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

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

Toxapex - Related Articles
Evolution and Moveset	Build for Ranked Battle

Basic Information for Toxapex

Types and Abilities

Pokemon	Type 1	Type 2
Toxapex
Abilities
Limber	The Pokemon is protected from paralysis.
Merciless	The Pokemon's attacks become critical hits if the target is poisoned.
Regenerator (Hidden)	Restores a little HP when withdrawn from battle.

Base Stats

Best Nature for Toxapex

What are Natures?

Strategies for Toxapex

Physical Defender Build

This set takes advantage of Toxapex's high Defense, allowing it to take heavy attacks from Physical attackers. By inflicting status conditions that wear down the opponent's HP with Scald and Baneful Bunker, it can use Recover to restore its HP, so as long as the opponent is unable to deal more damage in a single attack than the amount healed by Recover, Toxapex can continue stalling and withstanding hits.

Other Viable Moves

How to Use Toxapex Effectively

A straight-up Physical tank

With Toxapex's high Defense, it's an ideal wall for Physical attackers. Although its Attack and Special attack are low, it's able to inflict status effects with moves like Scald and Toxic, so you'll hardly worry about its low attacking stats while it takes down foes.

The cornerstone of the Defensive loop

This Pokemon serves as a key axis in a Defensive loop strategy, which focuses on sending in Defensive Pokemon to take hits and waiting until the situation turns advantageous. With its ability Regenerator, allowing it to restore HP every time it's withdrawn, Toxapex is able to consistently maintain high HP even after being sent into battle multiple times.

Counters for Toxapex

Attack with Special moves

Toxapex is typically used as a Physical Defender. This leaves an opening for opponents attack with Special moves to deal big damage.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Wash Rotom	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can take Toxapex's moves at reduced damage ・Can use Special Electric-type attacks for easy damage ・Can use Trick to trade away a Choice Item and seal off Toxapex's moves Best Ranked Battle Build for Wash Rotom
Duraludon	Ranking: ★★★★☆ ・Immune to Poison thanks to its Steel typing ・Can deal heavy damage with its high Special Attack Best Ranked Battle Build for Duraludon

Stifle its movements with Taunt

As Toxapex relies heavily on status moves, Taunt will render it largely unable to fight back.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Toxtricity	Ranking: ★★★★☆ ・Can use Taunt first thanks to its high Speed ・Also an effective Special Attacker who can hit Toxapex's weak points Best Ranked Battle Build for Toxtricity
Grimmsnarl	Ranking: ★★★☆☆ ・Can use Taunt wirth priority thanks its ability Prankster ・Will lose its precious Attack power if Burned by Scald Best Ranked Battle Build for Grimmsnarl

Related Links

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle

Strategies for New Pokemon
Dragapult	Galarian Corsola	Toxtricity
Galarian Darmanitan	Corviknight	Dracovish
Grimmsnarl	Rillaboom	Duraludon
Strategies for Returning Pokemon
Mimikyu	Wash Rotom	Gyarados
Ferrothorn	Aegislash	Excadrill
Tyranitar	Hydreigon	Heat Rotom
Arcanine	Mamoswine	Toxapex
Togekiss	Cloyster	Durant
Snorlax	-	-