Project Old Gen Hackmons Megathread

[Electra102]

Apologies for this taking so long. Since Ransei has already done the replay stats for ORAS and USUM, I took care of the overall replay stats for DPP and SWSH from PHPL.

DPP Pure Hackmons
Moves and Teammates

Usage

+ ---- + ------------------ + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon            | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ------------------ + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Arceus             |   27 |  54.00% |  48.15% |
| 2    | Deoxys-Speed       |   20 |  40.00% |  45.00% |
| 2    | Giratina-Origin    |   20 |  40.00% |  45.00% |
| 4    | Regigigas          |   13 |  26.00% |  61.54% |
| 5    | Gyarados           |   11 |  22.00% |  27.27% |
| 6    | Dialga             |   10 |  20.00% |  60.00% |
| 6    | Deoxys-Attack      |   10 |  20.00% |  50.00% |
| 6    | Latios             |   10 |  20.00% |  50.00% |
| 6    | Aerodactyl         |   10 |  20.00% |  40.00% |
| 10   | Tentacruel         |    9 |  18.00% |  55.56% |
| 10   | Spiritomb          |    9 |  18.00% |  55.56% |
| 12   | Swampert           |    7 |  14.00% |  42.86% |
| 12   | Slaking            |    7 |  14.00% |  28.57% |
| 14   | Palkia             |    6 |  12.00% |  16.67% |
| 15   | Ho-Oh              |    5 |  10.00% |  80.00% |
| 15   | Darkrai            |    5 |  10.00% |  60.00% |
| 17   | Rayquaza           |    4 |   8.00% | 100.00% |
| 17   | Suicune            |    4 |   8.00% |  75.00% |
| 17   | Jirachi            |    4 |   8.00% |  50.00% |
| 17   | Skarmory           |    4 |   8.00% |  50.00% |
| 17   | Latias             |    4 |   8.00% |  50.00% |
| 17   | Giratina           |    4 |   8.00% |  25.00% |
| 17   | Weavile            |    4 |   8.00% |  25.00% |
| 17   | Kyogre             |    4 |   8.00% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Lugia              |    3 |   6.00% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Hariyama           |    3 |   6.00% |  66.67% |
| 27   | Groudon            |    2 |   4.00% | 100.00% |
| 27   | Probopass          |    2 |   4.00% | 100.00% |
| 27   | Arceus-Fire        |    2 |   4.00% |  50.00% |
| 27   | Mewtwo             |    2 |   4.00% |  50.00% |
| 27   | Regice             |    2 |   4.00% |  50.00% |
| 27   | Blissey            |    2 |   4.00% |   0.00% |
| 27   | Infernape          |    2 |   4.00% |   0.00% |
| 34   | Manaphy            |    1 |   2.00% | 100.00% |
| 34   | Regirock           |    1 |   2.00% | 100.00% |
| 34   | Empoleon           |    1 |   2.00% | 100.00% |
| 34   | Shuckle            |    1 |   2.00% | 100.00% |
| 34   | Umbreon            |    1 |   2.00% | 100.00% |
| 34   | Blaziken           |    1 |   2.00% | 100.00% |
| 34   | Raikou             |    1 |   2.00% | 100.00% |
| 34   | Electrode          |    1 |   2.00% |   0.00% |
| 34   | Drapion            |    1 |   2.00% |   0.00% |
| 34   | Gengar             |    1 |   2.00% |   0.00% |
| 34   | Registeel          |    1 |   2.00% |   0.00% |
| 34   | Dustox             |    1 |   2.00% |   0.00% |
| 34   | Arceus-Ghost       |    1 |   2.00% |   0.00% |
| 34   | Tyranitar          |    1 |   2.00% |   0.00% |

• Missing 2 Pokemon from HIGHLORD.
• Missing 3 Pokemon from TUGGIN.
• Missing 4 Pokemon from HIGHLORD.
• Missing 4 Pokemon from TUGGIN.
• Missing 2 Pokemon from GHASTLYPIXIE.
• Missing 1 Pokemon from HIGHLORD.
• Missing 2 Pokemon from BLAHPY.
• Missing 1 Pokemon from TUGGIN.
• Missing 4 Pokemon from BLAHPY.
• Missing 2 Pokemon from HIGHLORD.
• Missing 1 Pokemon from BLAHPY.
• Missing 3 Pokemon from HIGHLORD.
• Missing 2 Pokemon from GHASTLYPIXIE.
• Missing 2 Pokemon from GHASTLYPIXIE.
• Missing 2 Pokemon from TUGGIN.
• Missing 2 Pokemon from HIGHLORD.
• Missing 1 Pokemon from TUGGIN.
• Missing 2 Pokemon from GHASTLYPIXIE.
• Missing 1 Pokemon from BIG TONY 2014.
• Missing 1 Pokemon from GHASTLYPIXIE.
• Missing 1 Pokemon from HIGHLORD.
• Missing 1 Pokemon from HIGHLORD.
• Missing 1 Pokemon from BLAHPY.
• Missing 1 Pokemon from TUGGIN.
• Missing 3 Pokemon from NTOTHEN.
• Missing 2 Pokemon from BLAHPY.
• Missing 1 Pokemon from HIGHLORD.
• Missing 1 Pokemon from BLAHPY.
• Missing 2 Pokemon from HIGHLORD.

https://pokepast.es/3a0c8dbb7b98fdcb


SWSH Pure Hackmons
Moves and Teammates

Usage

+ ---- + ------------------ + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon            | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ------------------ + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Eternatus-Eternamax |   32 | 200.00% |  50.00% |
| 2    | Zacian-Crowned     |   18 | 112.50% |  50.00% |
| 3    | Regieleki          |    9 |  56.25% |  44.44% |
| 4    | Landorus-Therian   |    7 |  43.75% |  57.14% |
| 4    | Cramorant-Gorging  |    7 |  43.75% |  57.14% |
| 6    | Spiritomb          |    6 |  37.50% |  33.33% |
| 7    | Giratina           |    5 |  31.25% |  40.00% |
| 8    | Calyrex-Shadow     |    3 |  18.75% |  66.67% |
| 8    | Yveltal            |    3 |  18.75% |  33.33% |
| 10   | Regigigas          |    2 |  12.50% | 100.00% |
| 10   | Obstagoon          |    2 |  12.50% |   0.00% |
| 12   | Indeedee           |    1 |   6.25% | 100.00% |
| 12   | Drifblim           |    1 |   6.25% | 100.00% |

 

[LycanrocWastaken]

Heya! SpamtonZZZSpamton here, here to end a battle that has continued to rage for quite a long time now. In both Generation 6 and 7, the role of "best STag Mon" has been generally debated between two mons, Primal Groudon, and Mega Rayquaza. Now, I don't know enough about the Gen 6 meta to comment on the best STag Mon for that generation, but I do have enough information to give a definitive conclusion to this debate.

Very interesting beginning from the USUM post. I would argue ORAS staggers then; the debate of best Stag user would be between 4 types of Mons. Scarf Pdon, Slaking, Lugia/Arceus/Psong MMX (on the correct team comp), and Scarf MMX.

I'm just going to save time for anyone who is too lazy to read the whole thing. Stag Slak is, in my opinion, the best Stag user.

Advantages of Stag Slaking

• Low Kick OHKOs MGyarados; it beats, in my opinion, the best HP user in the meta.
• Encore can be used on SubPass mons like Xerneas to give your setup mons like Pdon a free setup.
• Fake Out + Ice Shard with Life Orb OHKOs MRay no matter what happens.
• Fake Out + Extreme Speed with Silk Scarf can also beat No Guard Deoxys, non-bulk MMX, and also bulk MMX with chip.
• Spikes/Rocks give your team hazards to threaten their sweepers and WG users.
• Fake Speed also beats Smash MRay without a Substitute up.

Advantages of PSong + Encore Lugia/Arceus/Psong MMX

• Encore + Goggles can be paired together on Lugia and Arceus, so if the opp has Spore, you hard one of these mons, and it's ggs for the Spore Mon if they do NOT have Shed Shell. This strat can also be used on non-Shed WGs, especially SubPass Xerneas.
• The biggest problem is, in order for this strat to work, your Mold user is usually something defensive like Knock Arc/Yveltal to knock the opponent's Shed Shell, and basically your whole team will then need to rely on Stag to win.
• Stag Low Kick MMX threatens MGyara and also a few other WG Normals, while this set can also be paired with Goggles + Encore to do the same job as Lugia and Arc.
• Not really that consistent of a strategy, as it limits your building choices.

Advantages of using Scarf Stag Pdon (the better Stag Pdon set)

• Trick beats WGs that even dare to click Defog/Arom in front of it.
• VCreate OHKOs Non-Bulky MMX, and KOes Bulk MMX after small chip
• You can randomly hard swap into some things and can switch out of Pursuit after KOing sometimes, which is huge for a Stag Mon.
• Spikes allow your team to threaten their sweepers and WGs.
• TArrows also beats the rare SubPass MManec, and it is also the only Stag user to force Bounce Aegislash for an OHKO.
• It can also run PSong with Encore to throw people off guard, although this isn't recommended.

Advantages of using Scarf Stag MMX (the better Stag MMX set)

• Ice Punch always OHKOs MRay. Non-Shed Shell MRay can't stay in against this set, guaranteed, unless they click Smash. One QD might not be enough, as you bear the risk of needing to risk losing your Mold user to a 252 Speed MMX.
• Surf always OHKOs Pdon without -SpA nature without needing a single spA investment.
• DAscent deals with offensive MMX sets.
• Similar to Low Kick Slak, Close Combat always OHKOs MGyarados. With Defense/HP investment, you always tank a Sucker Punch, allowing MMX to revenge kill against the fish.

Honorable Mentions: Regigigas, I counted it as the same mon as Slaking, as they offer basically the same thing.

RANKINGS IN MY OPINION:
1. Slaking, Regigigas
2. Scarf Pdon
3. Scarf MMX
4. The PTrappers
Just because it is ranked 3/4, it doesn't mean it's bad. After all, I chose the best 4 I could think of.

Credits: Thanks Aerobee for helping.
.

 

[adriancosmoem]

new ADV samples are here!!!

- standard sun latios
style: hyper offense
description: this is a very standard hyper offense team. the gameplan is simple: pass speed and potentially substitute to one of your slakings, click belly drum, and sweep. with 3 slakings, you can use them to break both early and late game. a full hp groudon can survive any hit from slaking at +6 and KO back with superpower. latios rounds out the team as a kyogre switch-in with a sacred fire that disables (deals 50%+ to) slaking.

- water spout gengar
style: hyper offense
description: this team utilizes lead band slaking to serve as pressure against opposing lead ninjask as well as a revenge killer later on. ninjask is placed in the back to pass speed and substitute later on. it can also use its fast spore to check pokemon without an active lum berry. kyogre checks pokemon who give belly drum slaking a hard time like groudon, impish slaking, and gengar. its unboosted surf disables slaking as well, making it great against other hyper offense. imprison gengar is one of the best slaking answers in the tier. most slaking can't touch it, and water spout disables slaking as long as gengar is at full hp.

- skarm + double psychic
style: offense
description: this team's gameplan is to prevent spikes with lead taunt mewtwo, then set up its own spikes with skarmory. then force switches with whirlwind or strong attacks. deoxys normal is chosen over deoxys attack because normal form can survive some crucial hits like choice band jolly slaking extreme speed and modest latios dragon claw, which are important for this team.

