Mimikyu - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle | Pokemon Sword and Shield

This is a strategy guide for using Mimikyu in competitive play for the games Pokemon Sword and Shield. Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, and Held Items to use with Mimikyu, as well as its strengths and weak points.

Mimikyu - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Build for Ranked Battle

Basic Information for Mimikyu

Types and Abilities

Pokemon	Type 1	Type 2
Mimikyu
Abilities
Disguise	Once per battle, the shroud that covers the Pokémon can protect it from an attack.

Mimikyu Weaknesses and Resistances

	Type
Takes 4x damage	-
Takes 2x damage
Takes 0.5x damage	-
Takes 1/4x damage
Takes 0x damage

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

HP	Attack	Defense	Sp. Atk	Sp. Def	Speed
55	90	80	50	105	96

Best Nature for Mimikyu

Best Natures
Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)	Jolly (+Spd, -Sp.Atk)

Singles Movesets for Mimikyu

Swords Dance Physical Attacker Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Jolly (+Spd, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 4 / Atk 252 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values	HP 131 / Atk 142 / Def 100 / Sp.Def 125 / Spd 162
Ability	Disguise
Held Item	Life Orb
Moveset	・Shadow Claw ・Shadow Sneak ・Play Rough ・Swords Dance

Mimikyu is one of the best users of Swords Dance since its Disguise Ability almost always guarantees that it can get at least one boost up. As a result, this build is best used as a lead.

About Mimikyu's Moves

Shadow Claw is its main Ghost-type STAB and has an increased chance to deal a critical hit. Shadow Sneak is its secondary Ghost STAB, having a + 1 priorty that lets Mimikyu hit faster Pokemon.

Play Rough is its secondary STAB move, allowing Mimikyu to hit Fighting, Dark, and Dragon-types for super effective damage.

Swords Dance is its last move, boosting Mimikyu's Attack by 2 stages.

About Mimikyu's EV Spread

This build uses a simple EV spread with full investment in Attack and Speed so that Mimikyu hits as hard and as fast as possible.

The remaining 4 EVs are invested in HP to round off Mimikyu's bulk.

About Mimikyu's Ability

Disguise is Mimikyu's only Ability. If an opposing Pokemon attacks Mimikyu, it hits its Disguise instead.

After Mimikyu's Disguise gets hit, it changes to its Busted Form and loses 1/8 of its maximum HP.

About Mimikyu's Held Item

Life Orb is the best held iteam for this build. This boosts the power of Mimikyu's moves by 30% at the cost of some recoil damage.

Other Viable Moves

Phantom Force	A stronger Ghost-type STAB than Shadow Claw, but is a two-turn move.
Wood Hammer	Can replace Shadow Sneak, giving Mimikyu extra coverage and hitting Water-types fpr super effective damage.

Kee Berry Bulky Attacker Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 100 / Atk 236 / Def 68 / Sp.Def 4 / Spd 10
Final Stat Values	HP 143 / Atk 154 / Def 109 / Sp.Def 126 / Spd 129
Ability	Disguise
Held Item	Kee Berry
Moveset	・Phantom Force ・Shadow Sneak ・Play Rough ・Swords Dance

This Mimikyu fills the role of a bulky attacker during Dynamax, using its Disguise Ability to give it a free turn to set up with Swords Dance and fire powerful Max Moves.

About Mimikyu's Moves

Phantom Force is a powerful Ghost-type STAB that, although it takes two turns to deal damage, provides a stronger Max Phantasm during Dynamax. It also damages on the turn it's used during Dynamax.

Shadow Sneak is its secondary Ghost STAB, having a + 1 priorty that lets Mimikyu hit faster Pokemon.

Play Rough is its secondary STAB move, allowing Mimikyu to hit Fighting, Dark, and Dragon-types for super effective damage.

This move also becomes Max Starfall during Dynamax, which sets up Misty Terrain that prevents and cures Mimikyu of any status.

Swords Dance is its last move, boosting Mimikyu's Attack by 2 stages.

About Mimikyu's EV Spread

We're using a more complex EV spread for this build.

Allocating 100 HP EVs, 68 Def EVs, and 4 Sp.Def EVs makes Mimikyu as bulky as possible, while 236 Atk EVs allows it to still hit reasonably hard.

