Image courtesy of PokeAPI (official artwork)
Houndstone as an Anti-Meta Asset in Scarlet and Violet
In the evolving meta of Scarlet and Violet, Houndstone stands out as a sturdy Ghost-type with a compelling physical profile. Its blend of solid bulk and hard-hitting presence makes it a natural candidate for anti-meta play—where you disrupt common setups and force the tempo in your favor. With a healthy 72 HP, 101 Attack, and 100 Defense, Houndstone can endure when others might falter and respond with decisive, forceful blows. Its 68 base Speed isn’t blazing, but the payoff comes from reliable walling capability and the surprise factor of a strong, physical ghost threat ⚡🔥.
Key stats at a glance
- HP: 72
- Attack: 101
- Defense: 100
- Special Attack: 50
- Special Defense: 97
- Speed: 68
Why this matters for anti-meta play
Ghost typing immediately shapes matchup dynamics, and Houndstone leverages that with its impressive physical footprint. Its Attack stat sits in a range that can threaten bulky pivots and slower breakers, while Defense keeps it standing long enough to pressure opponents into suboptimal swaps. The Ghost typing also grants immunity to Normal and Fighting moves, a valuable niche when the opposing team leans on those types to crack open defensive setups. In practical terms, you can force a tempo swing by punishing switch-ins that would otherwise stall the game into late turns 💥.
Pair that resilience with a smart sense for timing, and Houndstone becomes a credible anti-meta disruptor. When your opponent expects a safe wall or a familiar wallbreaker, Houndstone can answer with a timely hit that pries open the matchup for its teammates. You’re not aiming to sweep every game; you’re aiming to tilt the board so the meta’s standard plans don’t line up as neatly as they used to ✨.
How to fit Houndstone into a plan—team and playstyle ideas
- Role fit: A sturdy physical presence that can threaten bulky foes and force unfavorable trades for the opponent. This is especially valuable against teams that rely on steady tanking and pivoting power.
- Team pairing: Look for partners that can cover common Ghost- and Dark-type threats, and that can help manage faster attackers trying to overwhelm your mid-to-late game. Hazard control or hazard support can also amplify Houndstone’s staying power by shaping the battlefield in your favor.
- Game tempo: Lean into mid-to-late-game control. Use Houndstone to blunt a sweep-oriented threat, then pivot into a teammate that can capitalize on the momentary misalignment in the foe’s plan.
- Training focus: Prioritize physical bulk and raw power. EVs or training emphasis that boost Attack and bulk help maximize its wallbreaking potential, while keeping Special Defense solid enough to weather special-oriented threats in the meta.
Of course, Houndstone isn’t invincible. Its speed is not its strongest suit, and it remains vulnerable to faster threats and certain Ghost- and Dark-type counters. The key is to use its immunities and bulk to force the opponent into overcommitting, then punish with precise, high-impact plays later in the game. When deployed thoughtfully, it can blunt the edge of popular builds and create openings for partners that appreciate a slowed pace but swift follow-up damage 🌪️.
Situational checklists and tips
- Against bulky staples: Lean on its Attack and durability to challenge the fortress-like walls that rely on staying power.
- Against faster threats: Let teammates handle early pressure while you secure late-game impact, using your bulk to absorb a hit and return with decisive force.
- Against Ghost- and Dark-leaning teams: Pay attention to coverage gaps in your own team that could allow a clean counter; adjust with a supportive partner who can handle those threats.
Because this dataset doesn’t include move learnsets or abilities for Houndstone, the emphasis stays on its base stats and type personality. In your runs through Paldea’s challenges, you’ll feel the value of a well-timed pivot and the weight of a ghostly offense that doesn’t bend easily to traditional metagame scripts 🪨🌊.