QC: Kl4ng / Lcass4919 / -Grim
GP: Snobalt / Threw and P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Heracross possesses a great Attack stat, making it one of the best physical attackers in the metagame. With its fantastic offensive typing, two very strong STAB moves in Megahorn and Close Combat, and access to coverage moves such as Stone Edge and Knock Off, it can be extremely hard to switch into. Due to its wallbreaking capability, Heracross has an excellent matchup against more defensive teams. Although Heracross's typing is amazing offensively, it isn't great defensively. Heracross's huge weakness to Gale Wings and Pixilate users such as Staraptor, Lucario, and Entei really hurts it, especially due to how common these Pokemon are. It can also be considered one of the most predictable Pokemon, usually running a Tough Claws set. Lastly, it has a lackluster Speed stat and mediocre bulk, which means it has a hard time performing well against more offensive teams.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Megahorn
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Swords Dance / Stone Edge / Facade
item: Life Orb / Lum Berry
ability: Tough Claws
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Megahorn and Close Combat are Heracross's two strongest STAB moves and receive a boost from Tough Claws, heavily denting even walls that resist them. Knock Off hits incoming Flying- or Ghost-types such as Skarmory, Zapdos, and Doublade, crippling them by removing their item. Swords Dance boosts Heracross's Attack to massive levels, further augmenting its power in conjunction with Life Orb and Tough Claws. Although it isn't boosted by Tough Claws, Stone Edge can be used to hit Flying-types, most notably Zapdos. Facade can be used in case Heracross gets burned, paralyzed, or poisoned, giving it a very strong Normal-type move for neutral coverage.
Set Details
========
Life Orb gives Heracross a nice boost to its power and lets it switch to any of its great coverage moves at any time. Lum Berry is a nice alternative that gives Heracross a one-time immunity to status ailments from the likes of Mew and Breloom. An Adamant nature with maximum investment in Attack and Speed allows Heracross to hit as hard as possible while outspeeding as many Pokemon as possible. Tough Claws gives a boost to all of Heracross's contact moves.
Usage Tips
========
Heracross should be used as a wallbreaker due to its insane Attack stat in conjunction with Tough Claws. Try to always keep entry hazards off the field, as the Life Orb recoil already wears down Heracross relatively quickly. Never keep Heracross in on potential Gale Wings users such as Skarmory and Braviary, as it will instantly get KOed due to its 4x weakness to Flying-type moves. Using one of Heracross's main strong STAB moves may not always be the best idea depending on the team matchup. If the opponent has an obvious switch-in, it might be wise to choose Knock Off to cripple the foe. Never switch Heracross in directly, as its lackluster defenses will force it to take a ton of damage even from a resisted attack.
Team Options
========
Heracross really appreciates Pokemon that resist Flying-type attacks such as Aegislash and Doublade, as they can combat Gale Wings users. It can also benefit from having bulky Intimidate users such as Hippowdown and Zapdos to handle Flying-types. Sweepers and cleaners such as Lucario and Staraptor appreciate Heracross's ability to break down defensive cores. Entry hazard setters such as Deoxys-D and Deoxys-S make Heracross's job as a wallbreaker a bit easier. Conversely, entry hazard removers such as Skarmory and Mandibuzz prevent Heracross from being worn down as easily. Wish passers such as Umbreon and Vaporeon can keep Heracross healthy and give it a free switch with Baton Pass. Bulky Flash Fire users such as Heatran and Doublade can take on Fire-types; in addition, these two can switch into Refrigerate and Pixilate users such as Victini, Entei, and Lucario. Lastly, Heracross also appreciates the help of Electric-types such as Zapdos and Thundurus, as they can take on Pokemon that Heracross has trouble with like Suicune and Skarmory.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Megahorn
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Stone Edge / Earthquake
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Tough Claws / Tinted Lens
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Close Combat and Megahorn are Heracross's best STAB moves, hitting even Pokemon that resist it very hard coupled with Tough Claws. Knock Off is used to cripple incoming switch-ins such as Intimidate users like Zapdos and Mandibuzz. Either Stone Edge or Earthquake can be used for the last slot; although they aren't boosted by Tough Claws, they're still very strong and useful coverage moves, with Stone Edge hitting Flying-types and Earthquake hitting Poison-types, neither of which Heracross's STAB moves can hit effectively.
Set Details
========
Choice Scarf allows Heracross to become an effective revenge killer and cleaner if the opponent's team is weakened. Tough Claws gives all of Heracross's contact moves, including its main STAB moves, a nice boost. Tinted Lens is a great alternative to hit common switch-ins very hard without having to predict at all. Lastly, a Jolly nature and maximum investment in Speed and Attack allow Heracross to outpace as many threats as possible while maximizing its damage output.
