Dunsparce Movesets and Best Builds

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

Dunsparce Base Stats, Type, Ability and Weakness

Paldea #188 Kitakami #160		Type
Dunsparce
		Abilities
		Serene Grace Run Away Rattled (Hidden)
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Immune to:	(0x)

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

Best Nature for Dunsparce

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Dunsparce

Eviolite Support Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Impish (+Def, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Def 252 / Sp.Def 4
Final Stat Values	HP 207 / Atk 90 / Def 134 / Sp.Def 86 / Spe 65
Ability	Serene Grace
Tera Type
Held Item	Eviolite
Moveset	・ Roost ・ Stealth Rock ・ Glare ・ Bite

Summary

Dunsparce can run an effective lead support set thanks to Eviolite boosting its Defense and Special Defense by 50%. This gives it surprising bulk to support its team and can also recover lost health with Roost.

Increased Defense and Special Defense thanks to Eviolite Serene Grace boosts Bite's flinch rate to 60% Viable recovery in Roost

Ability and Held Item

Serene Grace is the best Ability for Dunsparce to double the chance of its moves secondary effects. This makes Dunsparce an effective pivot as many of its attacking moves have secondary effects.

Eviolite is necessary for this build to boost Dunsparce's Defense and Special Defense by 50%.

Moves Breakdown

Roost allows Dunsparce to recover lost health and stay on the field to tank physical attackers.

Stealth Rock lays entry hazards on the field and dissuades Choice-locked attackers from switching in and out of the field. Glare inflicts paralysis on the target and is one of the few moves that can paralyze Ground-type Pokemon.

Bite is its last move and. thanks to its Ability Serene Grace, now has a 60% chance to flinch the target. This increased flinch rate works well against paralyzed Pokemon as even if the Pokemon doesn't flinch for that turn, the paralysis from Glare may still stop it from moving.

Best Tera Type

Fairy is the best Tera Type for this build to give Dunsparce resistance to Fighting-type moves. Keep in mind that as a defensive Pokemon, terastallizing is only used defensively. The team's attackers should have priority when it comes to terastallizing.

As a physical-oriented support and pivot, Impish is the best nature to boost Dunsparce's Defense stat.

EV Spread and Nature

Full HP and Defense EVs is necessary to give Dunsparce as much physical bulk as possible, with the remaining 4 EVs placed in Special Defense to round off its bulk.

An Impish Nature ensures Dunsparce has an effective 134 Defense stat at Lv. 50, which is increased to 201 with Eviolite.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

The following calculations take into account Dunsparce's Defensive EV spread with an Impish Nature and Eviolite boost.

Damage Received by Dunsparce
182 Atk Offensive EV Investment: Atk 252 (Jolly) Item: Life Orb	Mach Punch 81-96 (39.1 - 46.3%) Guaranteed 3HKO
192 Atk Offensive EV Investment: Atk 252 (Adamant) Item: Leftovers	Drain Punch 84-98 (40.5 - 47.3%) Guaranteed 3HKO
182 Atk Offensive EV Investment: Atk 252 (Jolly) Item: Life Orb	Close Combat 159-190 (76.8 - 91.7%) Guaranteed 2HKO

Defensive Coil Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Careful (+Sp.Def, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Def 4 / Sp.Def 252
Final Stat Values	HP 207 / Atk 90 / Def 91 / Sp.Def 128 / Spe 65
Ability	Serene Grace
Tera Type
Held Item	Eviolite
Moveset	・ Coil ・ Glare ・ Bite ・ Roost

Summary

This is a specially defensive variant with Coil boosting Dunsparce's Attack, Defense, and Accuracy by one stage. Coupled with Eviolite, Dunsparce can tank unboosted physical and special attacks with ease. Serene Grace is still the best Ability for this build to double the secondary effects of its moves.

Coil allows Dunsparce to boost its Defense stat Serene Grace boosts Bite's flinch rate to 60% Viable recovery in Roost

Ability and Held Item

Serene Grace is the best Ability for Dunsparce to double the chance of its moves secondary effects. This makes Dunsparce an effective pivot as many of its attacking moves have secondary effects.

