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Honchkrow
- Thread starter November Blue
- Start date
Au contraire Heysup. Substitute is extremely useful. You can fish for free turns with it via Sucker Punch mindgames, KO faster Pokemon that resist Sucker Punch, block status, SubRoost, all the usual Substitute stuff...
Substitute + Sucker Punch mitigates Honchkrow's low Speed. I couldn't imagine using him without it, it's so useful.
Substitute + Sucker Punch mitigates Honchkrow's low Speed. I couldn't imagine using him without it, it's so useful.
Actually it is solely a tool to block status and ease prediction in certain scenarios. SubRoost is just a common set because it eases prediction and allows you to heal up, it's essentially the same thing as I just mentioned but with Substitute as a crutch (still viable, but definitely a crutch).
KOing faster Pokemon switching in that resist Sucker Punch is done with Brave Bird, not Substitute.
Roosting up on a hard counter is done, surprisingly, by the move Roost, not Substitute.
The cost of using the move Substitute does not stop at losing 25% of your health in addition to the 25% you lose per switch in from Stealth Rock and the massive amounts of recoil damage that Honchkrow takes. It also limits your attacking options, losing Pursuit. I don't feel that Substitute is in anyway required on this set especially considering the functional costs of not using Pursuit as well as the direct cost of using the move in the first place.
Okay, what I've done is made Pursuit the first slash on the Moxie SubRoost set, which I'm considering renaming Moxie.
I've also changed the Scarf set. It's now similar to the wallbreaker, running Insomnia and Superpower + Heatwave. Moxie + Scarf was kinda gimmicky, so I removed it.
I've also changed the Scarf set. It's now similar to the wallbreaker, running Insomnia and Superpower + Heatwave. Moxie + Scarf was kinda gimmicky, so I removed it.
Added Funstisk. Thanks Molk!
Methinks it's time to get Honch written up. Lazy Noblue can't neglect his analyses.
Methinks it's time to get Honch written up. Lazy Noblue can't neglect his analyses.
Thanks Windsong!
I'll have this written up tomorrow.
I'll have this written up tomorrow.
This is written and ready for GP checks.
[Overview]
<p>If the RU tier were a seedy underworld city, Honchkrow would be its kingpin. Its Dream World ability Hidden Ability, Moxie, has given the Honch the edge it needs to ascend the ranks and cement itself as the deadliest sweeper in the entire tier. Honchkrow's strength lies in a wicked combination of traits:;(colon) a base 125 Attack stat, STAB Brave Bird and Sucker Punch, Moxie, SubRoost, and a few powerful coverage moves. Though Honchkrow is slow, adept use of Sucker Punch, Substitute and Roost neatly bypasses this problem, and using this strategy, a skilled player can sweep an entire opposing team with terrifying ease. That being said, low Speed is low Speed, so faster threats can get the jump on Honchkrow. Steel-types that resist its STAB moves can ruffle its feathers if it has not yet gained any Moxie boosts, but a sweeping Honchkrow is so deadly that this scarcely matters.</p>
[SET]
name: Moxie SubRoost
move 1: Brave bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Roost
move 4: Substitute / Pursuit
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant
ability: Moxie
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Some Pokemon have that one set,; the set that everyone talks about in hushed whispers, the set that gives children nightmares. For Honchkrow, Moxie SubRoost is that set. By far the most popular, and the most effective, this set is a far cry from Gen 4. Honchkrow was once a mere mixed attacker with fairly powerful attacks, good coverage, and hit-or-miss priority. Moxie changed all of this. Honchkrow is now able to switch into a weakened or nonthreatening foe, grab a boost or set up a Substitute, and start up a sweep at a moment's notice. Once it nets that free turn, the opponent is forced into a no-win situation; behind a Sub, Honchkrow can safely KO faster threats with Brave Bird or Sucker Punch, or Roost when its health gets low. Switching out of it runs the risk of a 2HKO, which Honchkrow is almost always capable of. Your opponent must disarm Honchkrow quickly or it will just get stronger and stronger, and become progressively harder to stop.</p>
<p>Brave Bird is Honchkrow's primary move, as it has excellent neutral coverage and packs devastating power. Sucker Punch, however, is the key to the Krow's success, as the priority the move carries, plus the associated mindgames that Honch can play with the opponent are what distinguish it from other slow, powerful attackers. Substitute and Roost keep Honchkrow healthy, and are what allow it to stay in play for extended durations of time. Useful as it is, Substitute can be replaced with Pursuit. This devious move is a surprising divergence from the usual, and allows Honchkrow to KO what could otherwise elude it. Tagging a switching foe with a fatal hit might allow Honchkrow an easier time setting up, or eliminate a threat or hindrance to another of your sweepers.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>252 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature plus Life Orb afford Honchkrow as much power as possible, which is crucial for breaking through Flying-type resistors, and ensuring that that first strike carries enough power to grab a KO and start a sweep. 252 Speed EVs ensure that Honchkrow outpaces the competition, e.g. outspeeding slow opponents that invest in Speed such as Aggron and Gligar, faster foes that don't invest, such as Gallade, as well as opposing Honchkrow. Honchkrow is powerful enough to swap its Adamant nature for Jolly, but the extra Speed is often not needed, and Honchkrow's initial power will be noticeably lowered. Removing Roost is not recommended, as without it, Honchkrow has no way to heal itself without outside support, and will quickly succumb to recoil and residual damage. Steel-types resist both Brave Bird and Sucker Punch, and can wall Honchkrow fairly reliably if it does not yet have any Moxie boosts, so Magneton is a great teammate; it can trap opposing Steel-types with Magnet Pull and and KO with either Thunderbolt or Hidden Power Fire.</p>
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Heatwave / Roost
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant / Naughty
ability: Insomnia
