Well, it\u2019s\u00a0Deino Community Day\u2026\u00a0again<\/a>!\u00a0And that means it\u2019s time to revisit\u00a0HYDREIGON<\/strong>\u00a0with\u00a0Brutal Swing<\/strong>\u00a0in PvP! Still relevant? Was it\u00a0ever<\/em>\u00a0really relevant? Let\u2019s take a little stroll down memory lane and see!<\/p>\n \u2026or just read today\u2019s\u00a0Bottom Line Up Front<\/strong>\u00a0and get the jist of it speedy style. Whatever floats your boat.<\/p>\n Alright, now for the deeper dive\u2026.<\/p>\n <\/span> Like both of its pre-evolutions, Hydreigon is a rare Dark\/Dragon type, the only ones in the game besides Ultra Beast Guzzlord. That means that it comes with a lengthy list of resistances \u2014 all the \u201celements\u201d (Grass, Fire, Water, Electric) on its Dragon side, and Dark, Ghost, and Psychic (2x) on its Dark side \u2014 but also some key vulnerabilities, such as Ice and Dragon (as a Dragon itself), and Fighting and Bug (thanks to Dark), and most critically, a DOUBLE weakness to Fairy damage (as Dragons and Darks have that vulnerability in common). The good outweighs the bad, but the bad has a very ugly head to rear.<\/p>\n Unlike<\/em>\u00a0its predecessors (and Guzzlord), Hydreigon will never be called \u201cbulky\u201d. Zweilous has half a dozen more Defense and about\u00a025 more HP<\/em> in Great League (the only league where one can fairly compare them side by side), and Deino easily outpaces Hydra with about 20 more HP if they\u2019re stacked against each other in Little League. (But uh\u2026 you needn\u2019t worry about grinding for a Level 5ish Little League Hydreigon, especially since Scopely seems to have forgotten that League even exists. 😔) While Guzzlord has some famously weird stats (lowest Defense among ranked Dragons and Darks in Great and Ultra League with the sole exception of Sharpedo, but also top stamina\/HP among Dragons and Darks and Top 5 HP among ALL ranked Pok\u00e9mon), the end result is overall bulk and an overall stat product that leaves Hydreigon completely in the dust in Great and Ultra Leagues. Hydreigon is unabashedly Attack-centric, which is what allows it to not only comfortably enter Master League territory, but impressively so by crossing the fabled 4000 CP barrier, something only a handful of other non-Mega, non-Legendary Pok\u00e9mon can boast.<\/p>\n There is a strong case to be made for\u00a0Bite<\/strong>\u00a0in PvE, but here in PvP, it\u2019s clearly\u00a0Dragon Breath<\/strong>. Breath now deals less damage, but generates literally twice as much energy and has much wider neutral coverage. It\u2019s a far better move for PvP.<\/p>\n On to those charge moves!<\/p>\n \u1d31<\/span> \u2013 Exclusive (Community Day) Move<\/em><\/p>\n So when\u00a0Brutal Swing<\/strong>\u00a0was first released (and if you remember, its first-ever user was Hydreigon during its original Community Day), it was a bit slower but more damaging at 40 energy for 65 damage. At the time I recommended it as almost a full upgrade on\u00a0Dark Pulse<\/strong>, and though they\u2019re much different moves now after Brutal Swing\u2019s Season 20 rework into its current stats, that is still my advice: run Brutal for your Dark damage output and don\u2019t worry about Dark Pulse. Instead, run one of the other moves below!<\/p>\n Dragon Pulse<\/strong>\u00a0is a much better move now than it was during the original Community Day, as even the minor adjustment to it back in Season 24 (slashing the old cost of 60 down to its current 55) has proven to be a major boon to its stock. It\u2019s gone from a move you used only begrudgingly \u2014 as was the case in my original Hydreigon analysis \u2014 to now one that you almost have to justify NOT selecting. Thing is, in the case of Hydreigon, there is also now an excellent alternative in\u00a0Fly<\/strong>, a move that it didn\u2019t even have access to until last December. While it doesn\u2019t directly answer all of Hydreigon\u2019s primary counters (though it should terrify Bugs and Fighters!), it does at least offer some widespread neutral coverage with enough power to force shields, and obviously can bring in a new set of wins against Flying-weak things that may have been out of reach before. And finally,\u00a0Flash Cannon<\/strong>\u00a0is Hydreigon\u2019s ONLY real answer to Fairies that otherwise pick it apart without fear\u2026 a Fairy swapped in against a Hydra with energy has to be at least a\u00a0little<\/em>\u00a0wary and perhaps burn a shield it really doesn\u2019t want to. But honestly, it\u2019s better in theory than in actual practice, as its cost is simply prohibitive to something with Hydreigon\u2019s subpar bulk. Sure, it can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat here or there, but I think Fly or Dragon Pulse are likely to swing win\/loss columns in your favor far more often, and I don\u2019t really recommend Flash Cannon even when PvPoke defaults to it (as it does in Master League).<\/p>\n But don\u2019t just take my word for it\u2026 let\u2019s take it to the simulations!