so Hydreigon isn't entirely reliant on Nasty Plot to break down teams.
* Dark Pulse is a spammable STAB move because it has no drawbacks and Hydreigon can deal with Dark-resistant Pokemon such as Mandibuzz and Clefable pretty handily.
* Flash Cannon enables Hydreigon to hit Fairy-types such as Clefable, Sylveon, and Hatterene.
* You can consider running Flamethrower instead of Dark Pulse to OHKO Corviknight at +2 and to deal with Bisharp, but the lack of a consistent move can be bothersome.
* Life Orb is the item of choice because it allows Hydreigon to attain some key KOes at +2, most notably against Mandibuzz and Clefable.

Usage Tips
========

* You usually want to bring Hydreigon in through aggrssive double switches in order to pressure the opposition and to create opportunities to use Nasty Plot.
* Hydreigon can also look for opportunities to switch into play against Pokemon like Toxapex, Seismitoad, and Rotom-H, though it has to be wary of getting crippled.
* While doing all of this, you should be wary of Hydreigon's health, as it's quickly worn down by weaker moves, Life Orb recoil, and it constantly switches into Stealth Rock.
* You can consider bluffing a Choice Scarf set early-game to surprise Pokemon that'll switch in such as Mandibuzz and overwhelm them. (unless I'm misunderstanding the wording here I'm not sure how you can bluff a Scarf when you are taking LO recoil. Unless you mean like coming in vs a Pult to bait them? Should probably be a bit more specific in that case. It's also pretty risky overall.)

Team Options
========

* Hydreigon can form an incredible offensive core with Dragapult. Dragapult is commonly checked by Pokemon like Mandibuzz, Clefable, and Sylveon, which Hydreigon can easily overwhelm, paving the way for Dragapult to clean up.
* Wish support from Pokemon like Clefable and Sylveon is incredibly valuable to Hydreigon, as it can be worn down quickly otherwise. Through sustaining it with Wish, Hydreigon will get even more opportunities to break down teams. Clefable's access to Aromatherapy is also notable, as it gives Hydreigon more freedom against Pokemon like Toxapex, Seismitoad, and Rotom-H, which will often attempt to cripple it. (something about how they are able to check Conk is also worth mentioning, considering how big of a nuisance it is.)
* Although Hydreigon can overwhelm Fairy-types pretty well, it's still important to have good checks to them because they can still force an unboosted Hydreigon out. Pokemon such as Corviknight, Rotom-H, and Aegislash are good checks to Fairy-types.
* It can also prove to be useful to support Hydreigon with U-turn and Volt Switch from Pokemon like Corviknight, Mandibuzz, and Rotom-H, as they can create safe opportunities for it to switch into play.

[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Nasty Plot
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Flash Cannon
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

* Substitute is a good option on Hydreigon in order to evade being crippled by Pokemon like Toxapex and Seismitoad. It also eases prediction and makes it easier to use Nasty Plot safely in general.
* Nasty Plot makes Hydreigon particularly threatening, allowing it to overwhelm Pokemon like Clefable and Ferrothorn.
* Dark Pulse is a spammable STAB move, it has no drawbacks and Hydreigon can deal with common Dark-resistant Pokemon such as Clefable.
* Flash Cannon is important to deal with Fairy-types like Clefable and Hatterene.
* Leftovers is the preferred item of choice because it provides Hydreigon with some sustainability, making it much easier to consistently take advantage of Pokemon.

Usage Tips
========

* You should look to switch Hydreigon in aggressively on predicted switches into Pokemon like Toxapex, Seismitoad, and Ferrothorn.
* From there, you'll often get the opportunity to use Substitute and subsequently Nasty Plot to try and overwhelm the opposition, though be mindful of Pokemon like Mandibuzz when doing this.
* If you do this too often, Hydreigon will be worn down quickly, so be mindful of its HP, as Leftovers cannot sustain it very well in the long run.

Team Options
========

* Hydreigon struggles to deal with Pokemon like Mandibuzz, so pairing it with Pokemon that can overwhelm Mandibuzz like Aegislash, Gengar, and Reuniclus.
* Pivots that bait in bulky Water-types, like Corviknight and Mandibuzz can be useful teammates to switch Hydreigon into play safely.
* Pokemon that can take advantage of Fairy-types such as Aegislash, Rotom-H, and Excadrill can prove to be useful teammates because Hydreigon can sometimes struggle to get past Fairy-types like Clefable and Sylveon.
* Wish support is also really useful because Hydreigon can be worn quite quickly.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

* Dark Pulse is a solid STAB move without any drawbacks that enables Hydreigon to revenge kill Pokemon like Aegislash and Dragapult.
* Although it's often not a good idea to Choice-lock Hydreigon into Draco Meteor, it's still important to consistently revenge kill Pokemon like Choice Scarf Dracovish and Kommo-o.
* Flamethrower hits Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Excadrill. Fire Blast can be used instead to KO them from higher ranges. Fire Blast also allows Hydreigon to 2HKO Corviknight, but it's prone to being PP stalled because of its poor PP.
* U-turn allows Hydreigon to capitalize on the switches that it forces against Pokemon like Seismitoad and Rotom-H.
* With a Choice Scarf, Hydreigon can outspeed and revenge kill Pokemon such as Dragapult, Kommo-o, and opposing Hydreigon.