The remaining 10 EVs are placed in Spd so that it can outrun slower physical attackers and defensive Pokemon.

About Mimikyu's Ability

Disguise is Mimikyu's only Ability. If an opposing Pokemon attacks Mimikyu, it hits its Disguise instead.

About Mimikyu's Held Item

Kee Berry further boosts Mimikyu's bulkiness. When it gets hit by a physical move, its Defense stat increases by 1 stage.

Other Viable Moves

Drain Punch	Can replace Shadow Sneak for extra coverage. It also restores Mimikyu's HP by 50% of the damage it deals.

Trick Room Setter Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 228 / Atk 156 / Def 124
Final Stat Values	HP 159 / Atk 143 / Def 116 / Sp.Def 125 / Spd 116
Ability	Disguise
Held Item	Kee Berry
Moveset	・Trick Room ・Curse ・Shadow Sneak ・Play Rough

Mimikyu's respectable 96 Base Speed stat make it an unusual Trick Room setter, but it's also one of the safest thanks to its Disguise Ability.

Since it can function without Trick Room, it's an invaluable team member as it keeps up the offensive momentum of your team even if there's no Trick Room yet.

About Mimikyu's Moves

Trick Room reverses the move order, causing Pokemon with lower speed to move first for five turns.

Curse is a risky but potentially useful move that allows Mimikyu to threaten and force switches. Since it's a Ghost-type Pokemon, Mimikyu loses 1/2 of its HP when it uses this move but also causes the opponent to lose 1/4 of its HP every turn*.

Shadow Sneak is its secondary Ghost STAB, having a + 1 priorty that lets Mimikyu hit faster Pokemon. It also retains its boosted priority even in Trick Room.

Play Rough is its secondary STAB move, allowing Mimikyu to hit Fighting, Dark, and Dragon-types for super effective damage.

About Mimikyu's EV Spread

We're using a bulkier but simpler EV spread for this Mimikyu.

228 HP EVs and 124 Def EVs make it as physically bulky, while 156 Atk EVs let it hit as hard as possible with its STAB moves.

About Mimikyu's Ability

Disguise is Mimikyu's only Ability. If an opposing Pokemon attacks Mimikyu, it hits its Disguise instead.

About Mimikyu's Held Item

Kee Berry further boosts Mimikyu's bulkiness. When it gets hit by a physical move, its Defense stat increases by 1 stage.

Other Viable Moves

Will-O-Wisp	A safer alternative to Curse that lets Mimikyu threaten physical attackers.
Wood Hammer	Can replace Shadow Sneak, giving Mimikyu extra coverage and hitting Water-types fpr super effective damage.

Curse Support Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Jolly (+Spd, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 12 / Atk 244 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values	HP 132 / Atk 141 / Def 100 / Sp.Def 125 / Spd 162
Ability	Disguise
Held Item	Figy Berry
Moveset	・Substitute ・Curse ・Pain Split ・Play Rough

This Mimikyu fills a support role in a team, using a combination of tricky Status moves to deal damage and harrow the opposing team.

About Mimikyu's Moves

Substitute causes Mimikyu to lose 1/4 of its HP to create a substitute that stacks with its Disguise, requiring the opposing Pokemon to hit Mimikyu twice to remove all of its protection.

Curse causes it to lose 1/2 of its HP, but places a curse that causes the opponent to lose 1/4 of its HP every turn.

Both Substitute and Curse work well with Pain Split, which essentially splits Mimikyu's HP loss to the opposing Pokemon.

It's last move is Play Rough and is its only STAB move, hitting Fighting, Dark, and Dragon-types for super effective damage.

About Mimikyu's EV Spread

We're using a modified attacking EV spread with this build. 12 HP EVs give Mimikyu 132 HP at level 50. With an even numberd HP, the amount of HP it loses when it uses Substitute or Curse is reduced.

244 Atk EVs ensure it hits as hard as possible, while full investment in Speed ensures it can outspeed slower opposing Mimikyu and defensive Pokemon.

About Mimikyu's Ability

Disguise is Mimikyu's only Ability. If an opposing Pokemon attacks Mimikyu, it hits its Disguise instead.

About Mimikyu's Held Item

Figy Berry restores Mimikyu's HP when it drops down to 1/3 of its maximum HP. Since it has an Jolly Nature, it won't get confused if it eats it.

Other Viable Moves

Thunder Wave	A safer alternative to Curse that's useful for crippling faster attackers.

Doubles Movesets for Mimikyu

Trick Room Setter Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Brave (+Atk, -Spd)
EV Spread	HP 180 / Atk 252 / Def 76
Final Stat Values	0 Speed IVs: HP 153 / Atk 156 / Def 110 / Sp.Def 125 / Spd 90
Ability	Disguise
Held Item	Mental Herb
Moveset	・Trick Room ・Will-o-Wisp ・Play Rough ・Taunt

About Mimikyu's Moves

Mimikyu is protected by both its Disguise Ability and Mental Herb so it can safely use and set up Trick Room.

Once Trick Room is in play, its main weapon during those turns will be Play Rough, a physical Fairy-type move. Will-o-Wisp is useful against opposing physical attackers to weaken their attacks and deal constant damage from being burnt.

Taunt can be used for any Pokemon that might inflict status effects on your team, or from any opposing Trick Room users that may cancel out your strategy by using Trick Room again.

About Mimikyu's EV Spread

EVs are given to Mimikyu's HP and Defense to give it a little bit bulkiness from your opponent's attacks while Trick Room is in play.

About Mimikyu' s Held Item

Mental Herb allows Mimikyu to shake off any Taunts from your opponents and continue on setting up Trick Room.

About Mimikyu's Ability

Disguise guarantees that Mimikyu will be able to set up Trick Room without the need of held items.

Other Viable Moves

Shadow Sneak	Used if Mimikyu is paired up with Weakness Policy Trick Room attackers.
Shadow Claw	A physical Ghost-type move if you don't want to use Taunt.
Drain Punch	Deals super-effective damage against tanky Rock or Steel-type Pokemon and heal Mimikyu for half the damage done.
Leech Life	Damage bulky Grass-types and other Psychic-type Pokemon while healing Mimikyu.

How to Use Mimikyu Effectively

One of the Best Setup Sweepers

Mimikyu is arguably one of the best setup sweepers with Swords Dance courtesy of its Disguise Ability, essentially giving it a free turn to boost its Attack.

The fact that Mimikyu forces switches mean that it can often get two Swords Dance boosts up, potentially letting it steamroll and sweep the opposing team.

Use Max Starfall During Dynamax

Mimikyu is easily crippled by status such as burns and paralysis, but this is easily mitigated if it Dynamaxes and uses Max Starfall.

This Max Move creates Misty Terrain on the battlefield which prevents status moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave, and cures Mimikyu of any status it's currently afflicted with.

Disguise is Effective Against Legendaries

Mimikyu's Disguise ability will even protect it from the previously banned Legendary Pokemon, allowing it to support others on its team by setting up with damage over time moves like Thunder Wave or Curse. This is also a good buffer for starting up Trick Room.

Effective Trick Room Setter

With its Ability Disguise, Mimikyu can safely set up Trick Room. Mimikyu can easily set up the strategy compared to other Trick Room setters.

You can let Mimikyu hold Mental Herb to shrug off any Taunts inflicted on it.

Best Pokemon to Use With Mimikyu

Pokemon Strong Against Steel-Types

Mimikyu can be easily defeated with Steel-type attacks, so it is recommended to have Fire- or Ground-types as backup.

Pokemon	Description
Cinderace	・Can change types with Libero ・Can fight against prohibited Pokemon such as Zacian and Dusk Necrozma Cinderace - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Landorus (Therian Forme)	・Intimidate lowers opponent's Attack ・Can use Earthquake to take care of any Steel-types Landorus (Therian Forme) - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Special Attackers

Mimikyu is vulnerable to physical attacks and Landorus with Intimidate, so it is recommended to support it with special attackers. Additionally, opponents may use Will-O-Wisp to further weaken Mimikyu, which will have little effect on special attackers.

Pokemon	Description
Zapdos	・Can switch out with Volt Tackle Zapdos - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Yveltal	・Dark-type moves can be strengthened with Dark Aura ability Yveltal - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Ho-oh	・Durable with Regenerator Ability and the move Recover ・Can use Sacred Fire against Steel-types Ho-oh - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Lapras	・Can use Freeze-Dry against Ground- and Water-types such as Quagsire ・Improve defenses with Aurora Veil Lapras - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Kyogre	・Signature Ability Drizzle powers up Water Spout Kyogre - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Pokemon Compatible with Mimikyu's Typing

Mimikyu takes no damage from Normal-, Fighting-, and Dragon-type moves. One can use Pokemon that goes well with Mimikyu's invulnerabilities to have the upper hand in face-to-face battles.

Pokemon	Description
Dragapult	・Dragon-type attacks do not affect Mimikyu ・Can fit various roles in any team with Mimikyu Dragapult - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Dracovish	・Dragon-type attacks do not affect Mimikyu ・Works well with Trick Room Mimikyu Dracovish - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Porygon2	・Fighting-type attacks do not affect Mimikyu ・Can receive attacks from opponents Porygon2 - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Snorlax	・Fighting-type attacks do not affect Mimikyu ・Very durable and can tank most attacks ・Works well with Trick Room Mimikyu Snorlax - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

How to Build a Team with Mimikyu

Mimikyu is a versatile offensive Pokemon that can fill the role of a setup sweeper, bulky attacker, or as a Lead Dynamax user.

A Lead Setup Sweeper for Offensive Teams

Mimikyu is one of the best lead setup sweepers for Hyper Offense teams and can be used as is or as a Dynamax Lead depending on your team composition.

Example Lead Setup Sweeper + Offensive Team

Lead Setup Sweeper	Offensive Pivot	Special Sweeper
Mimikyu	Cobalion	Latios

Mimikyu's role in this team is to quickly set up with Swords Dance so that it can deal as much damage to the opposing team, softening them up for its teammates.

Mimikyu lacks coverage against Fire, Poison, and Dark-types that nullify their Fairy Weakness such as Bisharp, so it's important to choose your teammates wisely.

Cobalion functions as the team's offensive pivot, with its Steel/Fighting typing covering Mimikyu's lack of coverage against Poison and Dark-types. It's also a great switch-in to Dark-types thanks to its Justified Ability, which boosts its Attack by 1 stage.

Latios covers Mimikyu's lack of coverage against Fire-types, using Surf to heavily damage the likes of Heatran or overpower frailer ones with its Draco Meteor. It's Dragon-typing also gives it resistances to Fire-type moves.

Check out our article below to learn more about building an offensive-oriented team:
How to Build an Offensive Team | Best Hyper Offense Team

A Trick Room Setter for Trick Room Teams

Mimikyu can also fill the role of either a lead or backup Trick Room setter. Since it has a respectable Speed stat, it doesn't completely rely on Trick Room and can function without it.

Example Lead Trick Room Setter

Lead Trick Room Setter	Trick Room Physical Attacker	Trick Room Special Attacker
Mimikyu	Mudsdale	Vikavolt

Mimikyu's main role for this team is to set up Trick Room for its two partners - Mudsdale and Vikavolt.

Both its partners are vulnerable outside of Trick Room, so learning when the effect ends is important so that you can quickly switch in Mimikyu to reset favorable conditions.

Check out our article below to learn more about building a Trick Room team:
How to Build a Trick Room Team

A Tricky Support Pokemon for Defensive Teams

Defensive Mimikyu functions as a status spreader and annoyer with its unique status moves. These traits make it a great addition for Defensive teams.

Example Build Team

Assault Vest Attacker	Defensive Pivot	Support
Metagross	Vaporeon	Mimikyu

Mimikyu takes a more supportive role in this defensive-oriented team, using Curse or force switches or threatening sweepers with Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave.

Metagross functions as an Assault Vest attacker, with its Steel-typing covering Mimikyu's Steel weakness. It also appreciates the burns and paralysis that Mimikyu provides.

Vaporeon, on the other hand, is the team's defensive pivot. It's main role is to heal its teammates with Wish and is especially useful if Mimikyu relies on Curse.

Check out our article below to learn more about building a Defensive team:
How to Build a Defensive Team

Counters for Mimikyu

Weakness

Bust its Disguise with Pivot and Multi-Hit Moves

Mimikyu's greatest strength is its free turn with Disguise. Once this is busted though, it loses some HP and becomes vulnerable to attack.

Using Pokemon with pivoting moves such as U-Turn and Volt Switch destroys Mimikyu's Disguise and lets you immediately switch into something that threatens it.

