Hoopa

Legal regulations: regulation-m-a

Hoopa Confined is the Psychic/Ghost special attacker that gives Regulation M-A teams a flexible special presence with genuine utility. Its typing provides valuable immunities and pressure against the format's Psychic and Ghost pieces, and its signature move, Hyperspace Hole, hits through Protect, which is a rare and valuable tool in a format dominated by defensive play. Its special Attack is strong enough to threaten bulky cores, and its coverage options let it hit the Dark and Ghost types that would normally answer it. Its weaknesses are significant: it is vulnerable to Dark, Ghost and Bug coverage, its speed is mediocre, and its bulk is not designed to absorb hits, so it relies on positioning and speed support. It is at its best as a mid-game breaker that punishes the opponent's Protect reliance, or as a special threat that forces awkward switches. It pairs well with redirection and with partners that handle the Dark-types it invites. Hoopa is a specialist pick that rewards teams built around its Protect-bypassing signature value.

Use this page to understand Hoopa's role in the current VGC metagame. Check the base stats and Level 50 benchmarks to plan your EV spreads. Review common moves, items, abilities and Tera types to see what the community uses most. The partners section shows which Pokémon pair well with Hoopa, while counters and checks highlight what to watch out for in team preview.

Last updated: July 2026 (Regulation Set M-A). Data is based on available competitive trends and editorial review.

Hoopa performs best when its role is clearly defined in team preview. As a Special Attacker Pokémon, focus on positioning it where it can execute its job without being forced into unfavorable exchanges. Watch for Sucker Punch and Shadow Claw from common physical attackers.

When teambuilding, pair Hoopa with Pokémon that cover its type weaknesses (see counters section below) and provide the speed control or redirection it needs to function. Review the common moves and items section for established sets, then adjust based on your team's specific needs.