Competitive Pokemon Battling: Guide to Hyper Offense
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Offense as a playstyle is easy to learn, but somewhat more difficult to master. Since offensive teams generally do not have the defensive abilities of balanced or stall teams, they rely much more on correctly anticipating the actions of the opponent and maintaining momentum and pressure. This means that offensive teams have a significantly lower margin of error than stall or balanced teams and thus players utilizing offensive teams must make fewer mistakes than players using other types of teams.

Hyper Offense, or HO, are usually based upon setting up dual screens (Reflect and Light Screen) and firing off absurdly powerful attacks. HO teams usually carry setup sweepers with similar counters. Most HO teams attack from only one side of the attacking spectrum (physical or special). The reason for this is that once one of their counters has been weakened through repeated hard hits, the rest of the team can sweep with ease. Most teams only carry one wall to deal with physical or special hits, like SkarmBliss. As soon as you defeat Blissey, your special attackers can sweep with ease, but physical walls like Gliscor are rendered useless. These sweepers set up under the protection of Dual Screens and break down their counters through repeated powerful attacks, sacrificing themselves until their counters are defeated and one of them can sweep. Hyper offense teams rarely switch Pokemon, instead relying on the inherent power of their members to weaken counters to the point where they cannot wall the rest of the team.
Choice'd items are rarely used in HO. The main reason for this is because it allows your opponent a chance to set up themselves and sweep, and you have no walls on your team to counter them, making it an easy job.

Examples

Physical

Dragonite
Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- ExtremeSpeed
- Fire Punch

Dragonite is one of the scariest sweepers in Gen V. It has an incredible stat spread, amazing movepool, good offensive and defensive typing, and one of the best abilities in the game, Multiscale. Multiscale allows it to nearly always set up a Dragon Dance, surviving powerful super effective hits at full health, like Gyarados' Ice Fang or Virizion's HP Ice. It also gets the best priority attack in the game, ExtremeSpeed, allowing it to finish off faster, but more frail foes, like Jolteon. Outrage is the preferred choice of STAB, as it is amazingly powerful at +1 since it can 2HKO Heatran. Fire Punch offers great coverage along with Outrage, hitting most Steel types for great damage, like Ferrothorn, Scizor, and Jirachi. Earthquake may be used, but then you are completely walled by Skarmory and Bronzong. A Lum Berry is the item of choice, as it allows it to not be confused by Outrage's confusion. Leftovers may be used to keep Multiscale intact while in sand. Life Orb may be used too, but it is generally the inferior option.

Terrakion
Terrakion @ Air Balloon
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Rock Polish
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge

What makes Terrakion such an amazing sweeper is its great speed, great attack, and lovely typing, giving it almost perfect coverage with just its STAB moves. For this reason, a double boosting set can be used to demolish defensive and pffensive teams at the same time. If you see your opponent is running a very defensive team, then Swords Dance Terrakion will demolish them, whereas Rock Polish Terrakion will give offensive teams a lot of trouble. Jolly is the preferred nature, as it allows Terrakion to outspeed Mienshao without a Rock Polish and speed tie with Infernape and opposing Terrakion. An Air Balloon is used to allow Terrakion to get an extra boosting on Pokemon like Landorus and Gliscor, but a Lum Berry or Life Orb may be used.

Scizor
Scizor @ Life Orb
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Bug Bite

Scizor is currently one of the most used Pokemon. This isn't a surprise when you see Scizor's great typing, amazing attack, and reasonable bulk. To top things off, Scizor also gets the most powerful priority attack in the game commonly used in OU, Bullet Punch. Bullet Punch boosted by Technictian and STAB, gives it base 90 power, making it more powerful than Dragonite's ExtremeSpeed or Infernape's Mach Punch. Scizor also has only one weakness (Fire-type attacks) making it very easy to create synergy around. Swords Dance is used to increase Scizor's already great attack to sky-high levels. Bullet Punch is used to pick off fast threats, like Terrakion. Superpower is used to hit Heatran and Magnezone on the switch, KOing them instantly, and Bug Bite is the STAB of choice, as it gets a boost from Technician, making it more powerful then X-Scissor. Roost may be used to recover health lost from Life Orb recoil, and Leftovers may be used to make sure Scizor doesn't get itself KO'd before sweeping.

