[OVERVIEW]
With absurd offensive stats and access to a wide array of coverage options, Hoopa-U is OU's most fearsome wallbreaker. Thanks to its wallbreaking capabilities, Hoopa-U performs well against balance teams, with very few Pokemon being able to switch into it safely. Hoopa-U also sports a very high Special Defense stat, letting it tank hits from Pokemon such as Mega Alakazam, Thundurus, and Latios. Though Hoopa-U does have considerable strengths, it does have some notable weaknesses that hold it back. Mediocre Speed coupled with low Defense means that it's easily revenge killed by most offensive Pokemon, and while Choice Scarf can somewhat remedy this issue, it hinders Hoopa-U's favorable matchup against more defensive teams. Its Dark / Psychic typing leaves it with only one resistance to take advantage of, making its opportunities to switch in quite limited. Said typing also leaves it 4x weak to Bug, leaving it susceptible to almost all U-turn users.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Gunk Shot
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Psychic / Fire Punch / Hidden Power Ice
item: Life Orb
ability: Magician
nature: Hasty
evs: 160 Atk / 96 SpA / 252 Spe
ivs: 29 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dark Pulse hits Pokemon such as Mega Metagross, Jirachi, Slowbro, Latios, Latias, and Reuniclus and 2HKOes Skarmory. Gunk Shot targets Fairy-types such as Clefable, Mega Altaria, Azumarill, and Togekiss. Drain Punch rounds out Hoopa-U's coverage by hitting Pokemon such as Chansey, Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Weavile while also restoring some lost HP lost from Life Orb recoil or other forms of chip damage. Psychic hits targets such as Keldeo and Mega Venusaur while also 2HKOing many physically defensive Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Tank Garchomp, and mixed Hippowdon. Fire Punch targets Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Klefki. Hidden Power Ice OHKOes Landorus-T, Garchomp, and specially defensive Gliscor. Focus Blast, while less reliable against Heatran, Tyranitar, and Weavile, is also an option to hit Ferrothorn harder. Substitute is another option to ease prediction against offensive teams and prevent Choice Scarf Gothitelle from Tricking a Choice Scarf onto Hoopa-U.
Set Details
========
Running 160 Attack EVs allows Hoopa-U to OHKO mixed defensive Clefable with Gunk Shot, while 96 Special Attack EVs guarantee the OHKO on Tank Garchomp with Hidden Power Ice. Maximum Speed EVs plus a Hasty nature allow Hoopa-U to outspeed as many Pokemon as possible, notably Speed tying with other positive-natured base 80 Speed Pokemon such as Mega Altaria, Gardevoir before it Mega Evolves, and Mamoswine, as well as outspeeding Metagross before it Mega Evolves. Life Orb significantly increases the power of Hoopa-U's attacks while letting switch between its moves, taking full advantage of its wide coverage. A 29 HP IV is used to reduce Life Orb recoil.
Usage Tips
========
This set should be played as a early- and mid-game wallbreaker, breaking down the opposition for a teammate to clean late-game. Hoopa-U should generally be brought in via U-turn or Volt Switch, after a Pokemon has fainted, or on double switches, as Hoopa-U is already worn down by Life Orb recoil and doesn't have many resistances to take advantage of, limiting its opportunities to switch in. Once it's brought in, use the appropriate STAB or coverage move against the foe, either by anticipating a predicted switch or by getting a heavy hit off a bulky Pokemon. Be sure to note that against slower teams, Hoopa-U doesn't have to predict as much when using its attacks. Despite its lack of a Dark-type weakness, Hoopa-U should still be played cautiously when a Pursuit user such as Tyranitar or Weavile is on the opposing team, as its low physical bulk means it can get KOed switching out, especially if it has taken prior damage from Life Orb recoil plus entry hazards. To prevent this sort of scenario, try to use Drain Punch on their predicted switch in.
