Iron Valiant Movesets and Best Builds

This is a guide to movesets and best builds for using Iron Valiant in competitive play for the games Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV). Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, Tera Type, and Held Items to use with Iron Valiant, as well as its strengths and weakness.

Iron Valiant - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Moveset for Ranked Battle	Tera Raid Build

Iron Valiant Base Stats, Type, Abilities and Weaknesses

Paldea #398		Type
Iron Valiant
		Abilities
		Quark Drive
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
	(0.25x)
Immune to:	(0x)

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

Best Nature for Iron Valiant

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Iron Valiant

Swords Dance Iron Valiant Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Jolly (+Spd, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 / Spe 252
Final Stat Values	HP 149 / Atk 182 / Def 110 / Sp.Def 81 / Spe 184
Ability	Quark Drive
Tera Type
Held Item	Booster Energy
Moveset	・ Close Combat ・ Thunder Punch ・ Shadow Sneak ・ Swords Dance

Best Tera Types

Tera Type	Explanation
	・Increases the Power of Thunder Punch ・If you are not running Thunder Punch, a different Tera Type would be better suited.
	・Strengthens the Power of Shadow Sneak ・ Iron Valiant normally heavily resists Dark and Shadow Sneak naturally counters opposing Ghost-types.
	・Boosts the damage of whatever move it chooses to use. ・ Would sometimes prefer a more defensive Tera like Ghost or Steel.

Swords Dance Build Strengths and How to Use

Get a speed boost with Iron Valiant's Quark Drive Ability then attack. Setting up a Swords Dance and following up with Shadow Sneak is a viable strategy. As Iron Valiant gets access to a wide range of moves, there is lots of room for customization and optimization.

Quark Drive Turns Iron Valiant Into an S-Tier Attacker

Quark Drive gives Iron Valiant a 50% Speed boost, which is activated by its held item, Booster Energy. Close Combat is its main STAB move, which when combined with the speed boost from Quark Drive, allows you to deal significant damage to your opponent before they can get an attack in.

Since Iron Valiant will outspeed most Pokemon with the activation of Quark Drive, as well as having access to Close Combat to hit the ever meta prevalent Dark Types for STAB super effective damage, and access to a wide variety of other Types of moves, Iron Valiant is a very difficult opponent to deal with.

Other Viable Moves

Focus Sash Iron Valiant Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Naive (+Spd, -Sp.Def)
EV Spread	Atk 4 / Sp.Atk 252 / Spe 252
Final Stat Values	HP 149 / Atk 151 / Def 110 / Sp. Atk 172 / Sp.Def 171 / Spe 184
Ability	Quark Drive
Tera Type
Held Item	Focus Sash
Moveset	・ Moonblast ・ Thunder Wave ・ Shadow Sneak ・ Destiny Bond

Best Tera Types

Tera Type	Explanation
	・Strengthens the Power of Shadow Sneak ・Makes it immune to the common Extreme Speed.

Focus Sash Iron Valiant Build Strengths and How to Use

Use as a lead and assure the first strike with either a damaging attack or a disruptive Thunder Wave . Moonblast and Shadow Sneak give Iron Valiant the ability to hit a wide range of Type combinations for neutral or better damage. With Destiny Bond , Iron Valiant can potentially take out an extra Pokemon when it is low on HP and about to be finished off.

Use as a Safe Lead

By choosing a Pokemon with Focus Sash as your lead, you guarantee surviving the first turn, even in an unfavorable matchup. From there, not only does Iron Valiant's have access to a powerful one-two combination in Moonblast and Shadow Sneak, but it also can continue to provide support utility with Thunderwave, as well as take out one final opponent with Destiny Bond.

Other Viable Moves

Mixed Attacker Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Naughty (+Atk, -Sp.Def)
EV Spread	Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 / Spe 252
Final Stat Values	HP 149 / Atk 200 / Def 110 / Sp.Atk 141 / Spe 168
Ability	Quark Drive
Tera Type
Held Item	Focus Sash
Moveset	・ Close Combat ・ Moonblast ・ Knock Off ・ Shadow Sneak

Summary

This is a phsyical-oriented mixed attacking build that can surprise Iron Valiant's usual checks and counters expecting a pure physical or special attacking build.

Great dual Fighting and Fairy-type STAB High Speed even with a neutral Nature Access to key utility moves such as Knock Off and Shadow Sneak

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Quark Drive	Focus Sash

Quark Drive is Iron Valiant's only Ability, which boosts its highest stat when Electric Terrain is on the field. With the given EV spread, this Iron Valiant will always receive a 30% Attack boost in Electric Terrain.

Focus Sash is necessary for this Iron Valiant due to the build's defensive hindering Nature. This allows it to survive a move that would otherwise KO it, giving it a chance to retaliate with its moves.

Moves Breakdown

Iron Valiant's main STAB moves are Close Combat and Moonblast and offer near-perfect coverage on their own. These two moves also make it very difficult to switch into as physical walls switching in on Close Combat will get heavily damaged by Moonblast, and vice-versa.

Knock Off gives it extra coverage and utility, dealing boosted damage on Pokemon with a held item while also removing them for the duration of the battle and is every effective against walls and support Pokemon.

Shadow Sneak is its last move and is a +1 Ghost-type priority move. Although weak on its own, it can help Iron Valiant pick off weakened but faster attackers.

Best Tera Type: Stellar

Stellar Tera Type Matchup
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
	(0.25x)
Immune to:	(0x)

Stellar is the best Tera Type for this build because it will boost the damage of whatever move it chooses to use, further leaning in to its unpredictability.

Although there are times where it might prefer a more defensive option like Steel so it can stay alive longer in battle.

Note that even if it's a Stellar-type, it will keep the defensive properties of its Fairy/Fighting typing.

Stellar Tera Type Explained

EV Spread and Nature

Full Attack and Speed EVs allows Iron Valiant to hit as hard and as fast as possible with its physical attacks, while the remaining 4 Sp.Atk rounds off its special offense.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

The following calculations take into account Iron Valiant's Offensive EV spread with a Naughty Nature.

Damage Dealt by Iron Valiant
207 HP｜196 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 228 (Impish) Item: Leftovers	Close Combat 182-216 (87.9 - 104.3%) 18.8% Chance to OHKO
183 HP｜106 Sp.Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 252 (Impish) Item: Choice Band	Moonblast 144-170 (78.6 - 92.8%) Guaranteed 2HKO
194 HP｜161 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 252 (Bold) Item: Leftovers	Knock Off 118-140 (60.8 - 72.1%) Guaranteed 2HKO
130 HP｜75 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 0 | Def 0 (Timid) Item: Choice Specs	Shadow Sneak 106-126 (81.5 - 96.9%) Guaranteed 2HKO

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

Doubles Movesets for Iron Valiant

Mixed Attacker Iron Valiant Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Naive (+Spd, -Sp.Def)
EV Spread	Atk 4 / Sp.Atk 252 / Spe 252
Final Stat Values	149 HP / 151 Atk / 110 Def / 172 Sp. Atk / 171 Sp.Def / 184 Spe
Ability	Quark Drive
Tera Type
Held Item	Focus Sash
Moveset	・ Moonblast ・ Close Combat ・ Shadow Sneak ・ Wide Guard

Summary

High offensive stats make it an effective Mixed Attacker. Has unique typing in Fighting / Fairy Can pick off low HP Pokemon with Shadow Sneak, and protect its teammates with Wide Guard.

Ability and Held Item

As with all Future Paradox Pokemon, Iron Valiant has Quark Drive. But even without ways to trigger it, it is still an effective Pokemon on its own. Focus Sash ensures that it survives at least two attacks.

