[Overview]
<p>"To kill, or to overkill?" - that is the question. This is what GameFreak was probably thinking when they first came up with the idea for this thing Haxorus. With a badass (note to GP - am I allowed to put in badass?) an aesthetically intimidating-looking sprite and a simply epic base attack Attack stat of 147, there's seemingly no reason why, at first glance, that someone wouldn't put this beast on their team. This is Haxorus' appeal only further augmented by the fact that Haxorus it has the strongest Outrage since Rayquaza. However, as the common Shakespearian saying goes, that "not all that glitters is gold", and just like Haxorus' plates, this is unfortunately true.<p>
<p>Despite its massive attack Attack stat and pure-Dragon typing, along with taking neutral damage granting Haxorus a neutrality to Stealth Rock damage, a problem which has limited the potential of powerhouses such as Salamence in the past, Haxorus is a bit of an anomaly. When one considers its relative frailty, shallow movepool, and general lack of other options, Haxorus doesn't seem as great. Like with all other powerhouses, Haxorus does have its drawbacks, but that shouldn't deplete from its standout traits. Yes, even when compared to its fellow draconic brethren, Haxorus could still be seen as a giant among drakes.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Dragon Claw/Double Chop
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage
move 4: Brick Break / Rock Slide
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Band
Ability: Mold Breaker
Nature: Adamant / Jolly
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Set Description:
[Set Comments]
<p>With a Choice Band, Haxorus' massive base 147 attack stat Attack is augmented to sky-high levels, giving it the ability to tear through more or less anything with a ridiculously powerful Outrage or super-effective Earthquake. Dragon Claw is the crux of this set. It allows Haxorus to use a reliable STAB move with no drawbacks, unlike Outrage, which will lock it in. Double Chop can also be used since you gain the nifty ability to break subs Substitutes. Earthquake is here for obvious reasons, while the fourth move is your choice of filler that won't be used too often (like? An inexperienced gamer won't be exactly aware of the benefits of Dragon-type + Ground-type moves). Of the four sets, this one offers the most power right off the bat which is crucial for a Pokemon such as Haxorus. With its underwhelming only decent 97 base Speed, Haxorus won't always have the chance to set up, especially with all the Mischievous Heart Pokemon flying about. Therefore, Choice Band offers the most power right off the bat, which is crucial for tearing through teams immediately.</p>
Additional Comments: [Additional Comments]
<p>Remember that this set is a Choice variant. Despite its monstrous visage, Haxorus should be hitting and running, and not staying in for too long. There are two viable options for Haxorus' nature. With an Adamant nature, you Haxorus can 2HKO Skarmory after it has switched in twice (with what moves?), a feat that not everyone Choice Band user can boast. A Jolly nature gives Haxorus a really helpful boost in its Speed and permits it to outspeed all postive base 95s Pokemon and under with certainty.</p>
Teammates & Counters:
<p>Where do we start? The first thing to remember with building a team with Haxorus on it, like with all other Pokemon, is to remember its purpose. Seeing as this set is built to wreck stuff the opposing team, it makes sense that there should be someone to clean up the mess, no? Haxorus requires a late-game clean up sweeper to finish off the foe. Revenge killers are to Haxorus as hyenas are to lions, and the best one for the job is Scizor. (Yeah...not everybody knows what Hyenas do to lions, so scratch this) Scizor eats up easily absorbs all the Dragon- and Ice-type attacks that will undoubtedly be aimed at Haxorus, while Scizor's famed with its infamous Technician Bullet Punch will be KOing any unlucky victims more often than not. Also, Haxorus doesn't fair mind the Fire-type moves that typically do Scizor in. When playing with Haxorus, one must remember that there are plenty of scarfed Dragons roaming around nowadays; whenever one of these shows up, Haxorus should make like Houdini and disappear. (well....uh...this can stay for the writing value)</p>
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Dragon Claw/Double Chop
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage
move 4: Brick Break / Rock Slide
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Band
Ability: Mold Breaker
Nature: Adamant / Jolly
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Set Description:
[Set comments]
<p>When equipped with a Choice Scarf, Haxorus outspeeds every non-boosted, non-scarfed Pokemon in the game. Now go back and read that again. The statement can't sink in far enough to emphasize how significant that statement is. A dragon with the potential to rape a whole team short of any fast scarfers is a huge threat, even if its frail. </p> (Please, PLEASE revise that paragraph. There is too much personal language here)
Additional Comments:
<p>At first glance, using a Scarfed Haxorus may seem odd since ScarfChomp and ScarfFlygon, the conventional scarfed dragons, both have 100 base speed or higher. Also, the two aforementioned drakes are both bulkier than Haxorus as well. However, Haxorus has a much higher damage output, a Mold Breaker Earthquake, as well as a Water resist and 2x Ice weakness (instead of 4x). Also, take into account that ScarfFlygon lacks the overall power and gamebreaking effect that ScarfChomp and Haxorus do, and that every team is prepared for the Garchomp. Haxorus is a far different threat, even if it does the same things.</p>
(revise this one too)
Teammates & Counters: [Additional Comments]
