What is a good moveset for Hydreigon?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Hydreigon, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for any of its pre-evolutions can also be shared on this thread.

Be sure to include full set details in your post, e.g. items, abilities, natures and EVs. Some detail, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Hydreigon Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Comments

Likely tier: Overused.

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sad that it got nerfed in gen 6, those darn fairies !

Answer 1

It's got pretty good attack stats, and 92/90/90 Defenses are extremely solid. However, if falls into the balanced pile of dragons. It has less bulk than Dragonite, but more than Flygon. It lacks the raw power of Salamence, but is still stronger than Altaria.

I seriously think this Pokemon is being overhyped. It's better than UU Dragons, and has no definite Niche in OU. I think it's going to be OU, but then dropped to BL, because it can't compete with 'Chomp or Onono.

Anyway, here's a great moveset for Sazando. Since I feel that it should take advantage of the bulk, then I think some kind of crippling screw-up would work well. here's what I'm thinking:

Sazando (Hydreigon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 8 HP / 252 SpA or 252 Atk / 248 Spe
Adamant Nature / Modest Nature (Depends on what you want)
- Thunder Wave
- Dragon Tail / Dragon Pulse
- U-Turn
- Dark Pulse / Crunch

Thunder Wave (Crippling to help compensate for middling Speed)

Dragon Tail / Dragon Pulse (Used for phazing potential threats. STAB makes it pretty nice too! Use Dragon Pulse for an alternative)

U-Turn (Use this to help Sazando escape! Works with helping to escape Bind, Wrap, Fire Spin, Whirlpool, Clamp, or Shadow Tag)

Dark Pulse / Crunch (Your second STAB. Use for straightforward power)

Comments

Not sure if I agree with both Dragon Tail and U-Turn.

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With all of the new buffs we have in this Gen, you'll see why I included it.

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Yes I can see the use, but I think there could be better options. I myself would replace U-Turn for perhaps Cheer Up on this moveset, having Dark Pulse and Dragon Tail.

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Or arena trap^^(although the only 2 who would use that are diglett and dugtrio)

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Who is Onono?

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Onono? I believe it's the Haxer Dude, also known as Haxorus. Not sure

Answer 2

Hydreigon Sweeper

Hydreigon @ Leftovers / Expert Belt
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 6 HP
Timid Nature
- Dragon Pulse
- Charge Beam
- Flamethrower
- Surf

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So this is a moveset for Hydreigon I find every useful. Dragon Pulse is for the 90 power with STAB, now who wouldn't want this? Charge Beam is there to aid Hydreigon in its sweeps, along with having one of the best elements to have. If you have an opponent that can't do anything to you, and you can't do much to them, use Charge Beam to give yourself initiative for that Pokemon you're facing or anything your opponent brings in! Flamethrower is coverage for Ice types, and just extra coverage in general. Surf is also for extra coverage, completing a set containing each a Fire, Water, and Electric type move for great coverage! Your item choices are Leftovers, if you think Hydreigon is able to last long enough in battles to heal a chunk of HP or Expert Belt to help strengthen super effective moves (with one of each type, there will be a lot of Super effective moves going on)

Answer 3

Role: Physical Sweeper

Hydreigon (M) @ Liechi Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Head Smash
- Crunch
- Outrage
- Earthquake

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Crunch and Outrage for STAB.
Earthquake for Coverage.

This guy has 90s in his Defenses, so he probably won't be OHKOed but taken down to a rather low amount of HP kicking in the Liechi Berry's attack boost.

Head Smash for Coverage, and it can help kick in the Berry if your opponent didn't hit you quite hard enough :]

Answer 4

So it's somewhat similar to some of the other sets here but also a tad different. I have been using this Hydreigon set for a while now on all different teams and I have had devastating results.

Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast
- U-turn

Draco Meteor is your main STAB and just tears down anything that is not a dedicated special wall or a steel type, and Dark Pulse is your secondary STAB, with a nice flinch chance. Fire Blast is coverage and hits the Steel types that threaten you (cough Scizor cough), and U-turn allows you to escape, revenge kill, and gain momentum for the team.

Comments

Where did you get that awesome picture from?

Answer 5

I am going to get nailed for this, but it's a new idea. In my opinion, mixed sweepers is usually not good, but I think Hydreigon fits the role perfectly, especially with it's movepool.

