Hisuian Goodra Movesets and Best Builds

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

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

Hisuian Goodra Base Stats, Type, Ability and Weakness

Nat. Dex #706.1		Type
Hisuian Goodra
		Abilities
		Sap Sipper Shell Armor Gooey (Hidden)
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
	(0.25x)
Immune to:	(0x)

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

Best Nature for Hisuian Goodra

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Hisuian Goodra

Assault Vest Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Sassy (+Sp. Def, -Spe)
EV Spread	HP 236 / Atk 12 / Def 4 / Sp. Atk 252 / Sp. Def 4
Final Stat Values	HP 185 / Atk 122 / Def 121 / Sp. Atk 162 / Sp. Def 188 / Spe 72
Ability	Sap Sipper / Shell Armor
Tera Type
Held Item	Assault Vest
Moveset	・ Heavy Slam ・ Ice Beam ・ Thunderbolt ・ Earthquake

Summary

Immensely high Special Defense with Assault Vest. Thunderbolt + Ice Beam has near perfect type coverage. Has a lot of other strong viable moves.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Sap Sipper or Shell Armor	Assault Vest

Hisuian Goodra can use either Sap Sipper or Shell Armor as its ability. Sap Sipper absorbs Grass-type attacks like Grassy Glide, Wood Hammer, and Energy Ball while Shell Armor prevents critical hits from moves like Surging Strikes, Wicked Blow, and Ivy Cudgel.

Assault Vest is the item chosen for this build to further improve Hisuian Goodra's monstrous Special Defense stat.

Moves Breakdown

Heavy Slam allows Hisuian Goodra to threaten the very common Flutter Mane with an OHKO.

Ice Beam and Thunderbolt combine to create a threatening pair of coverage moves that are only resisted by a very small list of Pokemon.

Earthquake is its last move used because it has good base damage and strong offensive coverage.

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 turns Hisuian Goodra's Fighting weakness into a resistance while also being a really good defensive typing.

Best Fairy Type Pokemon

EV Spread and Nature

The majority of the EVs are put into Hisuian Goodra's HP and Sp. Atk to make it hit hard while also being bulky. The extra EVs are put into its Def, Sp. Def and Atk to help round out its bulk and to slightly increase the damage of Earthquake.

A Sassy nature is preferred to further increase Hisuian Goodra's amazing Sp. Def without having to compromise on its Attack stat.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

Damage Dealt by Hisuian Goodra
55 HP｜55 Def No Defensive EV Investment Item: Booster Energy	Heavy Slam 218 ~ 260 (167.6 ~ 200%) Guaranteed OHKO
113 HP｜65 Sp. Def Defensive EV Investment: 252 HP Item: Assault Vest	Ice Beam 88-104 (40 - 47.2%) Guaranteed 3HKO
100 HP｜60 Sp. Def No Defensive EV Investment Item: Punching Glove	Thunderbolt 138-164 (78.8 - 93.7%) Guaranteed 2HKO
87 HP｜95 Def No Defensive EV Investment Item: Choice Specs	Earthquake 80-96 (49.3 - 59.2%) 99.6% Chance to 2HKO
Damage Received by Hisuian Goodra
135 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp. Atk Item: Booster Energy	Moonblast 36-43 (19.4 - 23.2%) Possible 5HKO
135 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp. Atk Item: Assault Vest	Earth Power 74-90 (40 - 48.6%) Guaranteed 3HKO
130 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk Item: Punching Glove	Surging Strikes Ability: Sap Sipper 54-66 (29.1 - 35.6%) 26.9% Chance to 3HKO Surging Strikes Ability: Shell Armor 36-45 (19.4 - 24.3%) Possible 5HKO
133 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp. Atk Item: Choice Specs	Shadow Ball 49-58 (26.4 - 31.3%) Guaranteed 4HKO
120 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk Item: Hearthflame Mask	Ivy Cudgel 97-115 (52.4 - 62.1%) Guaranteed 2HKO OHKOs if Ogerpon Tera'd

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

Doubles Movesets for Hisuian Goodra

Physically Bulky Hisuian Goodra Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Careful (+Def, - Sp. Atk)
EV Spread	252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Sp. Def
Final Stat Values	187 HP / 152 Def / 117 Sp. Atk / 188 Sp. Def / 80 Spe
Ability	Shell Armor
Tera Type
Held Item	Leftovers
Moveset	・ Heavy Slam ・ Body Press ・ Acid Armor ・ Protect

Summary

Can tank Rapid Strike Urshifu's Surging Strikes comfortably. Matches up favourably against Flutter Mane, Iron Bundle, and Chi-Yu.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Shell Armor	Leftovers

Shell Armor is Hisuian Goodra's best Ability for this build, as it can protect Hisuian Goodra from critical hits, allowing it to stay tanky after Acid Armor boosts. Leftovers is the Held Item of choice because it gives Hisuian Goodra valuable incremental recovery.