- sand boom spam
style: balance
description: this team utilizes spikes and sand to disable slakings quickly while keeping momentum. spikes-immune pokemon get targeted by explosion and the many ghost moves. choice band slaking can clean after spikes, sand, and explosion has weakened the enemy.

in case it wasn't clear, all current samples will be removed and replaced with these

--------------------------

the VR is also updated! mostly, pokemon were shuffled within ranks, but some pokemon moved ranks:
B -> C
B -> C
UR -> D

 

[adriancosmoem]

how to beat slaking ​

whenever adv gets any traction it always gets shut down with the usual claim of "just run 6 slak" or "slak ohkoes everything at +6 it's unplayable zomg where's my stall!?!!" there are a lot of ways to beat slak, pre- and post-setup. i decided to make a comprehensive list of all slak answers in order to dispel misinformation. also, there's increasing interest in adv recently, so i'd like to make this kind of a guide as well for new players

so what are we dealing with here? there are 2 main slak sets. both are very good and you need to be ready for both of them. of course there are other slak sets you can use, but there is a huge gap between these 2 sets and other sets, to the point where you're really only gonna see these


Slaking @ Lum Berry
Ability: No Ability
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant / Impish Nature
- Belly Drum
- Extreme Speed
- Superpower
- Spore / Shadow Ball / Hidden Power [Ghost] / Recover

everyone knows bd slak. but few know exactly what the pieces here are doing. the lack of understanding regarding bd slak is usually why people get swept, because they aren't able to identify their counterplay options or because their team has a lack of options. so ultimately, bd slak needs to be broken down to its purest form

• belly drum: you may wonder why slak runs bd and not another boosting move like dd or sd. after all, shouldn't you want to preserve your HP? there are a few simple reasons for that. first off, there is no general post-setup speed control like impostor, prankster, or sash. once slak clicks bd, it almost always forces a sack. +6 is a very important range for it, as that's the range where espeed has a 75% chance to ohko other slak. in addition, most of the options that can beat bd will also beat sd or dd, making their use redundant. finally, bd's loss of HP isn't a big deal – slak is very tanky because all fighting moves are physical in adv, and most teams have multiple slak, meaning it's expendable
• extreme speed: espeed is a swiss army knife. you can use it to sweep, of course, but that probably won't be your primary use of it. instead, it can be used to revenge kill, chip, and clean up endgames. it's also one of your best tools against post-setup slak, not because it's the most effective option, but because it's very easy to add slak to your team. slak's espeed is also one of your best options to combat speed pass, because it's one of the only pokemon that can punish protect > bp line from jask and it can also revenge kill speed boosted pokemon
• superpower: this move's main use comes at +0 because it has a 75% chance to disable slak (term for dealing 50% or more to slak, because it disables bd for the game). it also ohkoes every non-resist in the game at +6, except for don. despite this fact, you really want to avoid using superpower unless necessary, since going to +5 atk allows some bulkier pokemon to survive espeed (notably slak) and going to -1 def makes opposing espeed do way more damage to you
• spore: slak is a great spore user because it can turn mons into setup fodder without needing outside support. generally you should spam this earlygame to delete lums, giving you bd chances down the road. spore slak is the biggest reason that mons run lum, even if they have talk, because the free turn against slak can be used to disable it or set up. this is why it's better to use spore earlygame, so you can use other spore sweepers later on to set up on pokemon whose lum has been eaten already
• shadow ball: this move's main purpose is to prevent gar from switching in, but it has use outside of that. it picks up an important 2hko on latios at +0 and also improves the lugia matchup. the main reason sball isn't the primary option in this slot is that gar can beat sball variants anyway, so the only relevant pokemon this move beats post-setup is banette. its utility pre-setup is usually what lands it the slot
• hidden power ghost: this move is able to beat imprison sball gar, one of the biggest problems for slak. so why not run this all the time? the power drop seems miniscule, but it means latios only has a 35.5% chance to be 2hkoed and lugia is 5hkoed, making the matchup against those two a lot worse. it also does nothing to help with any other variant of gar, and gar can always run hp ghost imprison if it wants, so hp ghost slak isn't even a reliable imprison gar answer
• recover: not a common slot by any means; even i barely run this. nonetheless, it's a powerful option on hyper offense to combat sand and spikes chip, and it also lets slak try again if it gets disabled. most importantly, since no espeed in the game ohkoes slak at +0, it can recover on opposing espeed and deny that as an answer. the reason it's barely run is because not having spore or ghost coverage makes slak's pre-setup utility really lacking. this is why you can only really run it on hyper offense, because you want other slak with pre-setup utility
• lum berry: why run this item over lefties? if slak's HP gets cut into by bd so much, shouldn't lefties be better to heal the damage off? lefties slak certainly isn't unviable, since it can deal with spikes much better and is harder to disable. however, i didn't list it because without lum, slak is terrible against opposing spore and will find much less opportunity to set up. it also doesn't help much with post-bd in the majority of situations, since post-bd slak answers are about constantly dealing damage to slak. lefties is too slow to heal it off fast enough. lefties talk slak is a really bad idea because you lose the priority from espeed when asleep, making you much less threatening
• 248 HP: i add 248 HP to everything to minimize chip, but it's especially important on slak to bd twice and be left at 1 HP
• jolly: jolly is the best slak nature because it outspeeds other slak, letting you not only spore them first but also ohko them with +6 espeed before they can act. it also ensures that slak will outspeed timid kyogre, making its matchup against kyogre a lot better than other natures. jolly is a surefire way that you will have at least some post-bd slak counterplay, making it the easiest nature to add
• adamant: adamant hits some very important ranges, such as guaranteeing an ohko on slak and having a 68.8% chance to ohko don, both with espeed. this improves your matchup against counterplay based on tanking hits. however, being outsped by jolly slak and timid kyogre is really bad and makes ada slak an inconsistent sweeper. it also means that ada slak can never revenge kill post-setup jolly slak, making it a difficult add, but worthwhile with proper support
• impish: an often overlooked nature on slak, impish is a surprisingly strong choice. it turns +6 slak espeed from a 75% chance to ohko to a 25% chance, letting it reliably survive and ko back with superpower. it also guarantees slak will not be disabled by don superpower and it also only has a 25% chance to be disabled by opposing slak superpower. this nature combines counterplay against opposing slak and don with answering post-setup slak. however, like adamant, it still retains its speed tier issues, and it also does poorly into opposing adamant slak. the natures are somewhat like a triangle where jolly > ada > impish > jolly

this is about everything you need to know about bd slak. it generally has ways to work around its counterplay, but it can only choose one or two options to answer at a time, and will lose to the rest. this means you must pack a variety of slak answers, ensuring you have ways to beat each variant. luckily, many of the forms of counterplay can answer multiple slak variants at a time, making this not too difficult in practice


Slaking @ Choice Band
Ability: No Ability
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant / Impish Nature
- Extreme Speed
- Superpower
- Shadow Ball
- Explosion

band slak is arguably just as good as bd slak. one of the huge benefits of band slak is that it can ignore all counterplay based around disabling it – without bd, there's nothing to disable. instead, band slak acts as a catalyst for consistency, as its espeed is one of the best tools to stop sweeps in the game. it's really difficult to prep for this mon, since the stuff it loses to will usually lose to bd. often your gameplan against band slak is to spore it or boom on it. some moves also require further explanation

• shadow ball: unlike on bd, hidden power ghost is a huge downgrade compared to sball, which is why it's not listed. jolly slak is unable to 2hko lugia and only has a 37.5% chance to ohko gar, and ada slak fails to ohko banette and still only has a 17.6% chance to 2hko lugia. it also just isn't a good imprison gar answer in general because it has no spore counterplay.
• explosion: do not use trick in this slot. you are never going to click trick when you can ko everything, and boom ohkoes literally every non-ghost in the game. also the majority of slak counterplay still works even after trick

that's about everything you need to know about slak. with this information, we now have a reference for counterplay. so what can we do?

gengar


Gengar @ Leftovers / Lum Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Imprison / Encore
- Water Spout / Eruption
- Shadow Ball / Hidden Power [Ghost] / ...
- Spore

gar is basically the best slak answer you could ask for. slak has no way to stop a healthy gar from ending its sweep. keeping gar unrevealed and baiting slak into an early bd is one of the best ways to deal with it. the most important way to use gar is to play safe. i see lots of people take needless risks with gar, like switching it directly into slak or clicking imprison on a post-setup slak whose 4th move is unrevealed. gar should never switch into anything, ever. it is vitally important to keep it at max HP so that rain water spout / sun eruption can disable slak. note that anything that disables slak will also ko it post-setup. this means when you are facing a post-setup slak as gar, your priority is to ko it with water spout or eruption. only click imprison or encore if there's no weather up or gar isn't at max hp. also, make sure not to run two elements with different colors on the same set

extreme speed

opposing extreme speed, either from other slak or from faster pokemon, are able to chip slak down post-setup and eventually revenge kill it. this strategy will usually take several pokemon, as no espeed in the game can ko slak post-setup. however, this is one of the most consistent methods to prevent slak sweeps, as there's nothing slak can do to stop it. note that this strategy won't work if slak has any speed boosts and recover slak is able to outplay opposing espeed as well. in the case of the latter, if recover has been revealed, you can punish it with superpower if you're willing to hard call it

kyogre


Kyogre @ Lum Berry
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tail Glow
- Surf
- Ice Beam / Thunder
- Spore / Thunder / Sleep Talk

kyogre is one of the only pokemon that can disable slak at +0 with surf. this lets it trade with slak freely, completely controlling the pace of the game against hyper offense teams which tend to load up on slaks. it's also very difficult to tank across the board, which often forces opponents to sacrifice their slak in order to get damage on kyogre. just don't get too careless against slak, as band slak can lure kyogre in and boom on it, which is usually a bad trade for the kyogre

passive chip

passive chip – typically in the form of sand and spikes – is one of the most effective ways to pressure slak, although it's a bit exclusive sometimes. sand and spikes massively debilitate both pre-setup slak (wants to have high hp to use its neutral bulk and still threaten bd) and post-setup slak (sweep is put on a timer). it's worth noting that running sand means using ttar, who is able to force lots of extra chip on post-setup slak with protect and espeed. although it's slower than slak, slak is unable to ko it with espeed, meaning ttar will always be able to get an espeed off

sun latios


Latios (M) @ Soul Dew
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tail Glow
- Dragon Claw
- Sacred Fire
- Sleep Talk

lati sfire in sun is another move that disables slak at +0. in addition, sfire's 50% chance to burn makes it extremely risky to send slak without a lum in front of it, even if sun isn't up. the best answer to sun, kyogre, is naturally countered by lati. this means that, similar to kyogre, sun lati is incredible against hyper offense. the main problem with lati as a slak answer is that sball + espeed does huge damage to it, meaning it can't trade as freely as kyogre. if it can find an opportunity to tg it's much better vs slak since it can ohko with +2 sfire. note that lati is able to perform a similar strat in rain with surf, but it's noticeably worse than sun

explosion

most pokemon can't disable slak with superpower, but almost every pokemon can disable it with boom. even blissey can disable slak with boom after a round of spikes. it's recommended to put boom on any pokemon that invites slak in without being able to punish it. the trade will always be worth it, as you're often sacrificing a pokemon who is less of a threat to their team than slak is to your team

aerodactyl


Aerodactyl @ Lum Berry
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Impish Nature
- Rock Blast
- Spikes
- Spore
- Haze / Explosion

one of the biggest reasons to run lead aero is the fact that it can survive post-setup slak espeed and click haze or boom, ending its sweep. it is able to outspeed most of the meta even without a speed boosting nature, allowing it to run impish to make sure ada slak only has a 12.5% chance to ohko aero with espeed. with its immunity to sand and spikes, it's incredibly good at dodging chip. this makes aero a surprisingly consistent backbone against post-setup slak

groudon


Groudon @ Lum Berry
Ability: Drought
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Impish Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Superpower
- Shadow Ball
- Explosion

there's a lot of different ways to run don, but dd is the most common because its speed is actually kinda bad in this meta. the main draw of don is that you can survive +6 slak espeed and superpower, which no other mon in the game can do. unfortunately this mon requires support and luck to work. don only reliably works against jolly slak, as it has a 62.5% chance to be ohkoed by boosted ada slak espeed and its superpower will never disable impish slak. don has to set spikes or have sand up, as otherwise its superpower only has a 48.4% chance to disable slak, forcing it to explode. it also must keep spikes off its side, as even one round of spikes gives jolly slak a 87.5% chance to ohko don. because of this, don's primary purpose is not to beat post-setup slak, but instead to set sun and use its high neutral bulk to set up and break early. however, it does have the option to be a slak check when necessary

banette


Banette @ Spell Tag / ...
Ability: Insomnia
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Explosion
- Dragon Dance / Imprison
- Baton Pass

bane is a weird mon because it has bad stats, so it has to run odd sets like this to do something. its usage comes down to its very lucky traits: the combination of a ghost type and insomnia, which let it hard wall some of the common slak sets. this gives you free opportunities to dd, but you can also sub or even heal bell. the set listed here is not the only set you should use, it's just the one i like the most. the green elements should only be ran in the lead and the red elements should only be ran in the back

intimidate

your pickings for intim are pretty slim (the best one is tauros...) but it can be used to lower slak's attack on a sack. as mentioned earlier, slak uses bd because it misses some crucial kills when it's not fully boosted. intim causes it to miss some crucial kos, most notably failing to ohko other slak with espeed at +5. if you use intim, then check to make sure that the pokemon on your team who you want to follow up the intim user with can actually survive a hit at +5

omastar


Omastar @ Mystic Water
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tail Glow
- Surf
- Spore / Thunder
- Sleep Talk / Substitute

