[OVERVIEW]
Rhyperior stands out as a great Ground-type thanks to its bulk and Solid Rock while also being a terrific tank or setup sweeper. Rhyperior's excellent bulk allows it to handle powerful attackers such as Flygon, Incineroar, and Toxtricity. Furthermore, Rhyperior's access to a wide array of coverage moves allows it to threaten Pokemon like Tsareena and Altaria that remove its hazards. Swords Dance allows Rhyperior to breakthrough common walls like Vaporeon, Bronzong, and Wo-Chien. However, Rhyperior's awful Special Defensive means it can struggle to switch repeatedly into Pokemon like Munkidori and Chandelure that it was supposed to check. Even having access to Solid Rock Rhyperior's typing makes it harder to check common Pokemon like Barraskeda, Basculegion-M, and Duraludon as they can force it to Tera. Rhyperior can struggle to consistently setup due to its low Speed making it easily revenge killed by foes like Raikou and Choice Scarf users like Flamigo and Basculegion-M. Rhyperior's poor speed makes it easy for Pokemon like Chandelure, Cramorant, and Duraludon to outpace and revenge killed on both defensive and offensive sets.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Ice Punch / Stone Edge
move 4: Temper Flare / Swords Dance
item: Leftovers
ability: Solid Rock
nature: Adamant / Careful
evs: 252 HP / 16 Atk / 240 SpD or 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
tera type: Dragon / Water / Fairy
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Ice Punch allows Rhyperior to threaten Pokemon like Flygon, Gligar, and Altaria that are immune to its Earthquake. Alternatively, Stone Edge can be used for having another powerful STAB attack and putting some pressure on foes like Vaporeon and Wo-Chien. Temper Flare gives Rhyperior the ability to threaten Grass-types like Tsareena and Amoonguss while allowing it to hit Bronzong and Tera Steel Flygon. Swords Dance allows Rhyperior to breakthrough walls like Amoonguss and Vaporeon. Rhyperior can run a fully specially defensive EV spread allowing it to better handle foes such as Munkidori and Chandelure.Tera Dragon grants Rhyperior the ability to better handle wallbreakers like Chandelure, Barraskewda, Decidueye, and Basculegion-M. Tera Water allows Rhyperior to handle foes like Basculegion-M and Swampert without fearing Flygon's Scale Shot or Sylveon's Hyper Voice, but it grants Rhyperior a Electric-type weakness. Tera Fairy allows Rhyperior to better handle common Pokemon such as Flygon, Scrafty, Incineroar, and Flamigo, though it lacks the plentiful resistances of Tera Dragon.
Special wallbreakers like Choice Specs Chandelure, Goodra, and Raikou can put some major pressure on Rhyperior. So it best partners with walls like Incineroar, Sylveon, and Wo-Chien to handle them. Rhyperior greatly appreciates physical walls like Galarian Slowbro, Bellibolt, Cramorant, and Amoonguss since they can check Pokemon like Flygon, Barraskewda, and Flamigo. Rhyperior enjoys having Pokemon like Toxicroak and Decidueye to handle Water-types like Vaporeon and Swampert. Grass-resistance like Kilowattrel, Munkidori, and Flamigo can help Rhyperior deal with Grass-types like Amoonguss, Decidueye, and Tsareena. Rhyperior greatly synergizes with Wish passers like Vaporeon and Sylveon allowing it to consistently handle Pokemon like Toxtricity, Incineroar, and Kilowattrel.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Ice Punch / Stone Edge
move 4: Temper Flare
item: Leftovers / Custap Berry
ability: Solid Rock
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe OR 128 HP / 176 Atk / 240 Spe
tera type: Dragon / Water / Fairy
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Swords Dance grants Rhyperior the ability to take advantage of and threaten many walls like Wo-Chien, Vaporeon, and Houndstone. Ice Punch can hit Ground immunity’s like Altaria and Gligar while Stone Edge can 2HKO foes like Vaporeon and Wo-Chien after a boost. Temper Flare can threaten Grass-types such as Tsareena and Brambleghast while maintaining the ability to hit Bronzong. Leftovers gives Rhyperior useful recovery while Custap Berry can help Rhyperior revenge killed faster foes like Flamigo, Munkidori, and Flygon when it reaches low health. An offensive EV spread of 128 HP / 176 Atk / 240 Spe allows it to OHKO Bronzong with a +2 Temper Flare after Stealth Rock damage and outspeed bulky walls like Vaporeon and Sylveon. Alternatively, Rhyperior can run an EV spread of 240 HP / 16 Atk / 252 Spe lets it outpace foes like Wo-Chien and Vaporeon while allowing Rhyperior better tank attacks from wallbreakers such as Munkidori, Flamigo, and Incineroar. Tera Dragon gets rid of its weaknesses allowing Rhyperior to better tank Pokemon like Chandelure, Barraskewda, and Flamigo. Alternatively, Tera Water can let it better handle foes like Alolan Ninetales and Duraludon while Tera Fairy offers it a better matchup into threats like Flamigo, Incineroar, and Flygon.