Haxorus
Haxorus @ Life Orb
Trait: Mold Breaker
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Brick Break

Haxorus is a very scary Pokemon. Base 97 speed, and an amazing base 147 attack allows it to rival with Ubers such as Rayquaza. After a single Dragon Dance, Haxorus reaches a terrifying 648 Attack and 427 Speed, enough to outpace every common Pokemon without a Choice Scarf. With a Dragon Dance under its belt and a boost from Life Orb, Outrage will 2HKO virtually everything in the game. Earthquake offers great coverage with Outrage, nailing all Steel-types besides Skarmory. Brick Break is mostly for Ferrothorn, which could otherwise survive an Earthquake and hit Haxorus with a powerful Gyro Ball. Taunt may be used to set up on Skarmory, but hitting Ferrothorn is usually the better option. Life Orb is the main item of choice. A Lum Berry may be used to snap itself out of confusion, but the power loss is noticeable. Superpower is a neat option for BW2, but with Dragon Dance you do not gain any notable KOs.

Lucario
Lucario @ Life Orb
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- ExtremeSpeed
- Bullet Punch

Lucario is a great sweeper, mainly because of its great typing, as it gives it key resistances to Dark, Dragon, Bug, Steel, and Rock type attacks, allowing it many set up opportunities. It also has a very respectable base 110 attack and 90 speed. The speed isn't great, but its just enough to outspeed any Heatran bar choice scarf. The speed issue isn't too bad because it carries ExtremeSpeed and Bullet Punch. Most threats that are faster than Lucario are KOed by +2 ExtremeSpeed, and anything slower than Lucario is hit hard by +2 Close Combat. Swords Dance, Close Combat, and ExtremeSpeed are all mandatory on this set, but the last move slot is up for grabs between Crunch, Ice Punch, and Bullet Punch. Bullet Punch is the preferred option as it allows to sweep through Terrakion, Gengar, and Choice Scarf Tyranitar, but Crunch may be used to hit Jellicent and Reuniclus for great damage. Bullet Punch is also used to let Lucario have the Justified ability, meaning it gets an attack boost from Dark type attacks, and at +3 Lucario gets it KO on Landorus after Stealth Rocks, one of Lucario's best checks.

Special

Gengar
Gengar @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Pain Split
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast

Gengar is an amazing special sweeper, as it can beat the number one special wall, Blissey. After Substitute and two Pain Splits, or one if sandstorm is in effect, Blissey's health will be low enough that Focus Blast 2HKOes. This means that Blissey will be forced to constantly heal herself or risk being KOed. Pain Split has 32 PP, while Wish and Softboiled have 16, meaning that Gengar can easily stall Blissey out. Finally, most Blissey are unable to break Gengar's Substitutes, meaning Gengar can usually come out of the duel unscathed. Gengar's typing is also amazing, allowing it to switch in on Earthquake and Close Combat. This means that Gengar can be used to base synergy around. This makes Gengar a very good Pokemon to use on a HO team full of special sweepers. Shadow Ball and Focus Blast give Gengar perfect neutral coverage, hitting everything in the game for at least neutral damage. Pain Split gives defensive teams trouble, and allows Gengar to stay around for most of the match. A Timid nature is used to outspeed non-choice scarf Terrakion and Infernape.

