Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Best Hydreigon Builds for Ranked Battles

Pokémon Crimson and Violet Ranked Battles are heavily used in Hydreigon, which was introduced in Generation 5 and is now part of the Paldea region.

Trainers using Hydreigon in this season's Pokémon Crimson and Violet Ranked Battles have plenty of buildings to choose from. Hydreigon is a Dark-type and Dragon-type Pokémon that "considers only destruction" according to the Pokédex. Naturally, it's a Pokémon that should be actively used with the right moves and teammates. With its abilities, Terastallizing Hydreigon and its usual STAB moves make it a formidable foe.

Hydreigon is an exclusive version of Pokémon Scarlet in the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games. There are no known spawn locations specifically for the evolution itself, but Deino and Zweilous, its pre-evolutions, can be found in the Paldea region and in many caves around Zone Zero. When Deino is trained at level 50, it will evolve into a Zweilous and finally a Hydreigon at level 64. If trainers wish to acquire any of these Pokémon in Pokémon Violet, they can purchase an exclusive version from Pokémon Scarlet, or find Tera Raid from other games.

Hydreigon's Levitate, Tera-Type and Moves

Since gen 5, Hydreigon only has the ability to float, making them immune to ground-based actions. Terastallizing it to a type that weak to Ground- Such as Steel- or Fire- gives it a huge advantage. So, besides Immunity, choosing Hydreigon's actions should be based on its attack bonus of the same type, eg: Draco Meteor, Dark Pulse, Steel-Tera Type's Flash Cannon and Flamethrower, which can boost and knock down many like Gholdengo when Terastallizing Or metagames like Corivknight. More useful moves to use with Hydreigon include Tailwind, which is important for Murkrow building Ranked Battles and Thunder Wave.

Hyper Training, EVs and Nature for Hydreigon

According to the Pokémon Database, Hydreigon in Pokémon Crimson and Violet has a base stat of 600. High base stats make it one of the most powerful viable Pokémon in Ranked Battles. Trainers should make the Hydreigon their team's "special scavenger", ensuring Hyper Train special attacks and speed. Therefore, EV trains Hydreigon to follow suit in terms of special attacks and speed. For the best nature, choose Timid for a bigger speed boost in turn priority.

Best Teammates and Items for Hydreigon

Consider using Hydreigon to compete with partners like Murkrow, Gholdengo, and Garchomp using Hydreigon for Pokémon Crimson and Violet Ranked Battles. Hydreigon as a "special sweeper" resets its stats when paired with Murkrow Haze when Hydreigon uses Draco Meteor. With this double combo, consider finding the Health Orb for Hydreigon. If Gholdengo is its ally, Hydreigon can assist Tailwind or deal quick and severe damage to enemy enemies with the Choice Scarf, which is also a common hold item in single player combat. Finally send out Garchomp and use Earthquake to not hit Hydreigon and cover both physical and special walls.

Countering Hydreigon

In Pokémon Crimson and Violet, Hydreigon's greatest weakness in Ranked Battles is Fairy-type with Bug-, Fighting-, Ice- and Dragon-. Since the Levitate makes anything vulnerable to ground-type moves and mind-type immunity, be careful when predicting conversions. Before Hydreigon Terastallizes, consider using a Fairy-type Pokémon like the best Sylveon builds, which include moves like Moonblast. Finally, Hydreigon is powerful, but can still be knocked out by simple status conditions like sleep or paralysis.

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