Dondozo Movesets and Best Builds

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

Dondozo - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Moveset for Ranked Battle
Titan Guide

Dondozo Base Stats, Type, Abilities and Weaknesses

Paldea #374		Type
Dondozo
		Abilities
		Unaware Oblivious Water Veil (Hidden)
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)

What is Type Effectiveness?

Ability Name		Description
Unaware		The user ignores the opponent's stat changes when attacking.
Oblivious		The user cannot be infatuated, intimidated, or be taunted.
Water Veil (Hidden)		The user can't get burned.

Base Stats

Best Nature for Dondozo

Best Natures
Impish （+Def, -Sp. Atk）	Relaxed （+Def, -Spe）

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Dondozo

Dondozo	Recommendation
Physical Wall	★★★★★
Dondozo Trick-Room Sweeper	★★★

Physical Wall Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Impish (+Def, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Def 252 / Sp. Def 4
Final Stat Values	HP 257 / Atk 120 / Def 183 / Sp. Def 86 / Speed 55
Ability	Unaware
Tera Type
Held Item	Leftovers
Moveset	・ Wave Crash ・ Fissure ・ Yawn ・ Protect

Summary

Massive physical bulk makes it hard to remove. Can stall turns to allow it to recover. Unaware ignores the opponent's stat changes.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Unaware	Leftovers

Unaware is used on this build so that Dondozo can ignore any stat changes on the opponent's side of the field. Note that this also ignores debuffs like the defense drops from Close Combat or the Sp. Atk drop from Make It Rain.

Leftovers allows for Dondozo to passively heal back some health each turn. This item is especially good on Dondozo because of its massive HP stat.

Moves Breakdown

Wave Crash	Fissure
Yawn	Protect

Wave Crash is Dondozo's strongest Water-type STAB move with the only downside of having recoil damage.

Fissure allows Dondozo to look for knockouts on opposing walls or Pokemon that it cannot threaten with Wave Crash.

Yawn forces the opposing Pokemon to switch out, or fall asleep. If they're asleep, Dondozo can use those turns to look for knockouts with Wave Crash or Fissure.

Protect lets Dondozo stall out turns and heal itself with Leftovers.

Best Tera Type: Fairy

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

Fairy is the best Tera Type for this build because it is one of the best defensive typings in the game.

Best Fairy Type Pokemon

EV Spread and Nature

A full 252 EVs are put into its HP and Defense to maximize Dondozo's physical bulk and recovery from Leftovers. The extra 4 EVs are placed in its Sp. Def to help round out its bulk.

An Impish nature is preferred to maximize Dondozo's Defense stat.

Other Viable Moves

Liquidation	Weaker than Wave Crash, but doesn't cause recoil damage.
Rest + Sleep Talk	This combo replaces Yawn + Protect. Rest allows Dondozo to go to sleep and heal itself back to max HP. While it's asleep, Sleep Talk is used to look Fissure OHKOs or to get decent damage off with Wave Crash.

Key Damage Calculations

Damage Dealt by Rillaboom
80 HP | 84 Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 Def Item: Hearthflame Mask	Wave Crash 78-93 (50.3 - 60%) Guaranteed 2HKO OHKO if Ogerpon Tera'd
55 HP｜55 Def No Defensive EV Investment Item: Booster Energy	Wave Crash 109-129 (83.8 - 99.2%) Guaranteed 2HKO
113 HP｜120 Def Defensive EV Investment: 252 HP Item: Assault Vest	Wave Crash 116-140 (54.7 - 66%) Guaranteed 2HKO
Damage Received by Rillaboom
120 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk Item: Hearthflame Mask	Horn Leech 98-116 (38.1 - 45.1%) Guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery 31.6 - 37.4% HP Recovered
135 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp. Atk Item: Booster Energy	Moonblast 117-138 (45.5 - 53.6%) 2% Chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
135 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp. Atk Item: Assault Vest	Blood Moon 187-222 (72.7 - 86.3%) Guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

Dondozo Trick Room Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)
EV Spread	252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Sp. Def
Final Stat Values	257 HP / 120 Atk / 183 Def / 86 Sp. Def / 55 Spe
Ability	Unaware
Tera Type	OR
Held Item	Leftovers
Moveset	・ Curse ・ Wave Crash ・ Body Press ・ Earthquake

Trick Room Sweeper

In a Trick Room Team, Dondozo can take advantage of its very low speed stat and move first against most Pokemon. Many of the notable exceptions that are slower than Dondozo have a bad matchup against it including Garganacl, Torkoal, and Coalossal. On top of this, Dondozo is a Bulky Physical Wall with a decent Attack stat to back up its very high HP and Defense stats. It gains access to Body Press, which allows it to utilize its high Defense stat in the damage calculation, opening up the potential for a bulky Trick Room sweeper strategy.