Hydreigon @ (No item) / Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 128 Atk / 128 SpA / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Crunch
- Acrobatics / Earthquake
- Work Up

Jolly Nature means it can outrun Adamant Garchomp. You do lose a bit of Special Attack, but its Attack needs to be good enough to do damage. You could run something to take away some Defense and increase Speed like Hasty or Naive. Your choice. 252 Speed is for outrunning Garchomp, and the 128 split is for bringing both its Attack and Special. Attack up to par.
You would open with a couple of Work Ups (The mixed part of mixed sweeper is defined with this move), then use any moves. Acrobatics takes out Fighting and Bug, and Earthquake takes out Ice and Steel/Rock. Your call. Be sure to not equip an item if you run Acrobatics, as this will halve the power. If you run Earthquake, you can equip Life Orb for some serious sweeping power on the physical side.
After you Work Up, your next move is based on the type. Crunch takes out everything but Rock/Steel and Fighting. That's where Earthquake/Acrobatics would come in. I would save Draco Meteor for when you really need it. You will get 1-2 good uses out of it. This set should take out pretty much anything. Please tell me what you think!

Comments

Without a Choice Scarf, that thing isn't outrunning Chomp Bud,

9/10 Garchomps in the Metagame Are Scarfed Outragers, who would take this thing down in a second.

In other News, Work Up + Draco Meteor is controdicting yourself ( I can NEVER speel that word -_- )

Also,

(>' ')>   <( ' '<)

Kirby Dance XD

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A good enough set. J98 brought up the main points here. One minor point left from me. Instead of using no item, you can use a Flying Gem. It will activate before Acrobatics' check for an item, meaning it will not only gain double-damage, but also the Flying Gem boost.

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good job my hydrigon is a mixed sweeper as well

Answer 6

This is the Hydreigon I used for the PO tournament:

Hydreigon (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Outrage
- Crunch
- Rock Slide
- U-turn

Outrage is for STAB, and with the Band, it's incredible. Steel types don't survive long under this guy's pressure. Crunch is STAB. Rock Slide is for covering Bug and Ice types. U-turn is for switching, like a Banded Scizor using U-turn. That's actually where I got the idea. Some people might not like this because they say that Scarfed Chomp outruns it, but still, this Hydreigon can Sweep.

Answer 7

Hydreigon (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 196 Atk / 60 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Superpower
- Draco Meteor
- Work Up

A mixed Hydreigon I thought of earlier today making use of the new BW2 move tutor teaching Superpower.

His attacking stats are near equal, with the Special Attack peeking just a bit over the Attack. 208 / 50 makes them equal.

Life orb is for boosted power. While something like Lum Berry can be nice, he needs the extra attacking strength when he's splitting up his attacking stats.

Max speed so he can actually out speed stuff. Can't exactly scarf something with Work up.

Dark Pulse is your STAB that won't screw with your stats. 80 BP is pretty nice with STAB leading to a 120 BP attack. After 1 Work Up this thing is at 602 Special Attack, so a simple STAB move that hits hard enough and doesn't worry with other jazz is nice.

Superpower is physical coverage. Fighting + Dark covers so much stuff. After using this once you're at +0 Attack, so you can technically use it again if you must.

Draco Meteor is your other STAB, only this move drops stats as well. 1 use is likely, although a second use is possible. You're probably going to be switching this thing in and out a lot anyway, so it's not too big of a deal. High BP is super nice.

Work Up generally works for stat boosts on both attacking stats.

Now, the biggest thing you should remember when using this set..
STAY AWAY FROM SCIZOR!!! -- Please... you'll get your Hydreigon fainted if you don't.

Scizor counters this set in every way possible, BUT Hydreigon's ability to learn Flamethrower will normally scare Scizor off.

Answer 8

Courtesy of Flare, with my own little tweaks

Hydreigon @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Dragon Pulse
- Fire Blast / Flamethrower
- Earth Power / Focus Blast / Roost

Take advantage of Hydreigon's menacing presence to set up a substitute on a terrified foe, such as a utility Pokemon unable to hinder the beast behind a substitute, or an offensive Pokemon at the type disadvantage due to a choice item or poor coverage. The opponent will then switch in a check, a faster dragon maybe or other offensive threat, or quite possibly a powerful wall like heatran or tyranitar. Then proceed to obliterate the threat with attacks.

Dragon Pulse is the mandatory STAB move, allowing hydreigon to dispose of its dragon brethren. Then comes the highly recommended fire type coverage. I'm not going to go into to much detail, but just be aware there are threats like Scizor where a miss could be fatal, and there are threats like Jirachi where more power would be extremely helpful. The final slot is a toss up, a matter of preference. Focus Blast is often the most used, as it severely injures Tyranitar and dents Heatran as well. However it is very inaccurate, and as such Earth Power may be the way to go, easily removing Heatran, but is not nearly as effective on Tyranitar. If you find that dragon/fire coverage us suitable, Roost may be used as a means of quick healing.

