[OVERVIEW]
Blessed with high offensive stats, an advantageous offensive typing, and access to many useful coverage moves, Hoopa-U finds its niche as an efficient wallbreaker, able to disassemble opposing bulky teams. Moreover, its good Special Defense stat coupled with its typing gives Hoopa-U entry points on certain special attackers like Mega Alakazam and Mega Latias. However, its Speed stat, despite being good enough to outspeed most defensive Pokemon, leaves it at the mercy of a number of faster offensive threats, such as Mega Medicham, Kartana, and Tapu Lele. This issue is exacerbated by the combination of Hoopa-U's poor physical bulk and a quadruple weakness to the very common U-turn, meaning Hoopa-U will struggle against faster pivots such as Tornadus-T, Landorus-T, and Tapu Koko.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Psychic / Psyshock
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Fightinium Z / Darkinium Z
ability: Magician
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 32 HP / 224 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Nasty Plot gives Hoopa-U the ability to beat most of its checks and, overall, greatly threaten any kind of defensive structure. Dark Pulse is Hoopa-U's best special Dark-type STAB move, with the added bonus of occasionally making foes flinch, giving a potential backdoor against every Pokemon slower than Hoopa-U. Its improved version, Black Hole Eclipse, is a powerful nuke to OHKO common defensive Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Mega Scizor. Psychic is a solid secondary STAB move that nicely complements Dark Pulse, allowing Hoopa-U to threaten many Dark-resistant Pokemon, such as Kommo-o and Tapu Fini, while hitting Toxapex much harder. Psyshock, while weaker than Psychic, helps Hoopa-U to beat the likes of Chansey more easily, which is especially helpful on variants not running Fightinium Z. Finally, Focus Blast, with its accuracy patched for one time thanks to Fightinium Z, covers the few Pokemon that withstand Hoopa-U's STAB moves, such as Mega Tyranitar, Mega Mawile, and Magearna.
Set Details
========
32 HP EVs ensure Hoopa-U always takes two Focus Blasts from Mega Alakazam from full health. Maximum Speed investment alongside a Timid nature lets Hoopa-U outspeed Timid Heatran and Jolly Tapu Bulu. A Modest nature can be used to secure the OHKO on Chansey at +2 with All-Out Pummeling and have a better roll to OHKO Gliscor at +2 with Dark Pulse while still being able to outspeed Modest Heatran.
Usage Tips
========
Hoopa-U needs to remain relatively healthy in order to trade more easily with its checks and, first and foremost, wallbreak. Therefore, an extensive usage of pivoting moves, such as U-turn and Volt Switch, is recommended in order to conserve its HP. Ideally, Hoopa-U should be brought in on passive defensive Pokemon, such as Toxapex and defensive Kommo-o, that offer Hoopa-U opportunities to set up with Nasty Plot and soften the opposing team with its STAB moves. The decision of whether to attack or set up depends on the opposing team's structure. In general, it is better to spam attacks versus offensive teams, due to them having a multitude of ways to revenge kill Hoopa-U, whereas setting up Nasty Plot versus defensive teams has a higher chance to score several KOs. Finally, knowing when to trigger Hoopa-U's Z-Move is an important aspect of the Pokemon. Conserving it to keep the threat of Hoopa-U beating one of its checks is essential for Hoopa-U to pressure the opposing team and open up its teammates.
Team Options
========
Hoopa-U fits best on offense, bulky offense, and balance teams that appreciate its wallbreaking capabilities and can give it proper support. Pivoting teammates are greatly appreciated to provide Hoopa-U more opportunities to get in safely and wallbreak. Mega Scizor and Magearna are strong answers to Fairy-types. Rocky Helmet users, such as Landorus-T and Zapdos, force the opponent to think twice when it comes to clicking U-turn against Hoopa-U; Rocky Helmet Garchomp fits this category minus access to pivoting moves. Zapdos is especially good in that role, since Static can slow down most users of U-turn, meaning they are no longer able to outspeed and threaten Hoopa-U. Tapu Koko is a noteworthy partner that serves both as a late-game cleaner, appreciating Hoopa-U's wallbreaking ability, and as an offensive pivot, helping Hoopa-U to get on the field safely. Finally, utility pivots such as Tornadus-T, Gliscor, and Rotom-W provide Defog to avoid chip damage from entry hazards on Hoopa-U. In terms of offensive partners, Tapu Lele forms an unstoppable core with Hoopa-U for any defensive teams, combining to overload Steel-types incredibly quickly. Additionally, Tapu Lele both boosts the power of Hoopa-U's Psychic and protects it from Mega Mawile's Sucker Punch and Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch with Psychic Terrain. Mega Medicham has similar synergy at the cost of using the Mega Evolution slot. Keldeo likes Hoopa-U's ability to wear down Tapu Fini and pressure Mega Latias, while Keldeo provides resistance to U-turn and Dark-type moves. Cleaners that struggle against bulkier structures, including Mega Lopunny and Choice Scarf users such as Kartana, love Hoopa-U's favorable matchup against these teams. Victini is another Choice Scarf user that fits this category but with the added bonus of having an answer to Fairy-types, access to U-turn, and the potential to snipe Hoopa-U's checks with Final Gambit. When it comes to defensive partners, Heatran puts both a 4x resistance to Fairy- and Bug-type attacks and Stealth Rock on the table to support Hoopa-U's wallbreaking. Tapu Fini is a solid answer to offensive Dark-types such as Weavile and Ash-Greninja, and it helps Hoopa-U switch into walls using Scald and status moves more easily thanks to Misty Terrain.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Scarf helps patch up Hoopa-U's subpar Speed stat, improving its matchup against the likes of Tapu Lele, Mega Medicham, and Kartana. However, without Choice Band or offensive Z-Moves, Hoopa-U will have a much more difficult time wallbreaking defensive structures. Assault Vest elevates Hoopa-U's already good special bulk, allowing it to soft check the likes of Mega Alakazam and Mega Latios. On physically oriented Hoopa-U variants, Knock Off is a safe progress-making option that punishes common Fairy-types such as Tapu Fini, Clefable, and Magearna, though it's not useful against Mega Evolutions like Mega Mawile and Mega Scizor.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Threats**: Faster physical threats such as Kartana, Mega Medicham, and Mega Charizard X are all able to OHKO Hoopa-U due to its low physical bulk. Faster U-turn users, even ones with no investment in Attack, such as Tornadus-T, Gliscor, and specially oriented Tapu Koko, are even more noteworthy, since they will force Hoopa-U out and always gain momentum.
