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Hoothoot's good special bulk and access to Reflect make it a solid defensive Pokemon. Reflect provides good team support, especially useful in a metagame filled with Fighting-types. Roost provides Hoothoot with a much needed form of recovery. Air Slash is Hoothoot's best attacking move, hitting Fighting-types super effectively. Hypnosis is the optimal move in the last slot, as sleep is a very potent status effect; it is also something else to set Hoothoot apart from Vullaby. Alternatively, Whirlwind is an option for phazing, and is useful if Hypnosis's low accuracy is undesired. An EV spread of 196 HP / 36 Def / 228 SpD / 36 Spe can be used for added special bulk, but Hoothoot is 2HKOed by most special attackers anyway. The aforementioned EV spread, however, does make Hoothoot a good check to Hypnosis Gastly that lack Thunderbolt, so it can be useful if your team is weak to it. Lileep is a great teammate for Hoothoot, as it beats most Chinchou, a good counter to this set, handily. Magnemite has a useful 4x resist to Air Slash, so it is also another solid counter. Wooper and Hippopotas can deal with Magnemite rather easily. Magnemite itself is also a fantastic teammate for Hoothoot, as it resists all of Hoothoot's weaknesses. In return, Hoothoot is immune to the Ground-type moves that Magnemite fears.

This is the only set Hoothoot can run without being completely outclassed by other Flying-type Pokemon. Its main STAB attack is Air Slash, which is fairly weak, though the occasional chance of a flinch can be helpful. Psychic hits Fighting- and Poison-type Pokemon for super effective damage. Heat Wave easily melts Steel- and Ice-types, who would otherwise pose a threat to Hoothoot. Finally, Shadow Ball helps Hoothoot dispatch Ghost- and Psychic-types. With a Choice Scarf attached, Hoothoot hits 22 Speed, outspeeding all non-Choice Scarf Pokemon. Hoothoot is one of those Pokemon who significantly appreciates Stealth Rock support, as this gives Hoothoot a much better chance at landing a KO on the opponent. A Rapid Spinner would also be appreciated so Hoothoot doesn't lose a chunk of HP every time it switches in. Hoothoot is also a great counter to Shroomish and Paras thanks to its ability, Insomnia, and it's able to OHKO the both of them with a STAB Air Slash. A great teammate for Hoothoot is Munchlax; its high Special Defense stat means it can take special Ice- and Electric-type attacks aimed at Hoothoot with little effort. Bronzor's high Defense and capability of setting up Stealth Rock also helps Hoothoot out, being able to switch into threats such as Aron. Machop's offensive strength can take out Rock- and Steel-types that Hoothoot might have trouble with. Magnemite can also be a helpful teammate as it resists all of Hoothoot's weaknesses, and Hoothoot can switch in on the Ground-type attacks that Magenemite often attracts.