MANNAT
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[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Psychic / Psyshock
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Fightinium Z / Darkinium Z
ability: Magician
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Foremost, Nasty Plot is an effective setup move that allows Hoopa-U to break through its normal checks and threaten to sweep through balanced teams altogether. Dark Pulse is a strong, reliable STAB move with very few sturdy switch-ins in OU and can decimate the vast majority of balanced teams bar one or two Pokemon. Psychic is a solid secondary STAB move that can hit Dark-type switch-ins such as Mega Lopunny and Keldeo while also hitting Toxapex significantly harder. Alternatively, Psyshock can be used if Hoopa-U is holding Darkinium Z because it allows it to more reliably beat Chansey and Magearna, as Hoopa-U lacks All-Out Pummeling to break through them. Focus Blast is an excellent coverage move that allows Hoopa-U to hit Dark-types like Tyranitar that would otherwise wall this set.
Set Details
========
252 Special Attack and Speed EVs maximize Hoopa-U's attacking power and allow it to outspeed key threats such as Heatran, Tapu Bulu, and Gliscor. Fightinium Z is usually the best option on this set to enable Hoopa-U to more reliably take out Chansey and offensive Magearna as well as doing large amounts of damage to Assault Vest Magearna. However, Darkinium Z is still a fine option to be able to guarantee the OHKO on defensive Landorus-T and still OHKO the Steel-types that All Out Pummeling breaks through bar Magearna.
Usage Tips
========
Most importantly, as a breaker with Nasty Plot, Hoopa-U needs to remain relatively healthy in order to survive potentially important attacks late-game such as Clefable's Moonblast, so it should be brought in via free switches or VoltTurn support in order to conserve its HP. Ideally, Hoopa-U should be brought in on passive special attackers such as Toxapex that offer relatively risk-free setup so that you can either fire off an attack or get a Nasty Plot off depending on the opposing team. Avoid setting up unless you're sure that the opposing Pokemon cannot harm Hoopa-U or in game-changing scenarios when you're sure they're going to switch out because Hoopa-U is fairly frail and easy to KO for the most part. Conserve Hoopa-U's Z-Move unless your team can significantly benefit from heavily weakening an opposing threat, such as when you have an Ash-Greninja as a teammate versus an Assault Vest Magearna and your opponent has no other Ash-Greninja switch in switch-in. Finally, take into account the opposing team's structure when deciding whether to set up or attack. For example, it's usually better to spam attacks vs offensive teams due to them having a multitude of ways to revenge kill Hoopa-U, whereas setting up Nasty Plot versus defensive teams can potentially net you multiple KOs depending on the team.
Team Options
========
First and foremost, VoltTurn support from Pokemon such as Rotom-W, defensive Landorus-T, and Assault Vest Magearna is greatly appreciated, as it allows Hoopa-U more opportunities to wallbreak for teammates. Additionally, late-game cleaners such as Shift Gear Magearna, Dragon Dance Mega Gyarados, and Kartana that benefit from Hoopa-U's ability to break down common walls make excellent teammates. Ash-Greninja is a fantastic teammate in particular because it shares several checks with Hoopa-U and can pressure shared answers with Spikes support. In a similar vein, Pokemon that can exert pressure on Assault Vest Magearna such as Choice Specs Tapu Koko assist Nasty Plot Hoopa-U in being able to break through one of its best defensive answers. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, and Heatran can help punish the many switches that Hoopa-U forces and wears down the opposing team. Finally, entry hazard control from teammates such as Defog Rotom-W is appreciated so that Hoopa-U can stay healthy throughout the game in order to live attacks from more passive Pokemon as mentioned earlier.
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Hyperspace Fury
move 2: Drain Punch
move 3: Fire Punch
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Zen Headbutt
item: Darkinium Z
ability: Magician
nature: Hasty / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def /252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hyperspace Fury is a powerful, spammable STAB attack that allows Hoopa-U to hit a large variety of Pokemon for significant damage. Drain Punch hits Dark-types that resist Hyperspace Fury, most notably Tyranitar, for super effective damage and can oftentimes OHKO them. Fire Punch is a useful coverage move that nails Magearna and Mega Mawile, which would otherwise wall this set, and it also 2HKOes both Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor. Hidden Power Ice has a chance to OHKO defensive Landorus-T, which is significant, as it can be very annoying for this set to deal with otherwise. Alternatively, Zen Headbutt can be used over Hidden Power Ice to pressure Toxapex, preventing it from requiring Hoopa-U to use its Z-Move while also hitting other miscellaneous targets, such as Mega Venusaur. Knock Off can be used as a filler in the last slot to cripple defensive Pokemon such as Clefable, Magearna, and Celesteela as well as offensive Choice Scarf users such as Landorus-T and Kartana. However, missing out on the extra moveslot for coverage can be very harmful in some of the aforementioned matchups.
Set Details
========
252 Attack and Speed EVs maximize Hoopa-U's attacking power and allow it to outspeed key threats such as Heatran, Tapu Bulu, and Gliscor. Hasty is the optimal nature with Hidden Power Ice to net an OHKO on offensive Landorus-T; however, a Jolly nature should be used if you decide to use Zen Headbutt or Knock Off over Hidden Power Ice. Darkinium Z is preferred due to its ability to transform Hyperspace Fury into a powerful one-time attack that can eliminate significant threats. Firium Z can be used instead to OHKO Magearna; however, it must be noted that Firium Z should be used in conjunction with Zen Headbutt in the last slot due to Hoopa-U no longer having a Z-Move to muscle past Toxapex.
Usage Tips
========
Hoopa-U is very physically frail and doesn’t appreciate switching into repeated special attacks, so getting Hoopa-U in via free switches or VoltTurn support to pivot it in can be excellent in giving Hoopa-U chances to wallbreak without having to take damage prior. However, Hoopa-U can also switch into predicted Psychic-type moves from Choice-locked offensive Psychic-types, most notably Tapu Lele and Latios, if you lack reliable switch-ins and desperately need the momentum in order to win the game. After switching in, it's usually best to use Hyperspace Fury to wear resistances down and switch back in later to KO said targets, unless you can immediately KO them, as Hoopa-U's lack of bulk means that one incorrect prediction can result in it fainting and losing you the game. Additionally, attempt to conserve Hoopa-U's Z-Move unless its usage is necessary due to it being a powerful one-time move that can eliminate key threats late in games.
Team Options
========
As mentioned earlier, VoltTurn support from Pokemon such as Rotom-W, Landorus-T, and Greninja is greatly appreciated, as it allows Hoopa-U more opportunities to enter the battlefield and wallbreak. Additionally, late-game cleaners such as Shift Gear Magearna, Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, and Kartana that benefit from Hoopa-U ability to break down common walls make excellent teammates. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, and Heatran can help punish the many switches that Hoopa-U forces and wears down the opposing team. Ash-Greninja is a useful partner in particular because it can pressure shared answers with Hoopa-U by providing Spikes support to wear them down, as most of their answers are grounded.
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