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

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
Evolution and Learnset	Build for Ranked Battle

Basic Information for Lycanroc (Dusk Form)

Types and Abilities

Pokemon	Type 1	Type 2
Lycanroc (Dusk Form)
Abilities
Tough Claws	Boost the power of contact moves.

Lycanroc (Dusk Form) 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

Best Nature for Lycanroc (Dusk Form)

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Lycanroc (Dusk Form)

Focus Sash Moveset & Best Build

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

Brute Force Moveset & Best Build

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

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)

Weakness

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
Dragapult	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can outspeed Lycanroc to use Will-o-Wisp ・Immune to Endeavor and Counter as a Ghost-type Moveset & Best Build for Dragapult
Eldegoss	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
Cinderace	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
Togekiss	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

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 The Isle of Armor Pokemon

Movesets & Best Builds for The Isle of Armor Pokemon
Scizor	Kingdra	Magnezone
Volcarona	Chansey	Blissey
Talonflame	Azumarill	Galarian Slowbro
Porygon2	Urshifu Single-Strike Style	Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style
Slowbro	Alolan Marowak	Dragalge
Klefki	Lycanroc	Amoonguss
Poliwrath	Palossand	Mienshao
Starmie	Heracross	Comfey
Porygon-Z	Alakazam	Politoed