Great Move Pool

Wave Crash, Earthquake, Body Press and Heavy Slam are just some of the damaging options Dondozo has access to. When Terastallized, Dondozo can get a further boost on these attacks, allowing it to fill a niche role as a mixed attacker with defensive coverage.

Earthquake and Body Press are two great coverage options, with Earthquake dealing super-effective damage to Electric Types and Body Press using Dondozo's high Defense stat instead of its Attack stat in the damage calculation.

Outspeed and OHKO S and A Tier Threats

Earthquake + Ground Tera Type OR 1 Curse Attack boost also allows it to 2-Hit KO Gholdengo, while Body Press allows it to OHKO Meowscarada after one Curse Defense boost as a Water Type or no setup as a Fighting Tera Type.

Other Viable Moves

Protect	Can be used to get a turn of healing from Leftovers, as well as scope out information such as Tera Type, moves, etc.
Heavy Slam	Damage is calculated based on the weight difference, with the heavier Dondozo being relative to the Pokemon, the more damage dealt. As Dondozo is one of the heavier Pokemon in the game, it can deal a lot of damage against its lighter opponents.

Doubles Movesets for Dondozo

Dondozo	Recommendation
Late-Game Wall	★★★★★

Late-Game Wall Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Jolly Nature (+Spe, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread	252 Atk / 44 Sp. Def / 212 Spe
Final Stat Values	225 HP / 152 Atk / 135 Def / 91 Sp. Def / 90 Spe
Ability	Unaware
Tera Type
Held Item	Rocky Helmet
Moveset	・ Order Up ・ Earthquake ・ Substitute ・ Protect

Dondozo with 212 Speed EVs can outspeed notable Pokemon like Maushold and Garchomp at +2 (After Tatsugiri's Commander Ability triggers). Order Up and Earthquake are staple moves for Dondozo, giving it the option to hit single targets or use a Spread Move. Substitute is good for passive turns, while Protect lets Dondozo recover HP with Leftovers.

Grass Tera Type is used to give Dondozo immunity to Spore and Rage Powder, while also giving it a resistance to Electric.

Alternatively, a Steel Tera type can make Dondozo immune to Clear Smog, or a Dragon Tera type can give it plenty of resistances.

Other Viable Moves

Wave Crash	Wave Crash is an excellent STAB Move for Dondozo, with a downside that Dondozo can comfortably ignore.

How to Use Dondozo Effectively

A Versatile Physical Wall

Dondozo functions as a bulky physical wall, first and foremost. It has great HP and Defense Stats, combined with decent SP. Def and Attack stats. It also has access to the move Curse via egg move, allowing it to increase its Defense and Attack even further. It can function well in regular offensive teams, rain teams, Trick Room teams and even Stall and Phasing teams.

Can Deal Large Damage Thanks to Curse, High Defense and Body Press

Dondozo is not lacking when it comes to offense. It has a high base power STAB move in Wave Crash. Dondozo also has Body Press, which allows it to take advantage of its natural bulk and any Curse boosts to output large damage, which when Terastallized is enough to OHKO most Fighting weak Pokemon.

Great Counter to Sweepers and Other Walls

Dondozo's Ability, Unaware, allows it to ignore opposing Pokemon's stat changes when receiving or dealing damage. This makes it a great safe swap into a Pokemon that has setup attacking boosts such as Swords Dance or Quiver Dance, as these stat changes do not affect the damage dealt to Dondozo. It also makes Dondozo a great choice against opposing Walls, as it ignores any Defense increases from moves such as Bulk Up or Curse.

A Powerful Sweeper with Tatsugiri

In Doubles, Dondozo can function as a powerful bulky attacker after getting a Commander boost from Tatsugiri.

Key Damage Calculations

The following calculations are with full Attack investment with a Jolly nature and +3 Attack from Commander and Order Up boosts.

Damage Dealt by Dondozo
HP 215｜Def 187 Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 252 (Impish)	Wave Crash 1028-1212 (478.1 - 563.7%) Guaranteed OHKO
HP 215｜Def 187 Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 4 (Adamant)	Order Up 368-434 (185.8 - 219.1%) Guaranteed OHKO
HP 157｜Def 224 Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 252 (Bold)	Earthquake 478-564 (304.4 - 359.2%) Guaranteed OHKO

How to Build a Team with Dondozo

Thanks to Dondozo's versatility and bulk, it is easy to fit into any team, but particularly a team that could utilize its Water Typing or bulk.