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The classic Honchkrow set returns, and is as effective as ever. Comprehensive coverage and great power make this set difficult to switch into, and hard to wall. Superpower and Heat Wave are illegal with Moxie, but this Honchkrow variant appreciates Insomnia much more. The ability to switch into the sleep-inducing moves of foes such as Lilligant, Amoonguss, and Tangrowth allows Honchkow to check them with a powerful Brave Bird or Heat Wave. These two moves also provide coverage on Steel-types, which cannot wall this set as easily as the Moxie SubRoost. As this Honchkrow variant is less common than Moxie SubRoost, and therefore unexpected, catching a check or counter with a super effective coverage move is quite easy, and extremely effective. For example, Aggron easily checks Moxie SubRoost Honchkrow, but cannot switch into Superpower. Steelix is dealt with immolated(immolated is too uncommon a word and is not being used correctly) by Heat Wave, and Tangrowth doesn't stand a chance.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Depending on the rest of your team, either Superpower or Heat Wave can be replaced by Roost. Brave Bird recoil, Life Orb recoil, and residual damage such as Stealth Rock can quickly empty Honchkrow's health, and Roost is an excellent way to keep it healthy. Like the Moxie SubRoost set, this Honchkrow variant can play mindgames with Sucker Punch, easily finding free turns to Roost in the process. Hidden Power Grass is another excellent choice, and with it, Honchkrow can score a powerful super effective hit on defensive Grass-weak Pokemon such as Omastar and Quagsire. If you opt to use an all-physical set, i.e. without Heat Wave, a Naughty nature is not needed, and Adamant should be used.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Night Slash / Pursuit
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Heatwave
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Naughty
ability: Insomnia
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>I know what you might be thinking. "A Honchkrow set without Sucker Punch? Blasphemy!" But consider this old adage:; How do you make a slow, powerful Pokemon useful? Slap a Choice Scarf on it! Low Speed will always be Honchkrow's greatest obstacle, and this set remedies that. Swooping in at 361 Speed, Scarf Honchkrow outpaces everything below base 115 Speed, which it ties with. Fast threats that could normally threaten Honchkrow, such as Archeops, Scolipede, and Galvantula, are all outsped and KOed with the appropriate move. As Sucker Punch is not as important to this set, an alternate Dark-type STAB can be used. Night Slash is a solid, reliable choice that has excellent neutral coverage, plus a high Critical Hit ratio. Another great choice is Pursuit. Akin to Krookodile, Honchkrow can abuse the effects of a fast Pursuit to trap Psychic- or Ghost-types such as Haunter and Claydol, removing them in one fell swoop. Honchkrow can also use Pursuit to get rid of any annoying checks that guard against your sweepers, and support your other team members in their endeavors. It should be noted, however, that using Pursuit instead of Night Slash will render this set somewhat unwieldy; Brave Bird must be used cautiously due to the recoil, and Pursuit is too weak for regular use. This set will lack a reliable go-to STAB move for general attacking.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>As this Honchkrow variant will be switching in and out frequently and cannot use Roost, Brave Bird is somewhat undesirable. The move's recoil damage will add up, and may be counterproductive. Drill Peck can be used instead. Though the move is considerably weaker, it does not inflict recoil damage, which is a great boon to the cause of this set. Rapid Spin support really helps, and an offensive Spinner, such as Hitmonlee, works wonders. Though this set runs coverage for Steel-types, they can still force out a Honchkrow Choice-locked into Brave Bird or Night Slash; Rapid Spin support is crucial for this reason, and a Rapid Spinner that can clear out Steel-types supports Honchkrow greatly.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Flavor-wise, Nasty Plot is perfect for Honchkrow; mob bosses plot nasty stuff all the time! Though this analogy doesn't quite match up competitively, Nasty Plot is still a great choice on Honchkrow. A set consisting of Nasty Plot and any three of Air Cutter, Heat Wave, Hidden Power Grass, and Sucker Punch with the Super Luck ability and a Modest nature (or Rash if Sucker Punch is chosen) gives Honchkrow dangerous sweeping power from its oft-neglected special side. The use of Super Luck on the set is crucial; Air Cutter is a fairly weak move with a high Critical Hit ratio, which the ability amplifies even further, and gives Honchkrow's main STAB move a much-needed boost. Dark Pulse can also be used, but it overlaps unfavorably with Sucker Punch. Tailwind is another interesting choice. With the wind beneath its wings, a speedy Honchkrow can sweep the opponent with a lesser reliance on Sucker Punch, and even if KOed, it can give another Pokemon on your team a chance to sweep with the pseudopassed Tailwind boost. Other options include Perish Song and Psycho Shift; the use of these moves is hard to justify on Honchkrow's already cramped sets, but they have their uses, and the surprise factor of an unorthodox move is a deadly weapon in the right hands.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Whether it's a battered victim or a rival mobster, everyone wants to take Honchkrow down. A mob boss naturally has enemies, and they all have ideas of how to assassinate the Krow. Steel-types, especially Steelix, Klinklang, and Aggron, are tough enough to take Honchkrow's Brave Birds and Sucker Punches, and can retaliate with their own attacks. The Moxie SubRoost set must rely on brute force to blast past these defensive titans, but can only manage a 2HKO at best. In return, Klinklang can shift its gears into overdrive and counter-sweep, tear down Honchkrow's Substitute with Gear Grind, and bash it out of the sky. Aggron 4x resists Brave Bird and can OHKO with its obnoxious Head Smash, and Steelix shrugs off Honchkrow's onslaught, can set up Stealth Rock or Roar Honchkrow away. Choice Scarf users that resist Sucker Punch are also a good bet. Primeape, for example, easily outspeeds and KOes Honchkrow with Stone Edge. Any faster Pokemon that has Substitute can quickly get the upper hand, as Honchkrow will struggle to harm them. Entei is another threat to watch out for. It easily outspeeds and KOes with Flare Blitz, and can bypass Sucker Punch with its +2 priority ExtremeSpeed. Minccino can annoy Moxie Subroost variants, as its multi-hit moves break through Substitute, and Rock Blast can potentially KO with a high number of hits. Stunfisk is bulky enough to shake off resisted Brave Birds, and can retaliate with either Discharge or Scald. These moves can paralyze and burn Honchkrow, respectively, which hinders it severely.</p>
Added a few of your changes, thanks RitterCat!
