Battle Spot Hydreigon Preview [Singles] (QC 1/1)

[OVERVIEW]

Hydreigon is a threatening special attacker in Battle Spot Singles. Hydreigon's STAB combination is incredibly difficult for most Pokemon to switch in, with Dark Pulse hitting Psychic- and Ghost-types, such as Mega Metagross, Mega Gengar, and Aegislash, while Draco Meteor deals heavy damage against anything that doesn't resist it. This typing along with its ability Levitate and passable bulk make it an excellent check to Ground-, Ghost-, Psychic-, Electric-, Water-, Fire-, and Grass-types, including, but not limited to, Landorus-T, Aegislash, Heatran, Mega Charizard-Y, and Thundurus-T. It has access to coverage moves that can deal with Pokemon that resist its STAB moves, with Fire Blast and Flamethrower for Steel-types, Earth Power specifically for Heatran, and Flash Cannon for Fairy-types.

Unfortunately for Hydreigon, its typing gives it weaknesses to Fighting-, Bug-, Dragon-, and Ice-types along with a 4x weakness to Fairy-types, the latter of which resists Dark Pulse and is immune to Draco Meteor. This leaves it weak to common Pokemon such as Mamoswine, Mimikyu, Tapu Lele, Tapu Koko, Garchomp, Mega Salamence, Blaziken, Pheromosa, and Volcarona. Its speed, while far from terrible, leaves it outsped by Pokemon with base 100 Speed as well as most Choice Scarf users if not carrying one itself.

Below are some sample sets. These sets are likely to be standard, but they will be expanded upon and updated as the metagame progresses.

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

[SET COMMENTS]

* Dark Pulse is Hydreigon's most reliable STAB move as there are no Pokemon immune to it and it deals with common Ghost-type and Psychic-types.
* Draco Meteor is incredibly difficult for many Pokemon to switch into, dealing heavy damage against any non-Steel- or Fairy-type Pokemon.
* Fire Blast deals with Steel-types that resist Hydreigon's Dragon-type STAB, such as Ferrothorn, Celesteela, and Mega Scizor.
* Flamethrower is much more reliable than Fire Blast, although the drop in damage is highly noticeable.
* U-turn allows Hydreigon to pivot out against Pokemon it struggles against or greatly threaten it.
* Earth Power gives Hydreigon the ability to threaten Heatran and Tapu Koko.
* Maximum Special Attack takes advantage of Hydreigon's excellent Special Attack and movepool, while full Speed investment makes it as fast as possible.
* Choice Scarf improves Hydreigon's matchups against Pokemon that are generally faster than it, including ridiculously fast Pokemon such as Pheromosa with a positive nature.
* A Modest nature allows Hydreigon to hit as hard as possible.
* Timid is an option, however, to outspeed Timid Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, which can easily OHKO Hydreigon with its Fairy-type STAB moves.
* Choice Scarf Hydreigon is best used as a revenge killer and a cleaner, utilizing its great Special Attack to blow through weakened teams.
* Be aware of when it is safe to use Draco Meteor, as a Fairy-type may switch in and force Hydreigon out. Even if this is not the circumstance, its stat drops prevent Hydreigon from doing much after its use.
* Hydreigon despises Fairy-types, so Poison- and Steel-types that can take advantage of them make excellent partners.
* Stealth Rock support weakens incoming Pokemon, helping Hydreigon clean up and safely revenge kill.

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

* Hydreigon is an excellent user of Choice Specs thanks to its great Special Attack and good movepool.
* Dark Pulse is a reliable STAB move that lets Hydreigon deal with Ghost- and Psychic-types.
* Draco Meteor in combination with Choice Specs hits hard, dealing significant damage against most neutral targets.
* Fire Blast deals with Steel-types such as Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Celesteela.
* Flamethrower can be run if its higher accuracy is desired, but the loss in power is rather noticeable.
* U-turn lets Hydreigon switch into a teammate while maintaining momentum.
* Earth Power OHKOes Heatran, non-Sturdy Assault Vest Magnezone, and Blaziken and Mega Lucario on the switch in while almost always OHKOing Raikou and 2HKOing Tyranitar
* However, Flying-types, Pokemon with Levitate, and Pokemon that resist Ground can all take advantage of Hydreigon if it locks itself into it.
* Flash Cannon reliably damages Fairy-types that may try to switch in.
* 252 Special Attack EV's maximize Hydreigon's offensive capabilities and 252 Speed EV's allows it to outspeed as much as possible.
* A Timid nature is recommended to outspeed Pokemon with similar Speed, such as Mimikyu.
* Choice Specs boosts the power of Hydreigon's special moves, allowing it to act as a wallbreaker.
* Hydreigon deals best against bulkier teams, as it can use the absurd power of its STAB moves to break through most defensive cores.
* Fairy-types severely threaten Hydreigon, so it appreciates Steel- and Poison-type partners that can deal with them.
* Sweepers appreciate Hydreigon's ability to break through defensive teams, giving them the opportunity to clean up.
* Sealth Rock support, while not mandatory, helps Hydreigon more easily break opposing teams while breaking Focus Sash and Sturdy.

