This is a strategy guide and complete explanation of an Arcanine-focused team for the games Pokemon Sword and Shield. Read on for tips on how to use this team in competitive play, with recommended movesets & best builds for each Pokemon.

Team Summary and Rental Code

Pokemon	Arcanine	Hydreigon
	Tyranitar	Corviknight
	Mow Rotom	Mimikyu
Team Code	0000 0003 G23B R0
Twitter	@Winday77
YouTube	Channel Battle Switch
Words from the Trainer	Considering how recently the game came out, I'd say this battle set is close to finished – and I'm happy it could feature my favorite Pokemon, Arcanine. Don't let anyone forget Arcanine's legacy as the original Legendary Pokemon!

How to Use the Team Effectively

Arcanine serves as the key player

This party was able to reach the #1 spot of the Master Ball tier of Ranked Battle thanks to the team-crafting ability of Japanese player @Winday77. Born from one player's love of a Pokemon and drive to use it in competitive battle, this team places Arcanine firmly in the lead position.

In addition to a rare Arcanine focus, this team also features a number of surprising aspects, such as a Pressure Corviknight, a Special Attack-using Tyranitar, and a stall-ready Mimikyu. Read on for insights about this team that might give you new insights to the metagame as a whole.

Moveset & Best Build for Each Pokemon

Assault Vest Arcanine

Arcanine - Best Build for Ranked Battle

Arcanine uses its Ability Intimidate to lower the opponent's Attack stat by one stage. Thanks to that, Arcanine is able to survive Gyarados' Max Geyser even at the maximum random number value. And with the Close Combat, it's able to deal heavy damage to the everpresent threat Tyranitar, making this set capable both offensively and defensively.

Nasty Plot Hydreigon

Hydreigon - Best Build for Ranked Battle

Hydreigon is one of the Pokemon with Base Stats in the 600's classified as a pseudo-Legendary. It's already a formidable fighter based on its stats alone, but its ability to choose between Nasty Plot and Substitute based on its opponent's moves is another of its primary strengths.

With its stats refined to maximize Speed, as long as the opponent isn't holding a Choice Scarf, it can outspeed speed demons like Mimikyu, Galarian Darmanitan, and Excadrill.

Two words: Dynamax Tyranitar

Tyranitar - Best Build for Ranked Battle

As Tyranitar holds the honor of the Dynamax slot in the party, it's been fitted with a moveset and build intended primarily for Dynamaxing. The Dynamax provides it with an HP boost, allowing its Weakness Policy to come into effect more easily. The two-stage Attack and Special Attack boost provided by Weakness Policy will allow it to really start throwing its weight around.

The Special Attack boost comes in handy to power up Flamethrower, allowing it to take out opponents strong in Physical Defense, such as Corviknight and Ferrothorn. This will come as a surprise to many opponents and allow you to turn the tide of battle.

Corviknight puts on the Pressure

Corviknight - Best Build for Ranked Battle

Corviknight has a tendency to use the Ability Mirror Armor, but we'll be opting for Pressure here. This gives it the potential to wear down the PP of defensive Pokemon such as Toxapex, Umbreon, and Quagsire who are frequently switched in to take hits, giving the potential to handle these Pokemon in a unique and unexpected way.

Mow Rotom maintains the team balance

Mow Rotom - Best Build for Ranked Battle

With its unique type comination of Grass and Electric, Mow Rotom has the ability to handle Water types, which would otherwise be able to wreak havoc on this team. Leaf Storm can cause quick problems for the opponent, and is outstanding as a counter for Wash Rotom.

Mimikyu can stall 3 turns against a Dynamax

Mimikyu - Best Build for Ranked Battle

On its first turn, Mimikyu is protected by its Ability Disguise; on its second turn, it can use Phantom Force to stall another turn; on its third turn, it can typically outspeed, allowing it a third turn. As the effects of Dynamax last only three turns, this allows Mimikyu to definitely last through the length of an opponent's entire Dynamax, so long as it is not switched in to take an attack on its first turn.

Of course, Mimikyu is also a highly effective fighter on its own with its ability to set up Swords Dance on its first turn, allowing it the potential to Dynamax in its own right. Mimikyu holds its own on the team with its versatility alone.

Thoughts from the Game8 Team

Arcanine doesn't slack as a sweeper

Arcanine

After raising its Attack with Max Knuckle, Arcanine's Extreme Speed becomes a rare sweeping move with priority. With its already-high Base Stats followed up by Assault Vest's Special Defense boost, Arcanine was able to survive attacks even from a Dynamaxed opponent.

Corviknight's individual strength hasn't been lost

Corviknight

This team by @Winday77 uses Corviknight in a very different manner than the standard setup, with a unique one-attacking-move, Pressure build. Although it seems a bit unwieldy at first glance, Bulk Up affords it a lot of leeway to hold its own as a singular threat without relying on other team members.

Related Links

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All Ranked Battle Team Guides

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Best Durant Team	Best Arcanine Team	World Top 3's Go-to Team
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Series 12 Balanced Doubles Team	Series 12 Best Standard Singles Team	Series 12 Best Balanced Singles Team

Competitive Ranked Battle Guides

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Tier List		Best Builds		Series 8 Tier List Contenders
Doubles Tier List		Team Building		Rental Teams