Ditto Movesets and Best Builds

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

Ditto - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Moveset for Ranked Battle

Ditto Base Stats, Type, Ability and Weakness

Paldea #212		Type
Ditto
		Abilities
		Limber Imposter (Hidden)
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Immune to:	(0x)

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

Best Nature for Ditto

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Ditto

Singles Imposter Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Relaxed[ (+Def, -Spe)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Atk 4 / Def 252
Final Stat Values	HP 155 / Atk 69 / Def 110 / Sp.Atk 68 / Sp.Def 68 / Spe 47
Ability	Imposter
Tera Type
Held Item	Choice Scarf
Moveset	・ Transform

Summary

Choice Scarf Ditto is one of the best revenge killers in the metagame due to its Imposter Ability allowing it to instantly transform into any Pokemon on the opposing team, with Choice Scarf ensuring that it will always move first.

Imposter Ability copies the opposing Pokemon, its moves and typing, and stats except for HP. Can fill the role of a physical or special revenge killer by copying the right Pokemon. Can use its own Tera Type to give it an edge over the Pokemon it copies.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Imposter	Choice Scarf

Imposter is Ditto's Hidden Ability and is what makes it one of the best revenge killers in the metagame. Once sent out, Ditto will immediately transform into the opposing Pokemon.

This Ability copies the opposing Pokemon's Species and Appearance, Types and Moves, as well as its Ability and Stats except for HP. Imposter doesn't copy the opposing Pokemon's Tera Type and will also fail when sent out against a Pokemon with a Substitute up or has the Ability Illusion.

Choice Scarf is the best item for this Ditto build, doubling its Speed and allowing it to outspeed the Pokemon it copies.

Moves Breakdown

Transform is Ditto's only move and is only usable when facing against an opposing Ditto. Otherwise, this move is normally not useable as Imposter Ditto will copy the opposing Pokemon's moves.

Best Tera Type: Stellar

Stellar Tera Type Matchup (While Untransformed)
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Immune to:	(0x)

Stellar is the best Tera Type for this build because it can boost the damage over whatever move Ditto uses once Transformed. This is great since Ditto prefers to transform into the opponent's offensive Pokemon and get a counter KO.

Note that even though it's a Stellar Type, it will keep the defensive typing of the Pokemon it transforms into.

Stellar Tera Type Match-Ups Explained

EV Spread and Nature

Since Ditto copies all of the Pokemon's base stats, EV Spread, and IVs except HP, Ditto requires full 252 HP investment as it will have lower HP than the Pokemon it copies.

4 Atk and 252 Def EVs with a Relaxed Nature ensures Ditto loses the speed tie against an opposing Ditto. This ensures that the opposing Ditto is forced to transform into your Ditto and will only get 5 PP for Transform, which will then cause it to get knocked out by Struggle before your Ditto.

Key Damage Calculations

The following calculations take into account Ditto's copied stats when transformed into the same Pokemon it's attacking.

Damage Dealt by Ditto (Transformed into Garchomp)
183 HP｜106 Sp.Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 0 | Sp.Def 4 (Jolly) Item: Leftovers	Tera Blast 144-170 (78.6 - 92.8%) Guaranteed 2HKO
Damage Dealt by Ditto (Transformed into Flutter Mane)
130 HP｜156 Sp.Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 0 | Sp.Def 4 (Modest) Item: Choice Specs	Tera Blast 110-132 (84.6 - 101.5%) 6.3% Chance to OHKO
Damage Received by Ditto (Transformed into Roaring Moon)
191 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk (Jolly) Item: Booster Energy	Crunch 61-72 (49.5 - 58.5%) 99.6% Chance to 2HKO (When terastallized into a Fairy-type)
Damage Received by Ditto (Transformed into Flutter Mane)
187 Sp.Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp.Atk (Timid) Item: Choice Specs	Moonblast 48-57 (39 - 46.3%) Guaranteed 3HKO (When terastallized into a Steel-type)

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

Doubles Movesets for Ditto

Doubles Imposter Build Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Atk 4 / Def 252
Final Stat Values	HP 155 / Atk 69 / Def 110 / Sp.Atk 68 / Sp.Def 68 / Spe 47
Ability	Imposter
Tera Type	or
Held Item	Choice Scarf
Moveset	・ Transform

Summary

Ditto is still an effective revenge killer in Doubles, though it requires more careful timing since Ditto will only copy the Pokemon directly opposite of it once sent out on the field.

Imposter Ability copies the opposing Pokemon, its moves and typing, and stats except for HP. Can fill the role of a physical or special revenge killer by copying the right Pokemon. Can use its own Tera Type to give it an edge over the Pokemon it copies.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Imposter	Choice Scarf

Imposter is Ditto's Hidden Ability and is what makes it one of the best revenge killers in the metagame. Once sent out, Ditto will immediately transform into the opposing Pokemon directly opposite of it in Doubles.

This Ability copies the opposing Pokemon's Species and Appearance, Types and Moves, as well as its Ability and Stats except for HP. Imposter doesn't copy the opposing Pokemon's Tera Type and will also fail when sent out against a Pokemon with a Substitute up or has the Ability Illusion.

Choice Scarf is the best item for this Ditto build, doubling its Speed and allowing it to outspeed the Pokemon it copies.

Moves Breakdown

Transform is Ditto's only move and is only usable when facing against an opposing Ditto. Otherwise, this move is normally not useable as Imposter Ditto will copy the opposing Pokemon's moves.

