[OVERVIEW]
Heracross's great Attack stat coupled with its ability Guts makes it one of the best physical wallbreakers in the metagame. With its access to Close Combat as a good Fighting-type STAB move, Swords Dance to set up, and coverage moves such Knock Off and Facade, Heracross can be very difficult to switch into, being able to break through defensive cores and bulky teams with ease. Also, its Bug / Fighting typing allows it to soft check Ground-types such as Gliscor, Krookodile, and Hippowdon. Despite all those good qualities, Heracross has a lackluster Speed stat and no access to strong priority to be a decent offensive Pokemon, making it easily revenge killed by a lot of faster offensive attackers such as Mega Aerodactyl, Latias, and Mega Pidgeot. It also lacks reliable recovery and access to Drain Punch, leaving it prone to being worn down by burn damage and entry hazards.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Facade
item: Flame Orb
ability: Guts
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Heracross's Attack to massive levels, further augmenting its power in conjunction with Guts to break through even the bulkiest walls. Close Combat is Heracross's strongest STAB move and hits everything that doesn't resist it hard thanks to Guts. Knock Off hits Psychic- and Ghost-types that are resistant or immune to Close Combat such as Celebi and Doublade hard and cripples switch-ins by removing their item. Facade is greatly boosted when used in conjunction with Flame Orb and Guts, punishing Fairy- and Poison-types such as Sylveon and Tentacruel that try to switch into Heracross on a predicted Close Combat.
Set Details
========
A Jolly nature with maximum investment in Attack and Speed allows Heracross to hit as hard as possible while still being able to outspeed base 80s such as Mamoswine and Togekiss and Speed tie with Nidoking. Guts is the preferred ability to grant Heracross the power boost needed to break through most defensive builds after its Flame Orb has been activated. This also makes Heracross immune to other status conditions like poison and sleep.
Usage Tips
========
Heracross should be used as an early-game wallbreaker due to its massive Attack stat in conjunction with Guts. Try to always keep entry hazards off the field, as the burn damage already wears down Heracross relatively quickly. Avoid switching in directly on opposing attacks as well, as its average defenses will force it to take huge damage, which is detrimental to its longevity. Make use of pivots, smart double switches, and VoltTurn support to bring in Heracross and activate its Flame Orb safely. Don't try to set up a Swords Dance against most offensive teams, as Heracross would usually benefit more by simply attacking. On the other hand, Swords Dance should be used against more defensive teams to easily break down walls; specifically, set up on Pokemon that can't do much back to Heracross, such as Blissey, Quagsire, and Toxic Hippowdon, or against Pokemon that it forces out, such as Blissey and Krookodile. Be sure to use Heracross with proper prediction so as to not unnecessarily drop its defenses when using Close Combat. For example, if your opponent has a good answer to Heracross that's able to take two hits or a switch-in that outspeeds Heracross, using Facade or Knock Off is the better choice.
Team Options
========
Since Flying- and Fairy-types resist Heracross's Close Combat and threaten it, Pokemon that can come in safely and beat them such as Mega Aerodactyl, Rotom-W, and Scizor fit well with Heracross. Pokemon such as Latias and Krookodile that can deal with Poison-types like Nidoking, Amoonguss, and Tentacruel are greatly appreciated, allowing Heracross to fire off attacks more freely. Entry hazard support is highly recommended, since it makes Heracross's job as a wallbreaker a bit easier. In particular, Stealth Rock setters such as Gliscor and Seismitoad make for great partners, as they can also check threats to Heracross such as Mega Aerodactyl and Infernape, while Klefki is able to set up Spikes. Otherwise, hazard removers such as Mega Blastoise and Latias prevent Heracross from being worn down as easily. Heracross profits from VoltTurn users such as Rotom-W, Mega Beedrill, and Scizor, which can bring Heracross on the field for free to unleash Guts-boosted attacks. Finally, sweepers and cleaners such as Scizor and Mega Aerodactyl appreciate Heracross's ability to break down defensive cores.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Heracross can be used with Choice Scarf and Moxie as a decent revenge Killer; however, that set is vulnerable to status and there are better Fighting-types to choose from as a Choice Scarf user. A Choice Band set with Guts could be used, but Heracross usually needs to be able to switch up moves on a non-Choice Scarf set, and Guts Heracross with a Flame Orb already allows it to wallbreak effectively. Substitute can be used to ease predictions and prevent Heracross from being easily revenge killed. Stone Edge and Earthquake can be used to hit specific targets such as Togekiss, Raikou, and Nidoking, but they aren't needed most of the time, since Facade and Close Combat already do enough damage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Togekiss and Sylveon can switch into everything outside of a Guts-boosted Facade and easily KO Heracross with their STAB moves, though they don't like getting their items removed by Knock Off.
**Flying-types**: Offensive threats such as Mega Pidgeot and Mega Aerodactyl can easily revenge kill Heracross with their Flying-type STAB moves, but they can't switch into it safely. Crobat, on the other hand, is capable of easily switching into Close Combat, but it doesn't take Facade well.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Latias, Mega Beedrill, and Hydreigon outspeed non-Choice Scarf Heracross and can easily beat it with their powerful attacks.
**Residual Damage**: Entry hazard damage coupled with the burn damage from Heracross's Flame Orb wears it down very quickly, decreasing its opportunities to switch in without getting KOed.
