Hydreigon weaknesses and best counters in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet keep adding new raids for people to partake in, and these events can be incredibly fun to do. Whether it’s simply to grind some Exp Candies, or just to grab the newly added Pokémon, they’re a great time. Here’s our guide on one of the events of the raid, Hydreigon, and its weaknesses and best counters in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Hydreigon weaknesses and best counters in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Finding Hydreigon’s best counters and weaknesses is pretty easy if we’re talking about Hydreigon’s base type, which is Dark/Dragon, as it’s quad-weak to Fairy-type Pokémon. This would leave a few easy Pokémon to recommend, but as we’re talking about the raid, which has various different types, this becomes a little bit harder. Let’s also not forget that Hydreigon is one of the most powerful non-legendary Pokémon in existence, with it being a pseudo-legendary Pokémon. This makes it a formidable force to take down and find the best counters to beating it in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

To go over Hydreigon’s stats in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, it’s absolutely stellar across the board. It rocks a whopping 125 Special Attack, making it an absolute destroyer of teams. It’s also a pretty speedy mon, with 98 Speed. Its defenses aren’t too shabby either, with both physical and special defenses coming in at 90. As I mentioned, it’s absolutely incredible as a Pokémon, but that makes it even harder to beat.

The Hydreigon raid

Here are the moves that Hydreigon uses in the current raid event, from my own research:

• Earth Power
• Dragon pulse
• Dark pulse
• Snarl
• Nasty Plot
• Scary face

This movepool can devastate you if you aren’t careful, as Earth Power, Dragon Pulse, and Dark Pulse are very powerful, especially in the hands of a Hydreigon. But let’s think of some counters for this Pokémon, as we need to beat it. The first two counters I want to suggest for beating Hydreigon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are paradox forms. The first one is Iron Valiant.

Counters to Hydreigon

This is what I personally use as a counter to Hydreigon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. While it has a pretty low Special Defense at 60, you can counteract this with Drain Punch, making you heal every time you need a heal. Iron Valiant also quad resists Dark and is immune to Dragon type, making it a pretty decent wall against its attacks. You will also start out faster than Hydreigon, but luck of the draw will dictate whether or not the CPU will use Scary Face to lower that Speed of yours. Iron Valiant also gains access to many moves outside of its types like Leaf Blade, Aerial Ace, Fire/Ice/Thunder Punch, and more.

The second suggestion is Slither Wing. Iron Valiant is exclusive to Pokémon Violet, and while you can co-op up and trade to get it in Scarlet like I have, I know that’s not an option available to everybody, and Slither Wing is a very suitable replacement. Slither Wing is actually a bit more bulky than Iron Valiant, clocking in at 105 Special Defense, and resists Ground and Dark, meaning only Dragon Pulse will do neutral damage to you. Slither Wing doesn’t get Drain Punch, but it does get Leech Life, which is a good replacement for that if you need that. It also gains access to various types, such as Fire, Electric, Flying, Psychic and Ground.

Special Attacking counter options for Hydreigon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

You can also opt for something like Hatterene, Sylveon, or Flutter Mane for a Special Attacking option. These Pokémon all have very good Special Attack and decent Special Defense, meaning they can take a hit from Hydreigon if needed. All of these Pokémon also resist some of Hydreigon’s moves, making them decent options. While Sylveon doesn’t get fantastic type coverage, unlike the other two, you should be able to make do with the attacks that it gets from Psychic and Moonblast to Shadow Ball and Magical Leaf. Flutter Mane gets access to almost too many types, so type coverage isn’t an issue there. Hatterene gains access to Grass, Dark, Ghost, and more.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are available for purchase on the Nintendo Store.