tondas
Life of the party
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Destiny Bond / Overheat / Toxic
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 12 Def / 244 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hidden Power Ice is able to OHKO Zygarde-10% and Noivern, the latter after Stealth Rock damage, which can otherwise take a hit and KO Houndoom one-on-one. Destiny Bond allows Houndoom to take out foes that could otherwise soak up its attacks like Goodra and Snorlax, but keep in mind that it can't be used in rapid succession. Overheat serves as a powerful STAB move that achieves KOs against Pokemon that Fire Blast misses out on such as Virizion and Raikou while boasting generally higher power and slightly better accuracy. However, note that the Special Attack drop upon use makes it difficult to spam repeatedly. Toxic cripples defensive switch-ins like Milotic and Mantine, putting them on a timer. Hidden Power Grass is a viable alternative to Hidden Power Ice that takes out Rhyperior and Seismitoad at the expense of missing out on Hidden Power Ice targets like Zygarde-10% and Noivern.
Set Details
========
12 Defense EVs allow Houndoom to always survive Choice Band Zygarde-10%'s Extreme Speed after Stealth Rock damage. The remaining EVs are tailored to maximizing both Houndoom's damage output and Speed, and a Timid nature ensures that it outpaces Pokemon like Choice Scarf Toxicroak and +1 Adamant Flygon. A Modest nature is a viable option with its ability to more reliably 2HKO Arcanine and OHKO Mismagius, but it leaves Houndoom unable to outspeed the Pokemon previously mentioned. Flash Fire grants Houndoom an immunity to Fire-type attacks, allowing it to better take on Pokemon like Ninetales.
Usage Tips
========
Choice Scarf Houndoom operates as a revenge killer as well as a late-game cleaner once checks such as Milotic and Florges are disposed of. Utilizing its Speed tier and decently powerful attacks, Houndoom can revenge kill boosted sweepers like +1 Feraligatr and +1 Adamant Flygon in addition to generally fast Pokemon such as Shaymin and Choice Scarf Tyrantrum. Choosing to not reveal Houndoom's item also allows it to surprise and take out foes like Virizion and Zygarde-10% one-on-one, which could otherwise outspeed and OHKO it. Houndoom can make use of Flash Fire to pivot into Pokemon like Ninetales and Choice-locked Salazzle, which pose no threat to Houndoom and give it a chance to freely fire off a move. While it can switch into weaker attacks like Mega Abomasnow's Ice Shard, Houndoom generally wants to be brought in through slow pivots, as its poor bulk limits its chances of directly switching into most Pokemon. Finally, while Houndoom's fourth moveslot options are effective for dealing with its checks or breaking past certain Pokemon, it is ill-advised to use these moves recklessly, as being Choice-locked into any one of these moves can be highly exploitable by setup sweepers and wallbreakers alike.
Team Options
========
Powerful wallbreakers such as Choice Band Zygarde-10%, Mega Ampharos, and Machamp help break down Pokemon that Houndoom struggles against like Diancie, Mandibuzz, and Porygon2 while also being generally strong Pokemon that can weaken teams to aid Houndoom in cleaning late-game. The likes of Zygarde-10% and Mega Ampharos also appreciate Houndoom's ability to break past Grass- and Ice-types like Shaymin and Sneasel, and Mega Ampharos can bring Houndoom in safely with a slow Volt Switch. Entry hazard setters such as Metagross, Rhyperior, and Froslass can chip down the opposing team, giving Houndoom more leeway when attempting to revenge kill or clean. Metagross also possesses the firepower to dismantle many of Houndoom's checks, including Florges, Gigalith, and Mantine if running Thunder Punch, while providing both momentum and wallbreaking potential with Explosion. Entry hazard removal from Pokemon like Mega Blastoise, Tsareena, and Florges allows Houndoom to enter play more often, and Tsareena can provide additional pivoting capabilities through U-turn. Choice Scarf Houndoom fails to outspeed particularly fast Pokemon like Choice Scarf Flygon and +1 Shaymin, so Pokemon like Tangela and Goodra can be switched in to sponge attacks that would otherwise power through it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[tondas, 442732]]
- Quality checked by: [[zizalith, 410251], [[roman, 396169], [Averardo, 409096]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Estronic, 240732]]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Destiny Bond / Overheat / Toxic
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 12 Def / 244 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hidden Power Ice is able to OHKO Zygarde-10% and Noivern, the latter after Stealth Rock damage, which can otherwise take a hit and KO Houndoom one-on-one. Destiny Bond allows Houndoom to take out foes that could otherwise soak up its attacks like Goodra and Snorlax, but keep in mind that it can't be used in rapid succession. Overheat serves as a powerful STAB move that achieves KOs against Pokemon that Fire Blast misses out on such as Virizion and Raikou while boasting generally higher power and slightly better accuracy. However, note that the Special Attack drop upon use makes it difficult to spam repeatedly. Toxic cripples defensive switch-ins like Milotic and Mantine, putting them on a timer. Hidden Power Grass is a viable alternative to Hidden Power Ice that takes out Rhyperior and Seismitoad at the expense of missing out on Hidden Power Ice targets like Zygarde-10% and Noivern.