**Fairy-types**: Magearna and Mega Mawile are able to switch in on both of Hoopa-U's STAB moves and force it out with their Fairy-type moves, but they can be beaten with coverage such as Fire Punch on Choice Band variants or Fighting-type moves like Focus Blast, especially when they're boosted into All-Out Pummeling. Tapu Fini and Clefable do not mind taking Hoopa-U's Dark-type STAB move and retaliating back with Moonblast, but they have to be careful about a potential Gunk Shot and Psychic-type STAB moves. Tapu Lele and Mega Diancie outspeed Hoopa-U and threaten an OHKO with Moonblast as well, though they are much less consistent switch-ins.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Mega Tyranitar and Weavile can switch in on Hoopa-U's STAB moves and threaten it back with Stone Edge and Knock Off, respectively. Moreover, they can punish Hoopa-U even further with Pursuit, which is made even easier by the Defense drop from Hyperspace Fury and a potential Choice item to lock Hoopa-U into its move. However, relevant Dark-types need to be aware of Hoopa-U's potential Fighting-type coverage.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/diyusi.519886/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/cm-reuniclus.620979/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Blessed with high offensive stats, an advantageous offensive typing, and access to many useful coverage moves, Hoopa-U finds its niche as an efficient wallbreaker, able to disassemble opposing bulky teams. Moreover, its good Special Defense stat coupled with its typing gives Hoopa-U entry points on certain special attackers like Mega Alakazam and Mega Latias. However, its Speed stat, despite being good enough to outspeed most defensive Pokemon, leaves it at the mercy of a number of faster offensive threats, such as Mega Medicham, Kartana, and Tapu Lele. This issue is exacerbated by the combination of Hoopa-U's poor physical bulk and a quadruple weakness to the very common U-turn, meaning Hoopa-U will struggle against faster pivots such as Tornadus-T, Landorus-T, and Tapu Koko.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Psychic / Psyshock
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Fightinium Z / Darkinium Z
ability: Magician
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 32 HP / 224 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Nasty Plot gives Hoopa-U the ability to beat most of its checks and, overall, greatly threaten any kind of defensive structure. Dark Pulse is Hoopa-U's best special Dark-type STAB move, with the added bonus of occasionally making foes flinch, giving a potential backdoor against every Pokemon slower than Hoopa-U. Its improved version, Black Hole Eclipse, is a powerful nuke to OHKO common defensive Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Mega Scizor. Psychic is a solid secondary STAB move that nicely complements Dark Pulse, allowing Hoopa-U to threaten many Dark-resistant Pokemon, such as Kommo-o and Tapu Fini, while hitting Toxapex much harder. Psyshock, while weaker than Psychic, helps Hoopa-U to beat the likes of Chansey more easily, which is especially helpful on variants not running Fightinium Z. Finally, Focus Blast, with its accuracy patched for one time thanks to Fightinium Z, covers the few Pokemon that withstand Hoopa-U's STAB moves, such as Mega Tyranitar, Mega Mawile, and Magearna.
Set Details
========
32 HP EVs ensure Hoopa-U always takes two Focus Blasts from Mega Alakazam from full health. Maximum Speed investment alongside a Timid nature lets Hoopa-U outspeed Timid Heatran and Jolly Tapu Bulu. A Modest nature can be used to secure the OHKO on Chansey at +2 with All-Out Pummeling and have a better roll to OHKO Gliscor at +2 with Dark Pulse while still being able to outspeed Modest Heatran.
