Hydrapple Movesets and Best Builds

This is a guide to movesets and best builds for using Hydrapple in competitive play for the games Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV). Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, Tera Type, and Held Items to use with Hydrapple, as well as its strengths and weaknesses.

Hydrapple - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Moveset for Ranked Battle

Hydrapple Base Stats, Type, Ability and Weakness

Blueberry #163		Type
Hydrapple
		Abilities
		Supersweet Syrup Regenerator Sticky Hold (Hidden)
Weak to:	(4x)
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
	(0.25x)

What is Type Effectiveness?

Ability Name		Description
Supersweet Syrup		The scent of this Pokemon's syrup spreads across the battlefield, lowering the evasiveness of opposing Pokémon when it first enters the field.
Regenerator		The user restores up to 1/3 of its max HP when switched out of battle.
Sticky Hold (Hidden)		The user's Held item cannot be taken by other Pokemon.

Base Stats

Best Nature for Hydrapple

Best Natures
Modest （+Sp. Atk, -Atk）	Quiet （+Sp. Atk, -Spe）

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Hydrapple

Build Name	Recommendation
Rocky Helmet	★★★★
Fickle Fisher	★★★★

Rocky Helmet Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Quiet (+Sp. Atk, -Spe)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Sp. Atk 252 / Sp. Def 4
Notable IVs	Spe 0
Final Stat Values	HP 213 / Def 130 / Sp. Atk 189 / Sp. Def 101 / Spe 44
Ability	Regenerator
Tera Type
Held Item	Rocky Helmet
Moveset	・ Leaf Storm ・ Draco Meteor ・ Earth Power ・ Gyro Ball

Summary

Amazing defensive pivot thanks to Regenerator. High Defense + Rocky Helmet punishes physical attackers. Needs Terastallization to help with its many weaknesses.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Regenerator	Rocky Helmet

The Ability chosen for this build is Regenerator. This makes Hydrapple an amazing defensive pivot since it recovers 1/3 of its max HP every time it switches out.

The item chosen for this build is a Rocky Helmet. This punishes physical attackers that make contact with Hydrapple by dealing recoil damage in return.

Potentially, Hydrapple could also use an Eject Pack to immedieatly switch out after using Draco Meteor or Leaf Storm.

Moves Breakdown

Leaf Storm	Draco Meteor
Earth Power	Gyro Ball

Leaf Storm and Draco Meteor are its strongest STAB moves, but they will reduce Hydrapple's Sp. Atk by two stages everytime it's used. This is okay since Hydrapple will be constantly pivoted in and out to make use of its Regenerator healing.

Earth Power is its main coverage move to hit Steel-types that resist both of its STAB moves for super-effective damage.

Gyro Ball uses its very low Speed stat by making the move more powerful the higher the opponent's Speed stat is compared to Hydrapple. It also has its damage boosted when Hydrapple Terastallizes.

Best Tera Type: Steel

Steel Tera Type Matchup
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
Immune to:	(0x)

Steel is the best Tera Type for this build because it turns all of Hydrapple's weaknesses into resists. It will also boost the damage of Hydrapple's Steel-type moves.

Best Steel (Tera) Type Pokemon for Ranked Battle

EV Spread and Nature

A full 252 EVs are placed into its HP and Sp. Atk to make it as bulky as possible while still being able to hit hard. The extra 4 EVs are put into its Sp. Def to help round out its bulk.

A Quiet nature and 0 Speed IVs are preferred to maximize Hydrapple's offensive output while also making it as slow as possible to maximize Gyro Ball's damage.

Other Viable Moves

Fickle Beam	Has a 30% chance to be more powerful than Draco Meteor. Also doesn't drop Hydrapple's Sp. Atk whenever it's used.
Giga Drain	Gives a way for Hydrapple to recover its HP outside of Regenerator.
Tera Blast	Alternative Steel-type move, but needs Hydrapple to Terastallize to become Steel.

Key Damage Calculations

Damage Dealt by Hydrapple
113 HP｜65 Sp. Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 HP (Modest) Item: Assault Vest	Leaf Storm 158-188 (83.5 - 99.4%) Guaranteed 2HKO
91 HP｜100 Sp. Def Defensive EV Investment: 252 HP (Adamant) Ability: Multiscale Item: Choice Band	Draco Meteor 117-138 (59 - 69.6%) Guaranteed 2HKO If No Multiscale: Draco Meteor 234-276 (118.1 - 139.3%) Guaranteed OHKO
87 HP｜91 Sp. Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 HP (Timid) Item: Choice Scarf	Earth Power 116-138 (71.1 - 84.6%) Guaranteed 2HKO
Damage Received by Hydrapple
120 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk (Jolly) Item: Focus Sash	Icicle Crash 340-408 (159.6 - 191.5%) Guaranteed OHKO
135 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp. Atk (Timid) Item: Booster Energy	Moonblast 200-236 (93.8 - 110.7%) 56.3% chance to OHKO

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

Fickle Fisher Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Calm (+Sp. Def, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 244 / Def 60 / Sp. Def 204
Final Stat Values	HP 212 / Def 138 / Sp. Atk 140 / Sp. Def 138 / Spe 64
Ability	Regenerator
Tera Type
Held Item	Leftovers
Moveset	・ Fickle Beam ・ Earth Power ・ Recover ・ Nasty Plot

Summary

Can stay alive for a long time in battle thanks to its bulk. Can get unexpected OHKOs if Fickle Beam's boost procs. Needs Terastallization to help with its many weaknesses.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Regenerator	Leftovers

The Ability chosen for this build is Regenerator. This makes Hydrapple an amazing defensive pivot since it recovers 1/3 of its max HP every time it switches out.

