Cape Mystique

Hyper beam, the 150 base power normal type move. It can OHKO a lot, especially with Porygon-Z’s adaptive ability, same type attack bonus, and a base 135 special attack stat.

So… why not use it?

Well, it’s pretty simple. It has a recharge turn. One turn where you cannot do anything.

So, after that Hyper Beam, OHKOing that annoying Mamoswine, in comes… guess what, it’s a Machamp. Now Porygon-Z can’t switch to a physical wall, and has to take a Dynamicpunch. And that’s Porygon-Z down.

“Well, how about Slaking?” you say. “Giga Impact with a Choice Band will OHKO anything, and he has to rest anyway.”

Well, no. You are not going to OHKO the Skarmory that comes in to take the hit. And just so you know, now whatever comes in has a shot at you. Again, Machamp gets a OHKO. Rock Wrecker, Frenzy Plant, Hydro Cannon, Blast Burn… all bad. The only reason you’d use them is in the same situation as explosion.

And there’s one last reason you shouldn’t use it.

150 one turn, 0 the next. That’s only 75 power per turn.

Hyper Beam is outclassed by Tri Attack, Giga Impact by Return, Rock Wrecker by stone edge, Frenzy Plant by Leaf Storm, Hydro Cannon by Surf and Hydro Pump, and Blast Burn by Flamethrower, Overheat and Fire Blast.

I guess what I’ve been trying to say this whole time is…

Don’t use Hyper Beam.

~By Thunda, our Pokemon Article Writer