This set's combination of power and utility makes it a solid addition to offensive teams that need a spinner. Close Combat is a powerful STAB move that 2HKOes every NU Pokemon that doesn't resist it. Mach Punch is one of the strongest reliable priority moves in the tier thanks to the boost from Iron Fist, making Hitmonchan an effective revenge killer of frail or weakened offensive Pokemon. The elemental punches also receive boosts from Iron Fist and provide valuable coverage on the Pokemon that resist Hitmonchan's STAB moves; Ice Punch OHKOes Gligar and 2HKOes Nidoqueen and Vileplume, while Thunder Punch 2HKOes Slowking and OHKOes Charizard on the switch. Last, but certainly not least, Rapid Spin provides invaluable support, especially for teams featuring Pokemon that are weak to Stealth Rock, such as Charizard and Typhlosion.

Life Orb is the best item on this set, as it gives Hitmonchan the power it needs to 2HKO common switch-ins like Slowking and Nidoqueen with the appropriate elemental punch. However, Black Belt is a viable alternative to boost Close Combat and Mach Punch without forcing Hitmonchan to take recoil damage when using Rapid Spin. The EV spread maximizes Hitmonchan's power and gives it enough Speed to beat neutral-natured base 70s such as Magneton and Poliwrath as well as the occasional Jolly Whiscash. The remaining EVs go into HP and Defense to slightly improve Hitmonchan's bulk without increasing Life Orb recoil. A bulkier spread of 128 HP / 252 Atk / 128 Spe is a reasonable alternative that still lets Hitmonchan outspeed neutral-natured base 60s and below.

Bulky Psychic- and Ghost-types such as Hypno and Dusclops wall Hitmonchan effortlessly. This makes Skuntank a great partner, as it is perfectly built to shut down and cripple Psychic- and Ghost-type walls with its typing and access to Pursuit, Taunt, and Crunch. The offensive Fire-types that appreciate Hitmonchan's Rapid Spin support also appreciate Skuntank's ability to remove Pokemon such as Hypno, Slowking, and Grumpig from play; a team built around one or more Fire-types supported by Skuntank and Hitmonchan can be very difficult to deal with.

Depending on which elemental punch you choose, Hitmonchan will also be walled by some additional Pokemon. Without Thunder Punch, Hitmonchan can't do meaningful damage to Slowking, so having Skuntank or another Pursuit user as a teammate is even more important. On the other hand, without Ice Punch, Hitmonchan is walled by Gligar, Nidoqueen, and Vileplume, so powerful Fire- or Psychic-type special attackers such as Charizard, Jynx, and Gardevoir are good teammates.

This set sacrifices power in exchange for better longevity, giving Hitmonchan a much better matchup against defensive teams that could simply wear down the Life Orb set. Bulk Up allows Hitmonchan to easily defeat defensive physical attackers that could otherwise 2HKO it, such as Sandslash and Quagsire. Drain Punch helps keep Hitmonchan healthy and has a respectable 75 Base Power thanks to Iron Fist. After a Bulk Up, Hitmonchan can survive an attack from many offensive Pokemon and OHKO them back with Drain Punch, restoring most of its lost HP in the process; examples include Tauros, Manectric, and Floatzel. Ice Punch is Hitmonchan's best coverage move, allowing it to hit every common defensive Pokemon except Slowking for at least neutral damage. The last slot is reserved for Rapid Spin. You could opt for another move in that slot to make Hitmonchan more threatening, such as Thunder Punch, Mach Punch, or Substitute, but Poliwrath and Medicham both have significant advantages over Hitmonchan as dedicated Bulk Up sweepers; Rapid Spin is what sets Hitmonchan apart.

The EV spread maximizes Hitmonchan's Attack so that it can deal decent damage even when it doesn't get a chance to boost. 88 Speed EVs allow Hitmonchan to outspeed neutral-natured base 55s such as Cacturne and Relicanth, as well as minimum Speed Gligar and all other walls that don't invest in Speed. It's worth noting that Gligar and some other fast walls such as Gardevoir will sometimes invest in Speed, so you should consider adding a few more Speed EVs if you want to increase Hitmonchan's chances of outspeeding them.

This set belongs on a team that needs Hitmonchan's Rapid Spin support, as otherwise Poliwrath and Medicham are better choices as Bulk Up users. Slower balanced or defensive teams generally prefer this set to the Life Orb variant thanks to its ability to stay healthy so that it can spin multiple times in a match if needed. Skuntank is a highly recommended teammate, as nearly every Psychic-type in the tier can safely switch into Hitmonchan and force it out.

Hitmonchan's access to a 120-Base Power, 100% accurate STAB move and excellent super effective coverage from the elemental punches make it a solid revenge killer and late-game cleaner when equipped with a Choice Scarf. Close Combat OHKOes most offensive Pokemon after Stealth Rock or other chip damage, and Thunder Punch and Ice Punch cover most of the Pokemon that resist it. The last slot is mostly filler. Stone Edge OHKOes Charizard, which barely survives Thunder Punch from full health, and also hits Venomoth and Pinsir. Earthquake 2HKOes Muk, which shakes off any other move Hitmonchan throws its way, and can also be nice to have against Pokemon with Static or Flame Body, such as Manectric and Magmortar, because it does not make contact. Finally, although Rapid Spin is not a good move to be locked into, it can still be useful to have in case your opponent manages to stack a lot of entry hazards.

This set competes directly with Medicham, which can run a similar set but with more power, slightly more Speed, and access to a secondary STAB move and Trick. However, Medicham's primary STAB move is High Jump Kick, which has a 10% chance to miss and the possibility of recoil damage that could cause Medicham to KO itself. Hitmonchan's access to Close Combat makes it a more reliable option if you don't need Medicham's extra power. Choice Scarf Hitmonchan also works well alongside Medicham; Life Orb Medicham can kick and punch massive holes into your opponent's walls, and then Choice Scarf Hitmonchan can clean up the rubble.

With the boost from Choice Scarf, 216 Speed EVs allow Hitmonchan to outspeed every unboosted Pokemon in the tier except Electrode. Mach Punch and Fire Punch are alternative options in the last moveslot if you don't like any of the options listed. Mach Punch may seem strange on a Choice Scarf set, but it could save your team from being swept by Choice Scarf Typhlosion or Chlorophyll-boosted Shiftry. Fire Punch is an alternative to Stone Edge to hit Bug-types more reliably and is a relatively safe move to be locked into due to the lack of common Fire-immune Pokemon in NU.

Choice Scarf Hitmonchan is most effective when you can click Close Combat without thinking, which means it needs teammates that can remove Ghost- and Psychic-types. As always, Skuntank is a great partner as the best Pursuit trapper in the tier. Wallbreakers such as Life Orb Medicham, Life Orb Magmortar, and Swords Dance Charizard are also excellent at KOing or severely crippling Slowking and other walls that could stop Hitmonchan from cleaning. Hitmonchan is relatively slow for a Choice Scarf user, which means it fits better on teams that have solid defensive answers to common faster Choice Scarf users such as Typhlosion and Manectric. Slowking and Regirock counter Typhlosion, and Nidoqueen is a great switch-in to Manectric.