oma is one of the most effective post-setup slak answers, as it's able to survive even an ada slak espeed with ease and ko back with surf. its surf also disables slak at +0 thanks to modest and mystic water, making it a threat vs slak at all points in the game. however, because it cannot run lum, it's risky to switch it in on slak. it also only really fits on offense with kyogre, as it needs rain support and also lots of spore users to create setup opportunities for it. this makes it a pretty exclusive pokemon, despite its effectiveness

lugia


Lugia @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly / Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dragon Dance / Psychic
- Drill Peck / Sacred Fire / Toxic
- Recover
- Taunt

lugia is useless against post-setup slak, but it's very effective against pre-setup slak. this is because it carries a fast taunt and the bulk to stomach any of slak's unboosted moves, including sball. with pressure and recover's massive 32 pp, lugia can easily stall slak. it can also pressure slak not to switch out with either setup or status. lugia's main issue is having no post-setup utility and also being difficult to fit on teams, since it's a pretty abstract answer to the stuff it's answering. again, make sure not to use differently colored elements on the same set

skarmory


Skarmory @ Lum Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spikes
- Recover
- Whirlwind
- Sleep Talk

skarm is another mon that is mainly used to answer pre-setup slak. in this case, skarm specifically wants to answer band users, including band slak. it's one of the best switchins to band slak in the whole game, tanking everything easily except for boom, which is a bad trade for the slak. skarm is one of the best spike setters as well, because band slak will be forced to switch out and lose momentum. despite being ohkoed by superpower at +6, skarm has some utility against post-setup slak, as it forces slak to lower its atk/def and become much easier to answer. similar to aero, its immunity to spikes and sand makes it amazing at dodging chip. its only issue is that it invites lots of threatening pokemon in for free, like kyogre and lati

conclusion

there's tons of counterplay to slak out there, way more than meets the eye. there's so many ways to approach a seemingly impossible task, which makes teambuilding in adv really comfortable once you get the hang of it. i hope you learned something new from this post

 

[LycanrocWastaken]

Personal ORAS PH VR, please don't cancel me. They are just my opinion.

S Rank
S

Giratina ......................... Prankster (S), Magic Bounce (A), Poison Heal (B+)


Rayquaza-Mega ........... Mold Breaker (S), Gale Wings (A+), Aerilate (C), Shadow Tag (C-)

Gyarados-Mega ............ Huge Power (S), Poison Heal (B)

Mewtwo-Mega-X .......... Huge Power (S), Shadow Tag (A), Wonder Guard (A-), Mold Breaker (B), No Guard (C), Poison Heal (C-)

S-

Groudon-Primal ............ Shell Smash Mold Breaker (S-), Choice Band Mold Breaker (A), Shadow Tag (A), Wonder Guard (B), Huge Power (C)

A Rank
A+

Chansey ........................ Imposter (A+)

Kyogre-Primal ................ Wonder Guard (A+), Magic Bounce (C-)

Xerneas .......................... Wonder Guard (A+), Mold Breaker (B), Poison Heal (C-), Pixilate (C-), Magic Bounce (C-), Huge Power (C-)

A

Audino-Mega ................ Wonder Guard (A)

Slaking .......................... Shadow Tag (A), Wonder Guard (A-), Huge Power (B+)

Regigigas ....................... Shadow Tag (A), Huge Power (B+), Poison Heal (C-)

Diancie-Mega ................ Pixilate (A), Mold Breaker (A-), Huge Power (B-)


Ferrothorn ..................... Wonder Guard (A), Magic Bounce (C-)

Arceus ........................... Wonder Guard (A), Shadow Tag (B), Mold Breaker (B)

Aegislash ....................... Magic Bounce (A)

Beedrill-Mega ................ Wonder Guard (A), No Guard (C-)

A-

Sableye-Mega .............. Wonder Guard (A-)

Blissey .......................... Imposter (A-), Wonder Guard (B+)

Deoxys-Speed .............. Wonder Guard (A-), No Guard (B)


Reminder that Pokemon after this point are ranked alphabetically

B Rank
B+

Escavalier ..................... Wonder Guard (B+)

Gengar-Mega ............... Wonder Guard (B+), No Guard (B-), Mold Breaker (B-)

Ludicolo ........................ Wonder Guard (B+)

Metagross-Mega ............ Prankster (B+)

Scizor-Mega ................. Wonder Guard (B+)

Swampert-Mega ........... Wonder Guard (B+)


B

Dialga ............................ Mold Breaker (B), Magic Bounce (C+)

Latios-Mega ................... Protean (B), Mold Breaker (B-)

Registeel ....................... Magic Bounce (B), Prankster (C)

Yveltal ............................ Poison Heal (B), Magic Bounce (B-), Magic Guard (C+), Huge Power (C)


B-

Deoxys-Attack .............. Wonder Guard (B-), Huge Power (C-), No Guard (C-)

Gyarados ....................... Wonder Guard (B-), Magic Bounce (C+), No Guard (C-)

Heatran ............................... Magic Bounce (B-)

Lugia ................................ Shadow Tag (B-), No Guard (C-)

Manectric-Mega ............ Wonder Guard (B-)

Meloetta ........................... Baton Pass Wonder Guard (B-)

Mewtwo-Mega-Y ............ No Guard (B-), Protean (C+), Shadow Tag (C), Wonder Guard (C), Mold Breaker (C), Huge Power (C-)

Talonflame ..................... Wonder Guard (B-)

Thundurus ..................... Wonder Guard (B-)

Tyranitar-Mega ............... Poison Heal (B-), Huge Power (B-), Mold Breaker (B-)

C Rank
C+

Aerodactyl-Mega ............. No Guard (C+), Shadow Tag (C-)

Genesect ............................ Wonder Guard (C+)

Landorus- Incarnate ................... Wonder Guard (C+)

Lucario-Mega................... Wonder Guard (C+)

Rotom-Fan ...................... Wonder Guard (C+)

Skuntank ......................... Wonder Guard (C+)


C

Abomasnow-Mega .......... Refrigerate (C)

Cresselia .......................... Wonder Guard (C)

Zekrom ............................ Mold Breaker (C)

Gardevoir-Mega .............. Wonder Guard (C)

Kyurem-Black................... Refrigerate (C)

Probopass ....................... Magic Bounce (C)

Umbreon .......................... Poison Heal (C), Wonder Guard (C-)

Zapdos ............................ Wonder Guard (C), Poison Heal (C-)

C-

Garchomp-Mega ............. Mold Breaker (C-)

Giratina-Origin ................. Mold Breaker (C-)

Ho-Oh .............................. Magic Guard (C-), Wonder Guard (C-)

 

[Electra102]

I’m not sure who is in charge of sample teams for BDSP Pure Hackmons, so I’m just going to leave this here for now. I’m pretty happy with how this Balance team has turned out. Yes, I said Balance, and yes, this is for BDSP Pure Hackmons. I’ve been trying to prove that BDSP Pure Hackmons is a far better meta than PHPL has shown it to be, and I hope this team will help me with that goal. Onto the team…

https://pokepast.es/e547d300fe296bef​

Magic Bounce Arceus-Fairy is your dedicated ComaPhaze check, blocking Whirlwind / Roar attempts as well as Dragon Tail. It also doubles as a special setup sweeper. Pixie Plate will block TrickScarf attempts, and Moonblast is chosen over Judgment because you trade like 7.2 power (after Pixie Plate) for a 30% chance to drop SpA by one, which can be huge.


This is your ComaPhazer. As a Flying-type, Arceus-Flying will get STAB on Chatter and will be immune to Sticky Web trying to slow it down. I don’t think much needs to be said here.


Circle Throw Arceus-Steel handles most special sweepers, and physical sweepers are not common enough right now to require a dedicated answer. You really cannot afford to have a Scarf tricked onto this, so Iron Plate is given to block TrickScarf as well as to boost Iron Head.


Arceus-Water functions as both a lead and a burn spreader (in case there are any physical threats). Splash Plate is here to boost the power of Scald and to block TrickScarf attempts.


This is the team’s main sweeper, so you will need to be careful with how you use Mewtwo. Life Orb Stored Power after a Shell Smash is a guaranteed OHKO on Arceus, and Moonblast can take care of Arceus-Dark, Spiritomb, and more gimmicky Mewtwo checks such as Latias. A lot of people seem to not be running Comatose as much nowadays, so Spore is an excellent tool for getting your sweep ready.


The second Wonder Guard, and the dedicated hazard remover. There is only really one GOOD Ghost-type, that being Arceus-Ghost, so Rapid Spin + Foul Play will cover it. Also, if Mewtwo is threatening a sweep, Sucker Punch may be able to stop it. Dread Plate is here to block TrickScarf Arceus forms as well as boost Foul Play + Sucker Punch damage.

I don’t have many replays, but I did try to get at least a couple. This team has changed a lot and games are VERY hard to come by, so this is pretty much all I have.

Arceus-Fairy sweep
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8bdspou-2387357279

Electra loses to her own team (I passed Archeyyy this team)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8bdspou-2387362484

Old version of this team with Swellow, but it probably does the best job demonstrating how this team functions
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8bdspou-2380731000

Guide for how to teambuild defensively in BDSP Pure Hackmons coming soon.

 

[Electra102]

BDSP Pure Hackmons Teambuilding Guide

I have been obsessed with BDSP Pure Hackmons recently, and I’m hoping that if I provide resources for this meta, then I can convince people to give it a second chance after what happened in PHPL. I find this meta to certainly have its problems, but with the right strategies in the teambuilder the metagame becomes quite a bit less focused around spamming Taunt and Quiver Dance until you can sweep. This guide will focus mainly on more defensive teambuilding, although options will be given for more offensive teams. Hyper Offense is still great in this meta, but with this guide I’m hoping I can show that defensive teams can most certainly work in this meta.

YOUR TEAM WILL NEED​

• General answer(s) for non-Mewtwo special sweepers
• Mewtwo answer(s)
• ComaPhaze answer
• Hazard remover
• ComaPhazer
• At least one sweeper of your own

Note: Two Wonder Guards are also nice to have versus No Guard, but if you are fine with gambling or if you have Arceus-Ice, you’ll probably be fine.

General Special Wall(s)​

First off, you will want at least one general answer for special attackers. From my experience, you have two main choices- Arceus-Steel for most teams, and Blissey if you like taking things more slowly. There are other options, of course, and I will go over some of them in this section.

Arceus-Steel @ Iron Plate
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 30 HP
- Iron Head / Rapid Spin
- Circle Throw / Dragon Tail / Clear Smog
- Nuzzle / Foul Play
- Strength Sap

Arceus-Steel is generally going to be your best option for anything that doesn't have specific coverage for it, and can even take on mons that DO have specific coverage for it. Just look at these calcs-

+5 252 SpA Zap Plate Arceus-Electric Discharge vs. 252 HP 30 IVs / 252 SpD Arceus-Steel: 361-426 (81.4 - 96.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+6 252 SpA Pixie Plate Arceus-Fairy Moonblast vs. 252 HP 30 IVs / 252 SpD Arceus-Steel on a critical hit: 367-432 (82.8 - 97.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252 SpA Arceus-Fire Fire Blast vs. 252 HP 30 IVs / 252 SpD Arceus-Steel: 356-420 (80.3 - 94.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+6 252 SpA Sky Plate Arceus-Flying Aeroblast vs. 252 HP 30 IVs / 252 SpD Arceus-Steel on a critical hit: 386-455 (87.1 - 102.7%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
+6 252 SpA Meadow Plate Arceus-Grass Grass Knot (120 BP) vs. 252 HP 30 IVs / 252 SpD Arceus-Steel: 309-363 (69.7 - 81.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Arceus-Ground Earth Power vs. 252 HP 30 IVs / 252 SpD Arceus-Steel: 390-458 (88 - 103.3%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
+6 252 SpA Icicle Plate Arceus-Ice Ice Beam vs. 252 HP 30 IVs / 252 SpD Arceus-Steel on a critical hit: 348-409 (78.5 - 92.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+3 252 SpA Splash Plate Arceus-Water Origin Pulse vs. 252 HP 30 IVs / 252 SpD Arceus-Steel: 355-418 (80.1 - 94.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

And for some more obscure mons-
+4 252+ SpA Draco Plate Dialga Spacial Rend vs. 252 HP 30 IVs / 252 SpD Arceus-Steel on a critical hit: 374-441 (84.4 - 99.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252+ SpA Kyogre Origin Pulse vs. 252 HP 30 IVs / 252 SpD Arceus-Steel in Rain: 345-406 (77.8 - 91.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+4 252+ SpA Lustrous Orb Palkia Spacial Rend vs. 252 HP 30 IVs / 252 SpD Arceus-Steel on a critical hit: 374-441 (84.4 - 99.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

However, with Arceus-Steel being one of the better special walls right now, I would not be surprised if people start preparing more for it- Arceus-Grass may start dropping Taunt for Flamethrower / Fire Blast, Arceus-Fairy may drop Strength Sap for Earth Power / Judgment-Ground, and so forth. You will probably want backup for Arceus-Steel, and you have a few options for this:
Blissey is a second option, being able to take on almost anything Arceus-Steel cannot (save for really strong Fighting coverage).
Ho-Oh may be an option if you have good hazard removal, being able to take on Fire / Grass, special Ghost / special Fighting, and Fairy / Ground coverage.

Or you could be a little silly and try something new, such as:
Crobat (takes on Fairy / Ground and Grass coverage)
Latias (takes on Fire / Grass coverage and can form your Mewtwo check alongside Foul Play Arceus-Steel).

If your team really struggles against certain Arceus forms (in particular Arceus-Fairy, Arceus-Fire, Arceus-Grass, Arceus-Ice, sweeper Arceus-Steel, and so forth), you could swap out Arceus-Steel with:

Heatran @ Flame Plate / Iron Plate / Dread Plate / Mental Herb
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly / Timid Nature
IVs: 30 HP
- Lava Plume / Iron Head / Rapid Spin
- Circle Throw / Dragon Tail / Clear Smog
- Nuzzle / Foul Play / Lava Plume
- Strength Sap

Heatran serves essentially the same role as Arceus-Steel. The only difference between the two is that Heatran does better versus STAB-only Arceus-Fairy, Arceus-Fire, Arceus-Grass, Arceus-Ice, and sweeper Arceus-Steel, while Arceus-Steel does better versus Arceus-Water, Ground coverage, and has a bit more bulk than Heatran.

Blissey @ Toxic Plate / Mental Herb / Dread Plate
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Foul Play / Final Gambit
- Clear Smog / Circle Throw
- Nuzzle
- Strength Sap / Soft-Boiled / Final Gambit

Blissey can also be your main special wall, and can double as your general Mewtwo check. I don't think I really need to prove how bulky Blissey is to you all, but having a backup special wall in case Blissey somehow goes down may be nice, especially if you are running stall.

Other options​

Chansey @ Eviolite
Ability: Comatose / Wonder Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Foul Play / Final Gambit / Magic Coat
- Clear Smog / Circle Throw
- Nuzzle / Magic Coat
- Strength Sap / Soft-Boiled / Final Gambit
Chansey is going to work almost exactly the same as Blissey, except now you are terrified of TrickScarf and can't run Mental Herb. I don't really think much else needs to be said here.

Giratina @ Griseous Orb
Ability: Comatose / Neutralizing Gas
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hex / Foul Play / Mirror Coat / Counter
- Dragon Tail / Clear Smog
- Nuzzle
- Strength Sap
Giratina is back, and is able to take on mons such as Arceus-Electric, Arceus-Fire, Arceus-Grass, Arceus-Poison, Arceus-Water, and so forth. You WILL need a backup for Giratina, however- Giratina will not be able to check Arceus-Dark, Arceus-Fairy, special Arceus-Ghost, Arceus-Ice, and so forth. Blissey or potentially Ho-Oh would work well as backups.

Ho-Oh @ Flame Plate / Leftovers
Ability: Comatose / Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nuzzle / Lava Plume / Rapid Spin
- Circle Throw / Dragon Tail / Clear Smog
- Lava Plume / Foul Play / Chatter
- Strength Sap
Ho-Oh is also an option, but you will have to keep hazards away like the plague. Ho-Oh would honestly be a great option if we still had Heavy-Duty Boots, but for some reason they were cut even though Sword / Shield has JUST introduced them.

Mewtwo Answer(s)​

Every team (and I mean EVERY team) needs to be able to answer Mewtwo, preferably after it has clicked Shell Smash. You could go for an overall check, such as Blissey, but most teams will need two checks. You will need to be able to answer most if not all of the following moves-

• Aura Sphere
• Dark Pulse (rare)
• Fire Blast (not super common)
• Focus Blast (rare)
• Moonblast
• Stored Power (140 base power)
• Psystrike (rare)

You can pretty much always assume Mewtwo will run two attacking moves, and that one will most likely be Stored Power / occasionally Psystrike. If you need ideas for Mewtwo-check cores, I will provide some below:

Arceus-Psychic + Arceus-Steel
Arceus-Psychic + Spiritomb
Arceus-Psychic + Tyranitar
Arceus-Steel + Giratina
Arceus-Steel + Latias
Arceus-Steel + Spiritomb
Blissey + Spiritomb

ComaPhaze Answer​

Just like in Sword / Shield, ComaPhaze is here and can be very dominant in the right scenario. Most of the time, your team will need a mon with Magic Bounce in order to answer this, and there is a "best" option for most teams-

Arceus-Fairy @ Pixie Plate / Earth Plate
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 30 HP / 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Taunt / Earth Power / Judgment-Ground
- Strength Sap
- Quiver Dance

You already bounce back Whirlwind / Roar with Magic Bounce, but what about Circle Throw / Dragon Tail? Arceus-Fairy not only blocks Dragon Tail, but resists Circle Throw, and is not weak to Chatter (the most common filler move on ComaPhazers). If you are especially concerned about Circle Throw, you could instead run Arceus-Ghost and adjust the coverage for it, but generally Arceus-Fairy is going to be your best option. This set in particular can double as your win condition / special setup sweeper.

Spiritomb @ Dread Plate
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 176 Spe
Careful Nature
IVs: 30 HP
- Foul Play
- Rapid Spin
- Sucker Punch / Magic Coat / Nuzzle
- Strength Sap

Spiritomb is another option I have tried recently. It's niche is being able to role-compress like nothing else, serving as not just your Magic Bouncer, but also a partial Mewtwo answer and your hazard remover. 176 Speed EVs will cause it to outspeed Arceus when Spiritomb is at +3. Will this ever be important? Probably not, but you might as well- games can be won via tiny optimizations like these.

​

Hazard Remover​

The first thing you need to note about hazard removal in BDSP Pure Hackmons is that Defog is NOT a reliable option, so you almost always will need to run Rapid Spin. Wonder Guard is uncommon in BDSP Pure Hackmons, and there are only two or three relevant Ghost-types (Arceus-Ghost and Spiritomb, plus maybe Giratina). However, you can run Foul Play in order to check physical attackers (such as Arceus-Ghost and Regigigas), and so you can hit those annoying Ghost-types trying to block your Rapid Spin.

Spiritomb @ Dread Plate
Ability: Wonder Guard / Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 176 Spe
Careful Nature
IVs: 30 HP
- Foul Play / Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- Sucker Punch / Gastro Acid / Toxic Spikes
- Strength Sap

This is what I usually run for hazard removal. Foul Play will OHKO Mewtwo if it tries to Shell Smash on you, and with Wonder Guard you can block annoying Chatter attempts from ComaPhazers. Knock Off is another option, if you want to remove Mewtwo's Life Orb or anything's Lum Berry. I honestly don't know why Spiritomb is not ranked- I would honestly rank this thing in A- if it was up to me.

Other Options​

Arceus-Dark is another option on certain teams, although I have personally never used it before.
Arceus-Steel can also serve as your general special wall and as part of a Mewtwo-check core.
Drapion is generally just going to be a worse Skuntank. It IS an option, I suppose, but why use it?
Skuntank might be able to do something, also being able to kind of take on Moonblast / Aura Sphere / Fire Blast from Mewtwo (takes 98.5% max from +2 Fire Blast), and can run Black Sludge, but in my opinion Black Sludge is VERY risky to run when trying to punish TrickScarf. I'm mostly speculating here, but maybe someone could do something with Skuntank.
Tyranitar is going to be generally worse than Spiritomb, but is definitely an option if your team can make good use of it, being able to take on Stored Power or Psystrike / Fire Blast Mewtwo.

ComaPhazer​

ComaPhaze is rather underutilized in the current BDSP Pure Hackmons metagame. The sets will for the most part be the same- Sleep Talk, Whirlwind, and either Chatter / Solar Beam or Focus Punch / Shadow Force. Other options for moves include Copycat, Mirror Move, Dig, Fly, Dive, and so forth. You could run Circle Throw / Dragon Tail, but you will need to gamble when it comes to most Wonder Guards or a Fairy-type / Ghost-type. I'll provide some example sets below.

Arceus-Fighting @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 30 HP
- Focus Punch
- Shadow Force
- Sleep Talk
- Whirlwind

Gets STAB on Focus Punch, in case there is an annoying Arceus-Steel or Blissey you want to remove. Will have a hard time versus Arceus-Fairy and Arceus-Flying, however.

Arceus-Flying @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 30 HP / 0 Atk
- Chatter
- Solar Beam
- Sleep Talk
- Whirlwind

Arceus-Flying gets STAB on Chatter and won't have its speed dropped by Sticky Web. Trying to phaze out Arceus-Electric will be risky, however.

Other Options​

Arceus-Ghost gets STAB on Shadow Force. Maybe someone could do something with that.
Arceus-Rock is an older pick, and is common on the sample teams.
Arceus-Steel (in my opinion) is kind of wasted if given a ComaPhaze set, but it is an option.
Deoxys-Speed holding a Choice Scarf will outspeed even +2 Arceus, and it resists Stored Power or Psystrike / Aura Sphere or Focus Blast from Mewtwo.
Latias can be a part of a Mewtwo-check core, taking on Stored Power or Psystrike / Aura Sphere or Fire Blast.

Sweeper​

This is what BDSP Pure Hackmons is well-known for. There are two main kinds of sweepers: Special Quiver Dancers, and Shell Smashers (which can be Physical, Mixed, or Special).

Literally any Arceus form (Arceus) @ STAB Plate
Ability: Neutralizing Gas
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 30 HP
- Judgment / non-Judgment STAB special move
- Taunt / Coverage / Spore
- Strength Sap / Coverage
- Quiver Dance

You will need to fill in some parts to make this set legal, but this is otherwise the most standard and important set in the metagame.

Arceus-Ghost @ Spooky Plate / Lum Berry
Ability: Neutralizing Gas
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 30 HP
- Shadow Force
- Low Kick
- Shell Smash
- Spore / Taunt / Strength Sap

Arceus-Ghost runs Shadow Force due to how few Normal-types there are in the game, and even if you hard-switch in a Normal-type after Arceus-Ghost uses Shadow Force, they will just Low Kick you next turn. One hilarious thing about this set is its hard counters- Swellow, Staraptor, and even Jigglypuff can almost completely stop this thing, with Swellow taking 97.2% maximum from a +6 Low Kick on a critical hit, and being able to phaze it out with Dragon Tail. I have personally run Swellow and Staraptor on a couple of my teams, and they do their job well.

Mewtwo @ Life Orb / Lum Berry
Ability: Neutralizing Gas
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 30 HP / 0 Atk
- Stored Power / Psystrike
- Fire Blast / Moonblast / Aura Sphere / Focus Blast
- Shell Smash
- Spore / Taunt

Mewtwo is the biggest threat in the entire BDSP Pure Hackmons metagame, being able to OHKO most Arceus forms after a Shell Smash with a Life Orb-boosted Stored Power.

Regigigas @ Life Orb / Lum Berry
Ability: Neutralizing Gas
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
IVs: 30 HP
- Extreme Speed
- Precipice Blades
- Shell Smash
- Spore / Taunt

Regigigas is better than Slaking for once, since special attackers are so common. However, a +2 Extreme Speed is only dealing 62.1% maximum to an Arceus form, and they will just click Strength Sap on you. Getting a Shell Smash off will also be hard, since Arceus will always outspeed you, and many Arceus sets carry Taunt. Maybe someone better than I am could make Regigigas work.

Other Options / Gimmicks​

TrickScarf used to be very important, but in my opinion it has fell off. Most mons that are scared of TrickScarf can easily just run a Plate to block it from any Arceus form.
Options:
Arceus-Ghost uses TrickScarf on one of the sample teams.
Arceus-Ice with No Guard can probably run TrickScarf.
Deoxys-Speed holding a Choice Scarf will outspeed +2 Arceus. Someone can probably do something with that.
Mewtwo could maybe serve as a TrickScarf mon that answers TrickScarf, since it naturally outspeeds Arceus.

No Guard is here, and can be run to get a surprise KO on non-Neutralizing Gas mons. Gastro Acid is now used to eliminate Neutralizing Gas, rather than Wonder Guard.
Options:
Arceus-Grass sacrifices some Sheer Cold accuracy for a Spore immunity.
Arceus-Ice gets a 30% accurate Sheer Cold under Neutralizing Gas, and is immune to Sheer Cold itself.
Deoxys-Speed is VERY gimmicky, but it could maybe work if used well and on the right team. I'm thinking it could be a suicide hazard-setting lead that severely punishes any attempts to bounce back hazards through sending out a Magic Bounce mon.
Mewtwo hasn't been used as a No Guard in a while, but it probably still works.

Shadow Tag can try to take advantage of non-Neutralizing Gas mons, but I have personally never seen it, so I don't know what to recommend for it.
Options:
An Arceus form can probably run Shadow Tag.

Swellow tries to hard-check Arceus-Ghost, taking advantage of it running Low Kick and Shadow Force. It also naturally outspeeds Arceus, with a base Speed stat of 130 (compared to 120, which Arceus has).
Other options:

Jigglypuff is only really going to be used on a meme team. It could be VERY funny, however.

Staraptor is Swellow but slightly worse.
Swelllow is Swellow.

Weather can be run, since Drizzle / Drought / Sand Stream / Snow Warning activate if a mon with Neutralizing Gas switches out.
Options for Rain (I have never seen anyone run Sun before, but it could probably work):
Arceus-Water hits a bit less hard and takes special hits a very slight bit less well than Kyogre.
Kyogre is less physically bulky and much slower than Arceus-Water, but hits harder.
Palkia is a Dragon-type and is faster than Kyogre, but is still slower than Arceus.

Wonder Guard exists, and is nice to have against a No Guard or an annoying Comatose mon spamming Chatter.
Options:
Arceus-Electric tends to run a sweeping set, with Gastro Acid / Discharge / Quiver Dance / Strength Sap or Taunt.
Arceus-Steel does Arceus-Steel things, just with Wonder Guard instead of Comatose.
Spiritomb is only weak to Fairy and can help against certain Mewtwo sets.

Closing thoughts​

For now, BDSP Pure Hackmons seems to have quite a bit more potential than many give it credit for. In my honest opinion, PHPL gave it a bad showing, with Iguana's post here on the forums against it and Hendrit winning her match with Fullpass. With this post and any others I make, I'm hoping to show that BDSP Pure Hackmons is worth another try.

-electra​

 

[PenultimateToast]

since the tour died here's the teams i used/passed in ust 2, not posting unused teams because they're probably bad

- Game 1, Game 2

basic ass mold diancie balance, mold diancie was an idea i wanted to try for a while now and i think i pulled it off decently here, unfortunately cheese lost ray to toxic damage and diancie to stag g1 and lost tina to a mgyara 50/50 g2

- Game

another balance, not much to say tbh aside from fusion bolt mgyara being a funny set, got cteamed by mmx spam unfortunately

- Game

slightly modified sample not much to say threw super hard in game though

- Game 1, Game 2

basic offense team, ogre lead beats jask with thunder and everything else with surf, played this set off of pretty much 0 sleep which is why i clicked thunder t1 vs aero but i still won somehow, adv is the best ph gen btw and it's not even close

- Game

don't use this it sucks

- Game

another basic balance not much to say other than talonflame's here to cteam mmx spam in case koen brought that again, unfortunately guysmash loaded into opposing ferrothorn which is a really bad mu so he couldn't really make progress

- Game

more balance woohoo!!! xern evs are for mmx gear grind iirc but i'm not sure, koen brought max speed gyara so guysmash lost this game since metagross could just subpass for free (ik guysmash used this again but i can't be bothered to write about that game tbh)

- Game

team name and nicknames are only because i wanted to submit this to samples, didn't end up doing it because i don't wanna get more replays, copied the structure from highlord, lefties on deo is prob better but i was afraid of losing to trick stuff so i ran mail, ended up playing bad because of multiple deo-speeds tripping me up and making me paranoid of taunt, could've played better but oh well

- Game

overall solid team not much to say, misplayed in game by sacking regigigas but the mu wasn't great anyways

btw don't ask me what ust is i don't really know koen just invited me ngl

 

[Electra102]

Personal BDSP Pure Hackmons Viability Rankings

Yay, two BDSP Pure Hackmons posts in one day!
​

Main abilities are in Bold, while niche / uncommon abilities are in Italics. Everything is subject to change, and all placements are based on my perception of how well the Pokemon does or would do in the current metagame. The tier named "Banished" is specifically for Pokemon that are currently on the official BDSP Pure Hackmons Viability Rankings, and I am suggesting that they should be removed. Please note that I am strongly biased towards more defensive Pokemon and teamstyles. If you are interested in learning BDSP Pure Hackmons, I would recommend that you do your own research and make your own conclusions about the metagame.

My viability rankings​

S Rank​

S
Arceus-Fairy (Magic Bounce, Neutralizing Gas)
Arceus-Steel (Comatose, Neutralizing Gas, Wonder Guard)
Mewtwo (Neutralizing Gas, No Guard, Wonder Guard)

​

A Rank​

A+
Arceus-Dark (Neutralizing Gas, Comatose)
Arceus-Electric (Neutralizing Gas, Wonder Guard)
Arceus-Flying (Comatose, Neutralizing Gas)
Arceus-Ice (Neutralizing Gas, No Guard)

A
Arceus-Fire (Neutralizing Gas, Drought)
Arceus-Ghost (Neutralizing Gas, Comatose, Wonder Guard)
Arceus-Ground (Neutralizing Gas)
Spiritomb (Magic Bounce, Wonder Guard)

A-
Arceus (Neutralizing Gas)
Arceus-Fighting (Neutralizing Gas, Comatose)
Arceus-Grass (Neutralizing Gas, No Guard)
Heatran (Comatose)

B Rank​

B+
Arceus-Poison (Neutralizing Gas)
Arceus-Water (Neutralizing Gas, Drizzle, Wonder Guard)
Jirachi (Comatose, Neutralizing Gas)

B
Arceus-Psychic (Comatose, Neutralizing Gas, Wonder Guard)
Blissey (Comatose, Innards Out, Neutralizing Gas, Wonder Guard)
Giratina (Comatose, Neutralizing Gas, Innards Out)
Lugia (Comatose, Neutralizing Gas)

B-
Arceus-Dragon (Neutralizing Gas)
Arceus-Rock (Comatose, Neutralizing Gas)
Ho-Oh (Comatose, Magic Guard)
Regigigas (Neutralizing Gas)

C Rank​

C+
Deoxys-Speed (Neutralizing Gas, No Guard)
Kyogre (Drizzle, Neutralizing Gas, Wonder Guard)
Palkia (Neutralizing Gas, Drizzle, Wonder Guard)

C
Chansey (Comatose, Innards Out, Neutralizing Gas, Wonder Guard)
Deoxys-Attack (Neutralizing Gas)
Dialga (Neutralizing Gas)
Groudon (Neutralizing Gas)
Shaymin-Sky (Neutralizing Gas)
Tyranitar (Neutralizing Gas, Wonder Guard)

C-
Arceus-Bug (Neutralizing Gas)
Slaking (Neutralizing Gas)

D Rank​

D
Gliscor (Comatose, Neutralizing Gas)
Staraptor (Comatose)
Swellow (Comatose)

BANISHED​

Aerodactyl
Articuno

Changes from the official viability rankings​

Rises​

Arceus-Dark: A to A+
Arceus-Fairy: A to S
Arceus-Fighting: B to A-
Arceus-Fire: A- to A
Arceus-Ground: A- to A
Arceus-Ice: A- to A+
Arceus-Psychic:
Arceus-Steel: A+ to S
Arceus-Water: B- to B
Blissey: C- to B
Deoxys-Speed: D to C+
Dialga: D to C
Giratina: C+ to B
Groudon: C- to C
Heatran: C+ to A-
Ho-Oh: C- to B-
Jirachi: B to B+
Kyogre: C- to C+
Lugia: B- to B
Palkia: D to C+

Newly Ranked​

Chansey: Starting in C
Spiritomb: Starting in A
Staraptor: Starting in D
Swellow: Starting in D
Tyranitar: Starting in C

Drops​

Arceus-Bug: C to C-
Arceus-Dragon: C+ to C-
Arceus-Flying: S to A+
Arceus-Ghost: S to A
Arceus-Grass: A+ to A-
Arceus-Poison: A to B+
Arceus-Rock: B+ to B-
Regigigas: A- to B-
Slaking: C+ to C-

Unranked​

Aerodactyl: Originally in D
Articuno: Originally in D

Unchanged​

Arceus: Still in A-
Arceus-Electric: Still in A+
Deoxys-Attack: Still in C
Gliscor: Still in D
Mewtwo: Still in S
Shaymin-Sky: Still in C

Current viability rankings​

Current VR

S Rank
S

Arceus-Flying

Arceus-Ghost

Mewtwo

A Rank
A+

Arceus-Electric

Arceus-Grass

Arceus-Steel

A

Arceus-Dark

Arceus-Fairy

Arceus-Poison

A-

Arceus

Arceus-Fire

Arceus-Ground

Arceus-Ice

Regigigas

B Rank
B+

Arceus-Dragon

Arceus-Rock

B

Arceus-Fighting

Arceus-Water

Jirachi

B-

Lugia

Slaking

C Rank
C+

Arceus-Psychic

Giratina

Heatran
C

Arceus-Bug

Deoxys-Attack

Shaymin-Sky

C-

Blissey

Groudon

Ho-Oh

Kyogre
D Rank
D

Aerodactyl

Articuno

Deoxys-Speed

Dialga

Gliscor

Palkia

 

[LycanrocWastaken]

since the tour died here's the teams i used/passed in ust 2, not posting unused teams because they're probably bad

- Game 1, Game 2

basic ass mold diancie balance, mold diancie was an idea i wanted to try for a while now and i think i pulled it off decently here, unfortunately cheese lost ray to toxic damage and diancie to stag g1 and lost tina to a mgyara 50/50 g2

- Game

another balance, not much to say tbh aside from fusion bolt mgyara being a funny set, got cteamed by mmx spam unfortunately

- Game

slightly modified sample not much to say threw super hard in game though

- Game 1, Game 2

basic offense team, ogre lead beats jask with thunder and everything else with surf, played this set off of pretty much 0 sleep which is why i clicked thunder t1 vs aero but i still won somehow, adv is the best ph gen btw and it's not even close

- Game

don't use this it sucks

- Game

another basic balance not much to say other than talonflame's here to cteam mmx spam in case koen brought that again, unfortunately guysmash loaded into opposing ferrothorn which is a really bad mu so he couldn't really make progress

- Game

more balance woohoo!!! xern evs are for mmx gear grind iirc but i'm not sure, koen brought max speed gyara so guysmash lost this game since metagross could just subpass for free (ik guysmash used this again but i can't be bothered to write about that game tbh)

- Game

team name and nicknames are only because i wanted to submit this to samples, didn't end up doing it because i don't wanna get more replays, copied the structure from highlord, lefties on deo is prob better but i was afraid of losing to trick stuff so i ran mail, ended up playing bad because of multiple deo-speeds tripping me up and making me paranoid of taunt, could've played better but oh well

- Game

overall solid team not much to say, misplayed in game by sacking regigigas but the mu wasn't great anyways

btw don't ask me what ust is i don't really know koen just invited me ngl

Here's some weird teams that I used.
I don't understand 2 of my teams but whatever. (You can probably see it)
Stole 1 team from Glory in PHPL (stall) and 1 in HPL (HO)

Team Dump

For games, just check Toast's replays. (And no, I'm not the one setting Mod Chat in games)
Also, Meloetta is underrated as a SubPass user. It's faster than the fastest Gyara (244) with 176 Speed and people generally don't run tools like BUp on offensive threats like MMX.

Meloetta appreciation post in ORAS PH disguised as a Team Dump.

 

[LycanrocWastaken]

I got bored.
PlateQuaza


Polished this a bit after 4 battles.

This team uses DAscent Ray due to being able to deal with Special Bulk Wonder Guards, while running Judgment Ground to beat Registeel (and improof).

PDon is self-proofed due to me being unable to find a real Improof for it. Not ideal however. UTurn can be switched out for TArrows if played carefully.

Arceus is trained on both Def and SpD. Copied one of Lag=bad's PHPL team's Arceus.

Manectric is your standard SubPass user. Steam Eruption checks all Pdon under a Sub. Spore as a support move, while maxing out it's Speed completely, and giving it Max HP so it's not a glass cannon.

