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Swords Dance and Scale Shot let Haxorus boost both Attack and Speed. This combination is used over Dragon Dance to keep Haxorus from having to lock itself into outrage while also giving it a better dragon move than Dragon Claw. Close Combat covers threatening Steel-type Pokemon like Excadrill, Skarmory, Celesteela, and Scizor, though the latter three can take an unboosted hit and threaten Haxorus back, and Skarmory even takes a +2 hit. It is also Haxorus's best move against Hippowdon. +2 Poison Jab wipes out Fairy-types like Primarina and Togekiss. Life Orb gives Haxorus a chance to OHKO Celesteela and Scizor at +2 with Close Combat. Lum Berry is an option that lets Haxorus safely set up against Pokemon like Rotom-W and Chansey without fear of status. While Haxorus is threatening on paper, its ability to sweep is easier said than done, as it has few opportunities to set up without taking a debilitating hit in the process.

Set Description The combination of Swords Dance and Life Orb boost Haxorus's Attack to high levels, allowing it to effectively break defensive Pokemon. Outrage is a strong STAB move, and Superpower hits Steel-types like Magnezone and Registeel. Taunt and Swords Dance combined allows Haxorus to beat Pokemon like Registeel, Chansey and Galarian Corsola, while Dragon Dance and Poison Jab allow Haxorus to beat some Tapu Koko sets, Whimsicott, and Tapu Bulu. EVs The HP and Special Defense EVs allow Haxorus to survive a Hyper Beam from Modest Choice Specs Regieleki. The Speed investment is for Jolly Dracovish and Dracozolt, and the remaining EVs are put in Attack for maximum damage output. Usage Tips If running Taunt, Haxorus should use it turn 1 on stall Pokemon like Registeel, Chansey, and Galarian Corsola, then boost its Attack stat to an appropriate level to secure an OHKO or 2HKO.

Set Description Haxorus is the only viable Unnerve user, allowing it to bypass Custap Berry and resistance Berries, making it a Dragon-type that effectively defeats other Dragon-types. Additionally, its pure Dragon typing allows it to take on a lot of Pokemon in the metagame, such as Regidrago and Rillaboom. Thanks to its high Attack stat and strong moves, it breaks past Pokemon like Volcanion, Tapu Bulu, and Volcarona. Mold Breaker can be used instead of Unnerve to beat Pokemon such as Magnezone, Sawk, Aggron, and, if Haxorus has Aqua Tail, Rhyperior. Outrage is a strong STAB attack that can be used against other Dragon-types, like Regidrago, Goodra, and Kommo-o, or other Pokemon that take neutral damage such as Volcanion, Volcarona, and Rillaboom. Low Kick and Superpower are used to avoid the Special Defense stat drops from Close Combat: Low Kick and Superpower are used to beat Heatran and Magnezone, while Superpower is used with an Adamant nature to have a better matchup against Urshifu-S and Chansey but with a worse matchup against Ferrothorn. Iron Tail OHKOes Sylveon and threatens Fairy-types like non-Choice Scarf Tapu Lele and some Togekiss. Earthquake beats a few Metagross and Tapu Koko sets. Poison Jab beats Tapu Bulu, threatens a few Tapu Koko sets, and is more reliable versus Whimsicott. First Impression can be used for Regieleki, Hydreigon, and Zarude, while Aqua Tail is used with Mold Breaker to beat Rhyperior. Counter can beat Play Rough Arcanine and some Metagross sets. EVs Maximum Attack and Speed investment makes Haxorus as fast and powerful as possible. A Jolly nature allows Haxorus to outspeed non-Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan, non-Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, and non-Choice Scarf Tapu Lele. Alternatively, an Adamant nature can be used to beat Venusaur and Jellicent. An alternate EV spread of 8 HP / 164 Atk / 160 SpD / 176 Spe with an Adamant nature can be used to survive special attacks from the likes of Landorus and Regieleki. Usage Tips Choice Band Haxorus is very straightforward— use the super effective move or the move that does the most damage on a neutral target.