Rhyperior partners with teammates like Toxtricity, Flamigo, and Chandelure since they can overwhelm walls like Wo-Chien, Swampert, and Scrafty. Pokemon like Toxicroak, Decidueye, and Tsareena appreciates Rhyperior ability to check foes like Kilowattrel and Arcanine. In return, they can handle Water-types like Vaporeon and Swampert. For Balance teams Rhyperior partners with special walls like Wo-Chien, Swampert, and Incineroar to handle special attackers such as Inteleon, Munkidori, and Chandelure. Physical tanks like Galarian Slowbro, Altaria, and Bellibolt can help Rhyperior with better handling physical wallbreakers like Flamigo, Barraskewda, and Swords Dance Scyther. Rhyperior pairs with other setup sweepers such as Bulk Up Paldean Tauros-W, Calm Mind Chandelure, and Swords Dance Overqwil to put major pressure on walls like Vaporeon and Gligar. Rhyperior best partners with Stealth Rock users like Duraludon, Chansey, and Bronzong as they can help it not overlap its role.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Rhyperior can run an Assault Vest with an EV spread of 52 HP / 252 Atk / 204 Spe pair with an Adamant nature allows it to outspeed foes like Vaporeon and Wo-Chien. However, Rhyperior prefers to run Leftovers for extra recovery. Loaded Dice pair with Rock Blast gives Rhyperior a stronger STAB attack can potentially 2HKO walls like Amoonguss and Vaporeon after a Swords Dance boost. Weaknesses Policy with Rock Polish gives Rhyperior both an instant Attack and Speed boost while letting it outpace foes like Wo-Chien and Amoonguss, but it’s very reliant on what the opponent does. Megahorn allows it to hit Grass- and Psychic-types like Tsareena, Breloom, and Uxie. Alternatively, Dragon Tail allows Rhyperior to phaze out setup sweepers like Flygon, Drednaw, and Scrafty. Substitute can be used on Swords Dance sets allowing Rhyperior to freely setup against walls like Bronzong, Altaria, and Gligar.
Checks and Counters
====
**Water-types**: Vaporeon, Tera Water Galarian Slowbro, and Swampert can tank Rhyperior's attacks with the former two can threaten it with status while Swampert is able to freely setup its entire hazards. However, they must be cautious about directly switching into a +2 Earthquake on Swords Dance sets. Offensive Water-types like Barraskeda and Drednaw can put major pressure on Rhyperior with their attacks, but both of them don’t enjoy switching into Rhyperior's STAB attacks.
**Special Attackers**: Munkidori, Chandelure, and Sylveon can put a lot of pressure on Rhyperior with their STAB attacks with all of them being able to threaten Rhyperior with set up. However, none of them enjoyed switching into its attacks. Other Pokemon like Raikou, Alolan Ninetales, and Goodra can revenge killed it with their attacks, but none of them enjoyed switching against into Rhyperior's STAB attacks.
**Fighting-types**: Flamigo, Toxicroak, Infernape, and Paldean Tauros-W can threaten Rhyperior with their Fighting-type attacks while Infernape is able to KO it on Choice Specs sets. However, none of them enjoy switching into Rhyperior's attacks. Scrafty can use it as setup fodder while being able to gain recovery back, but it must be cautious about switching into Rhyperior's Earthquake.
**Grass-types and Grass-type Coverage**: Amoonguss, Tsareena, and Wo-Chien can tank Rhyperior's attacks with the former threatening it with Poison while the latter two can remove Rhyperior's Leftovers with Knock Off. However, all of them must be wary about switching into its coverage attacks. Pokémon like Chandelure and Cinccino can threaten Rhyperior thanks to their access of Energy Ball and Bullet Seed, respectively.
**Ground-types**: Flygon and Gligar are immune to its Earthquake allowing them to setup their entire hazards with Flygon being able to setup a Dragon Dance, but both of them get threaten by Rhyperior's Ice Punch.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pika134.609709/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
Rhyperior stands out as a great Ground-type thanks to its bulk and Solid Rock while also being a terrific tank or setup sweeper. Rhyperior's excellent bulk allows it to handle powerful attackers such as Flygon, Incineroar, and Toxtricity. Furthermore, Rhyperior's access to a wide array of coverage moves allows it to threaten Pokemon like Tsareena and Altaria that remove its hazards. Swords Dance allows Rhyperior to breakthrough common walls like Vaporeon, Bronzong, and Wo-Chien. However, Rhyperior's awful Special Defensive means it can struggle to switch repeatedly into Pokemon like Munkidori and Chandelure that it was supposed to check. Even having access to Solid Rock Rhyperior's typing makes it harder to check common Pokemon like Barraskeda, Basculegion-M, and Duraludon as they can force it to Tera. Rhyperior can struggle to consistently setup due to its low Speed making it easily revenge killed by foes like Raikou and Choice Scarf users like Flamigo and Basculegion-M. Rhyperior's poor speed makes it easy for Pokemon like Chandelure, Cramorant, and Duraludon to outpace and revenge killed on both defensive and offensive sets.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Ice Punch / Stone Edge
move 4: Temper Flare / Swords Dance
item: Leftovers
ability: Solid Rock
nature: Adamant / Careful
evs: 252 HP / 16 Atk / 240 SpD or 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
tera type: Dragon / Water / Fairy
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Ice Punch allows Rhyperior to threaten Pokemon like Flygon, Gligar, and Altaria that are immune to its Earthquake. Alternatively, Stone Edge can be used for having another powerful STAB attack and putting some pressure on foes like Vaporeon and Wo-Chien. Temper Flare gives Rhyperior the ability to threaten Grass-types like Tsareena and Amoonguss while allowing it to hit Bronzong and Tera Steel Flygon. Swords Dance allows Rhyperior to breakthrough walls like Amoonguss and Vaporeon. Rhyperior can run a fully specially defensive EV spread allowing it to better handle foes such as Munkidori and Chandelure.Tera Dragon grants Rhyperior the ability to better handle wallbreakers like Chandelure, Barraskewda, Decidueye, and Basculegion-M. Tera Water allows Rhyperior to handle foes like Basculegion-M and Swampert without fearing Flygon's Scale Shot or Sylveon's Hyper Voice, but it grants Rhyperior a Electric-type weakness. Tera Fairy allows Rhyperior to better handle common Pokemon such as Flygon, Scrafty, Incineroar, and Flamigo, though it lacks the plentiful resistances of Tera Dragon.
Special wallbreakers like Choice Specs Chandelure, Goodra, and Raikou can put some major pressure on Rhyperior. So it best partners with walls like Incineroar, Sylveon, and Wo-Chien to handle them. Rhyperior greatly appreciates physical walls like Galarian Slowbro, Bellibolt, Cramorant, and Amoonguss since they can check Pokemon like Flygon, Barraskewda, and Flamigo. Rhyperior enjoys having Pokemon like Toxicroak and Decidueye to handle Water-types like Vaporeon and Swampert. Grass-resistance like Kilowattrel, Munkidori, and Flamigo can help Rhyperior deal with Grass-types like Amoonguss, Decidueye, and Tsareena. Rhyperior greatly synergizes with Wish passers like Vaporeon and Sylveon allowing it to consistently handle Pokemon like Toxtricity, Incineroar, and Kilowattrel.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Ice Punch / Stone Edge
move 4: Temper Flare
item: Leftovers / Custap Berry
ability: Solid Rock
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe OR 128 HP / 176 Atk / 240 Spe
tera type: Dragon / Water / Fairy
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Swords Dance grants Rhyperior the ability to take advantage of and threaten many walls like Wo-Chien, Vaporeon, and Houndstone. Ice Punch can hit Ground immunity’s like Altaria and Gligar while Stone Edge can 2HKO foes like Vaporeon and Wo-Chien after a boost. Temper Flare can threaten Grass-types such as Tsareena and Brambleghast while maintaining the ability to hit Bronzong. Leftovers gives Rhyperior useful recovery while Custap Berry can help Rhyperior revenge killed faster foes like Flamigo, Munkidori, and Flygon when it reaches low health. An offensive EV spread of 128 HP / 176 Atk / 240 Spe allows it to OHKO Bronzong with a +2 Temper Flare after Stealth Rock damage and outspeed bulky walls like Vaporeon and Sylveon. Alternatively, Rhyperior can run an EV spread of 240 HP / 16 Atk / 252 Spe lets it outpace foes like Wo-Chien and Vaporeon while allowing Rhyperior better tank attacks from wallbreakers such as Munkidori, Flamigo, and Incineroar. Tera Dragon gets rid of its weaknesses allowing Rhyperior to better tank Pokemon like Chandelure, Barraskewda, and Flamigo. Alternatively, Tera Water can let it better handle foes like Alolan Ninetales and Duraludon while Tera Fairy offers it a better matchup into threats like Flamigo, Incineroar, and Flygon.
