Slither Wing Movesets and Best Builds

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

Attention!	This page is the best build for Slither Wing. For the best counters to use against Slither Wing in the 5-Star Raid Event, click here!

Slither Wing Base Stats, Type, Ability and Weakness

Paldea #380		Type
Slither Wing
		Abilities
		Protosynthesis
Weak to:	(4x)
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

Best Nature for Slither Wing

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Slither Wing

Choice Band Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Jolly (+Spe, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 / Spe 252
Final Stat Values	HP 160 / Atk 187 / Def 99 / Sp.Def 4 / Spe 146
Ability	Protosynthesis
Tera Type
Held Item	Choice Band
Moveset	・ First Impression ・ Close Combat ・ U-turn ・ Earthquake

Slither Wing's high-powered moves, when boosted with Choice Band, makes it a powerful physical attacker that is difficult to switch into and can easily knock out frailer attackers in the metagame.

First Impression is only useable when it's the first move that Slither Wing uses when it switches in and is a powerful attack with increased priority that can easily knock out Pokemon that do not resist it when boosted with Bug Tera type.

Close Combat is a powerful secondary STAB move that boasts great neutral coverage but lowers Slither Wing's Defense and Special Defense. U-Turn allows it to switch out from the field when it is faced with a check or counter and hits hard thanks to STAB.

Earthquake is its last move and rounds off coverage and hits Poison-types such as Clodsire and Toxapex for super effective damage.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

The following calculations take into account Slither Wing's EV spread with a Jolly Nature and with Choice Band.

Damage Dealt by Slither Wing
207 HP｜131 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 4 (Careful) Item: Leftovers	First Impression 218-258 (105.3 - 124.6%) Guaranteed OHKO
207 HP｜179 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 228 (Careful) Item: Choice Scarf	Close Combat 212-252 (102.4 - 121.7%) Guaranteed OHKO
187 HP｜128 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 252 (Bold) Item: Leftovers	U-Turn 174-206 (93 - 110.1%) 56.3% Chance to OHKO
157 HP｜215 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 192 (Bold) Item: Black Sludge	Earthquake 100-118 (63.6 - 75.1%) Guaranteed 2HKO

Offensive Pivot Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4
Final Stat Values	HP 192 / Atk 205 / Def 99 / Sp.Def 196 / Spe 101
Ability	Protosynthesis
Tera Type
Held Item	Assault Vest
Moveset	・ First Impression ・ Close Combat ・ U-turn ・ Leech Life

Slither Wing's great Attack stat, further boosted by Protosynthesis during harsh sunlight, makes it very difficult to switch into thanks to its high-powered moves. This build has Assault Vest to boost its great special bulk and allows it to switch into unboosted special attacks.

First Impression is a strong priority move that only works if it's the first move Slither Wing uses once its sent out. Close Combat is a strong Fighting-type STAB with wide coverage but lowers its Defense and Special Defense by one stage, which forces it to switch out with U-Turn.

Leech Life is its last move that heals 50% of the damage it deals, giving Slither Wing some form of recovery and allowing it to stay on the field for longer.

As most of Slither Wing's attacks in this build are Bug-type moves, it is best to use Bug Tera type to further boost the damage of these moves.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

The following calculations take into account Slither Wing's EV spread with an Adamant Nature and with Assault Vest boost.

Damage Dealt by Slither Wing
151 HP｜90 Def No Defensive EV Investment: HP 0 | Def 0 (Jolly) Item: Choice Band	First Impression 468-552 (309.9 - 365.5%) Guaranteed OHKO
207 HP｜179 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 228 (Careful) Item: Leftovers	Close Combat 156-186 (75.3 - 89.8%) Guaranteed 2HKO
185 HP｜110 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 0 (Modest) Item: Leftovers	U-Turn 150-176 (81 - 95.1%) Guaranteed 2HKO
167 HP｜110 Def No Defensive EV Investment: HP 0 | Def 0 (Timid) Item: Life Orb	Leech Life 168-200 (100.5 - 119.7%) Guaranteed OHKO
Damage Received by Slither Wing
203 Sp.Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp.Atk (Modest) Item: Leftovers	Make It Rain 73-87 (38 - 45.3%) Guaranteed 3HKO
172 Sp.Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp.Atk (Modest) Item: Leftovers	Overheat 134-162 (69.7 - 84.3%) Guaranteed 2HKO
194 Sp.Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp.Atk (Modest) Item: Leftovers	Armor Cannon 140-168 (72.9 - 87.5%) Guaranteed 2HKO

Doubles Movesets for Slither Wing

Bulky Attacker Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4
Final Stat Values	HP 192 / Atk 205 / Def 99 / Sp.Def 196 / Spe 101
Ability	Protosynthesis
Tera Type
Held Item	Booster Energy
Moveset	・ First Impression ・ Leech Life ・ Close Combat ・ Will-O-Wisp

Slither Wing's great dual STAB and Booster Energy immediately activating Protosynthesis makes it a great bulky attacker in Doubles, with its priority First Impression denting Pokemon that don't resist it.

Leech Life is a strong Bug-type STAB that also heals 50% of the damage it does and allows Slither Wing to stay on the field for longer. Close Combat is a strong Fighting-type STAB that has neutral coverage and allows it to threaten the likes of Garganacl and Iron Treads.

Will-O-Wisp is its last move and separates Slither Wing from other bulky attackers, allowing the Paradox Pokemon to threaten opposing physical attackers and setup sweepers by cutting their Attack in half with a burn.

Bug Tera type is the best choice for this build to further boost the power of First Impression and Leech Life.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

The following calculations take into account Slither Wing's EV spread with an Adamant Nature and with the 30% Attack boost from Protosynthesis.

Damage Dealt by Slither Wing
155 HP｜100 Def No Defensive EV Investment: HP 0 | Def 0 (Jollyl) Item: Choice Band	First Impression 270-320 (174.1 - 206.4%) Guaranteed OHKO
236 HP｜105 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 236 | Def 116 (Sassy) Item: Black Sludge	Leech Life 115-136 (52.5 - 62.1%) 99.6% Chance to 2HKO
215 HP｜187 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 252 (Impish) Item: Leftovers	Close Combat 97-115 (45.1 - 53.4%) 34.8% Chance to 2HKO

How to Use Slither Wing Effectively

A Powerful Choice Band Attacker with First Impression

Slither Wing's high Attack stat and access to First Impression makes it a formidable Choice Band attacker that's very hard to switch into. Its Fighting-type STAB also gives it a wide coverage against common Pokemon in the Singles Battle Format, such as Garganacl, Hydreigon, and Baxcalibur.

A Bulky Attacker with Will-O-Wisp

In Doubles, Slither Wing's access to Will-O-Wisp separates itself from other bulky attackers in the battle format. Not only can it check opposing physical attackers, it can also cripple defensive Pokemon with a burn and prevent them from staying on the field for longer.

Paradox Pokemon Builds for Competitive Battles and Tera Raids

How to Build a Team with Slither Wing

In Singles, Slither Wing is best part of a dedicated sun team so that it can get a Protosynthesis boost without the need of Booster Energy.

Sample Singles Team

Lead Support	Physical Attacker	Special Attacker
Torkoal	Slither Wing	Chi-Yu

This hyper offensive Sun Team leads with Torkoal to setup with Drought as well as support its team by laying Stealth Rock and burning threats with Lave Plume.

With sun up, Slither Wing can come in and get the Protosynthesis boost and deal increased damage with First Impression. Since it can only use First Impression on the first turn, it should switch out to Chi-Yu who also benefits from sun and can dissuade defensive Pokemon from switching in thanks to its Beads of Ruin Ability.

Sample Doubles Team

Bulky Lead	Tailwind Support
Slither Wing	Salamence
Special Attacker	Redirection Support
Iron Bundle	Amoonguss

Slither Wing's access to First Impression makes it a great lead and it can deal a significant amount of damage once Booster Energy activates its Protosynthesis Ability. Bulky Salamence is the best partner in this team as it can increase Slither Wing's physical bulk with Intimidate and setup Tailwind to double the team's Speed.

Iron Bundle is this team's main Special Attacker and boasts Water and ice-type STAB that rounds off the team's coverage, while Amoonguss can swap with Salamence to provide Slither Wing with Rage Powder support.

Counters for Slither Wing

Outspeed it with a Faster Attacker

Slither Wing's 81 Base Speed stat leaves it easily outrun by faster attackers in Singles even with full Speed investment. This makes it easy to revenge kill especially when facing against a Pokemon that resists its dual STAB moves.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Salamence	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Resists all of Slither Wing's moves and can lower its Attack with Intimidate. ・Outspeeds Slither Wing and easily KOs with STAB Dual Wingbeat with a Jolly Nature. ▶️Salamence Best Movesets
Kilowattrel	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Outspeeds Slither Wing and resists all of its moves. ・Easily KOs Slither Wing with STAB Hurricane or Air Slash. ▶️Kilowattrel Best Movesets
Volcarona	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Resists Slither Wing's dual STAB moves and can burn it with Flame Body. ・Easily KOs Slither Wing with Quiver Dance-boosted Fiery Dance. ▶️Volcarona Best Movesets

Check it with a Fire-type

In Doubles, Slither Wing struggles against Fire-types that not only resist its Bug-type STAB, but are immune or even benefit from Will-O-Wisp.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Ceruledge	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Resists Slither Wing's Bug STAB and immune to its Fighting-type STAB. ・Absorbs Will-O-Wisp with Flash Fire and easily KOs with boosted STAB Bitter Blade. ▶️Ceruledge Best Movesets
Skeledirge	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Resists Slither Wing's Bug STAB and immune to its Fighting-type STAB. ・Can cripple Slither Wing with Will-O-Wisp and threaten it with STAB Torch Song. ▶️Skeledirge Best Movesets
Arcanine	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Resists Slither Wing's Bug STAB and lowers its Attack with Intimidate. ・Easily KOs Slither Wing with STAB Flare Blitz. ▶️Arcanine Best Movesets

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