Usage Tips
========

* Be considerate of what move you Choice-lock Hydreigon into. If there's a Fairy-type, Mandibuzz, or Corviknight present you will constantly want to be using U-turn to prevent losing momentum against them.
* You should especially be careful of Choice-locking Hydreigon into Draco Meteor, as it can easily be taken advantage of.
* Hydreigon's all-around decent bulk and typing can allow it to switch into and pressure Pokemon like Rotom-H and Seismitoad, which you can use to generate momentum in your favor.
* Though, be wary of doing this consistently because Hydreigon can be worn quite quickly due to its lack of recovery.

Team Options
========

* Hydreigon fits incredibly well on more offensively inclined teams that are weak to offensive Pokemon like Dragapult, (Gengar) and Kommo-o.
* Pokemon such as Aegislash, Excadrill, and Cinderace can take advantage of the fact that Hydreigon often tends to bait in Fairy-types.
* Hydreigon's susceptible to Conkeldurr, especially when Choice-locked into Dark Pulse, so checks to it like Dragapult, Reuniclus, and Clefable can prove to be useful.

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

* Choice Specs can be run on Hydreigon to turn it into a more immediate wallbreaker, but it struggles to compete with Nasty Plot sets because locking yourself into any one move is unfavorable.

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

**Revenge Killers**: Hydreigon is prone to being revenge killed by Pokemon such as Dragapult, Conkeldurr, and Hawlucha.

**Fairy-types**: Hydreigon can struggle with Fairy-types like Clefable, Sylveon, and Grimmsnarl if it hasn't managed to use Nasty Plot already.

(I think it's worth mentioning how Sylveon/Dragapult are extra annoying because they are able to hit Hydreigon behind a Sub)

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Jordy, 395754]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

Fantastic work most of my changes are pretty nitpicky QC 1/3

 

[kumiko]

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot + 3 Attacks
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Flash Cannon
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

I think Flamethrower is better than Dark Pulse personally. Both are good for sure, but Flame hits some big benchmarks and comes in handy very frequently. OHKOing Ferrothorn and Bisharp as well as OHKOing Corviknight after a NP is super clutch. Not that Dark Pulse is bad, I would definitely slash it with Flamethrower, but I really think Flamethrower offers a lot more for this set and is the main reason Hydreigon is as potent as it is against fatter builds. Dark Pulse is very useful though.

* Flash Cannon enables Hydreigon to hit Fairy-types such as Clefable, Sylveon, and Hatterene.

I know this is like, common sense and all, but I think Mimikyu and Togekiss are also important to mention. Revenge killing Mimikyu after, say, Corviknight U-turn is one of the most surefire ways to handle Mimikyu safely, and Hydreigon is a good check to NP Togekiss. The Fairies you listed are obviously things that could potentially wall it, but they're also kinda common sense, so I'm not sure how you want to go about writing this part.

Usage Tips
========

(for lo)
A big aspect I think should be mentioned is when it first comes in, you should be sure to keep in mind if Hydreigons item has been revealed. Seeing no Leftovers is going to have people assuming Draco Meteor, meaning NP or Scarf, while if it's at full, Sub NP is also something that must be kept in mind. If no Leftovers is revealed, the Hydreigon player might want to make an aggressive play, as NP Hydreigon is practically impossible to wall, thus they could go to a revenge killer directly to stop it as it Nasty Plots. You talk about bluffing scarf but i think you should talk about the whole item vs item reveal dynamic a good amount

* Wish support from Pokemon like Clefable and Sylveon

I think wording this as Fairy types is better, because Hydreigon doesn't NEED wish, but it does need reliable answers to Dragapult and Conkeldurr.

* Substitute is a good option on Hydreigon in order to evade being crippled by Pokemon like Toxapex and Seismitoad.

I would include Rotom-H alongside these two, as it blocks TWave/Wisp which is p big.

* Wish support is also really useful because Hydreigon can be worn quite quickly.

same boat as lo, but more important bc dark steel is walled by fighters

* Flamethrower hits Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Excadrill. Fire Blast can be used instead to KO them from higher ranges. Fire Blast also allows Hydreigon to 2HKO Corviknight, but it's prone to being PP stalled because of its poor PP.

also mention missing. i personally would not slash fire blast BUT i know i might be of the minority and i think fire blast is ok

* You should especially be careful of Choice-locking Hydreigon into Draco Meteor, as it can easily be taken advantage of.

i'd mention all the setup the tier has rn because scarf hydreigon is going to be massive in the matchup against offenses and letting things setup can potentially be bad depending upon the teams being used



2/3

 

[Leo]

When switching Hydreigon into play, be wary of whether you've revealed its item or not. If people don't see Leftovers, they will often assume it is either Nasty Plot + 3 Attacks or Choice Scarf, so there's a chance that they could directly go into their revenge killer, such as Dragapult, to immediately force Hydreigon out.