A more bulky spread of say 252 hp 252 sp atk 4 sp def with a modest nature could be used. However, hydreigon would loose the crucial speed advantage over multiple prominent threats, including Haxorus, positive natured base 95s (like Kyurem B) and the neutral natured base 100s, most notably Jirachi. If you do a bulky spread, Roost is the preferable option for the fourth moveslot.

Thanks for reading

Answer 9

Well here is the set I use.

Hydregion @ Life Orb / Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 6 HP
Timid Nature
- Flamethrower
- Dragon Pulse
- Dark Pulse
- Surf

Flamethrower (Bye, Ice types, see ya Steel, nice knowing Grass and Bug)

Dragon Pulse (STAB + weakness coverage)

Dark Pulse (STAB)

Surf (coverage)

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We all now know he cannot have both Earth Power and Dragon Pulse.

Comments

How about dragon sneeze? Iris's axew's dragon sneeze is awesome (watch it in the pokemon film) XD

Answer 10

Well here is my Hydreigon's set up.

Hydreigon @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
- Dragon Pulse
- Fire Blast / Flamethrower
- Surf
- Substitute

Moveset:
Dragon Pulse- Coverage + You get STAB.
Fire Blast/Flamethrower- For the sake of Coverage.
Surf/Whatever you want- Not too many good moves he can learn, but I use him as a surfing tool, and Surf has come in many mighty situations, but it's probably not helpful on Double battles and whatnot since it'll hurt teammates.
Substitute- You're pretty much promised to go first, so using this you can be wary and protect yourself. If they attempt using things such as hypnosis or status ailments, they'll all fail, and you'll slowly begin to regain the life you've lost from 'Leftovers'. Plus you're cautious, and if they miraculously have a move like Dragon Claw or Ice Beam that you didn't see coming from such a Pokemon, then you've sacrificed only about 1/4th of your health, and you can switch out for someone else to Resist and or Defeat said Opponent's Pokemon.

Answer 11

I wanna use this set on Hydreigon:

Hydreigon @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 64 HP / 252 SpA / 192 Spe
Modest Nature
- Substitute
- Thunder Wave
- Dragon Pulse
- Fire Blast

The idea behind this is to paralyze faster threats (i.e. Terrakion and Latios).
Once paralyzed, even if they are scarfed, Hydreigon will outspeed.
Substitute is to allow him to scout and ease prediction. With a Substitute up, Thunder Wave will
be easier to utilize. Dragon Pulse and Fire Blast is only resisted by Heatran. With Hydreigon's natural power, mpModest and max investment, he will be 2HKOing many Pokemon.

Answer 12

Hydreigon (F) @ Wise Glasses / Leftovers / Assault Vest
(Assault Vest incompatible with Nasty Plot)
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 80 Def / 252 SpA / 80 SpD / 96 Spe
Modest Nature
- Dragon Pulse
- Earth Power / Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Nasty Plot / Flash Cannon

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• Dragon Pulse (STAB, dragon coverage & decent neutral coverage move)
• Earth Power/Dark Pulse (Earth Power: Great coverage move plus a 10% chance to lower foe's Sp. Def stat by one)/(Dark Pulse: STAB, ghost & psychic coverage, plus a 20% flinch chance)
• Flamethrower (Important ice & bug coverage plus grass & steel, plus a 10% burn chance)
• Nasty Plot/Flash Cannon (Nasty Plot: Self explanatory)/(Flash Cannon: Important fairy & ice coverage plus rock, plus a 10% chance to lower foe's Sp. Def stat by one)

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My question is why do people make Hydreigon a physical attacker? It's special attack is the highest of the pseudo-legendary Pokemon. Making it a physical attacker would be a waste, not just for being lower than it's special attack, but also because multiple pseudo-legendary Pokemon have higher physical attack.

Edit#1: Replaced Flash Cannon with Earth Power instead for better coverage over fairy coverage (as you would switch out if you don’t want to lose Hydreigon), and female gender because infatuation is annoying when you do come against it (as female Pokémon are more frequently used as the applicator).