REMOVE ADD COMMENTS
*Sigh* I wish I was a mob boss..
Complex language, very few mistakes, and personality. Good job.
GP 1/2
[Overview]
<p>If the RU tier were a seedy underworld city, Honchkrow would be its kingpin. Its Hidden With a new ability,[Remove Comma] in Moxie, Honckrow has been given the Honch the edge it needs to ascend the ranks,[Add Comma] and cementing itself as the deadliest sweeper in the entire tier. Honchkrow's strength lies in a wicked combination of traits; a base 125 Attack stat, two STAB moves in Brave Bird and Sucker Punch, access to Moxie [You can phrase that differently, it just sounds strange with the phrase about STABs before it.], SubRoost, and a few powerful coverage moves. Though Honchkrow is slow, it can neatly bypass this problem through adept use of Sucker Punch, Substitute and Roost.[Add Comma] neatly bypasses this problem, and Using this strategy, a skilled player can sweep an entire opposing team with terrifying ease. That being said, low Speed is low Speed, so faster threats can get the jump on Honchkrow. Steel-types that resist its Honchkrow's STAB moves can ruffle its feathers if it has not yet gained any Moxie boosts, but a sweeping Honchkrow is so deadly that this scarcely matters.</p>
[SET]
name: Moxie SubRoost
move 1: Brave bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Roost
move 4: Substitute / Pursuit
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant
ability: Moxie
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Some Pokemon have that one set, the set that everyone talks about in hushed whispers, the set that gives children nightmares. For Honchkrow, Moxie SubRoost is that set. By far the most popular, and the most effective, this set is a far cry from Gen 4. [Pretty unnescessary.] Honchkrow was once a mere mixed attacker with fairly powerful attacks, good coverage, and hit-or-miss priority. Moxie changed all of this. Honchkrow is now able to switch into a weakened or nonthreatening unthreatening [Erm.. preference?] foe, grab a boost or set up a Substitute, and start up a sweep at a moment's notice. Once it Honchkrow nets that free turn, the opponent is forced into a no-win menacing [Preference.. I hate hyphens.] situation; behind a Substitute, Honchkrow can safely KO faster threats with Brave Bird or Sucker Punch, or while Roosting when its health gets low. Switching out of it runs the risk of a Opponent's must beware when switching out from Honchkrow, as whatever switches in runs the risk of being 2HKOed, which Honchkrow is almost always capable of. Your opponent must disarm Honchkrow quickly,[Add Comma] as otherwise Honchkrow will just become or it will just get stronger and stronger, and become progressively stronger and harder to stop.</p>
<p>Brave Bird is Honchkrow's primary move, as it has excellent neutral coverage and packs devastating power. Sucker Punch, however, is the key to the Krow's Honchkrow's [Try not to shorten the name like that.] success, as the priority the move carries, plus the associated in combination with the mindgames that Honch Honchkrow can play with the opponent are is what distinguish it from other slow, powerful attackers. Substitute and Roost keep Honchkrow healthy, and are what allowing it to stay in play for extended durations. As useful as it is, Substitute can be replaced with Pursuit. This devious move is a surprising divergence from the usual, and allows Honchkrow to KO what opponents that could otherwise elude it. Tagging a switching foe with a fatal hit might allow Honchkrow an easier time setting up, or eliminate a threat or hindrance to another of your sweepers.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>252 Attack EVs,[Add Comma] and an Adamant nature plus and Life Orb afford give [Come now.] Honchkrow as much power as possible, which is crucial for breaking through Flying-type resistors,.[Remove Comma / Add Period]. These offensive additions are also used to ensure and ensuring that that the first strike carries enough power to grab a KO and start a sweep. 252 Speed EVs ensure that Honchkrow outpaces the competition,;[Remove Comma / Add Semicolon] e.g. outpacing slow opponents that invest in Speed,[Add Comma] such as Aggron and Gligar, faster foes that don't invest, such as Gallade, as well as and opposing Honchkrow. Honchkrow is powerful enough to swap its Adamant nature for Jolly, but the extra Speed is often not needed, and Honchkrow's initial power will be noticeably lowered. Removing Roost is not recommended, as without it, Honchkrow has no way to heal itself without outside support, and will quickly succumb to Brave Bird recoil and residual damage. Steel-types resist both Brave Bird and Sucker Punch, and can wall Honchkrow fairly reliably if it does not yet have any Moxie boosts, so Magneton is a great teammate; it can trap opposing Steel-types with Magnet Pull and and KO with either Thunderbolt or Hidden Power Fire.</p>
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Heatwave / Roost
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant / Naughty
ability: Insomnia
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The classic Honchkrow set returns, and is as effective as ever. Comprehensive coverage and great power make this set difficult to switch into, and hard to wall. Superpower and Heat Wave are illegal with Moxie, but this Honchkrow variant appreciates Insomnia much more. The ability to switch into the sleep-inducing moves of foes such as Lilligant, Amoonguss, and Tangrowth,[Add Comma] allows Honchkow to check them with a powerful Brave Bird or Heat Wave. These two moves also provide coverage on Steel-types, which cannot wall this set as easily as the Moxie SubRoost. As this Honchkrow variant is less common than Moxie SubRoost, and therefore unexpected, catching a check or counter with a super effective coverage move is quite easy, and extremely effective. For example, Aggron easily checks Moxie SubRoost Honchkrow, but cannot switch into Superpower. Steelix is incinerated by Heat Wave, and Tangrowth doesn't stand a chance.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Depending on the rest of your team, either Superpower or Heat Wave can be replaced by Roost. Brave Bird recoil, Life Orb recoil, Recoil from both Brave Bird and Life Orb, in conjunction with and residual damage from things such as Stealth Rock,[Add Comma] can quickly empty Honchkrow's health, and so Roost is an excellent way to keep it healthy extend Honchkrow's longevity. Like the Moxie SubRoost set, this Honchkrow variant can play mindgames with Sucker Punch, easily finding free turns to Roost in the process. Hidden Power Grass is another excellent choice, and with it, Honchkrow can score a powerful super effective hit on defensive Grass-weak Pokemon such as Omastar and Quagsire. If you opt to use an all-physical set, i.e. one without lacking Heat Wave, a Naughty nature is not needed, and Adamant should be used.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Night Slash / Pursuit
