Hitmonlee, the Kicking Pokémon, is a Fighting-type from the first generation of Pokémon games. Known for its impressive attack power and unique set of abilities, Hitmonlee has secured its place in the hearts of many trainers. This article will explore Hitmonlee’s abilities, strategies for effective use in battles, and tips for trainers aiming to maximize its potential.
1. Introduction to Hitmonlee
1.1. Origin and Design
Hitmonlee was introduced in Pokémon Red and Blue as a part of the trio of Fighting-type Pokémon, alongside Hitmonchan and Hitmontop. Its design is inspired by martial arts, specifically karate, showcasing elongated limbs and a distinctive combination of colors. Hitmonlee’s signature attribute is its incredible legs, which it uses for powerful kicks.
1.2. Type Advantages and Disadvantages
As a Fighting-type Pokémon, Hitmonlee possesses certain strengths and weaknesses in battles. Understanding these can help trainers develop effective strategies.
- Strengths: Hitmonlee is strong against Normal, Rock, Ice, Dark, and Steel-type Pokémon (dealing double damage).
- Weaknesses: It is vulnerable to Psychic, Flying, and Fairy-type attacks (taking double damage).
Recognizing these type matchups is crucial for trainers looking to perform well in battles.
1.3. Base Stats Overview
Hitmonlee boasts impressive base stats:
- HP: 50
- Attack: 120
- Defense: 53
- Special Attack: 35
- Special Defense: 110
- Speed: 87
The standout stat is Attack, allowing it to deal substantial physical damage. Special Defense is surprisingly high, making it defensively viable against special attackers.
2. Unique Abilities and Moveset
2.1. Abilities
Hitmonlee has access to two primary abilities:
- Limber: Prevents Hitmonlee from being paralyzed, which is especially beneficial as paralysis significantly reduces Speed.
- Reckless: This ability increases the power of recoil moves, making moves like High Jump Kick even more dangerous.
2.2. Signature Moves
Hitmonlee has a range of powerful moves at its disposal:
- High Jump Kick: A powerful Fighting-type move with 130 base power. It does have recoil damage if it misses, making it a high-risk, high-reward choice.
- Drain Punch: This move offers sustainability by healing Hitmonlee for half the damage dealt, allowing it to regain health while attacking.
- Stone Edge: A Rock-type move that provides coverage against Flying-types and has a high critical-hit ratio.
- Mach Punch: A priority move that allows Hitmonlee to outspeed opponents, making it deadly in clutch situations.
2.3. Other Notable Moves
Beyond the signature moves, Hitmonlee can learn various TMs that can expand its utility in battle:
- Facade: Synergizes well with conditions like Burn or Paralysis, doubling its power.
- Earthquake: Provides coverage against Steel-types, which could otherwise resist Hitmonlee’s primary attacks.
3. Building the Perfect Hitmonlee
3.1. Recommended Nature
Choosing the right nature can significantly impact Hitmonlee’s performance. The best options are:
- Adamant: Increases Attack while lowering Special Attack, making it optimal for maximizing physical damage.
- Jolly: Increases Speed while lowering Special Attack, allowing Hitmonlee to outspeed more threats.
3.2. Suggested EV Spread
Effort Values (EVs) should be allocated to optimize Hitmonlee’s strengths:
- 252 Attack / 252 Speed / 4 HP: Maximize physical damage and speed to outpace as many threats as possible.
- 252 Attack / 252 HP / 4 Speed: If looking for higher bulk at the cost of some Speed.
3.3. Item Choices
Choosing the right item can make significant differences in battles:
- Focus Sash: Ensures Hitmonlee survives a hit, allowing it to retaliate effectively.
- Life Orb: Increases the power of moves at the cost of some HP.
- Choice Band: Locks Hitmonlee into one move but increases Attack significantly, perfect for sweeping.
4. Key Strategies for Using Hitmonlee
4.1. Offensive Role
Hitmonlee excels as a physical attacker, able to absorb hits and deal massive damage in return. Position it against weaker opponents or use it to counter your opponent’s threats. It can effectively break through teams that lack adequate defenses against Fighting-types.
- Target Resistances: Use Movepool strategies to hit various backgrounds of Pokémon. Use Drain Punch against Rock-types and High Jump Kick against common foes.
4.2. Defensive Role
Hitmonlee’s surprisingly decent Special Defense allows it to take hits from special attackers. It can function as a pivot if necessary, allowing other team members to come in for free. However, this isn’t its primary role—always aim to use it offensively.
4.3. Synergy with Teammates
Hitmonlee can benefit greatly from teammates who can handle its weaknesses, particularly Psychic and Flying-types. Pairing it with Pokémon that can lay down hazards or set screens can further support its offensive capabilities.