<\/p>\n So as noted earlier, Hydreigon is outclassed here in terms of stats by both\u00a0Guzzlord<\/a>\u00a0and its own pre-evolution\u00a0Zweilous<\/a>, the former of which also comes with Brutal Swing, the latter of which basically replaces it with Body Slam and instead relies on Dark Pulse for Dark damage, and both of which utilize Dragon fast moves (Breath for Zweil, Tail for Guzzie). But can Hydreigon\u2019s higher Attack and more versatile closing moves elevate it anyway?<\/p>\n First, the direct comparisons.\u00a0Hydreigon<\/a>\u00a0(the\u00a0Shadow version<\/a>\u00a0especially) is a close sidegrade to Guzzlord, giving up things like Clodsire, Forretress, Charjabug, Morpeko, Oinkologne, and Empoleon with Hydreigon\u2019s lesser bulk, but then overpowering others that Guzzlord cannot keep up with like Shadow Feraligatr, Shadow Swampert, Corviknight, Scizor, Shelgon, and Annihilape. As compared to Zweilous, we have a similar split, with the bulk of Zweil getting Forret, Charj, Morpeko, Drapion, Clodsire, and Oinkologne, while Shadow Hydreigon instead overhwhelms Shelgon, Altaria, Corviknight, Annihilape, and Shadow Politoed. Hydreigon is ever so slightly behind them both, but not by nearly as much as you might expect given the gap between their bulk values. Very much viable even down here in the League where high bulk arguably matters the most.<\/p>\n As for which closer to use, again, I don\u2019t generally recommend Flash Cannon, at least at this level, but both\u00a0Fly<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Dragon Pulse<\/a>\u00a0have real merit, the former to outpace stuff like Politoed and turn the tables on certain opponents like Medicham, while the latter can uniquely punch out stuff like Cradily instead. As for other even shield scenarios beyond just the 1v1 shield,\u00a0Dragon Pulse is better<\/a>\u00a0than\u00a0Fly<\/a>\u00a0with shields down (getting Galarian Moltres and regular and Shadow Politoed, while Fly instead knocks out Annihilape), and the reverse is true in 2shield, with\u00a0Fly now superior<\/a>\u00a0in comparison to\u00a0Dragon Pulse<\/a>, beating all the same stuff\u00a0plus<\/em>\u00a0Togekiss and Forretress, both of which resist Dragon damage but NOT Flying.<\/p>\n Either way, you\u2019re looking a robust winning percentage on a Pok\u00e9mon that still has that underrated, surprise factor going for it. Yes, it will run into the occasional Fairy buzzsaw, but that hasn\u2019t held Guzzlord and such back\u2026 why should Hydreigon be any different?<\/p>\n The key, though, is that this is all with\u00a0Shadow<\/em>\u00a0Hydreigon. There\u2019s an above average chance you don\u2019t just have a Shadow Deino laying around ready to evolve for this Community Day Classic. So how much worse is the non-Shadow? It IS a step down, but\u00a0non-Shadow is still viable<\/a>\u2026 just a little bit less exciting. While the extra bulk does mean a couple extra wins like Morpeko, Forretress, Drapion, and Guzzlord itself, the drop in damage means a greater number of new losses, including Annihilape, Galarian Moltres, Aegislash, Corviknight, Shadow Empoleon, Politoed, and Quagsire. Hopefully you DO have a Shadow ready to go\u2026?<\/p>\n Well, if not, consider Ultra League then, where the dropoff between Shadow and non-Shadow may not be as noticeable\u2026.<\/p>\n Well, okay,\u00a0Shadow Hydreigon<\/a>\u00a0does<\/em>\u00a0still have a slight edge over\u00a0non-Shadow<\/a>, but it\u2019s close, with the former having the power necessary to punch out stuff like Talonflame, Feraligatr, Drapion, and a number of Dragons like Kyurem, Kommo-o, and Zygarde more easily than non-Shadow, which instead better outlasts stuff like Lapras, Blastoise, Empoleon, Scizor, and Stunfisk across various even shield scenarios. You may notice that I simmed only Dragon Pulse there, because [it\u2019s simply better in this meta]() than\u00a0Fly<\/a>. Now Fly certainly DOES have some very good use cases, such as taking out Flying-weak things like Annihilape, Virizion, Gastrodon, and Kommo-o in more matchups, as well as outracing things like Regidrago more consistently than Dragon Pulse. But the stopping power and effectiveness of Pulse is never worsr than a sidegrade, and is simply better than that outside of shieldless matchups, knocking out things Fly cannot like Gastrodon, Galarian Moltres, Giratina, Nidoqueen, and Zygarde in 1shield, and\u00a0everything<\/em>\u00a0Fly<\/a>\u00a0can\u00a0in 2shield<\/a>\u00a0plus Lickilicky and Blastoise. It\u2019s even better than\u00a0Guzzlord in 2v2 shielding<\/a>, though the Guzzler does outshine it a little bit\u00a0in other even shield scenarios<\/a>. But no Zweilous to worry about now, and Hydreigon is plenty solid enough to use, which shows in the rankings:\u00a0#80 in Great League<\/a>, but\u00a0nearly cracking the Top 50 in Ultra<\/a>. PvPoke shows it respect\u2026 shouldn\u2019t\u00a0you<\/em>?