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Heatwave
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Naughty
ability: Insomnia
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>I know what you might be thinking. "A Honchkrow set without Sucker Punch? Blasphemy!" But consider this old adage; How do you make a slow, powerful Pokemon useful? Slap a Choice Scarf on it! Low Speed will always be Honchkrow's greatest obstacle, and this set remedies that. Swooping in at 361 Speed, Scarf Honchkrow outpaces everything below base 115 Speed, which it ties with. Fast threats opponents ["Threats" and "Threaten" become redundant.] that could normally threaten Honchkrow, such as Archeops, Scolipede, and Galvantula, are all outsped and KOed with the appropriate move. As Sucker Punch is not as important to this set, an alternate Dark-type STAB can be used. Night Slash is a solid, reliable choice that has excellent neutral coverage, plus a high Critical Hit ratio. Another great choice is Pursuit. Akin to Krookodile, Honchkrow can abuse the effects of a fast Pursuit to trap Psychic- or Ghost-types such as Haunter and Claydol, removing them in one fell swoop. Honchkrow can also use Pursuit to get rid of any annoying checks that guard against your sweepers, and support your other team members in their endeavors. It should be noted, however, that using Pursuit instead of Night Slash will render this set somewhat unwieldy inefficent [Okay.. time to tone down on the complex language.]; Brave Bird must be used cautiously due to the recoil, and Pursuit is too weak for regular use. This set will lack a reliable go-to STAB move for general attacking.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>As this Honchkrow variant will be switching in and out frequently and cannot use Roost, Brave Bird is somewhat undesirable. The move's recoil damage will add up, and may be counterproductive. Drill Peck can be used instead.;[Remove Period / Add Semicolon] though the move is considerably weaker, it does not inflict recoil damage, which is a great boon to the cause of this set. Rapid Spin support really helps, and an offensive Spinner, such as Hitmonlee, works wonders. Though this set runs coverage for Steel-types, they can still force out a Honchkrow Choice-locked into Brave Bird or Night Slash; Rapid Spin support is crucial for this reason, and a Rapid Spinner that can clear out Steel-types supports Honchkrow greatly.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Flavor-wise, Nasty Plot is perfect for Honchkrow; mob bosses plot nasty stuff all the time! Though this analogy doesn't quite match up competitively, Nasty Plot is still a great choice on Honchkrow. A set consisting of Nasty Plot and any three of Air Cutter, Heat Wave, Hidden Power Grass, and Sucker Punch with the Super Luck ability and a Modest nature (or Rash if Sucker Punch is chosen) gives Honchkrow dangerous sweeping power from its oft-neglected special side. The use of Super Luck on the set is crucial; Air Cutter is a fairly weak move with a high Critical Hit ratio, which the ability amplifies even further, and gives Honchkrow's main STAB move a much-needed boost. Dark Pulse can also be used, but it overlaps unfavorably with Sucker Punch. Tailwind is another interesting choice. With the wind beneath its wings, a speedy Honchkrow can sweep the opponent with a lesser reliance on Sucker Punch, and even if KOed, it can give another Pokemon on your team a chance to sweep with the pseudopassed Tailwind boost. Other options include Perish Song and Psycho Shift; the use of these moves is hard to justify on Honchkrow's already cramped sets, but they have their uses, and the surprise factor of an unorthodox move is a deadly weapon in the right hands.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Whether it's a battered victim or a rival mobster, everyone wants to take Honchkrow down. A mob boss naturally has enemies, and they all have ideas of how to assassinate the Krow crow [I know what you meant though.]. Steel-types, especially Steelix, Klinklang, and Aggron, are tough enough to take Honchkrow's Brave Birds and Sucker Punches, and can retaliate with their own attacks. The Moxie SubRoost set must rely on brute force to blast past these defensive titans, but can only manage a 2HKO at best. In return, Klinklang can shift its gears into overdrive and counter-sweep, tearing down Honchkrow's Substitute with Gear Grind,[Remove Comma] and bashing it out of the sky. Aggron 4x resists Brave Bird and can OHKO with its obnoxious Head Smash, and while Steelix shrugs off Honchkrow's onslaught,[Remove Comma] can and either set up Stealth Rock or Roar Honchkrow away. Choice Scarf users that resist Sucker Punch are also a good bet. Primeape, for example, easily outspeeds and KOes Honchkrow with Stone Edge. Any faster Pokemon that has Substitute can quickly get the upper hand, as Honchkrow will struggle to harm them. Entei is another threat to watch out for. It easily outspeeds and KOes with Flare Blitz, and can bypass Sucker Punch with its +2 priority ExtremeSpeed. Minccino can annoy Moxie Subroost variants, as its multi-hit moves break through Substitute, and Rock Blast can potentially KO with a high number of hits. Stunfisk is bulky enough to shake off resisted Brave Birds, and can retaliate with either Discharge or Scald. These moves can paralyze and burn Honchkrow, respectively, which hinders it severely.</p>
Complex language, very few mistakes, and personality. Good job.