The item chosen for this build are Leftovers. This gives Hydrapple a way to consistently heal itself without needing to constantly click Recover.

Moves Breakdown

Fickle Beam	Earth Power
Recover	Nasty Plot

Fickle Beam is its signature Dragon-type STAB move that has a 30% chance of becoming a 160 base power attack. With a Steel Tera and Recover, Hydrapple can stay alive and look for boosted Fickle Beams to deal massive damage to the opponent.

Earth Power is its main coverage move to hit Steel and Fairy-types that can tank a Fickle Beam.

Recover is important to keep Hydrapple alive without having to switch out for Regenerator healing.

Nasty Plot is used to punish more passive Pokemon by boosting Hydrapple's Sp. Atk by two stages.

Best Tera Type: Steel

Steel Tera Type Matchup
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
Immune to:	(0x)

Steel is the best Tera Type for this build because it turns all of Hydrapple's weaknesses into resists.

Best Steel (Tera) Type Pokemon for Ranked Battle

EV Spread and Nature

Hydrapple uses a mixed EV spread with the majority of it going into HP and the rest going to Defense and Sp. Def. This is so that it can balance out its bulk, helping it tank both physical and special attacks.

A Calm nature is preferred so that Hydrapple's Sp. Def can match its Defense stat.

Other Viable Moves

Giga Drain	Gives another way for Hydrapple to recover its HP. It will also heal more after Nasty Plot boosts.

Doubles Movesets for Hydrapple

Build Name	Recommendation
Assault Vest	★★★
Contrary Special Attacker	★★★★

Assault Vest Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Calm (+Sp. Def, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 244 / Def 60 / Sp. Def 204
Final Stat Values	HP 212 / Def 138 / Sp. Atk 140 / Sp. Def 138 / Spe 64
Ability	Supersweet Syrup
Tera Type
Held Item	Assault Vest
Moveset	・ Draco Meteor ・ Syrup Bomb ・ Breaking Swipe ・ Pollen Puff

Summary

Great utility in Supersweet Syrup, which reduces the opposing team's evasion. Can support its team with Pollen Puff. Consistent means of Speed Control in Syrup Bomb.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Supersweet Syrup	Life Orb

The Ability chosen for this build is Supersweet Syrup. This reduces the evasion of Pokemon on the opposing side by 1 stage.

The item chosen for this build is Assault Vest. This gives Hydrapple some added bulk on the Special side, allowing it to survive a few super-effective hits.

Moves Breakdown

Draco Meteor	Syrup Bomb
Breaking Swipe	Pollen Puff

Draco Meteor is its strongest STAB move, which is valuable for when Hydrapple needs an extra burst of damage.

Syrup Bomb can reduce the Speed of opposing Pokemon drastically if they stay in the field.

Breaking Swipe is a useful means of reducing the effectiveness of opposing physical attackers, while

Pollen Puff can let Hydrapple's teammates stay on the field for longer.

Best Tera Type: Steel

Steel Tera Type Matchup
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
Immune to:	(0x)

Steel is the best Tera Type for this build because it turns all of Hydrapple's weaknesses into resists.

Best Steel (Tera) Type Pokemon for Ranked Battle

EV Spread and Nature

244 HP EVs, 60 Def EVs, and 204 Sp.Def EVs give it as much bulk as so it can take repeated hits while supporting its partner Pokemon.

A Calm Nature is preferred to bolster Hydrapple's Special Defense, allowing it to survive repeated special attacks once it terastallizes into a Steel-type.

Other Viable Moves

Fickle Beam	Has a 30% chance to be more powerful than Draco Meteor. Also doesn't drop Hydrapple's Sp. Atk whenever it's used.
Hydro Pump	Has natural synergy with Supersweet Syrup, Hydro Pump with Tera Water can prove difficult to wall effectively.
Earth Power	Valuable Ground-type coverage, Earth Power allows Hydrapple to damage the likes of Incineroar for meaningful damage.

Contrary Special Attacker Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Modest (+Sp.Atk, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Sp.Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4
Final Stat Values	HP 213 / Def 130 / Sp.Atk 189 / Sp.Def 101 / Spe 64
Ability	Supersweet Syrup
Tera Type
Held Item	Leftovers
Moveset	・ Draco Meteor ・ Leaf Storm ・ Protect ・ Recover

Summary

One of the best partners for Malamar thanks to having both Draco Meteor and Leaf Storm. Can restore its own health with Recover. Requires partner Malamar in Doubles to function properly.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Supersweet Syrup	Leftovers

Supersweet Syrup is the best Ability for Hydrapple, lowering the opposing team's Evasion by one stage once it switches in. We also use this so that partner Malamar can swap its Contrary with this Ability, inflicting another -1 Evasion to the enemy.

Finally, once Hydrapple receives Contrary, Malamar will then Skill Swap Supersweet Syrup to an opposing Pokemon to give Hydrapple +1 Evasion Boost.

Hydrapple is already boosting its Special Attack with Draco Meteor and Leaf Storm, so Leftovers is recommended to give it passive healing at the end of every turn.

Moves Breakdown

Draco Meteor	Leaf Storm
Protect	Recover

Draco Meteor is a 130 BP Dragon-type move that gives Hydrapple great neutral coverage. Once it receives contrary from Malamar, this move will give it +2 Special Attack instead of reducing it.

Leaf Storm is another 130 BP Grass-type move that also grants +2 Special Attack once Hydrapple receives Contrary is best used against Pokemon resistant or immune to Draco Meteor.

Protect allows Hydrapple to scout the opposing team's moves and safely heal with Leftovers.

Recover restores Hydrapple's HP and allows it to stay on the field longer.

Best Tera Type: Water

Water Tera Type Matchup
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)

Terastallizing into a Water-type removes Hydrapple's 4x weakness to Ice-type moves (replacing it with a resistance instead!), while also giving it neutrality to Dragon and Fairy-type moves.

Best Water Tera Type Pokemon

EV Spread and Nature

A full 252 EVs are placed into its HP and Sp. Atk to make it as bulky as possible while still being able to hit hard. The extra 4 EVs are put into its Def to help round out its bulk.

Other Viable Moves

Fickle Beam	A great alternative to Protect to give Hydrapple a Dragon-type move it can use after Draco Meteor's PP runs out. It also has a chance to deal 160 BP damage.
Hydro Pump	A powerful Water-type coverage move that can replace Protect and gets STAB once Hydrapple terastallizes into a Water-type.

Key Damage Calculations

Damage Dealt by Hydrapple
196 HP | 60 Sp.Def Defensive EV Investment Item: Assault Vest	Draco Meteor +2 288 ~ 342 (150.7 ~ 179%) Guaranteed OHKO
191 HP | 168 Sp.Def Defensive EV Investment Item: Heavy-Duty Boots	Leaf Storm +2 165 ~ 195 (150.7 ~ 179%) 12.5% Chance to OHKO

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

How to Use Hydrapple Effectively

Use Hydrapple to Tank Hits for Its Allies and Deal Significant Damage in Return

Hydrapple is in a unique spot where it has Regenerator, but it's also both bulky and strong offensively. This makes it a great Pokemon that can take hits for its allies and deal a good amount of damage the next turn.

Make sure that you switch Hydrapple into good matchups, otherwise the opponent could easily target one of its many weaknesses.

How to Build a Team with Hydrapple

For Singles, Hydrapple appreciates other teammates who want to switch in and out so that it can maximize the healing it gets from Regenerator.

Sample Singles Team

Offensive Lead	Special Attacker	Special Attacker
Feraligatr	Hydrapple	Heatran

These three Pokemon end up creating a strong Grass-Water-Fire defensive core that also covers for each other weaknesses.

Feraligatr also has access to Flip Turn, which helps it offensively switch out rather than having to manually do it.

Sample Doubles Team

Support / Special Attacker	Special Attacker
Hydrapple	Heatran
Special Attacker	Physical Attacker
Flutter Mane	Landorus (Therian Forme)

Heatran is a great partner for Hydrapple because it can discourage opponents from using moves like Heat Wave. It can also threaten opposing Fairy-type Pokemon with its Steel-type STAB options like Flash Cannon and Heavy Slam.

Flutter Mane can serve as a late-game sweeper or a switch-in to Dragon-type attacks.

Landorus-T can switch in to Ground-type Moves intended for Heatran and offer Intimidate support for Specially Defensive Assault Vest Hydrapple.

Counters for Hydrapple

Use Pokemon with Ice Moves That Also Cover for a Defensive Tera

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Chien-Pao	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Commonly runs Focus Sash to survive a single hit. ・Has access to Sacred Sword in case Hydrapple Terastallizes to Steel. ▶️ Chien-Pao Best Movesets
Terapagos	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Ice Beam is one of its preferred coverage moves. ・Can use Stellar Tera Starstorm to hit Hydrapple for super-effective damage, regardless of Tera Type. ▶️ Terapagos Best Movesets
Alolan Ninetales	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Freeze-Dry still has a very high chance to OHKO. ・Can freely set up an Aurora Veil when predicting a switch out. ▶️ Alolan Ninetales Best Movesets

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