Draft - Hydreigon (Done) (2024)

[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 3 onwards

**Price Range**: 14 points

**Overview**: Hydreigon is a solid wallbreaker that can tailor its moveset to check almost any opponent, thanks to its amazing coverage movepool and great offensive stats. It's immunity to common Ground-type coverage thanks to Levitate also gives it more opportunities to switch in and deal lasting damage over the course of the match, as well a good utility options to disrupt opponents when its teammates cannot do so. Unfortunately, Hydreigon's potential is limited by its mediocre Speed stat, in which it can be exploited by foes to hinder progress, so it is best found as a complementary offensive piece to support a team.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Revenge Killer**: With a Choice Scarf, Hydreigon can break through weakened foes, or act as a solid pivot to keep positive momentum for its teammates.

**Wallbreaker**: Hydreigon can make use of its high Special Attack to punch holes in the opposing team using its strong base power moves. Damage-boosting items such as Choice Specs or a Z-Crystal can elevate its wallbreaking power further, weakening even the sturdiest of walls.

**Setup Sweeper**: Hydreigon can act as a terrifying late-game sweeper with its access to Nasty Plot, however it must be careful of when to commit to the sweep, as it can still be revenge-killed by faster foes. Dragon Dance can also be used to get around this issue, which may require more effort, but this set can also make use of Hydreigon's good physical movepool to lure in special walls that may try to check it. - Hydreigon doesnt have access to neither Plot or Dragon Dance this gen, meaning It cant really act as a set up sweeper

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Dark Pulse, Crunch, Throat Chop, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Outrage, Dragon Tail

**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Dragon Dance, Work Up

**Utility Moves**: Taunt, Thunder Wave, Toxic, Roost, U-turn, Substitute, Defog, Roar

**Coverage**: Earth Power, Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Surf, Flash Cannon, Hidden Power, Focus Blast, Earthquake, Acrobatics, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Fire Fang, Ice Fang, Thunder Fang, Aqua Tail, Superpower, Zen Headbutt - add signal beam

Niche Moves
========
**Belch**: Belch is Hydreigon's only Poison-type move, which can be used in conjunction with Poisonium Z for a one-time nuclear option to deal with problematic Fairy-types.

**Tailwind**: Hydreigon can use Tailwind in situations where it cannot rely on using a Choice-item to function as a revenge killer, boosting speed for itself and its teammates.

**Endure**: Endure allows Hydreigon to survive a fatal move, in which it can then use a Salac Berry to gain a boost in speed and act as a surprise late-game cleaner. This can be particularly useful in situations where Hydreigon is a good lure to opposing Fairy-types that may come in to try and eliminate as quickly as possible. - Doesnt learn endure in gen 7

Add Head smash, its very niche but sees enough usage in Scarf sets that want to catch tornadus-t

Common Items
========
**Choice Scarf**: Donning a Choice Scarf allows Hydreigon to gain a boost to its mediocre Speed and function as a potent revenge killer and a reliable pivot.

**Damage-boosting items**: Hydreigon can make use of a Life Orb to fire off strong attacks and punch holes in the opposing team, whereas Expert Belt may be preferred in matchups where it can make use of its great coverage movepool to hit multiple foes for super-effective damage. Dragon Fang or Black Glasses may be appreciated to give its strong STABs the extra power it needs to muscle through defensive walls, and finally, Choice Specs, albeit risky, can potentially OHKO unresisted foes with a Draco Meteor.

**Z-Crystal**: Hydreigon has good options to upgrade its wallbreaking capabilities further with Z-Crystals. For example, Darknium Z and Dragonium Z can be used to upgrade its existing STABs further to deal massive damage to foes, Fightinium Z can give it a one-time fully accurate move to deal with opposing Dark-types, and finally, Steelium Z can be used to deal heavy damage to Fairy-types that may try to switch in to check it.

Niche Items
========
**Leftovers**: Hydreigon can make use of Leftovers to give it the passive recovery it needs to stay healthy whilst setting up over the course of a match.