Also worth mentioning that keeping your item unrevealed early on can disencourage your opponent from crippling it with Toxic drom Seis/Pex due to the threat of Substitute turning it into a free turn

Fairy-types can handle Dragapult and Conkeldurr, two Pokemon which can greatly annoy Hydreigon. Wish support from Fairy-types like Clefable and Sylveon in particular is incredibly valuable to Hydreigon, as it can be worn down quickly otherwise

These 2 can be merged

3/3

 

[Rabia]

gp

[OVERVIEW]

Hydreigon is one of the best wallbreakers in the OU metagame;(comma -> semicolon) it has virtually no consistent defensive checks besides Sylveon. Its typing is both very good both offensively and defensively, allowing it to break down walls while being able to take advantage of common Pokemon such as Rotom-H, Toxapex, and Seismitoad. Its typing also provides a valuable Ghost resistance, which can make it notably easier to play around Choice-locked Dragapult and Aegislash. Hydreigon's Speed tier is also quite good for an offensive Pokemon, as it can outspeed every relevant defensive Pokemon as well as offensive Pokemon like Dracovish. When holding a Choice Scarf, Hydreigon's able to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame and even some of the boosted metagame. Unfortunately, Hydreigon lacks recovery and can be worn down quickly between taking Stealth Rock damage, constantly switching into weaker moves, taking recoil damage from Life Orb, and the need to set up a Substitute. Its good Speed tier also doesn't prevent it from being revenge killed by the likes of Dragapult and Conkeldurr.

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot + 3 Attacks
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Dark Pulse / Flamethrower
move 4: Flash Cannon
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Nasty Plot allows Hydreigon to capitalize on relatively passive Pokemon like Toxapex and Hippowdon. With as little as just one Nasty Plot, Hydreigon can OHKO the majority of defensive Pokemon in the metagame, like Clefable and Mandibuzz for example. Draco Meteor is really important because it allows Hydreigon to OHKO Mandibuzz and Kommo-o. It also does good damage naturally because of its high-Base(AH) Power, so Hydreigon isn't entirely reliant on Nasty Plot to break down teams. Dark Pulse is a spammable STAB move because it has no drawbacks and Hydreigon can deal with Dark-resistant Pokemon such as Mandibuzz and Clefable pretty handily. You can run Flamethrower instead of Dark Pulse to OHKO Corviknight and FErrothorn Ferrothorn at +2 and to deal with Bisharp, but the lack of a consistent move can be bothersome. Flash Cannon enables Hydreigon to hit Fairy-types such as Clefable, Sylveon, Hatterene, and Mimikyu. Life Orb is the item of choice because it allows Hydreigon to attain some key KOes KOs at +2, most notably against Mandibuzz and Clefable.

Usage Tips
========

You usually want to bring Hydreigon in through aggrssive aggressive double switches in order to pressure the opposition and to create opportunities to use Nasty Plot. Hydreigon can also look for opportunities to switch into play against Pokemon like Toxapex, Seismitoad, and Rotom-H, though it has to be wary of getting crippled. While doing all of this, you should be wary of Hydreigon's health, as it's quickly worn down by weaker moves, Life Orb recoil, and it constantly switches into Stealth Rock. When switching Hydreigon into play, be wary of whether you've revealed its item or not. If people don't see Leftovers, they will often assume it is either Nasty Plot + 3 Attacks or Choice Scarf, so there's a chance that they could directly go into their revenge killer, such as Dragapult, to immediately force Hydreigon out. If you manage to keep your item hidden early on in the game, it also may discourage Pokemon such as Seismitoad and Toxapex from using Toxic out of fear for Substitute.

Team Options
========

Hydreigon can form an incredible offensive core with Dragapult. Dragapult is commonly checked by Pokemon like Mandibuzz, Clefable, and Sylveon, which Hydreigon can easily overwhelm, paving the way for Dragapult to clean up. Fairy-types can handle Dragapult and Conkeldurr, two Pokemon which that can greatly annoy Hydreigon. Certain Fairy-types, Clefable and Sylveon in particular, can provide Hydreigon with Wish support, which is incredibly valuable to Hydreigon, as it Hydreigon can be worn down quickly otherwise. Through sustaining it with Wish, Hydreigon will get even more opportunities to break down teams. Clefable's access to Aromatherapy is also notable, as it gives Hydreigon more freedom against Pokemon like Toxapex, Seismitoad, and Rotom-H, which will often attempt to cripple it. Although Hydreigon can overwhelm Fairy-types pretty well, it's still important to have good checks to them such as Corviknight, Rotom-H, and Aegislash because they can still force an unboosted Hydreigon out. Pokemon such as Corviknight, Rotom-H, and Aegislash are good checks to Fairy-types. It can also prove to be useful to support Hydreigon with U-turn and Volt Switch from Pokemon like Corviknight, Mandibuzz, and Rotom-H, as they can create safe opportunities for it to switch into play.

