Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV)

Sableye Movesets and Best Builds

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

Sableye - Related Guides
Pokemon SV - Sableye Evolution and LearnsetEvolution and Learnset Pokemon SV - Sableye MovesetMoveset for Ranked Battle Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV) - Sableye Tera Raid Builds IconTera Raid Build

Sableye Base Stats, Type, Ability and Weakness

Paldea #297 Type
Sableye ImageSableye
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Dark Icon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Ghost Icon
Abilities
Keen Eye
Stall
Prankster (Hidden)
Weak to:
(2x)
Pokemon Fairy Type Icon
Damaged Normally
By:
(1x)
Pokemon Fire Type Icon Pokemon Water Type Icon Pokemon Grass Type Icon Pokemon Electric Type Icon Pokemon Ice Type Icon Pokemon Ground Type Icon Pokemon Flying Type Icon Pokemon Bug Type Icon Pokemon Rock Type Icon Pokemon Ghost Type Icon Pokemon Dragon Type Icon Pokemon Dark Type Icon Pokemon Steel Type Icon
Resists: (0.5x)
Pokemon Poison Type Icon
Immune to: (0x)
Pokemon Normal Type Icon Pokemon Fighting Type Icon Pokemon Psychic Type Icon

What is Type Effectiveness?

Ability Name Description
Keen Eye The user ignores the opponent's Evasion boosts and opponents cannot lower the user's Accuracy.
Stall The user always attacks last.
Prankster
(Hidden)
Increases the Speed priority of status moves by 1. Moves affected by this ability are ineffective against Dark-type opponents.

Base Stats

Base Stats
Lv. 50 Stats
Stat Value Rank
HP
50
629
Atk
75
420
Def
75
339
SpAtk
65
415
SpDef
65
439
Speed
50
568
Total
380
558
Explanation of Pokemon Stats
Stat Max 0Nat 0EV -Nat Min
HP 157 157 125 125 110
Atk 139 127 95 85 72
Def 139 127 95 85 72
SpAtk 128 117 85 76 63
SpDef 128 117 85 76 63
Spd 112 102 70 63 49
  • Max: Max IVs & EVs and a stat-boosting Nature
  • 0Nat: Max IVs & EVs and a neutral Nature
  • 0EV: Max IVs, 0 EVs, and a neutral Nature
  • -Nat: Max IVs, 0 EVs, and a stat-reducing Nature
  • Min: 0 IVs & EVs, and a stat-reducing Nature
Introduction to EVs, IVs, and Natures

Best Nature for Sableye

Best Natures
Bold
(+Def, -Atk)
Careful
(+Sp. Def, -Atk)
Timid
(+Spe, -Atk)

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Sableye

Build Name Recommendation
Prankster Screens ★★★

Prankster Screens Moveset & Best Build

Nature Bold (+Def, -Atk)
EV Spread HP 252 / Def 252 / Sp. Def 4
Final Stat Values HP 157 / Def 139 / Sp. Def 86 / Spe 70
Ability Prankster
Tera Type Pokemon Steel Type Icon
Held Item Light Clay
Moveset Reflect
Light Screen
Will-O-Wisp
Taunt

Summary

Pokeball Icon Ghost/Dark typing makes it difficult to deal with.

Pokeball Icon Do not Terastallize against opposing Prankster users or else Sableye will become susceptible to Taunt.

Ability and Held Item

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Sableye Image
Ability Held Item
Prankster Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Light Clay ImageLight Clay

The Ability chosen for this build is Prankster. This gives Sableyes status moves a +1 priority, allowing it to move before the opponent can act.

The item chosen for this build is Light Clay. With this item, Reflect and Light Screen will last eight turns instead of five.

Moves Breakdown

Reflect Light Screen
Will-O-Wisp Taunt

Reflect and Light Screen are the key moves for this build because they let Sableye support its team by reducing the amount of damage they take from physical and special attacks respectively.

Will-O-Wisp is used to burn the target, and reduce their Attack stat by half.

Taunt is used to shut down opposing supportive and setup leads.

Do note that Will-O-Wisp and Taunt will not work on opposing Dark-type Pokemon, since Dark-types are immune to any moves affected by Prankster.