Set Details
========
12 Defense EVs allow Houndoom to always survive Choice Band Zygarde-10%'s Extreme Speed after Stealth Rock damage. The remaining EVs are tailored to maximizing both Houndoom's damage output and Speed, and a Timid nature ensures that it outpaces Pokemon like Choice Scarf Toxicroak and +1 Adamant Flygon. A Modest nature is a viable option with its ability to more reliably 2HKO Arcanine and OHKO Mismagius, but it leaves Houndoom unable to outspeed the Pokemon previously mentioned. Flash Fire grants Houndoom an immunity to Fire-type attacks, allowing it to better take on Pokemon like Ninetales.
Usage Tips
========
Choice Scarf Houndoom operates as a revenge killer as well as a late-game cleaner once checks such as Milotic and Florges are disposed of. Utilizing its Speed tier and decently powerful attacks, Houndoom can revenge kill boosted sweepers like +1 Feraligatr and +1 Adamant Flygon in addition to generally fast Pokemon such as Shaymin and Choice Scarf Tyrantrum. Choosing to not reveal Houndoom's item also allows it to surprise and take out foes like Virizion and Zygarde-10% one-on-one, which could otherwise outspeed and OHKO it. Houndoom can make use of Flash Fire to pivot into Pokemon like Ninetales and Choice-locked Salazzle, which pose no threat to Houndoom and give it a chance to freely fire off a move. While it can switch into weaker attacks like Mega Abomasnow's Ice Shard, Houndoom generally wants to be brought in through slow pivots, as its poor bulk limits its chances of directly switching into most Pokemon. Finally, while Houndoom's fourth moveslot options are effective for dealing with its checks or breaking past certain Pokemon, it is ill-advised to use these moves recklessly, as being Choice-locked into any one of these moves can be highly exploitable by setup sweepers and wallbreakers alike.
Team Options
========
Powerful wallbreakers such as Choice Band Zygarde-10%, Mega Ampharos, and Machamp help break down Pokemon that Houndoom struggles against like Diancie, Mandibuzz, and Porygon2 while also being generally strong Pokemon that can weaken teams to aid Houndoom in cleaning late-game. The likes of Zygarde-10% and Mega Ampharos also appreciate Houndoom's ability to break past Grass- and Ice-types like Shaymin and Sneasel, and Mega Ampharos can bring Houndoom in safely with a slow Volt Switch. Entry hazard setters such as Metagross, Rhyperior, and Froslass can chip down the opposing team, giving Houndoom more leeway when attempting to revenge kill or clean. Metagross also possesses the firepower to dismantle many of Houndoom's checks, including Florges, Gigalith, and Mantine if running Thunder Punch, while providing both momentum and wallbreaking potential with Explosion. Entry hazard removal from Pokemon like Mega Blastoise, Tsareena, and Florges allows Houndoom to enter play more often, and Tsareena can provide additional pivoting capabilities through U-turn. Choice Scarf Houndoom fails to outspeed particularly fast Pokemon like Choice Scarf Flygon and +1 Shaymin, so Pokemon like Tangela and Goodra can be switched in to sponge attacks that would otherwise power through it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[tondas, 442732]]
- Quality checked by: [[zizalith, 410251], [[roman, 396169], [Averardo, 409096]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Estronic, 240732]]
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