Hydreigon is an absolute monster in OU. With excellent mixed attacking stats, an extensive offensive move pool, and a good offensive typing it can be a great sweeper or wallbreaker. It even got Roost via move tutors, so a more defensive set is not out of the question. It's typing gives it six resistances, most of which are common attacking types, and lacks any double weaknesses like other Dragons in OU are cursed with. Levitate gives it an immunity as well. There are only two things holding this brutal beast back. The bigger of the two is it's awkward base 98 speed, which leaves it just below the standard base 100. It's typing, while having a good set of resistances, still has weaknesses to common attacking types. Nevertheless, even prepared teams will have some trouble getting around Hydreigon.
Special Sweeper
Item: Life Orb / Expert Belt
Nature: Timid / Modest
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
- Dark Pulse
- Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power / Focus Blast / U-Turn
Meet the standard Hydreigon of OU. With an impressive Special Attack, it can simply attack right off the bat with its powerful attacking options. Dark Pulse is the main STAB move, and is rather unique in OU, as Special Dark-type moves are quite sparse in the tier. Draco Meteor is another one of the Brutal Pokemon's selling points: Spam it and things get destroyed. Dragon Pulse is an option over it if you want to stay in for a while, but it is significantly weaker. Fire Blast is an excellent coverage move in general, allowing Hydreigon to hit Skarmory and Bronzong. The last slot is mainly filler, as Hydreigon gets good enough coverage from it's STAB and Fire Blast. Earth Power is the main option, as it hits Heatran, and is reliable. Focus Blast is another option, as it not only is more powerful and has practically the same coverage, but also hit Air Balloon Heatran, who could otherwise 2HKO with Dragon Pulse if it has a Choice Scarf. It also allows it to get around Tyranitar, who can take Earth Power fairly easily. U-Turn can get it out of unwanted match-ups.
Choice Scarf
Item: Choice Scarf
Nature: Timid / Naive
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Dark Pulse / Surf / Head Smash / Earth Power
- U-Turn
Hydreigon's speed, while not ideal, allows it to outspeed common base 90s who utilize Choice Scarf. Draco Meteor the main STAB move this time, as this is a hit-and run styled set. Fire Blast hits Steel-types that resist Draco Meteor. The third slot depends on what your team has. Dark Pulse is the main option for STAB. Surf works well if your team has trouble with Ground Arceus, while Head Smash OHKOs Ho-Oh, a feat that other Choice Scarf users could only dream of. Earth Power is always another option to take on Heatran. U-Turn is a need on this set, as it can get you out of unwanted situations.
Mixed Attackerr
Item: Life Orb / Expert Belt
Nature: Naive / Hasty
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
- Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Superpower
- Roost / Outrage
This set goes around the idea that Hydreigon is unpredictable and hard to wall. With the advent of the B2W2 move tutors, it has become even more effective, as it can get around Heatran without having to lock itself into Outrage, use Draco Meteor, or switch out. Instead, it can simply destroy Heatran with Superpower. Supoerpower also allows it to 2HKO Blissey without locking itself into Outrage. Roost gives Hydreigon more longevity. An alternate EV spread of 104 Atk / 240 SpA / 164 Spe can be used to 2HKO Chansey with Outrage, but requires much more team support since Hydreigon is then outrun by notable threats, and loses reasonable power.
Other Options
Hydreigon has a very extensive movepool. Probably the most viable move not mentioned is Tailwind, which can bring Hydreigon to a more reasonable speed. The only problem with it is it has trouble finding a moveslot for it. Earthquake basically has the same coverage as Superpower, but without the stat drops, but Superpower is usually superior due to it's ability to 2HKO Blissey, and being able to hit air balloon users. Stone Edge might seem tempting over Head Smash, but it fails to OHKO 248 / 0 Ho-Oh. Work Up and Charge Beam are Hydreigon's only boosting moves, but Hyreigon is better off just firing off its attacks right away. Hydreigon also gets Taunt, but there are better users of it. A defensive set is also viable, as Hydreigon lacks any double weaknesses, but Multiscale Dragonite still does this better. A Substitute + 3 attacks set is also an option, as Hydreigon forces a lot of switches. Hydreigon also has many other usable options, including Outrage, Torment, Thunder Wave, Aqua Tail, and Zen Headbutt, but the other moves are generally better.
Counters
Due to Hydreigon's excellent coverage, it is hard to directly counter. The hardest set to counter is the sweeper, as it has these traits. One of of countering it is to lure out Draco Meteor by switching into another Dragon type, or something that can't normally take it. When it does, you can switch into something that can take it fairly easily, like Gastrodon. You can then switch into something else, which can take it's attack due to the Special Attack drops. Virizion works the best with this role, as it has great special defense, and can OHKO in return, or set up if Hydreigon switches out.
) and here's the next Pokémon of the Week