Sample Singles Team

Hazards Lead	Defensive Pivot	Special Attacker
Glimmora	Dondozo	Flutter Mane

Glimmora can set up Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rocks to allow Dondozo to outlast opponents with the healing from Leftovers and stall from Yawn and Protect.

Flutter Mane is used in the back as a fast sweeper to knock out whatever Pokemon are left standing on the opponent's team.

Sample Doubles Team

Lead Support	Special Attacker
Murkrow	Tatsugiri
Physical Attacker	Physical Attacker
Dondozo	Flamigo

This is an alternative Doubles team that is generally safer to setup but takes a few more turns. Both the Curly or Stretchy form are great options for Tatsugiri depending on whether your team needs more Attack or Speed.

How to Setup and Sweep

1	+ Send out Murkrow and Tatsugiri ・Setup Perish Song with Murkrow ・Use Substitute to protect Tatsugiri from attacks Perish Count at 3 at the end of the turn
2	+ Setup Tailwind and Stall ・Setup Tailwind with Murkrow ・Use Protect to stall with Tatsugiri Perish Count at 2 at the end of the turn
3	→ + Switch out Murkrow with Dondozo ・Switch out Murkrow with Dondozo so that the latter gets the Commander boost from Tatsugiri Perish Count at 1 at the end of the turn
4	+ Setup with Order Up ・Boost Dondozo's stats with Order Up. Curly Form Tatsugiri will raise Dondozo's Attack, while Stretchy Form Tatsugiri raises its Speed Perish Count at 0 at the end of the turn
5	→ Switch in Flamigo and sweep ・Once Tatsugiri faints, switch in Flamigo who will get all of Dondozo's stat boosts with its Costar Ability.

Counters for Dondozo

Take Advantage of its Lower Special Defense

Dondozo is a bulky Physical Wall with only average Sp. Def. Using Special Attacks that hit for its weaknesses of Grass and Electric will be your best bet to bring it down.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Iron Bundle	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Outspeeds and deals large STAB super-effective Special damage with Freeze-Dry. ・Has a good Defense stat and resists Wave Crash. ▶️ Iron Bundle Best Movesets
Gholdengo	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can OHKO Dondozo with max Sp. Atk + Choice Specs Thunderbolt. ・Often has Tera Water that resists Wave Crash, or Tera Flying making it immune to Fissure. ▶️ Gholdengo Best Movesets
Amoonguss	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can clear Dondozo's stat boosts with Clear Smog. ・Comfortable tanks Wave Crash's damage. ・Can put Dondozo to sleep with Spore, rendering it useless. ▶️ Amoonguss Best Movesets

How to Get Dondozo's Curse Egg Move

Dondozo learns Curse as an egg move, so in order to get Curse on Dondozo, first you need a Pokemon that knows the move. You will then need to make sure Dondozo has an empty move slot and give it a Mirror Herb.

Finally, set up a picnic with both Dondozo and the Pokemon that knows the egg move in your party and the move will be transferred to Dondozo (the other Pokemon still retains its moveset). Unlike previous generations, egg moves can now be transferred regardless of egg group, species or gender.
How to Learn and Transfer Egg Moves

Pokemon That Learn Curse

Learn by Default

Slowpoke	Galarian Slowpoke	Slowbro	Galarian Slowbro
Slowking	Galarian Slowking	Zangoose	Chandelure

Learn by Level Up

Gastly	Haunter	Gengar	Pineco
Forretress	Numel	Camerupt	Torkoal
Shuppet	Banette	Duskull	Dusclops
Regirock	Regice	Registeel	Turtwig
Grotle	Torterra	Spiritomb	Dusknoir
Hisuian Zorua	Hisuian Zoroark	Litwick	Lampent
Golett	Golurk	Goomy	Sliggoo
Hisuian Sliggoo	Goodra	Hisuian Goodra	Phantump
Trevenant	Bergmite	Avalugg	Hisuian Avalugg
Appletun	Polteageist	Pincurchin	Bramblin
Brambleghast

Learn by Evolution

No Pokemon currently learn this move via this method.

Learn by TM

Bulbasaur	Ivysaur	Venusaur	Sandshrew
Alolan Sandshrew	Sandslash	Alolan Sandslash	Diglett
Dugtrio	Alolan Dugtrio	Alolan Meowth	Galarian Meowth
Alolan Persian	Mankey	Primeape	Growlithe
Arcanine	Geodude	Alolan Geodude	Graveler
Alolan Graveler	Golem	Alolan Golem	Slowpoke
Galarian Slowpoke	Slowbro	Galarian Slowbro	Seel
Dewgong	Grimer	Alolan Grimer	Muk
Alolan Muk	Gastly	Haunter	Gengar
Drowzee	Hypno	Electrode	Hisuian Electrode
Exeggcute	Exeggutor	Alolan Exeggutor	Koffing
Weezing	Galarian Weezing	Rhyhorn	Rhydon
Magmar	Tauros	Paldean Tauros (Fighting Form)	Paldean Tauros (Fighting/Fire Form)
Paldean Tauros (Fighting/Water Form)	Lapras	Eevee	Vaporeon
Jolteon	Flareon	Snorlax	Mewtwo
Mew	Chikorita	Bayleef	Meganium
Cyndaquil	Quilava	Typhlosion	Hisuian Typhlosion
Totodile	Croconaw	Feraligatr	Noctowl
Chinchou	Lanturn	Sudowoodo	Sunkern
Sunflora	Wooper	Paldean Wooper	Quagsire
Espeon	Umbreon	Slowking	Galarian Slowking
Misdreavus	Pineco	Forretress	Dunsparce
Snubbull	Granbull	Qwilfish	Hisuian Qwilfish
Scizor	Heracross	Slugma	Magcargo
Swinub	Piloswine	Skarmory	Phanpy
Donphan	Stantler	Magby	Larvitar
Pupitar	Tyranitar	Lugia	Torchic
Combusken	Blaziken	Mudkip	Marshtomp
Swampert	Seedot	Nuzleaf	Shiftry
Slakoth	Vigoroth	Slaking	Hariyama
Nosepass	Gulpin	Swalot	Numel
Camerupt	Torkoal	Cacnea	Cacturne
Zangoose	Seviper	Whiscash	Shuppet
Banette	Duskull	Dusclops	Tropius
Chimecho	Regirock	Regice	Registeel
Turtwig	Grotle	Torterra	Cranidos
Rampardos	Shieldon	Bastiodon	Shellos (East Sea)
Gastrodon (East Sea)	Drifloon	Drifblim	Mismagius
Chingling	Bonsly	Spiritomb	Munchlax
Hippopotas	Hippowdon	Snover	Abomasnow
Rhyperior	Magmortar	Leafeon	Glaceon
Mamoswine	Probopass	Dusknoir	Froslass
Giratina (Altered Forme)	Giratina (Origin Forme)	Darkrai	Tepig
Pignite	Emboar	Drilbur	Excadrill
Timburr	Gurdurr	Conkeldurr	Sandile
Krokorok	Krookodile	Scraggy	Scrafty
Hisuian Zorua	Hisuian Zoroark	Sawsbuck	Litwick
Lampent	Chandelure	Beartic	Golett
Golurk	Chespin	Quilladin	Chesnaught
Sylveon	Goomy	Sliggoo	Hisuian Sliggoo
Goodra	Hisuian Goodra	Phantump	Trevenant
Bergmite	Avalugg	Hisuian Avalugg	Decidueye
Gumshoos	Mudbray	Mudsdale	Passimian
Sandygast	Palossand	Komala	Mimikyu
Skwovet	Greedent	Corviknight	Rolycoly
Carkol	Coalossal	Appletun	Sinistea
Polteageist	Perrserker	Pincurchin	Stonjourner
Cufant	Copperajah	Dreepy	Drakloak
Dragapult	Glastrier	Spectrier	Calyrex (Ice Rider)
Calyrex (Shadow Rider)	Wyrdeer	Ursaluna	Overqwil
Fuecoco	Crocalor	Skeledirge	Lechonk
Oinkologne (Female)	Oinkologne (Male)	Nacli	Naclstack
Garganacl	Ceruledge	Mabosstiff	Bramblin
Brambleghast	Bombirdier	Varoom	Revavroom
Orthworm	Cetoddle	Cetitan	Dondozo
Annihilape	Clodsire	Farigiraf	Dudunsparce
Slither Wing	Iron Thorns	Poltchageist	Sinistcha
Okidogi	Hydrapple	Pecharunt

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Related Guides

Movesets & Best Builds for Ranked Battle ## All Indigo Disk DLC Builds for Ranked Battle ### New Indigo Disk Pokemon Builds

New Indigo Disk Pokemon Builds

### Snack Legendary Builds

New Indigo Disk Pokemon Builds

### Returning Indigo Disk Pokemon Builds

Returning Indigo Disk Pokemon Builds

Blueberry Pokedex: List of All Indigo Disk Pokemon ## All Teal Mask DLC Builds for Ranked Battle

All Teal Mask DLC Builds

Kitakami Pokedex: List of All Teal Mask DLC Pokemon ## All Pokemon HOME Builds for Ranked Battle

All Pokemon HOME Builds

All Pokemon HOME Transferable Pokemon ## All Treasures of Ruin Builds for Ranked Battle