Team Options
========
Given that Hoopa-U lacks the Speed to threaten fast offensive Pokemon, speed control from the likes of Thunder Wave users is appreciated. Pokemon such as Clefable, Ferrothorn, and Klefki perform well in this role. Ferrothorn and Klefki in particular can switch in on most Fairy-type Pokemon that threaten Hoopa-U and provide additional support with Spikes. Volt Switch and U-turn users such as Rotom-W and Landorus-T pair well with Hoopa-U, bringing it in safely. The former is also able to burn physical attackers with Will-O-Wisp and switch in on Talonflame, while the latter checks fast physical attackers such as Mega Charizard X, Excadrill, and Mega Lopunny. Pokemon that are good catch-all answers against offensive teams such as Mega Manectric, Mega Lopunny, Sand Rush Excadrill, and Talonflame generally pair well with Hoopa-U, as all of them appreciate the wallbreaking that Hoopa-U provides, letting them clean late-game. Mega Manectric and Mega Lopunny can also bring in Hoopa-U safely with Volt Switch and Baton Pass, respectively. Azumarill threatens some offensive Pokemon that outspeed Hoopa-U, such as Excadrill, Landorus, Mega Charizard X, and Keldeo, while Hoopa-U is able to break down Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn in return. With an Assault Vest, Azumarill also acts as a great check to most Pokemon on rain teams such as Kingdra, Tornadus-T, Keldeo, and Mega Alakazam, all of which can revenge kill Hoopa-U.
Other Dark-types, including Weavile and Bisharp, fare well against faster teams and can wear down Hoopa-U's checks. Fighting-types such as Keldeo, Terrakion, and Breloom are good teammates, as they have a favorable matchup against Pursuit trappers, which can give Hoopa-U many issues. Tank Garchomp is notable for its ability to chip away at physical attackers with the combination of Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet while also providing Stealth Rock support. Strong priority users such as Mega Scizor and Lucario also appreciate Hoopa-U's wallbreaking capabilities for them to clean late-game. Mega Scizor in particular can switch in on most Fairy-types and use some as setup bait. Hoopa-U tends to invite in fast physical attackers due to its mediocre Speed and low Defense, so Skarmory makes for an excellent partner, as it can switch in on Pokemon such as Mega Metagross, Mega Altaria, Mega Scizor, Landorus-T, and Excadril and use the resulting free turns to set up Spikes, which lets Hoopa-U heavily pressure slower teams.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Hyperspace Fury
move 2: Psychic / Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Gunk Shot
move 4: Drain Punch
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Magician
nature: Hasty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hyperspace Fury deals a lot of damage to Pokemon such as Latios, Slowbro, Mega Metagross, and Gengar. Psychic lets Hoopa-U revenge kill Pokemon such as Keldeo and Mega Lopunny while also netting the 2HKO against Mega Venusaur and Amoonguss. Hidden Power Ice is an alternative to hit Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Gliscor. Gunk Shot lets Hoopa-U hit Fairy-types such as Clefable, Azumarill, and Togekiss and revenge kill Mega Gardevoir. Drain Punch lets Hoopa-U revenge kill Weavile and Choice Scarf Tyranitar while still hitting Ferrothorn and Bisharp.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack EVs let Hoopa-U hit as hard as possible, while maximum Speed EVs and a Hasty nature let Hoopa-U outspeed as many Pokemon as possible with a Choice Scarf equipped, up to notable Pokemon such as Mega Manectric and Mega Lopunny. A Hasty nature is also used to preserve Hoopa-U's Special Attack stat so that Psychic and Hidden Power Ice still hit for respectable damage.