Best Tera Type: Steel

Steel Tera Type Matchup
Weak to:
(2x)
Pokemon Fire Type Icon Pokemon Fighting Type Icon Pokemon Ground Type Icon
Damaged Normally
By:
(1x)
Pokemon Water Type Icon Pokemon Electric Type Icon Pokemon Ghost Type Icon Pokemon Dark Type Icon
Resists: (0.5x)
Pokemon Normal Type Icon Pokemon Grass Type Icon Pokemon Ice Type Icon Pokemon Flying Type Icon Pokemon Psychic Type Icon Pokemon Bug Type Icon Pokemon Rock Type Icon Pokemon Dragon Type Icon Pokemon Steel Type Icon Pokemon Fairy Type Icon
Immune to: (0x)
Pokemon Poison Type Icon

Steel is the best Tera Type for this build because Sableye's only weakness is Fairy, which Steel resists.

Alternatively, Sableye could use a Poison or Fire Tera to accomplish the same goal, however, Steel has the most amount of resistances in the game which makes it better than the other two types.
Best Steel Type Pokemon

EV Spread and Nature

A full 252 EVs are placed into Sableye's HP and Defense to make it as physically bulky as possible. The extra 4 EVs are put in its Sp. Def to help round out its bulk.

A Bold nature is preferred to maximize Sableye's defensive bulk.

Other Viable Moves

Thunder Wave Instead of burning with Will-O-Wisp, Thunder Wave is used to paralyze the target and reduce their speed.
Foul Play Gives Sableye a Dark-type STAB attack that uses the opponent's Attack stat instead of its own.

Key Damage Calculations

Defense Icon Pokemon SVDamage Received by Sableye
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Flutter Mane Image 135 Sp. Atk
Offensive EV Investment:
252 Sp. Atk (Timid)
Item: Booster Energy
Light Screen is Active
Moonblast
118 ~ 139 (75.1 ~ 88.5%)
Guaranteed 2-Hit KO
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Urshifu Single-Strike Style Image 130 Atk
Offensive EV Investment:
252 Atk (Adamant)
Item: Focus Sash
Wicked Blow
93 ~ 109 (59.2 ~ 69.4%)
Guaranteed 2-Hit KO
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Ogerpon (Hearthflame Mask) Image 120 Atk
Offensive EV Investment:
252 Atk (Jolly)
Item: Hearthflame Mask
Reflect is Active
Pokemon Fire Type Icon +1 Ivy Cudgel
85 ~ 100 (54.1 ~ 63.6%)
Guaranteed 2-hit KO
OHKOs if it Crits

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

How to Use Sableye Effectively

Use as a Consistent Supportive Lead

Besides Grimmsnarl and Murkrow, Sableye is one of the only Dark-type Prankster Pokemon in the game. This is important because Dark-types are immune to moves affected by Prankster meaning that it cannot be Taunted by faster Prankster Pokemon.

Do note that it can still get Taunted by other non-Prankster Pokemon which will completely shut it down unless it runs an attacking move like Foul Play.

Sableye vs Grimmsnarl Differences

While Grimmsnarl might function similarly to Sableye, they have vastly different move pools. Grimmsnarl has access to Parting Shot and Fake Tears, but it doesn't get Sableye's Will-O-Wisp or weather moves like Sunny Day or Rain Dance.

Depending on what your team needs, Grimmsnarl might be better than Sableye. However, in a physically heavy meta, the value of Sableye's Ghost-typing alongside Will-O-Wisp could be the difference maker between a win or a loss.

How to Build a Team with Sableye

Bring Pokemon that can use Sableye's screens to safely set up, allowing them to sweep the enemy team.

Sample Singles Team

Screens Lead Physical Attacker Physical Attacker
Sableye ImageSableye Garchomp ImageGarchomp Ogerpon (Hearthflame Mask) ImageOgerpon (Hearthflame Mask)

Sableye will setup screens to allow Garchomp and Hearthflame Ogerpon to safely setup their Dragon Dance or Swords Dance boosts once they switch in.

Sableye also has the option to run Sunny Day to further boost the damage of Hearthflame Ogerpon's Ivy Cudgel. The harsh sunlight will also halve the damage of Water-type moves that normally threaten Ogerpon.

Sample Team for the Trick Magic Halloween Competiton

Fake Lead Setup Sweeper Screens Support
Hisuian Zoroark ImageHisuian Zoroark Spectrier ImageSpectrier Sableye ImageSableye

This sample team is built for the Trick Magic Halloween Competition that is happening on November 3 - 5.

Hisuian Zoroark's Illusion is used to bait opposing Pokemon in to thinking that they're safe when they really aren't.

