Pokémon is a wonderful and mythical world of fantastical creatures that has survived for a quarter century in the form of anime, playing cards, collectible toys, and of course, a role-playing video game. Longtime fans can name a large percentage of the 896 creatures that either have been released or announced for release with the next round of DLC for Sword and Shield. Some people’s knowledge of Pokémon begins and ends with Pikachu. There is nothing at all wrong with that kind of casual fandom, but I feel like I must do a service and at least let you know about the other wonderful creatures you can raise in the universe where these monsters do battle, play, work, and keep people company. It’s time to play WHO’S THAT POKÉMON???!?!?
HERACROSS (No. 214)
Evolutionary Line – none
Type – Bug/Fighting
First Appears In – Pokémon Gold and Silver
In the first generation, Bug Pokémon were regarded mostly as jokes. Even the tougher ones, like Scyther and Pinsir, had glaring weaknesses. Scyther was easily wiped by a strong Rock-type attack, and Pinsir had no strong Bug STAB (Same-Attack Type Bonus) to utilize. Heracross was added to the second generation along with an evolution for Scyther, and Bugs were no longer considered jokes. Heracross has a unique but physiologically accurate look that appeals to a wide range of players across the spectrum. Heracross even has cache to anime watchers, as Ash Ketchum caught and utilized one throughout his adventures.
In the Games – As a non-evolutionary Pokémon with Herculean attack and decent speed, you’re not going to find a Heracross early on in the game. They’re a late-game closer that will help you with any number of Normal, Dark, and Steel threats that populate upper crust of trainer, gym leader, and Elite 4 battles. The primary Bug-typing also allows you to surprise pesky Psychic types who might stand in the way of you sweeping a gym battle. One hit from a Heracross Megahorn, and it’s over for even the bulkiest Psychic bruiser. Whether it be Karen in the Johto Elite 4, the Hoenn Champion Stephen Stone, or Melony at Circhester City’s gym, Heracross will be an invaluable teammate in the regular game.
As with any creature that thrives in the metagame, Heracross can be a useful and effective teammate in post-game battle quests like the Battle Maison and various Battle Towers. Fighting and Bug is a quirky but formidable STAB combo, and given that Heracross can learn Rock-type attacks, the power to hit 623 out of 896 Pokémon super-effectively is not something to be trifled with. Overall, as long as you put them away when someone trots out a bird, you will have a partner that can tackle a wide variety of opponents and even go the distance in your Nuzlocke Challenge should you decide to do something like that.
The Nerd Section – Heracross has always been somewhat of a borderline Pokémon in the metagame. Having a 4x weakness to anything will give people pause, but when the 4x weakness in question is to Flying-type moves, you get a little more leeway given that is not as common a STAB as, say, Fighting or Rock. What really makes Heracross enticing to players is that 125 Attack stat, which is on the same level as big attackers like Gyarados. What’s even more enticing is that if you have access to Heracross’ Mega Evolution, that attack stat gets bumped up to 185, which is the second-highest in the game after Mega Mewtwo X. Having that power behind perhaps the most useful STAB in the game makes Mega Heracross a no-brainer. Still, the normal version can still give you a lot of bang for your buck.
The Speed and combo Defense stats are what the sticking points are. It’s not fast enough to sweep, and while Mega Heracross has beefed up defenses in both categories, normal Heracross isn’t bulky enough to wall or tank. That doesn’t mean you can’t make use of them, because great players find a way to win with their favorites. What it means is you have to be a little savvier in deploying Heracross, especially in higher tiers.
Faster Set - I Got Guts, Man
Jolly Nature (Speed↑, Special Attack↓)
Ability – Guts
EVs – 4 HP/252 Attack/252 Speed
Hold Item – Flame Orb/Heracrossite
- Megahorn
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
Heracross has access to two really keen abilities. Guts works here because it boosts attack with a status issue, and it doesn’t allow being burned to nerf your Attack power. That makes the Flame Orb, usually used as a gimmick hold item for Pokémon who can learn Trick, incredibly useful to boost attack. I put the Heracrossite as another item you could use if you’re playing in an arena that allows Mega Evolution, but even then, I still might go with the Flame Orb to allow you to put the Mega Evolutionary item on a special attacker like Gengar or Alakazam. Jolly Nature is a must here because you need to wring all the speed out of this set as you can. You may not outrun many sweeper threats, but you might be able to take a hit and give one back.
Stronger Set - Focus!
Adamant Nature (Attack↑, Special Attack↓)
Ability – Moxie
EVs – 204 HP/252 Attack/52 Defense
Hold Item – Heracrossite/Leftovers in Gen VIII
- Megahorn
- Focus Punch
- Stone Edge
- Substitute
Mega Heracross was born to be a tank. Working off 185 base Attack with 80 HP/115 Defense/105 Special Defense makes them hard both to withstand and to get off the field, even with strong Flying attacks. They’re a perfect candidate for the Sub-Punch strategy. With 150 base power, Focus Punch on Mega Heracross can knock out even the toughest walls and do major damage to not very effective types with lower defenses. The problem is that you can only get Focus Punch onto Heracross if you have Ultra Sun/Moon. That being said, those games are still readily available, able to be played, and easily transferrable to Gen VIII, where you lose the Mega power. Still, even at 125 Attack, a Focus Punch from Heracross is not something anyone on the opposing team would want to take, especially after Heracross has knocked out one or two other members of the other team. The Moxie ability, which raises Attack for each Pokémon the user KOs, was built for a set like this.
Finale – Heracross is still one of the funnest and most intriguing options even after six more generations of Pokémon releases heaped atop it. The Fighting/Bug combo, the unique look, and the big Attack stat will and should draw gamers towards them, both old and new.