Alakazam
Alakazam @ Life Orb
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball

What makes Alakazam an amazing sweeper is its amazing base 120 speed and even better base 135 Special Attack, along with one of the best abilities in the game, Magic Guard. Magic Guard allows Alakazam to not take any recoil damage, meaning that it can freely use a Life Orb without any recoil. It also means it doesn't take any damage from entry hazards or weather damage, like Sand or Hail. A Focus Sash may be used, as it will always be intact, allowing it to at least hit something once. Substitute is used on this set, since Alakazam forces a lot of switches. Psyshock is used to put a dent into Blissey and Chansey, and Focus Blast and Shadow Ball offer coverage. A Timid nature is used to out speed Latios, Starmie, and Gengar.

Volcarona
Volcarona @ Leftovers
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz

Volcarona is a very cool special sweeper. Being one of the few Pokemon to be blessed with the move Quiver Dance, Volcarona can be a devastating sweeper. What makes Volcarona so good is the fact it can set up on Scizor, one of the scariest Pokemon for Special HO teams. Its typing does give it a x4 weakness to Stealth Rocks and a weakness to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, so team support in the form of Rapid Spin or Magic Bounce is very much appreciated. Substitute is used to allow Volcarona to set up on status inducers, like Ferrothorn and Blissey. Fiery Dance is the preferred option, as it has a 50% chance to boost its special attack by one stage, which could be game changing. Flame Body is the ability of choice (as well as released; Swarm has yet to be released), as it gives it an easier time setting up on Physical sweepers. Leftovers is used to gain back HP lost from creating Subs. A bulky set may be use to get more boosts under its belt. 240 HP / 216 Def / 52 Spe with a bold nature gives Volc great physical bulk, while still outspeeding Alakazam at +1.

Celebi
Celebi @ Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 220 HP / 252 SAtk / 36 Spd
Modest Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Earth Power

Celebi is a very versatile Pokemon, because of its great stat distribution and huge movepool. The given EV spread, alongside a Modest nature, allows Celebi to outspeed all unboosted variants of Tyranitar (bar Choice Scarf), while maintaining efficient durability and maximum Special Attack. Nasty Plot boosts Celebi SpAtk to very high levels. Giga Drain is the choice of STAB as it recovers back HP lost through Life Orb. HP Fire is used to KO Ferrothorn and Scizor, while hitting most Steel types for great damage. Earth Power is used to hit Heatran, who would otherwise wall this set, but Recover and Psychic are all decent options in the last moveslot.

Latios
Latios @ Expert Belt
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Psyshock

Latios was in the Uber tier for the last two generations. This shows just how powerful this thing really is. This set kind of acts as a lure, because your opponent will think you are Choice'd in some way once they don't see LO recoil, meaning you can get some surprise KOs. Life Orb may be used for more power, but this means you won't get surprise KOs on things like Ferrothorn and Scizor. Draco Meteor is amazingly powerful, putting a huge dent in anything that doesn't resist it bar Chansey / Blissey. Surf is used to hit Tyranitar and Gliscor for nice damage, KOing the latter after Stealth Rocks. HP Fire is used to KO Scizor and Ferrothorn. Psyshock is used for STAB and for the KO on Tentacruel, thinking they can set up Toxic Spikes on your 'Choice'd' HP Fire. The EVs and nature are standard to have as much power and speed as possible. Latios also gets the jump on the popular base 108 speed, out speeding threats such as Infernape and Virizion.

Infernape
Infernape @ Life Orb
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- Grass Knot

Infernape is a very threatening sweeper, because it has the ability to attack from both sides of the spectrum, making it very unpredictable. Nasty Plot is used to boost its Sp. Atk to high levels. Fire Blast and Focus Blast are both powerful STAB options. Close Combat may be used instead of Focus Blast because it allows it to blast through Blissey, and is much more consistent in accuracy. If you choose to use Close Combat, make sure you change the nature to Naive. Grass Knot is used to hit bulky water types that think they can wall Infernape, like Gastrodon and Swampert. The EVs are nature are used to get as much power as possible while still being able to speed tie with Terrakion and opposing Infernape. Vacuum wave may be used in the last move slot, but this means that bulky water types can wall Infernape pretty easily. Life Orb is used to get as much power as possible, but a Lum Berry may be used to set up on Blissey as they Thunder Wave you.