**Resistance Berries**: Hydreigon can make use of Resistance berries such as Roseli, Yache or Haban berry to flip momentum in its favor, either firing back with a strong attack or cripple the foe with Toxic or Thunder Wave.

**Pinch Berries**: If the slow-passive recovery of Leftovers is not enough, Hydreigon can use Pinch Berries to give it the longevity it needs to break through a foe or two.

**Eject Pack**: Hydreigon can use Eject Pack in conjunction with Draco Meteor for an immediate switch-out after dealing heavy damage, which may be preferable over U-turn to allow a teammate to quickly finish off the foe. - Eject pack doesnt exist in gen 7

**Assault Vest**: If it expects to go up against specially-based teams, Hydreigon can make use of an Assault Vest to make it tougher to wear down over the course of a match.

Draft Strategy
========
Hydreigon should be drafted as a supporting offensive teammate instead of your main wincon. It is best able to function as a wallbreaker that can allow its faster teammates to clean up later. It also appreciates additional pivot options that can get it on the field and make its offensive role easier.

**Fairy-resistant Pokemon**: Fairy-types are the bane of Hydreigon's existence, so it requires teammates that can easily switch in to their attacks. Pokemon such as Nidoking, Mega Scizor and Heatran are good examples. Replace Mega Scizor with Celesteela as its more common and matchups up better against fairies this gen due to hidden power

**Entry Hazard Support**: Hydreigon appreciates Pokemon that can setup hazards to allow it to have an easier time to eliminate foes. Pokemon such as Jirachi, Nidoqueen and Uxie are good examples.

**Faster Teammates**: Hydreigon's speed is average at best, so it would appreciate teammates that it can support to clean up foes such as Mega Gallade, Zeraora and Tornadus-T. - Replace mega Gallade with Tapu Koko as its one of its best pairs and Lade is a better example in the fighting type section

In this meta fighting types checks are very common so hydreigon has the advantage of supporting fighting types like mega Gallade mega Medicham and Infernape checking those bulky resists

Checks and Counters
========
**Fairy-types**: Hydreigon is immediately threatened out by Fairy-types, which can also easily switch in to its attacks and give them an opportunity to set up. This is especially dangerous if Hydreigon is choice-locked. Pokemon such as Tapu Koko, Mega Mawile and Tapu Fini are foes it has to be especially wary of.

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Despite its great Special Attack stat, Hydreigon can still face trouble against Pokemon such as Primarina, Snorlax and Sylveon, whom can take hits well and either setup or recover the damage off. Sylveon is very uncommon, replace It with Alolan Muk

**Faster Pokemon**: Hydreigon can easily be revenged killed due to its middling Speed stat, as well as take massive damage by faster U-turns and other pivot moves, in which an attack from Hyrdeigon may not leave its desired attack. Pokemon such as the aforementioned Tapu Koko, Mega Diancie and common Choice Scarf user Kartana are potential checks to Hydreigon. - Replace Koko with Zeraora more check diversity

[credits]
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[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 3 onwards

**Price Range**: 14 points

**Overview**: Hydreigon is a solid wallbreaker that can tailor its moveset to check almost any opponent, thanks to its amazing coverage movepool and great offensive stats. It's immunity to common Ground-type coverage thanks to Levitate also gives it more opportunities to switch in and deal lasting damage over the course of the match, as well a good utility options to disrupt opponents when its teammates cannot do so. Unfortunately, Hydreigon's potential is limited by its mediocre Speed stat, in which it can be exploited by foes to hinder progress, so it is best found as a complementary offensive piece to support a team. mention that its almost always forced into scarf, and it struggles against fairies since its stab types struggle vs it, especially on choice sets where clicking flash cannon is risky / can turn it into setup fodder

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Revenge Killer**: With a Choice Scarf, Hydreigon can break through weakened foes, or act as a solid pivot to keep positive momentum for its teammates.