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

[SET COMMENTS]

* In tandem with Darkinium Z, Dark Pulse becomes a powerful STAB-boosted Black Hole Eclipse, capable of severely damaging even specially bulky Pokemon, such as Hippowdon, Porygon2, and Assault Vest Mamoswine, putting them all into range for Draco Meteor.
* Draco Meteor is Hydreigon's most powerful STAB move, dealing heavy damage to most neutral targets.
* As Hydreigon's most powerful STAB move is resisted by Steel-types, Fire Blast offers a powerful option to deal with them.
* Flamethrower trades power for consistency, hitting the same targets as Fire Blast.
* Earth Power is Hydreigon's best option to hit opposing Heatran as well as Tapu Koko if it tries to switch in.
* U-turn allows Hydreigon to pivot out against unfavorable match-ups without forfeiting momentum.
* Taunt allows Hydreigon to deal with defensive teams more effectively, denying opportunities to heal, set hazards, or spread status.
* Alternatively, Flash Cannon can be run for a reliable method of hitting Fairy-types, even if its damage is rather mediocre in most match-ups and without a boost.
* Roost allows Hydreigon to recover half of its health, allowing it to work more reliably during early-game thanks to reliable recovery. It is most effective alongside Taunt.
* Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment improves Hydreigon's offensive capabilities, dealing as much damage as possible while being as fast as possible.
* A Timid nature prevents Hydreigon from being outsped by Pokemon such as Tapu Lele and Mimikyu.
* Darkinium Z lets Hydreigon act as a wallbreaker early- to mid-game, as Black Hole Vortex deals decent damage against opposing teams.
* If carrying Taunt, Hydreigon can act as a counter-lead against defensive or stall teams.
* If carrying Roost, it allows Hydreigon to act more efficiently late-game as a potential sweeper.
* Hydreigon needs Steel- and Poison-types to deal with Fairy-types, as Hydreigon has no consistent options against them and is 4x weak to them.
* Sweepers appreciate Hydreigon's ability to wallbreak with Black Hole Eclipse, as they can then cleanly KO weakened opposing Pokemon.
 
Last edited:
It was kinda late when I finished the second the second set, so the points made in it may be kinda weak, but i'm certain it's nothing a few edits can fix. Anyways, this should be ready for checks!
 
I quite like using Hydreigon in BSS. For the specs set, I would say or at least mention that earth power is also viable as it OHKOs heatran, has a chance to 2HKO 0 hp 0 sp def tyranitar, OHKO blaziken on the switch without having to result to draco meteor, OHKOs non sturdy max hp/0 sp. def assault vest magnezone, has a chance to OHKO non assault vest raikou, OHKOs mega lucario on the switch without having to result to low accuracy fire blast (though generally people would not switch lucario-m to hydreigon because of fear for fireblast).
 
I quite like using Hydreigon in BSS. For the specs set, I would say or at least mention that earth power is also viable as it OHKOs heatran, has a chance to 2HKO 0 hp 0 sp def tyranitar, OHKO blaziken on the switch without having to result to draco meteor, OHKOs non sturdy max hp/0 sp. def assault vest magnezone, has a chance to OHKO non assault vest raikou, OHKOs mega lucario on the switch without having to result to low accuracy fire blast (though generally people would not switch lucario-m to hydreigon because of fear for fireblast).
Added it in
 

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Took care of this, the last set is a little tricky since there's a ton of different ways you can arrange stuff but I figured it was best not to change it too much since it's alright as is and you mention the important options below already. Otherwise comments are in bold, strike-throughs for things to remove. Once you get this implemented consider this checked. Think I took care of most significant errors but whoever uploads this should double-check just in case.

[OVERVIEW]

Hydreigon is a threatening special attacker in Battle Spot Singles. Its Dark/Dragon typing makes its STAB moves Hydreigon's STAB combination is incredibly difficult for most Pokemon to switch in, with Dark Pulse hitting Psychic- and Ghost-types, such as Mega Metagross, Mega Gengar, and Aegislash, while Draco Meteor deals heavy damage against anything that doesn't resist it. Said This typing along with its ability Levitate and passable bulk make it an excellent switchin check to Ground-, Ghost-, Psychic-, Electric-, Water-, Fire-, and Grass-types, including, but not limited to, Landorus-T, Aegislash, Heatran, Mega Charizard-Y, and Thundurus-T. It has access to coverage moves that can deal with Pokemon that resist its STAB moves, with Fire Blast and Flamethrower for Steel-types, Earth Power specifically for Heatran, and Flash Cannon for Fairy-types.

Unfortunately for Hydreigon, its typing gives it weaknesses to Fighting-, Bug-, Dragon-, and Ice-types along with a 4x weakness to Fairy-types, the latter of which resists Dark Pulse and is immune to Draco Meteor. This leaves it weak to common Pokemon such as Mamoswine, Mimikyu, Tapu Lele, Tapu Koko, Garchomp, Mega Salamence, Blaziken, Pheromosa, and Volcarona. Its speed, while far from terrible, leaves it outsped by Pokemon with base 100 Speed as well as most Choice Scarf users if not carrying one itself.

Below are some sample sets. These sets are likely to be standard, but they will be expanded upon and updated as the metagame progresses.

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

[SET COMMENTS]

* Dark Pulse is Hydreigon's most reliable STAB move as there are no Pokemon immune to it and it deals with common Ghost-type and Psychic-types.
* Draco Meteor is incredibly difficult for many Pokemon to switch into, dealing heavy damage against any non-Steel- or Fairy-type Pokemon.
* Fire Blast deals with Steel-types that resist Hydreigon's Dragon-type STAB, such as Ferrothorn, Celesteela, and Mega Scizor.
* Flamethrower is much more reliable than Fire Blast, although the drop in damage is highly noticeable.
* U-turn allows Hydreigon to pivot out against Pokemon it struggles against or is greatly threatened by threaten it.
* Earth Power gives Hydreigon the ability to threaten Heatran and Tapu Koko.
* Maximum Special Attack takes advantage of Hydreigon's excellent Special Attack and movepool, while full Speed investment makes it as fast as possible.
* Choice Scarf improves Hydreigon's matchups against Pokemon that are generally faster than it, including ridiculously fast Pokemon such as Pheromosa with a positive nature.
* A Modest nature allows Hydreigon to hit as hard as possible.
* Timid is an option, however, to outspeed Timid Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, which can easily OHKO Hydreigon with its Fairy-type STAB moves.
* Choice Scarf Hydreigon is best used as a revenge killer and a sweeper, utilizing its great Special Attack to blow through weakened teams. I think "cleaner" is a better descriptor than sweeper here.
* Be aware of when it is safe to use Draco Meteor, as a Fairy-type may switch in and force Hydreigon out. Even if this is not the circumstance, its stat drops prevent Hydreigon from doing much after its use.
* Hydreigon despises Fairy-types, so Poison- and Steel-types that can take advantage of them make excellent partners.
* Stealth Rock support weakens incoming Pokemon, helping Hydreigon more easily break through opposing teams. Scarf Hydreigon doesn't really break teams so much, the rocks more so help it clean up or safely revenge kill something.

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
move 4: U-turn / Flash Cannon I would probably put Earth Power here instead of Flash Cannon, or at least slash it after U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