Supporters

Azelf
Azelf @ Normal Gem
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Explosion
- U-turn
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock

This Azelf set was made popular by the user Eternal. It has great speed, grabs momentum with U-turn, supports the team by offering entry hazards support, and goes out with a bang with a Normal Gem Boosted Explosion, which can put a dent in anything that isn't a Ghost-type. A Jolly nature is used to outspeed every Dragon Dancer to stop them from setting up, and stops opposing SR leads, like Heatran. Max Attack is used to make U-turn and Explosion hit much harder. A Focus Sash can be used instead of Normal Gem if getting SR up is an absolute must.

Espeon
Espeon @ Light Clay
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 12 Def / 244 Spd
Timid Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fighting]

Espeon has risen in usage from NU last generation straight up into the OU tier. The reason behind this is because of Espeon's amazing ability, Magic Bounce. Magic Bounce reflects any moves that change status effects directly (bar Memento), such as status conditions, entry hazards, Taunt, Encore, Disable, and all other pseudo-conditions, and provides an immunity to said effects. This means that Espeon can come in on predicted Stealth Rocks / Spikes and bounce them back onto the other side of the field. Most supporters are often closed down by Taunt, but not Espeon. In fact, Taunt users are punished by using Taunt on Espeon because it bounces back onto them. Reflect and Light Screen are used to give set up sweepers a much easily time to set up without being KOed. Psyshock is STAB which can take a decent chunk out of many Pokemon that don't resist it, and HP Fighting offers decent coverage with Psyshock. Light Clay is used to make Light Screen and Reflect stay up longer, and the EVs are used to maximize speed while maintaining some bulk.

Xatu
Xatu @ Light Clay
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 104 Def / 152 SDef
Impish Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Roost
- U-turn

Xatu is a slightly bulkier, less speedy version of Espeon. Xatu is the only other Pokemon (apart from Natu) to also receive Magic Bounce. It gets reliable recovery in the form of Roost, and grabs momentum with U-turn. U-turn allows Xatu to switch to a teammate without taking damage; Xatu is usually slower, so it will take a hit before U-turning, allowing the sweeper to come in fresh and unhindered. Dual Screens are used to support Xatu's other teammates, allowing them to set up and sweep with ease. The EVs are used to maximise bulk on both sides of the spectrum, and with both screens up, it becomes a wall that is nearly impossible to take down. Most walls are hindered useless by Status and Taunt, both of which are bounced back by Magic Bounce. One must remember that Xatu is not the bulkiest Pokemon out there, so don't expect it to take repeated powerful hits.

Cresselia
Cresselia @ Light Clay
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/ 176 Def / 80 SDef
Bold Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Lunar Dance
- Psychic

Cresselia was once regarded as one of the best walls in the game. However, it was cursed with its Psychic typing, making it vulnerable to Dark and Bug type attacks (namely Scizor and Tyranitar). However, that doesn't mean it can't support its teammates. Dual screens are used to support the team, but what separates Cresselia from the crowd is its signature move, Lunar Dance. This move sacrifices Cresselia, but in return, heals a teammate to full HP, and cures them of all status ailments. Not only does this give a battered sweeper a second lease of life, it also potentially provides the sweeper with a free set-up opportunity; in essence, Lunar Dance is the ultimate momentum move, and can shift the tides of a game. Psychic is the main STAB of choice, as it allows to not be complete Taunt bait, and it puts a decent dent into frail sweepers, like Infernape and Heracross.

