Baxcalibur Movesets and Best Builds

This is a guide to movesets and best builds for using Baxcalibur 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 Baxcalibur, as well as its strengths and weakness.

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

Baxcalibur Base Stats, Type, Abilities and Weaknesses

Paldea #390		Type
Baxcalibur
		Abilities
		Thermal Exchange Ice Body (Hidden)
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)

What is Type Effectiveness?

Ability Name		Description
Thermal Exchange		The Pokemon's Attack stat is raised by one stage if it is hit by a Fire-type move. The Pokemon also cannot be burned.
Ice Body (Hidden)		The user gradually heals 6.25% of its max HP in a Snowstorm.

Base Stats

Best Nature for Baxcalibur

Best Natures
Jolly （+Spe, -Sp. Atk）	Adamant （+Atk, -Sp. Atk）

What are Natures?

Pokemon Winter Festa 2023 Baxcalibur
Mystery Gift

Gift	Winter Festa 2023 Baxcalibur
Ribbon Title	Classic Ribbon "the Pokemon Fan"
Start	December 30, 2023
End	December 31, 2023
Method	In Person Distribution

Players participating in the Pokemon Winter Festa 2023 event will be able to get a Baxcalibur via Mystery Gift. This event however is only in South Korea.

Once you get Baxcalibur from this event, you will be able to freely train it whoever you wish to use it in your Ranked Battles!

The event will occur from December 30, 2023, until December 31, 2023.

Pokemon Winter Festa 2023 Baxcalibur Mystery Gift

Singles Movesets for Baxcalibur

Build Name	Recommendation
Loaded Dice Baxcalibur	★★★★★
Assault Vest Baxcalibur	★★★★
Choice Scarf Baxcalibur	★★★

Loaded Dice Baxcalibur Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 4 / Atk 252 / Spe 252
Final Stat Values	HP 191 / Atk 216 / Def 112 / Sp.Def 106 / Spe 139
Ability	Thermal Exchange
Tera Type
Held Item	Loaded Dice
Moveset	・ Icicle Spear ・ Scale Shot ・ Earthquake ・ Dragon Dance

Summary

Baxcalibur has amazing offensive pressure with Loaded Dice making Icicle Spear and Scale Shot have 100 - 125 BP when they hit 4 - 5 times respectively.

Now has access to Scale Shot Tera Fairy/Steel gives it a lot of resistances. Thermal Exchange prevents it from getting burned

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Thermal Exchange	Loaded Dice

Thermal Exchange gives Baxcalibur immunity to burns from Will-O-Wisp and instead gives it a +1 Attack increase. It also receives the same boost when hit by a damaging Fire-type move as long as the opposing Pokemon doesn't have an ability like Mold Breaker or Neutralizing Gas.

Loaded Dice ensures that Icicle Spear and Scale Shot hit a minimum of 4 times.

Moves Breakdown

Icicle Spear	Scale Shot
Earthquake	Dragon Dance

Icicle Spear and Scale Shot are relatively weak STAB attacks, but they have a chance to hit a maximum of five times in one turn. However, Loaded Dice ensures that they will hit 4 or 5 times each time they are used, making them amazing attacking options for Baxcalibur.

Earthquake is its main coverage move since it allows Baxcalibur to hit Steel-types that normally resist its attacks.

Dragon Dance boosts Baxcalibur's Attack and Speed stats by one stage, further increasing its amazing damage output while also improving its middling speed tier.

Best Tera Type: Fairy or Steel

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

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

Fairy Tera Type is the best choice for this build since it gives Baxcalibur a lot of good damage resistances.

Steel Tera is also an amazing option since it gives way more resistances, but Baxcalibur will still be weak to Fighting-type attacks.

EV Spread and Nature

This Baxcalibur has an offensive EV spread, with 252 EVs in Attack and Speed to give it as much physical offense as possible. The other 4 EVs are placed into HP to give Baxcalibur a little more bulk.

Other Viable Moves

Swords Dance	If you do not need the Speed boost from Dragon Dance, or you think that the Speed boost from Scale Shot is enough, then Swords Dance would be a better setup move.

Key Damage Calculations

The following calculations take into account Baxcalibur's given EV spread with an Adamant Nature and the 50% Special Defense boost from Assault Vest.

Damage Dealt by Baxcalibur
91 HP｜95 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 244 | Def 4 (Adamant) Item: Rocky Helmet	Icicle Spear 378-462 (191.8 - 234.5%) Guaranteed OHKO in 4 Hits
80 HP｜84 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 4 (Jolly) Item: Cornerstone Mask	Icicle Spear 240-288 (153.8 - 184.6%) Guaranteed OHKO in 4 Hits
120 HP｜80 Def Defensive EV Investment: Def 4 (Jolly) Item: Focus Sash	Scale Shot 155-185 (100 - 119.3%) Guaranteed OHKO in 5 Hits

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

Assault Vest Baxcalibur Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 132 / Atk 252 / Spe 124
Final Stat Values	HP 207 / Atk 216 / Def 112 / Sp.Def 107 / Spe 123
Ability	Thermal Exchange
Tera Type
Held Item	Assault Vest
Moveset	・ Icicle Spear ・ Ice Shard ・ Glaive Rush ・ Earthquake

Summary

Baxcalibur's natural bulk allows it to stay on the field against its usual checks and counters when it terastallizes into a Ground-type, while still boasting formidable offense with its dual Ice and Dragon-type moves.

Better survivability due to Assault Vest Tera Ground gives it STAB Earthquake Thermal Exchange prevents it from getting burned

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Thermal Exchange	Assault Vest

Thermal Exchange gives Baxcalibur immunity to burns from Will-O-Wisp and instead gives it a +1 Attack increase. It also receives the same boost when hit by a damaging Fire-type move.

Assault Vest boosts Baxcalibur's Special Defense stat by 50% but prevents it from using status moves.

Moves Breakdown

Icicle Spear	Ice Shard
Glaive Rush	Earthquake

Icicle Spear is a relatively weak Ice-type STAB but has a chance to a maximum of five times in one turn, making it a great utility move that Baxcalibur can use against Focus Sash users and Pokemon with the Ability Sturdy.

Ice Shard is another great utility STAB move that has +1 priority and allows Baxcalibur to pick off faster and weaker attackers.

Glaive Rush is its strongest Dragon-type STAB move but has the side effect of causing Baxcalibur to receive double damage on the next turn on top of causing any move to always hit it until it moves on the next turn.

Earthquake is its last move, receiving STAB once it terastallizes into a Ground-type, and offers great neutral coverage that synergizes welll with its dual STAB moves.

Best Tera Type: Ground

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

Ground Tera Type is the best choice for this build to give it secondary STAB on Earthquake.

Terastallizing into a pure Ground-type also removes its debilitating weakness to Fighting and Fairy-type moves, which are among the most common attacking types in the current metagame.

Best Ground Tera Type Pokemon for Ranked Battle

EV Spread and Nature

This Baxcalibur has a bulkier offensive EV spread, with full 252 Attack EVs to give it as much physical offense as possible. 132 HP EVs rounds off its bulk while 124 Speed EVs ensure that it can still outpace slower walls like Toxapex.

Other Viable Moves

Icicle Crash	A stronger alternative to Icicle Spear that has a chance to cause flinching.

Key Damage Calculations

The following calculations take into account Baxcalibur's given EV spread with an Adamant Nature and the 50% Special Defense boost from Assault Vest.

Damage Dealt by Baxcalibur
198 HP｜115 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 4 (Adamant) Item: Heavy-Duty Boots	Icicle Spear 162-198 (81.8 - 100%) 6.3% Chance to OHKO in 3 Hits
180 HP｜91 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 0 | Def 0 (Jolly) Item: Booster Energy	Ice Shard 108-128 (60 - 71.1%) Guaranteed 2HKO
157 HP｜174 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 252 (Bold) Item: Leftovers	Glaive Rush 84-100 (53.5 - 63.6%) Guaranteed 2HKO
157 HP｜224 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 252 (Bold) Item: Black Sludge	Earthquake 110-132 (70 - 84%) Guaranteed 2HKO
Damage Received by Baxcalibur
185 Sp.Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp.Atk (Timid) Item: Choice Specs	Make It Rain 118-139 (57 - 67.1%) Guaranteed 2HKO

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

Choice Scarf Baxcalibur Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant (+Atk, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread	4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Final Stat Values	191 HP / 216 Atk / 112 Def / 106 Sp. Def / 139 Spe (208 with Choice Scarf)
Ability	Thermal Exchange
Tera Type
Held Item	Choice Scarf
Moveset	・ Glaive Rush ・ Icicle Crash ・ Tera Blast ・ Ice Shard

Choice Scarf allows Baxcalibur to be blazingly quick, able to deal damage before most foes can act. Terastalizing to Fire can alter Baxcalibur's weaknesses, potentially saving it from Scizor's priority Bullet Punch.

Other Viable Moves

Thunder Fang	Thunder Fang gives Baxcalibur an out to bulky Water-types

Doubles Movesets for Baxcalibur

Build Name	Recommendation
Tera Poison Baxcalibur	★★★★
Tera Ground Baxcalibur	★★★★

Tera Poison Baxcalibur Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant (+Atk, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread	4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Final Stat Values	191 HP / 216 Atk / 112 Def / 106 Sp. Def / 139 Spe
Ability	Thermal Exchange
Tera Type
Held Item	Dragon Fang
Moveset	・ Glaive Rush ・ Icicle Crash ・ Ice Shard ・ Protect

Not too many foes will want to tank hits from this Pokemon thanks to its phenomenal 145 Bast Attack Stat.
Glaive Rush is its signature move. It has the drawback of Baxcalibur taking double damage, but is still valuable for its 120 Base Power and burst damage. Icicle Crash is Baxcalibur's Ice-type STAB Move which can deal serious damage on Pokemon like Great Tusk.

