Pokemon Sword and Shield

Lycanroc (Dusk Form) - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Lycanroc Dusk Form -  Movesets and Counters.png

This is a strategy guide for using Lycanroc (Dusk Form) 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 Lycanroc (Dusk Form), as well as its strengths and weak points.

Lycanroc (Dusk Form) - Related Guides
Pokemon SWSH - Lycanroc (Dusk Form) Evolution and LearnsetEvolution and Learnset Pokemon SWSH - Lycanroc (Dusk Form) Best BuildBuild for Ranked Battle

Basic Information for Lycanroc (Dusk Form)

Types and Abilities

Pokemon Type 1 Type 2
Pokemon Sword and Shield - Rock Type
Abilities
Tough Claws Boost the power of contact moves.

Lycanroc (Dusk Form) Weaknesses and Resistances

Type
Takes 4x damage
-
Takes 2x damage
Pokemon Water Image Pokemon Grass Image Pokemon Fighting Image Pokemon Ground Image Pokemon Steel Image
Takes 0.5x damage
Pokemon Normal Image Pokemon Fire Image Pokemon Poison Image Pokemon Flying Image
Takes 1/4x damage
-
Takes 0x damage
-

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

HP Attack Defense Sp. Atk Sp. Def Speed
75 117 65 55 65 110

Best Nature for Lycanroc (Dusk Form)

Best Natures
Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk)

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Lycanroc (Dusk Form)

Focus Sash Moveset & Best Build

Focus Sash Lycanroc (Dusk Form).png

Nature Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk)
EV Spread 252 Atk. / 252 Spd. / 4 Sp.Def.
Final Stat Values 150 HP / 169 Atk. / 85 Def. / 67 Sp.Atk. / 86 Sp.Def. / 178 Spd.
Ability Tough Claws
Held Item Focus Sash
Moveset Counter
Accelerock
Taunt
Stealth Rock

Lycanroc is a Pokemon with extremely high Attack and Speed. That said, it's brought down by its lackluster defenses, so it's usually played together with the Focus Sash.

Although Lycanroc's attacking power is high, it usually won't be able to pull off a 1HKO even against Pokemon with medium-level defenses without super effective damage, so using Counter together with the Focus Sash is ideal for laying on pressure.

Against opponents unsusceptible to Counter, like Special attackers and Ghost types, use Stealth Rock and Accelerock before getting KO'd, allowing your ace attacker to switch in and finish the job.

Other Viable Moves

Close Combat Super effective against Normal-type defenders like Porygon2 and Snorlax, but don't expect huge damage
Stone Edge The strongest STAB move available, but doesn't get the boost from Tough Claws
Endeavor Works great with the Focus Sash, but its usage overlaps with Counter

Brute Force Moveset & Best Build

Brute Force Lycanroc (Dusk Form).png

Nature Jolly(+Spd, -SpAtk)
EV Spread HP 4 / Atk 252 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values HP 151 / Atk 169 / Def 85 / SpDef 85 / Spd 178
Ability Tough Claws
Held Item Life Orb
Choice Band
Moveset Accelerock
Close Combat
Stone Edge
Iron Head

This build focuses on attack increasing held items to turn Lycanroc into a physical powerhouse. With its high attack and speed and access to Accelrock, Lycanroc can handle itself in a variety of situations.

Especially when given a Choice Band, if Lycanroc uses Accelrock on Cinderace it can take it down in one hit.

Other Viable Moves

Play Rough Counter for Dragon and Fighting-types. Great against Dragapult or Urshifu who see high use in the current meta.
Swords Dance Raises Lycanroc's attack by 2 stages. Best paired with a Life Orb.

How to Use Lycanroc (Dusk Form) Effectively

Set up Stealth Rock first

Although Lycanroc has a high attack, its low defenses will prevent it from lasting long on the battlefield. Set up Stealth Rock first and then hit hard with Accelerock, getting the boost from Tough Claws. This will deal significant damage and allow its teammates to enjoy the Stealth Rock benefits.

Use Counter with Focus Sash

When Lycanroc is up against an ace attacker who's itching to swing at it with a massive club, Counter with Focus Sash will work wonders. When executed correctly, Counter should knock out the first opponent at bat, and Accelerock can leave its mark on the next Pokemon with its remaining 1 HP. Although it's not aiming for a full-party sweep, this is more than enough of a day's work for this good boy.

Counters for Lycanroc (Dusk Form)

Lycanroc (Dusk Form)
Weakness Pokemon Water Image Pokemon Grass Image Pokemon Fighting Image Pokemon Ground Image Pokemon Steel Image

Read Lycanroc's next move

According to Ranked Battle info in the Pokemon HOME app (as of July 7th, 2020), Lycanrocs hold the Focus Sash 90% of the time. When up against Lycanroc, you'll be seeing Stealth Rock→Accelerock, Focus Sash Counter, or Focus Sash Endeavor almost all of the time.
To handle these limited pattern, cut its Speed with an attack like Rock Tomb, or break its Focus Sash with a set damage attack like Will-o-Wisp.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon Description
Pokemon SWSH - Dragapult ImageDragapult Ranking: ★★★★★
・Can outspeed Lycanroc to use Will-o-Wisp
・Immune to Endeavor and Counter as a Ghost-type
Moveset & Best Build for Dragapult
Pokemon SWSH - Eldegoss ImageEldegoss Ranking: ★★★★☆
・Can use Taunt with priority to prevent Stealth Rock
・Can use Lycanroc to set up Leech Seed and Substitute

Best Teammates to Use with Lycanroc

Use an ace attacker to finish the job

After you've set the stage with Lycanroc, a sweeper with Life Orb or Weakness Policy can aim to wipe out the rest of the team. Fast attackers like Libero Cinderace and Nasty Plot Togekiss can do the job well.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon Description
Pokemon SWSH - Cinderace ImageCinderace Ranking: ★★★★★
・Can aim for a sweep after Lycanroc sets the stage
・Dynamax→Max Airstream will boost its Speed and get things ready for a sweep
Moveset & Best Build for Cinderace
Pokemon SWSH - Togekiss ImageTogekiss Ranking: ★★★★★
・Can aim for a sweep after Lycanroc sets the stage
・Dynamax→Max Airstream will boost its Speed and get things ready for a sweep
Moveset & Best Build for Togekiss

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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