Best Tera Type: Fairy

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

Fairy is one of the best Tera Types for Imposter Ditto as the typing is good both offensively and defensively.

It's particularly advantageous when copying Dragon-types like Choice Band Garchomp locked into Outrage who can't do anything against a transformed Ditto once it terastallizes into a Fairy-type.

Best Fairy Type Pokemon for Ranked Battle

Best Tera Type: Steel

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

Steel is another good Tera type as it gives Ditto immunity to Toxic Spikes and resistance to Stealh Rock, as well as allowing it to check Fairy-types such as Flutter Mane.

Best Steel Type Pokemon for Ranked Battle

EV Spread and Nature

Since Ditto copies all of the Pokemon's base stats, EV Spread, and IVs except HP, Ditto requires full 252 HP investment as it will have lower HP than the Pokemon it copies.

4 Atk and 252 Def EVs with a Relaxed Nature ensures Ditto loses the speed tie against an opposing Ditto. This ensures that the opposing Ditto is forced to transform into your Ditto and will only get 5 PP for Transform, which will then cause it to get knocked out by Struggle before your Ditto.

Other Viable Moves

Ditto cannot learn any other moves by leveling up, through breeding, or by TM.

Key Damage Calculations

The following calculations take into account Ditto's copied stats when transformed into the same Pokemon it's attacking.

Damage Dealt by Ditto (Transformed into Chien-Pao)
155 HP｜101 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 0 | Def 4 (Jolly) Item: Heavy-Duty Boots	Tera Blast 204-242 (131.6 - 156.1%) Guaranteed OHKO
Damage Dealt by Ditto (Transformed into Flutter Mane)
130 HP｜156 Sp.Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 0 | Sp.Def 4 (Modest) Item: Choice Specs	Tera Blast 110-132 (84.6 - 101.5%) 6.3% Chance to OHKO
Damage Received by Ditto (Transformed into Roaring Moon)
172 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk (Jolly) Item: Heavy-Duty Boots	Sacred Sword 38-45 (30.8 - 36.5%) 72.9% Chance to 3HKO (When terastallized into a Fairy-type)
Damage Received by Ditto (Transformed into Flutter Mane)
187 Sp.Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp.Atk (Timid) Item: Choice Specs	Moonblast 48-57 (39 - 46.3%) Guaranteed 3HKO (When terastallized into a Steel-type)

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

How to Use Ditto Effectively

Send Out Ditto Against a Physical or Special Attacker

Imposter Ditto's only niche is as a revenge killer and is best sent out against an opposing physical and special attacker. Since it's equipped with a Choice Scarf, it will always outspeed the Pokemon it copied and potentially revenge kill it with its own moves.

Use it as a Lead

Ditto is also great lead to surprise Pokemon, especially against offensive and balanced teams that rely on setup sweepers and opposing Choice-locked sweepers.

How to Build a Team with Ditto

Ditto is easy to fit into almost any Singles or Doubles team that requires a revenge killer due to its ability to copy almost any Pokemon with its Imposter Ability.

Sample Singles Team

Offensive Lead	Defensive Pivot	Special Attacker
Ditto	Garganacl	Chi-Yu

While it still fills the role of a revenge killer, Ditto can also function as an offensive lead that can surprise setup sweepers and other opposing leads. With a Fairy Tera-type, it can check common leads such as Chien-Pao and Garchomp thanks to its newfound resistance and immunity.

Garganacl serves as this team's defensive pivot, using Salt Cure to pressure both offensive and defensive Pokemon and forcing them to switch.

Chi-Yu serves as this team's Special Attacker, unleashing powerful Fire and Dark-type moves boosted by its Beads of Ruin Ability.

Sample Doubles Team

Redirection Support	Lead Attacker
Amoonguss	Chien-Pao
Revenge Killer	Special Attacker
Ditto	Iron Bundle

This is a standard offensive Doubles team with Amoonguss providing redirection support with Rage Powder while Chien-Pao functions as the lead attacker.

Ditto fills the role of a revenge killer and is best switched in once you've scouted the opposing Pokemon's team, while Iron Bundle is the main special attacker providing strong Water and Ice-type STAB.

Counters for Ditto

Use Substitute to Nullify Imposter

Ditto's Imposter will fail when the opposing Pokemon is behind a Substitute. As a result, one effective way to counter Ditto is to quickly set up a Substitute before it switches in.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Mimikyu	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can set up Swords Dance behind a Substitute ・Disguise protects it from attacks after its Substitute gets destroyed ・Ditto can't use Disguise as an Ability it it manages to copy it with Imposter ▶️Mimikyu Best Movesets
Chien-Pao	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can set up Swords Dance behind a Substitute. ・Can KO non-Imposter Ditto with its STAB moves or Sacred Sword. ▶️Chien-Pao Best Movesets

Check it with a Defensive Pokemon

Since Ditto doesn't copy a Pokemon's HP stat and is restricted to using Choice Scarf, it's easily checked by predicting a switch and forcing it to copy a defensive Pokemon.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Toxapex	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Toxapex's low Speed means Ditto's Choice Scarf is wasted on it. ・Toxapex can easily wall a transformed Ditto and force it to switch out. ▶️Toxapex Best Movesets
Clodsire	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Clodsire's low Speed means Ditto's Choice Scarf is wasted on it. ・Can shrug off a transformed Ditto's attacks with Recover. ▶️Clodsire Best Movesets

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