Hoopa-U

This analysis was written by User:Yung Dramps and formatted by User:charizard8888
Hoopa-Unbound possesses colossal 160/170 attacking stats, mixed offenses which are unmatched by any other Pokemon in the tier. This immense strength is supplemented by STAB Dark Pulse and Hyperspace Fury (the latter of which can break Substitutes/Protect), along with a slew of powerful coverage, whether it be Thunderbolt, Focus Blast or Hidden Power Fire on the Special side, or Gunk Shot and the elemental punches on the Physical side. This makes it both powerful and unpredictable. Along with this huge strength, Hoopa-Unbound also has a very high 130 Special Defense, which can live hits from Pokemon such as Meloetta with proper investment. Unfortunately, while it has good special bulk, it is crippled by a laughably low 60 base Defense, meaning it can be easily disposed of by many top physical attackers. Its 80 Speed, while decent, is not enough to get the jump on many prominent Pokemon such as both Landorus forms and Mega Gardevoir. Hoopa-Unbound’s typing also leaves a lot to be desired defensively: While it has few weaknesses, it also has no resistances. Of the two weaknesses it does have, one of them (Fairy) is common and easy to exploit, while the other (Bug) is a quadruple weakness.
=Choice Specs=
Hoopa-Unbound @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magician
EVs: 64 HP / 200 SpA / 100 SpD / 144 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dark Pulse
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Focus Blast / Thunderbolt
==Set Comments==
===Moves===
Dark Pulse is Hoopa-Unbound's most powerful and spammable STAB attack, hitting many threats for high damage, such as Mega Slowbro. It also has a 20% chance to flinch, which can help it muscle past certain Sturdy users like Donphan. Psyshock allows Hoopa-U to beat Chansey, Blissey and Charge Tapu Koko. HP Fire can KO some Steel types, notably Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor, as well as Buzzwole lacking extreme special defense investment. Focus Blast can be a cool surprise option to OHKO Gyarados if it mega evolves Turn 1. Alternatively, Thunderbolt hits Water types and Celesteela harder.
===Set Details===
144 Speed allows Hoopa-U to outspeed Bulky Icium Kyurem-Black and OHKO it with Focus Blast, as well as creeping other threats such as Tapu Fini. 64 HP and 100 SpD allow Hoopa-U to take Timid Special Gigavolt Havoc from Tapu Koko. The rest is put into Special Attack for maximum offensive firepower, with a Modest nature and a Choice Specs further complementing it.
===Usage Tips===
If your opponent has more than one physical attacker, be wary when using Hoopa-U. Do not send out Hoopa-U against powerful physical attackers like Mega Charizard X, Blaziken and Mega Pinsir. Try to send out Hoopa-U predicting a special attacker like Heatran or a wall like Mega Venusaur, Mega Slowbro or Ferrothorn If you have Focus Blast, use it against Gyarados turn 1. They will almost always mega evolve turn 1 to evade your STABs or Thunderbolt. Use Dark Pulse against Pokemon Hoopa-U outspeeds but cannot KO like Donphan and Dragonite for a chance to flinch and KO the following turn.
===Team Options===
Kyurem-Black is an excellent partner, as it helps against a lot of the physical attackers and Sturdy users Hoopa struggles with, such as Landorus-T, Donphan, Golem, Garchomp and Choice Scarf Kyurem-Black. Steel types such as Mega Metagross and Magearna take care of this set’s Fairy troubles. Dedicated answers to Bug types such as Mega Heracross and Genesect, while not necessary, are appreciated. These can include the likes of Mega Charizard X and Nihilego.
=Choice Band=
Hoopa-Unbound @ Choice Band
Ability: Magician
EVs: 64 HP / 200 Atk / 100 SpD / 144 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Hyperspace Fury
- Gunk Shot
- Fire Punch
- Zen Headbutt
==Set Comments==
===Moves===
Hyperspace Fury is a ludicrously powerful STAB, doing big damage on even resists, such as Greninja. It also helps against Jumpluff due to bypassing Substitute. Gunk Shot is this set’s main niche, allowing Hoopa to get past Pokemon such as Choice Specs Tapu Fini, Tapu Lele, Assault Vest Tapu Bulu and Primarina. Fire Punch allows Hoopa to beat Ferrothorn and the rare Mega Scizor. Zen Headbutt is useful for defeating Mega Venusaur.
===Set Details===
The defense EVS serve to tank Timid Koko's Gigavolt Havoc. The speed investment is important to outspeed Tapu Lele. The remaining EVs are put into Attack along with a Choice Band to further enhance its offensive capabilities.
===Usage Tips===
Avoid sending out Hoopa-U against strong physical attackers such as Mega Pinsir and Landorus-Therian. When facing Celesteela, Hyperspace Fury is better than Fire Punch, as it does more damage and bypasses Protect. Hoopa can be sent out against some Fairies such as Primarina and Tapu Fini due to Gunk Shot.
===Team Options===
Kyurem-Black is one of Hoopa’s best partners, helping it defeat many of its counters such as other Kyurem-Black and Landorus-Therian. Mega Charizard X and Y help out against Mega Mawile and Magearna, two Fairies this set can’t beat, as well as Mega Metagross and Genesect. Terrakion is a cool partner that can do good against other Mega Charizards and Mega Tyranitar. Hoopa-U in turn can help cover it's weaknesses to Tapu Fini, Primarina and Mega Venusaur.
=Strategy Comments=
==Other Options==
A Choice Scarf set is possible to beat some conventional checks such as Durant and Kartana. On the Band set, Drain Punch can be run for Mega Tyranitar. 252 HP and 72 defense EVs can be used to take max Attack Adamant Mega Metagross’ Meteor Mash and KO it back with Specs Dark Pulse/Band Hyperspace Fury. Trick can be an option to disable certain walls such as Leftovers Celesteela and Chansey and KO them easier. A bulky Trick Room set with a Z-crystal can be used to take down Mega Charizard X and Y.
==Checks and Counters==
* Physical Attackers: Due to its very low physical Defense, Hoopa-U is checked by most, if not all physical attackers that outspeed it or take a hit. This includes Landorus-Therian, Garchomp, Mega Metagross, Mega Charizard X, Choice Scarf Kyurem-Black, Kartana, Snorlax and more.
* Sturdy: Seeing as Hoopa-U has no way to get around Sturdy users barring Dark Pulse flinch hax, every one of them can easily KO Hoopa with their respective Z-moves, whether it be Golem with Continental Crush, or Sawk with All-Out Pummeling. 
* Fairy Types: Hoopa-U's Dark type leaves it vulnerable to the many powerful fairies that inhabit 1v1, such as Magearna, Mega Mawile, Choice Specs Tapu Fini, Primarina and Tapu Lele. The latter three must beware of Choice Band, however, as they can be bopped by Banded Gunk Shot.
* Bug Types: While not super common, Pokemon like Durant, Genesect, fast Mega Heracross and Buzzwole (If lacking Psychic or HP Fire) can take advantage of Hoopa-Unbound’s 4x Bug weakness and dispose of it quickly.
Category:Analyses