Set Description Choice Scarf allows Haxorus to outpace common Pokemon that would normally outspeed and KO it, most notably Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan, Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, and maximum Speed Dragapult. Unnerve lets Haxorus beat Custap Berry users like Porygon-Z and Galarian Zapdos, while Mold Breaker beats Sturdy Pokemon like Magnezone, Aggron, and some Sawk. Outrage is a strong STAB attack for Dragon-types like Dragapult and Goodra, and Earthquake beats Magnezone and some Metagross sets. Low Kick avoids the stat drops from Close Combat, but Superpower with an Adamant nature can be used instead to beat frail Urshifu-S and beat most Magnezone. Poison Jab beats Whimsicott and Choice Scarf Togekiss lacking Dazzling Gleam, while Counter beats Play Rough Arcanine and a few Metagross sets. EVs Maximum Attack and Speed investment makes Haxorus as fast and powerful as possible. A Jolly nature allows Haxorus to outspeed and OHKO threats like Jolly Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan, Timid Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, and Dragapult, while an Adamant nature is better versus Regidrago and Kommo-o. Usage Tips Choice Scarf Haxorus is very straightforward— use the super effective move or the move that does the most damage on a neutral target.

Set Description Custap Berry allows Haxorus to beat Regidrago and fast, frail attackers like Galarian Darmanitan and Naganadel in one set. Swords Dance helps Haxorus break through slower threats like Metagross, Chansey, and Assault Vest Registeel. Unnerve helps Haxorus beat opposing Custap Berry and resistance Berry users like Regidrago, while Mold Breaker allows Haxorus beat Sturdy Pokemon such as Magnezone, Aggron, and Sawk. EVs The Defense EVs allow Haxorus to survive a Meteor Mash from Adamant Choice Band Metagross. The Speed investment is for Jolly Dracovish and Dracozolt, and the remaining EVs are put in Attack for the best Regidrago matchup. Usage Tips Against Pokemon that cannot threaten to OHKO Haxorus, such as Regidrago and Rillaboom, Haxorus should attack turn 1. Against a foe that threatens to OHKO Haxorus, such as Galarian Darmanitan, Endure allows Haxorus to take the hit and OHKO back. Use Swords Dance against Chansey turn 1, then use Superpower on turn 2. Use Swords Dance against Metagross turn 1, then use Earthquake turn 2. However, if Metagross is revealed to have Choice Scarf, and the damage dealt is less than 75%, Haxorus should use Endure turn 2 and Earthquake turn 3, activating its Custap Berry to move first.

Moves Outrage is a powerful STAB attack that can break down Pokemon that do not outspeed Haxorus or resist Dragon-type attacks like Mega Venusaur and Umbreon. Iron Tail can hit Fairy-types like Tapu Lele and Tapu Bulu; however, its low accuracy can be problematic. Poison Jab can be run instead of Iron Tail in order to more reliably beat Pokemon like Whimsicott and Tapu Bulu, but will be less reliable against Tapu Lele. Earthquake is for the common Rock-, Electric-, and Steel-types like Mega Tyranitar, Magnezone, and Excadrill. Rock Slide defeats Mega Charizard Y and Charizard that chooses to not to Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X right away. Superpower can break down Pokemon like Air Balloon Heatran. Set Details A Jolly nature and maximum Speed EVs are used to outpace key Pokemon like Tapu Lele. 108 EVs in Special Defense allows Haxorus to live a Blast Burn from Mega Charizard Y. Mold Breaker allows Haxorus to bypass abilities like Sturdy and Multiscale from Pokemon like Golem and Dragonite. The rest are put into attack to maximize offensive output. Choice Band boosts its Attack even more, allowing to break through defensive Pokemon like Mega Venusaur. Alternatively, a simpler spread of 252 Attack and 252 Speed EVs can be used, which improves the rolls in a few matchups, such as against maximum Defense Zygarde and physically defensive Tapu Lele with Poison Jab. Usage Tips Be wary of sleep users like Jumpluff, as it outspeeds Haxorus and uses Substitute and Leech Seed to drain its HP. Make sure that your opponent does not have a Dragon- or Ice-type move user on the team like Zeraora or Greninja, as both outspeed and can OHKO Haxorus. Do not send it out against bulky Pokemon like Mega Gyarados, Landorus-T, Mega Slowbro, Mega Aggron, and Charm Mega Venusaur, as both of these easily beat Haxorus. Team Options Special Choice Scarf attackers like Porygon-Z can help take care of threats like Landorus-T, Genesect, and Mega Lopunny that Haxorus cannot outspeed or OHKO. Special attackers like Meloetta, Genesect, and Zeraora can help break down threats like Mega Slowbro. Sturdy Pokemon like Magnezone and Donphan and Pokemon like Genesect can help deal with Meloetta and Naganadel. They can also be used to get fast Choice Scarf users like Garchomp, Genesect, and Porygon-Z. Steel-type Pokemon like Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn check Fairy-types like Tapu Bulu, Tapu Lele, and Mega Gardevoir more reliably, as Haxorus's Iron Tail has a chance to miss. It also helps with other Pokemon like Mega Gyarados, and Chansey. Jumpluff is a good Pokemon to pair with Haxorus as it can beat Pokemon like Aegislash, non-Rock Blast Golem, and Mega Metagross with its Substitute + Sleep Powder + Leech Seed set. Tapu Fini is another good Pokemon to pair with Haxorus, as it helps with Pokemon like Garchomp, Donphan, and Mega Sableye.

