Amoonguss - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle | Pokemon Sword and Shield

Amoonguss Movesets in Other Games
SV	SWSH

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

Amoonguss - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Build for Ranked Battle

Basic Information for Amoonguss

Types and Abilities

Pokemon	Type 1	Type 2
Amoonguss
Abilities
Effect Spore	Contact may poison or cause paralysis or sleep.
Regenerator (Hidden)	Restores a little HP when withdrawn from battle.

Amoonguss 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
114	85	70	85	80	30

Best Nature for Amoonguss

Best Natures
Calm (+Sp.Def, -Atk)	Bold (+Def, -Atk)

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Amoonguss

Standard Wall Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Relaxed(+Def, -Spd)
EV Spread	HP 236 / Def 252 / Sp.Def 20
Final Stat Values	HP 219 / Def 134 / Sp.Atk 105 / Sp.Def 103 / Spd 31
Ability	Regenerator
Held Item	Black Sludge
Moveset	・Spore ・Foul Play ・Clear Smog ・Giga Drain

This is the standard defensive set that made Amoonguss famous ever since its introduction in Generation V. It's excellent Grass/Poison dual typing gives it key resistances to some of the Metagame's most common sweepers such as Azumarill, Rillaboom, and Urshifu Rapid-Strike - just to name a few.

About Amoonguss' Moves

Amoonguss' moves allow it to function as a multi-purpose wall. It can put sweepers to sleep with Spore or cripple opposing walls with Toxic, while Clear Smog stops set-up sweepers by nullifying their stat changes.

Finally, Giga Drain allows Amoonguss to recover lost health while also hitting Water-type Pokemon for super effective damage.

About Amoonguss' EV Spread

This EV spread turns Amoonguss into a sturdy mixed wall that can take both physical and special hits. 172 Def EVs allows it to survive Adamant Hawlucha's Brave Bird three times after Black Sludge recovery. 88 Sp.Def EVs, on the other hand, allows it to survive Modest Choice Specs Dragapult's Draco Meteor two times after Black Sludge recovery.

The remaining EVs go to HP to ensure it makes the most out of the passive recovery from Black Sludge.

About Amoonguss' Ability

Regenerator is the best ability for this defensive set. Upon switching out, Amoonguss recovers 1/3 of its maximum HP!

About Amoonguss' Held Item

We're using the Black Sludge ability. When held by a Poison-type Pokemon like Amoonguss, it restores 1/6 of the Pokemon's maximum HP - similar to Leftovers.

Other Viable Moves

Sludge Bomb	A good offensive move boosted by STAB. Potentially a replacement for Clear Smog.
Poison Fang	Another alternative to Clear Smog. Poison Fang has a chance to badly poison the opposing Pokemon.
Synthesis	A move that can help out in stalling along with Spore and Giga Drain. Substitute it for Clear Smog or Giga Drain.

Doubles Movesets for Amoonguss

Doubles Redirection Support Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Calm (+Sp.Def, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Def 184 / Sp.Def 72
Final Stat Values	HP 221 / Def 113 / Sp.Atk 105 / Sp.Def 119 / Spd 50
Ability	Regenerator
Held Item	Black Sludge
Moveset	・Rage Powder ・Spore ・Protect ・Pollen Puff

Amoonguss' functions as redirection support in the Doubles Metagame, and can easily find itself in all kinds of teams - from Hyper Offense to more balanced or weather-centered teams. It's unique Grass/Poison typing makes it a great answer to the common Water, Fighting, Fairy, and Grass-type sweepers in the format.

About Amoonguss' Moves

Rage Powder is the most important move for this build, allowing Amoonguss to redirect attacks to it. While similar to Follow Me, it has certain limitations.

Grass-type Pokemon are immune to this move, as well as Pokemon holding the Safety Goggles Item. Pokemon with the ability Stalwart, Overcoat, and Propeller Tail are also immune to Rage Powder's effects.

Check out our article below to learn more about Redirection in the Doubles battle format.

Redirection in Doubles

Spore shuts down opposing walls and set-up sweepers while Protect shields Amoonguss from multi-target moves from its ally.

Pollen Puff is a great utility move; when used on an opposing Pokemon, it does respectable damage. When used on an ally Pokemon, it restores their HP up to 50% of their maximum HP!

About Amoonguss' EV Spread

We're using a Calm nature but are investing more EVs on the Defense stat. This is due to the fast-paced and offensive-oriented nature of the Doubles format where defensive Pokemon need to withstand hits from both defensive stats.

