Tyranitar - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Tyranitar Movesets in Other Games
SV	SWSH

This is a strategy guide for using Tyranitar 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 Tyranitar, as well as its strengths and weak points.

Tyranitar - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Build for Ranked Battle

Basic Information for Tyranitar

Types and Abilities

Pokemon	Type 1	Type 2
Tyranitar
Abilities
Sand Stream	The Pokemon summons a sandstorm in battle.
Unnerve (Hidden)	Makes the foe nervous and unable to eat Berries.

Tyranitar 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
100	125	100	55	85	35

Best Nature for Tyranitar

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

Singles Movesets for Tyranitar

Weakness Policy Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Atk 148 / Def 76 / Sp.Def 20 / Spd 12
Final Stat Values	HP 207 / Atk 190 / Def 140 / Sp.Def 123 / Spd 83
Ability	Sand Stream
Held Item	Weakness Policy
Moveset	・Stone Edge ・Crunch ・Ice Punch ・Earthquake

Tyranitar's great mixed bulk and boosted special defense in Sandstorm make it one of the better Weakness Policy users in the metagame.

This build works best as a Lead, using Dynamax to boost Tyranitar's natural bulk even further and fire off powerful Max Moves that support the team and weaken the opposition.

About Tyranitar's Moves

Stone Edge is Tyranitar's strongest STAB move thanks to its increased chance to deal a critical hit. Crunch is its secondary STAB and hits Psychic and Ghost-types hard, and can KO frailer sweepers.

Ice Punch is its main coverage move and is Tyranitar's only way to deal with Ground, Dragon, and Grass-types that can easily switch in and counter it. Earthquake is its last coverage move and synergizes well with Stone Edge.

About Tyranitar's EV Spread

We're using a modified EV spread to maximize Tyranitar's natural bulk without losing too much offensive power.

252 HP EVs and 76 Def EVs allow it to survive an Earthquake from Landorus, while 20 Sp.Def EVs let it survive a Hydro Pump from Wash Rotom.

148 Atk EVs let it hit as hard as possible with its attacks, while the remaining 12 Spd EVs let it outrun defensive Pokemon and slower attackers with no speed investment.

About Tyranitar's Ability

Sand Stream is Tyranitar's best Ability. This sets up a Sandstorm for 5 turns and boosts the Special Defense stat of all Rock-type Pokemon by 50%.

About Tyranitar's Held Item

This build uses Weakness Policy.. This item that raises the Pokemon's attack and special attack by two stages when hit by a super-effective move.

Other Viable Moves

Superpower	Can replace Earthquake to hit Ferrothorn and Kartana. Since it lowers Tyranitar's Attack and Defense, it's best used during Dynamax so that it becomes Max Knuckle.
Iron Head	An alternative coverage move that lets Tyranitar hit Fairy-type Pokemon.
Fire Punch	Can replace Earthquake to hit Ferrothorn and Kartana.
Rock Blast	Although weaker than Stone Edge, it allows Tyranitar to break through Mimukyu's Disguise, Dragonite's Multiscale, and Substitute.
Stealth Rock	Can replace Earthquake or Ice Punch and Tyranitar with extra utility. It's best used if you predict a switch.

Assault Vest Bulky Attacker Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Atk 252 / Spd 4
Final Stat Values	HP 207 / Atk 190 / Def 140 / Sp.Def 123 / Spd 83
Ability	Sand Stream
Held Item	Assault Vest
Moveset	・Stone Edge ・Crunch ・Iron Head ・Earthquake

This build further boosts Tyranitar's natural bulk and increased Special Defense in Sandstorm with an Assault Vest, filling the role of a bulky attacker that can easily switch into special attacks targetted at its teammates.

About Tyranitar's Moves

Stone Edge is Tyranitar's strongest STAB move thanks to its increased chance to deal a critical hit. Crunch is its secondary STAB and hits Psychic and Ghost-types hard, and can KO frailer sweepers.

Iron Head is an important coverage move that lets Tyranitar threaten and even KO frail Fairy-types. Earthquake is its last coverage move and synergizes well with Stone Edge.

About Tyranitar's EV Spread

We're using a straightforward EV Spread with full investment in HP and Attack to boost Tyranitar bulk and ensure it hits as hard as possible. The remaining 4 EVs are placed in Speed so it can outrun slower walls with no speed investment.

About Tyranitar's Ability

Sand Stream is Tyranitar's best Ability. This sets up a Sandstorm for 5 turns and boosts the Special Defense stat of all Rock-type Pokemon by 50%.

About Tyranitar's Held Item

This build revolves around the Assault Vest held item, which boosts Tyranitar's Special Defense by 50% but prevents the use of status moves.

