Balanced Hackmons

Analysis written by RNGIsFatal.
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Kyurem-W

Overview

Unlike other -ate users, Kyurem-W does not rely on priority. While it is weak to them because of its poor defensive stats, it has the potential to fire off strong attacks with its monsterous base 170 Special Attack stat. In addition, Kyurem-W's unique typing allows it to purge through walls such as Zygarde-C, defensive Primal Groudon variants, Giratina, and Fur Coat users that do not resist its STAB moves.

In addition, Kyurem-W's STAB combination is only resisted by Steel-types, and this gives it a niche due to its capability to purge through defensively oriented teams. It's somewhat easy to prepare a wall for Imposter by carefully choosing coverage moves.

However, weakness to entry hazards usually limit the times Kyurem-W can switch in. Kyurem-W's typing does not provide much resistances and its defensive stats are not impressive. Therefore, it is easily revenge killed or forced out. In addition, Kyurem-W is forced to equip Choice Items to fulfill its role: Choice Scarf is needed to outspeed many threats such as all Mewtwo variants with its mediocre base 95 Speed, and Choice Specs is required to net guaranteed OHKOs against Assault Vest Zygarde-C, Giratina, and Primal Groudon.

Refrigerate

Set Comments

Moves

Boomburst is mandatory in this set due to its ridiculous raw power that allows Kyurem-W to purge through bulky Ground-types and Dragon-types. It also dents anything that doesn't resist it, including all forms of Primal Groudon and Mewtwo. Techno Blast can be used if one is wary of walls with Soundproof such as Mega Slowbro and Mega Aggron, but it has significantly low PP and is unable to hit through Substitutes. Extreme Speed can be used to pick up on weak or frail foes once they lack anti-priority abilities or field conditions. Secret Sword can be used to make Kyurem-W a mixed sweeper by targeting specially defensive walls that are not capable of taking many physical damage, such as defensive variants of Chansey and Mega Gyarados, while Blue Flare is another option to hit aforementioned foes with better power and apply considerable chance to burn in exchange of having imperfect accuracy. Core Enforcer is a good option that has high Base Power and is STAB while nullifying the switch-in's abilities. Draco Meteor can be used to launch a strong attack, but it weakens Kyurem-W afterwards and is generally inferior to Refrigerated Boomburst. Switcheroo can be used to cripple walls that prevent Kyurem-W from fulfilling its role, while Moongeist Beam can be used to target Solgaleo or Sturdy Shedinja. Finally, Volt Switch can be utilized to hit the likes of Primal Kyogre or Mega Gyarados super effectively while maintaining momentum.

Set Details

One should always choose a nature that boosts Speed regardless of the item Kyurem-W is holding. Such investment will allow Kyurem-W with Choice Scarf to outspeed threats including all Mewtwo variants, Mega Rayquaza that lack priority, and other Choice Scarf users with base Speed below 95. A Naive nature should be chosen if Extreme Speed is included in the set in order to allow Kyurem-W to safely OHKO Pheromosa and Deoxys-A that lack Dazzling or Queenly Majesty and is not under Psychic Terrain. Choice Scarf is generally preferred due to the fact that Kyurem-W cannot outspeed unboosted Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Gengar, and Deoxys-A. Choice Specs provides Kyurem-W with significantly better power, allowing it to 2HKO foes such as Kyogre or Registeel after some prior damage and depending on their investment.

Usage Tips

Kyurem-W is relatively frail, especially with a Naive nature. Therefore, it should never switch into any attacks other than weak attacks like U-turns from slow pivots. Even they can be risky to switch into, though, as many RegenVest pivots like Solgaleo and Mega Gyarados having high-Base Power attacks. When Kyurem-W's HP is low, never send it into the battle until its checks, such as the likes of Registeel, Solgaleo, and Primal Kyogre, are gone. Especially if it still has its Choice item, one should try their best to protect Kyurem-W due to its late-game sweeping potential, especially if it has Choice Scarf. In addition, if Kyurem-W is holding Choice item, one should make serious consideration before deciding to lock Kyurem-W into Extreme Speed. It is vitally important not to use Extreme Speed until one ensures the foe is susceptible to priority moves. Failure to do so will immediately turn Kyurem-W into setup fodder, unless it has already passed its Choice Scarf to the foe. Another fact to be aware of when using Choice-locked Kyurem-W is that choosing coverage moves like Earth Power will give an opportunity for Flying-types to freely switch in without harm. Switcheroo should be used when one can clearly predict the switch against Kyurem-W. Common switch-ins for Kyurem-W include Registeel, Aegislash, Mega Gyarados, and Solgaleo. RegenVest pivots like Mega Gyarados and Solgaleo will have their walling capabilities significantly hindered without Assault Vest and no longer be able to perform slow U-turn after they are locked into Choice Scarf.