<\/p>\n Alright, HERE we go. As mentioned earlier, Hydreigon is one of only a small handful of non-Legendary\/Mega Pok\u00e9mon that crosses the 4000 CP threshold. Guzzlord doesn\u2019t get anywhere close, and its performance\u00a0finally takes a steep dive<\/a>, while Hydreigon comes in (brutally) swinging with\u00a0its highest winning percentage yet<\/a>! But the best news, I think, is what makes up those win and loss lists. The loss column consists entirely of Fairies (Zacian, Xerneas, Florges, Togekiss, and Primarina) and Fighters (Marshadow, Zamazenta) aside from Metagross (and only if it\u2019s running\u00a0Bullet Punch<\/a>\u00a0instead of\u00a0Shadow Claw<\/a>), Rhyperior, Dragon Breath Tyranitar, and Yveltal, all but one of which resist either Dragon or Dark damage coming their way from Hydreigon. It beats Dark-resistant Zarude, Dragon-resistant Melmetal, Kyogre, Groudon, Landorus, Ho-Oh, and every single Psychic and Dragon type currently in the Master League core meta, without exception. Well, at least in 1v1 shielding. Admittedly,\u00a0other even shield<\/a>\u00a0matchups can be\u00a0far less kind<\/a>. But still, that\u2019s one heck of a surprising performance, isn\u2019t it? No wonder it slides up to being\u00a0within the Top 50<\/a>\u00a0now! Avoid Fairies and Hydreigon can really feast on today\u2019s ML meta. And that goes for\u00a0Master Premier<\/a>\u00a0too!<\/p>\n So you know me (if you know me at all!) as a PvP analyst. That said, I raid too, and I look for advantages there too, so I care about PvE too! And while there are other PvE analysts out there wiser than me<\/a>, I know enough to say (as others already have) that Brutal Swing \u2014 being a three-bar PvE move with only a 1.9 second duration \u2014 makes Shadow Hydreigon\u00a0the best non-Mega Dark attacker in the game (combined with Bite)<\/em>. Even better, it exceeds the performance of all non-Mega Ghosts except Dawn Wings, and seeing as how it also resists Psychic and Ghost damage, I think it\u2019s safe to call Hydreigon\u00a0the best non-Mega raider versus Psychic and Ghost types<\/em>.<\/p>\n Yet another to consider maxing out a Shadow Hydreigon. Not often you can get double duty from one Pok\u00e9mon like that, but Shadow Hydreigon breaks that mold. PvP and PvE enthusiasts can link arms and rejoice together! 🤝<\/p>\n Well, I already covered the highlights with our B.L.U.F.\u00a0and<\/em>, of course, throughout this analysis article. But just in case you need to hear it one more time: yes, Brutal Swing Hydreigon is a force worth having on your bench for PvP\u2026\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0even legit PvE use. Shadow is better if you have one to prep during the Community Day Classic event, but any good Deinos you have on hand should get exclusive move Brutal Swing while you can do so for \u201cfree\u201d. Don\u2019t miss this one, folks!<\/p>\n Alright, that\u2019s all I got for today. Until next time, you can always find me on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0with near-daily PvP analysis nuggets or\u00a0Patreon<\/a>, if you\u2019re feeling extra generous.<\/p>\n Thanks for your faithful readership, and good hunting during this PvP\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0PvE pleasing Community Day rehash. Do be safe out there, and catch you next time, Pok\u00e9friends!<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\nB.L.U.F.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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HYDREIGON Stats and Moves<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n <\/p>\n
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\n Hydreigon<\/span>
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\n Dark<\/span>Dragon<\/span><\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n<\/a><\/p>\nGreat League Stats<\/h3>\n
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Ultra League Stats<\/h3>\n
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Master League Stats<\/h3>\n
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![\"shiny](\"https:\/\/pokemongohub.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/shiny-hydreigon-by-kittypokemonsalot.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nFast Moves<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Charge Moves<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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![](\"https:\/\/scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com\/v\/t51.82787-15\/692537560_17953887015128723_8822762675118573830_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ig_cache_key=Mzg5NzAyNTIzODY4NTc2NzMxOA%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkZFRUQueHBpZHMuMTQwMC5zZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=tBPveY4wLOAQ7kNvwG_JyRg&_nc_oc=AdplvGCCLdN6hve6Gnlt6hi8J4fZG6-qmXVFzJMAZqdbkbID0O21J6oH7ZCjDsMJRNAMpEa2y2_AjDaYv6K-bUsG&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=L7-HF8njzxyyAh7RfjdduQ&_nc_ss=7a22e&oh=00_Af6OICDwDpbIYWzFXq6F8_peSEvLGpXRtLSC34Da_0Bp6w&oe=6A0D9AAE\"\/)
<\/p>\nGREAT LEAGUE<\/strong><\/h2>\n
ULTRA LEAGUE<\/strong><\/h2>\n
MASTER LEAGUE<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/pokemongohub.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Hydra.png\"\/)
<\/p>\nPvE..?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
IN SUMMATION<\/strong><\/h2>\n