Rhyperior partners with teammates like Toxtricity, Flamigo, and Chandelure since they can overwhelm walls like Wo-Chien, Swampert, and Scrafty. Pokemon like Toxicroak, Decidueye, and Tsareena appreciates Rhyperior ability to check foes like Kilowattrel and Arcanine. In return, they can handle Water-types like Vaporeon and Swampert. For Balance teams Rhyperior partners with special walls like Wo-Chien, Swampert, and Incineroar to handle special attackers such as Inteleon, Munkidori, and Chandelure. Physical tanks like Galarian Slowbro, Altaria, and Bellibolt can help Rhyperior with better handling physical wallbreakers like Flamigo, Barraskewda, and Swords Dance Scyther. Rhyperior pairs with other setup sweepers such as Bulk Up Paldean Tauros-W, Calm Mind Chandelure, and Swords Dance Overqwil to put major pressure on walls like Vaporeon and Gligar. Rhyperior best partners with Stealth Rock users like Duraludon, Chansey, and Bronzong as they can help it not overlap its role.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Rhyperior can run an Assault Vest with an EV spread of 52 HP / 252 Atk / 204 Spe pair with an Adamant nature allows it to outspeed foes like Vaporeon and Wo-Chien. However, Rhyperior prefers to run Leftovers for extra recovery. Loaded Dice pair with Rock Blast gives Rhyperior a stronger STAB attack can potentially 2HKO walls like Amoonguss and Vaporeon after a Swords Dance boost. Weaknesses Policy with Rock Polish gives Rhyperior both an instant Attack and Speed boost while letting it outpace foes like Wo-Chien and Amoonguss, but it’s very reliant on what the opponent does. Megahorn allows it to hit Grass- and Psychic-types like Tsareena, Breloom, and Uxie. Alternatively, Dragon Tail allows Rhyperior to phaze out setup sweepers like Flygon, Drednaw, and Scrafty. Substitute can be used on Swords Dance sets allowing Rhyperior to freely setup against walls like Bronzong, Altaria, and Gligar.
Checks and Counters
====
**Water-types**: Vaporeon, Tera Water Galarian Slowbro, and Swampert can tank Rhyperior's attacks with the former two can threaten it with status while Swampert is able to freely setup its entire hazards. However, they must be cautious about directly switching into a +2 Earthquake on Swords Dance sets. Offensive Water-types like Barraskeda and Drednaw can put major pressure on Rhyperior with their attacks, but both of them don’t enjoy switching into Rhyperior's STAB attacks.
**Special Attackers**: Munkidori, Chandelure, and Sylveon can put a lot of pressure on Rhyperior with their STAB attacks with all of them being able to threaten Rhyperior with set up. However, none of them enjoyed switching into its attacks. Other Pokemon like Raikou, Alolan Ninetales, and Goodra can revenge killed it with their attacks, but none of them enjoyed switching against into Rhyperior's STAB attacks.
**Fighting-types**: Flamigo, Toxicroak, Infernape, and Paldean Tauros-W can threaten Rhyperior with their Fighting-type attacks while Infernape is able to KO it on Choice Specs sets. However, none of them enjoy switching into Rhyperior's attacks. Scrafty can use it as setup fodder while being able to gain recovery back, but it must be cautious about switching into Rhyperior's Earthquake.
**Grass-types and Grass-type Coverage**: Amoonguss, Tsareena, and Wo-Chien can tank Rhyperior's attacks with the former threatening it with Poison while the latter two can remove Rhyperior's Leftovers with Knock Off. However, all of them must be wary about switching into its coverage attacks. Pokémon like Chandelure and Cinccino can threaten Rhyperior thanks to their access of Energy Ball and Bullet Seed, respectively.
**Ground-types**: Flygon and Gligar are immune to its Earthquake allowing them to setup their entire hazards with Flygon being able to setup a Dragon Dance, but both of them get threaten by Rhyperior's Ice Punch.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pika134.609709/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
Last edited:
