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Movesets & Best Builds for Ranked Battle | Best Competitive Pokemon | Pokemon Sword and Shield

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Best Builds for Ranked Battle.png

The guides below contain information for the Movesets and best Builds for each Pokemon, including the best Natures, EV spreads, recommended Held Items, and our tier list for how they fare in competitive online play. Read on for the latest advice on how to craft the perfect team for Ranked Battle.

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Pokemon SWSH - Tier ListSingles Tier List Pokemon SWSH - Best BuildsBest Builds Pokemon SWSH - Series 8 Tier List ContendersSeries 8 Tier List Contenders
Pokemon SWSH - Doubles Tier ListDoubles Tier List Pokemon SWSH - Competitive Team BuildingTeam Building Pokemon SWSH - Rental TeamsRental Teams

List of Contents

Which Meta Do You Build For?

Ranked Battle Series 8 Builds Have Arrived!

Ranked Battle Series 8 now allows players to use Legendary Pokemon! The introduction of these powerful Pokemon is sure to shake up the metagame, and we've prepared builds to help you contend with the best!

Pokemon Build
Pokemon SWSH - KyogreKyogre
 ・Choice Scarf + Water Spout Build
・Choice Specs Build
Pokemon SWSH - YveltalYveltal
 ・Life Orb Sweeper Build
・Weakness Policy Build
Pokemon SWSH - XerneasXerneas
 ・Geomancy Build
Pokemon SWSH - Necrozma (Dusk Mane)Necrozma (Dusk Mane)
 ・Weakness Policy Build
・Dragon Dance Build
Pokemon SWSH - EternatusEternatus
 ・Special Attacker Build
・Pressure Stall Build
Pokemon SWSH - Calyrex (Shadow Rider)Calyrex (Shadow Rider)
 ・Special Attacker Build
Pokemon SWSH - MewtwoMewtwo
 ・Life Orb Attacker Build
・Choice Specs Build
Pokemon SWSH - Calyrex (Ice Rider)Calyrex (Ice Rider)
 ・Trick Room Attacker Build
Pokemon SWSH - DittoDitto
 ・Choice Scarf Imposter Build
Pokemon SWSH - DialgaDialga
 ・Dynamax Special Attacker Build
Pokemon SWSH - LugiaLugia
 ・Bulky Dynamax Build
・Physically Defensive Build
Pokemon SWSH - Black KyuremBlack Kyurem
 ・Physical Attacker Build
Pokemon SWSH - ZekromZekrom
 ・Physical Attacker Build
Pokemon SWSH - Ho-ohHo-oh
 ・Physical Attacker Build
・Physically Defensive Build
Pokemon SWSH - RayquazaRayquaza
 ・Physical Attacker Build
・Special Attacker Build
Pokemon SWSH - ZygardeZygarde
 ・Coil Build
Pokemon SWSH - ReshiramReshiram
 ・Bulky Special Attacker Build
Pokemon SWSH - White KyuremWhite Kyurem
 ・Dynamax Special Attacker Build
Pokemon SWSH - GroudonGroudon
 ・Assault Vest Moveset
・Weakness Policy Moveset

Ranked Battle Series 8 | Rules and Legal Pokemon

Tier List for Ranked Battle

Tier List Partial Header.png

Our full list of Pokemon most used in Ranked Battle, broken down into tiers and with detailed explanations of their usefulness and weak points.
Tier List of Best Pokemon for Ranked Battle

Strategies for Individual Pokemon

Movesets & Best Builds for The Crown Tundra Pokemon
Pokemon SWSH - Galarian Articuno Best Builds, wdith:45Galarian Articuno Pokemon SWSH - Galarian Zapdos Best Builds, wdith:45Galarian Zapdos Pokemon SWSH - Galarian Moltres Best Builds, wdith:45Galarian Moltres
Pokemon SWSH - Raikou Best Builds, wdith:45Raikou Pokemon SWSH - Entei Best Builds, wdith:45Entei Pokemon SWSH - Suicune Best Builds, wdith:45Suicune
Pokemon SWSH - Articuno Best Builds, wdith:45Articuno Pokemon SWSH - Zapdos Best Builds, wdith:45Zapdos Pokemon SWSH - Moltres Best Builds, wdith:45Moltres
Pokemon SWSH - Tornadus Best Builds, wdith:45Tornadus Pokemon SWSH - Thundurus Best Builds, wdith:45Thundurus Pokemon SWSH - Landorus Best Builds, wdith:45Landorus
Pokemon SWSH - Tapu Koko Best Builds, wdith:45Tapu Koko Pokemon SWSH - Tapu Lele Best Builds, wdith:45Tapu Lele Pokemon SWSH - Tapu Bulu Best Builds, wdith:45Tapu Bulu
Pokemon SWSH - Tapu Fini Best Builds, wdith:45Tapu Fini Pokemon SWSH - Regieleki Best Builds, wdith:45Regieleki Pokemon SWSH - Regidrago Best Builds, wdith:45Regidrago
Pokemon SWSH - Latios Best Builds, wdith:45Latios Pokemon SWSH - Latias Best Builds, wdith:45Latias Pokemon SWSH - Heatran Best Builds, wdith:45Heatran
Pokemon SWSH - Cresselia Best Builds, wdith:45Cresselia Pokemon SWSH - Glastrier Best Builds, wdith:45Glastrier Pokemon SWSH - Spectrier Best Builds, wdith:45Spectrier
Pokemon SWSH - Nidoking Best Builds, wdith:45Nidoking Pokemon SWSH - Swampert Best Builds, wdith:45Swampert Pokemon SWSH - Dragonite Best Builds, wdith:45Dragonite
Pokemon SWSH - Salamence Best Builds, wdith:45Salamence Pokemon SWSH - Garchomp Best Builds, wdith:45Garchomp Pokemon SWSH - Metagross Best Builds, wdith:45Metagross
Pokemon SWSH - Galarian Slowking Best Builds, wdith:45Galarian Slowking Pokemon SWSH - Nihilego Best Builds, wdith:45Nihilego Pokemon SWSH - Naganadel Best Builds, wdith:45Naganadel
Pokemon SWSH - Pheromosa Best Builds, wdith:45Pheromosa Pokemon SWSH - Buzzwole Best Builds, wdith:45Buzzwole Pokemon SWSH - Celesteela Best Builds, wdith:45Celesteela
Pokemon SWSH - Kartana Best Builds, wdith:45Kartana Pokemon SWSH - Stakataka Best Builds, wdith:45Stakataka Pokemon SWSH - Blaziken Best Builds, wdith:45Blaziken
Pokemon SWSH - Kyogre Best Builds, wdith:45Kyogre Pokemon SWSH - Yveltal Best Builds, wdith:45Yveltal Pokemon SWSH - Xerneas Best Builds, wdith:45Xerneas
Pokemon SWSH - Necrozma (Dusk Mane) Best Builds, wdith:45Necrozma (Dusk Mane) Pokemon SWSH - Calyrex (Shadow Rider) Best Builds, wdith:45Calyrex (Shadow Rider) Pokemon SWSH - Mewtwo Best Builds, wdith:45Mewtwo
Pokemon SWSH - Calyrex (Ice Rider) Best Builds, wdith:45Calyrex (Ice Rider) Pokemon SWSH - Dialga Best Builds, wdith:45Dialga Pokemon SWSH - Lugia Best Builds, wdith:45Lugia
Pokemon SWSH - Black Kyurem Best Builds, wdith:45Black Kyurem Pokemon SWSH - Zekrom Best Builds, wdith:45Zekrom Pokemon SWSH - Ho-Oh Best Builds, wdith:45Ho-Oh
Pokemon SWSH - Rayquaza Best Builds, wdith:45Rayquaza Pokemon SWSH - Zygarde Best Builds, wdith:45Zygarde Pokemon SWSH - Reshiram Best Builds, wdith:45Reshiram
Pokemon SWSH - White Kyurem Best Builds, wdith:45White Kyurem Pokemon SWSH - Groudon Best Builds, wdith:45Groudon
Movesets & Best Builds for Isle of Armor Pokemon
Pokemon SWSH - Scizor Best Builds, wdith:45Scizor Pokemon SWSH - Kingdra Best Builds, wdith:45Kingdra Pokemon SWSH - Magnezone Best Builds, wdith:45Magnezone
Pokemon SWSH - Volcarona Best Builds, wdith:45Volcarona Pokemon SWSH - Chansey Best Builds, wdith:45Chansey Pokemon SWSH - Blissey Best Builds, wdith:45Blissey
Pokemon SWSH - Talonflame Best Builds, wdith:45Talonflame Pokemon SWSH - Azumarill Best Builds, wdith:45Azumarill Pokemon SWSH - Galarian Slowbro Best Builds, wdith:45Galarian Slowbro
Pokemon SWSH - Porygon2 Best Builds, wdith:45Porygon2 Pokemon SWSH - Urshifu Single-Strike Style Best Builds, wdith:45Urshifu Single-Strike Style Pokemon SWSH - Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style Best Builds, wdith:45Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style
Pokemon SWSH - Slowbro Best Builds, wdith:45Slowbro Pokemon SWSH - Alolan Marowak Best Builds, wdith:45Alolan Marowak Pokemon SWSH - Dragalge Best Builds, wdith:45Dragalge
Pokemon SWSH - Klefki Best Builds, wdith:45Klefki Pokemon SWSH - Lycanroc Best Builds, wdith:45Lycanroc Pokemon SWSH - Amoonguss Best Builds, wdith:45Amoonguss
Pokemon SWSH - Poliwrath Best Builds, wdith:45Poliwrath Pokemon SWSH - Palossand Best Builds, wdith:45Palossand Pokemon SWSH - Mienshao Best Builds, wdith:45Mienshao
Pokemon SWSH - Starmie Best Builds, wdith:45Starmie Pokemon SWSH - Heracross Best Builds, wdith:45Heracross Pokemon SWSH - Comfey Best Builds, wdith:45Comfey
Pokemon SWSH - Porygon-Z Best Builds, wdith:45Porygon-Z Pokemon SWSH - Alakazam Best Builds, wdith:45Alakazam
Movesets & Best Builds for New Pokemon
Pokemon SWSH - Dragapult Best Builds, wdith:45Dragapult Pokemon SWSH - Galarian Corsola Best Builds, wdith:45Galarian Corsola Pokemon SWSH - Toxtricity Best Builds, wdith:45Toxtricity
Pokemon SWSH - Galarian Darmanitan Best Builds, wdith:45Galarian Darmanitan Pokemon SWSH - Corviknight Best Builds, wdith:45Corviknight Pokemon SWSH - Dracovish Best Builds, wdith:45Dracovish
Pokemon SWSH - Grimmsnarl Best Builds, wdith:45Grimmsnarl Pokemon SWSH - Rillaboom Best Builds, wdith:45Rillaboom Pokemon SWSH - Duraludon Best Builds, wdith:45Duraludon
Pokemon SWSH - Cinderace Best Builds, wdith:45Cinderace Pokemon SWSH - Alcremie Best Builds, wdith:45Alcremie Pokemon SWSH - Dracozolt Best Builds, wdith:45Dracozolt
Pokemon SWSH - Hatterene Best Builds, wdith:45Hatterene Pokemon SWSH - Eiscue Best Builds, wdith:45Eiscue Pokemon SWSH - Inteleon Best Builds, wdith:45Inteleon
Pokemon SWSH - Pincurchin Best Builds, wdith:45Pincurchin Pokemon SWSH - Frosmoth Best Builds, wdith:45Frosmoth Pokemon SWSH - Zacian Best Builds, wdith:45Zacian
Pokemon SWSH - SirfetchSirfetch'd Pokemon SWSH - Flapple Best Builds, wdith:45Flapple Pokemon SWSH - Coalossal Best Builds, wdith:45Coalossal
Pokemon SWSH - Centiskorch Best Builds, wdith:45Centiskorch Pokemon SWSH - Arctozolt Best Builds, wdith:45Arctozolt Pokemon SWSH - Zarude Best Builds, wdith:45Zarude
Pokemon SWSH - Galarian Weezing Best Builds, wdith:45Galarian Weezing Pokemon SWSH - Eternatus Best Builds, wdith:45Eternatus Pokemon SWSH - Indeedee (Female) Best Builds, wdith:45Indeedee (Female)
Movesets & Best Builds for Returning Pokemon
Pokemon SWSH - Mimikyu Best Builds, wdith:45Mimikyu Pokemon SWSH - Wash Rotom Best Builds, wdith:45Wash Rotom Pokemon SWSH - Gyarados Best Builds, wdith:45Gyarados
Pokemon SWSH - Ferrothorn Best Builds, wdith:45Ferrothorn Pokemon SWSH - Aegislash Best Builds, wdith:45Aegislash Pokemon SWSH - Excadrill Best Builds, wdith:45Excadrill
Pokemon SWSH - Tyranitar Best Builds, wdith:45Tyranitar Pokemon SWSH - Hydreigon Best Builds, wdith:45Hydreigon Pokemon SWSH - Heat Rotom Best Builds, wdith:45Heat Rotom