Moves Outrage is a strong STAB attack that can be used against other Dragon-types like Dragonite, Garchomp, and Naganadel or other Pokemon that take neutral damage from it like Mega Venusaur and Greninja. Iron Tail allows Haxorus to check Fairy-types like Tapu Bulu and Mega Gardevoir; however, its low accuracy could be an issue. Rock Slide hits Pokemon like Mega Pinsir, Mega Charizard Y, and Mega Charizard X that doesn't Mega Evolve. Superpower allows it to KO Steel-types like Air Balloon Heatran. Earthquake allows it to hit common Steel-type Pokemon like Magnezone and Excadrill. Poison Jab can be run in order to hit certain Pokemon like Whimsicott and Tapu Bulu more reliably, but will fail to OHKO Mega Gardevoir. Set Details Maximum Attack and Speed investment makes Haxorus as fast and as powerful as possible. Choice Scarf allows it to outpace common Pokemon that would normally outspeed it and KO it like Mega Lopunny, Mega Lucario, and Greninja. An Adamant nature is an option to hit harder and secure a KOs on several Pokemon, such as non-Charm Mega Venusaur, whereas a Jolly nature allows Haxorus to outpace certain threats like Timid Choice Scarf Porygon-Z. Its ability Mold Breaker allows Haxorus to bypass abilities like Multiscale from Dragonite and Sturdy from Pokemon like Magnezone. Usage Tips Be wary of the occasional Choice Scarf variant of Pokemon that Haxorus normally beats, such as Greninja and Naganadel. Be careful around Iron Defense users like Mega Slowbro and Magearna or common Intimidate users like Landorus-T and Mega Mawile, as Haxorus cannot beat them. Instead, send it against Water-types like Greninja and Volcanion as it can outpace both of these and KO them. It can also take care of fast, frail Pokemon such as Mega Lopunny and Zeraora thanks to its Choice Scarf. Team Options Jumpluff is a good teammate for Haxorus in order to make Pokemon like Magearna and Landorus-T fall asleep and stall them out with Substitute and Leech Seed. Slowbro can take on physical attackers Haxorus cannot beat such as Landorus-T, Golem, and Mega Metagross. Sturdy Pokemon like Skarmory can take on Greninja, Meloetta, and Ferrothorn for Haxorus. Skarmory with Counter and can also take on Mega Gyarados. Common Z-Move users like Tapu Bulu can help take on threats for Haxorus such as Tapu Fini, Primarina, and Mega Slowbro. Tapu Lele can beat Mega Gyarados and Landorus-T, which both threaten Haxorus. Zeraora can help with Water-type Pokemon like Slowbro, Greninja, and Tapu Fini. It can also beat Steel-type Pokemon like Celesteela which Haxorus cannot take on. Aggron's Sturdy allows it to take any hit KO the foe back with Metal Burst and it can also utilize Curse and Rest to successfully outstall Mega Metagross.