GP 1/2
Phew, thanks! As Honchkrow is such an important/prominent RU pokemon, I was under a lot of pressure to make this writeup as good as possible.Shame That said:
Your check was really good Shame, nice work. I did leave out a few things though.
We should avoid using phrases that denote Gen V as a new generation, as it's not. It'd sound weird later down the track, and would have to be edited. (Got this from the grammar standards thread. Thanks guys!)
Unthreatening isn't a word.
Sounds really awkward...
Double outpacing here, so I left it out. Semicolons are also needed after Gligar and Gallade.
The serial comma isn't needed here.
No, I really mean unwieldy!
Sorry this looks so ugly, I'm on my phone. Just felt the need to address these.
Well spotted :)
GP CHECK 2/2
additions
removals
great analysis, quite well-written. excellent work on this!
additions
removals
[Overview]
<p>If the RU tier were a seedy underworld city, Honchkrow would be its kingpin. Its Hidden Ability, Moxie, has given the Honch Honchkrow the edge it needs to ascend the ranks and cement itself as the deadliest sweeper in the entire tier. Honchkrow's strength lies in a wicked combination of traits; a base 125 Attack stat, two STAB moves in Brave Bird and Sucker Punch, Moxie, SubRoost, and a few powerful coverage moves. Though Honchkrow is slow, it can neatly bypass this problem through adept use of Sucker Punch, Substitute, and Roost. Using this strategy, a skilled player can sweep an entire opposing team with terrifying ease. That being said, low Speed is low Speed, so faster threats can get the jump on Honchkrow. Steel-types that resist Honchkrow's STAB moves can ruffle its feathers if it has not yet gained any Moxie boosts, but a sweeping Honchkrow is so such a deadly sweeper that this scarcely matters.</p>
[SET]
name: Moxie SubRoost
move 1: Brave bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Roost
move 4: Substitute / Pursuit
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant
ability: Moxie
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Some Pokemon have that one set, the set that everyone talks about in hushed whispers, the set that gives children nightmares. For Honchkrow, Moxie SubRoost is that set. Honchkrow was once a mere mixed attacker with fairly powerful attacks, good coverage, and hit-or-miss priority. Moxie changed all of this. Honchkrow is now able to switch into a weakened or non-threatening foe, grab a boost or set up a Substitute, and start up a sweep at a moment's notice. Once Honchkrow nets that free turn, the opponent is forced into a no-win situation; behind a Substitute, Honchkrow can safely KO faster threats with Brave Bird or Sucker Punch, while Roosting when its health gets low. Opponents must beware when switching out of Honchkrow, as whatever switches in usually runs the risk of being 2HKOed, which Honchkrow is almost always capable of. 2HKOed. Your opponent must disarm Honchkrow quickly, otherwise or it will just become progressively stronger and harder to stop.</p>
<p>Brave Bird is Honchkrow's primary move, as it has excellent neutral coverage and packs devastating power. Sucker Punch, however, is the key to Honchkrow's success, as the priority the move, carries, plus the associated mindgames Honchkrow can play with the opponent, are what distinguish it from other slow, powerful attackers. Substitute and Roost keep Honchkrow healthy, allowing it to stay in play for extended durations. As useful as it is, Substitute can be replaced with Pursuit. This devious move is a surprising divergence from the usual, and allows Honchkrow to KO opponents that could otherwise elude it. Tagging a switching foe with a fatal hit might allow give Honchkrow an easier time setting up, or eliminate a threat or hindrance to another of your sweepers.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>252 Attack EVs, an Adamant nature, and Life Orb give Honchkrow as much power as possible, which is crucial for breaking through Flying-type resistors. These offensive additions are also used to ensure that the first strike carries enough power to grab a KO and start a sweep. 252 Speed EVs ensure that Honchkrow outpaces the competition; competition, namely slow opponents that invest in Speed, such as Aggron and Gligar; Gligar, faster foes that don't invest, such as Gallade; Gallade, and opposing Honchkrow. Honchkrow is powerful enough to swap its Adamant nature for Jolly, but the extra Speed is often not needed, and Honchkrow's initial power will be noticeably lowered. Removing Roost is not recommended, as without it, Honchkrow has no way to heal itself without outside support, and will quickly succumb to Brave Bird recoil and residual damage. Steel-types resist both Brave Bird and Sucker Punch, and can wall Honchkrow fairly reliably if it does not yet have any Moxie boosts, so Magneton is a great teammate; it can trap opposing Steel-types with Magnet Pull and and KO with either Thunderbolt or Hidden Power Fire.</p>
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Heatwave / Roost
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant / Naughty
ability: Insomnia