**Wallbreaker**: Hydreigon can make use of its high Special Attack to punch holes in the opposing team using its strong base power moves. Damage-boosting items such as Choice Specs or a Z-Crystal can elevate its wallbreaking power further, weakening even the sturdiest of walls. mention that it can use sub on expected switches for better positioning

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Dark Pulse, Crunch, Throat Chop, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Outrage, Dragon Tail move to utility

**Setup Moves**: Work Up

**Utility Moves**: Taunt, Thunder Wave, Toxic, Roost, U-turn, Substitute, Defog, Roar

**Coverage**: Earth Power, Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Surf, Flash Cannon, Hidden Power, Focus Blast, Earthquake, Acrobatics, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Fire Fang, Ice Fang, Thunder Fang, Aqua Tail, Superpower, Zen Headbutt, Signal Beam

Niche Moves
========
**Belch**: Belch is Hydreigon's only Poison-type move, which can be used in conjunction with Poisonium Z for a one-time nuclear option to deal with problematic Fairy-types.

**Tailwind**: Hydreigon can use Tailwind in situations where it cannot rely on using a Choice-item to function as a revenge killer, boosting speed for itself and its teammates.

**Head Smash**: Hydreigon can use Head Smash on Choice Scarf sets specifically to deal massive damage to Tornadus-T.

Common Items
========
**Choice Scarf**: Donning a Choice Scarf allows Hydreigon to gain a boost to its mediocre Speed and function as a potent revenge killer and a reliable pivot.

**Damage-boosting items**: Hydreigon can make use of a Life Orb to fire off strong attacks and punch holes in the opposing team, whereas Expert Belt may be preferred in matchups where it can make use of its great coverage movepool to hit multiple foes for super-effective damage. Dragon Fang or Black Glasses may be appreciated to give its strong STABs the extra power it needs to muscle through defensive walls, and finally, Choice Specs, albeit risky, can potentially OHKO unresisted foes with a Draco Meteor.

**Z-Crystal**: Hydreigon has good options to upgrade its wallbreaking capabilities further with Z-Crystals. For example, Darknium Z and Dragonium Z can be used to upgrade its existing STABs further to deal massive damage to foes, Fightinium Z can give it a one-time fully accurate move to deal with opposing Dark-types, and finally, Steelium Z and Poisonium Z can be used to deal heavy damage to Fairy-types that may try to switch in to check it.

Niche Items
========
**Leftovers**: Hydreigon can make use of Leftovers to give it the passive recovery it needs to stay healthy whilst setting up over the course of a match.

**Resistance Berries**: Hydreigon can make use of Resistance berries such as Roseli, Yache or Haban berry to flip momentum in its favor, either firing back with a strong attack or cripple the foe with Toxic or Thunder Wave. It can also surprise Fairy-type foes afterwards with Belch.

**Pinch Berries**: If the slow-passive recovery of Leftovers is not enough, Hydreigon can use Pinch Berries to give it the longevity it needs to break through a foe or two.

**Assault Vest**: If it expects to go up against specially-based teams, Hydreigon can make use of an Assault Vest to make it tougher to wear down over the course of a match.

Draft Strategy
========
Hydreigon should be drafted as a supporting offensive teammate instead of your main wincon. It is best able to function as a wallbreaker that can allow its faster teammates to clean up later. It also appreciates additional pivot options that can get it on the field and make its offensive role easier.

**Fairy-resistant Pokemon**: Fairy-types are the bane of Hydreigon's existence, so it requires teammates that can easily switch in to their attacks or that it can pivot to in order to maintain momentum. Pokemon such as Nidoking, Celesteela and Heatran are good examples.

**Entry Hazard Support**: Hydreigon appreciates Pokemon that can setup hazards to allow it to have an easier time to eliminate foes. Pokemon such as Jirachi, Nidoqueen and Uxie are good examples.

**Faster Teammates**: Hydreigon's speed is average at best, so it would appreciate faster teammates that it can support to clean up foes such as Tapu Koko, Zeraora and Tornadus-T.