Moves Haxorus's Choice Band Outrage is extremely powerful, 2HKOing Suicune and Porygon2 without prior damage even with a Jolly nature. Earthquake allows Haxorus to hit Steel-types such as Doublade and Mega Aggron on the switch, 2HKOing them easily. Iron Tail provides powerful super effective coverage against Fairy-types, even OHKOing defensive Sylveon after Stealth Rock. Poison Jab can be used instead for its accuracy, but doesn't OHKO defensive Sylveon. Dragon Claw is a safe STAB move to use when locking into Outrage is unwanted. Superpower is an interesting option that lets Haxorus KO certain targets such as Krookodile without having to lock into Outrage. Set Details Haxorus's Speed and Attack EVs are maximized to augment its offensive capabilities. Choice Band is the item for the set, as it allows Haxorus to be an amazing wallbreaker, nailing 2HKOs and OHKOs on a majority of the tier's premier walls such as Suicune and Florges. A Jolly nature is preferred in order to outspeed as many threats as possible, such as Krookodile, Roserade, and Nidoking; an Adamant nature doesn't help Haxorus acquire too many useful KOs. Mold Breaker is the chosen ability as it provides the most use out of all three choices, nullifying defensive abilities such as Levitate. Usage Tips This particular Haxorus set is most effective during the mid-game, when it can start to break down opposing walls or significantly dent the opposing team. Haxorus shouldn't be locked into Outrage if opposing Fairy- or Steel-types are still active on the opposing team, unless it's more beneficial to weaken a different predicted target. Team Options Shaymin is an amazing teammate, as it not only forms a good wallbreaking core with Haxorus but also has access to Healing Wish, which allows Haxorus to have another chance at wallbreaking should it be weakened at some point during the game. Sharpedo, Mega Beedrill, and Swords Dance Lucario are examples of cleaners that highly appreciate the wallbreaking capabilities that Haxorus possesses. Haxorus appreciates entry hazard support from offensive teammates such as Krookodile and Nidoqueen. An excellent partner for Choice Band Haxorus is Choice Scarf Heracross, as Haxorus lures in most of its defensive checks, making it easier for Heracross to clean. Speed control support, such as Stun Spore and Tailwind, really helps this Haxorus set fare well against more offensive teams; therefore, Tornadus and Whimsicott are amazing teammates.

Moves Swords Dance allows Haxorus to break through more defensively oriented teams by boosting its Attack stat by two stages. Dragon Dance, on the other hand, boosts Haxorus's Speed and Attack stats at the same time, allowing it to beat more offensive teams. Dragon Claw is a reliable STAB move, although its damage output can be underwhelming at times. Outrage, on the other hand, hits hard but has the drawback of locking Haxorus into it, leaving it open to being revenge killed. Earthquake is a great coverage move that allows Haxorus to hit the Steel- and Fairy-types that can take its Dragon-type moves with ease; it also allows Haxorus to hit Levitate Pokemon such as Bronzong thanks to Mold Breaker. Set Details Maximum Attack and Speed EVs allow Haxorus to sweep as efficiently as possible. Mold Breaker is the chosen ability, as it has the most use out of all three choices, nullifying defensive abilities such as Mega Aggron's Filter and Rotom-H's Levitate. A Lum Berry gives Haxorus a means of setting up more easily. A Jolly nature allows Haxorus to outspeed many threats, such as Krookodile and Kyurem. An Adamant nature can also be used, should the extra power be appealing. Usage Tips Haxorus should be sent in during the mid- and late-game against more offensive teams to have a good chance of cleaning up. Against more defensive teams, however, it should be sent in from the get-go or during the mid-game to wear down the opposing team for another Pokemon to clean after it. Team Options Haxorus appreciates entry hazard support, particularly Spikes support, making Froslass and Roserade good teammates. Teammates such as Swords Dance Heracross and Choice Band Conkeldurr can lure in and damage or KO Sylveon, Florges, and Whimsicott in order to make Haxorus's sweep easier. On the other hand, teammates such as Choice Scarf Mienshao may appreciate Haxorus weakening defensive Fairy-types and bulky Pokemon with +2 attacks. Pivot support from teammates such as Crobat can help Haxorus switch in safely and start to boost. Memento and dual screen support can provide easy setup opportunities as well.