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The classic Honchkrow set returns, and is as effective as ever. Comprehensive coverage and great power make this set difficult to switch into, and hard to wall. Superpower and Heat Wave are illegal with Moxie, but this Honchkrow variant appreciates Insomnia much more. The ability to switch into the sleep-inducing moves of foes such as Lilligant, Amoonguss, and Tangrowth allows Honchkow to check them with a powerful Brave Bird or Heat Wave. These two moves also provide coverage on Steel-types, which cannot wall this set as easily as the Moxie SubRoost. As this Honchkrow variant is less common than Moxie SubRoost, and therefore unexpected, catching a check or counter with a super effective coverage move is quite easy, and extremely effective. For example, Aggron easily checks Moxie SubRoost Honchkrow, but cannot switch into Superpower. Steelix is incinerated by Heat Wave, and Tangrowth doesn't stand a chance.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Depending on the rest of your team, either Superpower or Heat Wave can be replaced by Roost. Recoil from both Brave Bird and Life Orb, in conjunction with residual damage from things such as Stealth Rock, can quickly empty drain Honchkrow's health, so Roost is an excellent way to extend Honchkrow's longevity. Like the Moxie SubRoost set, this Honchkrow variant can play mindgames with Sucker Punch, easily finding free turns to Roost in the process. Hidden Power Grass is another excellent choice, and with it, as it allows Honchkrow can to score a powerful super effective hit on defensive Grass-weak Pokemon such as Omastar and Quagsire. If you opt to use an all-physical set, one lacking Heat Wave, a Naughty nature is not needed, and Adamant should be used.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Night Slash / Pursuit
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Heatwave
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Naughty
ability: Insomnia
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>I know what you might be thinking. "A Honchkrow set without Sucker Punch? Blasphemy!" But consider this old adage; How do you make a slow, powerful Pokemon useful? Slap a Choice Scarf on it! Low Speed will always be Honchkrow's greatest obstacle, and this set remedies that. Swooping in at 361 Speed, Scarf Honchkrow outpaces everything below base 115 Speed, which it ties with. Fast foes that could normally threaten Honchkrow, such as Archeops, Scolipede, and Galvantula, are all outsped and KOed with the appropriate move. As Sucker Punch is not as important to this set, an alternate Dark-type STAB can be used. Night Slash is a solid, reliable choice that has excellent neutral coverage, plus a high Critical Hit ratio. Another great choice is Pursuit. Akin to Krookodile, Honchkrow can abuse the effects of a fast Pursuit to trap Psychic- or Ghost-types such as Haunter and Claydol, removing them in one fell swoop. Honchkrow can also use Pursuit to get rid of any annoying checks that guard against your sweepers, and support your other team members in their endeavors. It should be noted, however, that using Pursuit instead of Night Slash will render this set somewhat unwieldy; Brave Bird must be used cautiously due to the recoil, and Pursuit is too weak for regular use. This set will lack a reliable go-to STAB move for general attacking.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>As this Honchkrow variant will be switching in and out frequently and cannot use Roost, Brave Bird is somewhat undesirable. The move's recoil damage will add up, and may be counterproductive. Drill Peck can be used instead; though the move is considerably weaker, it does not inflict recoil damage, which is a great boon to the cause of this set. Honchkrow's longevity. Rapid Spin support really helps, and an offensive Spinner, such as Hitmonlee, works wonders. Though this set runs coverage for Steel-types, they can still force out a Honchkrow Choice-locked into Brave Bird or Night Slash; Rapid Spin support is crucial for this reason, and a Rapid Spinner that can clear out Steel-types supports Honchkrow greatly. is especially helpful.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Flavor-wise, Nasty Plot is perfect for Honchkrow; mob bosses plot nasty stuff all the time! Though this analogy doesn't quite match up competitively, Nasty Plot is still a great choice on Honchkrow. A set consisting of Nasty Plot and any three of Air Cutter, Heat Wave, Hidden Power Grass, and Sucker Punch with the Super Luck ability and a Modest nature (or Rash if Sucker Punch is chosen) gives Honchkrow dangerous sweeping power from its oft-neglected special side. The use of Super Luck on the set is crucial; Air Cutter is a fairly weak move with a high Critical Hit ratio, which the ability amplifies even further, and gives Honchkrow's main STAB move a much-needed boost. Dark Pulse can also be used, but it overlaps unfavorably with Sucker Punch. Tailwind is another interesting choice. With the wind beneath its wings, a speedy Honchkrow can sweep the opponent with a lesser reliance on Sucker Punch, and even if KOed, it can give another Pokemon on your team a chance to sweep with the pseudopassed Tailwind boost. Other options include Perish Song and Psycho Shift; the use of these moves is hard to justify on Honchkrow's already cramped sets, but they have their uses, and the surprise factor of an unorthodox move is a deadly weapon in the right hands.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Whether it's a battered victim or a rival mobster, everyone wants to take Honchkrow down. A mob boss naturally has enemies, and they all have ideas of how to assassinate the crow. Steel-types, especially Steelix, Klinklang, and Aggron, are tough enough to take Honchkrow's Brave Birds and Sucker Punches, and can retaliate with their own attacks. The Moxie SubRoost set must rely on brute force to blast past these defensive titans, but can only manage a 2HKO at best. In return, Klinklang can shift its gears into overdrive and counter-sweep, tearing down Honchkrow's Substitute with Gear Grind and bashing it out of the sky. Aggron 4x resists Brave Bird and OHKOes with its obnoxious Head Smash, while Steelix shrugs off Honchkrow's onslaught and either sets up Stealth Rock or Roars Honchkrow away. Choice Scarf users that resist Sucker Punch are also a good bet. Primeape, for example, easily outspeeds and KOes Honchkrow with Stone Edge. Any faster Pokemon that has Substitute can quickly get the upper hand, as Honchkrow will struggle to harm them. Entei is another threat to watch out for. It easily outspeeds and KOes with Flare Blitz, and can bypass Sucker Punch with its +2 priority ExtremeSpeed. Minccino can annoy Moxie Subroost variants, as its multi-hit moves break through Substitute, and Rock Blast can potentially KO with a high number of hits. Stunfisk is bulky enough to shake off resisted Brave Birds, and can retaliate with either Discharge or Scald. These moves can paralyze and burn Honchkrow, respectively, which hinders it severely.</p>