Eviolite is necessary for this build to boost Dunsparce's Defense and Special Defense by 50%.

Moves Breakdown

Coil boosts Dunsparce Attack, Defense, and Accuracy and is its main boosting move to round off its physical bulk.

Glare is its main support move, boasting perfect accuracy and the ability to paralyze Ground-types. Bite has an increased 60% flinch rate thanks to Serene Grace and has great synergy with Glare.

Roost is its last move and allows Dunsparce to recover lost health and stay on the field for a longer time.

Best Tera Type

Fairy is the best Tera Type for this build to give Dunsparce resistance to Fighting-type moves. Keep in mind that as a defensive Pokemon, terastallizing is only used defensively. The team's attackers should have priority when it comes to terastallizing.

As a special-oriented support and pivot, Careful is the best nature to boost Dunsparce's Defense stat.

EV Spread and Nature

Full HP and Special EVs is necessary to give Dunsparce as much special bulk as possible, with the remaining 4 EVs placed in Defense to round off its bulk.

A Careful Nature ensures Dunsparce has an effective 128 Special Defense stat at Lv. 50, which is increased to 192 with Eviolite.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

The following calculations take into account Dunsparce's Defensive EV spread with a Careful Nature, Eviolite boost, as well as a +1 Defense boost from Coil.

Damage Received by Dunsparce
187 Sp.Atk Offensive EV Investment: Sp.Atk 252 (Timid) Item: Choice Specs	Moonblast 78-93 (37.6 - 44.9%) Guaranteed 3HKO
173 Sp.Atk Offensive EV Investment: Sp.Atk 252 (Timid) Item: Booster Energy	Thunderbolt 60-72 (28.9 - 34.7%) 6.6% Chance to 3HKO
174 Sp.Atk Offensive EV Investment: Sp.Atk 252 (Timid) Item: Choice Specs	Hurricane 84-100 (40.5 - 48.3%) Guaranteed 3HKO
174 Atk Offensive EV Investment: Atk 252 (Jolly) Item: Life Orb	Close Combat 151-179 (72.9 - 86.4%) Guaranteed 2HKO

Doubles Movesets for Dunsparce

Doubles Support Attacker Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Bold (+Def, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Def 252 / Sp.Def 4
Final Stat Values	HP 207 / Def 134 / Sp.Atk 85 / Sp.Def 86 / Spe 65
Ability	Serene Grace
Tera Type
Held Item	Eviolite
Moveset	・ Calm Mind ・ Fire Blast ・ Shadow Ball ・ Roost

Summary

Dunsparce can function as an effective bulky attacker in Doubles, capitalizing on its increased defenses with Eviolite while threatening opposing Pokemon with Serene Grace-boosted moves that can inflict debilitating secondary effects.

Increased Defense and Special Defense thanks to Eviolite Serene Grace boosts Fire Blast's burn rate to 20% Viable recovery in Roost

Ability and Held Item

Serene Grace is the best Ability for Dunsparce to double the chance of its moves secondary effects. This makes Dunsparce an effective pivot as many of its attacking moves have secondary effects.

Eviolite is necessary for this build to boost Dunsparce's Defense and Special Defense by 50%.

Moves Breakdown

Thanks to Serene Grace doubling the secondary effects of moves, Dunsparce's Fire Blast has a 20% chance to inflct a burn and allows it to threaten physical attackers and setup sweepers.

Shadow Ball is its main coverage move and allows Dunsparce to hit Ghost-types such as Ceruledge who is immune to Fire-types. Serene Grace also increases the move's chance to lower the target's Special Defense by one stage to 40%.

Roost is its last move and allows Dunsparce to recover lost health and stay on the field longer. This build has Fire Tera type to give Dunsparce STAB on Fire Blast, as well as giving it key resistances to Fairy, Steel, and Grass-type moves that are very common in the Doubles battle format.

Best Tera Type***

Fire is the best Tera type for this build to give it STAB on Fire Blast as well as give it key resistance to Fairy, Grass, and Steel moves which are common in Doubles.

As a physical-oriented support and pivot, Bold is the best nature to boost Dunsparce's Defense stat.