Usage Tips
========
With a Choice Scarf, Heracross becomes a reliable revenge killer, so it should be used as one once a teammate faints. Never keep Heracross in on potential Gale Wings users such as Skarmory and Braviary, as it will be instantly OHKOed. Try to keep Heracross for the late-game, as it's also a great cleaner when equipped with Choice Scarf.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard setters such as Deoxys-S and Deoxys-D are great teammates for Heracross, as extra damage on the foe makes the job easier for any cleaner. Switch-ins to Flying-type moves such as Aegislash and Doublade are also great teammates, as any Gale Wings user will OHKO Heracross before it can move. Wish passers such as Vaporeon and Umbreon can keep Heracross healthy for the late-game even if entry hazards are on the field. Bulky Flash Fire users such as Heatran and Doublade can take on Fire-types; additionally, these two can beat Refrigerate and Pixilate users such as Victini, Entei, and Lucario. Heracross also appreciates the help of Electric-types such as Zapdos and Thundurus, as they can take on physically bulky Pokemon that are troublesome to Heracross like Suicune and Skarmory.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Choice Band could be used, but Heracross usually needs to be able to switch to a coverage move on a non-Choice Scarf set, so it might not be the best option. Mega Heracross could be used with Illusion, Download, or Magic Bounce as its first ability, but Life Orb Heracross usually outdamages its Mega Evolution, making it a better stallbreaker.
Checks and Counters
========
**Priority Users**: Gale Wings users such as Skarmory, Staraptor, and Braviary can threaten out Heracross at any time with their Flying-type priority moves. Other priority users such as Pixilate Lucario and Entei can OHKO Heracross as well.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Staraptor, Honchkrow, and Skarmory can all KO Heracross easily with their STAB moves.
**Intimidate Users**: Intimidate users such as Hippowdon, Zapdos, and Skarmory are excellent checks to Heracross due to Intimidate coupled with their great physical bulk and typing.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon like Victini, Latios, and Gengar can easily come in on a Choice-locked Heracross and KO it with any of their STAB moves due to how low Heracross's defenses are.
**Fairy-types**: Physically defensive Fairies such as Clefable and Sylveon can come in on any attack Heracross has to offer and threaten it out with their STAB moves.
GP: Snobalt / Threw and P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Heracross possesses a great Attack stat, making it one of the best physical attackers in the metagame. With its fantastic offensive typing, two very strong STAB moves in Megahorn and Close Combat, and access to coverage moves such as Stone Edge and Knock Off, it can be extremely hard to switch into. Due to its wallbreaking capability, Heracross has an excellent matchup against more defensive teams. Although Heracross's typing is amazing offensively, it isn't great defensively. Heracross's huge weakness to Gale Wings and Pixilate users such as Staraptor, Lucario, and Entei really hurts it, especially due to how common these Pokemon are. It can also be considered one of the most predictable Pokemon, usually running a Tough Claws set. Lastly, it has a lackluster Speed stat and mediocre bulk, which means it has a hard time performing well against more offensive teams.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Megahorn
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Swords Dance / Stone Edge / Facade
item: Life Orb / Lum Berry
ability: Tough Claws
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Megahorn and Close Combat are Heracross's two strongest STAB moves and receive a boost from Tough Claws, heavily denting even walls that resist them. Knock Off hits incoming Flying- or Ghost-types such as Skarmory, Zapdos, and Doublade, crippling them by removing their item. Swords Dance boosts Heracross's Attack to massive levels, further augmenting its power in conjunction with Life Orb and Tough Claws. Although it isn't boosted by Tough Claws, Stone Edge can be used to hit Flying-types, most notably Zapdos. Facade can be used in case Heracross gets burned, paralyzed, or poisoned, giving it a very strong Normal-type move for neutral coverage.
Set Details
========
Life Orb gives Heracross a nice boost to its power and lets it switch to any of its great coverage moves at any time. Lum Berry is a nice alternative that gives Heracross a one-time immunity to status ailments from the likes of Mew and Breloom. An Adamant nature with maximum investment in Attack and Speed allows Heracross to hit as hard as possible while outspeeding as many Pokemon as possible. Tough Claws gives a boost to all of Heracross's contact moves.