* Hydreigon is an excellent user of Choice Specs thanks to its great Special Attack and good movepool.
* Dark Pulse is a reliable STAB move that lets Hydreigon deal with Ghost- and Psychic-types.
* Draco Meteor, in combination with Choice Specs, hits hard, dealing significant damage against most neutral targets. No need for that many commas here, only one that fits here is the last one after "hits hard".
* Fire Blast deals with Steel-types such as Mega Scizor and Celesteela. I'd mention Ferro here too
* Flamethrower can be run if its higher accuracy is desired, but the loss in power is rather noticeable.
* U-turn lets Hydreigon switch into a teammate while maintaining momentum.
* Flash Cannon reliably damages Fairy-types that may try to switch in.
* Earth Power can be run to reliably OHKO Heatran, non-Sturdy Assault Vest Magnezone, and Blaziken and Mega Lucario on the switch in while almost always OHKOing Raikou and 2HKOing Tyranitar, although Flying-types, Pokemon with Levitate, and Pokemon that resist Ground can all take advantage of hydreigon (capitalize) if it locks itself into it. I'd make the part about Flying types/Levitate its own sentence since this is pretty wordy otherwise.
* 252 Special Attack EV's maximize Hydreigon's offensive capabilities and 252 Speed EV's allows it to outspeed Pokemon with similar Speed, such as Mimikyu.
* A Timid nature is recommended to outspeed as much as possible. I'd move that Mimikyu mention in the previous sentence to here, since that's one of the big reasons to run Timid here.
* Choice Specs boosts the power of Hydreigon's special moves, allowing it to act as a wallbreaker.
* Hydreigon deals best against bulkier teams, as it can use the absurd power of its STAB moves to break through most defensive cores.
* Fairy-types severely threaten Hydreigon, so it appreciates Steel- and Poison-type partners that can deal with them.
* Sweepers appreciate Hydreigon's ability to break through defensive teams, giving them the opportunity to clean up.
* Sealth Rock support, while not mandatory, helps Hydreigon more easily break opposing teams while breaking Focus Sash and Sturdy.

[SET]
name: Darkinium Z
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
move 4: U-turn / Flash Cannon / Earth Power I'd drop Flash Cannon and add Taunt, Earth Power / U-turn / Taunt for the last slot
item: Darkinium Z
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

* In tandem with Darkinium Z, Dark Pulse becomes a powerful STAB-boosted Black Hole Eclipse, capable of severely damaging even specially bulky Pokemon, such as Hippowdon, Porygon2, and Assault Vest Mamoswine, putting them all into range for Draco Meteor.
* Draco Meteor is Hydreigon's most powerful STAB move, dealing heavy damage to most neutral targets.
* As Hydreigon's most powerful STAB move is resisted by Steel-types, Fire Blast offers a powerful option to deal with them.
* Flamethrower trades power for consistency, hitting the same targets as Fire Blast.
* U-turn allows Hydreigon to pivot out against unfavorable match-ups without forfeiting momentum.
* Alternatively, Flash Cannon can be run for a reliable method of hitting Fairy-types, even if its damage is rather mediocre in most match-ups. You can keep this mention here though I'd probably remove it from this set, it's kinda weak without a boost.
* Earth Power is Hydreigon's best option to hit opposing Heatran as well as Tapu Koko if it tries to switch in.
* Taunt allows Hydreigon to deal with defensive teams more effectively, denying opportunities to heal, set hazards, or spread status.
* Roost allows Hydreigon to recover half of its health, allowing it to work more reliably during early-game thanks to reliable recovery. I'd quickly note that you usually use this with Taunt.
* Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment improves Hydreigon's offensive capabilities, dealing as much damage as possible while being as fast as possible.
* A Timid nature prevents Hydreigon from being outsped by Pokemon such as Tapu Lele and Mimikyu.
* Darkinium Z lets Hydreigon act as a wallbreaker early- to mid-game, as Black Hole Vortex deals decent damage against opposing teams.
* If carrying Taunt, Hydreigon can act as a counter-lead against defensive or stall teams.
* If carrying Roost, it allows Hydreigon to act more efficiently late-game as a potential sweeper.
* Hydreigon needs Steel- and Poison-types to deal with Fairy-types, as Hydreigon has no consistent options against them and is 4x weak to them.
* Sweepers appreciate Hydreigon's ability to wallbreak with Black Hole Eclipse, as they can then cleanly KO weakened opposing Pokemon.
 
Took care of this, the last set is a little tricky since there's a ton of different ways you can arrange stuff but I figured it was best not to change it too much since it's alright as is and you mention the important options below already. Otherwise comments are in bold, strike-throughs for things to remove. Once you get this implemented consider this checked. Think I took care of most significant errors but whoever uploads this should double-check just in case.
Implemented. If there's nothing else it's ready for upload, but be sure to look it over again.
 

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