<p>Drumroll, please. Now, when it comes down to it, no experienced battler should be surprised that the absolute best partner for Haxorus is none other than Magnezone. Even though this set isn't meant to sweep, the presence of Magnezone makes that option very, very possible. Magnezone and Haxorus have near perfect synergy defensively, and Magnezone takes care of the #1 threat to Haxorus - steels, most especially Skarmory and Nattorei. In this tandem, Magnezone serves as the wingman to the girl known best as "gg". Rest assured that Magnezone executes and there aren't any dragons running around, that the game is as good as over. That being said, Steel-types are the bane to this set, most especially the aforementioned Skarmory and Nattorei, who can switch in on and Outrage and proceed to do whatever they do best. It doesn't help with the fact that Skarmory is well known for taking advantage of Outrages in order to start spikestacking either, which is the reason why Magnezone is so important to Haxorus.</p>
(...in fact, please revise the WHOLE Choice Scarf analysis. What happened here? The Choice Band set was written smartly enough)
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Taunt / Dragon Tail
item: Life Orb
Ability: Mold Breaker
Nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Set Description: [Set Comments]
<p>After one Dragon Dance, Haxorus' 97 base speed allows it to outspeed every non-scarfed, non-boosted Pokemon in the game, as well as all +1 base 95 Pokemon. The fantastic ability, Mold Breaker, allows Haxorus to have perfect coverage in two moves. (and why wasn't this mentioned before?) The only thing that walls this combination, Skarmory, is completely shut down by either Taunt or Dragon Tail. Haxorus is a stellar choice for a Dragon Dance set, seeing as a boosted Outrage coming off of that monster attack stat is netting a lot of OHKOs and 2HKOs.</p>
(well, it's "okay", but let the GP members be the judge of this)
Additional Comments: [Additional comments]
<p>With an Adamant nature, Haxorus hits even harder, but this of course, is coming at the expense of the speed in the Jolly nature. Also, this set is where Haxorus' ability, Mold Breaker comes in most handy. Mold Breaker allows Haxorus to beat Bronzong and Gengar, who would both otherwise have a field day with the set. The last slot is a toss-up between two stellar moves. Dragon Tail forces Steels Steel-types to switch out, while Taunt shuts most of them down (as well as preventing status).</p>
Teammates & Counters:
<p>When considering a teammate for Haxorus, look no further than Magnezone, enough said. It kills the steels Steel-types that'll that will presumably try to wall Haxorus, and generally doesn't fear any most of the things threats that Haxorus does, except maybe Garchomp. Taking the silver in this competition is Skarmory, who offers utility in the form of entry hazards and phazing to make Haxorus' job a lot easier. Also, when playing with this Haxorus set and any other, it cannot be stressed enough that you must always avoid other dragonsDragon-types. They're more likely than not going to be scarfed holding a Choice Scarf, and will take advantage of Haxorus' middling speed, even with a Dragon Dance boost.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Taunt / Dragon Tail
item: Life Orb
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Set Description: [Set Comments]
<p>This set functions as a wallbreaker, not a sweeper. If you want a sweeper, consider the Dragon Dance set. Haxorus is dangerous on its own, but when you give it steroids in the form of Swords Dance, even Steels will think twice before switching in </p>(Again, language. Not insightful enough)
Additional Comments:
<p>On this set, speed Speed and attack Attack should be maxed out in order to share inflict as much damage pain with your enemies as possible. Sadistic much? Dragon Tail and Taunt are both viable options in order to stave off phazers and walls. That choice specifically depends on whether you want to phaze or block protect Haxorus from status. Brick Break can be used to slap neuter Nattorei in the face when it inveitably inevitably switches in, preventing it from walling you Haxorus. Brick Break also takes care of Porygon2 without forcing you Haxorus to click resort to Outrage. Of the four sets listed, this incarnation of Haxorus is the most prone to revenge killing if them all, so take caution. (what about the Choice Band set?)</p>
Teammates & Counters: [Additional Comments]
<p>Like with the Dragon Dance set, Skarmory and Magnezone are perfect support options since they both help with Haxorus' sustainability and role in general. As always, one should watch out for Mamoswine and Weavile, the two most common users of the move Ice Shard, as well as the scarfed dragons Dragon-types holding Choice Scarf.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>The ability Rivalry could be used in place of Mold Breaker, but it is generally unreliable and extremely gimmicky (because?).While the boost is appealing, Mold Breaker is a fantastic ability and puts the ribbon on the box (again, because? Give specific examples, like with female Pokemon like Blissey). Also, there's no reason that one should trade up such a great ability for such an unreliable one. (and uh...anymore options? I'm sure Haxorus has a few up his sleeve)</p>
[Checks & Counters]
<p>With 147 base attack, there is no little such thing as a counter viable switch-in for Haxorus, but that doesn't mean it is fearless. An eye should be kept out for Weavile and Mamoswine, the most common users of the priority move Ice Shard (which?). Superstrong users of priority in general, such as Roopushin, Infernape, Scizor, and Hitmontop, can all work as teammates to clean up after Haxorus (this is counters, not teammates). Always remember though, that if Nattorei Ferrothorn or Forretress comes in, Haxorus should immediately bounce. Neither of those two are seriously threatened by Haxorus and can both proceed to stall it out if Haxorus has not obtained enough Attack boosts. (please mention other Dragon-types in general. Special Attacks also give Haxorus a great risk)</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Tension is near useless when compared to Mold Breaker and even Rivalry. </p>