Alternatively, you can also use Pokemon with multi-hit moves to immediately destroy Disguise and damage Mimikyu in the same turn.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Landorus	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Boasts high Defense and Intimidate ・Can U-Turn to a Pokemon that can take advantage of Mimikyu's busted form Moveset & Best Build for Landorus
Magnezone	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Resists Mimikyu's Fairy-type Moves and can use Volt Switch ・Offensive variants can easily KO Mimikyu with Flash Cannon Moveset & Best Build for Magnezone
Incineroar	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Immune to Will-O-Wisp ・Can U-Turn ・Can use Parting Shot to lower Mimikyu's offenses Moveset & Best Build for Incineroar
Corviknight	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Resists Mimikyu's Fairy-type moves ・Can either U-Turn or use Dual Wingbeat to bust Mimikyu's Disguise Moveset & Best Build for Corviknight

Use Pokemon that Can Bypass Disguise

Certain Pokemon can bypass Disguise with its Abilities and moves, essentially nullifying Mimikyu's greatest strength.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Cinderace	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Gigantamax Cinderace's G-Max Fireball bypasses Disguise ・Outspeeds Mimikyu and resists its Fairy-type moves Cinderace - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Unseen Fist causes its moves to bypass Substitute ・G-Max Rapid Flow hits multiple times Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Excadrill	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Its Mold Breaker Ability nullifies Disguise ・Easily KOs Mimikyu with Iron Head Moveset & Best Build for Excadrill
Rillaboom	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Gigantamax Rillaboom's G-Max Drum Solo bypasses Disguise ・Can outspeed Mimikyu with Grassy Glide Moveset & Best Build for Rillaboom
Haxorus	Ranking: ★★★ ・Its Mold Breaker Ability nullifies Disguise ・Can threaten Mimikyu with Iron Tail Moveset & Best Build for Haxorus

Hit it With U-Turn or Volt Switch

Using U-Turn or Volt Switch against Mimikyu will allow you to take out its Disguise quickly and to switch into something that can hit its weaknesses.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Landorus (Therian Forme)	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can switch out with U-turn after taking a hit ・Can easily fit into any party compositoin Landorus - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Magnezone	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can switch out with Volt Switch after taking a hit ・Can hit Mimikyu's Steel-type weakness ・物理耐久が高い Magnezone - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Regieleki	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can use Volt Switch ・Can set up Reflect and Light Screen ・Thanks to its incredibly high speed, it can act before just about any Pokemon Regieleki - Movesets & Best Builds for Ranked Battle
Incineroar	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can lower Mimikyu's Attack with Intimidate then switch out with U-turn ・Immune to Will-O-Wisp Incineroar - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Corviknight	Ranking:★★★★ ・Since Corviknight is slower than Mimikyu, it can scope things out before switching ・Thanks to its high defense and type advantage, it can safely take hits from Mimikyu Corviknight - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Related Guides

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle

Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Tier List		Best Builds		Series 10 List of Contenders
Doubles Tier List		Team Building		Rental Teams

Best Builds for Returning Pokemon

Movesets & Best Builds for Returning Pokemon
Mimikyu	Wash Rotom	Gyarados
Ferrothorn	Aegislash	Excadrill
Tyranitar	Hydreigon	Heat Rotom
Arcanine	Mamoswine	Toxapex
Togekiss	Cloyster	Durant
Snorlax	Charizard	Sylveon
Lucario	Hippowdon	Umbreon
Conkeldurr	Quagsire	Gastrodon
Lapras	Whimsicott	Rhyperior
Goodra	Haxorus	Glaceon
Mow Rotom	Type: Null	Gengar
Milotic	Gardevoir	Flygon
Chandelure	Lanturn	Torkoal
Bisharp	Seismitoad	Silvally
Butterfree	Primarina	Incineroar
Blastoise	Decidueye	Venusaur
Darmanitan	Alolan Ninetales	Gothitelle
Crawdaunt	Clefable	Reuniclus
Kommo-o	Terrakion	Cobalion
Virizion	Noivern	Fan Rotom
Toxicroak	Pelipper	Jellicent
Celebi	Clefairy	Hitmontop
Diggersby	Ditto	Raichu
Hawlucha	Shiftry	Tsareena
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