Edit#2: Holy s**t , Hydreigon just got Nasty Plot as a level up move in Pokémon Sword & Shield. Now this thing is full sweeper material. Additionally Pokémon Sword & Shield added a new item called Technical Records (TR) that are just like pre-BW TMs (single-use). Good News! Dragon Pulse, Dark Pulse, Flamethrower, Earth Power, & Nasty Plot are all TRs that Hydreigon can learn from. I also re-added Flash Cannon because it's actually pretty good to have on Hydreigon with an Assault Vest as it can tank fairy attacks, which I ran on Hydreigon in ORAS, with Flash Cannon also being a TR that Hydreigon can learn from.

Info about EVs: I personally find that balancing the defensive stats, and maxing the higher attack stat (while raising HP or speed, or both or not at all depending on the Pokémon and it’s moveset), is useful in battles as people just max two stat’s EVs with them infrequently being a defense stat.

Comments

Uh...Hydreigon cannot learn Thunderbolt.

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Whoops, forgot that. It’s been awhile.

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Why would you put those EVs into bulk? Hydreigon does not tank any notable hits with those EVs. Are those random?

Answer 13

This is in regards to the new generation 8, for Battle Stadium and SS OU.
The new meta is very kind to Hydreigon, with its previously lacking speed is now actually pretty decent. The decreased power level making Hydreigon's above average bulk even better.
The biggest change though comes in the form of movepool expansion. Hydreigon has gotten 3 significant moves this generation: Nasty Plot, Dragon Dance and Hydro Pump.

Hydreigon @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Dark Pulse
- Draco Meteor
- Flash Cannon/ Focus Blast/ Fire Blast/ Belch

The standard Hydreigon set, very effective at wallbreaking. Pretty prediction-reliant though, you'll have to think what your opponent will do and play accordingly. Don't be in a hurry to set up, sometimes it's better to just attack if you predict a switch. Nasty Plot and Dark Pulse are pretty much mandatory here. Draco Meteor is to nuke a wall if it switches in when you set up a Nasty Plot, or if facing a Pokemon which could KO Hydreigon otherwise. The last moveslot is customisable. Belch is there because a Max-Ooze when dynamaxed surprises fairies, and gives you a special attack boost.

Hydreigon @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Substitute
- Dark Pulse
- Flash Cannon

A little different. Use substitute in front of a wall which does not directly threaten you such as Corsola, Toxapex or Runerigus. When he switches out, decide whether you should Nasty Plot up, or just attack. Dark Pulse and Flash Cannon provide near perfect coverage. Just make sure to not use this recklessly, and beware of Infiltrator Dragapult which KOes through Substitute easily. A good late-game sweeper.

Hydreigon @ Life Orb/ Lum Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature/ Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Crunch
- Outrage/ Fire Fang/ Superpower
- Iron Tail/ Earthquake

The Dragon Dance set is pretty outclassed by Dragapult due to lower attack and speed, though the surprise factor may be useful in certain situations, such as when he expects you to go for Nasty Plot and switches into his Galarian Darmanitan, but you set up a Dragon Dance. Dragon Dance and Crunch are standard. Outrage with a Lum Berry is pretty powerful, with Iron Tail to smack any fairies which switch in. Fire Fang, Superpower and Earthquake are other options if needed.

Hydreigon may make good use of Choice items too, but in this meta you do not want to be locked into an undesirable move, since one turn can change the tide of the game. A scarf Hydreigon could surprise a Dragapult though.
Bulky sets are not very useful.
Fun fact: Hydreigon and Aegislash resist every types in the game between them.

Answer 14

Gen 6 OU Choice Specs Set

roarrr (Hydreigon) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Flamethrower
- Earth Power
- Dark Pulse

A generic Choice Specs set, with a bit more coverage options. Surf for the hard-hitting Fire types like Heatran lurking around OU, Flamethrower for Scizor, Forretress, and Ferrothorn (be wary of Bug moves like Technician-boosted Bug Bite from Scizor), Earth Power for a bit more coverage, and Dark Pulse for the beautiful 20% flinch chance and STAB.

Answer 15

Trimegon (Hydreigon) (M) @ Electric Gem / Wide Lens / Charcoal / Lum Berry/
Nature: Timid or Modest
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Timid Nature / Modest Nature

• Dragon Pulse
• Flamethrower
• Charge Beam/Dark Pulse
• Thunder Wave

Dragon Pulse: STAB
Flamethrower: Beat those pesky Ice and Bug types
Charge Beam or Dark Pulse: [Type Coverage & 70% of +1 SpAtk] {STAB}
Thunder Wave: Cripple fast sweepers

Electric Gem or Wide Lens (with Charge Beam)
Charcoal or Lum Berry (with Dark Pulse)

Answer 16

My personal Hydregion's set I came up with after using him for a year & breeding 3 of these guys.