<p>If the RU tier were a seedy underworld city, Honchkrow would be its kingpin. Its Hidden Ability, Moxie, has given the Honch Honchkrow the edge it needs to ascend the ranks and cement itself as the deadliest sweeper in the entire tier. Honchkrow's strength lies in a wicked combination of traits; a base 125 Attack stat, two STAB moves in Brave Bird and Sucker Punch, Moxie, SubRoost, and a few powerful coverage moves. Though Honchkrow is slow, it can neatly bypass this problem through adept use of Sucker Punch, Substitute, and Roost. Using this strategy, a skilled player can sweep an entire opposing team with terrifying ease. That being said, low Speed is low Speed, so faster threats can get the jump on Honchkrow. Steel-types that resist Honchkrow's STAB moves can ruffle its feathers if it has not yet gained any Moxie boosts, but a sweeping Honchkrow is so such a deadly sweeper that this scarcely matters.</p>
[SET]
name: Moxie SubRoost
move 1: Brave bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Roost
move 4: Substitute / Pursuit
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant
ability: Moxie
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Some Pokemon have that one set, the set that everyone talks about in hushed whispers, the set that gives children nightmares. For Honchkrow, Moxie SubRoost is that set. Honchkrow was once a mere mixed attacker with fairly powerful attacks, good coverage, and hit-or-miss priority. Moxie changed all of this. Honchkrow is now able to switch into a weakened or non-threatening foe, grab a boost or set up a Substitute, and start up a sweep at a moment's notice. Once Honchkrow nets that free turn, the opponent is forced into a no-win situation; behind a Substitute, Honchkrow can safely KO faster threats with Brave Bird or Sucker Punch, while Roosting when its health gets low. Opponents must beware when switching out of Honchkrow, as whatever switches in usually runs the risk of being 2HKOed, which Honchkrow is almost always capable of. 2HKOed. Your opponent must disarm Honchkrow quickly, otherwise or it will just become progressively stronger and harder to stop.</p>
<p>Brave Bird is Honchkrow's primary move, as it has excellent neutral coverage and packs devastating power. Sucker Punch, however, is the key to Honchkrow's success, as the priority the move, carries, plus the associated mindgames Honchkrow can play with the opponent, are what distinguish it from other slow, powerful attackers. Substitute and Roost keep Honchkrow healthy, allowing it to stay in play for extended durations. As useful as it is, Substitute can be replaced with Pursuit. This devious move is a surprising divergence from the usual, and allows Honchkrow to KO opponents that could otherwise elude it. Tagging a switching foe with a fatal hit might allow give Honchkrow an easier time setting up, or eliminate a threat or hindrance to another of your sweepers.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>252 Attack EVs, an Adamant nature, and Life Orb give Honchkrow as much power as possible, which is crucial for breaking through Flying-type resistors. These offensive additions are also used to ensure that the first strike carries enough power to grab a KO and start a sweep. 252 Speed EVs ensure that Honchkrow outpaces the competition; competition, namely slow opponents that invest in Speed, such as Aggron and Gligar; Gligar, faster foes that don't invest, such as Gallade; Gallade, and opposing Honchkrow. Honchkrow is powerful enough to swap its Adamant nature for Jolly, but the extra Speed is often not needed, and Honchkrow's initial power will be noticeably lowered. Removing Roost is not recommended, as without it, Honchkrow has no way to heal itself without outside support, and will quickly succumb to Brave Bird recoil and residual damage. Steel-types resist both Brave Bird and Sucker Punch, and can wall Honchkrow fairly reliably if it does not yet have any Moxie boosts, so Magneton is a great teammate; it can trap opposing Steel-types with Magnet Pull and and KO with either Thunderbolt or Hidden Power Fire.</p>
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Heatwave / Roost
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant / Naughty
ability: Insomnia
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The classic Honchkrow set returns, and is as effective as ever. Comprehensive coverage and great power make this set difficult to switch into, and hard to wall. Superpower and Heat Wave are illegal with Moxie, but this Honchkrow variant appreciates Insomnia much more. The ability to switch into the sleep-inducing moves of foes such as Lilligant, Amoonguss, and Tangrowth allows Honchkow to check them with a powerful Brave Bird or Heat Wave. These two moves also provide coverage on Steel-types, which cannot wall this set as easily as the Moxie SubRoost. As this Honchkrow variant is less common than Moxie SubRoost, and therefore unexpected, catching a check or counter with a super effective coverage move is quite easy, and extremely effective. For example, Aggron easily checks Moxie SubRoost Honchkrow, but cannot switch into Superpower. Steelix is incinerated by Heat Wave, and Tangrowth doesn't stand a chance.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Depending on the rest of your team, either Superpower or Heat Wave can be replaced by Roost. Recoil from both Brave Bird and Life Orb, in conjunction with residual damage from things such as Stealth Rock, can quickly empty drain Honchkrow's health, so Roost is an excellent way to extend Honchkrow's longevity. Like the Moxie SubRoost set, this Honchkrow variant can play mindgames with Sucker Punch, easily finding free turns to Roost in the process. Hidden Power Grass is another excellent choice, and with it, as it allows Honchkrow can to score a powerful super effective hit on defensive Grass-weak Pokemon such as Omastar and Quagsire. If you opt to use an all-physical set, one lacking Heat Wave, a Naughty nature is not needed, and Adamant should be used.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Night Slash / Pursuit