**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types in the meta are commonly met by bulky resists. Hydreigon can be a great support to these kinds of Pokemon by weakening them massively, and allowing its partners to clean up later. Good examples include Mega Gallade, Mega Medicham and Infernape.

Checks and Counters
========
**Fairy-types**: Hydreigon is immediately threatened out by Fairy-types, which can also easily switch in to its attacks and give them an opportunity to set up. This is especially dangerous if Hydreigon is choice-locked, since they resist its STAB combination and can easily pivot if it uses Flash Cannon. Pokemon such as Tapu Koko, Mega Mawile and Tapu Fini are foes it has to be especially wary of.

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Despite its great Special Attack stat, Hydreigon can still face trouble against Pokemon such as Primarina, Snorlax and Alolan Muk, whom can take hits well and either setup or recover the damage off.

**Faster Pokemon**: Hydreigon can easily be revenged killed due to its middling Speed stat, as well as take massive damage by faster U-turns and other pivot moves, in which an attack from Hyrdeigon may not leave its desired attack. Pokemon such as Zeraora, Mega Diancie and common Choice Scarf users like Kartana are potential checks to Hydreigon.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/theuncultured.629845/
Quality checked by:
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[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 3 onwards

**Price Range**: 14 points

**Overview**: Hydreigon is a solid wallbreaker that can tailor its moveset to check almost any opponent foe (RC) thanks to its amazing coverage movepool and great offensive stats. It's Its immunity to common Ground-type coverage thanks to Levitate also gives it more opportunities to switch in and deal lasting damage over the course of the match, as well a and it has good utility options to disrupt opponents foes when its teammates cannot do so. Unfortunately, Hydreigon's potential is limited by the fact it's almost always forced to don a Choice Scarf due to its mediocre Speed stat. Its dual STAB combination struggles against Fairy-types, and while it has coverage to deal with them, this is risky especially on Choice scarf Scarf sets, in which it can be exploited by foes to hinder progress or turn Hydreigon into setup fodder, so it is best found used as a complementary offensive piece to support a team.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Revenge Killer**: With a Choice Scarf, Hydreigon can break through weakened foes (RC) or act as a solid pivot to keep positive momentum for its teammates.

**Wallbreaker**: Hydreigon can make use of its high Special Attack to punch holes in the opposing team using its strong-Base Power (AH) base power moves. Damage-boosting items such as Choice Specs or and a Z-Crystals can elevate its wallbreaking power further, weakening even the sturdiest of walls. It can also act as a lure to find a good opportunity to setup set up with Substitute to better position itself.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Dark Pulse, Crunch, Throat Chop, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Outrage

**Setup Moves**: Work Up

**Utility Moves**: Taunt, Thunder Wave, Toxic, Roost, U-turn, Substitute, Defog, Roar, Dragon Tail

**Coverage**: Earth Power, Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Surf, Flash Cannon, Hidden Power, Focus Blast, Earthquake, Acrobatics, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Fire Fang, Ice Fang, Thunder Fang, Aqua Tail, Superpower, Zen Headbutt, Signal Beam

Niche Moves
========
**Belch**: Belch can be used in conjunction with Poisonium Z for a one-time nuclear option to deal with problematic Fairy-types.

**Tailwind**: Hydreigon can use Tailwind in situations where it cannot rely on using a Choice (RH) item to function as a revenge killer, boosting speed Speed for itself and its teammates.

**Head Smash**: Hydreigon can use Head Smash on Choice Scarf sets specifically to deal massive damage to Tornadus-T.

Common Items
========
**Choice Scarf**: Donning a Choice Scarf allows Hydreigon to gain a boost to its mediocre Speed and function as a potent revenge killer and a reliable pivot.

**Damage-boosting items**: Hydreigon can make use of a Life Orb to fire off strong attacks and punch holes in the opposing team, whereas Expert Belt may be preferred in matchups where it can make use of its great coverage movepool to hit multiple foes for super (RH) effective damage. Dragon Fang or Black Glasses may be appreciated to give its strong STABs moves the extra power it needs to muscle through defensive walls, and finally, Choice Specs, albeit risky, can potentially OHKO unresisted non-Dragon-resistant foes with a Draco Meteor.

