I agree that Baby Hoopa should rise to B+.
The obvious switchin to Hydreigon's Dragon-Dark is a Fairy. Here's how all the relevant Faries fare (hue) against Hydrei's favorite coverage, Flash Cannon.
So all of 1 Fairy switches in (the rare and elusive AV Azu). So Fairies don't work. Let's try common SpDef tanks.
I'll stop there because I'm really tired of calcs. To get the non-SpD tanks, I'll just leave the coverage calculator here. (Dragon, Dark, Steel, Fighting)
No Effect: 0
Not Very Effective: 0
Normal Effective: 363
Super Effective: 437
It has perfect coverage with Draco, Dark Pulse, and Flash Cannon with the exception of Bisharp but that gets smacked with the 4th move (Fire/Focus Blast). Don't forget about U-Turn being a possibility for the last move. Half of a Volt-Turn core is never bad and it can really help ease predictions.
Hydreigon also has above average bulk for something that packs such a big punch. I'm not calcing anything else, but Dragon typing + 92/90/90 lets it take on and kill somewhat weaker attackers Mega-Mane or strong resisted attacks like Manaphy lacking Ice Beam, etc. To move up the ranks of the VR, a mon has to match up decently against a lot of top tier threats. To show that Hydreigon can, here is a list of all of the mons Hydrei beats 1v1 from S to A-. Keep in mind that almost none of them switch in.
That's a pretty solid list.
All this is great, but talk is cheap. Since replays are always good, watch this WCoP replay I stumbled on. http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-ou-169219
Hydreigon has the opportunity to get a kill every time it comes it. That made strategizing for Starmaster really easy. The plan: 1. Get Hydreigon in on anything but Lati 2. Kill something
Basically, Scarf Lando U-Turn + Hydreigon won the match. Everything else was just along for the ride.
Now most noms require the "what changed for it" part. The thing is, I can't think of anything that has drastically changed for Hydreigon recently aside from the Hoopa ban but that was quite a while ago. I think it just hasn't been getting the love it deserves. Not many people think of Hydrei as their go-to dark attacker. My mind automatically goes to Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Weavile when I need a dark attacker and that trio is just so good that Hydreigon gets forgotten. So yeah. Nothing has changed except Hoopa being gone. IMO, people just forget about Hydreigon and this nom should help to put it back on the map.
Tl;dr: Hydreigon is really hard to switch in to, has passable bulk, and has been being slept on for a long time.
PS: Sorry if there are too many calcs and not enough substance. If this is delete bait, just PM me and I can add more.
Edit: Cune deserves A-. VinCune is a sweet new toy, RoarCune is a hilarious way to end CM wars, and RestTalk Cune makes Cune really hard to wear down because of status immunity (pseudo-Magic Gaurd anyone?) and full health recovery.
The obvious switchin to Hydreigon's Dragon-Dark is a Fairy. Here's how all the relevant Faries fare (hue) against Hydrei's favorite coverage, Flash Cannon.
Outspeed and 2HKO Clef (does anyone run max SpD Clef?)
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Clefable: 196-232 (49.7 - 58.8%) -- 74.2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Do we really need to calc Diancie?
Mega-Garde can switch in and force it out, but only once and it really won't like doing it
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 16 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gardevoir: 196-232 (69.7 - 82.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Dark Pulse is a bit less but still a 2HKO
Band Azu with almost a 50-50 roll
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 172 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill: 153-181 (39.8 - 47.1%) -- 45.3% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
BD Azu gets 3HKOed after Sitrus, but now it can't BD and is a bit useless
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 92 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill: 153-181 (42 - 49.7%) -- 89.1% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Does AV Azu still exist? It takes it like a champ. Great. 1 Fairy switchin so far
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 240 HP / 16 SpD Assault Vest Azumarill: 101-119 (25.1 - 29.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
Go home Altaria
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Mega Altaria: 178-210 (50.2 - 59.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
I'm going to cheat with Klefki because Specs Hydrei should be carrying Focus Miss imo. Probably (possibly?) get rekt Klefki
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Klefki: 150-177 (47.1 - 55.6%) -- 77% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
Lol Toge. Good try.