[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Nasty Plot
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Flash Cannon
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Substitute is a good option on Hydreigon in order to evade being crippled by Pokemon like Toxapex, Rotom-H, and Seismitoad. It also eases prediction and makes it easier to use Nasty Plot safely in general. Nasty Plot makes Hydreigon particularly threatening, allowing it to overwhelm Pokemon like Clefable and Ferrothorn. Dark Pulse is a spammable STAB move;(comma -> semicolon) it has no drawbacks,(AC) and Hydreigon can deal with common Dark-resistant Pokemon such as Clefable. Flash Cannon is important to deal with Fairy-types like Clefable and Hatterene. Leftovers is the preferred item of choice because it provides Hydreigon with some sustainability, making it much easier to consistently take advantage of Pokemon.

Usage Tips
========

You should look to switch Hydreigon in aggressively on predicted switches into Pokemon like Toxapex, Seismitoad, and Ferrothorn. From there, you'll often get the opportunity to use Substitute and subsequently Nasty Plot to try and overwhelm the opposition, though be mindful of Pokemon like Mandibuzz when doing this. If you do this too often, Hydreigon will be worn down quickly, so be mindful of its HP, as Leftovers cannot sustain it very well in the long run.

Team Options
========

Hydreigon struggles to deal with Pokemon like Mandibuzz, so pairing it with Pokemon that can overwhelm Mandibuzz like Aegislash, Gengar, and Reuniclus is beneficial. Pivots that bait in bulky Water-types, like Corviknight and Mandibuzz,(AC) can be useful teammates to switch Hydreigon into play safely. Pokemon such as Aegislash, Rotom-H, and Excadrill that can take advantage of Fairy-types such as Aegislash, Rotom-H, and Excadrill can prove to be useful teammates help because Hydreigon can sometimes struggle to get past Fairy-types like Clefable and Sylveon. Fairy-types such as Clefable, Sylveon, and Mimikyu can handle Conkeldurr, which can prove to be a major headache for Hydreigon to deal with. Clefable and Sylveon can also provide Wish support, which is really useful because Hydreigon can be worn quite quickly.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Dark Pulse is a solid STAB move without any drawbacks that enables Hydreigon to revenge kill Pokemon like Aegislash and Dragapult. Although it's often not a good idea to Choice lock(RH) Hydreigon into Draco Meteor, it's still important to consistently revenge kill Pokemon like Choice Scarf Dracovish and Kommo-o. Flamethrower hits Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Excadrill. Fire Blast can be used instead to KO them from higher ranges. Fire Blast also allows Hydreigon to 2HKO Corviknight, but it's prone to being PP stalled because of its poor PP,(RC) and can also miss. U-turn allows Hydreigon to capitalize on the switches that it forces against Pokemon like Seismitoad and Rotom-H. With a Choice Scarf, Hydreigon can outspeed and revenge kill Pokemon such as Dragapult, Kommo-o, and opposing Hydreigon.

Usage Tips
========

Be considerate of what move you Choice lock(RH) Hydreigon into. If there's a Fairy-type, Mandibuzz, or Corviknight present,(AC) you will constantly want to be using U-turn to prevent losing momentum against them. You should especially be careful of Choice locking(RH) Hydreigon into Draco Meteor, as it can easily be taken advantage of by setup sweepers such as Hawlucha, Mimikyu, and Aegislash. Hydreigon's all-around decent bulk and typing can allow it to switch into and pressure Pokemon like Rotom-H and Seismitoad, which you can use to generate momentum in your favor. Though, be wary of repeatedly doing this consistently because Hydreigon can be worn quite quickly due to its lack of recovery.

Team Options
========

Hydreigon fits incredibly well on more offensively inclined teams that are weak to offensive Pokemon like Dragapult, Gengar, and Kommo-o. Pokemon such as Aegislash, Excadrill, and Cinderace can take advantage of the fact that Hydreigon often tends to bait in Fairy-types. Hydreigon's susceptible to Conkeldurr, especially when Choice locked(RH) into Dark Pulse, so checks to it like Dragapult, Reuniclus, and Clefable can prove to be useful.

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

Choice Specs can be run on Hydreigon to turn it into a more immediate wallbreaker, but it struggles to compete with Nasty Plot sets because locking yourself into any one move is unfavorable.