**Z-Crystals**: (you're talking about multiple Z-Crystals that can be used) Hydreigon has good options to upgrade its wallbreaking capabilities further with Z-Crystals. For example, Darkinium Z and Dragonium Z can be used to upgrade its existing STABs moves further to deal massive damage to foes, Fightinium Z can give it a one-time fully accurate move to deal with opposing Dark-types, and finally, Steelium Z and Poisonium Z can be used to deal heavy damage to Fairy-types that may try to switch in to check it.

Niche Items
========
**Leftovers**: Hydreigon can make use of Leftovers to give it the passive recovery it needs to stay healthy whilst setting up over the course of a match.

**Resistance Berries**: Hydreigon can make use of Resistance berries resistance Berries such as the Roseli, Yache, (AC, serial comma is required for lists) or and Haban berry Berries to flip momentum in its favor, either firing back with a strong attack or cripple the foe with Toxic or Thunder Wave. It can also surprise Fairy-type foes afterwards with Belch.

**Pinch Berries**: If the slow (RH) passive recovery of Leftovers is not enough, Hydreigon can use Pinch pinch Berries to give it the longevity it needs to break through a foe or two.

**Assault Vest**: If it expects to go up against specially (RH) based teams, Hydreigon can make use of an Assault Vest to make it tougher to wear down over the course of a match.

Draft Strategy
========
Hydreigon should be drafted as a supporting offensive teammate instead of your main wincon. It is best able to function as a wallbreaker that can allow its faster teammates to clean up later. It also appreciates additional pivot options that can get it on the field and make its offensive role easier.

**Fairy-resistant Pokemon**: Fairy-types are the bane of Hydreigon's existence, so it requires teammates that can easily switch in to into their attacks or that can it pivot to in order to maintain momentum. Pokemon such as Nidoking, Celesteela, (AC) and Heatran are good examples.

**Entry Hazard Support**: Hydreigon appreciates Pokemon that can setup set up hazards to allow it to have an easier time to eliminate foes. Pokemon such as Jirachi, Nidoqueen, (AC) and Uxie are good examples.

**Faster Teammates**: Hydreigon's speed Speed is average at best, so it would appreciate faster teammates that it can support to clean up foes such as Tapu Koko, Zeraora, (AC) and Tornadus-T.

**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types in the metagame are commonly met by bulky resists Fighting-resistant Pokemon. Hydreigon can be a great support to these kinds of Pokemon by weakening them massively (RC) and allowing its partners to clean up later. Good examples include Mega Gallade, Mega Medicham, (AC) and Infernape.

Checks and Counters
========
**Fairy-types**: Hydreigon is immediately threatened out by Fairy-types, which can also easily switch in to into its attacks and give them an opportunity to set up. This is especially dangerous if Hydreigon is choice-locked Choice-locked, since they resist its STAB combination and can easily pivot if it uses Flash Cannon. Pokemon such as Tapu Koko, Mega Mawile, (AC) and Tapu Fini are foes it has to be especially wary of.

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Despite its great Special Attack stat, Hydreigon can still face trouble against Pokemon such as Primarina, Snorlax, (AC) and Alolan Muk, whom which can take hits well and either setup set up or recover the damage off.

**Faster Pokemon**: Hydreigon can easily be revenged killed due to its middling Speed stat, as well as and it takes massive damage by from faster U-turns and other pivot moves, (the only other damaging pivot move is Volt Switch, are you sure this is correct?) in which an attack from may make Hyrdeigon's attack may not leave hit its desired attack target. (reworded for clarity) Pokemon such as Zeraora, Mega Diancie, (AC) and common Choice Scarf users like Kartana are potential checks to Hydreigon.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/theuncultured.629845/
Quality checked by:
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