Other Viable Moves

Superpower	Can replace Earthquake to hit Ferrothorn and Kartana. Since it lowers Tyranitar's Attack and Defense, it's best used during Dynamax so that it becomes Max Knuckle.
Ice Punch	An alternative coverage move that lets Tyranitar threaten Garchomp and Landorus.
Fire Punch	Can replace Earthquake to hit Ferrothorn and Kartana.
Rock Blast	Although weaker than Stone Edge, it allows Tyranitar to break through Mimukyu's Disguise, Dragonite's Multiscale, and Substitute.

Focus Sash Lead Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Jolly (+Spd, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	Atk 252 / Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values	HP 175 / Atk 186 / Def 131 / Sp.Def 120 / Spd 124
Ability	Sand Stream
Held Item	Focus Sash
Moveset	・Taunt ・Stealth Rock ・Rock Tomb ・Superpower

This Tyranitar fills the role of a dedicated lead that supports its team with entry hazards and utility moves that can interrupt the opposing team's strategies.

About Tyranitar's Moves

Taunt is a great utility move that prevents the opposing Pokemon from using Status moves. Since most leads will assume that Tyranitar has an attacking set, you can shut down the opposing lead from using its own entry hazards or prevent setup sweepers from using Swords Dance or Nasty Plot.

Tyranitar can also set up its own entry hazards with Stealth Rock to help its team net important KOs. It also deters Pokemon with 4x weakness to Rock such as Charizard and Talonflame from switchin in.

Rock Tomb is its only STAB move for this build and is more for utility, lowering the opponent's speed stat by 1 stage.

Superpower is this build's last move and is mostly for coverage, hitting the likes of Ferrothorn and opposing Tyranitar. This move lowers Tyranitar's Attack and Defense stat by 1 stage, so it's only used sparingly and if you're planning to switch out Tyranitar later.

About Tyranitar's EV Spread

We're using a standard physical attacking set for this build, with full investment in Attack and Speed so that Tyranitar can hit hard and as fast as possible. The remaining 4 EVs are placed in Defense to improve its physical bulk.

About Tyranitar's Ability

Sand Stream is Tyranitar's best Ability. This sets up a Sandstorm for 5 turns and boosts the Special Defense stat of all Rock-type Pokemon by 50%.

Other Viable Moves

Thunder Wave	Can replace Taunt and is useful for checking offensive-oriented teams that rely on fast sweepers.
Rock Slide	Can replace Rock Blast and is best paired with Thunder Wave due to its 30% chance to cause flinching.
Breaking Swipe	A niche move that lowers the opposing team's Attack stat by 1 stage. It's best used in Doubles since it hits both opposing Pokemon.
Foul Play	A niche move that uses the opponent's Attack stat to calculate damage. Useful when Tyranitar is facing against a setup sweeper.
Brick Break	A weaker alternative to Superpower that provides better utility as it can destroy the opposing team's Reflect and Light Screen.

Dragon Dance Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 124 / Atk 124 / Def 4 / Sp.Def 12 / Spd 244
Final Stat Values	HP 191 / Atk 187 / Def 131 / Sp.Def 122 / Spd 112
Ability	Sand Stream
Held Item	Iapapa Berry
Moveset	・Stone Edge ・Fire Punch ・Ice Punch ・Dragon Dance

This Dragon Dance build was used by Japanese competitive player Adel to reach 24th place in Ranked Battles Season 13.

This Tyranitar has enough bulk to shrug off attacks, while still maintaining offensive presence with Dragon Dance and strong coverage moves.

About Tyranitar's Moves

Stone Edge is Tyranitar's strongest STAB move thanks to its increased chance to deal a critical hit.

Fire Punch and Ice Punch are its main coverage moves, allowing it to threaten the likes of Ferrothorn, Garchomp, and Hippowdon, and outright KO frailer sweepers such as Excadrill and Kartana.

It's last move is the most important, Dragon Dance, which boosts Tyranitar's Attack and Speed by 1 stage. Thanks to its natural bulk and ability to force switches, it has plenty of opportunities to set up with the move and boost its offensive presence!

About Tyranitar's EV Spread

This build uses a more complex EV spread so that Tyranitar has enough bulk and net KOs with its moves.

124 Atk EVs ensure Tyranitar can KO Ferrothorn during Dynamax with Max Flare, while 244 Spd EVs allows it to outrun base 100 Speed Pokemon after a Dragon Dance boost.

The remaining 124 HP EVs, 4 Def EVs, and 12 Sp.Def EVs give this Tyranitar enough mixed bulk to withstand non-super effective moves so that it can get at least one Dragon Dance up.