Usage Tips
========
Hoopa-U needs to remain relatively healthy in order to trade more easily with its checks and, first and foremost, wallbreak. Therefore, an extensive usage of pivoting moves, such as U-turn and Volt Switch, is recommended in order to conserve its HP. Ideally, Hoopa-U should be brought in on passive defensive Pokemon, such as Toxapex and defensive Kommo-o, that offer Hoopa-U opportunities to set up with Nasty Plot and soften the opposing team with its STAB moves. The decision of whether to attack or set up depends on the opposing team's structure. In general, it is better to spam attacks versus offensive teams, due to them having a multitude of ways to revenge kill Hoopa-U, whereas setting up Nasty Plot versus defensive teams has a higher chance to score several KOs. Finally, knowing when to trigger Hoopa-U's Z-Move is an important aspect of the Pokemon. Conserving it to keep the threat of Hoopa-U beating one of its checks is essential for Hoopa-U to pressure the opposing team and open up its teammates.
Team Options
========
Hoopa-U fits best on offense, bulky offense, and balance teams that appreciate its wallbreaking capabilities and can give it proper support. Pivoting teammates are greatly appreciated to provide Hoopa-U more opportunities to get in safely and wallbreak. Mega Scizor and Magearna are strong answers to Fairy-types. Rocky Helmet users, such as Landorus-T and Zapdos, force the opponent to think twice when it comes to clicking U-turn against Hoopa-U; Rocky Helmet Garchomp fits this category minus access to pivoting moves. Zapdos is especially good in that role, since Static can slow down most users of U-turn, meaning they are no longer able to outspeed and threaten Hoopa-U. Tapu Koko is a noteworthy partner that serves both as a late-game cleaner, appreciating Hoopa-U's wallbreaking ability, and as an offensive pivot, helping Hoopa-U to get on the field safely. Finally, utility pivots such as Tornadus-T, Gliscor, and Rotom-W provide Defog to avoid chip damage from entry hazards on Hoopa-U. In terms of offensive partners, Tapu Lele forms an unstoppable core with Hoopa-U for any defensive teams, combining to overload Steel-types incredibly quickly. Additionally, Tapu Lele both boosts the power of Hoopa-U's Psychic and protects it from Mega Mawile's Sucker Punch and Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch with Psychic Terrain. Mega Medicham has similar synergy at the cost of using the Mega Evolution slot. Keldeo likes Hoopa-U's ability to wear down Tapu Fini and pressure Mega Latias, while Keldeo provides resistance to U-turn and Dark-type moves. Cleaners that struggle against bulkier structures, including Mega Lopunny and Choice Scarf users such as Kartana, love Hoopa-U's favorable matchup against these teams. Victini is another Choice Scarf user that fits this category but with the added bonus of having an answer to Fairy-types, access to U-turn, and the potential to snipe Hoopa-U's checks with Final Gambit. When it comes to defensive partners, Heatran puts both a 4x resistance to Fairy- and Bug-type attacks and Stealth Rock on the table to support Hoopa-U's wallbreaking. Tapu Fini is a solid answer to offensive Dark-types such as Weavile and Ash-Greninja, and it helps Hoopa-U switch into walls using Scald and status moves more easily thanks to Misty Terrain.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Scarf helps patch up Hoopa-U's subpar Speed stat, improving its matchup against the likes of Tapu Lele, Mega Medicham, and Kartana. However, without Choice Band or offensive Z-Moves, Hoopa-U will have a much more difficult time wallbreaking defensive structures. Assault Vest elevates Hoopa-U's already good special bulk, allowing it to soft check the likes of Mega Alakazam and Mega Latios. On physically oriented Hoopa-U variants, Knock Off is a safe progress-making option that punishes common Fairy-types such as Tapu Fini, Clefable, and Magearna, though it's not useful against Mega Evolutions like Mega Mawile and Mega Scizor.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Threats**: Faster physical threats such as Kartana, Mega Medicham, and Mega Charizard X are all able to OHKO Hoopa-U due to its low physical bulk. Faster U-turn users, even ones with no investment in Attack, such as Tornadus-T, Gliscor, and specially oriented Tapu Koko, are even more noteworthy, since they will force Hoopa-U out and always gain momentum.
**Fairy-types**: Magearna and Mega Mawile are able to switch in on both of Hoopa-U's STAB moves and force it out with their Fairy-type moves, but they can be beaten with coverage such as Fire Punch on Choice Band variants or Fighting-type moves like Focus Blast, especially when they're boosted into All-Out Pummeling. Tapu Fini and Clefable do not mind taking Hoopa-U's Dark-type STAB move and retaliating back with Moonblast, but they have to be careful about a potential Gunk Shot and Psychic-type STAB moves. Tapu Lele and Mega Diancie outspeed Hoopa-U and threaten an OHKO with Moonblast as well, though they are much less consistent switch-ins.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Mega Tyranitar and Weavile can switch in on Hoopa-U's STAB moves and threaten it back with Stone Edge and Knock Off, respectively. Moreover, they can punish Hoopa-U even further with Pursuit, which is made even easier by the Defense drop from Hyperspace Fury and a potential Choice item to lock Hoopa-U into its move. However, relevant Dark-types need to be aware of Hoopa-U's potential Fighting-type coverage.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/diyusi.519886/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/cm-reuniclus.620979/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Last edited:
