[OVERVIEW]
Hydreigon is a devastatingly powerful wallbreaker in UU due to its incredible Special Attack, great movepool, and excellent STAB combination. Its Choice Specs set has no reliable switch-ins apart from Primarina and Chansey, ripping apart common defensive staples like Amoonguss, Scizor, and Hippowdon. Hydreigon also can utilize a Choice Scarf set to revenge kill setup sweepers and fast threats, like Gyarados, Zygarde-10%, and Azelf, while also having a fast U-turn to escape unfavorable matchups and potentially Defog to compress entry hazard removal. Hydreigon's decent defensive typing alongside recovery in Roost lets it naturally check threats like Slowking, Rotom-W, and Chandelure. However, Choice Specs Hydreigon has an exploitable Speed tier, falling short of staples like Salamence, Thundurus-T, Keldeo, and Cobalion, which allows it to be revenge killed rather easily. On the other hand, the Choice Scarf set lacks the outright power to get past Hippowdon, Mandibuzz, and Celesteela, and it also can get heavily punished for locking into any move, with more offensive teams outright using it as setup bait. The presence of Fairy-types that are neutral to Flash Cannon like Primarina and Azumarill means Hydreigon can struggle to click a nuclear Draco Meteor when they're on the enemy team. Moreover, it suffers from four-moveslot syndrome, as it has to choose between Flamethrower to cook Celesteela, Cobalion, and bulky Scizor or Flash Cannon to keep the aforementioned Fairy-types and Togekiss from blanking it.
[SET]
name: HYDREIGON SPECS
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Roost / U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Hydreigon's dual STAB combination hits most of the tier for massive damage, wiping out the likes of Nihilego, Slowking, Tangrowth, and Moltres. Flamethrower OHKOes Scizor and Cobalion and cleanly 2HKOes Celesteela and Assault Vest Tangrowth. Fire Blast is another option for more power, but Flamethrower gets the same KOs as Fire Blast and has better accuracy. Alternatively, Flash Cannon prevents Primarina and Azumarill from walling Hydreigon while also hitting Togekiss super effectively. Roost helps offset passive damage from Stealth Rock and sand while also letting Hydreigon switch into Volt Switch from Rotom-H and Rotom-W, allowing it to maintain defensive utility while being a powerful wallbreaker. Additionally, it gives Hydreigon the option to switch into Knock Off and still be a dangerous threat. U-turn can be used to evade unfavorable matchups against the likes of Primarina and Chansey. Sleep Talk is an option to absorb Spore from Amoonguss for its team and still function as a wallbreaker, though it can be rather inconsistent. Hydro Pump can nail Hippowdon, Nihilego, and Excadrill for heavy damage while being a good midground option against Scizor and Togekiss, but it is harder to fit compared to other options. Maximum Speed investment with a Timid nature allows Hydreigon to outspeed and KO threats like Moltres, Excadrill, and Tentacruel.
Hydreigon best fits on offensive teams that enjoy having a powerful wallbreaker that can overwhelm Slowking and Hippowdon, and ideally give it ample opportunities to fire off powerful attacks in return. Tentacruel is a key partner for Hydreigon, being able to reliably switch into Primarina and remove Stealth Rock, which wears Hydreigon down. It also blanks Celesteela and can use Knock Off to remove Eviolite from Chansey. Bulky Grass-types like Amoonguss and Assault Vest Tangrowth also check Azumarill and Primarina for Hydreigon. Primarina and the aforementioned Amoonguss can check dangerous Fighting-types like Keldeo and Conkeldurr. Pivots like Rotom-W, Thundurus-T, and Moltres can safely bring in Hydreigon against their answers like Amoonguss and Rotom-H. The former two also can threaten Primarina and Azumarill. Furthermore, slow pivots like Slowking and Chansey check revenge killers to Hydreigon like Keldeo, Salamence, and Azelf and get Hydreigon in especially safely against Skarmory and Tangrowth. Crobat and Choice Scarf Diggersby are also excellent partners for Hydreigon, revenge killing faster threats like Keldeo and Azelf. Both lure in Skarmory for Hydreigon; the former also compresses entry hazard removal and answers Conkeldurr, while the latter can bring Hydreigon in on Amoonguss and Tangrowth and threaten specially defensive walls like Chansey and Primarina. Entry hazard support from allies like Skarmory, Nihilego, and Hippowdon helps Hydreigon break past the likes of opposing Nihilego and Celesteela more easily, with even Chansey being overwhelmed with Spikes on the field. Nihilego also can use Knock Off to remove items from Celesteela and Chansey. Scizor and Cobalion are able to pressure specially defensive walls like Chansey, Nihilego, and Umbreon for Hydreigon. Late-game cleaners like the aforementioned Scizor, Zygarde-10%, and Gyarados can finish off weakened walls like Celesteela and Nihilego after Hydreigon breaks holes in the enemy team.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Fire Blast / Defog / Roost
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
When equipped with a Choice Scarf, Hydreigon can revenge kill faster threats like Azelf, Zygarde-10%, and Keldeo, as well as setup sweepers like Gyarados, with its STAB moves. U-turn lets Hydreigon pivot away from Chansey and Primarina and bring in a teammate to handle them. Fire Blast OHKOes Steel-types like Scizor, Cobalion, and Excadrill and 2HKOes Assault Vest Tangrowth. Alternatively, Defog allows Hydreigon to compress emergency entry hazard removal. Roost lets Hydreigon utilize its typing to switch into Chandelure, Rotom-W, and Slowking and heal as it forces them out, though both it and Defog are troublesome to lock into. Roost is also is useful if Hydreigon chooses to take a Knock Off in a game where Choice Scarf is no longer needed. Earth Power can be used to hit Nihilego hard if the team needs the insurance, but it fails to OHKO without chip damage and lacks any other meaningful targets that a STAB move or Fire Blast cannot cover. A Modest nature can be used for more power at the cost of not outspeeding +1 Excadrill, +2 Cloyster, and Choice Scarf Darmanitan.