About Tyranitar's Ability

Sand Stream is Tyranitar's best Ability. This sets up a Sandstorm for 5 turns and boosts the Special Defense stat of all Rock-type Pokemon by 50%.

About Tyranitar's Held Item

Focus Sash is the best item for this buld and it ensures Tyranitar can get at least one Dragon Dance up even if the opposing Pokemon uses a strong super effective move.

How to Use Tyranitar Effectively

A Versatile Pokemon that Can Fill Many Roles

Tyranitar is one of the most versatile psuedo-legendary Pokemon in the current metagame. It's a formidable physical attack, can run a specially defensive set effectively in Sandstorm, and can even go with a mixed attacking set to surprise its usual checks and counters.

Capitalize on its Unpredictability

Tyranitar's plethora of builds and role options make it a difficult Pokemon to predict, which is why it's often used as a lead Pokemon.

Leading with Tyranitar and capitalizing on its unpredictability can give you the edge over your opponent in the early game and make battle conditions more favorable for your team!

Perfect Counter for Yveltal

While Yveltal is one of the stronger Legendaries in the meta, Tyranitar can not only take half damage from its STAB moves, but it can also strike back at Yveltal's weaknesses with STAB moves of its own. Mixed with its 1.5x Special Defense boost during a sandstorm it can reduce that damage even further.

Tyranitar can also target the weaknesses of Shadow Rider Calyrex, Ho-Oh, and Lugia, making it a great choice against Legendary Pokemon.

Best Pokemon to Use With Tyranitar

Pokemon Strong Against Tyranitar's Weaknesses

Tyranitar will likely be targeted by Fighting-type moves, so it is essential to have Pokemon that are strong against Fighting-type Pokemon. It is recommended to use Ghost-types as they are unaffected by these moves, or Flying-types that hit Fighting-types hard.

Pokemon	Description
Dragapult	・Unaffected by Fighting-type moves and take half the damage from Water, Grass, and Bug-type moves. ・Flexible and can fit in teams with Tyranitar. Moveset & Best Build for Dragapult
Tapu Fini	・Take half the damage from Fighting, Water, and Bug-type moves. ・Can take a Special Attacker role. Moveset & Best Build for Tapu Fini
Landorus (Therian Forme)	・Can take Fighting- and Ground-type moves. ・Can lower opposing Pokemon's Attack stat with Intimidate. Moveset & Best Build for Landorus (Therian Forme)
Gyarados	・Can take Fighting, Steel, and Bug-type moves by half and is completely unaffected by Ground-type moves. ・In return, Tyranitar can receive any Electric-type attacks intended for Gyarados. Moveset & Best Build for Gyarados
Zapdos	・Can take Fighting, Steel, and Grass-type moves by half and is completely unaffected by Ground-type moves. ・Switch places with Volt Switch. Moveset & Best Build for Zapdos

Pokemon That Goes Well With Sandstorm

Tyranitar's Ability Sand Stream whips up a Sandstorm. Several Pokemon can take advantage of this weather, like those with the Ability Sand Rush which doubles their Speed stat during Sandstorm.

Pokemon	Description
Excadrill	・Twice as fast in a Sandstorm with Sand Rush. ・Has high Attack stat. Moveset & Best Build for Excadrill
Dracozolt	・Twice as fast in a Sandstorm with Sand Rush. ・Supported by its Ability, Bolt Beak can be a devastating move as its damage is doubled then Dracozolt moves first. Moveset & Best Build for Dracozolt
Dracovish	・Twice as fast in a Sandstorm with Sand Rush. Moveset & Best Build for Dracovish
Garchomp	・Harder to hit by opposing Pokemon during Sandstorm thanks to Sand Veil. ・Powerful by itself, and goes well with various teams. Moveset & Best Build for Garchomp
Landorus	・Power of Rock, Ground, or Steel-type moves is increased with its Ability Sand Force.

How to Build a Team with Tyranitar

Tyranitar's excellent stats and wide movepool make it a versatile Pokemon that can fit easily in balanced teams, as well as more offensive-oriented ones or a dedicated Weather team.

A Dynamax Lead for Hyper Offense Teams

Great mixed bulk and a 50% Special Defense boost in Sandstorm make Tyranitar an effective Dynamax Lead and has great matchups against opposing Dynamax and Weakness Policy leads in the metagame.

Example Offensive Dynamax + Weakness Policy Team

Lead Dynamax	Special Sweeper	Defensive Pivot
Tyranitar	Nihilego	Reuniclus

Tyranitar's role in this team is that of a Lead Dynamax user. Thanks to its increased bulk in Dynamax and boosted Special Defense in Sandstorm, it can survive a super effective move and get the boost from Weakness Policy.