5. Countering Hitmonlee
5.1. Recognizing the Threat
Hitmonlee’s formidable Attack stat makes it a threat, but it can be countered. Key strategies include the use of:
- Fairy-types: Most Fairy-types can tank or outspeed Hitmonlee, which can nullify its threat.
- Flying-types: Most Flying-type Pokémon can avoid damage and retaliate with powerful Flying moves.
5.2. Strategic Switch-ins
By predicting Hitmonlee’s moves, trainers can switch in Pokémon that take advantage of its predictability.
- Ghost-types: Can completely nullify physical attacks, as Hitmonlee lacks any special move options to deal with them directly.
5.3. Status Induction
Inducing status can greatly hinder Hitmonlee:
- Burn: Halves its Attack power and can over time wear it down.
- Paralysis: While Hitmonlee’s Limber prevents it, introducing status on switch-ins can also slow it down.
6. Conclusion
Hitmonlee remains a strong contender in various formats, from casual battles to competitive play. Its unique abilities, impressive stats, and diverse movepool allow trainers to tailor their Hitmonlee to a wide range of strategies and roles.
With the correct build, understanding type advantages, and a well-structured team that complements its strengths, Hitmonlee can unleash devastating potential. When utilized properly, it can easily turn the tide of battle in favor of its trainer.
50 Questions and Answers about Hitmonlee
What is Hitmonlee’s type?
- A) Psychic
- B) Flying
- C) Fighting
- D) Ground
Correct Answer: C) Fighting
Hitmonlee is a Fighting-type Pokémon.
What ability prevents Hitmonlee from being paralyzed?
- A) Reckless
- B) Limber
- C) Technician
- D) Inner Focus
Correct Answer: B) Limber
Limber allows Hitmonlee to avoid paralysis.
What is Hitmonlee’s highest base stat?
- A) Special Attack
- B) Speed
- C) Attack
- D) Defense
Correct Answer: C) Attack
Hitmonlee has an impressive Attack stat of 120.
Which move has 130 base power?
- A) Stone Edge
- B) High Jump Kick
- C) Drain Punch
- D) Mach Punch
Correct Answer: B) High Jump Kick
High Jump Kick is Hitmonlee’s most powerful move.
What item allows Hitmonlee to survive a hit?
- A) Life Orb
- B) Choice Band
- C) Focus Sash
- D) Leftovers
Correct Answer: C) Focus Sash
Focus Sash ensures Hitmonlee survives a hit at full health.
Which Pokémon type is Hitmonlee weak against?
- A) Fire
- B) Fighting
- C) Psychic
- D) Bug
Correct Answer: C) Psychic
Hitmonlee is weak to Psychic-type moves.
Which move heals Hitmonlee based on the damage it does?
- A) Drain Punch
- B) Mach Punch
- C) Brick Break
- D) Close Combat
Correct Answer: A) Drain Punch
Drain Punch heals Hitmonlee for half the damage dealt.
What is the typical EV spread for an offensive Hitmonlee?
- A) 252 HP / 252 Attack / 4 Speed
- B) 252 Attack / 252 Speed / 4 HP
- C) 252 Defense / 252 Special Attack / 4 Speed
- D) 252 Special Defense / 252 HP / 4 Attack
Correct Answer: B) 252 Attack / 252 Speed / 4 HP
This is a common spread to maximize damage and speed.
Which move is known for its recoil effect?
- A) High Jump Kick
- B) Stone Edge
- C) Drain Punch
- D) Mach Punch
Correct Answer: A) High Jump Kick
Missing High Jump Kick will cause recoil damage.
What is Hitmonlee’s role in battle?
- A) Special Attacker
- B) Support
- C) Physical Attacker
- D) Tank
Correct Answer: C) Physical Attacker
Hitmonlee is primarily a physical attacker.
Which two Pokémon types should be avoided by Hitmonlee?
- A) Ground and Rock
- B) Fairy and Flying
- C) Normal and Ghost
- D) Fighting and Fire
Correct Answer: B) Fairy and Flying
Both types resist Fighting-type moves.
What is Hitmonlee’s role in doubles battles?
- A) Tank
- B) Special Sweeper
- C) Support with status moves
- D) Physical Sweeper
Correct Answer: D) Physical Sweeper
Hitmonlee can serve as a physical sweeper in doubles.
What can Hitmonlee utilize to keep its health in check during battles?
- A) Life Orb
- B) Leftovers
- C) Focus Sash
- D) Choice Band
Correct Answer: B) Leftovers
Leftovers provides passive healing each turn.
Which of the following Pokémon can outspeed Hitmonlee?
- A) Gardevoir
- B) Butterfree
- C) Talonflame
- D) Snorlax
Correct Answer: C) Talonflame
Talonflame is extremely fast and can outspeed it.
What is the significance of using Drain Punch?
