Gen 3 Houndour (NU Analysis)

[Rabia]

https://www.smogon.com/dex/rs/pokemon/houndour/

[Overview]

If your team really, really needs Chimecho out of the way, then your long search for a solution is over. Houndour is typically immune to Chimecho's offensive moves, and with STAB Pursuit and Crunch Houndour can easily take it out, even if it tries to switch out or has boosted with Calm Mind. Houndour is also decently strong, meaning it's not totally useless outside of this specific role. Don't get your hopes too high though, as Houndour's frailty is extreme, meaning it's easily OHKOed by almost everything faster than it or by anything that can withstand one of its STAB moves. Diglett is going to be a better trapper for your team almost 99% of the time, but if your team absolutely needs Chimecho crippled or out of the game then Houndour may be the solution you're looking for.

[SET]
name: Pursuit Trapper
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Taunt
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
- Pursuit and Crunch ensure that Chimecho will be severely maimed and deal a decent amount to most of the Pokemon slower than it
- Fire Blast can get a Flash Fire boost and takes out Mawile and Grass-types
- Will-O-Wisp allows Houndour to cripple slower tanks like Relicanth and hard switches like Hitmonchan
- Taunt protects Houndour from status from Chimecho and ensures it can't stay in and keep boosting with Calm Mind

[ADDITIONAL SET COMMENTS]
- Timid lets Houndour outspeed as much as possible as it's pretty much KOed by anything faster than it
- Overheat an option over Fire Blast for more power
- BlackGlasses or Charcoal an option over Leftovers since Houndour isn't going to eat more than an attack or two anyway
- Sunny Day and Solar Beam an option as well to support Bellossom and Tangela
- Needs a teammate that appreciates Chimecho crippled or out. Agility Hitmonchan, Choice Band Golbat, Dragon Dance Pupitar examples

[Other Options]
- Sub + Reversal
- Thief and Toxic
- Hidden Power Grass or Water

[Checks and Counters]
- Anything faster than it not named Haunter
- Wailord and other Water-types
- Flareon
- Relicanth
- Kecleon

 

[DurzaOffTopic]

HP Grass is a good option for things like Relicanth, Pupitar (which in particular is less reliable with wisp neutering because of shed skin) and Whiscash. Mention that dealing with Chimecho needs some prediction, especially if lacking Taunt, as many sets can stall out Pursuit with Toxic + Protect, forcing Crunch, and not reliably trapping Chimecho. This is further compounded if Chimecho has already boosted with Calm Mind.

I'd personally run BlackGlasses on this set 100% of the time, Houndour has horrible bulk and the damage boost can really be useful in KOing Chimecho with only a minor bit of chip damage.

A big drawback to using Houndour is the presence of Sableye, as it will almost always wall every variant of Chimecho, and CM sets can set up on it. I'd emphasize that Wisp is another reason to use Houndour, you've highlighted Pursuit as the main reason to use it well.

 

[Bughouse]

This should make clear that Houndour can, in ideal conditions, also trap Haunter. Both Haunter and Chimecho are top threats and neither cares about diglett in the slightest. The two trappers are therefore not remotely comparable.

Also you can use Endure + Salac to improve the Haunter trapping match up, though it can be played around if Haunter has the right set and guesses right. Leftovers is practically useless on a mon this frail anyway.

 

[Rabia]

marking this analysis as one to come back to