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Togekiss: 226-268 (60.4 - 71.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Sylveon's down in UU complaining about Flash Cannon
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 204-240 (52.1 - 61.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Whimsicott in OU? It was on the VR so I'll calc but....
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Whimsicott: 320-378 (98.7 - 116.6%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Clefable: 196-232 (49.7 - 58.8%) -- 74.2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Do we really need to calc Diancie?
Mega-Garde can switch in and force it out, but only once and it really won't like doing it
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 16 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gardevoir: 196-232 (69.7 - 82.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Dark Pulse is a bit less but still a 2HKO
Band Azu with almost a 50-50 roll
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 172 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill: 153-181 (39.8 - 47.1%) -- 45.3% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
BD Azu gets 3HKOed after Sitrus, but now it can't BD and is a bit useless
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 92 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill: 153-181 (42 - 49.7%) -- 89.1% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Does AV Azu still exist? It takes it like a champ. Great. 1 Fairy switchin so far
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 240 HP / 16 SpD Assault Vest Azumarill: 101-119 (25.1 - 29.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
Go home Altaria
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Mega Altaria: 178-210 (50.2 - 59.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
I'm going to cheat with Klefki because Specs Hydrei should be carrying Focus Miss imo. Probably (possibly?) get rekt Klefki
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Klefki: 150-177 (47.1 - 55.6%) -- 77% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
Lol Toge. Good try.
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Togekiss: 226-268 (60.4 - 71.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Sylveon's down in UU complaining about Flash Cannon
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 204-240 (52.1 - 61.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Whimsicott in OU? It was on the VR so I'll calc but....
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Whimsicott: 320-378 (98.7 - 116.6%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
So all of 1 Fairy switches in (the rare and elusive AV Azu). So Fairies don't work. Let's try common SpDef tanks.
2HKO Fast Tran
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 181-214 (46.8 - 55.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
Easily 1v1 Slow tran (Hydreigon doesn't care about burns too much, toxic kind of sucks though)
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 188+ SpD Heatran: 139-165 (36 - 42.7%) -- 94.5% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Heatran Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hydreigon: 59-70 (18.1 - 21.5%) -- possible 5HKO
2HKO (the somewhat rare) AV Torn-t with solid rolls after rocks
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 96 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-T: 226-267 (69.9 - 82.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 96 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-T: 226-267 (69.9 - 82.6%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
Life orb Torn dies to draco
(Badly) 1v1 Mega Lati
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mega Latias: 434-512 (119.2 - 140.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 SpA Mega Latias Dragon Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hydreigon: 270-318 (83 - 97.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
RIP Ttar
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 180 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 428-508 (106.2 - 126%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Jirachi dyin
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 224+ SpD Jirachi: 282-332 (69.8 - 82.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Shoutout to SpD Talon for being a very desperate check. Priority Roost is great, but if this is your check, you're about to have a bad day
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Talonflame: 174-205 (48.4 - 57.1%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Talonflame: 280-331 (77.9 - 92.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
SpD Skarm is not cutting it
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory: 172-204 (51.4 - 61%) -- 94.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Chansey doesn't count. Stupid Chansey
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Focus Blast vs. 4 HP / 252 SpD Eviolite Chansey: 194-230 (30.2 - 35.8%) -- 38.5% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 181-214 (46.8 - 55.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
Easily 1v1 Slow tran (Hydreigon doesn't care about burns too much, toxic kind of sucks though)
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 188+ SpD Heatran: 139-165 (36 - 42.7%) -- 94.5% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Heatran Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hydreigon: 59-70 (18.1 - 21.5%) -- possible 5HKO
2HKO (the somewhat rare) AV Torn-t with solid rolls after rocks
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 96 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-T: 226-267 (69.9 - 82.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 96 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-T: 226-267 (69.9 - 82.6%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
Life orb Torn dies to draco
(Badly) 1v1 Mega Lati
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mega Latias: 434-512 (119.2 - 140.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 SpA Mega Latias Dragon Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hydreigon: 270-318 (83 - 97.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
RIP Ttar
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 180 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 428-508 (106.2 - 126%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Jirachi dyin
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 224+ SpD Jirachi: 282-332 (69.8 - 82.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Shoutout to SpD Talon for being a very desperate check. Priority Roost is great, but if this is your check, you're about to have a bad day
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Talonflame: 174-205 (48.4 - 57.1%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Talonflame: 280-331 (77.9 - 92.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
SpD Skarm is not cutting it
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory: 172-204 (51.4 - 61%) -- 94.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Chansey doesn't count. Stupid Chansey
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Focus Blast vs. 4 HP / 252 SpD Eviolite Chansey: 194-230 (30.2 - 35.8%) -- 38.5% chance to 3HKO
No Effect: 0
Not Very Effective: 0
Normal Effective: 363
Super Effective: 437
It has perfect coverage with Draco, Dark Pulse, and Flash Cannon with the exception of Bisharp but that gets smacked with the 4th move (Fire/Focus Blast). Don't forget about U-Turn being a possibility for the last move. Half of a Volt-Turn core is never bad and it can really help ease predictions.
Hydreigon also has above average bulk for something that packs such a big punch. I'm not calcing anything else, but Dragon typing + 92/90/90 lets it take on and kill somewhat weaker attackers Mega-Mane or strong resisted attacks like Manaphy lacking Ice Beam, etc. To move up the ranks of the VR, a mon has to match up decently against a lot of top tier threats. To show that Hydreigon can, here is a list of all of the mons Hydrei beats 1v1 from S to A-. Keep in mind that almost none of them switch in.
- Defensive and Scarf Lando (let's pretend they wouldn't U-Turn out like any sane person)
- Heatran
- Keldeo not locked into Icy Wind or Secret Sword
- Rotom-W
- Ttar
- All Excadrills barring flinch hax and Fire/Focus Miss
- Mega-Hera is a guaranteed kill if Fire Blast, roll with Draco otherwise
- All Jirachis barring hax (Again, who needs U-Turn?)
- Manaphy is kind of iffy. Draco is a roll for the OHKO while Ice Beam 2HKOs. If it's not Ice Beam Mana then RIP Mana
- Sableye is very iffy. Sableye spams recover until it's worn down or a Dark Pulse flinch. If it knocks off Specs after Dark Pulse, kill with Draco
- Slowbro
- Thundurus
- Bisharp
- It outspeeds and has a 50% OHKO for no investment modest Zard-Y. Does that exist?
- Gliscor: See Sableye
- Mega-Latias: See calcs
- Mega-Meta at -1 speed or no Hammer Arm, former is common, latter not as much
- Serperior
- Skarmory
- Starmie
- Phys Def Tang dies, AV gets 3HKOd and 3HKOs with HP Ice. Fire Blast 2HKOs though
- By virtue of typing and bulk, Volcanion
All this is great, but talk is cheap. Since replays are always good, watch this WCoP replay I stumbled on. http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-ou-169219
Hydreigon has the opportunity to get a kill every time it comes it. That made strategizing for Starmaster really easy. The plan: 1. Get Hydreigon in on anything but Lati 2. Kill something
Basically, Scarf Lando U-Turn + Hydreigon won the match. Everything else was just along for the ride.
Now most noms require the "what changed for it" part. The thing is, I can't think of anything that has drastically changed for Hydreigon recently aside from the Hoopa ban but that was quite a while ago. I think it just hasn't been getting the love it deserves. Not many people think of Hydrei as their go-to dark attacker. My mind automatically goes to Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Weavile when I need a dark attacker and that trio is just so good that Hydreigon gets forgotten. So yeah. Nothing has changed except Hoopa being gone. IMO, people just forget about Hydreigon and this nom should help to put it back on the map.
Tl;dr: Hydreigon is really hard to switch in to, has passable bulk, and has been being slept on for a long time.
PS: Sorry if there are too many calcs and not enough substance. If this is delete bait, just PM me and I can add more.
Edit: Cune deserves A-. VinCune is a sweet new toy, RoarCune is a hilarious way to end CM wars, and RestTalk Cune makes Cune really hard to wear down because of status immunity (pseudo-Magic Gaurd anyone?) and full health recovery.
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