Gyarados has to fit Rocks due to my whole team not being able to fit a single hazard. Shed Shell so I don't lose it to Slaking, which is scary for this team to only have one real revenge sweeper or Don check.

My whole team is built around Probopass. STAG to beat Impostor on Ray. Frost Breath picks up a guaranteed 4hko on a Impostor Ray. It has both Defense (to beat my own Ray even when they do crit) and SpD to beat Non-Shed Shell MRay that don't run coverage or GWings MRay that doesn't run the niche Baton Pass.


Notable things
Replay 1
Replay 2

Calcs:
Red= Opponent's Impostor copying my MRay
Green= My MRay/Probopass against opponent
Blue= GWings MRay/Opponent's Mold MRay

Spoiler

+2 100+ SpA Earth Plate Rayquaza-Mega Judgment vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Registeel: 364-430 (100 - 118.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

0 SpA Probopass Frost Breath vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rayquaza-Mega (Blissey's HP) on a critical hit: 204-244 (28.5 - 34.1%) -- 1.4% chance to 3HKO

0 SpA Probopass Frost Breath vs. 92 HP / 0 SpD Rayquaza-Mega on a critical hit: 204-244 (54.5 - 65.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 184 Atk Rayquaza-Mega Dragon Ascent vs. 248 HP / 112+ Def Probopass: 73-86 (22.6 - 26.6%) -- 29.2% chance to 4HKO

+2 100+ SpA Rayquaza-Mega Judgment (Normal) vs. 248 HP / 148 SpD Probopass: 44-52 (13.6 - 16%) -- possible 7HKO

252+ SpA Sharp Beak Rayquaza-Mega Chatter vs. 248 HP / 148 SpD Probopass: 28-33 (8.6 - 10.2%) -- possibly the worst move ever

252+ SpA Sharp Beak Rayquaza-Mega Chatter vs. 248 HP / 148 SpD Probopass: 28-33 (8.6 - 10.2%) -- possibly the worst move ever

252+ SpA Choice Specs Rayquaza-Mega Oblivion Wing vs. 248 HP / 148 SpD Probopass: 43-51 (13.3 - 15.7%) -- possible 7HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Rayquaza-Mega Chatter vs. 248 HP / 148 SpD Probopass: 35-42 (10.8 - 13%) -- possible 8HKO

I hope you don't see this
https://pokepast.es/f35c44abaab2309f

I'm sorry I suck at teambuilding
And even worse at clicking buttons

Anyways, thanks for reading.

 

[LycanrocWastaken]

Reasons why I think isn't dumb stupid nor ugly

Part 1: Stats
Part 2: Why it is actually good and why it worked out in HPL and PHPL

1. Stats

HPL: We saw only 1 usage of it, having only Lag≠bad trusting on it
Game(s): Lag=bad

PHPL: We saw only 4 usage of it, having Iguana and Excaliju trusting on it
Game(s): Iguana Excaliju Iguana Excaliju

WR: 100%

Purpose:
Support WG (Usage: 1)
SubPass WG (Usage: 3)



2. Why it actually worked

I'm mainly going to talk about its SubPass set due to that set being fit for its Stats and Weakness.

Standard Set used:

Spoiler

Meloetta @ Leftovers
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Baton Pass
- Dark Void / Magic Coat
- Shell Smash / Stealth Rock / Chatter / Recover

Firstly, it is weak to Dark, meaning it just dies to Pursuit , right? Right?.....
No.
Speed: 81
Speed: 90
is not only faster, can't afford to run Max Speed, so, strictly, can be anything around 176 to 252+ Speed.

Secondly, looks cool, wait no, sorry, I mean 's ability to be a Normal type that's not weak to Fighting, and a Psychic type that's not weak to Ghost is great, although its weakness to HP Beat Up from is still scary, but its ability to avoid Mach/ SSneak / Pjab/ GGrind/ Petal/ Bolt/ Fire/ Ice/ Diamond Storm will always be crucial as it shares the Dark weakness with only SubPass which is just worse than SubPass in team structures that lack anyways.

Lastly, team structures surrounding it. is weak to UTurn and Taunt, which is exactly what does. Players like Iguana and Excaliju used Mold on teams that pressures it significantly while having a Mon that can consistently SubPass into it.

In summary, is decent due to it's very strong typing and its decent speed tier.

Something similar to what Iguana brought:
Iguana PHPL Paste

 

[TuffStuff]

(Unofficial) ADV SETPEDIA!!!
Lots of thanks to AV Cosmoem for helping me make this

Disclaimer: These sets aren't word of god or anything, this is Pure Hackmons! Anything can use any move, these are just sample sets. If you think that a relevant set is missing or that I've made a mistake, please feel free to DM me either on Discord or Smogon.​

S Rank
1. Slaking

A Rank
2. Kyogre
3. Gengar
4. Ninjask
5. Latios
6. Aerodactyl
7. Groudon

B Rank
8. Dugtrio
9. Deoxys-Attack
10. Deoxys
11. Tyranitar

C Rank
12. Mewtwo
13. Skarmory
14. Banette
15. Wobbuffet
16. Lugia
17. Blissey

D Rank
18. Tauros
19. Machamp
20. Breloom
21. Metagross
22. Chansey
23. Omastar
24. Gyarados
25. Starmie

Changelog

14/07/2025
- Removed and tweaked outdated sets that were in the initial draft
- Changed some descriptions to make them clearer
- Added Choice Band Aerodactyl

 

[Archey]

BDSP Pure Hackmons Resource Hub

Council​

Electra102
Archey

Viability Rankings + Setpedia​

S Tier
1. Arceus-Fairy
2. Arceus-Steel
3. Mewtwo
A Tier

A+
4. Arceus-Dark
5. Arceus-Electric
6. Arceus-Flying
7. Arceus-Ground
8. Blissey
9. Spiritomb

A
10. Arceus-Fire
11. Arceus-Ice
12. Deoxys
13. Heatran

A-
14. Arceus-Fighting
15. Arceus-Ghost
16. Arceus-Grass
17. Arceus-Psychic
18. Giratina

B Tier

B+
19. Chansey
20. Ho-Oh
21. Jirachi
22. Lugia

B
23. Arceus
24. Arceus-Poison
25. Arceus-Water
26. Deoxys-Attack
27. Deoxys-Speed

B-
28. Arceus-Dragon
29. Arceus-Rock
30. Groudon
31. Regigigas

C Tier

C+
32. Cresselia
33. Kyogre
34. Palkia
35. Tyranitar

C
36. Arceus-Bug
37. Dialga
38. Shaymin-Sky
39. Slaking

C-
40. Celebi
41. Crobat
42. Latias
43. Swellow

D Tier
44. Aerodactyl
45. Articuno
46. Darkrai
47. Gliscor
48. Latios
49. Skuntank
50. Staraptor

Sample Teams​

\\\\\\

• Waterceus Balance by Electra102
  https://pokepast.es/84dec551d07a3af0
  
  
  
• Child of Night Stall by Electra102
  https://pokepast.es/ae54aa935a93355c
  
  
  
• Magic Bounce Steelceus BO by Archey
  https://pokepast.es/4a039b084c2ad8ac

Other Resources​

• BDSP Pure Hackmons Defensive Teambuilding Guide by Electra102
• Old BDSP Pure Hackmons Thread (VERY outdated)
• Explanation of the Balance Sample by Electra102

 

[LycanrocWastaken]

I am very new to this metagame and have no knowledge in this meta, so uh SPAM teamdump I guess. Going from the most usable to least usable. Team paste in "Team [insert number]".

Team 1
- - - - -

Uhh this is probably the only usable team out of all of them. I am somehow positive with this team. This MManec set is really good on HO because Steam destroys PGroudon while Gastro nullifies most other Mold coverage. MMX coverage spam, team has a chance to lose to Shedinja if you don't execute the Trick/Gastro/Rocks correctly.



Team 2
- - - - -

Team supposedly loses to Impostor, but since no one uses Shed Shell Imp this gen, I just decided to run Arena Trap to catch an Imp off guard by Perish Song-ing. I don't think I need to explain the rest of the team relying on Chatter.



Team 3
- - - - -

Ok so DeoS to improof, just don't let opponent get away with 2 Shell Smash, if you're worried, just run Lum Berry DeoS for mind games. Sceptile traps and kills Lum MGyarados, for Shed Shell, just play around Dark Void.

---

Any team below this is basically not really usable

Team 4
- - - - -

Landorus Improofs Mold MManec, rest is spam, don't use



Team 5
- - - - -

Absolutely don't use, I did beat Yoko with this tho...

---

Thanks for reading till this point, bye!

 

[berry]

Abilities​

I believe the following abilities have the highest power ceiling and viability, and most abilities that aren’t included on this list are simply outclassed by something available here.

S Tier
Universal and Unforgettable

Wonder Guard
WG is the undisputed strongest defensive ability. What beats reducing your damage in situations where you need to tank a hit or pivot into an attacker? Taking no damage at all.

Mold Breaker / Turboblaze / Teravolt
Mold is the most effective way of breaking through wonder guards and offensive mold breaker sweepers have always been at the forefront of the threat list. Mold breakers are also able to easily set up hazards and damage switchins, no matter their ability.

No Guard
NG is the near opposite of mold due to the fact that it struggles against WG, but completely clears everything that doesn’t have an immunity ability. No guard is able to force switches and instantly OHKO any opponent, regardless of defensive stats. Extremely effective at all levels of play.

Shadow Tag
stag heavily punishes wonder guards and passive defenders while missing out on being able to trap and kill more active mons. This also singlehandedly led to the universal use of pivoting moves and shed shell on most wonder guards, forcing more active and aggressive play to avoid easy punishment.


A Tier
Strong Staples

Huge Power / Pure Power / Parental Bond / Protean
This set of abilities offers the largest power boost to physical and special attackers respectively. Around 2014-5, players were able to optimize their coverage so that they were able to attack all types of wonder guards while doing huge damage to any types of defensive mon. More recent uses of these abilities also lend to the priority creep meta game, showing that the only thing better than being stronger than your opponent is being faster.

Refrigerate / Pixilate / Aerilate
Speaking of being faster than your opponent, giving great offensive typings like ice and fairy to already strong priority moves like fake out and extremespeed, as well as absolute nukes like boomburst and head charge is a recipe for disaster. Already devastating attackers are able to take advantage of their STABs even more effectively, outspeeding everything except for themselves.

Imposter
Imp is one of the most versatile abilities, being able to scout moves, gain momentum by forcing switches, as well as the opportunity to copy your opponent’s offensive threats and outspeed with a scarf attacker.

B Tier
Effective Picks with strong situational viability

Magic Bounce
Being able to reflect status moves, especially hazards, is very appealing in a meta with a large focus on hazard and status condition control. While these mons usually struggle because they’re too slow vs offensive threats, they’re extremely effective in the early game due to the ability to force chip on your opponent’s mons.

Prankster
Prank’s viability is another result of the priority creep. Defensive mons with access to priority status moves allows them to heal up quickly as well as use limiting moves like encore and taunt, all while retaining a slow pivot with u turn or volt switch.

C Tier
Not truly notable, but shouldn’t be overlooked. Overwhelmingly excluded from strong teams because there are usually better options.
Fur Coat
Poison Heal
Regenerator
Magic Guard

D Tier
Niche at best, most implementations are simply bad. Not really worth mentioning in any serious discussion.
Illusion
Gale Wings
Normalize
Contrary
Sturdy
Speed Boost
Infiltrator
Pressure
Soundproof
Iron Barbs / Rough Skin
Weather Abilities

Exceptions
If you are thinking of running anything that isn’t in S/A/B tier on this list, consider the following questions:

One: In what situation would having this ability outclass having an ability on this list? Is that situation common enough to justify running this ability?
Two: Are you running this ability to specifically combat one pokemon / move / ability / set? How often do you run into this to consider it a problem?
Three: Are you running this ability to imposterproof? Is there a better way to imposterproof using an ability on the list? A lot of options seem promising on paper, but completely flop in practice because they have no other viability.
Four: Would changing this one ability really completely solve any problems you have with your team? Are you sure your squad simply doesn’t need more fundamental changes?
Five: Are you trying to innovate a new idea? Have you seen this ability used before in a common situation that resulted in a player gaining a significant advantage?
Five: is regirock stupid? Did they forget an ability that should be in the S/A/B tiers or misplace something legitimately viable?

I wrote this piece about ability viability in ORAS PH and I'd like to revisit it some four years later with a deeper understanding of the meta. Mostly, I'd like to emphasize that while the overall meta of team construction has changed, I don't believe the viability of abilities themselves changes much. Some slots, namely No Guard, Wonder Guard, and Mold Breaker will always have an important part in the flow of the metagame and will absolutely never "fall off" due to their intrinsic value. These three abilities are what I refer to as the "engine" of ORAS PH, as they almost single-handedly dictate what can and will be used. Just because something is ranked "B" tier doesn't mean it's bad and unusable, but something not ranked on this list at all is almost certainly bad and unusable. Each tier is in order of decreasing viability.

S Tier: Universal and Unforgettable

No Guard: No Guard's utility is undeniable, enabling one-hit knockouts on any creature that Sheer Cold connects with. At the most fundamental level, this ability and its offensive prowess necessitates Wonder Guard users on every single team and boosts Wonder Guard's viablity above defensive abilities like Poison Heal that are more well positioned to deal with constant chip. No Guard loses to three main concepts in the tier: first, the afforementioned Wonder Guard, and second, itself. However, the third case of priority users (not only -ate ability or Gale Wings users, but also priority-laden trappers) is more curious; instead of aiming to defensively weather the Sheer Cold, priority users aim to outspeed the No Guard user and neutralize it offensively. This makes up a large portion of priority's use-case, which is to be discussed below.

Wonder Guard: Pure Hackmons' flagship ability, Wonder Guard is often the first and the last hurdle that an ORAS PH player will deal with in their career. With the advent of the sixth generation, all legal Pokemon came equipped with a weakness, meaning that there were no more "perfect" options like Spiritomb or Sableye in the past generations. By blocking all non-super-effective attacking moves, Wonder Guard users render themselves invulnerable to traditional offensive methods, which turns on the whole ORAS PH dynamic. Nowadays, Wonder Guard users come in many shapes and forms, both defensive and offensive, both outwardly predictable as Wonder Guards and secretive until the right moment to strike. While it is not the strongest ability in the format, it is by far the most versatile, having seen usage on almost every creature listed on the viability rankings.

Mold Breaker / Turboblaze / Teravolt: While No Guard necessitates Wonder Guard, Wonder Guard necessitates Mold Breaker. As an ability whose fundamental effect is ignoring the opponent's ability, Mold Breaker allows regularly effective attacks to land on Wonder Guard Pokemon. Again, this viability does not really warrant an explanation; most teams run at least two Wonder Guard users that are otherwise untouchable, so dispatching these is an essential step towards winning the game. Mold Breaker also comes in multiple forms, though it's typically more of a single-track offense option in most cases. Offensively, the most common Mold Breakers are set-up or unboosted attacking forms, aiming to do as much damage as possible. Two other main veins of Mold Breaker user exist, first as a gung-ho hazard setter on hyper offense teams. The second, a slower and stranger build, aims to execute another objective such as knocking off wonder guard user's items or spreading status through offensive moves with a high status chance. The latter is mainly experimental and is really only a mold breaker in name only, not sharing a common goal with the other offensive mold breakers mentioned in this paragraph.

A Tier: Strong Staples
I think that in my personal tier list, this is the section that's changed the most since my previous guide. I no longer rate the pure offensive abilities as high as I once did, and, while they are still viable, I believe they belong elsewhere due to limitations that will be discussed.

Prankster: An ability that enables all status moves to have priority, prankster is incredible in disrupting the opponent's gameplan and preventing them from making progress. With moves like Taunt and Encore to disrupt defensive wonder guards to options like haze and destiny bond to stop sweeps, Prankster has immense viabilty in playing the game through preventing your opponent from playing, however briefly. While prankster typically fails to offer any permanent provisions beyond the occasional status move or curse damage, it is the strongest momentum disruptor in the format that keeps most of the bs in check.

Shadow Tag: Trapping is one of the most useful traits in the format with extensive offensive and revenge killing utilty. Some offensive shadow tag users aim to trap an opposing wonder guard or otherwise defensive pokemon and dispatch it through use of coverage. I coin these "shred" stag users, as they enter aggressively and deliberately with the intent of inflicting damage. Equally as strong and potentially more popular, revenge killer shadow tag users aim to come in and defeat a mold breaker user or other offensive pokemon with strong priority moves. Usually Regigigas or Slaking using extremespeed, these are particularly effective in defeating an opposing mold breaker with stat boosts or shell smash drops. Finally, mid-range and slow shadow tag users that aim to set up entry hazards are slowly gaining in popularity, capitalizing on defensive pokemon while not directly intending on killing them to gain an advantage later in the game.

sub-ability: Arena Trap: Best for its ability to countertrap imposters, and a great call into a high-imposter environment. While there are some traditional trapping uses, this is mainly a downgrade to shadow tag due to its inability to trap flyers.

Magic Bounce: Bounce is prankster’s cousin, with bounce having a much stronger matchup into slower defensive teams with its ability to block entry hazards and status moves while sacrificing prankster's split second reaction time. Though its viability varies with time due to the condition of the meta, it's found an extremely comfortable spot as of recent with the meteoric rise of taunt and encore. While some have gone on to run magic coat, a move that mimics magic bounce, on wonder guard users, the ability to block a status move with just a switch still offers valuable defensive utility in today's format.

B Tier: Effective but incomplete

Huge Power / Pure Power / Parental Bond / Protean: The main core of offensive abilities, huge power takes advantage of every wonder guard user having a weakness and tries to capitalize on its excessive damage output by hitting into the right slot. While these abilities are surely offensively powerful, more intelligent use of wonder guard and a meta tendency towards strong revenge killers like shadow tag extremespeed users means that huge power pokemon get revenge killed often and easily. The one major upside is that these pokemon, once they do perform their jobs, are often dead weight on a team, offering limited viability anyway once their targets are dispatched. This vaguely situational nature often leads huge power users with poor coverage to be complete dead weight on a team if the user doen't provide an effective coverage combination. some huge power users such as mega gyarados are used due to their typing, with a strong knock off and pursuit targeting the ever-popular Giratina and a STAB water shuriken easily dispatching offensive Primal Groudons.

Imposter: I think that most of the meta is too "smart" for imposter now, with setup sweepers hiding behind substitutes, offensive mons intentionally not carrying coverage for their wonder guards, and wonder guards' ability to capitalize on a loss of momentum. While still definitely usable, Imposter's usage has shrunk and definitely warrants a lower spot on the rankings than it previously had. Scouting is still incredible in the format, but scouting without getting momentum punished is extremely difficult and rarely seen. In theory this is a top ability, but in practice it just doesn't add up with extremely cramped teamslots and logical teambuilding, rarely warranting its use over an ability above.

C Tier: Still viable, but noticeable drawbacks

-ate and Gale Wings: The priority abilities used to be the first choices for revenge killers, but they are mostly outclassed by shadow tag and huge power users in the current format. The highest level of viability goes to pixilate diancie who capitalizes on its super-effective damage on giratina, rayquaza, mewtwo x, and mgyarados. Outside of this, these struggle with revenging because of weak non-huge power pursuit and their general inability to damage wonder guard users. Fundamentally, their viability is directly correlated with no guard usage, as they are one of the strongest direct counters to the strategy.

The "defensive alternatives" (Poison Heal, Magic Guard, Regenerator):
Poison Heal: This ability is odd because it is objectively defensively superior in a world without no guard. Sleep immunity and constant passive healing are extremely desirable, but the sheer utility of shrugging off attacks like they're nothing is invaluable in a format where you can get hit by anything at any time. Very strong on and against defensive cores that aim to whittle their opponent down instead of aggressively knocking them out.

Magic Guard: Comparable to Poison Heal, an immunity to entry hazards and status moves makes this very strong in the long game where hazards may be present and attacks aren't to be worried about. This suffers from many of the same situational shortcomings as poison heal however, with its biggest thorns being no guard and huge power.

Regenerator: the weakest out of the three with conditional healing and a shared weakness to ohko offense. Bulkier mons can really take advantage of regenerator in drawn-out stall wars, effectively tanking one or two weak attacks and recovering them with next to no downside.

Illusion: An offensive ability with a pseudo-trapping-through-lack-of-knowledge undercurent. While Illusion can effectively trick the opponent into not switching and firing off a high-powered attack, it typically lacks the raw offensive power of other abilities listed above. Illusion's biggest strength comes from its WTF factor when concealed by a strong opponent.

D Tier: If you're building with these, you need a really good reason.

Contrary: If you're going to use strong coverage, why not also get boosted while you're attacking? A comparably weaker version of hugepower that has some defense against revenge killers singlehandedly due to v-create's defense boosts. Your movesets are limited, but access to strong moves that hit common weaknesses like vcreate, draco meteor, leaf storm, superpower, and beyond offer a fun niche. A surprisingly good matchup into giratina-heavy teams because of their difficulty switching into consistent boosts. You also get a funny boost from parting shot!

Normalize: Very strong against medium-paced bulky offense builds, normalize is a strange "trick up your sleeve" ability that can almost exclusively be used by mega gengar. Typically only effective in the late game while revealed at the last second, normalize can easily neutralize some offensive but slower-than-gengar threats like rayquaza and groudon.

Speed Boost: Naturally occuring boosting without doing much work is seldom seen but has very interesting applications. Probably the best on offensive teams trying to sneak in a powerful huge power user or banded mold like groudon, its ability to set up hazards while also accumulating boosts to be baton passed seems underutilized. Mainly this low because of the extreme prevalence of priority that would ignore the speed boosts anyway.

F Tier: You know something your opponent doesn't.

Infiltrator: exclusively used to circumvent substitute passing on an offensive coverage-heavy mon. Very limited viability outside of niche revenge killing capabilities and counterteaming subpass.

Sturdy: Shedinja is its best user supported with thick magic bounce and defog lines. Some use exists as extremely targeted no guard counterplay, but this would be better off not mentioned.

Fur Coat: Niche anti-huge power counterplay. Almost universally outclassed by the other defensive abilities listed above since it offers no additional immunity or passive healing in the event of an >1hko.

Primal Weathers: Offer some utility in boosting as well as immunity, even through mold breaker. Generally unsuccessful because of their simple gameplan and inability to stick for longer than the pokemon is active.

Sand Stream / Snow Warning / Drought / Drizzle: Weather teams have always been underpowered in ORAS due to the weather not sticking. While desoland and psea aren't really a concern to clear these, weather almost never sticks for long enough to make meaningful progress against opponents. Weather being up also telegraphs your gameplan to rush a sweeper in, cueing your opponent in to your next sequence.

Pressure: Limited viability as you're forced to be able to absorb and react to the moves your opponent makes, all the while attempting to keep the pressure mon in for maximum move drain value. Awesome in theory, but nearly useless in practice.

Soundproof: This ability blocks parting shot and perish song, which offers unique applications for manual trapping with spider web. However, its reliance on slower methods of defeating an opponent limit its viability heavily.

Further abilities that do not warrant a description at this time, but likely appear in F tier: Iron Barbs / Rough Skin, Intimidate, Liquid Ooze, Insomnia (Mewtwo Y), Trace (Alakazam), Suction Cups, Immunity / Absorb abilities, and most other things that come to mind when specifically trying to disagree with my lower rankings.
Probably prudent to include my previous disclaimer here as well:
If you are thinking of running anything that isn’t on this list, consider the following questions:

One: In what situation would having this ability outclass having an ability on this list? Is that situation common enough to justify running this ability?
Two: Are you running this ability to specifically combat one pokemon / move / ability / set? How often do you run into this to consider it a problem?
Three: Are you running this ability to imposterproof? Is there a better way to imposterproof using an ability on the list? A lot of options seem promising on paper, but completely flop in practice because they have no other viability.
Four: Would changing this one ability really completely solve any problems you have with your team? Are you sure your squad simply doesn’t need more fundamental changes?
Five: Are you trying to innovate a new idea? Have you seen this ability used before in a common situation that resulted in a player gaining a significant advantage?
Five: is regirock stupid? Did they forget an ability that should be in the S/A/B tiers or misplace something legitimately viable?

 

[LycanrocWastaken]

The difference in the BEST Molds and BEST Wonder Guard is definitely not significant, so for rankings, I am not going to use the traditional S/A/B/C tiers.
Ranking them in terms of Strong / Decent / Usable / NOT recommended, anything not on the list often require specific team cores/reasons to use it. Note they are NOT in order.

PERSONAL VR

WONDER GUARDS

Strong
Audino-Mega
Kyogre-Primal
Xerneas
Ferrothorn
Ludicolo
Arceus
Beedrill-Mega
Swampert-Mega
Groudon-Primal (Stall)


Decent
Mewtwo-Mega-X (Preferably on Dual MMX structures)
Manectric-Mega
Groudon-Primal (SubPass)
Deoxys-Speed
Deoxys-Attack
Sableye-Mega
Slaking
Suicune
Gengar-Mega


Usable
Talonflame
Ho-Oh
Blissey
Escavalier
Scizor-Mega
Thundurus
Meloetta
Drapion
Skuntank
Gyarados @ Gyardosite / Shed Shell
Zapdos
Skarmory (Good typing, bad stats)


NOT recommended
Cresselia
Lucario-Mega
Genesect
Mismagius (???)
Tentacruel (Solely as a Mold MDiancie/Xern check)
Forretress (Why?)
Umbreon

---

MOLD BREAKER

Strong
Rayquaza-Mega
Groudon-Primal

Diancie-Mega

Xerneas


Decent

Arceus

Gengar-Mega
Dialga
Latios-Mega


Usable

Mewtwo-Mega-X

Mewtwo-Mega-Y @ Choice Specs

Kyogre-Primal
Tyranitar-Mega
Zekrom


NOT recommended
Giratina (Hazards Stack)
Palkia
Slaking
Yveltal (Mold Knock for Perish Trap)

 

[aerobee]

Hidden Power in PH
​

This is most likely the last of the minor techs that I haven't seen anyone experiment with at all whatsoever, even though it's a move with very unique attributes with genuine applications once in a blue moon. Think of it as Judgment but half the power, but you also get to run an item. You Improof against Plate users as well, though that's balanced by losing to opposing Imposter with the correct Hidden Power type. Obviously rather difficult to justify, but items are actually really important for in-game interactions in ORAS/USUM PH so occasionally it's worth it.

It's worth noting that the decreased power relative to Judgment can have some upsides, as can the fact that the default Hidden Power type is Dark, so while Imposter should set their HP type to something potentially useful as long as they don't bother then that's something one can potentially take advantage of. Unfortunately I think Hidden Power only has use cases in ORAS/USUM PH, since in other gens the lack of power, Imposter, and/or viable Wonder Guard, as well as the pace of the metagame or relative unimportance of item flexibility on mons that would otherwise appreciate the move, make it not worth using. Or it's just not in the game.

ORAS PH
The applications in ORAS PH are unfortunately very slim because Plate Judgment is pretty strong competition and the most effect team structures can accommodate for Shed Shell-less attackers anyway, making item selection less of an opportunity cost and therefore Hidden Power less worthwhile. However, there are still occasional applications:


Latios-Mega (M) @ Soul Dew
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hidden Power [Fire] / Hidden Power [Steel] / Hidden Power [Ground] / Hidden Power [Poison] / Hidden Power [Electric] etc.
- Coverage
- Coverage
- Coverage

Probably the most direct application, basically acts as pseudo-Judgment on mons that appreciate their item too much to run the latter move. HP Fire/Ground actually OHKO almost all of Latios' targets so the low BP isn't that detrimental, while Steel makes you resistant to most priority after use. Misc. other coverage types can be used of course. Other coverage spammers have more trouble due to Hidden Power's low power.


Coverage Fish WG @ Shed Shell / Leftovers / Mental Herb / Plate
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shell Smash
- Hidden Power [Improof]
- Coverage
- Coverage / Gastro Acid


Kyurem-White @ Iron Plate / Pixie Plate
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shell Smash
- Freeze-Dry / Searing Shot / Earth Power / Gastro Acid
- Judgment
- Hidden Power [Fighting] / Hidden Power [Steel]

Next best use cases. These admittedly suck but the freedom to run an item while still self-Improofing is a worthwhile upside. On Lucario I'd still default to Fist Plate since otherwise you don't always OHKO Primal Groudon at +2, though you can definitely switch the set up as needed. You can even run something like WG Kyurem-W (STAB Freeze-Dry) and Plate Judgment + Hidden Power to self-Improof while not having to restrict yourself to one self-hitting coverage type.

+
Diancie-Mega / Xerneas @ Pixie Plate / Mental Herb
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shell Smash
- Judgment / Moonblast
- Steam Eruption / Surf
- Hidden Power [Fire]


Rayquaza @ Mental Herb / Shed Shell
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance / Tail Glow
- Oblivion Wing
- Hidden Power [Dragon] / Hidden Power [Ground]
- Substitute / King's Shield / Earth Power / Spacial Rend

Misc. Mold Breakers also benefit from Improofing with item flexibility. HP Fire on Mold Fairies lets you hit opposing WG Ferrothorn while Improofing with the same mon. Hidden Power Rayquaza/Gengar are overall worse but with smart Improofing/a strong enough SubPass backbone you can potentially justify both. You can also run HP Ground Rayquaza and Improof with Recover Huge Power Tyranitar or something, though that sometimes results in awkward teambuilding concessions. Keep in mind that the default HP type is Dark when choosing Improofs

USUM PH
I'd say Hidden Power is more viable here thanks to items being even more crucial in-game and convenient Improofing methods like Spore + Grass-type being more realistically usable, though again the power difference compared to Judgment is often annoying.

+
Pheromosa @ Focus Sash
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sheer Cold / Fissure
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Spore
- Spikes

Glory brought this in HPL finals, though the set wasn't revealed. Despite the hassle you want to always have a solid gameplan vs. Imposter with every offense mon, and you OHKO opposing Kartana anyway (and 2HKO Scizor/Ferrothorn etc.) so in practice this is genuinely solid. You can probably run similar stuff with Deo-S/MMY, though you can't really deviate from HP Fire since that relies on 4x Fire-weaks/Kartana being so dominant.


Greninja-Ash / Hoopa-Unbound @ Leftovers / Leppa Berry
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
IVs: 30 Atk
- Shell Smash
- Hidden Power [Bug]
- Photon Geyser / Light That Burns the Sky
- Baton Pass / Lovely Kiss / Spore

Not very consistent but Leppa Berry/in longer games Leftovers are insanely high value so in practice I'd use Hidden Power over Judgment here. To my understanding offensive WGs are much less prevalent in modern USUM PH than before since balancing Improofing, offensive prowess and weakness to priority is rough, but ones also capable of disruption/a degree of support are still solid. I'd run Hidden Power WG MMY but unfortunately the default HP type is Dark.


Houndoom-Mega @ Pixie Plate / Leppa Berry / Leftovers / Flame Plate (Not necessarily Fire Judgment)
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Shell Smash
- Photon Geyser / Light That Burns the Sky
- Judgment / Moongeist Beam / Eruption / Blue Flare / Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom
- Hidden Power [Water]

This is pretty funny too, Fairy Judgment/Fire amp item Blue Flare let you OHKO MMX at +2 while Hidden Power allows for Improofing. Unfortunately this type of Hidden Power-proofing kinda sucks outside of very specific cases, and one can't really rely on HP Fire as coverage for Steels since Prankster Steelix eats that shit. Houndoom's fine enough at it though since Water does hit a relevant 4x-weak mon.


Kartana @ Focus Sash / Leppa Berry
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
IVs: 0 SpD
- Spore
- Shell Smash / Extreme Evoboost
- Sunsteel Strike
- Hidden Power [Fire]

252+ Atk Kartana Multi-Attack (Fire) vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Eviolite Chansey: 244-288 (34.6 - 40.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Kartana Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 0- SpD 0 IVs Eviolite Chansey: 416-492 (59 - 69.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

If you don't give a fuck about Prankster Steels you can also Improof this way! Sadly you can't combine with Leppa Searing Sunraze Smash over Sunsteel since you don't OHKO before Shell Smash anyway so it'd be a Speed tie.

+
Gengar-Mega @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Parental Bond
EVs: 252 HP / 28 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Moongeist Beam
- Secret Sword / Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Poison]
- U-turn / Bug Buzz / Trick / Ice Beam

+
Mewtwo-Mega-Y @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Parental Bond
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest / Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Photon Geyser
- Fleur Cannon / Ice Beam / Light That Burns the Sky
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Moongeist Beam / Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom / First Impression / Trick etc.

Pretty nifty huh? Hidden Power Poison actually 2HKOes Audino so it's acceptable, though you can't really vary the set since Fighting-weak WGs won't get 2HKOed so they effectively switch into you anyway and most Fire-weak WGs are dangerously close to being or are outright 2HKOed by Moongeist Beam anyway, so you shouldn't run HP Fire. MMY can better run movesets Improofed by Steel-type WGs, though. It helps that Scarf Parental Bond is a strong anti-offense tool and dysfunctional balance is workable with strong enough anti-offense, meaning this combination is actually meaningful in practice.

Self-Improofed Innards Sweeper

Wigglytuff @ Leppa Berry
Ability: Innards Out
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 6 Def / 0 SpD
- Shell Smash
- Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom
- Hidden Power [Steel]
- Low Kick

In short, Hidden Power is legit and it's a little sad that I don't think I've seen anyone toy with it ever, though justifying it is admittedly very difficult.

 

[adriancosmoem]

as of today i am officially quitting ph. i know how it is when an oms player "quits" and then signs up for a team tour 2 months later, but that only happens when you have problems with the tier itself. i can't discuss my reasons why on this thread, but if you wanna know then slide a discord dm and i'll be happy to talk about it. what i can say is that based on the direction it's going, you can be assured i will not be coming back

i don't have anything to do with my ph teams anymore, so i'm donating my builder out to this thread. hopefully it inspires you to build something cool

see you later

 

[LycanrocWastaken]

There isn't much to talk about for my HPL 2 teams. 80% of the team has the + WG core paired up with a Mold user. This is my HPL week 1 team with Audino => Ferro, MGyara => Slak and a few moves adjustments.

---

There's one team I want to talk a bit more about. It's a sample as of now.

Team
- - - - -

---

Giratina @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 100 Def / 156 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp
- Baton Pass / Cotton Guard

The most consistent PDon check out there. 156+ Speed allows it to beat the 252 Speed Belly Drum PGroudon that otherwise PrankTina would require a Spore/Encore mind game or DBond sacrifice (still not including the possibility of your opp. running Dark Void or Taunt on it). No Bounce mons would appreciate getting burnt by Scald anyways. Willo avoids WG mons taking advantage of this mon being too passive. Baton Pass so I don't have to play the BUp/Pursuit mind game with HP Mgyarados. You can also run Cotton Guard asw but I prefer Baton because it keeps the Pass ongoing starting from MMane. CG does further on make Mold PDon suffer more tho.



Rayquaza-Mega @ Shed Shell
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 64 HP / 252 SpA / 192 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shell Smash
- Dark Void
- Oblivion Wing
- Earth Power

Shed Shell to avoid trapped by STAG, Earth Power so you could hit stuff like Registeel and Aegislash. Try having a Substitute up with it if you're against Imp so it doesn't get revenge swept on. Not gonna explain too much because it's the best Mold in the game anyways.



Groudon-Primal @ Choice Band
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Spikes / Extreme Speed / Roost
- V-create
- Trick

Band TArrows / VCreate does a lot of damage to everything. Trick Spikes lets it continue progress into Tina even after Band is Tricked, Trick ESpeed gives it flexibility to revenge/finish stuff and Roost ensures longevity. I personally would Trick-Spikes tho.



Ferrothorn @ Shed Shell
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Defog
- Soft-Boiled
- Whirlwind
- Gyro Ball

Classic Support WG. Spore immunity is great and checks Molds like MDiancie/Xern until they run a Fire move. Just does support stuff.



Manectric-Mega @ Leftovers
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spore
- Substitute
- Baton Pass
- Freeze-Dry

You can run Ice Beam I guess but FDry hits more stuff. Although it doesn't matter usually, but it still gets the OHKO on the Mon it HAS to beat (MRay) nonetheless. Classic SubPass WG that benefited a lot due to the usage of Stag PDon plummeting.



Slaking @ Lum Berry
Ability: Huge Power
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 248 Def / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Extreme Speed
- Ice Shard
- Pursuit
- Stealth Rock

Ohkos most Stag MMX with E-Speed. Shard to revenge MRay for an OHKO. This is a really Standard set so I don't want to explain anymore.

---

One mon this team has a rough mu against:


Gengar-Mega @ Spooky Plate
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 SpA / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Judgment
- Sludge Wave
- Quiver Dance
- Baton Pass

---

Other than that Gar, all other mu should be playable. If you really struggle to beat this, you could run this over Ferrothorn


Meloetta @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 248 HP / 224 SpD / 36 Spe
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Roost
- Defog
- Baton Pass

(Thanks NToTheN for the suggestions regarding this team)

---

Team Dump for HPL if anyone is interested
Thanks for reading 'till the end, bye! :D