With 184 Defense and 72 Sp.Def EVs, this Amoonguss has almost equal defensive stats. Choice Band Jolly Urshifu Single-Strike needs to use Wicked Blow two times to KO this Amoonguss.

About Amoonguss' Ability

Regenerator is the best ability for this defensive set. Upon switching out, Amoonguss recovers 1/3 of its maximum HP!

About Amoonguss' Held Item

We're using the Black Sludge ability. When held by a Poison-type Pokemon like Amoonguss, it restores 1/6 of the Pokemon's maximum HP - similar to Leftovers.

Other Viable Moves

Giga Drain	A good alternative to Pollen Puff that provides Amoonguss more reliable active recovery.
Worry Seed	A good alternative to Protect. This move changes the target's ability to Insomnia. It's best used on Pokemon that rely on their abilities, such as Dracovish, Cinderace, and both types of Urshifu.
Clear Smog	A good alternative to Pollen Puff that allows Amoonguss to nullify the stat changes of opposing Pokemon.

How to Use Amoonguss Effectively

Cripple Opposing Pokemon with Spore

Amoonguss' claim to fame is access to the move Spore - a perfect accuracy move that puts the opposing Pokemon to sleep. Opposing Pokemon have a hard time switching in to Amoonguss as it can easily put them to sleep, nullifying their threat for the rest of the battle.

How to Build a Team with Amoonguss

Amoonguss is a versatile Pokemon in both the Singles and Doubles format. It's dual Grass/Poison typing, great bulk allow, and a wide support movepool allows it to easily fit into a variety of teams and synergize with the rest of its teammates.

A Sturdy Mixed Wall

Thanks to its unique dual typing, Amoonguss has plenty of chances to switch in and function as a sturdy mixed wall. It's best to switch it in on defensive Pokemon like Toxapex or sweepers it completely walls such as Rillaboom and both types of Urshifu.

Amoonguss is especially popular in Weather Teams as it's a great answer to Rain sweepers. Check out our article below to learn more about how to build a Weather Team.

How to Build a Weather Team

A Great Redirection Support Pokemon

In a Doubles Metagame dominated by Follow Me users such as Togekiss, Clefable, and Indeedee, Amoonguss sets itself apart as a sturdier redirection support Pokemon with better typing.

Though Rage Powder has its limitations, Amoonguss' superior typing allows it to withstand moves from opposing Pokemon that would otherwise KO its competitors.

Check out our article blow to learn how to build a Doubles Team with Amoonguss.

How to Build a Doubles Team

Counters for Amoonguss

Weakness

Overpower it with a Strong Super Effective Move

Though Amoonguss' boast great defensive bulk, certain sweepers can overcome its sturdiness and even outright KO it!

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Cinderace	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Cinderace with a Jolly nature can knock out it with STAB super effective Pyro Ball. Moveset & Best Build for Cinderace
Zapdos	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Zapdos can deal massive damage due to it being Flying-type. Not to mention it resists Grass as well Zapdos - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Tapu Lele	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Tapu Lele being a Psychic-type can easily take out Amoonguss with a STAB move paired with Psychic Terrain. Tapu Lele - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Salamence	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Salamence can deal with Amoongus easily by using moves such as Dual Wingbeat. Salamence - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Chandelure	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can knock out Amoongus using a strong Fire-type STAB move. Chandelure - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Heat Rotom	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can knock out Amoongus using a strong Fire-type STAB move. Heat Rotom - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Volcarona	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can knock out Amoongus using a strong Fire-type STAB move. Volcarona - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Counter it with a Grass-type Pokemon

Grass-type Pokemon make great checks to Amoonguss, especially in Doubles as they are immune to the effects of Rage Powder. Be wary though as Amoonguss may carry Clear Smog or Sludge Bomb!

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Ferrothorn	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Immune to Rage Powder and Spore ・Immune to Poison-type moves ・4x resistant to Grass-type moves Moveset & Best Build for Ferrothorn

Ferrothorn is an excellent check to Amoonguss in both battle formats. Not only is it immune to Rage Powder and Spore, its also immune to Poison-type moves and is 4x resistant to Grass-type moves.

Related Links

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle

Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield

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Tier List		Best Builds		Series 10 List of Contenders
Doubles Tier List		Team Building		Rental Teams

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