Team Example

Espeon
Espeon @ Light Clay
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 12 Def / 244 Spd
Timid Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fighting]

Espeon can set up screens to support the rest of the team. Psyshock is STAB that hit Blissey and Chansey harder, and HP fighting offers coverage along side with Psyshock, hitting Tyranitar for super effective damage. It bounces back Stealth Rocks and Spikes making sweeping for my sweepers much easier, and it also makes up for the lack on entry hazards on the team. The EVs are standard, as they allow Espeon to out speed base 108 Pokemon, like Terrakion and Infernape, while maintaining as much bulk as possible.

Lucario
Lucario @ Life Orb
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- ExtremeSpeed
- Bullet Punch

Lucario is my first physical sweeper. It greatly appreciates the Dual Screens from Espeon, and they have pretty good synergy with each other. Lucario can set up on the Dark type attacks aimed at Espeon, grabbing a Justified boost, while Espeon can come in on Fighting type attacks aimed at Lucario. Lucario can also set up on Choice Banded Scizor, one of Espeons biggest checks. At +2 Lucario KOs Skarmory after Stealth Rocks with Close Combat, so you an just see how well Lucario deals with Defensive teams. I use Bullet Punch to make sure my sweep isn't stopped by Gengar and Terrakion, as without Bullet Punch, they could easily revenge me.

Dragonite
Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- ExtremeSpeed
- Fire Punch

Dragonite has very good synergy with Lucario, as it can take the Fighting, Ground, and Fire type attacks aimed at Lucario, and Lucario can come in on the Rock and Ice type attacks aimed at Dragonite. Dragonite's biggest fears (Scizor and Skarmory) are also beat by Lucario. Dragon Dance boosts Dragonite's attack and speed to high levels. Outrage is a ridiculously powerful attack, as it can KO a lot of Pokemon that don't resist it. ExtremeSpeed allows me to sweep through other fast sweepers, like Choice Scarf Landorus, and Venusaur in the sun. Fire Punch is there to hit steel types that resist Outrage, like Jirachi and Forretress.

Terrakion
Terrakion @ Air Balloon
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Rock Polish
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge

Terrakion is one of the few Pokemon that are able to run a double boosting set. This is mainly because of its amazing STABs giving it almost perfect coverage. Rock Polish is if you're facing an offensive team, and Swords Dance up if you're facing a defensive team. Close Combat and Stone Edge are standard for this set, as they offer amazing coverage. Close Combat hits the Steel, Fighting and Ground types, while Stone Edge hits Ghost, Flying, and Psychic types. Air Balloon is used to get the extra boost on non-Acrobats Gliscor, but Rock Gem and Life Orb are also great items. Jolly nature is used to speed tie with Infernape and other Terrakion.

Haxorus
Haxorus @ Life Orb
Trait: Mold Breaker
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Brick Break

Dragonite and Haxorus have similar counters, making them execlent team mates for each other. As Dragonite weakens their counters, Haxorus can finish them off with his amazing Attack and respectable coverage. Haxorus can also do the same for Dragonite, break down the walls, like Ferrothorn and Skarmory, and Dragonite can finish them off. Dragon Dance boosts its Attack to amazing levels. Outrage and Earthquake offer nice coverage together and Brick Break is there to nail Ferrothorn hard. Adamant nature is used because Haxorus is all about power.
Azelf
Azelf @ Normal Gem
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Explosion
- U-turn
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock

Azelf is used to offer SR support to help out every sweeper on this team. Taunt is used to stop other SR leads and set up sweepers trying to set up early. U-turn is to gain momentum and Explosion is used to dent a bulky wall, allowing it to be swept easily later on in the game. Jolly nature is used because we need as much speed as we can get. Normal Gem may seem gimmicky at first, but Azelf can usually survive one attack, like Rotom-W's Volt Switch or Heatran's Lava Plume, and Normal Gem Explosion coming of an Azelf dents anything that isn't a Ghost type.

Conclusion

I hope this guide has helped you understand HO a bit more, and hopefully you will take up this fun play style. Until next time...See ya guys!

 

 

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