- A) Only hits once
- B) Aura projectiles
- C) Heals the user based on damage dealt
- D) Causes paralysis
Correct Answer: C) Heals the user based on damage dealt
Drain Punch recovers health based on the damage done.
What move provides coverage against Flying-types?
- A) High Jump Kick
- B) Rock Slide
- C) Stone Edge
- D) Drain Punch
Correct Answer: C) Stone Edge
Stone Edge is super effective against Flying-types.
Can Hitmonlee learn any Rock-type moves?
- A) Yes
- B) No
- C) Only in specific games
- D) Depends on its form
Correct Answer: A) Yes
Hitmonlee can learn Rock-type moves like Stone Edge.
What strategy helps mitigate Hitmonlee’s weak speed?
- A) Using bulky supports
- B) Status infliction
- C) Priority moves
- D) Healing Items
Correct Answer: C) Priority moves
Using priority moves can help secure KOs before it’s outpaced.
What’s Hitmonlee’s best defensive strategy?
- A) Special Attack
- B) Tank hits and retaliate
- C) Dodge moves
- D) Encourage opponent mistakes
Correct Answer: B) Tank hits and retaliate
Hitmonlee can tank certain hits due to its defenses.
How can Hitmonlee contribute to a team with entry hazards?
- A) Doesn’t benefit from them
- B) Cleans with status
- C) Breaks through opponents
- D) Kicks with special moves
Correct Answer: C) Breaks through opponents
It can capitalize on weakened foes effectively.
What is a common weakness when using Hitmonlee?
- A) Low attack power
- B) Poor Speed
- C) Vulnerability to status
- D) Lack of defensive moves
Correct Answer: C) Vulnerability to status
Hitmonlee can be hindered significantly by status conditions.
What type of Pokémon should avoid being matched against Hitmonlee?
- A) Ghost types
- B) Psychic types
- C) Fairy types
- D) Steel types
Correct Answer: D) Steel types
Steel-types can resist Fighting moves and counters Hitmonlee.
Which TMs can Hitmonlee learn?
- A) Ice Beam
- B) Fly
- C) Toxic
- D) Brick Break
Correct Answer: D) Brick Break
Hitmonlee can learn TM moves like Brick Break.
What does the EV investment in Speed help Hitmonlee achieve?
- A) Higher Damage
- B) Less damage taken
- C) Ability to outspeed rivals
- D) Recover health
Correct Answer: C) Ability to outspeed rivals
Higher Speed allows it to act first against foes.
What’s the best way to deal with bulkier Pokémon while using Hitmonlee?
- A) Take some hits
- B) Avoid them
- C) Use Strong STAB moves
- D) Switch out
Correct Answer: C) Use Strong STAB moves
Employing powerful Fighting STAB moves helps deal with bulk.
Which Pokémon type should Hitmonlee primarily aim to counter?
- A) Psychic and Ghost
- B) Normal and Dark
- C) Fairy and Steel
- D) Ice and Ground
Correct Answer: B) Normal and Dark
Hitmonlee excels against Normal and Dark-types with its STAB.
Is Hitmonlee effective against Water-types?
- A) Yes
- B) No
- C) Only with certain moves
- D) With high Attack
Correct Answer: B) No
Water types resist Hitmonlee’s Fighting moves, making it ineffective.
How does Limber benefit Hitmonlee against slower opponents?
- A) Avoids paralysis and maintains speed
- B) Enhances Attack
- C) Offers healing options
- D) Can’t be affected by status
Correct Answer: A) Avoids paralysis and maintains speed
Limber allows it to maintain performance against slower foes.
What is an effective way to lead with Hitmonlee?
- A) Use defensive moves
- B) Capitalize on offensive threats
- C) Attempt to stall
- D) Avoid encounters
Correct Answer: B) Capitalize on offensive threats
Leading with offense allows Hitmonlee to exert pressure early.
Which role can Hitmonlee NOT fulfill?
- A) Pivot
- B) Tank
- C) Special Attacker
- D) Physical Sweeper
Correct Answer: C) Special Attacker
Hitmonlee is primarily a physical attacker.
To maximize Hitmonlee’s potential, what should be avoided on the opposing team?
- A) Steel and Fairy-types
- B) Ground and Rock-types
- C) Grass-types
- D) Dark and Flying-types
Correct Answer: A) Steel and Fairy-types
These types resist Hitmonlee’s moves.
What is a good item for Hitmonlee to increase its survivability?
- A) Choice Specs
- B) Life Orb
- C) Choice Band
- D) Assault Vest
Correct Answer: D) Assault Vest
Assault Vest boosts Special Defense, increasing survivability against special moves.
What move can Hitmonlee learn to counter Ghost-types?