All Treasures of Ruin Builds

Best Treasures of Ruin Builds for Ranked Battle and Raids ## All Paradox Pokemon Builds for Ranked Battle

All Paradox Pokemon Builds

Paradox Pokemon Builds for Competitive Battles and Tera Raids ## All Other Gen 9 Meta Pokemon Builds for Ranked Battle

All Other Gen 9 Meta Pokemon Builds

Gen 9 Pokemon: All New Pokemon ## All Gen 1~8 Meta Pokemon Builds for Ranked Battle

All Gen 1~8 Meta Pokemon Builds

Best Pokemon Tier List ## All Off-Meta Builds for Ranked Battle

All Off-Meta Pokemon Builds

Competitive Team Building for Singles Ranked Battle ## Banned/Restricted Builds

Banned/Restricted Builds

Ranked Battle Regulation E: Rules and Banned Pokemon

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

Dondozo - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Moveset for Ranked Battle
Titan Guide

Dondozo Base Stats, Type, Abilities and Weaknesses

Paldea #374		Type
Dondozo
		Abilities
		Unaware Oblivious Water Veil (Hidden)
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)

What is Type Effectiveness?

Ability Name		Description
Unaware		The user ignores the opponent's stat changes when attacking.
Oblivious		The user cannot be infatuated, intimidated, or be taunted.
Water Veil (Hidden)		The user can't get burned.

Base Stats

Best Nature for Dondozo

Best Natures
Impish （+Def, -Sp. Atk）	Relaxed （+Def, -Spe）

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Dondozo

Dondozo	Recommendation
Physical Wall	★★★★★
Dondozo Trick-Room Sweeper	★★★

Physical Wall Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Impish (+Def, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Def 252 / Sp. Def 4
Final Stat Values	HP 257 / Atk 120 / Def 183 / Sp. Def 86 / Speed 55
Ability	Unaware
Tera Type
Held Item	Leftovers
Moveset	・ Wave Crash ・ Fissure ・ Yawn ・ Protect

Summary

Massive physical bulk makes it hard to remove. Can stall turns to allow it to recover. Unaware ignores the opponent's stat changes.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Unaware	Leftovers

Unaware is used on this build so that Dondozo can ignore any stat changes on the opponent's side of the field. Note that this also ignores debuffs like the defense drops from Close Combat or the Sp. Atk drop from Make It Rain.

Leftovers allows for Dondozo to passively heal back some health each turn. This item is especially good on Dondozo because of its massive HP stat.

Moves Breakdown

Wave Crash	Fissure
Yawn	Protect

Wave Crash is Dondozo's strongest Water-type STAB move with the only downside of having recoil damage.

Fissure allows Dondozo to look for knockouts on opposing walls or Pokemon that it cannot threaten with Wave Crash.

Yawn forces the opposing Pokemon to switch out, or fall asleep. If they're asleep, Dondozo can use those turns to look for knockouts with Wave Crash or Fissure.

Protect lets Dondozo stall out turns and heal itself with Leftovers.

Best Tera Type: Fairy

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

Fairy is the best Tera Type for this build because it is one of the best defensive typings in the game.

Best Fairy Type Pokemon

EV Spread and Nature

A full 252 EVs are put into its HP and Defense to maximize Dondozo's physical bulk and recovery from Leftovers. The extra 4 EVs are placed in its Sp. Def to help round out its bulk.

An Impish nature is preferred to maximize Dondozo's Defense stat.

Other Viable Moves

Liquidation	Weaker than Wave Crash, but doesn't cause recoil damage.
Rest + Sleep Talk	This combo replaces Yawn + Protect. Rest allows Dondozo to go to sleep and heal itself back to max HP. While it's asleep, Sleep Talk is used to look Fissure OHKOs or to get decent damage off with Wave Crash.

Key Damage Calculations

Damage Dealt by Rillaboom
80 HP | 84 Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 Def Item: Hearthflame Mask	Wave Crash 78-93 (50.3 - 60%) Guaranteed 2HKO OHKO if Ogerpon Tera'd
55 HP｜55 Def No Defensive EV Investment Item: Booster Energy	Wave Crash 109-129 (83.8 - 99.2%) Guaranteed 2HKO
113 HP｜120 Def Defensive EV Investment: 252 HP Item: Assault Vest	Wave Crash 116-140 (54.7 - 66%) Guaranteed 2HKO
Damage Received by Rillaboom
120 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk Item: Hearthflame Mask	Horn Leech 98-116 (38.1 - 45.1%) Guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery 31.6 - 37.4% HP Recovered
135 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp. Atk Item: Booster Energy	Moonblast 117-138 (45.5 - 53.6%) 2% Chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
135 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp. Atk Item: Assault Vest	Blood Moon 187-222 (72.7 - 86.3%) Guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

Dondozo Trick Room Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)
EV Spread	252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Sp. Def
Final Stat Values	257 HP / 120 Atk / 183 Def / 86 Sp. Def / 55 Spe
Ability	Unaware
Tera Type	OR
Held Item	Leftovers
Moveset	・ Curse ・ Wave Crash ・ Body Press ・ Earthquake

Trick Room Sweeper

In a Trick Room Team, Dondozo can take advantage of its very low speed stat and move first against most Pokemon. Many of the notable exceptions that are slower than Dondozo have a bad matchup against it including Garganacl, Torkoal, and Coalossal. On top of this, Dondozo is a Bulky Physical Wall with a decent Attack stat to back up its very high HP and Defense stats. It gains access to Body Press, which allows it to utilize its high Defense stat in the damage calculation, opening up the potential for a bulky Trick Room sweeper strategy.

Great Move Pool

Wave Crash, Earthquake, Body Press and Heavy Slam are just some of the damaging options Dondozo has access to. When Terastallized, Dondozo can get a further boost on these attacks, allowing it to fill a niche role as a mixed attacker with defensive coverage.

Earthquake and Body Press are two great coverage options, with Earthquake dealing super-effective damage to Electric Types and Body Press using Dondozo's high Defense stat instead of its Attack stat in the damage calculation.

Outspeed and OHKO S and A Tier Threats

Earthquake + Ground Tera Type OR 1 Curse Attack boost also allows it to 2-Hit KO Gholdengo, while Body Press allows it to OHKO Meowscarada after one Curse Defense boost as a Water Type or no setup as a Fighting Tera Type.

Other Viable Moves

Protect	Can be used to get a turn of healing from Leftovers, as well as scope out information such as Tera Type, moves, etc.
Heavy Slam	Damage is calculated based on the weight difference, with the heavier Dondozo being relative to the Pokemon, the more damage dealt. As Dondozo is one of the heavier Pokemon in the game, it can deal a lot of damage against its lighter opponents.

Doubles Movesets for Dondozo

Dondozo	Recommendation
Late-Game Wall	★★★★★

Late-Game Wall Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Jolly Nature (+Spe, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread	252 Atk / 44 Sp. Def / 212 Spe
Final Stat Values	225 HP / 152 Atk / 135 Def / 91 Sp. Def / 90 Spe
Ability	Unaware
Tera Type
Held Item	Leftovers
Moveset	・ Order Up ・ Earthquake ・ Substitute ・ Protect

Dondozo with 212 Speed EVs can outspeed notable Pokemon like Maushold and Garchomp at +2 (After Tatsugiri's Commander Ability triggers). Order Up and Earthquake are staple moves for Dondozo, giving it the option to hit single targets or use a Spread Move. Substitute is good for passive turns, while Protect lets Dondozo recover HP with Leftovers.

Grass Tera Type is used to give Dondozo immunity to Spore and Rage Powder, while also giving it a resistance to Electric.

Alternatively, a Steel Tera type can make Dondozo immune to Clear Smog, or a Dragon Tera type can give it plenty of resistances.

Other Viable Moves

Wave Crash	Wave Crash is an excellent STAB Move for Dondozo, with a downside that Dondozo can comfortably ignore.

How to Use Dondozo Effectively

A Versatile Physical Wall

Dondozo functions as a bulky physical wall, first and foremost. It has great HP and Defense Stats, combined with decent SP. Def and Attack stats. It also has access to the move Curse via egg move, allowing it to increase its Defense and Attack even further. It can function well in regular offensive teams, rain teams, Trick Room teams and even Stall and Phasing teams.

Can Deal Large Damage Thanks to Curse, High Defense and Body Press

Dondozo is not lacking when it comes to offense. It has a high base power STAB move in Wave Crash. Dondozo also has Body Press, which allows it to take advantage of its natural bulk and any Curse boosts to output large damage, which when Terastallized is enough to OHKO most Fighting weak Pokemon.

Great Counter to Sweepers and Other Walls

Dondozo's Ability, Unaware, allows it to ignore opposing Pokemon's stat changes when receiving or dealing damage. This makes it a great safe swap into a Pokemon that has setup attacking boosts such as Swords Dance or Quiver Dance, as these stat changes do not affect the damage dealt to Dondozo. It also makes Dondozo a great choice against opposing Walls, as it ignores any Defense increases from moves such as Bulk Up or Curse.

A Powerful Sweeper with Tatsugiri

In Doubles, Dondozo can function as a powerful bulky attacker after getting a Commander boost from Tatsugiri.

Key Damage Calculations

The following calculations are with full Attack investment with a Jolly nature and +3 Attack from Commander and Order Up boosts.

Damage Dealt by Dondozo
HP 215｜Def 187 Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 252 (Impish)	Wave Crash 1028-1212 (478.1 - 563.7%) Guaranteed OHKO
HP 215｜Def 187 Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 4 (Adamant)	Order Up 368-434 (185.8 - 219.1%) Guaranteed OHKO
HP 157｜Def 224 Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 252 (Bold)	Earthquake 478-564 (304.4 - 359.2%) Guaranteed OHKO

How to Build a Team with Dondozo

Thanks to Dondozo's versatility and bulk, it is easy to fit into any team, but particularly a team that could utilize its Water Typing or bulk.

Sample Singles Team

Hazards Lead	Defensive Pivot	Special Attacker
Glimmora	Dondozo	Flutter Mane

Glimmora can set up Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rocks to allow Dondozo to outlast opponents with the healing from Leftovers and stall from Yawn and Protect.

Flutter Mane is used in the back as a fast sweeper to knock out whatever Pokemon are left standing on the opponent's team.

Sample Doubles Build with Tatsugiri

Lead Support	Special Attacker
Murkrow	Tatsugiri
Physical Attacker	Physical Attacker
Dondozo	Flamigo

This is an alternative Doubles team that is generally safer to setup but takes a few more turns. Both the Curly or Stretchy form are great options for Tatsugiri depending on whether your team needs more Attack or Speed.

How to Setup and Sweep

1	+ Send out Murkrow and Tatsugiri ・Setup Perish Song with Murkrow ・Use Substitute to protect Tatsugiri from attacks Perish Count at 3 at the end of the turn
2	+ Setup Tailwind and Stall ・Setup Tailwind with Murkrow ・Use Protect to stall with Tatsugiri Perish Count at 2 at the end of the turn
3	→ + Switch out Murkrow with Dondozo ・Switch out Murkrow with Dondozo so that the latter gets the Commander boost from Tatsugiri Perish Count at 1 at the end of the turn
4	+ Setup with Order Up ・Boost Dondozo's stats with Order Up. Curly Form Tatsugiri will raise Dondozo's Attack, while Stretchy Form Tatsugiri raises its Speed Perish Count at 0 at the end of the turn
5	→ Switch in Flamigo and sweep ・Once Tatsugiri faints, switch in Flamigo who will get all of Dondozo's stat boosts with its Costar Ability.

Counters for Dondozo

Take Advantage of its Lower Special Defense

Dondozo is a bulky Physical Wall with only average Sp. Def. Using Special Attacks that hit for its weaknesses of Grass and Electric will be your best bet to bring it down.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Iron Bundle	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Outspeeds and deals large STAB super-effective Special damage with Freeze-Dry. ・Has a good Defense stat and resists Wave Crash. ▶️ Iron Bundle Best Movesets
Gholdengo	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can OHKO Dondozo with max Sp. Atk + Choice Specs Thunderbolt. ・Often has Tera Water that resists Wave Crash, or Tera Flying making it immune to Fissure. ▶️ Gholdengo Best Movesets
Amoonguss	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can clear Dondozo's stat boosts with Clear Smog. ・Comfortable tanks Wave Crash's damage. ・Can put Dondozo to sleep with Spore, rendering it useless. ▶️ Amoonguss Best Movesets

How to Get Dondozo's Curse Egg Move

Dondozo learns Curse as an egg move, so in order to get Curse on Dondozo, first you need a Pokemon that knows the move. You will then need to make sure Dondozo has an empty move slot and give it a Mirror Herb.

Finally, set up a picnic with both Dondozo and the Pokemon that knows the egg move in your party and the move will be transferred to Dondozo (the other Pokemon still retains its moveset). Unlike previous generations, egg moves can now be transferred regardless of egg group, species or gender.
How to Learn and Transfer Egg Moves

Pokemon That Learn Curse

Learn by Default

Slowpoke	Galarian Slowpoke	Slowbro	Galarian Slowbro
Slowking	Galarian Slowking	Zangoose	Chandelure

Learn by Level Up

Gastly	Haunter	Gengar	Pineco
Forretress	Numel	Camerupt	Torkoal
Shuppet	Banette	Duskull	Dusclops
Regirock	Regice	Registeel	Turtwig
Grotle	Torterra	Spiritomb	Dusknoir
Hisuian Zorua	Hisuian Zoroark	Litwick	Lampent
Golett	Golurk	Goomy	Sliggoo
Hisuian Sliggoo	Goodra	Hisuian Goodra	Phantump
Trevenant	Bergmite	Avalugg	Hisuian Avalugg
Appletun	Polteageist	Pincurchin	Bramblin
Brambleghast

Learn by Evolution

No Pokemon currently learn this move via this method.