Moves Breakdown

Moonblast is its main STAB Special Move, which is able to 2-Hit KO most Fairy-weak Pokemon. Close Combat is the Fighting STAB of choice because Iron Valiant, with its mediocre defenses, does not mind the Defense drops. Shadow Sneak is useful for picking off low HP Pokemon, and lastly Wide Guard protects Iron Valiant and its teammates from common spread moves like Flutter Mane's Dazzling Gleam and Iron Bundle's Icy Wind.

Best Tera Type

Tera Steel is Iron Valiant's best Tera Type, as it can turn its weaknesses into resistances.

EV Spread and Nature

A Naive Nature is chosen for this build, as it ensures that Iron Valiant's offensive stats are intact and high. A full 252 EVs are put into its Special Attack and Speed so that Moonblast hits as hard and quick as possible. 4 EVs are put into Attack, which is more than enough to get KOs with Close Combat on most Fighting-weak Pokemon.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

Damage Dealt by Iron Valiant
154 HP｜68 Sp. Def Defensive EV Investment: 140 HP, 116 Sp. Def Item: Assault Vest	Moonblast 120 ~ 144 (48.5 ~ 58.2%) 94.9% Chance to 2-Hit KO
100 HP｜120 Def Defensive EV Investment: 252 HP Item: Safety Goggles	Close Combat 292 ~ 348 (141 ~ 168.1%) Guaranteed OHKO
56 HP｜114 Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 HP Item: Booster Energy	Close Combat 152 ~ 182 (115.1 ~ 137.8%) Guaranteed OHKO

How to Build a Team with Iron Valiant

Best Swords Dance Iron Valiant Team

Lead Support	Physical Attacker	Special Attacker
Hippowdon	Iron Valiant	Mimikyu

Secure More Knock-Outs with Stealth Rock

Iron Valiant's main assets are its high speed and firepower, but it suffers from low durability. Setting up hazards like Stealth Rock beforehand can allow Iron Valiant to knock out even tankier Pokemon, as well as Sturdy or Pokemon with Focus Sash if they suffered damage from the hazards beforehand.

Hippowdon's main role is to set up hazards like Stealth Rock, and deal some damage to allow Iron Valiant to finish them off. Mimikyu serves as this team's backup Attacker, making use of Disguise to setup a Swords Dance and potentially sweep the enemy team should Iron Valiant fail to do so.

Paradox Pokemon Builds for Competitive Battles and Tera Raids

Best Focus Sash Iron Valiant Team

Lead, Special Attacker and Support	Physical Attacker	Special Attacker
Iron Valiant	Mimikyu	Chi-Yu

Sample Doubles Team

Mixed Attacker	Physical Attacker
Iron Valiant	Tyranitar
Physical Attacker	Special Attacker
Ceruledge	Gastrodon (West Sea)

Iron Valiant can protect Tyranitar from Make it Rain and Earthquakes with Wide Guard.

Ceruledge in the back can switch into a Fighting or Steel-type Move and safely set up Bulk Ups to threaten KOs. Gastrodon can protect both Ceruledge and Tyranitar from Water-type Moves with its Storm Drain Ability.

Quickly Decide the Match Outcome from the Lead

Iron Valiant is able to swiftly neutralize opposing threats. It teams well with other Pokemon that also funtion as stand-alone sweepers such as Mimikyu and Choice-Scarfed Chi-Yu.

Counters for Iron Valiant

Take Advantage of its Low Special Defense

Iron Valiant's high speed and attack stats are offset by the fact that it has very low defenses, leaving it vulnerable if your opponent is not knocked out in one hit.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Espathra	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Easily outspeeds Iron Valiant with Speed Boost and can KO with STAB Psychic. ・Best used as a revenge killer once it can safely switch in.
Sylveon	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Resists Iron Valiant's main STAB moves and boasts high Defense stats. ・Offensive variants can hit Iron Valiant with Moonblast for potential OHKO.
Glimmora	Ranking: ★★★★ ・High Special Attack with resistance to Fairy moves and neutral to Fighting. ・Can set up hazards through Iron Valiant through Toxic Debris and clear hazards with Mortal Spin.

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