Is Heracross viable in Gen 3 OU?

Heracross is ranked #22 in Gen 3 OU with 6.06% usage according to Smogon Jul 2026 - Sep 2026 data.

What beats Heracross in Gen 3 OU?

Salamence has the strongest conservative score in this observed Jul 2026 - Sep 2026 sample. The target was knocked out or switched out in 79.3% of 21.704688689754647 relevant encounters. Standard error is 8.7 points. Sets and switch conditions can change the result.

How are Heracross matchup checks ranked in Gen 3 OU?

They are ranked by p minus four standard errors. Here, p is the observed fraction of relevant encounters where Heracross was knocked out or switched out. This is not a set-specific battle guarantee.

Heracross counters

Gen 3 OU · Smogon source period Jul 2026 - Sep 2026

#0214 Heracross

BugFighting

USAGE 6.1% #22

ABILITYGuts

BASE STATS

HP 80

ATK 125

DEF 75

SPA 40

SPD 95

SPE 85

BST500

TYPE MATCHUPS

4×

Flying

2×

FirePsychicFairy

½×

GrassFightingGroundBugDark

Moves

Megahorn 99.3% Rock Slide 76.5% Focus Punch 52.7% Brick Break 50.8% Swords Dance 45.4% Substitute 23.0% Reversal 19.3% Endure 18.7%

Items

Choice Band 35.9% Salac Berry 31.9% Leftovers 29.9% Chesto Berry 0.7% Lum Berry 0.0% Silver Powder 0.0% King's Rock 0.0%

Abilities

Guts74.9%Swarm25.1%

Common Teammates

Browse Gen 3 OU teams using Heracross →

Explore Heracross + Salamence teams 45 score Explore Heracross + Tyranitar teams -15 score

Leading observed checks

Open a matchup for a separate set-based damage estimate, or browse uploaded teams with both Pokémon.

Team core to explore

Heracross + Metagross 55.6% teammate usage Explore teams →

Checks & Counters

Observed target KO or switch rate is upstream p: the fraction of relevant encounters where the target was knocked out or switched out. Standard error is upstream d. The conservative score is p − 4d. These ladder observations do not prove a set-specific counter.

How to read this table

Use encounter count and standard error to judge the sample. Damage estimates below use inferred sets and remain separate from the observed ladder metric.

# Checker Encounters Conservative score Target KO or switch rate

Salamence

DragonFlying OFFENSIVE CHECK View matchup

21.705

44.6

79.3% Standard error 8.69 points

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Salamence Hidden Power Flying vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heracross: 663-780 (182.1 - 214.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

View Salamence counters → Teams with Salamence →

Tyranitar

RockDark SOFT CHECK View matchup

22.832

-15.2

12.3% Standard error 6.87 points

DAMAGE CALCSand

252+ Atk Tyranitar Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heracross: 175-206 (48 - 56.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage

View Tyranitar counters → Teams with Tyranitar →

Ranked #22 with 6.06% usage. Sorted by conservative score.