
(Hex)
Dragapult @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Fairy
Timid Nature
- Hex
- Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Wave
- U-turn
- Draco Meteor
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
===================
Dragapult is an excellent offensive pivot, thanks to U-turn paired with an incredibly high Speed stat alongside powerful status moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave. This deadly combination allows it to manuever around slower threats and cripple foes consistently over the course of a match. Hex is a great way of checking Poison Heal Pokemon like Gliscor and Snaelstrom, using their own status against them while also abusing its own status conditions as well. Will-O-Wisp can be used to neutralize threatening Physical Attackers such as Kitsunoh, Great Tusk, or Zamazenta, while Thunder Wave can be used to cripple Pokemon that have an immunity to Burn like Iron Moth or Mollux, and slow down fast attackers like Darkrai, Stratagem, or Cresceidon, allowing its teammates to switch in and effectively deal with them. Draco Meteor is the STAB move of choice, nailing opposing Dragon-types such as Walking Wake, Miasmaw, and Chuggalong before Clangorous Soul. Tera Fairy is used to turn Dragapult's Dragon-type weakness into an immunity while also allowing it to become resistant to Dark-type attacks from the likes of Darkrai or Kingambit.
Dragapult is a great pick for offensive balanced teams, being a complement to entry hazard setters such as Arghonaut, Gliscor, or Mollux, that can assist it by chipping down foes who don't have Heavy Duty Boots or reliable hazard removal. In return, Dragapult can assist these Pokemon by being a reliable Speed control that can switch in and spread Status or deal good damage then pivot. Knock Off users like Colossoil or Kitsunoh pair greatly with Dragapult to remove Heavy Duty Boots from opposing Pokemon to help force further chip damage when coupled with Will-O-Wisp variants alongside entry hazards. Fairy-type Pokemon like Hemogoblin and Cresceidon threaten Dragapult around every corner, making Pokemon like Venomicon or Galarian Slowking great teammates to let Dragapult safely pivot out. Galarian Slowking pairs well with Dragapult with Chilly Reception, allowing it to have a solid pivot core. In return, Dragapult removes Ghost- and Dragon- type threats to them with its powerful dual STAB, though when using Hex Dragapult needs to spread status first and foremost. Although Dragapult has a Speed tier almost unmatched in the metagame, Booster Energy users like Iron Valiant or Iron Treads can threaten Dragapult, so bulky defensive teammates like Equilibra can efficiently be switched in to take a super effective hit aimed at Dragapult. The aforementioned Fairy-type Pokemon also partner well with Dragapult as they can help ease pressure against opposing Dragon-types while powering up Dragapult's Hex from their own status moves.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Considering that Dragapult can barely touch Fairy-types, they always threaten it out on the field especially bulky defensive Fairy types like Clefable and Cresceidon, with both being able to spread Paralysis and slowing Dragapult down. Though, Cresceidon doesn't like to be statused in return. Faster threats like Booster Energy Iron Valiant & Pixilate Extreme Speed Hemogoblin can outspeed and KO Dragapult. Iron Valiant, however, can only check Dragapult one time with Booster Energy, while Hemogoblin's Extreme Speed has limited PP.
**Dark-types**: Ting-Lu, Darkrai, or Samurott Hisui, are key threats that can hit Dragapult with a super effective attack or be a reliable switch in to Hex due to their Ghost resistance. However, status can hinder these foes, as Darkrai doesn't enjoy being paralyzed while Ting-Lu and Samurott Hisui fear being burned. Additionally, Knock-Off users like Weavile and Choice Scarf Samurott Hisui can not only get rid of Dragapult's item, but also hit it super effectively.
**Shox**: Shox is one of the best counters to Dragapult as it has an immunity to Ghost moves, immunity to Thunder Wave, doesn't care if it gets burned, and carries moves like Ice Beam, Knock Off, or Encore.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/elvira.635656/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/kenn.604741/
Grammar checked by:
Last edited: