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

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

Hitmontop - Related Articles
Evolution and Learnset	Build for Ranked Battle

Basic Information for Hitmontop

Types and Abilities

Pokemon	Type 1	Type 2
Hitmontop
Abilities
Intimidate	Lowers the foe's Attack stat.
Technician	Powers up the Pokemon's weaker moves.
Steadfast (Hidden)	Raises Speed each time the Pokemon Flinches.

Type Defenses

	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 Hitmontop

Strategies for Hitmontop

Offensive Doubles Support Moveset & Best Build

Hitmontop is a great offensive lead and support Pokemon in Doubles. Its ability to block priority attacks with its moves allow it to counter some of the Metagame's powerful sweepers.

About Hitmontop's Moves

Fake Out allows Hitmontop to scout attacks and interrupt opponents on the first turn. Quick Guard blocks all priority moves, whether they have an increased priority or are increased by other factors such as abilities or terrains.

Low Sweep is its main STAB move that lowers the target's speed stat by 1 stage. Detect is its last move, and while it functions the same as Protect, it's the better choice as it prevents Hitmontop from getting blocked with Imprison.

About Hitmontop's EV Spread

We're using a modified mixed EV spread with maximum HP investment. Hitmontop has great mixed defenses, and the given Defense and Special Defense EVs allow it to take more hits from physical and special attacks. The remaining 4 Evs are placed in Attack and Speed to slightly boost its offensive abilities.

About Hitmontop's Ability

We're using Intimidate for this build as it allows Hitmontop to easily switch into physical attackers.

About Hitmontop's Held Item

Hitmontop lacks viable recovery outside of Rest, so we're giving it Leftovers as it provides gradual recovery.

Other Viable Moves

How to Use Hitmontop Effectively

A Bulky Offensive Lead

While it has access to powerful moves, its mediocre move coverage make it an inferior sweeper in Doubles. As such, it's best used as a bulkier lead with secondary offensive capabilities.

How to Build a Team with Hitmontop

Hitmontop is easy to fit into most Doubles Teams, especially those that struggle against opposing teams that rely on priority moves. Balanced teams appreciate the utility it brings with its moves, and it can also help Hyper Offense teams by softening physical blows with Intimidate.

Check out our guide below to learn how to build a Doubles Team with Hitmontop.
How to Build a Doubles Team

Counters for Hitmontop

Wall it with a Ghost-Type Pokemon

Hitmontop is completely walled by Ghost-type Pokemon. Even non-defensive Ghost types can easily come switch into Hitmontop and set-up or sweep.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Gengar	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can switch in and set up with Nasty Plot ・Can survive Hitmontop's weak Dark-type moves and potentially disable them with Cursed Body Moveset & Best Build for Gengar
Mimikyu	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can easily KO Hitmontop with Life Orb boosted Play Rough Moveset & Best Build for Mimikyu

Related Links

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Galarian Articuno	Galarian Zapdos	Galarian Moltres
Raikou	Entei	Suicune
Articuno	Zapdos	Moltres
Tornadus	Thundurus	Landorus
Tapu Koko	Tapu Lele	Tapu Bulu
Tapu Fini	Regieleki	Regidrago
Latios	Latias	Heatran
Cresselia	Glastrier	Spectrier
Nidoking	Swampert	Dragonite
Salamence	Garchomp	Metagross
Galarian Slowking	Nihilego	Naganadel
Pheromosa	Buzzwole	Celesteela
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Talonflame	Azumarill	Galarian Slowbro
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Slowbro	Alolan Marowak	Dragalge
Klefki	Lycanroc	Amoonguss
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Starmie	Heracross	Comfey
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Centiskorch	Arctozolt	Zarude
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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

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