EV Spread and Nature

Full HP and Defense EVs is necessary to give Dunsparce as much physical bulk as possible, with the remaining 4 EVs placed in Special Defense to round off its bulk.

A Bold Nature ensures Dunsparce has an effective 134 Defense stat at Lv. 50, which is increased to 201 with Eviolite.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

The following calculations take into account Dunsparce's Defensive EV spread with a Bold Nature, Eviolite boost, as well as a +1 Special Defense boost from Calm Mind.

Damage Received by Dunsparce
205 Atk +2 Offensive EV Investment: Atk 252 (Adamant) Item: Leftovers	Kowtow Cleave 99-117 (47.8 - 56.5%) 83.2% Chance to 2HKO
167 Atk Offensive EV Investment: Atk 252 (Jolly) Item: Life Orb	Close Combat 148-174 (71.4 - 84%) Guaranteed 2HKO
177 Sp.Atk Offensive EV Investment: Sp.Atk 252 (Timid) Item: Life Orb	Draco Meteor 87-105 (42 - 50.7%) 1.2% Chance to 2HKO
157 Sp.Atk Offensive EV Investment: Sp.Atk 252 (Timid) Item: Heavy-Duty Boots	Thunder 51-61 (24.6 - 29.4%) 99.9% Chance to 4HKO

How to Use Dunsparce Effectively

A Bulky Support with Eviolite

Thanks to Dunsparce getting an evolution, it can now function as a bulky support Pokemon with Eviolite boosting its Defense and Special Defense.

With key support moves like Glare as well as Serene Grace boosting the secondary effects of many of its moves, it can fill the role of a bulky defensive pivot in any team composition.

How to Build a Team with Dunsparce

Dunsparce can function as the team's main or secondary support Pokemon in both Singles and Doubles. While it's easy to fit into most teams, it shines in more balanced team compositions with teammates that can cover its weaknesses.

Sample Singles Team

Lead Support	Physical Attacker	PIvot
Dunsparce	Roaring Moon	Wash Rotom

Leading with Dunsparce can surprise most players that expect it to function more as an offensive pivot, and also allows you to safely setup Stealth Rock since most will expect either Coil or Glare.

Once Dunsparce has set up entry hazards and paralyzed the opposing lead, switch to Roaring Moon who will have an easier time setting up Dragon Dance against a paraylzed opponent. Entry hazards also gives it an easier time to reach KOs with just one boost.

Wash Rotom is this team's offensive pivot, switching places with either Dunsparce and Roaring Moon and spreading burns with Will-O-Wisp.

Sample Doubles Team

Lead Support	Tailwind Support
Dunsparce	Salamence
Redirection Support	Mixed Attacker
Toedscruel	Iron Valiant

Leading with Dunsparce can surprise most opponents expecting Glare, giving you a free turn to boost with Calm Mind and then spread burns with Fire Blast. Salamence makes a great partner, setting up Tailwind while also lowering the opposing team's Attack with Intimidate.

Toedscruel can swap places with Salamance once it's done setting up Tailwind who can then provide redirection support with Rage Powder as well as inflict sleep with Spore. Thanks to its Ability Mycelium Might, it can bypass Gholdengo and Garganacl's Abilities.

Iron Valiant serves as this team's mixed attacker and wallbreaker, overpowering opponents with Close Combat and Moonblast.

Counters for Dunsparce

Get Rid of its Eviolite

Dunsparce is very susceptible to Knock Off users since they can remove its Eviolite boost. Without it, it's easy to overpower and wear down with repeated super effective attacks.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Hariyama	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can use Knock Off to remove Dunsparce's Eviolite. ・Guts Ability gives increases its Attack when burned or paralyzed. ・ Can threaten Dunsparce with Close Combat, Iron Head, or Earthquake. ▶️Hariyama Best Movesets
Toedscruel	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can use Knock Off to remove Dunsparce's Eviolite. ・Faster and can put Dunsparce to sleep with Spore. ▶️Toedscruel Best Movesets
Tinkaton	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can use Knock Off to remove Dunsparce's Eviolite. ・Can threaten Fairy-type Dunsparce with Gigaton Hammer. ▶️Tinkaton Best Movesets

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