Bisharp - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Bisharp Movesets in Other Games
SV	SWSH

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

Bisharp - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Build for Ranked Battle

Basic Information for Bisharp

Types and Abilities

Pokemon	Type 1	Type 2
Bisharp
Abilities
Inner Focus	The Pokemon is protected from flinching.
Defiant	When its stats are lowered its Attack increases.
Pressure (Hidden)	The Pokemon raises the foe's PP usage.

Bisharp 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
65	125	100	60	70	70

Best Nature for Bisharp

Best Nature
Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)

Singles Movesets for Bisharp

Anti-Togekiss Occa Berry Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant(+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 4 / Atk 252 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values	HP 172 / Atk 194 / Def 120 / Sp.Def 90 / Speed 91
Ability	Defiant
Held Item	Occa Berry
Moveset	・Sucker Punch ・Iron Head ・Throat Chop ・Swords Dance

Thanks to its Occa Berry, Bisharp will be able to handle enemies who try to burn it down with Fire-type attacks. This allows Bisharp to be an effective Pokemon against Dynamaxed Togekiss who often carries Max Flare. Bisharp can retaliate with Iron Head followed by a Sucker Punch.

About Bisharp's Moves

Throat Chop is a Dark-type move which has the added benefit of disabling sound-based moves for the next few turns.

As a Steel type, Bisharp benefits from STAB Iron Head which is extremely useful with the plethora of Fairy-types in the metagame.

Bisharp can get around its mediocre base 70 Speed with one of the strongest Sucker Punches in the game. This really threatens the survivability of sweepers as their health gets decimated leaving them vulnerable to other sweepers.

Finally, Swords Dance offers Bisharp a way to gain even more attack boosts against walls. You can also use Swords Dance if you predict the enemy to switch out to get a free boost.

About Bisharp's EV Spread

Since we want to uphold Bisharp's survivability while still being able to maintain power, max investment into HP and Attack will help us achieve this.

About Bisharp's Ability

Defiant gives Bisharp a +2 Attack boost whenever any of it's stats are lowered. This is exremely useful against teams with Intimidate or Defog.

About Bisharp's Held Item

As explained above, an Occa Berry allows Bisharp to tank a Fire-type move to maintain its survivability. Alternatively, Focus Sash may also be an option.

Other Viable Moves

Brick Break	Very useful move against opposing Steel types who would otherwise wall Bisharp's STAB moves. Has the added utility of breaking Reflect and Light Screen
Taunt	Useful against Pokemon who may want to try to set up against Bisharp. Has good synergy with Sucker Punch

Focus Sash Metal Burst Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant(+Atk, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Atk 252 / Def 4
Final Stat Values	HP 172 / Atk 194 / Def 121 / Sp.Def 90 / Spd 90
Ability	Defiant
Held Item	Focus Sash
Moveset	・Sucker Punch ・Metal Burst ・Iron Head ・Guillotine

About Bisharp's Moves

This set relies on Bisharp surviving a near-fatal blow with a Focus Sash and revenge killing with Metal Burst. Just in case the damage won't be enough, Sucker Punch as a priority move can be used for good measure.

Guillotine is a risky move which, if it connects, can be used for a guaranteed OHKO.

About Bisharp's EV Spread

To maximize power from Metal Burst max investment into HP and Attack will help us take more damage, and in return deal more damage.

About Bisharp's Ability

Defiant gives Bisharp a +2 Attack boost whenever any of it's stats are lowered. This is exremely useful against teams with Intimidate or Defog.

About Bisharp's Held Item

Focus Sash guarantees that Bisharp will land at least one Metal Burst before falling.

Other Viable Moves

Taunt	Useful against Pokemon who may want to try to set up against Bisharp. Has good synergy with Sucker Punch
Brick Break	Very useful move against opposing Steel types who would otherwise wall Bisharp's STAB moves. Has the added utility of breaking Reflect and Light Screen
Swords Dance	Offers Bisharp a way to gain even more attack boosts against walls.