Once Zoroark has been KO'd, Sableye can then come in to set up screens for Spectrier. This will help Spectrier safely setup Nasy Plot boosts in order for it to sweep the enemy's team.

Do note that Illusion will disguise Zoroark as the last Pokemon selected in your team. Make sure to always select Sableye last so that Zoroark will disguise itself as Sableye.

Trick Magic Halloween Online Competition

Counters for Sableye

Use Pokemon That Ignore Screens

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon Description
Urshifu Single-Strike Style ImageUrshifu Single-Strike Style Ranking: ★★★★★
・Wicked Blow will always crit, ignoring the damage reduction from Reflect.
・Its Dark-typing lets it ignore any of Sableye's Prankster moves like Will-O-Wisp or Taunt, allowing it to freely set up Swords Dance boosts in its face.
▶️ Urshifu Single Strike Best Movesets
Dragapult ImageDragapult Ranking: ★★★★
・Its Ability Infiltrator lets Dragapult bypass screens and deal full damage.
・Dragon Darts Choice Band set can OHKO Sableye if it doesn't burn Dragapult or Terastallize defensively.
▶️ Dragapult Best Movesets
Chandelure ImageChandelure Ranking: ★★★★
・Its Ability Infiltrator lets Chandelure bypass screens and deal full damage.
・Fire Blast can OHKO Sableye if it doesn't have any Sp. Def investment.
▶️ Chandelure Best Movesets

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Related Guides

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Movesets.png

Movesets & Best Builds for Ranked Battle

All Indigo Disk DLC Builds for Ranked Battle

New Indigo Disk Pokemon Builds

New Indigo Disk Pokemon Builds
Terapagos Stellar Raging Bolt Gouging Fire Iron Crown Iron Boulder Archaludon Gray Icon Hydrapple

Snack Legendary Builds

New Indigo Disk Pokemon Builds
Pokemon SV - Articuno Grey Zapdos Gray Icon Pokemon SV - Moltres Grey Pokemon SV - Lugia Grey Pokemon SV - Ho-oh Grey
Raikou Gray Icon Pokemon SV - Entei Grey Pokemon SV - Suicune Grey Groudon Gray Kyogre
Rayquaza Gray Pokemon SV - Latias Grey Latios Gray Icon Pokemon SV - Reshiram Grey Pokemon SV - Zekrom Grey

Pokemon SV - Kyurem Grey Cobalion Gray Icon Terrakion Gray Icon Pokemon SV - Virizion Grey Pokemon SV - Solgaleo Grey

Lunala Gray Icon Pokemon SV - Necrozma Grey Pokemon SV - Kubfu Grey Glastrier Icon Spectrier Gray Icon

Returning Indigo Disk Pokemon Builds

Returning Indigo Disk Pokemon Builds
Venusaur Gray Icon Blastoise Meganium Gray Icon Feraligatr Pokemon SV - Sceptile Grey Pokemon SV - Swampert Grey
Blaziken Serperior Gray Icon Pokemon SV - Emboar Grey Primarina Incineroar Smeargle
Metagross Pokemon SV - Galvantula Grey Araquanid Whimsicott Flygon Reuniclus
Alolan Exeggutor Pokemon SV - Vileplume Grey Pokemon SV - Skarmory Grey Lapras Gray Icon Rhyperior Gray Icon Pokemon SV - Duraludon Grey
Hitmontop Excadrill Scrafty Porygon2 Porygon-Z

Blueberry Pokedex: List of All Indigo Disk Pokemon

All Teal Mask DLC Builds for Ranked Battle

All Teal Mask DLC Builds
Pokemon SV - Ogerpon Pokemon SV - Ogerpon Hearthflame Pokemon SV - Ogerpon Wellspring Pokemon SV - Ogerpon Cornerstone Pokemon SV - Okidogi Pokemon SV - Munkidori
Pokemon SV - Fezandipiti Pokemon SV - Dipplin Pokemon SV - Sinistcha Pokemon SV - Ursaluna Bloodmoon Alolan Ninetales Gray Icon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Politoed
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Ludicolo Pokemon SV - Kommo-o Grey Gliscor Gray Icon Clefairy Gray Icon Pokemon SV - Ribombee Grey
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Snorlax Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Empoleon Pokemon SV - Infernape Grey Pokemon SV - Torterra Grey Milotic Gray
Pokemon SV - Vikavolt Grey Pokemon SV - Clefable Grey Pokemon SV - Chandelure Grey Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Conkeldurr Pokemon SV - Trevenant Grey