Usage Tips
========
Heracross should be used as a wallbreaker due to its insane Attack stat in conjunction with Tough Claws. Try to always keep entry hazards off the field, as the Life Orb recoil already wears down Heracross relatively quickly. Never keep Heracross in on potential Gale Wings users such as Skarmory and Braviary, as it will instantly get KOed due to its 4x weakness to Flying-type moves. Using one of Heracross's main strong STAB moves may not always be the best idea depending on the team matchup. If the opponent has an obvious switch-in, it might be wise to choose Knock Off to cripple the foe. Never switch Heracross in directly, as its lackluster defenses will force it to take a ton of damage even from a resisted attack.
Team Options
========
Heracross really appreciates Pokemon that resist Flying-type attacks such as Aegislash and Doublade, as they can combat Gale Wings users. It can also benefit from having bulky Intimidate users such as Hippowdown and Zapdos to handle Flying-types. Sweepers and cleaners such as Lucario and Staraptor appreciate Heracross's ability to break down defensive cores. Entry hazard setters such as Deoxys-D and Deoxys-S make Heracross's job as a wallbreaker a bit easier. Conversely, entry hazard removers such as Skarmory and Mandibuzz prevent Heracross from being worn down as easily. Wish passers such as Umbreon and Vaporeon can keep Heracross healthy and give it a free switch with Baton Pass. Bulky Flash Fire users such as Heatran and Doublade can take on Fire-types; in addition, these two can switch into Refrigerate and Pixilate users such as Victini, Entei, and Lucario. Lastly, Heracross also appreciates the help of Electric-types such as Zapdos and Thundurus, as they can take on Pokemon that Heracross has trouble with like Suicune and Skarmory.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Megahorn
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Stone Edge / Earthquake
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Tough Claws / Tinted Lens
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Close Combat and Megahorn are Heracross's best STAB moves, hitting even Pokemon that resist it very hard coupled with Tough Claws. Knock Off is used to cripple incoming switch-ins such as Intimidate users like Zapdos and Mandibuzz. Either Stone Edge or Earthquake can be used for the last slot; although they aren't boosted by Tough Claws, they're still very strong and useful coverage moves, with Stone Edge hitting Flying-types and Earthquake hitting Poison-types, neither of which Heracross's STAB moves can hit effectively.
Set Details
========
Choice Scarf allows Heracross to become an effective revenge killer and cleaner if the opponent's team is weakened. Tough Claws gives all of Heracross's contact moves, including its main STAB moves, a nice boost. Tinted Lens is a great alternative to hit common switch-ins very hard without having to predict at all. Lastly, a Jolly nature and maximum investment in Speed and Attack allow Heracross to outpace as many threats as possible while maximizing its damage output.
Usage Tips
========
With a Choice Scarf, Heracross becomes a reliable revenge killer, so it should be used as one once a teammate faints. Never keep Heracross in on potential Gale Wings users such as Skarmory and Braviary, as it will be instantly OHKOed. Try to keep Heracross for the late-game, as it's also a great cleaner when equipped with Choice Scarf.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard setters such as Deoxys-S and Deoxys-D are great teammates for Heracross, as extra damage on the foe makes the job easier for any cleaner. Switch-ins to Flying-type moves such as Aegislash and Doublade are also great teammates, as any Gale Wings user will OHKO Heracross before it can move. Wish passers such as Vaporeon and Umbreon can keep Heracross healthy for the late-game even if entry hazards are on the field. Bulky Flash Fire users such as Heatran and Doublade can take on Fire-types; additionally, these two can beat Refrigerate and Pixilate users such as Victini, Entei, and Lucario. Heracross also appreciates the help of Electric-types such as Zapdos and Thundurus, as they can take on physically bulky Pokemon that are troublesome to Heracross like Suicune and Skarmory.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Choice Band could be used, but Heracross usually needs to be able to switch to a coverage move on a non-Choice Scarf set, so it might not be the best option. Mega Heracross could be used with Illusion, Download, or Magic Bounce as its first ability, but Life Orb Heracross usually outdamages its Mega Evolution, making it a better stallbreaker.
Checks and Counters
========
**Priority Users**: Gale Wings users such as Skarmory, Staraptor, and Braviary can threaten out Heracross at any time with their Flying-type priority moves. Other priority users such as Pixilate Lucario and Entei can OHKO Heracross as well.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Staraptor, Honchkrow, and Skarmory can all KO Heracross easily with their STAB moves.
**Intimidate Users**: Intimidate users such as Hippowdon, Zapdos, and Skarmory are excellent checks to Heracross due to Intimidate coupled with their great physical bulk and typing.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon like Victini, Latios, and Gengar can easily come in on a Choice-locked Heracross and KO it with any of their STAB moves due to how low Heracross's defenses are.
**Fairy-types**: Physically defensive Fairies such as Clefable and Sylveon can come in on any attack Heracross has to offer and threaten it out with their STAB moves.
Last edited:
this is done