- A) Fighting moves
- B) Dark moves
- C) Poison moves
- D) None; they are immune
Correct Answer: D) None; they are immune
Ghost-types are immune to Fighting-type moves.
Which physical move utilizes priority?
- A) Mach Punch
- B) Drain Punch
- C) Stone Edge
- D) High Jump Kick
Correct Answer: A) Mach Punch
Mach Punch is a priority move.
What effect does a Choice Band have on Hitmonlee?
- A) Locks into one move, boosting Attack.
- B) Offers healing during battle.
- C) Increases Speed only.
- D) Allows switching between moves.
Correct Answer: A) Locks into one move, boosting Attack.
Choice Band increases Attack but locks the user into the first move used.
Which tier is Hitmonlee often associated with?
- A) Ubers
- B) OU
- C) NU
- D) UTR
Correct Answer: C) NU
Hitmonlee is commonly found in the NU tier due to its viable presence.
What ability allows Hitmonlee to deal increased damage to recoil moves?
- A) Limber
- B) Reckless
- C) Intimidate
- D) Overgrow
Correct Answer: B) Reckless
Reckless enhances damage for moves that deal recoil.
What kind of Pokémon can Hitmonlee effectively switch into?
- A) Electric-types
- B) Rock-types
- C) Psychic-types
- D) Fighting-types
Correct Answer: B) Rock-types
Rock-types are weak to Fighting moves, making them good switch-ins.
Should Hitmonlee rely on Special moves?
- A) Yes, they are strong.
- B) No, its Special Attack is too low.
- C) They can be useful.
- D) Only against certain threats.
Correct Answer: B) No, its Special Attack is too low.
Hitmonlee’s Special Attack is not enough to favor Special moves.
To maximize Hitmonlee’s effectiveness, what attack strategy should be used?
- A) Defensive strategy
- B) Use of a mixed team
- C) Fast, hard-hitting physical attacks
- D) Stalling opponents
Correct Answer: C) Fast, hard-hitting physical attacks
Hitmonlee excels with aggressive physical strategy.
Which move does Hitmonlee have access to for boosting its healing?
- A) High Jump Kick
- B) Drain Punch
- C) Body Slam
- D) Reversal
Correct Answer: B) Drain Punch
Drain Punch provides healing alongside damage.
What is one of Hitmonlee’s vulnerabilities?
- A) HP levels
- B) Low speed
- C) Strong special attacks
- D) Vulnerability to immunity
Correct Answer: C) Strong special attacks
High special damage can outpace and overwhelm Hitmonlee.
What move is preferred for finishing off noticeably weakened opponents?
- A) Earthquake
- B) Facade
- C) Mach Punch
- D) High Jump Kick
Correct Answer: C) Mach Punch
Mach Punch’s priority allows it to finish off enemies first.
What type advantage does Hitmonlee have over Steel-types?
- A) None
- B) Double damage
- C) Immune
- D) Resistance
Correct Answer: B) Double damage
Fighting moves deal double damage to Steel-types.
What’s a potential role for a defensive Hitmonlee?
- A) Tank for team
- B) Special sweeper
- C) Status inflicter
- D) Damage absorber
Correct Answer: A) Tank for team
A defensive variant can tank certain hits for teammates.
Which item gives Hitmonlee critical symmetry in battles?
- A) Choice Scarf
- B) Assault Vest
- C) Expert Belt
- D) Choice Specs
Correct Answer: B) Assault Vest
Assault Vest allows Hitmonlee’s Special Defense to skyrocket while maintaining a physical focus.
What is an overlooked strategy with Hitmonlee?
- A) Special moves
- B) Fast focus
- C) Utilizing priority to finish enemies
- D) Defensive tactics
Correct Answer: C) Utilizing priority to finish enemies
Using Mach Punch to finish off weakened threats can be effective.
Can Hitmonlee effectively use setup moves?
- A) Yes
- B) No
- C) Only Some Types
- D) With Choice items
Correct Answer: B) No
Hitmonlee is typically built for offensive roles rather than setting up.
What role can Hitmonlee fulfill within its team?
- A) Only as a lead
- B) Versatile roles depending on matchup
- C) Solely defensive support
- D) Forced into a healing role
Correct Answer: B) Versatile roles depending on matchup
Hitmonlee can adapt between offensive and supportive roles.
- What is something trainers should keep in mind with Hitmonlee?
- A) Always switch out
- B) Fight fragility
- C) Use alongside defensive partners
- D) Fight its natural aggression
Correct Answer: C) Use alongside defensive partners
Pairing it with defensive partners can enhance its utility in teams.
In conclusion, Hitmonlee offers trainers a wealth of opportunities to leverage its strengths effectively. Whether used as an offensive sweeper or as a pivot, understanding its abilities, moveset, and team synergy is critical to mastering this unique Fighting-type Pokémon.