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

**Revenge Killers**: Hydreigon is prone vulnerable to being revenge killed by Pokemon such as Dragapult, Conkeldurr, and Hawlucha. Dragapult is especially notable because it doesn't care about a potential Substitute from Hydreigon thanks to Infiltrator.

**Fairy-types**: Hydreigon can struggle with Fairy-types like Clefable, Sylveon, and Grimmsnarl if it hasn't managed to use Nasty Plot already. It's also worth noting that Sylveon can bypass Substitutes with Hyper Voice, making it even harder for Hydreigon to deal with it.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Jordy, 395754]]
- Quality checked by: [[Gary, 101351], [TDK, 185591], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

gp 1/2 once done

 

[kt3]

amcheck :)

add, remove, (comments)

Hide

[OVERVIEW]

Hydreigon is one of the best wallbreakers in OU; it has virtually has no consistent defensive checks besides Sylveon. Its typing is very good both offensively and defensively, allowing it to break down walls while being able to take advantage of common Pokemon such as Rotom-H, Toxapex, and Seismitoad. Its typing also provides a valuable Ghost resistance, which can make it playing around Choice-locked Dragapult and Aegislash notably easier to play around Choice-locked Dragapult and Aegislash. Hydreigon's Speed tier is also quite good for an offensive Pokemon, as it can outspeed every relevant defensive Pokemon as well as offensive Pokemon like Dracovish. When holding a Choice Scarf, Hydreigon's able to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame and even some of the boosted metagame. Unfortunately, Hydreigon lacks recovery and can be worn down quickly between taking Stealth Rock damage, constantly switching into weaker (there's no comparison here really) moves, taking recoil damage from Life Orb, and the needing to set up a Substitute. Its good Speed tier also doesn't prevent it from being revenge killed by the likes of Dragapult and Conkeldurr (personally, I think this sentence will read better with a "while" phrase, but this version is just fine).

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot + 3 Attacks
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Dark Pulse / Flamethrower
move 4: Flash Cannon
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Nasty Plot allows Hydreigon to capitalize on relatively passive Pokemon like Toxapex and Hippowdon. With as little as just one Nasty Plot, Hydreigon can OHKO the majority of defensive Pokemon in the metagame, (RC) like Clefable and Mandibuzz. Draco Meteor is really important because it allows Hydreigon to OHKO Mandibuzz and Kommo-o. It also does while doing good damage naturally because of thanks to (optional; avoids rep) its high-Base Power (RH), so Hydreigon isn't entirely reliant on Nasty Plot to break down teams. Dark Pulse is a spammable STAB move because it has no drawbacks, (AC unless the ff clause is still part of "because") and Hydreigon can deal with Dark-resistant Pokemon such as Mandibuzz and Clefable pretty handily. You Hydreigon can run Flamethrower instead of Dark Pulse to OHKO Corviknight and Ferrothorn at +2 and to deal with Bisharp, but the lack of a consistent move can be bothersome. Flash Cannon enables Hydreigon to hit Fairy-types such as Clefable, Sylveon, Hatterene, and Mimikyu. Life Orb is the item of choice because it allows Hydreigon to attain some key KOs at +2, most notably against on Mandibuzz and Clefable.

Usage Tips
========

You usually want to bring Hydreigon in through aggressive double switches in order to pressure the opposition and create opportunities to use Nasty Plot. Hydreigon can also look for opportunities to switch into play against Pokemon like Toxapex, Seismitoad, and Rotom-H, though it has to be wary of getting crippled. While doing all of this these, you should be wary of Hydreigon's health, as it's quickly worn down by weaker moves (there really isn't a comparison here), Life Orb recoil, and Stealth Rock. When switching Hydreigon into play, be wary of whether you've revealed its item or not. If people don't your opponent doesn't see Leftovers, they will often assume it Hydreigon is running either Nasty Plot + 3 Attacks or Choice Scarf, so there's a chance that they could directly go into their revenge killer, such as Dragapult, (RC pair) to immediately force Hydreigon it out. If you manage to keep your item hidden early on in the game early-game, it also may discourage Pokemon such as Seismitoad and Toxapex from using Toxic out of fear for Substitute.

Team Options
========

Hydreigon can form an incredible offensive core with Dragapult. Dragapult is commonly checked by Pokemon like Mandibuzz, Clefable, and Sylveon, which Hydreigon can easily overwhelm, paving the way for Dragapult to clean up. Fairy-types can handle Dragapult and Conkeldurr, two Pokemon that can greatly annoy Hydreigon. Certain Fairy-types, Clefable and Sylveon in particular, can provide Hydreigon with Wish support, which is incredibly valuable, as Hydreigon can be worn down quickly otherwise; (SC). Through sustaining it with Wish, moreover, Hydreigon will get even more opportunities to break down teams. Clefable's access to Aromatherapy is also notable, as it gives to give (fixes "it" referring to both Clef and Drei later in the sentence) Hydreigon more freedom against Pokemon like Toxapex, Seismitoad, and Rotom-H, which will often attempt to cripple it. Although Hydreigon can overwhelm Fairy-types pretty well, it's still important to have good checks to them such as Corviknight, Rotom-H, and Aegislash because they can still force an unboosted Hydreigon out. It can also prove to be useful to support Hydreigon with U-turn and Volt Switch from Pokemon like Corviknight, Mandibuzz, and Rotom-H, as they can create safe opportunities for it to switch into play.