Team Options

Slow pivots with moves such as U-turn and Parting Shot, such as Mega Gyarados, Mega Audino, Registeel, and Solgaleo are great support for Kyurem-W, since they allow Kyurem-W to safely switch into a foe whose Focus Sash is not intact or weakened from Parting Shot. Also, due to its weakness to Stealth Rock, entry hazard removers are mandatory on a team. Good options for this case will be RegenVest pivots with Rapid Spin or bulky allies with Defog such as Zygarde-C, Registeel, and Mega Audino. Even if Kyurem-W may have high Speed with Choice Scarf, anti-priority support from a team is necessary due to the abundance of Triage. A lead with Psychic Surge, such as Mega Mewtwo Y, or any fast ally would be a good option. This set needs Imposter-proofing support. One should always have an ally that can check their own Kyurem-W, since no moves from the set above can OHKO its own Imposter, even with critical hits. Steel-types that can take Boomburst, Dragon-type moves, and coverage moves will be a great option in terms of checking an Imposter. Primal Groudon pairs well with Kyurem-W, since it can check specially bulky foes or problematic Steel-types. It can threaten all Fairy-types, Gyarados that lack Water-type moves, Solgaleo, Registeel, defensive Dialga, and Aegislash all of which Kyurem-W have a hard time purging through. Teammates that can deal with sudden burst of damage or boosts from set ups are necessary due to the fact that Kyurem-W will have to switch after firing off an attack and allows another foe to switch in while Kyurem-W is locked into a move that they can take.

Contrary Wallbreaker

Set Comments

Moves

Draco Meteor is the main STAB and spammable move, denting Pokemon that resist it after couple boosts from Contrary. Overheat is another Contrary-utilizing move that can dent Steel-types such as Solgaleo and Registeel, which wall Kyurem-W without such coverage. Unlike the previous two boosting moves, Leaf Storm can be used to break through Water-types, such as Mega Gyarados and Primal Kyogre. Moongeist Beam, if Kyurem-W has already passed its Choice Scarf to the foe, can be used to break through Unaware or Sturdy Shedinja that would otherwise wall this set. Switcheroo can be used to cripple walls that disrupt the whole team, locking them into a single move.

Set Details

A Modest nature is not preferred due to its inability to let Kyurem-W outspeed other Choice Scarf users or the likes of Mega Mewtwo Y and Pheromosa. Choice Specs is not necessary, as Contrary allows Kyurem-W to constantly gain Special Attack boosts, and Choice Scarf is much better in terms of late-game clean up. Life Orb can be used to boost Kyurem-W's power, but it leaves it very vulnerable against faster foes or its own Imposter. A Naive nature is an interesting and considerable option, as it allows Kyurem-W to OHKO its own Imposter after a single Contrary boost from Draco Meteor, as the Imposter will copy a nature that decreases their Special Defense. Choice Scarf will allow Kyurem-W to win the Speed tie in this case unless Imposter Blissey holds a Choice Scarf.

Usage Tips

Kyurem-W should switch in after a slow U-turn or Parting Shot from allies due to its relatively poor typing and unimpressive bulk. When the opponent has defensive walls, make sure that they do not have Unaware or rare Innards Out from the likes of Lunala or Kyurem-B, which have fairly high HP stat that can be utilized in such a case. Switcheroo, while it can cripple walls, will lock Kyurem-W into mediocre Speed in exchange; therefore, careful considerations are required before using it. Even Spectral Thief users with Focus Sash will be unable to stop this set, as they can only take boosts from Special Attack, meaning they won't be able to do major damage to Kyurem-W in return.

Team Options

Due to Kyurem-W's terrifying power that can potentially be boosted by Contrary, there are very limited number of sets that can wall this set, such as Unaware. Allies that can scout for abilities, such as Normalize Mega Gengar with Entrainment, are the best partner for Kyurem-W. In addition, Draco Meteor has 90% accuracy, and that means Kyurem-W will sometimes fail to check its own Imposter. Therefore, having a Fairy-type Unaware wall in the team, such as Mega Audino or Xerneas, will prevent Kyurem-W's team being swept by their own ally. If one wishes to sweep with non-Choice Scarf Kyurem-W with Contrary, a partner that can use Sticky Web and block Rapid Spin, such as Giratina or Aegislash, are going to be a great option.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

If one favors safer Dragon-type moves, Clanging Scales can be replaced with Core Enforcer on the Refrigerate set. Not having Core Enforcer will let RegenVest pivot in one's team to remain healthy while constantly checking Imposter transformed as Kyurem-W. A different set with Draco Plate, Judgment, Ice Beam, Moongeist Beam, and Quiver Dance with Dazzling can be a fast sweeper that is not locked into one move while also being able to hit its own Imposter super effectively. However, this set is easily walled or threatened by Prankster Pokemon with Haze, bulky foes with Spectral Thief, or any Unaware foes with type advantage. Using Galvanize with a set of Boomburst, Ice Beam, Moongeist Beam or Blue Flare, and Switcheroo can be instead of Refrigerate to surprise the foe. This set allows Kyurem-W to check Water-type switch-ins such as Mega Gyarados and Primal Kyogre that can easily wall Refrigerate set, but this is generally inferior to Refrigerate set outside of this.

Checks and Counters

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