Pokemon Sword and Shield

Arctozolt - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Arctozolt - Movesets and Counters.png
This is a strategy guide for using Arctozolt 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 Arctozolt, as well as its strengths and weak points.

Arctozolt - Related Guides
Pokemon SWSH - Arctozolt Evolution and LearnsetEvolution and Learnset Pokemon SWSH - Arctozolt Best BuildBuild for Ranked Battle

Basic Information for Arctozolt

Types and Abilities

Pokemon Type 1 Type 2
Pokemon Sword and Shield - Electric Type Pokemon Sword and Shield - Ice Type
Abilities
Static Contact with the Pokemon may cause paralysis.
Volt Absorb Restores HP if hit by an Electric-type move.
Slush Rush (Hidden) Boosts the Pokemon's Speed stat in a hailstorm.

Base Stats

HP Attack Defense Sp. Atk Sp. Def Speed
90 100 90 90 80 55

Best Nature for Arctozolt

Best Natures
Lonely
(+Atk, -Def)
Mild
(+SpAtk, -Def)
Adamant
(+Atk, -SpAtk)

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Arctozolt

Standard Moveset & Best Build

Standard Arctozolt.png

Nature Lonely
(+Atk, -Def)
EV Spread HP 144 / Atk 252 / SpAtk 44 / Speed 68
Final Stat Values HP 183/ Atk 167 / Defense 99 / SpAtk 116/ Sp ¥Def 100 / Speed 84
Ability Volt Absorb
Held Item Expert Belt
Moveset Bolt Beak
Low Kick
Freeze -Dry
Icicle Crash

Giving Arctozol the Expert Belt allows it to deal high damage with super effective attacks. Its ability, Volt Absorb, keeps it from taking Electric damage, and with Freeze-Dry it can go up against Pokemon like Gastrodon and Quagsire without fear.

Explanation For Hardcore Players

This build for Arctozolt's main purpose is to outspeed Tyranitar. With Low Kick it can one-shot Tyranitar making it useful in the current meta.

Other Viable Moves

Icicle Spear A mult-hit move that can break through Focus Sash.
Avalanche Great for slow Pokemon. If it hits before the opponent attacks it will do less damage, however.
Taunt Effective against Pokemon with status changing moves. Also works for follow-up support.

Life Orb Moveset & Best Build

Nature Adamant
(+Atk, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread Atk 252 / Sp. Def 4 / Speed 252
Final Stat Values HP 165 / Atk 167 / Defense 110 / Sp. Def 101 / Speed 107
Ability Slush Rush
Held Item Life Orb
Moveset Bolt Beak
Low Kick
Stomping Tantrum
Icicle Crash

This is a attacking build that utilizes Life Orb and Dynamaxing. Arctozolt has good STAB moves such as Bolt Beak and Icicle Crash while also having coverage using Low Kick and Stomping Tantrum.

Other Viable Moves

Icicle Spear A mult-hit move that can break through Focus Sash.
Bulldoze Good coverage move against FIre-type Pokemon. Can also lower the Speed stat of the opposing Pokemon.
Taunt Effective against Pokemon with status changing moves. Also works for follow-up support.
Charge Strengthen's your next Electric-type move as well as your Special Defense stat.
Substitute A utility move that allows you to waste the opponent's strongest move or his Dynamax turn.

Weakness Policy Moveset & Best Build

Nature Lax
(+Def, -Sp. Def)
EV Spread Atk 124 / Def 132 / Speed 252
Final Stat Values HP 181 / Atk 120 / Defense 139 / Sp. Atk 110 / Sp. Def 90 / Speed 107
Ability Slush Rush
Held Item Weakness Policy
Moveset Bolt Beak
Taunt
Freeze -Dry
Icicle Spear

A counter attacking build that relies on getting hit and enduring a super effective attack. The combination of Dynamax and Weakness Policy allows for an easy revenge turn. We gave Arctozolt a boost in defense and HP in order to resist the likes of Landorus.

Other Viable Moves

icicle Crash A strong STAB move but only has a 90% chance to hit.
Bulldoze Good coverage move against FIre-type Pokemon. Can also lower the Speed stat of the opposing Pokemon.
Protect A good utility move if you're not sure Arctozolt can endure a hit.
Charge Strengthen's your next Electric-type move as well as your Special Defense stat.
Substitute A utility move that allows you to waste the opponent's strongest move or his Dynamax turn.

How to Use Arctozolt Effectively

Powerful Attacker that Puts the Pressure on Opponents

Arctozolt's Bolt Beak does double the damage if it hits first so it's great against slower Pokemon. Its range of attacks is also wide, so Pokemon like Gastrodon or Quagsire who cover up their Electric weakness with Ground typing can be easily taken out with Freeze-Dry.

Counters for Arctozolt

Arctozolt
Weakness Pokemon Fire Image Pokemon Fighting Image Pokemon Ground Image Pokemon Rock Image

Fast Pokemon With Electric and Ice Resistance

While Arctozolt's range of attacks is quite good, failing to attack first with Bolt Beak or hit the enemy's weakness lowers its damage output significantly and puts it at a disadvantage. Due to this, Pokemon who take half damage from Electric or Ice and can outspeed Arctozolt are the best counters. If they can hit its weakenesses as well this is even better.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon Description
Pokemon SWSH - Excadrill ImageExcadrill Ranking: ★★★★★
・Immune to Electric-type attacks and has STAB with Ground-type attacks
・Takes very little damage from Low Kick due to its weight
Excadrill - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Pokemon SWSH - Heat Rotom ImageHeat Rotom Ranking: ★★★★★
・Ice and Electric-type attacks do half damage
・Hits Arctozolt's weak point with Overheat
Heat Rotom - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Pokemon SWSH - Lanturn ImageLanturn Ranking: ★★★★☆
・Takes half damage from Ice-type attacks and absorbs Bolt Beak's damage
・Is slightly faster than Arctozolt
Lanturn - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Related Links

Pokemon Sword and Shield - Best Builds for Ranked Battle

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle

Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Pokemon SWSH - Tier ListTier List Pokemon SWSH - Best BuildsBest Builds Pokemon Sword and Shield - Ranked Battle Series 10 Contenders.pngSeries 10 List of Contenders
Pokemon SWSH - Doubles Tier ListDoubles Tier List Pokemon SWSH - Competitive Team BuildingTeam Building Pokemon SWSH - Rental TeamsRental Teams

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