[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Nasty Plot
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Flash Cannon
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Substitute is a good option on Hydreigon to evade being crippled by Pokemon like Toxapex, Rotom-H, and Seismitoad. It also eases prediction and makes it easier to predict and use Nasty Plot safely in general. Nasty Plot makes Hydreigon particularly threatening, allowing it to overwhelm Pokemon like Clefable and Ferrothorn. Dark Pulse is a spammable STAB move; it has no drawbacks, and Hydreigon can deal with common Dark-resistant Pokemon such as Clefable. Flash Cannon is important to deal with Fairy-types like Clefable and Hatterene. Leftovers is the preferred item of choice because it provides Hydreigon with some sustainability, making it much easier to consistently take advantage of Pokemon.

Usage Tips
========

You should look to switch Hydreigon in aggressively on predicted switches into Pokemon like Toxapex, Seismitoad, and Ferrothorn. From there, you'll it will often get the opportunity to use Substitute and subsequently set up with Nasty Plot to try and overwhelm the opposition, though be mindful of Pokemon like Mandibuzz when doing this. If you do this too often, Hydreigon will be worn down quickly, so be mindful (word change recommended to avoid rep) of its HP, as Leftovers cannot sustain it very well in the long run.

Team Options
========

Hydreigon struggles to deal with Pokemon like Mandibuzz, so pairing it with Pokemon that can overwhelm Mandibuzz (this phrase seems implied and too restrictive [you just said mons like Mandi and not just Mandi], but I'm not putting any marks) like Aegislash, Gengar, and Reuniclus is beneficial. Pivots that bait in bulky Water-types, like Corviknight and Mandibuzz, can be useful teammates to switch Hydreigon into play safely. Pokemon such as Aegislash, Rotom-H, and Excadrill that can take advantage of Fairy-types help because Hydreigon can sometimes struggle to get past Fairy-types like Clefable and Sylveon. Fairy-types such as Clefable, Sylveon, and Mimikyu can handle Conkeldurr, which can prove to be a major headache for Hydreigon to deal with. Clefable and Sylveon The former two can also provide Wish support, which is really useful because Hydreigon can be worn down quite quickly.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Dark Pulse is a solid STAB move without any drawbacks that enables Hydreigon to revenge kill Pokemon like Aegislash and Dragapult. Although it's often not a good idea to Choice lock Hydreigon into Draco Meteor, it's still important to consistently revenge kill Pokemon like Choice Scarf Dracovish and Kommo-o. Flamethrower hits Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Excadrill. Fire Blast can be used instead to KO them from higher ranges. Fire Blast also allows Hydreigon to and 2HKO Corviknight, but it's leaves Hydreigon prone to being PP stalled because of its poor PP and can also miss accuracy. U-turn allows Hydreigon to capitalize on the switches it forces against Pokemon like Seismitoad and Rotom-H. Thunder Wave can be run instead of Flamethrower or Fire Blast to cripple Pokemon such as Clefable, Sylveon, and Mandibuzz. With a Choice Scarf, Hydreigon can outspeed and revenge kill Pokemon such as Dragapult, Kommo-o, and opposing Hydreigon.

Usage Tips
========

Be considerate of what move you Choice lock Hydreigon into. If there's a Fairy-type, Mandibuzz, or Corviknight present, you will constantly want to be using constantly click (Drei uses U-turn not you; makes attribution clearer) U-turn to prevent losing momentum against them. You should especially be careful of Choice locking Hydreigon into Draco Meteor, as it can easily be taken advantage of by setup sweepers such as Hawlucha, Mimikyu, and Aegislash. Hydreigon's all-around decent bulk and typing allow it to switch into and pressure Pokemon like Rotom-H and Seismitoad, which you can use to generate momentum in your favor. Though, be wary of, (AC) but repeatedly doing this because Hydreigon can be worn wear it down quite quickly due to its lack of recovery (the only objective change in this bit is adding "down"; rest of the changes are subjective but improves flow).

Team Options
========

Hydreigon fits incredibly well on more offensively inclined teams that are weak to offensive Pokemon like Dragapult, Gengar, and Kommo-o. Pokemon such as Aegislash, Excadrill, and Cinderace can take advantage of the fact that Hydreigon often tends to bait in Fairy-types. Hydreigon's susceptible to Conkeldurr, especially when Choice locked into Dark Pulse, so checks to it like Dragapult, Reuniclus, and Clefable can prove to be useful. If running Thunder Wave, you will want to consider running Pokemon such as Conkeldurr and Dragapult alongside Hydreigon, as they can take advantage of paralyzed Fairy-types such as Clefable and Sylveon.

