Haxorus,The Axe Dragon

HAXORUS



Abilities:
Rivalry
Mold Breaker
Unnerve

Stats:

HP:76
Atk:147
Def:90
SpA:60
SpD:70
Spe:97

Total:561

Placed Tier:OU

Type:DRAGON

One of the best dragon pokemon to arrive from Black and White,Haxorus.With a cool design and a cool name it sports a merciless 147 base attack,which makes even offensive monsters like Dragonite and Tyranitar look like kittens compared to a lion. This combined with its decent speed make Haxorus so dangerous,and even with its somewhat average defenses it can always chop away with its indestructable axe jaws.


Set #1: Choice Band / Scarf

Item:Choice Band / Choice Scarf
Ability:Mold Breaker
EVs: 36 HP / 252 ATK / 220 SPD
Nature:Adamant

- Outrage
- Dual Chop / Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Brick Break / Superpower

Set Explanation:
The item you give Haxorus depends on what you want for your team,a speedy revenge killer or a powerful wall breaker,but in the end it doesn't matter,because Haxorus is always going to take something down. When equipped with a Choice Band with a Adamant nature Haxorus gains an impressive 648 attack while when equipped with a Choice Scarf its speed skyrockets to 427 which is enough to outspeed a +1 Dragonite. Outrage is the crux of this set,since nothing likes taking it directly bar some Steel types which can be taken care of with a powerful Earthquake,Brick Break,or Superpower. Dual Chop can break Substitutes and ruin Sashed pokes yet Dragon Claw is always another effective STAB. The EVs give Haxorus its maximized attack and a decent speed to get around Heatran,Dragonite,while with a Scarf not even Jolteon will outspeed.

Set #2:Axe Dance

Item: Life Orb / Lum Berry / Muscle Band
Ability:Mold Breaker
EVs: 36 HP / 252 ATK / 220 SPD
Nature: Adamant

- Dragon Dance / Swords Dance
- Outrage / Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Brick Break / Taunt / Substitute

Set Explanation: While not a meant to be a true wallbreaker or revenge killer,this set is meant for the purpose of sweeping everything in its path. Dragon Dance is the primary move,but if you feel you have enough speed on your team or you can paralyze your opponents pokemon Swords Dance is another option. Outrage like always is the main STAB here,and nothing likes taking it,not even Steel types but if you feel you need more freedom use Dragon Claw. Earthquake is here for coverage and can even hit Gengar and Rotom-W due to Haxorus' ability. Brick Break is primarily for Ferrothorn,but Taunt works at stoping attempt to halt Haxorus,while Substitute can be used if you scare something out with Haxorus and makes a nice shield to setup. The EVs a more or less the same.



Conclusion:
Haxorus has amazing offensive potential,and with its high Attack and someone high speed its hard to see why its not used more often. Great partners for Haxorus are Magnezone,who can take any Ice attack,and trap Steel types and KO with HP Fire. Genesect can do the same by threatening with Flamethrower and can act as a special sweeper partner for Haxorus. However this isnt to say Haxorus doesnt have counters,the main counter to all Haxorus is Skarmory,who can resist Outrage,is unaffected by Earthquake,and can heal off with Brick Breaks with Roost,yet it must be wary of Haxorus with Taunt. Mamoswine and Scizor are also some notable thing that can counter Haxorus,yet they cannot OHKO with either Bullet Punch or Ice Shard if its at full health.