Ice Shard is a great move for picking off low HP Pokemon, while Protect is used for scouting Moves or stalling out turns of Tailwind or Trick Room.

This Baxcalibur build features the same moves as the Champion's team in the recently concluded 2023 Oceanic International Championships. It was used to great success by the champion, Gavin Michaels.

VGC Tournament Results: 2023 Oceania International Championship

Other Viable Moves

Dragon Dance	Dragon Dance gives Baxcalibur a boosting Move to use on turns where we telegraph an opposing Protect. This boosts its Attack and Speed, setting it up for a potential sweep.

Key Damage Calculations

Damage Dealt by Baxcalibur
108 HP｜95 Def No Defensive EV Investmen Item:	Icicle Crash 336 ~ 396 (183.6 ~ 216.3%) Guaranteed OHKO
Damage Received by Baxcalibur
130 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk Item: Clear Amulet	Dragon Claw 150 ~ 176 (78.9 ~ 92.6%) Guaranteed 2-Hit KO
133 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp. Atk Tera Type: Item: Choice Specs	Moonblast Baxcalibur Tera Type: 95 ~ 112 (49.7 ~ 58.6%) 99.6% Chance to 2-Hit KO

Tera Ground Baxcalibur Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Jolly (+Spe, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread	4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Final Stat Values	191 HP / 197 Atk / 112 Def / 106 Sp. Def / 152 Spe
Ability	Thermal Exchange
Tera Type
Held Item	Loaded Dice
Moveset	・ Glaive Rush ・ Icicle Spear ・ Earthquake ・ Protect

Tera Ground Baxcalibur is great with Flying-types who can set up Tailwind for it. Teammates like Talonflame or Murkrow are excellent Tailwind setters that can help Baxcalibur fire out Tera boosted Earthquakes.

Loaded Dice ensures that Icicle Spear hits at least four times. This is a useful item to have, as it can break through opposing Pokemon's Focus Sashes.

Other Viable Moves

Swords Dance	Swords Dance gives Baxcalibur a boosting Move to use on turns where we telegraph an opposing Protect. This boosts its Attack by two stages, setting it up for a potential sweep.

Key Damage Calculations

Damage Dealt by Baxcalibur
108 HP｜95 Def No Defensive EV Investmen Item:	Icicle Spear (3 Hits) 324 ~ 396 (177 ~ 216.3%) Guaranteed OHKO
Damage Received by Baxcalibur
130 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk Item: Clear Amulet	Dragon Claw 150 ~ 176 (78.9 ~ 92.6%) Guaranteed 2-Hit KO

How to Use Baxcalibur Effectively

Use Baxcalibur's Unique STAB Options

Ice and Dragon are resisted by a few types, but other types who do not are in for a bad time. Opponents will want to switch into Baxcalibur's offense, and we can capitalize on this by either switching out Baxcalibur ourselves or setting up a Dragon Dance.

Switch Baxcalibur Into An Incoming Fire-type Move

Baxcalibur's unique Ability, Thermal Exchange boosts its Attack similar to Flash Fire. It also makes Baxcalibur immune to getting burned, a valuable Ability to have for a Physical Attacker.

How to Build a Team with Baxcalibur

Baxcalibur is an excellent Attacker, but is also hindered by its Ice typing, which gives it many weaknesses. It is recommended to have Pokemon who can switch into super-effective hits intended for Baxcalibur.

Sample Singles Team

Fast Offense	Defensive Pivot	Tank/Utilitiy
Baxcalibur	Wash Rotom	Hippowdon

Baxcalibur should be able to cover its teammate's weaknesses, like Grass-types who might threaten Wash Rotom and Hippowdon, who Baxcalibur matches up nicely against.

Sample Doubles Team

Support / Redirection	Physical Attacker
Amoonguss	Palafin
Physical Attacker	Support / Special Attacker
Baxcalibur	Pelipper

Having Palafin out early lets the user switch it out immediately so that it can come out in its Hero Form later on. Amoonguss is there to put opponents to sleep with Spore, or protect its partner using its Rage Powder redirection.

Pelipper and Baxcalibur are good Pokemon to have in the back, as Pelipper could set up Rain for Palafin, allowing it to wreak havoc when it comes back in Hero form, with Baxcalibur posing as a threat that is difficult to knock out thanks to Tera Poison.

Counters for Baxcalibur

Use Fairy or Steel-Types to Deal with Baxcalibur

Fairy and Steel Pokemon can handily tank Baxcalibur's offense and punish it for clicking a move. Pokemon with powerful Play Roughs will typically give Baxcalibur a bad time.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Tinkaton	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can comfortably take Baxcalibur's STAB moves and KO back with Play Rough or Gigaton Hammer ▶️Tinkaton Best Movesets
Magnezone	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can comfortably take Baxcalibur's STAB moves and KO back with Flash Cannon
Azumarill	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can comfortably take Baxcalibur's STAB moves and KO back with Play Rough ▶️Azumarill Best Movesets

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