Heracross's great Attack stat coupled with its ability Guts makes it one of the best physical wallbreakers in the metagame. With its access to Close Combat as a good Fighting-type STAB move, Swords Dance to set up, and coverage moves such Knock Off and Facade, Heracross can be very difficult to switch into, being able to break through defensive cores and bulky teams with ease. Also, its Bug / Fighting typing allows it to soft check Ground-types such as Gliscor, Krookodile, and Hippowdon. Despite all those good qualities, Heracross has a lackluster Speed stat and no access to strong priority to be a decent offensive Pokemon, making it easily revenge killed by a lot of faster offensive attackers such as Mega Aerodactyl, Latias, and Mega Pidgeot. It also lacks reliable recovery and access to Drain Punch, leaving it prone to being worn down by burn damage and entry hazards.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Facade
item: Flame Orb
ability: Guts
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Heracross's Attack to massive levels, further augmenting its power in conjunction with Guts to break through even the bulkiest walls. Close Combat is Heracross's strongest STAB move and hits everything that doesn't resist it hard thanks to Guts. Knock Off hits Psychic- and Ghost-types that are resistant or immune to Close Combat such as Celebi and Doublade hard and cripples switch-ins by removing their item. Facade is greatly boosted when used in conjunction with Flame Orb and Guts, punishing Fairy- and Poison-types such as Sylveon and Tentacruel that try to switch into Heracross on a predicted Close Combat.
Set Details
========
A Jolly nature with maximum investment in Attack and Speed allows Heracross to hit as hard as possible while still being able to outspeed base 80s such as Mamoswine and Togekiss and Speed tie with Nidoking. Guts is the preferred ability to grant Heracross the power boost needed to break through most defensive builds after its Flame Orb has been activated. This also makes Heracross immune to other status conditions like poison and sleep.
Usage Tips
========
Heracross should be used as an early-game wallbreaker due to its massive Attack stat in conjunction with Guts. Try to always keep entry hazards off the field, as the burn damage already wears down Heracross relatively quickly. Avoid switching in directly on opposing attacks as well, as its average defenses will force it to take huge damage, which is detrimental to its longevity. Make use of pivots, smart double switches, and VoltTurn support to bring in Heracross and activate its Flame Orb safely. Don't try to set up a Swords Dance against most offensive teams, as Heracross would usually benefit more by simply attacking. On the other hand, Swords Dance should be used against more defensive teams to easily break down walls; specifically, set up on Pokemon that can't do much back to Heracross, such as Blissey, Quagsire, and Toxic Hippowdon, or against Pokemon that it forces out, such as Blissey and Krookodile. Be sure to use Heracross with proper prediction so as to not unnecessarily drop its defenses when using Close Combat. For example, if your opponent has a good answer to Heracross that's able to take two hits or a switch-in that outspeeds Heracross, using Facade or Knock Off is the better choice.
Team Options
========
Since Flying- and Fairy-types resist Heracross's Close Combat and threaten it, Pokemon that can come in safely and beat them such as Mega Aerodactyl, Rotom-W, and Scizor fit well with Heracross. Pokemon such as Latias and Krookodile that can deal with Poison-types like Nidoking, Amoonguss, and Tentacruel are greatly appreciated, allowing Heracross to fire off attacks more freely. Entry hazard support is highly recommended, since it makes Heracross's job as a wallbreaker a bit easier. In particular, Stealth Rock setters such as Gliscor and Seismitoad make for great partners, as they can also check threats to Heracross such as Mega Aerodactyl and Infernape, while Klefki is able to set up Spikes. Otherwise, hazard removers such as Mega Blastoise and Latias prevent Heracross from being worn down as easily. Heracross profits from VoltTurn users such as Rotom-W, Mega Beedrill, and Scizor, which can bring Heracross on the field for free to unleash Guts-boosted attacks. Finally, sweepers and cleaners such as Scizor and Mega Aerodactyl appreciate Heracross's ability to break down defensive cores.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Heracross can be used with Choice Scarf and Moxie as a decent revenge Killer; however, that set is vulnerable to status and there are better Fighting-types to choose from as a Choice Scarf user. A Choice Band set with Guts could be used, but Heracross usually needs to be able to switch up moves on a non-Choice Scarf set, and Guts Heracross with a Flame Orb already allows it to wallbreak effectively. Substitute can be used to ease predictions and prevent Heracross from being easily revenge killed. Stone Edge and Earthquake can be used to hit specific targets such as Togekiss, Raikou, and Nidoking, but they aren't needed most of the time, since Facade and Close Combat already do enough damage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Togekiss and Sylveon can switch into everything outside of a Guts-boosted Facade and easily KO Heracross with their STAB moves, though they don't like getting their items removed by Knock Off.
**Flying-types**: Offensive threats such as Mega Pidgeot and Mega Aerodactyl can easily revenge kill Heracross with their Flying-type STAB moves, but they can't switch into it safely. Crobat, on the other hand, is capable of easily switching into Close Combat, but it doesn't take Facade well.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Latias, Mega Beedrill, and Hydreigon outspeed non-Choice Scarf Heracross and can easily beat it with their powerful attacks.
**Residual Damage**: Entry hazard damage coupled with the burn damage from Heracross's Flame Orb wears it down very quickly, decreasing its opportunities to switch in without getting KOed.
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