Learn by TM

Bulbasaur	Ivysaur	Venusaur	Sandshrew
Alolan Sandshrew	Sandslash	Alolan Sandslash	Diglett
Dugtrio	Alolan Dugtrio	Alolan Meowth	Galarian Meowth
Alolan Persian	Mankey	Primeape	Growlithe
Arcanine	Geodude	Alolan Geodude	Graveler
Alolan Graveler	Golem	Alolan Golem	Slowpoke
Galarian Slowpoke	Slowbro	Galarian Slowbro	Seel
Dewgong	Grimer	Alolan Grimer	Muk
Alolan Muk	Gastly	Haunter	Gengar
Drowzee	Hypno	Electrode	Hisuian Electrode
Exeggcute	Exeggutor	Alolan Exeggutor	Koffing
Weezing	Galarian Weezing	Rhyhorn	Rhydon
Magmar	Tauros	Paldean Tauros (Fighting Form)	Paldean Tauros (Fighting/Fire Form)
Paldean Tauros (Fighting/Water Form)	Lapras	Eevee	Vaporeon
Jolteon	Flareon	Snorlax	Mewtwo
Mew	Chikorita	Bayleef	Meganium
Cyndaquil	Quilava	Typhlosion	Hisuian Typhlosion
Totodile	Croconaw	Feraligatr	Noctowl
Chinchou	Lanturn	Sudowoodo	Sunkern
Sunflora	Wooper	Paldean Wooper	Quagsire
Espeon	Umbreon	Slowking	Galarian Slowking
Misdreavus	Pineco	Forretress	Dunsparce
Snubbull	Granbull	Qwilfish	Hisuian Qwilfish
Scizor	Heracross	Slugma	Magcargo
Swinub	Piloswine	Skarmory	Phanpy
Donphan	Stantler	Magby	Larvitar
Pupitar	Tyranitar	Lugia	Torchic
Combusken	Blaziken	Mudkip	Marshtomp
Swampert	Seedot	Nuzleaf	Shiftry
Slakoth	Vigoroth	Slaking	Hariyama
Nosepass	Gulpin	Swalot	Numel
Camerupt	Torkoal	Cacnea	Cacturne
Zangoose	Seviper	Whiscash	Shuppet
Banette	Duskull	Dusclops	Tropius
Chimecho	Regirock	Regice	Registeel
Turtwig	Grotle	Torterra	Cranidos
Rampardos	Shieldon	Bastiodon	Shellos (East Sea)
Gastrodon (East Sea)	Drifloon	Drifblim	Mismagius
Chingling	Bonsly	Spiritomb	Munchlax
Hippopotas	Hippowdon	Snover	Abomasnow
Rhyperior	Magmortar	Leafeon	Glaceon
Mamoswine	Probopass	Dusknoir	Froslass
Giratina (Altered Forme)	Giratina (Origin Forme)	Darkrai	Tepig
Pignite	Emboar	Drilbur	Excadrill
Timburr	Gurdurr	Conkeldurr	Sandile
Krokorok	Krookodile	Scraggy	Scrafty
Hisuian Zorua	Hisuian Zoroark	Sawsbuck	Litwick
Lampent	Chandelure	Beartic	Golett
Golurk	Chespin	Quilladin	Chesnaught
Sylveon	Goomy	Sliggoo	Hisuian Sliggoo
Goodra	Hisuian Goodra	Phantump	Trevenant
Bergmite	Avalugg	Hisuian Avalugg	Decidueye
Gumshoos	Mudbray	Mudsdale	Passimian
Sandygast	Palossand	Komala	Mimikyu
Skwovet	Greedent	Corviknight	Rolycoly
Carkol	Coalossal	Appletun	Sinistea
Polteageist	Perrserker	Pincurchin	Stonjourner
Cufant	Copperajah	Dreepy	Drakloak
Dragapult	Glastrier	Spectrier	Calyrex (Ice Rider)
Calyrex (Shadow Rider)	Wyrdeer	Ursaluna	Overqwil
Fuecoco	Crocalor	Skeledirge	Lechonk
Oinkologne (Female)	Oinkologne (Male)	Nacli	Naclstack
Garganacl	Ceruledge	Mabosstiff	Bramblin
Brambleghast	Bombirdier	Varoom	Revavroom
Orthworm	Cetoddle	Cetitan	Dondozo
Annihilape	Clodsire	Farigiraf	Dudunsparce
Slither Wing	Iron Thorns	Poltchageist	Sinistcha
Okidogi	Hydrapple	Pecharunt

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