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

Choice Specs can be run on Hydreigon to turn it into a more immediate wallbreaker, but it struggles to compete with Nasty Plot sets because locking yourself Hydreigon into any one move is unfavorable.

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

**Revenge Killers**: Hydreigon is vulnerable to being revenge killed by Pokemon such as Dragapult, Conkeldurr, and Hawlucha. Dragapult is especially notable because it doesn't care about a potential Substitute from Hydreigon thanks to Infiltrator.

**Fairy-types**: Hydreigon can struggle with Fairy-types like Clefable, Sylveon, and Grimmsnarl if it hasn't managed to use Nasty Plot already. It's also worth noting that Sylveon can bypass Substitutes with Hyper Voice, making it even harder for Hydreigon to deal with it.

 

[autumn]

GP 2/2

Hide

[OVERVIEW]

Hydreigon is one of the best wallbreakers in OU; it has virtually no consistent defensive checks besides Sylveon. Its typing is very good both offensively and defensively, allowing it to break down walls while being able to take advantage of common Pokemon such as Rotom-H, Toxapex, and Seismitoad. Its typing also provides a valuable Ghost resistance, which can make it notably easier to play around Choice-locked Dragapult and Aegislash. Hydreigon's Speed tier is also quite good for an offensive Pokemon, as it can outspeed every relevant defensive Pokemon as well as offensive Pokemon like Dracovish. When holding a Choice Scarf, Hydreigon's Hydreigon is (optional but clearer) able to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame and even some of the boosted metagame. Unfortunately, Hydreigon lacks recovery (doesn't it get roost now or is that unviable?) and can be worn down quickly between taking Stealth Rock damage, constantly switching into weaker moves, and taking recoil damage from Life Orb. Its good Speed tier also doesn't prevent it from being revenge killed by the likes of Dragapult, Terrakion, Keldeo, and Conkeldurr.

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot + 3 Attacks
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Flash Cannon
move 4: Flamethrower / Dark Pulse
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Nasty Plot allows Hydreigon to capitalize on relatively passive Pokemon like Toxapex and Hippowdon. With as little as just one Nasty Plot, Hydreigon can OHKO the majority of defensive Pokemon in the metagame, like Clefable and Mandibuzz. Draco Meteor is really important because it allows Hydreigon to OHKO Mandibuzz, Kommo-o, Keldeo, and Terrakion. It also does good damage naturally because of its high-Base high Base Power, so Hydreigon isn't entirely reliant on Nasty Plot to break down teams. Flash Cannon enables Hydreigon to hit Fairy-types such as Clefable, Sylveon, Hatterene, and Mimikyu. Flamethrower is preferred to OHKO Corviknight at +2 and to deal with Ferrothorn and Bisharp, but the lack of a consistent move (STAB move?) can be bothersome. However, you can run Dark Pulse instead, (AC) as it is a spammable STAB move because it has no drawbacks, and Hydreigon can deal with Dark-resistant Pokemon such as Mandibuzz and Clefable pretty handily. Life Orb is the item of choice because it allows Hydreigon to attain some key KOs at +2, most notably against Mandibuzz and Clefable. A Timid nature is prefered as preferred, as it allows Hydreigon to outspeed Pokemon such as Kyurem and Excadrill. However, a Modest nature can be run to improve damage rolls against Clefable.

Usage Tips
========

You usually want to bring Hydreigon in through aggressive double switches in order to pressure the opposition and create opportunities to use Nasty Plot. Hydreigon can also look for opportunities to switch into play against Pokemon like Toxapex, Seismitoad, and Rotom-H, though it has to be wary of getting crippled. (by status?) While doing all of this, you should be wary of Hydreigon's health, as it's quickly worn down by weaker moves, Life Orb recoil, and Stealth Rock. When switching Hydreigon into play, be wary of whether you've revealed its item or not.

