[SET]
name: Life Orb Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Hasty
evs: 100 Atk / 184 SpA / 224 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This is Houndoom’s bread and butter Nasty Plot set. Fire Blast is used to take advantage of Houndoom's Fire-type STAB. Dark Pulse is used to take advantage of Houndoom's Dark-type STAB. More specifically, Fire Blast is Houndoom’s preferred move for sweeping due to hits high base power. But when Houndoom encounters Fire-, Water-, or Rock-type Pokemon who resists Fire Blast, it can use Dark Pulse, which OHKOes Moltres, Arcanine, and Rhyperior, and deals upwards of 70% to Milotic (with a Nasty Plot). Poliwrath, Blaziken, and Thick Fat Hariyama, resist the attacking combination, but it is very effective against the rest of the tier. Opposing Houndoom also resist it.</p>

<p>It may be odd to see Sucker Punch, a physical attack, on a Nasty Plot set, but with this in its moveset, Houndoom’s normal counters will not be switching in as easily; it is also excellent for putting a stop to opposing sweepers. However, 4 HP Dugtrio is always OHKOed by Sucker Punch after Stealth Rock, which means it cannot stop Houndoom’s sweep unless it packs Substitute and outpredicts Houndoom. Sucker Punch also prevents Choice Scarf Rotom, most Alakazam, and some Mismagius from revenge killing Houndoom. Finally, even when Houndoom is not attempting a sweep, Sucker Punch allows it to finish off faster and weakened foes.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Flash Fire is used instead of Early Bird to boost Houndoom’s offensive potential; for example, if Houndoom switches into Weezing’s or Arcanine’s Will-O-Wisp, the subsequent Nasty Plotted Fire Blast will 2HKO Chansey. Without Rest on the set, the benefits of Early Bird are too situational. Since Houndoom is using both physical and special attacks for specific purposes, a Timid nature isn’t optimal. Hasty was chosen instead of Naive because it makes more sense to lower Houndoom’s already gloomy Defense instead of sacrificing its average Special Defense. Also, Houndoom’s resistances are most often seen in the form of special attacks (notably Shadow Ball), and higher Special Defense means it is easier to set up on Sludge Bomb Weezing.</p>

<p>The EVs may seem complicated at first glance, but fulfill very specific purposes. First, 224 Speed EVs and a Hasty nature are used to outpace Timid Rotom along with all slower Pokemon, including Timid Moltres and Timid/Jolly Venusaur. Then, 100 Attack EVs with a Life Orb are necessary to ensure 4 HP Dugtrio is always KOed by Sucker Punch with Stealth Rock damage. The remaining EVs are put into Special Attack to maximize Houndoom’s offensive punch. If you want Houndoom to tie with opposing base 95 Pokemon such as Leafeon and Drapion, you can shift a few EVs into Speed; this isn’t the recommended spread since Houndoom is investing in both of its offensive stats, which means it needs as many EVs as possible to spread between the two.</p>

<p>Houndoom is hard to counter perfectly because of its raw damage output, but there are a few Pokemon whom are good switch-ins. Milotic, particularly specially defensive variants, can take a boosted Dark Pulse from full health and KO with Surf. Physically bulky Milotic should beware of taking too much previous damage, though, as Dark Pulse deals [calc]. With a Flash Fire boost, boosted Houndoom can beat Chansey who would otherwise beat unboosted Houndoom. Note that if Houndoom starts using Nasty Plot on Protect, Chansey will probably have to switch out in the turn or two before Toxic kills Houndoom (perhaps to a Fire resist/immunity or a sacrifice). Azumarill resists Houndoom’s primary STAB, doesn’t lose too much HP to an unboosted Dark Pulse, and can use its priority Aqua Jet to OHKO Houndoom before it can attack again. The combination of Dark Pulse and Fire Blast provide Houndoom with excellent coverage. There are four Pokemon in UU that resist the combination of Fire- and Dark-type attacks: Houndoom, who has Flash Fire, Blaziken, who has STAB super effective Fighting-type attacks, Poliwrath, who has STAB on both Fighting- and Water-type attacks, and Thick Fat Hariyama, who has STAB Fighting-type attacks. Opposing Houndoom (unsurprisingly) are in the same boat, which means the Houndoom that has more boosts under its belt wins with Dark Pulse. Blaziken is frail and doesn’t appreciate eating Fire Blast too often since it doesn’t commonly run Leftovers, but it’s Vacuum Wave makes quick work of Houndoom. Poliwrath and Thick Fat Hariyama with specially defensive spreads are both excellent Houndoom counters, and their only “weakness” is their relatively low usage. As always, faster Pokemon who can take a Sucker Punch, like Tauros, Scyther, and Ambipom, are good revenge killers.</p>

<p>If you’re not keen on using Sucker Punch on this set, you can use a Hidden Powers which can provide coverage. Hidden Power Flying, in combination with Houndoom’s STAB moves, hit all of UU for super effective damage, but has no utility outside of that, Hidden Power Grass is roughly 15% more powerful than Dark Pulse against Water-types, but even so, cannot OHKO Milotic. Obviously, if you use Hidden Power in the last slot, Houndoom doesn’t require any Attack EVs, so a simple 252/252/4 spread works best. A Special Attack-boosting nature also becomes more viable with Hidden Power Grass, since it can OHKO Bold Milotic with a bit of residual damage.</p>