Moves Breakdown

Heavy Slam is a great option against Steel-weak Pokemon. This move is great for OHKOing Flutter Mane.

Body Press works in conjunction with Acid Armor, allowing Hisuian Goodra to deal more damage the higher its Defense goes.

Acid Armor can boost Hisuian Goodra's Defense by two stages. Acid Armor is chosen over its signature move, Shelter, because it has more PP.

Protect is always a good addition for Double Battles, as it can keep Hisuian Goodra from needlessly getting damaged, and also give it an extra turn of Leftovers recovery.

Best Tera Type: Flying

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

Flying is the best Tera Type for this build because it can turn Hisuian Goodra's weaknesses into resistances.

Best Flying Type Pokemon for Ranked Battle

EV Spread and Nature

It is important to max out Special Attack and HP for Hisuian Goodra, as it needs to always hit hard and stay on the field for as long as possible.

The remaining EVs are put into Defense to raise it by 1 point so that it can better take physical Moves.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

Damage Dealt by Hisuian Goodra
55 HP｜55 Def No Defensive EV Investment Item: Choice Specs	Heavy Slam 182 ~ 216 (130.9 ~ 155.3%) Guaranteed OHKO
55 HP｜80 Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 HP Item: Choice Scarf	Body Press 92 ~ 110 (70.2 ~ 83.9%) Guaranteed 2-Hit KO
83 HP｜91 Def Defensive EV Investment: 212 HP, 4 Def Item: Choice Specs	Heavy Slam 150 ~ 176 (81 ~ 95.1%) Guaranteed 2-Hit KO
Damage Received by Hisuian Goodra
130 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk Item: Mystic Water	Surging Strikes 30 ~ 36 (16 ~ 19.2%) Possible 8-Hit KO After Leftovers Recovery
130 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk Item: Mystic Water	Close Combat 164 ~ 194 (87.7 ~ 103.7%) 25% Chance to OHKO
130 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk Item: Mystic Water	Tera Type: Close Combat 41 ~ 48 (21.9 ~ 25.6%) Possible 5-Hit KO After Leftovers Recovery
135. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk Item: Choice Scarf	Headlong Rush 164 ~ 194 (87.7 ~ 103.8%) 25% Chance to OHKO

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

Specially Offensive Hisuian Goodra Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Modest (+Sp. Atk, -Atk)
EV Spread	252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Sp. Atk
Final Stat Values	187 HP / 121 Def / 178 Sp. Atk / 170 Sp. Def / 80 Spe
Ability	Gooey
Tera Type
Held Item	Life Orb
Moveset	・ Draco Meteor ・ Flash Cannon ・ Muddy Water ・ Thunderbolt

Summary

Immensely high Special Defense. Good STAB and coverage options.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Gooey	Life Orb

Gooey is Hisuian Goodra's best Ability for this build, as it can punish opponents for making contact with Hisuian Goodra, lowering their Speed by 1 stage. Life Orb is the Held Item of choice, as it can increase Hisuian Goodra's damage output.

Moves Breakdown

Draco Meteor is Hisuian Goodra's strongest STAB move, and is useful for dealing a big chunk of damage at a time.

Flash Cannon is a consistent Steel-type STAB option with no drawbacks.

Muddy Water is a decent spread attack that has a chance at lowering the opponent's accuracy

Thunderbolt is Hisuian Goodra's second coverage move, which can deal super-effective damage to Water and Flying-types.

Best Tera Type: Flying

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

Flying is the best Tera Type for this build because it can turn Hisuian Goodra's weaknesses into resistances.

Best Flying Type Pokemon for Ranked Battle

EV Spread and Nature

It is important to max out Special Attack and HP for Hisuian Goodra, as it needs to always hit hard and stay on the field for as long as possible.

