What Are Hoopa’s Best Moves? A Comprehensive Guide
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Hoopa, the Mischief Pokémon, exists in two distinct forms: Hoopa Confined and Hoopa Unbound. Understanding the best movesets for each form is crucial for maximizing its potential in Pokémon GO, battles, and other Pokémon games. For Hoopa Unbound, the optimal moveset is Confusion as a Fast Move and Psychic as a Charged Move. This combination maximizes its Psychic-type damage output, making it a powerful raid attacker. While Hoopa Unbound has a signature Dark-type move, Hyperspace Fury, the Psychic-type build is often preferred for its higher Damage Per Second (DPS) and general effectiveness.
Hoopa Unbound’s Optimal Moveset
Fast Move: Confusion
Confusion is a powerful Psychic-type Fast Move that provides excellent damage output and energy generation. While Hoopa Unbound can learn other fast moves, Confusion stands out for its raw power and effectiveness against common raid bosses, particularly those weak to Psychic-type attacks. Its consistent damage makes it a reliable choice for all scenarios where a Psychic-type attacker is needed.
Charged Move: Psychic
Psychic is the best Charged Move for Hoopa Unbound, despite access to other moves like Hyperspace Fury. The reason being is that Psychic synergizes perfectly with Confusion and capitalizes on the Psychic-type build, providing high DPS and consistent damage. While Hyperspace Fury is a powerful Dark-type move, Psychic proves more versatile overall due to its Psychic-type bonus and coverage.
Why Psychic over Hyperspace Fury?
Although Hyperspace Fury is Hoopa Unbound’s signature move, and is a powerful Dark-type option, in most cases, a full Psychic moveset provides superior overall performance. The move Psychic has a higher damage per second when coupled with Confusion, and makes Hoopa Unbound a powerful Psychic-type raid attacker. While having a Dark-type option can be useful, Psychic’s overall utility, and better type matchups, make it the preferred choice. This preference is especially true for raids and PvE (Player versus Environment) battles, where maximizing DPS is paramount.
Hoopa Confined’s Moveset
It is worth noting that Hoopa Confined’s optimal moveset might differ depending on its intended use, but generally it is seen as inferior to Unbound’s Psychic build. Although Hoopa Confined is not a top tier attacker, it’s available moves still matter. For Hoopa Confined, a good moveset is Confusion as a Fast Move and Psychic as a Charged Move. While it has access to Ghost-type moves, a Psychic build has higher DPS and overall utility.
Hoopa in PvP
In Player versus Player (PvP) battles, Hoopa Unbound’s Psychic moveset remains a solid option. It’s massive attack stat makes it a force to be reckoned with, but it lacks durability. While Hyperspace Fury can be a consideration for a coverage move, it is usually secondary to a Psychic focused approach. For Hoopa Confined, its PvP viability is much lower.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hoopa
1. What is Hoopa’s special move?
Hyperspace Fury is Hoopa Unbound’s signature Dark-type move. It is introduced in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, and is not generally the optimal choice for Raids in Pokémon GO.
2. What is Hoopa good for in Pokémon GO?
Hoopa Unbound has an extremely high base Attack stat of 311, making it a formidable attacker. It is best used as a Psychic-type raid attacker. Hoopa Confined is significantly weaker and less useful in battles.
3. What Pokémon are strong against Hoopa Unbound?
Hoopa Unbound is a dual Psychic- and Dark-type, making it weak to Bug-type moves (x2) and Fairy-type moves. Top counters include Mega Pinsir, Volcarona, Mega Scizor, Shadow Scizor, Shadow Pinsir, and Shock Genesect.
4. Can Hoopa defeat Arceus?
In the lore, Hoopa is capable of summoning and defeating various Legendary and Mythical Pokémon except for Arceus. In Pokémon GO battles, Arceus is a strong contender, and although it’s difficult to say what the outcome is between the two, it would likely come down to a type matchup and the specific movesets.
5. Is Shiny Hoopa legal to obtain?
No, Shiny Hoopa is Shiny-locked and unavailable in the main series games or Pokémon GO. Any shiny Hoopa obtained is most likely acquired through hacking and therefore not legal.
6. Why is Hoopa Unbound considered powerful in competitive play?
Hoopa Unbound‘s high Attack stat and unique movepool make it a dangerous threat in competitive battles. Its sheer power often creates an unhealthy dynamic, rewarding the user more than it should. This has been a contributing factor to why it has been banned in certain competitive leagues.
7. What Poké Ball is best for catching Hoopa?
It is generally considered that Dusk Balls, Mind Balls, and Dread Balls are the most effective for catching Hoopa. These balls offer higher catch rates in various circumstances.
8. Can Hoopa use Hyperspace Hole?
Yes, Hoopa can learn Hyperspace Hole, which is a strategic move that damages opposing Pokémon in an area of effect. This move is not currently in Pokémon GO.
9. How do you change Hoopa’s form in Pokémon GO?
Players can change Hoopa’s form by completing the second step of the Mischief Unbound Special Research. Then, go to Hoopa’s page and use the “Change Form” option, which is located below the evolve and power up buttons.
10. Does Hoopa have a hidden ability?
Hoopa’s lore indicates a powerful nature when unsealed, as it can manipulate rings to carry anything it desires. In the main series games, Hoopa’s ability is Magician. This does not affect its movesets in Pokémon GO.
11. What is Shadow Hoopa’s weakness?
Shadow Hoopa is weak to Bug-type moves (x2) and Fairy-type moves due to its dual Psychic- and Dark-type. The same counters that work against regular Hoopa Unbound work well against Shadow Hoopa as well.
12. Is Hoopa a Legendary Pokémon?
Hoopa Unbound is considered a Mythical Pokémon, not a Legendary. It has a base stat total of 680 which is the same as some legendary Pokémon.
13. Is Hoopa genderless?
Yes, Hoopa is a Genderless Pokémon Species.
14. Can Hoopa be used in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
Unfortunately, Hoopa is not available in Pokémon Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, or Shining Pearl. It was last available in prior generations of the main series games.
15. Is Hoopa’s Shiny form obtainable through legitimate means?
No, Shiny Hoopa remains Shiny-locked and cannot be obtained legitimately. Any claims of having a Shiny Hoopa should be viewed with suspicion as they were likely obtained through illegitimate means, such as hacking.