Moves Dragon Dance raises Haxorus's Speed and Attack stats by one stage, making it a deadly sweeper. Outrage hits relatively hard but confuses Haxorus after two to three turns and locks Haxorus into it during that period. Dragon Claw doesn't have the flaws Outrage does but is lacking in the damage department. Earthquake is the most important coverage move for Haxorus, being able to hit anything that resists Haxorus's STAB type for at least neutral damage. Poison Jab can be used over Taunt as an alternate coverage move to hit Fairy-types such as Sylveon and Whimsicott super effectively. Taunt is an option, but Haxorus would much rather have the coverage to hit the common Fairy-types of the tier. Set Details Life Orb gives Haxorus a nice damage boost at the cost of 10% HP each time it uses an attacking move. Lum Berry gets rid of status only once per match; it is also a good option when using Outrage, removing the confusion that the move causes. Maximum Attack and Speed EVs are being used to maximize Haxorus's sweeping potential. A Jolly nature allows Haxorus to outspeed positive-natured base 85s, whereas an Adamant nature gives Haxorus a 10% damage increase while still allowing it to outspeed Mega Aerodactyl after a Dragon Dance. Usage Tips This Haxorus set should be sent in during mid- or late-game to sweep or weaken the opposing team. Haxorus should set up on Pokemon that can't OHKO it, don't have phazing moves, or are forced out by it. Team Options This Haxorus set aims to sweep or clean mid- to late-game; therefore, wallbreakers make for excellent partners, such as Choice Band Conkeldurr and Choice Band Entei. Physically defensive Steel-types usually stop Haxorus from sweeping unless they're weakened, which makes Ground-, Fighting-, and Fire-types good partners. Examples of them are Nidoking, Heracross, and Entei, respectively. Shaymin is an amazing partner to this Haxorus set, as it can wallbreak as well as use Healing Wish to allow Haxorus more than one chance to sweep the opposing team.

Moves Swords Dance allows Haxorus to break through more defensively orientated teams by boosting its Attack stat by two stages. Outrage pairs well with Swords Dance due to its amazing damage output coupled with a STAB boost. Given that Outrage users such as Haxorus commonly lure in Steel- and Fairy-type Pokemon, super effective coverage against them is most appreciated in the last two slots, thus making Earthquake and Poison Jab perfect fits. Set Details The given EV spread maximizes Haxorus's offensive capabilities. Lum Berry allows Haxorus to shrug off status from Pokemon such as Alomomola and Porygon2 one time. A Life Orb, on the other hand, gives Haxorus a significant boost, but at the cost of 1/10 of its HP with each hit. A Jolly nature is crucial for outspeeding positive-natured base 85s. Meanwhile, an Adamant nature can be used for more power. Usage Tips This particular set is most effective against defensively oriented teams and is best set up when no faster threats are left. This set should also be sent in mid-game. Swords Dance Haxorus should be the primary win condition against stall teams. Team Options A set such as this is always paired best with cleaners, as they can usually sweep after Haxorus does its job; as such, Mega Sharpedo, Mega Sceptile, and Choice Scarf Mienshao make the best of partners. Lunar Dance and Healing Wish are both moves that can remove status and heal the recipient to full, giving Haxorus another chance to wear down walls. Therefore, Lunar Dance and Healing Wish users, such as Cresselia and Shaymin, respectively, make for excellent teammates.

With a Choice Scarf equipped, Haxorus outspeeds every unboosted Pokemon in VGC. This strategy forgoes a turn of set up at the cost of being locked into one move. Choice Scarf allows Haxorus to outspeed and KO many of its checks, such as the genies, Hydreigon, Vanilluxe, and Terrakion. Choice Band is also viable, and helps Haxorus to muscle through basically every Pokemon. Rock Slide can 2HKO the genies and occasionally nabs valuable flinches. Earthquake is not a move one should use recklessly, as its effectiveness requires one to consider the presence of Flying-types on both teams. However, the ability to hit Levitate users with Earthquake still makes Mold Breaker the preferred ability. Keep in mind that Mold Breaker negates your own partner's Levitate or Telepathy. The last move should only be used in specific situations. Outrage should be used when all other moves have no chance of KOing the opponent's Pokemon. Essentially, it should only be used when Dragon Claw is simply too weak. Dual Chop is very valuable against weak Focus Sash and Substitute users. If neither of these moves appeal, X-Scissor hits Musharna and Whimsicott for more damage while maintaining solid coverage. An alternate EV spread of 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe with a Jolly nature should be used for the Choice Band set, to compensate for the absence of Choice Scarf. Haxorus loves having a Flying-type teammate, especially because Ice-types are not as common in VGC 2011. Tailwind helps out Haxorus immensely, especially when using Swords Dance. Tornadus is an excellent partner, as it is immune to Earthquake and can quickly set up Tailwind.

The premise of this set is to grab one boost and attack. Haxorus sits at base 97 Speed, which is below the genies, Hydreigon, and many notable Pokemon. A single Dragon Dance allows Haxorus to outpace these major threats and boost its already monstrous attack to astronomical levels. This combination of enhanced power and speed, combined with excellent coverage and passable bulk, makes Haxorus a very threatening sweeper. Earthquake is the best choice for a spread attack, and hits the few Steel-types that resist Dragon Claw and Rock Slide. Rock Slide is Haxorus's most powerful attack against the genies, Volcarona, and Archeops. Life Orb increases Haxorus's damage output and compensates for Rock Slide's and Earthquake's reduced power when hitting both opponents. A Jolly nature with maximum Speed EVs is necessary in case Haxorus is unable to set up Dragon Dance.The EVs can be modified to allow Haxorus to survive specific attacks from threats, such as Hydreigon's Dragon Pulse. Haban Berry can also prolong Haxorus's time on the field; Haban Berry Haxorus can set up Dragon Dance in the face of Druddigon's Dragon Claw or Hydreigon's Dragon Pulse and KO back with a boosted Dragon Claw of its own. This single turn of protection is extremely valuable when one is looking to set up and sweep. Haxorus also learns Swords Dance, and could potentially use it instead of Dragon Dance in an attempt to smash through the metagame with brute strength. Haxorus's Swords Dance-boosted attacks will OHKO almost every Pokemon in VGC. Unfortunately, Haxorus's unboosted Speed and defensive stats are decidedly mediocre, giving it very little staying power. Without Tailwind support, abusing Swords Dance will be extremely difficult. Amoonguss or Volcarona can help Haxorus by using Rage Powder, allowing Haxorus to have a free turn to set up.

This is Haxorus's most effective set thanks to its flawless coverage and monstrous Attack. Protect stops Fake Out and scouts the opponent's strategy. Dragon Claw is a solid STAB choice, especially due to the rarity of Steel-types in VGC. Rock Slide provides good coverage and breaks Focus Sashes while ignoring Rage Powder. Haxorus is just fast enough to benefit from Rock Slide's flinch rate. Bisharp and other Steel-types resist Rock Slide and Dragon Claw, but take tremendous damage from Earthquake. Haban Berry prevents Haxorus from being OHKOed by Hydreigon's Dragon Pulse and enemy Haxorus's attacks. These are the only common moves that can OHKO Haxorus, so Haban Berry is an extremely effective item. However, Life Orb could be used to hit bulkier foes much harder. Haxorus will appreciate Life Orb when facing Amoonguss, Conkeldurr, and Musharna. However, lacking Haban Berry leaves Haxorus completely at the mercy of enemy Hydreigon. An Adamant nature and a bulkier EV spread allows Haxorus to be more effective against bulky Trick Room teams. When utilizing the bulky Adamant set, Taunt is a decent option to stop Musharna and Jellicent in their tracks. Tornadus makes an excellent partner. It is immune to Haxorus's Earthquake and can set up Tailwind easily. Tornadus also takes out Amoonguss in one hit, a feat that Dragon Claw cannot accomplish.