Pokemon SWSH - Arcanine Best Builds, wdith:45Arcanine Pokemon SWSH - Mamoswine Best Builds, wdith:45Mamoswine Pokemon SWSH - Toxapex Best Builds, wdith:45Toxapex
Pokemon SWSH - Togekiss Best Builds, wdith:45Togekiss Pokemon SWSH - Cloyster Best Builds, wdith:45Cloyster Pokemon SWSH - Durant Best Builds, wdith:45Durant
Pokemon SWSH - Snorlax Best Builds, wdith:45Snorlax Pokemon SWSH - Charizard Best Builds, wdith:45Charizard Pokemon SWSH - Sylveon Best Builds, wdith:45Sylveon
Pokemon SWSH - Lucario Best Builds, wdith:45Lucario Pokemon SWSH - Hippowdon Best Builds, wdith:45Hippowdon Pokemon SWSH - Umbreon Best Builds, wdith:45Umbreon
Pokemon SWSH - Conkeldurr Best Builds, wdith:45Conkeldurr Pokemon SWSH - Quagsire Best Builds, wdith:45Quagsire Pokemon SWSH - Gastrodon Best Builds, wdith:45Gastrodon
Pokemon SWSH - Lapras Best Builds, wdith:45Lapras Pokemon SWSH - Whimsicott Best Builds, wdith:45Whimsicott Pokemon SWSH - Rhyperior Best Builds, wdith:45Rhyperior
Pokemon SWSH - Goodra Best Builds, wdith:45Goodra Pokemon SWSH - Haxorus Best Builds, wdith:45Haxorus Pokemon SWSH - Glaceon Best Builds, wdith:45Glaceon
Pokemon SWSH - Mow Rotom Best Builds, wdith:45Mow Rotom Pokemon SWSH - Type: Null Best Builds, wdith:45Type: Null Pokemon SWSH - Gengar Best Builds, wdith:45Gengar
Pokemon SWSH - Milotic Best Builds, wdith:45Milotic Pokemon SWSH - Gardevoir Best Builds, wdith:45Gardevoir Pokemon SWSH - Flygon Best Builds, wdith:45Flygon
Pokemon SWSH - Chandelure Best Builds, wdith:45Chandelure Pokemon SWSH - Lanturn Best Builds, wdith:45Lanturn Pokemon SWSH - Torkoal Best Builds, wdith:45Torkoal
Pokemon SWSH - Bisharp Best Builds, wdith:45Bisharp Pokemon SWSH - Seismitoad Best Builds, wdith:45Seismitoad Pokemon SWSH - Silvally Best Builds, wdith:45Silvally
Pokemon SWSH - Butterfree Best Builds, wdith:45Butterfree Pokemon SWSH - Primarina Best Builds, wdith:45Primarina Pokemon SWSH - Incineroar Best Builds, wdith:45Incineroar
Pokemon SWSH - Blastoise Best Builds, wdith:45Blastoise Pokemon SWSH - Decidueye Best Builds, wdith:45Decidueye Pokemon SWSH - Venusaur Best Builds, wdith:45Venusaur
Pokemon SWSH - Darmanitan Best Builds, wdith:45Darmanitan Pokemon SWSH - Alolan Ninetales Best Builds, wdith:45Alolan Ninetales Pokemon SWSH - Gothitelle Best Builds, wdith:45Gothitelle
Pokemon SWSH - Crawdaunt Best Builds, wdith:45Crawdaunt Pokemon SWSH - Clefable Best Builds, wdith:45Clefable Pokemon SWSH - Reuniclus Best Builds, wdith:45Reuniclus
Pokemon SWSH - Kommo-o Best Builds, wdith:45Kommo-o Pokemon SWSH - Terrakion Best Builds, wdith:45Terrakion Pokemon SWSH - Cobalion Best Builds, wdith:45Cobalion
Pokemon SWSH - Virizion Best Builds, wdith:45Virizion Pokemon SWSH - Noivern Best Builds, wdith:45Noivern Pokemon SWSH - Fan Rotom Best Builds, wdith:45Fan Rotom
Pokemon SWSH - Toxicroak Best Builds, wdith:45Toxicroak Pokemon SWSH - Pelipper Best Builds, wdith:45Pelipper Pokemon SWSH - Jellicent Best Builds, wdith:45Jellicent
Pokemon SWSH - Celebi Best Builds, wdith:45Celebi Pokemon SWSH - Clefairy Best Builds, wdith:45Clefairy Pokemon SWSH - Hitmontop Best Builds, wdith:45Hitmontop
Pokemon SWSH - Diggersby Best Builds, wdith:45Diggersby Pokemon SWSH - Ditto Best Builds, wdith:45Ditto Pokemon SWSH - Raichu Best Builds, wdith:45Raichu
Movesets & Best Builds for Gigantamax Pokemon
Pokemon SWSH - Gigantamax Grimmsnarl Best Builds, wdith:45Gigantamax Grimmsnarl Pokemon SWSH - Gigantamax Snorlax Best Builds, wdith:45Gigantamax Snorlax Pokemon SWSH - Gigantamax Charizard Best Builds, wdith:45Gigantamax Charizard

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