Hydregion (M) @ Expert Belt/White Herb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP /252 SpA /252 Spe
Modest Nature (+ SpA, - Atk)/ Timid Nature (+ Spe,- Atk)

• Draco Meteor/Dragon Pulse
• Dark Pulse
• Fire Blast
• Earth Power

Modest works if you like hitting as hard as possible or Timid if you want to outrun competition, but timid is usually better because, lets face it, Hydregion's speed isn't too great. Draco Meteor is good if you want a hit & run strategy or it could be paired with a white herb so Hydregion can stay in for longer. I prefer Draco Meteor but Dragon Pulse works too. Dark Pulse is good STAB & it can legally be obtained in Black 2 & White 2 at a move tutor so it can finally be on the same move set as E-Power. Fire Blast is great bug & ice coverage, it's usually better than flamethrower because there are some ice types that are able to resist flamethrower & then OHKO you with blizzard. Earth Power is an egg move that has really good coverage & good power too & is legal with Dark Pulse in Black 2 & White 2.

Hope this helped.

Answer 17

Something I've been playing around with
Bulky Hydreigon

Hydreigon @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 176 SpD/ 80 Def
Bold / Impish / Calm / Careful Nature

• Dragon Tail
• Substitute
• Roost
• Flamethrower/ Earth Power/ Dark Pulse/ Toxic/ Thunder Wave

Despite its typing giving it some common OU weaknesses (Ice, Dragon and Fighting to name some) Hydreigon has got some underrated 92/90/90 defenses, when coupled with its ability Levitate and resistances to Water, Grass, Fire, Electric, Dark and Ghost and an immunity to Psychic, Ground and both Spikes and Toxic Spikes, it can make a fairly good and useful defensive Pokemon.

Dragon Tail: A great phazing move, works especially well with entry hazards and gets STAB.

Substitute: Works well with entry hazards and Dragon Tail, protects Hydreigon from status such as poison.

Roost: Helps keep Hydreigon healthy, thus giving it more opportunities to wreak havoc from behind a sub.

Flamethrower/Earth Power/Dark Pulse/Toxic/Thunder Wave: Flamethrower keeps Bug, Steel, Grass and Ice types at bay. Earth Power is mainly for Heatran and Tyranitar although Dragon Tail can just phaze them both out. Dark Pulse is another STAB option for those that are worried by Psychic and Ghost types such as Gengar, Alakazam and Trick Room Reuniclus. Toxic is for common walls like Jellicent, Vaporeon and others. Although Thunder Wave might seem like an odd option it can halt sweepers who rely on their speed such as the Musketeer trio, Lucario, Infernape, Choice Scarf Scizor and so on.

Comments

A very underrated set, but Hydreigon could run a set like this well. I think Dark Pulse for the last slot.

Answer 18

This is an awesome moveset for Hydreigon:

Hydreigon @ Dragon Fang
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Ability: Levitate
Modest Nature

-Dragon Pulse
-Dark Pulse
-Draco Meteor
-Fire Blast

Comments

take out hyper voice and put fire blast for coverage

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It should hold a White Herb to get back the Special Attack boost, plus there is no point to having two STAB moves.

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There can be, since draco meteor lowers your stats, you can take out the weaker dragons etc with pulse.

Answer 19

This moveset is for Double Battles.
Hydreigon @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 SpD / 4 HP
Nature: Lonely (+Atk, -Def)

• Earthquake
• Rock Slide
• Flamethrower
• Reflect

Earthquake and Rock Slide are your main attacks, since they damage both opposing Pokemon. If you end up against a Bronzong, for example, then use Flamethrower. Reflect increases the defense for both your Pokemons, by +50%.

Comments

No STAB?

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hydreigon should never run a set like this, it's better to leave a set like this for a garchomp

Answer 20

I like Sazando more than Hydreigon, though it's not the first Japanese thing that's better than the English, anyways:

Hydreigon @ Expert Belt
Ability: Levitate
Modest Nature
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP

-Dragon Pulse: STAB, good accuracy, practically his signature move.
-Charge Beam: Type coverage, Special Attack boost for that disappointing 125 base T_T.
-Fire Blast: More type coverage, chance to burn and great power.
-Surf: Even more type coverage, and is a reliable move to mess things up.

Kinda disappointing its better attack isn't as good as Metagross's or Tyranitar's and that it doesn't learn Dark Pulse by level up, but Sazando makes up for it.

Comments

You can teach him dark pulse for 10blue shards and my hydreigon outshines Caitlin's metagross