Hydreigon best fits on bulky offense teams that appreciate the role compression of revenge killer, Ghost-resistant piece, and potential entry hazard remover in one Pokemon. Tentacruel, Tangrowth, and Amoonguss check Fairy-types like Primarina and Azumarill for Hydreigon; Tentacruel also can hinder Celesteela with Knock Off, and Liquid Ooze keeps it from clicking Leech Seed. Entry hazard removal from the aforementioned Tentacruel and Excadrill is needed to offset the chip damage from Stealth Rock that Hydreigon accumulates from frequent pivoting. They also free up the Defog moveslot on Hydreigon for another option like Roost. Entry hazard support from Hippowdon, Nidoqueen, and Excadrill can wear down threats like Gyarados, Nihilego, Keldeo, and Assault Vest Tangrowth for Hydreigon to get past. Nidoqueen also pressures Fairy-types like Hatterene and Primarina. Bulky Swords Dance Scizor beats checks to Hydreigon like Nihilego and Chansey and can clean late-game with certain faster threats like Thundurus-T and Salamence removed. Wallbreakers like Mamoswine and Keldeo appreciate Hydreigon revenge killing threats to them such as Starmie, Azelf, and Zygarde-10%. In return, they pressure Chansey and Nihilego and soften up Celesteela. Pivots like Rotom-H, Rotom-W, and Thundurus-T form VoltTurn cores with Hydreigon, with each wearing down each other's checks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hydreigon can use an offensive Roost set on bulky offense and balance teams that appreciate its defensive utility in addition to powerful wallbreaking. Taunt is common on this set to block entry hazards from the likes of Hippowdon and Chansey as well as to disrupt stall teams by shutting down threats like Umbreon and Chansey. Nasty Plot can be used to turn Hydreigon into a ferocious wallbreaker that can get many setup chances alongside Roost. With a boost, it can easily break past Pokemon that would normally switch into it like Celesteela, Mandibuzz, and Hippowdon using its STAB moves. However, this set thuds into Primarina and gets revenge killed easily. Shock Wave on the Choice Specs set is an option to keep Primarina from walling Hydreigon, cleanly 2HKOing most variants. Belch + Salac Berry + Nasty Plot + Substitute can be used to boost Hydreigon's Speed and OHKO Primarina and Azumarill after a Nasty Plot with Belch, but this set is unreliable because it will often not activate the Berry, rendering Belch useless. Thunder Wave can cripple switch-ins like Nihilego and Cobalion on more utility-based sets.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Primarina is unthreatened by any of Hydreigon's attacks and threatens an OHKO with Moonblast. Azumarill has less bulk and gets worn down by Flash Cannon over time, but it discourages locking into a STAB move in the short term. Togekiss and Hatterene also discourage Draco Meteor but get hit hard by Flash Cannon, and the latter cannot switch into Dark Pulse.
**Fighting-types and Fighting-type Coverage**: Cobalion and Keldeo outspeed and OHKO Hydreigon. Conkeldurr forces Hydreigon out with the threat of a Guts-boosted Mach Punch. Pokemon like Skarmory and Thundurus-T commonly run Fighting-type coverage, keeping Hydreigon from freely switching into them.
**Dragon-types**: Salamence, Noivern, and Zygarde-10% all outspeed and OHKO Hydreigon with their Dragon-type STAB moves. However, they must watch out for Choice Scarf sets revenge killing them before they attack.
**Faster Threats and Priority**: Faster threats like Zarude, Azelf, and Crobat outspeed and threaten heavy damage on Hydreigon. However, they must watch out for Choice Scarf sets trying to revenge kill them. Priority from slower threats like Mamoswine and Scizor can revenge kill a weakened Hydreigon.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Chansey can pivot into any of Hydreigon's attacks and cripple it with Toxic or gain momentum with Teleport. Umbreon can tank a Choice Specs-boosted Draco Meteor and use it for a free Wish, but it gets overwhelmed if it switches into that. Mandibuzz, Hippowdon, Nihilego, and Celesteela all cannot switch into Hydreigon's Choice Specs set reliably, but they comfortably switch into attacks from Choice Scarf Hydreigon.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Monky25, 515132]]
- Quality checked by: [[Lily, 481709], [Mystras Leoxses, 530118], [Estarossa, 461329]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
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