The remaining EVs are put into Defense to raise it by 1 point so that it can better take physical Moves.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

Damage Dealt by Hisuian Goodra
55 HP｜135 Sp.. Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 Sp. Def Item: Choice Specs	Flash Cannon 135 ~ 164 (103.8 ~ 126.1%) Guaranteed OHKO
55 HP｜120 Sp. Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 Sp. Def Item: Choice Scarf	Draco Meteor 121 ~ 144 (92.3 ~ 109.9%) 56.3% Chance to OHKO
83 HP｜81 Sp. Def Defensive EV Investment: 20 HP Item: Choice Specs	Flash Cannon 211 ~ 250 (131 ~ 155.2%) Guaranteed OHKO
Damage Received by Hisuian Goodra
135 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp. Atk Item: Choice Specs	Earth Power 120 ~ 142 (64.1 ~ 75.9%) Guaranteed 2-Hit KO
135. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk Item: Choice Scarf	Headlong Rush 204 ~ 242 (109 ~ 129.4%) Guaranteed OHKO
135 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk Item: Choice Scarf	Close Combat 204 ~ 242 (109 ~ 129.4%) Guaranteed OHKO
140 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk Item: Safety Goggles	Drain Punch 150 ~ 176 (80.2 ~ 94.1%) Guaranteed 2-Hit KO
115 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 36 Atk Item: Safety Goggles	Drain Punch 110 ~ 132 (58.8 ~ 70.5%) Guaranteed to 2-Hit KO

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

How to Use Hisuian Goodra Effectively

Play Hisuian Goodra Defensively

Hisuian Goodra has plenty of useful tools that can allow it to stay on the field longer. These include moves, natural bulk, and held item. Use any combination of these and keep Hisuian Goodra healthy! It is also important to keep it safe from taking super-effective physical hits.

Use Hisuian Goodra's Wide Movepool

Hisuian Goodra has access to a good selection of coverage moves that complement its Dragon and Steel STAB. For choosing Hisuian Goodra's coverage moves, it is a good idea to check the rest of your team and see which types have not been covered offensively.

How to Build a Team with Hisuian Goodra

Hisuian Goodra appreciates teammates who can help it against Pokemon that wall it or threaten it. Quick and powerful teammates are good to have, making Hisuian Goodra a good Pokemon to bring late into a match.

Sample Singles Team

Offensive Lead	Defensive Pivot	Physical Attacker
Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style	Hisuian Goodra	Flutter Mane

Hisuian Goodra is a good defensive pivot for Rapid-Strike Urshifu and Flutter Mane. These three Pokemon also have good synergy with all of them being able to check each other's weaknesses.

Use Hisuian Goodra to tank hits and deal decent damage in return. Try to preserve your heavy hitters in the back so that you can get a clean sweep in the end game.

Sample Doubles Team

Tank / Physical Attacker	Support
Hisuian Goodra	Grimmsnarl
Special Attacker	Special Attacker
Iron Bundle	Chi-Yu

Grimmsnarl is a great partner for Hisuian Goodra as it can help it stay in the game longer thanks to its Screens support. Behind Screens, Hisuian Goodra can comfortably set up Acid Armor, and dish out boosted Body Presses.

Chi-Yu and Booster Energy Iron Bundle make up an offensive back end that can clear a path to victory in the end-game. These two can take out Ground and Fighting-types with ease, who may otherwise give Hisuian Goodra a tough time.

Counters for Hisuian Goodra

Overwhelm Hisuian Goodra with Physical Damage

Hisuian Goodra is easy to outspeed, with common threats to it often being faster or having access to priority attacks. Water-types like Dondozo often have enough physical bulk to shrug off Hisuian Goodra's offense.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Urshifu Single-Strike Style	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Reliably tanks Hisuian Goodra's attacks, unlike Rapid-Strike vs Thunderbolt. ・Forces Hisuain Goodra to Tera or it'll get OHKO'd by a STAB Close Combat. ▶️ Single-Strike Urshifu Best Movesets
Iron Hands	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can take Hisuian Goodra's offense and hit back harder with its STAB Fighting Attacks. ▶️Iron Hands Best Movesets
Landorus (Therian Forme)	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can naturally outspeed Hisuian Goodra even without Choice Scarf. ・Forces Hisuian Goodra to Tera or it'll get OHKO'd by a STAB Earthquake. ▶️ Landorus Therian Best Movesets

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