Nihilego is a great partner for Tyranitar as it can threaten Tyranitar's Grass and Water-type counters with Sludge Wave and Thunderbolt respectively.

Nihilego also benefits from Tyranitar's Max Darkness since this move lowers the opposing team's Special Defense.

Reuniclus is this team's Defensive Pivot. Its great Defense and Psychic typing gives it resistances to Fighting-type moves that Tyranitar is weak to.

Reuniclus' Magic Guard ability also gives it immunity to Sandstorm's residual damage, allowing it to comfortably switch in between its teammates.

Learn more about building Hyper Offense teams by checking out our full guide below.
How to Build an Offensive Team | Best Hyper Offense Team

A Weather Setter for Sand Teams

Unlike other Sandstorm setters like Hippowdon and Gigalith, Tyranitar isn't restricted to just setting up weather for its team. It can also soften the opposing team with its powerful STAB moves, as well as threaten opposing weather setters with favorable type match-ups.

Balanced Sandstorm Team

Lead Weather Setter	Setup Sweeper	Defensive Pivot
Tyranitar	Excadrill	Gastrodon

Assault Vest Tyranitar fills the role of a bulky weather that can still hit hard with its STAB and coverage moves.

Thanks to its held item and the Sandstorm boost, this Tyranitar has an effective 100% Special Defense boost, allowing it to survive super effective Water-type moves from Rain teams!

Excadrill is the best partner for Tyranitar. Its Sand Rush Ability doubles its Speed stat during Sandstorm, allowing it to setup Swords Dance quickly and unleash powerful STAB attacks against the opposing team.

Gastrodon is the team's defensive pivot, filling the role of mixed wall. Its Storm Drain Ability gives it immunity to Water-type moves and also boosts its Special Attack by 1 stage.

Learn more about building Weather teams by checking out our full guide below.
How to Build a Weather Team

Best Teams Featuring Tyranitar

All our Best Teams are available for free rental, and usable in Ranked Battle with no EV Training necessary.
All Best Teams for Ranked Battle

Best Arcanine Team for Ranked Battle

Best Arcanine Team for Ranked Battle
Arcanine	Hydreigon	Tyranitar
Corviknight	Mow Rotom	Mimikyu

Born from one player's love of one Pokemon, Arcanine, this team takes advantage of Arcanine's already-high Base Stats, supported by Assault Vest to make it a powerful player both offensively and defensively.

In addition to Arcanine, this team features a host of other surprises, such as a Pressure Corviknight, a Special Attack-using Tyranitar, and a stall-ready Mimikyu, that might change your preconceptions about the competitive scene as a whole.
Best Arcanine Team for Ranked Battle

Counters for Tyranitar

Weakness

Overpower it with Fighting-type Moves

Despite its great bulk, Tyranitar has a 4x Weakness to Fighting-type moves. Since the Sandstorm boost only applies to its Special Defense, physical Fighting-type moves can deal high damage or even outright KO it!

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Zacian	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Thanks to its ability, Intrepid Sword, it gains an attack boost when coming into battle, allowing it to one shot a Dynamaxed Tyranitar with 252 EVs in HP using Close Combat Moveset & Best Build for Zacian
Pheromosa	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Boasts a high Attack and Speed Stat ・Can easily KO 252 HP Dynamax Tyranitar with Close Combat Moveset & Best Build for Pheromosa
Cinderace	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can turn into a Fighting-type thanks to Libero ・Can KO 252 HP Dynamax Tyranitar with High Jump Kick when equipped with Life Orb Moveset & Best Build for Cinderace
Urshifu Single-Strike Style	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Boasts 4x Resistance to Dark and 2x Resistance to Rock ・Requires Choice Band or Life Orb to threaten Dynamax Tyranitar Moveset & Best Build for Urshifu Single-Strike Style

Cripple it with a Burn

Tyranitar relies on its great Attack stat to hit hard and threaten opposing teams. Inflicting a Burn using moves such as Scald and Will-O-Wisp halves its Attack stat, crippling it for the rest of the match and making it easier for your team to switch in.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Toxapex	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can inflict burns with Scald ・Great mixed bulk and reliable recovery in Recover lets it stay in proloned fights against Tyranitar Moveset & Best Build for Toxapex
Wash Rotom	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can inflict burns with Will-O-Wisp ・Offensive variants can wear down Tyranitar with Hydro Pump Moveset & Best Build for Wash Rotom

Related Links

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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