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Heatwave
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Naughty
ability: Insomnia
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>I know what you might be thinking. "A Honchkrow set without Sucker Punch? Blasphemy!" But consider this old adage; How do you make a slow, powerful Pokemon useful? Slap a Choice Scarf on it! Low Speed will always be Honchkrow's greatest obstacle, and this set remedies that. Swooping in at 361 Speed, Scarf Honchkrow outpaces everything below base 115 Speed, which it ties with. Fast foes that could normally threaten Honchkrow, such as Archeops, Scolipede, and Galvantula, are all outsped and KOed with the appropriate move. As Sucker Punch is not as important to this set, an alternate Dark-type STAB can be used. Night Slash is a solid, reliable choice that has excellent neutral coverage, plus a high Critical Hit ratio. Another great choice is Pursuit. Akin to Krookodile, Honchkrow can abuse the effects of a fast Pursuit to trap Psychic- or Ghost-types such as Haunter and Claydol, removing them in one fell swoop. Honchkrow can also use Pursuit to get rid of any annoying checks that guard against your sweepers, and support your other team members in their endeavors. It should be noted, however, that using Pursuit instead of Night Slash will render this set somewhat unwieldy; Brave Bird must be used cautiously due to the recoil, and Pursuit is too weak for regular use. This set will lack a reliable go-to STAB move for general attacking.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>As this Honchkrow variant will be switching in and out frequently and cannot use Roost, Brave Bird is somewhat undesirable. The move's recoil damage will add up, and may be counterproductive. Drill Peck can be used instead; though the move is considerably weaker, it does not inflict recoil damage, which is a great boon to the cause of this set. Honchkrow's longevity. Rapid Spin support really helps, and an offensive Spinner, such as Hitmonlee, works wonders. Though this set runs coverage for Steel-types, they can still force out a Honchkrow Choice-locked into Brave Bird or Night Slash; Rapid Spin support is crucial for this reason, and a Rapid Spinner that can clear out Steel-types supports Honchkrow greatly. is especially helpful.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Flavor-wise, Nasty Plot is perfect for Honchkrow; mob bosses plot nasty stuff all the time! Though this analogy doesn't quite match up competitively, Nasty Plot is still a great choice on Honchkrow. A set consisting of Nasty Plot and any three of Air Cutter, Heat Wave, Hidden Power Grass, and Sucker Punch with the Super Luck ability and a Modest nature (or Rash if Sucker Punch is chosen) gives Honchkrow dangerous sweeping power from its oft-neglected special side. The use of Super Luck on the set is crucial; Air Cutter is a fairly weak move with a high Critical Hit ratio, which the ability amplifies even further, and gives Honchkrow's main STAB move a much-needed boost. Dark Pulse can also be used, but it overlaps unfavorably with Sucker Punch. Tailwind is another interesting choice. With the wind beneath its wings, a speedy Honchkrow can sweep the opponent with a lesser reliance on Sucker Punch, and even if KOed, it can give another Pokemon on your team a chance to sweep with the pseudopassed Tailwind boost. Other options include Perish Song and Psycho Shift; the use of these moves is hard to justify on Honchkrow's already cramped sets, but they have their uses, and the surprise factor of an unorthodox move is a deadly weapon in the right hands.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Whether it's a battered victim or a rival mobster, everyone wants to take Honchkrow down. A mob boss naturally has enemies, and they all have ideas of how to assassinate the crow. Steel-types, especially Steelix, Klinklang, and Aggron, are tough enough to take Honchkrow's Brave Birds and Sucker Punches, and can retaliate with their own attacks. The Moxie SubRoost set must rely on brute force to blast past these defensive titans, but can only manage a 2HKO at best. In return, Klinklang can shift its gears into overdrive and counter-sweep, tearing down Honchkrow's Substitute with Gear Grind and bashing it out of the sky. Aggron 4x resists Brave Bird and OHKOes with its obnoxious Head Smash, while Steelix shrugs off Honchkrow's onslaught and either sets up Stealth Rock or Roars Honchkrow away. Choice Scarf users that resist Sucker Punch are also a good bet. Primeape, for example, easily outspeeds and KOes Honchkrow with Stone Edge. Any faster Pokemon that has Substitute can quickly get the upper hand, as Honchkrow will struggle to harm them. Entei is another threat to watch out for. It easily outspeeds and KOes with Flare Blitz, and can bypass Sucker Punch with its +2 priority ExtremeSpeed. Minccino can annoy Moxie Subroost variants, as its multi-hit moves break through Substitute, and Rock Blast can potentially KO with a high number of hits. Stunfisk is bulky enough to shake off resisted Brave Birds, and can retaliate with either Discharge or Scald. These moves can paralyze and burn Honchkrow, respectively, which hinders it severely.</p>
great analysis, quite well-written. excellent work on this!
Thanks Snorlaxe!
Honchkrow is DONE.
Honchkrow is DONE.