Kitakami Pokedex: List of All Teal Mask DLC Pokemon

All Pokemon HOME Builds for Ranked Battle

All Pokemon HOME Builds
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Tornadus-I Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Urshifu Rapid Strike Landorus-T Icon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Rillaboom Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Heatran Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Cresselia
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Ursaluna Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Enamorus Therian Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Sneasler HLilligant Gray Icon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Hisuian Goodra Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Basculegion Male
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Thundurus-I Thundurus T Gray Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Regieleki Urshifu Single Strike Style Plain Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Arcanine-H Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Samurott-H
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Zapdos Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Charizard Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Typhlosion Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Samurott Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Chesnaught :Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Greninja
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Decidueye :Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Cinderace Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Inteleon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Hisuian Zoroark Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Overqwil Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Hisuian Typhlosion
HDecidueye Gray Icon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Galarian Moltres GZapdos Gray Icon HBraviary Gray Icon Spectrier Gray Icon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Glastrier
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Wyrdeer Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Hisuian Electrode Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Azelf Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Mesprit Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Uxie Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Regidrago

All Pokemon HOME Transferable Pokemon

All Treasures of Ruin Builds for Ranked Battle

All Treasures of Ruin Builds
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV -Wo-Chien Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV -Ting-Lu Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV -Chien-Pao Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV -Chi-Yu

Best Treasures of Ruin Builds for Ranked Battle and Raids

All Paradox Pokemon Builds for Ranked Battle

All Paradox Pokemon Builds
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Flutter Mane Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Roaring Moon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Brute Bonnet Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Great Tusk Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Scream Tail Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Sandy Shocks Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Slither Wing
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Iron Bundle Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Iron Hands Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Iron Valiant Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Iron Moth Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Iron Treads Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Iron Thorns Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Iron Jugulis

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
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Gholdengo Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Meowscarada Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Kingambit Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Armarouge Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Skeledirge Icon.png Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Garganacl
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Annihilape Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Glimmora Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Baxcalibur Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Dondozo Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Farigiraf
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Tatsugiri Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Ceruledge.png Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Clodsire Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Quaquaval Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Palafin
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Orthworm Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Maushold Brambleghast

Gen 9 Pokemon: All New Pokemon

All Gen 1~8 Meta Pokemon Builds for Ranked Battle

All Gen 1~8 Meta Pokemon Builds
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Garchomp Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Arcanine Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Amoonguss Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Indeedee-F Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Hydreigon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Volcarona Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Wash Rotom
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Torkoal Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Talonflame Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV Grimmsnarl Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Salamence Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Dragonite Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Corviknight Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV Azumarill
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV Mimikyu Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Hippowdon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Murkrow Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Scizor Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Breloom Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Gyarados
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Pelipper Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Heat Rotom Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Tyranitar Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Gengar Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Dragapult Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Jumpluff
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Abomasnow Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Cloyster Sylveon Icon Lycanroc Midday Form Toxapex Sableye Gray

Best Pokemon Tier List

All Off-Meta Builds for Ranked Battle

All Off-Meta Pokemon Builds
Lurantis Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Gastrodon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Lokix Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Rabsca Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Paldean Tauros Fire Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Paldean Water Tauros Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Mabosstiff Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Grafaiai Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Espathra Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Houndstone Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Arboliva Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Flamigo Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Pawmot Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Cyclizar Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Bellibolt Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Tinkaton Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Dudunsparce Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Kilowattrel Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Toedscruel Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Cetitan Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Veluza Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Squawkabilly Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Gothitelle Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Hatterene Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Eiscue Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Toxtricity Amped Form Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Lucario Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Gallade Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Noivern Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Gardevoir Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Magnezone Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Zoroark Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Slowking Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Espeon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Umbreon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Raichu Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Pincurchin Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Heracross Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Wigglytuff Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Donphan Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Haxorus Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Dunsparce Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Ursaring Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Oranguru Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Slaking Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Blissey Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Flareon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Vaporeon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Leafeon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Glaceon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Jolteon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Bisharp Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Greedent Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Hariyama Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Drifblim Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Pachirisu Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Gastrodon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Pikachu Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Hisuian Zoroark Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Lilligant Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Ditto Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Revavroom

Competitive Team Building for Singles Ranked Battle

Banned/Restricted Builds

Banned/Restricted Builds
:Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Koraidon :Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Miraidon Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Walking Wake Pokemon Scarlet and Violet SV - Iron Leaves

Ranked Battle Regulation E: Rules and Banned Pokemon

Author

    Walkthrough Menu

    news questionnaire

    All rights reserved