Usage Tips
========
This set is designed to revenge kill faster Pokemon that Hoopa-U cannot outspeed normally and should only be brought in after a Pokemon has fainted or with Volt Switch or U-turn. Be cautious when using Hyperspace Fury or Psychic to revenge kill a Pokemon, as locking Hoopa-U into either of those moves invites Pursuit trappers such as Tyranitar and Weavile to switch in. Once Hoopa-U's checks and counters are eliminated or heavily damaged, click the appropriate STAB or coverage move and sweep late-game.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that provide offensive momentum to bring in Hoopa-U safely such as Landorus-T and Manectric pair well with it. Landorus-T is also notable because it's a good blanket check to many physical attackers. Fighting-types such as Mega Lopunny and Keldeo threaten most Pursuit trappers that prey on Hoopa-U's low physical bulk. Keldeo in particular appreciates Hoopa-U's ability to revenge kill Latios and Latias, as well as threaten other Pokemon that give Keldeo issues such as Mega Venusaur and Celebi. Even though Hoopa-U is equipped with a Choice Scarf, it's outsped by Pokemon such as Mega Alakazam, Aerodactyl, and Beedrill. Mega Scizor is an excellent answer to all of these, as it can either pick them off with Bullet Punch or use them as setup bait. Will-O-Wisp Talonflame is a great partner too, as it neuters physical attackers such as Mega Scizor and offensive Dragon Dance Mega Altaria while also crippling Tyranitar and Landorus-T.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Nasty Plot set could be used to break through Mandibuzz, one of Hoopa-U's hardest checks, and other bulky Pokemon on stall teams, but the Life Orb set is generally much more consistent. Assault Vest can be used in order to switch into special attackers such as Latios, Thundurus, and Alakazam much more comfortably at the cost of some power. Thunder can be used to score the OHKO on Mandibuzz, one of the few Pokemon that can switch into most of Hoopa-U's attacks with ease. Grass Knot has use in getting the guaranteed OHKO on Hippowdon and Quagsire, but it doesn't hit much else. Choice Band is also an option to break past some of the bulkiest foes, 2HKOing physically defensive Skarmory with Hyperspace Fury and having a good chance to 2HKO Mandibuzz with Gunk Shot after Stealth Rock. A specially based Choice Scarf set with Trick to cripple special walls is another option, but it has worse coverage overall. Choice Specs sounds appealing at first, but the inability to switch between moves prevents Hoopa-U from taking advantage of its wide coverage, and the power Life Orb provides is sufficient. Taunt lets Hoopa-U prevent defensive Pokemon from recovering, spreading status, and setting up entry hazards, but running it limits Hoopa-U's coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Most faster Pokemon with access to U-turn, such as Landorus-T, Tornadus-T, and Choice Scarf Jirachi, are able revenge kill Hoopa-U or force it out. Other faster Pokemon such as Mega Lopunny, Mega Aerodactyl, and Mega Beedrill also OHKO it with their respective STAB moves. Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Beedrill in particular are notable for their ability to outspeed even Choice Scarf Hoopa-U. All of these Pokemon, however, cannot switch in due to Hoopa-U's wide coverage and high offensive stats.
**Priority Attacks**: Slower Pokemon that use priority moves, such as Bisharp and Mega Scizor, can pick off Hoopa-U with prior damage. Bulky Mega Scizor is also notable, as it can switch in to any of Hoopa-U's attacks besides Fire Punch and either pick it off with Bullet Punch or OHKO it with U-turn.
**Pursuit Trappers**: Choice Scarf Tyranitar and Life Orb Weavile are problematic for Hoopa-U, as its abysmal physical bulk leaves it vulnerable to Pursuit, especially when it's locked into Psychic or Hyperspace Fury, giving them a free opportunity to switch in after a teammate has fainted and eliminate Hoopa-U.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Mega Diancie and Mega Gardevoir naturally outspeed non-Choice Scarf Hoopa-U and OHKO with their respective STAB moves. However, Fairy-types are still vulnerable to Gunk Shot. Klefki gets a special mention, as it's one of the few Pokemon that can switch into all of Hoopa-U's moves bar Fire Punch and hit it with Dazzling Gleam or paralyze it with Prankster Thunder Wave, rendering its Choice Scarf set in particular heavily crippled.
**Mandibuzz**: Thanks to its typing and good mixed bulk, Mandibuzz is able to avoid the 2HKO from any move Hoopa-U has at its disposal besides a Life Orb-boosted Focus Blast and the rare Thunder. In return, Mandibuzz OHKOes Hoopa-U with Foul Play after some prior damage or removes its item with Knock Off.
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