By equipping a Choice item, Haxorus can unleash the beast within and maul its usual checks with its awesome power. By holding a Choice Scarf, Haxorus outspeeds and KOes faster Dragon-types, such as Garchomp and Latios, before they can act, which gives Haxorus more room to switch in and out so it can switch moves. Choice Band makes Haxorus a bit more reliant on team support, but boosts its already potent 218 Attack to a massive 327, which allows Haxorus to 2HKO threats such as 140 HP Zapdos, specially defensive Cresselia, Dusclops, and Togekiss with Dragon Claw or Dual Chop. Outrage is even more destructive with a Choice Band, OHKOing each of the aforementioned threats even if they have not sustained much prior damage. Unfortunately, Outrage isn't all that reliable because it selects its target randomly, but any opponent hit, bar Steel-types, probably won't enjoy taking huge amounts of damage. Earthquake is a staple spread move, but unlike other Earthquake users, Mold Breaker allows Haxorus to hit Levitating Pokemon. This is of course a double-edged sword, as this affects your own Levitators as well. Rock Slide is another staple move, but you might find its paltry 56 Base Power unappealing. Haxorus also has access to Brick Break and X-Scissor, which can be used to hit the occasional Ice- and Steel-types and Grass- and Psychic-types, respectively. Dual Chop and Dragon Claw share the same 80 Base Power, though Dual Chop has a better chance to critical hit, and can hit through Substitutes, resist Berries, and Focus Sashes.However, Dual Chop has only 90% accuracy as opposed to Dragon Claw's 100%, and has higher chances of activating abilities such as Flame Body. The EV spread ensures that Haxorus outpaces neutral nature base 95 Speed Pokemon, such as Darmanitan, as well as Timid Smeargle. If you're concerned about opposing Haxorus, you can use a spread of 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe to outspeed those with the standard spread. Choice Haxorus is more reliant on team support than other variants. Togekiss and Hitmontop spring to mind as good partners, either paralyzing and redirecting attacks or flinching the opponent and protecting Haxorus from Blizzard, respectively. Additionally, both Togekiss and Hitmontop have the option of boosting Haxorus's already devastating attacks to almost unimaginable heights with Helping Hand. Haxorus also appreciates having Zapdos or Thundurus as partners, as they are immune to its Earthquake, can support Haxorus with Tailwind or Thunder Wave and, in Zapdos's case, use Heat Wave to melt opposing Ice- and Steel-types. Feint, Taunt, Imprison, and Encore support is helpful to ensure that opponents don't Protect their vital Pokemon, ensuring a kill under Haxorus's claws. Because Haxorus might be switching in and out frequently to change its moves, it is important to have a Pokemon that can sponge, or is immune to, the attacks that Haxorus attracts. Shedinja, Ferrothorn, Suicune, and Rotom-W make great switch-ins, and the latter three can even slow down the opposition with Thunder Wave or Icy Wind.

Though this set lacks the extra power granted by a Choice Band, it gives Haxorus more freedom to use its moves, as well as being able to use different—and in some cases more useful—items. Haxorus is constantly threatened to be paralyzed or burned by common supporters, such as Zapdos, Cresselia, and Dusclops, and cannot KO them in time to avoid being statused. Lum Berry remedies this, giving Haxorus enough time to KO said threats, and emerge from the conflict relatively unscathed. Yache Berry is useful to help Haxorus check Ice-types more easily, and allows Haxorus to stand up to a surprise Ice Beam. Life Orb is of course a more offensive item, turning 2HKOs such as X-Scissor against Abomasnow into OHKOs at a cost of 10% of Haxorus's health for each successful hit. The first three moves are fairly self explanatory; reliable STAB, spread, and coverage moves make for a fairly standard physical attacking set. Protect is the recommended fourth move simply because it is 'exclusive' to non-Choice Haxorus, but a fourth attack can be used in Protect's place if needed. There are a few more things worth mentioning on a regular physical attacking set, namely Haban Berry and Taunt. Haban Berry allows Haxorus to check Dragon-types that would otherwise give it a hard time, and while Taunt may seem like a bad idea due to the prevalence of Mental Herb, it can still prove useful for foiling attempts to status Haxorus or set up Trick Room. Outrage is an option here as well, though it doesn't have the same hope-shattering power as the Choice Band set. The given EV spread allows a resist Berry to be used more effectively, while still letting Haxorus outspeed Timid Smeargle and neutral natured Excadrill outside sandstorm. If you're not using a resist Berry and don't hold much stock in Haxorus's defenses, a spread of 12 HP / 252 Atk / 244 Spe enables it to outspeed neutral base 95 Speed Pokemon. Being one of the slower Dragon-types, Haxorus naturally appreciates paralysis or Tailwind support. Whimsicott and Togekiss can provide both, as well as being resistant and immune to Earthquake, respectively. Zapdos and Thundurus supply paralysis and can check rain teams that give Haxorus a headache, and in Zapdos's case, provide Tailwind support as well. Hitmontop can flinch opposing Pokemon with Fake Out, soften blows with Intimidate, and check most Ice-types who can freeze Haxorus to the spot. Arcanine is in a similar boat, except it has access to STAB Flare Blitz and Heat Wave as well as the mighty ExtremeSpeed.