The fan favorite luchador Hawlucha has gotten a chance to shine in SM OU thanks to the introduction of Terrain setters and their respective Seeds. Hawlucha can now utilize Seeds to get a boost in either Defense or Special Defense upon switch in while simultaneously triggering its Unburden ability, which doubles its Speed. This allows for easier setup because Hawlucha no longer relies on the combination of Substitute and Sitrus Berry to get the Speed boost and is significantly bulkier thanks to the defensive boost from the Seed. Despite this massive buff, Hawlucha didn't see much usage until Mega Swampert's release, which turned rain into a menacing playstyle. Hawlucha fits particularly well on rain teams because of the offensive synergy it has with the most common rain sweepers—Mega Swampert and Kingdra—whose switch-ins, usually bulky Grass-types such as Ferrothorn and Tangrowth, are setup fodder for Hawlucha.
Hawlucha @ Electric Seed
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 152 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Swords Dance
- High Jump Kick
- Drain Punch / Stone Edge
Swords Dance allows Hawlucha to boost its decent Attack to sweeping levels and is mandatory, as it lacks the initial power to break through most walls found in the tier. High Jump Kick's impressive Base power is necessary to make up for Hawlucha's lackluster Attack. The last slot is usually occupied by Drain Punch, a more accurate Fighting-type move that lets Hawlucha regain any health lost when setting up, or Stone Edge, a nice coverage move to hit Zapdos. The listed EVs let Hawlucha outspeed Jolly Excadrill in sand. Electric Seed is the Seed of choice because Hawlucha's best Guardian teammate on rain teams is Tapu Koko. When using Hawlucha, you should try to take advantage of the aforementioned Grass-types that like to switch into the rain sweepers and Tapu Koko to get Hawlucha into the field either through a double switch or a U-turn or Volt Switch from Tapu Koko, then proceed to set up and sweep.
However, Hawlucha struggles to find a place for itself outside of rain teams because of its mediocre bulk, which doesn't let it set up on the majority of the tier, and the restriction that it brings to a team because it has to be paired with Tapu Koko, another frail offensive threat that doesn't provide any defensive utility to a team. On top of that, it can't break some of the sturdiest physical walls in the tier even after a Swords Dance due to its pitiful Attack, so the likes of Mew, Toxapex, and Clefable can easily check it. Even if the opponent lacks a reliable switch-in to Hawlucha, it can be picked off by most priority moves if it takes damage when setting up and can't afford to use Drain Punch.
Nevertheless, Hawlucha is a valuable pick for most rain teams and performs surprisingly well in that archetype. Have you tried it out yet? Let us know in the comment section!
Hawlucha @ Electric Seed
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 152 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Swords Dance
- High Jump Kick
- Drain Punch / Stone Edge
Swords Dance allows Hawlucha to boost its decent Attack to sweeping levels and is mandatory, as it lacks the initial power to break through most walls found in the tier. High Jump Kick's impressive Base power is necessary to make up for Hawlucha's lackluster Attack. The last slot is usually occupied by Drain Punch, a more accurate Fighting-type move that lets Hawlucha regain any health lost when setting up, or Stone Edge, a nice coverage move to hit Zapdos. The listed EVs let Hawlucha outspeed Jolly Excadrill in sand. Electric Seed is the Seed of choice because Hawlucha's best Guardian teammate on rain teams is Tapu Koko. When using Hawlucha, you should try to take advantage of the aforementioned Grass-types that like to switch into the rain sweepers and Tapu Koko to get Hawlucha into the field either through a double switch or a U-turn or Volt Switch from Tapu Koko, then proceed to set up and sweep.
However, Hawlucha struggles to find a place for itself outside of rain teams because of its mediocre bulk, which doesn't let it set up on the majority of the tier, and the restriction that it brings to a team because it has to be paired with Tapu Koko, another frail offensive threat that doesn't provide any defensive utility to a team. On top of that, it can't break some of the sturdiest physical walls in the tier even after a Swords Dance due to its pitiful Attack, so the likes of Mew, Toxapex, and Clefable can easily check it. Even if the opponent lacks a reliable switch-in to Hawlucha, it can be picked off by most priority moves if it takes damage when setting up and can't afford to use Drain Punch.
Nevertheless, Hawlucha is a valuable pick for most rain teams and performs surprisingly well in that archetype. Have you tried it out yet? Let us know in the comment section!
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