Team Options
========

Hydreigon can form an incredible offensive core with Dragapult. Dragapult is commonly checked by Pokemon like Mandibuzz, Clefable, and Sylveon, which Hydreigon can easily overwhelm, paving the way for Dragapult to clean up. Fairy-types can handle Dragapult and Conkeldurr, two Pokemon that can greatly annoy Hydreigon. Certain Fairy-types, Clefable and Sylveon in particular, can provide Hydreigon with Wish support, which is incredibly valuable, as Hydreigon can be worn down quickly otherwise. Through sustaining it with Wish, Hydreigon will get even more opportunities to break down teams. Clefable's access to Heal Bell is also notable, as it gives Hydreigon more freedom against Pokemon like Toxapex, Seismitoad, and Rotom-H, which will often attempt to cripple it. Although Hydreigon can overwhelm Fairy-types pretty well, it's still important to have good checks to them such as Corviknight, Rotom-H, and Aegislash because they can still force an unboosted Hydreigon out. It can also prove to be useful to support Hydreigon with U-turn and Volt Switch from Pokemon like Corviknight, Mandibuzz, and Rotom-H, as they can create safe opportunities for it to switch into play. Fighting-resistant Pokemon such as Toxapex, Clefable, and Reuniclus are useful teammates to keep Terrakion and Keldeo in check.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Thunder Wave / Flamethrower / Fire Blast
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Dark Pulse is a solid STAB move without any drawbacks that enables Hydreigon to revenge kill Pokemon like Aegislash and Dragapult. Although it's often not a good idea to Choice lock Hydreigon into Draco Meteor, it's still important to consistently revenge kill Pokemon like Choice Scarf Dracovish and Kommo-o. U-turn allows Hydreigon to capitalize on the switches it forces against Pokemon like Seismitoad and Rotom-H. Thunder Wave is prefered to Flamethrower or Fire Blast to cripple checks such as Clefable, Sylveon, Terrakion, and Mandibuzz. Flamethrower hits Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Excadrill. Fire Blast can be used instead to KO them from higher ranges. Fire Blast also allows Hydreigon to 2HKO Corviknight, but it's prone to being PP stalled because of its poor PP and can also miss low PP and chance to miss. Without Thunder Wave, (AC) Hydreigon becomes rather easy to take advantage of with Pokemon like Terrakion and Clefable, though. With a Choice Scarf, Hydreigon can outspeed and revenge kill Pokemon such as Dragapult, Kommo-o, and opposing Hydreigon.

Usage Tips
========

Be considerate of what move you Choice lock Hydreigon into. If there's a Fairy-type, Mandibuzz, or Corviknight present, you will constantly want to be using U-turn to prevent losing momentum against them. You should especially be careful of Choice locking Hydreigon into Draco Meteor, as it can easily be taken advantage of by setup sweepers such as Hawlucha, Mimikyu, and Aegislash. Hydreigon's all-around decent bulk and typing allow it to switch into and pressure Pokemon like Rotom-H and Seismitoad, which you can use to generate momentum in your favor. Though, be wary of repeatedly doing this because Hydreigon can be worn quite quickly due to its lack of recovery.

Team Options
========

Hydreigon fits incredibly well on more offensively inclined teams that are weak to offensive Pokemon like Dragapult, Gengar, and Kommo-o. (isn't kommo mostly defensive or is offensive still a thing?) Pokemon such as Aegislash, Excadrill, and Cinderace can take advantage of the fact that Hydreigon often tends to bait in Fairy-types. Hydreigon's susceptible to Conkeldurr, especially when Choice locked into Dark Pulse, so checks to it like Dragapult, Reuniclus, and Clefable can prove to be useful. You will want to consider running Pokemon such as Conkeldurr, Terrakion, and Dragapult alongside Hydreigon, as they can take advantage of paralyzed Fairy-types such as Clefable and Sylveon. Hydreigon can be taken advantage of by Terrakion and Keldeo, so solid checks are imperative; Clefable, Toxapex, and Reuniclus fit the bill.

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

Substitute can be run in tandem with Leftovers on Nasty Plot sets to safely take advantage of Pokemon like Toxapex and Seismitoad. However, it's significantly weaker and misses out on the coverage from Draco Meteor, leaving it walled by Mandibuzz and Kommo-o. Choice Specs can be run on Hydreigon to turn it into a more immediate wallbreaker, but it struggles to compete with Nasty Plot sets because locking yourself into any one move is unfavorable. Roost can be run instead of Thunder Wave on Choice Scarf sets to stay healthy, but Hydreigon can be punished for it rather heavily by Pokemon like Terrakion, Keldeo, and Clefable. Hydreigon can also run Defog on Choice Scarf sets to provide an additional means of entry hazard control, but similarly to Roost, it makes it very easy for Pokemon like Terrakion, Keldeo, and Clefable to take advantage of it.

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

**Revenge Killers**: Hydreigon is vulnerable to being revenge killed by Pokemon such as Dragapult, Conkeldurr, Terrakion, and Keldeo. Dragapult is especially notable because it doesn't care about a potential Substitute from Hydreigon thanks to Infiltrator. Terrakion and Keldeo can sometimes even switch into Hydreigon thanks to their respectable special bulk and resistance to Dark.

**Fairy-types**: Hydreigon can struggle with Fairy-types like Clefable, Sylveon, and Grimmsnarl if it hasn't managed to use Nasty Plot already. It's also worth noting that Sylveon can bypass Substitutes with Hyper Voice, making it even harder for Hydreigon to deal with it.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Jordy, 395754]]
- Quality checked by: [[Gary, 101351], [TDK, 185591], [Leo, 328915]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [, ]]