How to Use Bisharp Effectively

Take Full Advantage of Defiant

Defiant is one of the reasons why Bisharp has a reliable presence in the metagame. Whereas most physical attackers might be worried about the Attack drop against Intimidate users, Bisharp effectively gets an Attack boost when it's stats are lowered.

Defiant discourages opponents with Intimidate to switch into Bisharp. It also works well with Pokemon who set up entry hazards, as those who will try to Defog it away will drop Bisharp's evasion, and give it a sharp boost in Attack. It also gives Bisharp an edge against teams who have laid down Sticky Web.

Against Corviknight with Mirror Armor you can also try attacking with Max Darkness to lower your own Special Defense to trigger Defiant.

Deal Powerful Damage with Sucker Punch

Bisharp's base 125 Attack Stat and powerful STAB attacks make it a force to be reckoned with in the Pokemon Metagame. Bisharp excels as one of the most threatening users of Sucker Punch, ever since it was introduced in Generation 5.

As mentioned above, Bisharp can get around its mediocre base 70 Speed with one of the strongest Sucker Punches in the game. This really threatens the survivability of sweepers as their health gets decimated, leaving them vulnerable to other sweepers.

How to Build a Team with Bisharp

By making significant dents into the enemy team, Bisharp works well as a secondary physical attacker for the team, who they can set up for success.

Secondary Attacker for Offensive Teams

Bisharp will serve as a wallbreaker and will whittle down the enemy team's HP. Its key resistances should help its survivability a bit, but, due to its low Speed, may need a fellow teammate to clean up the kills.

Example Offensive Team

Primary Special Attacker	Secondary Physical Attacker	Stealth Rock Pivot
Tapu Koko	Bisharp	Swampert

This core revolves around the idea of whittling down the opponents with Bisharp's Sucker Punches and Swampert's Stealth Rocks. Once sufficiently weakened, Both Bisharp and Tapu Koko can proceed to clean up.

Tapu Koko's Electric Surge and Bisharp's Taunt can prevent opponents from recovering with Rest or trying to set up. This allows you to keep the offensive pressure.

Meanwhile, pivot moves like Tapu Koko's Volt Switch and Swampert's Flip Turn can help keep the momentum going by switching to favorable matchups.

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

Counters for Bisharp

Weakness

Exploit Its Weaknesses

Bisharp may have a high Attack stat, but its defenses are mediocre at best. It's best to bring in bulky Pokemon who can take Bisharp's hits, and dish out super-effective moves of their own.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Zapdos	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・You may try to paralyze Bisharp to hamper its offensie. ・Zapdos can easily fit on many teams. Moveset & Best Build for Zapdos'
Cinderace	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Pyroball can easily KO even Bulky Bisharp variants ・Cinderace's versatility allows it to be fit in most teams. Moveset & Best Build for 'Cinderace'
Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can OHKO even Dynamaxed Bisharp. ・Resists Bisharp's Steel-type moves. Moveset & Best Build for 'Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style
Urshifu Single-Strike Style	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can OHKO even Dynamaxed Bisharp ・Resists Bisharp's Dark-type moves. Moveset & Best Build for 'Urshifu Single-Strike Style'

Use Pokemon Who Resist Bisharp's Moves

Bisharp's STAB moves doesn't leave it many options when against bulky Steel or Poison types.

Try to take this opportunity to bring your tank in, to set up against Bisharp. However, be wary of Bisharp's access to Taunt.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Celesteela	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Celesteela's bulk allows it to take most hits ・Leech Seed + Protect can be an effective combo. Moveset & Best Build for 'Celesteela'
Corviknight	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Recover HP with Roost ・Exploit Bisharp's 4x weaknessto Fighting-type moves with Body Press. Moveset & Best Build for 'Corviknight'
Toxapex	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Recover HP with Recover ・You can inflict burn with Scald to cripple Bisharp's offenses. Moveset & Best Build for 'Toxapex'

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
Ludicolo

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
Ludicolo