Spectrier - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

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

Spectrier - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Build for Ranked Battle

Basic Information for Spectrier

Types and Abilities

Pokemon	Type 1	Type 2
Spectrier
Abilities
Grim Neigh	When the Pokemon knocks out a target, it utters a terrifying neigh, which boosts its Special Attack stat.

Spectrier 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 Spectrier

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Spectrier

Dynamax Special Attacker Moveset & Best Build

Spectrier's base 130 Speed stat make it an excellent lead in the current metagame and is a good choice for lead Dynamax Pokemon thanks to its ability, which boosts its special attack every time it knocks out an enemy.

About Spectrier's Moves

Shadow Ball is its main STAB move, and becomes Max Phantasm during Dynamax, lowering the opposing team's Defense stat.

Dark Pulse is its secondary attacking move, and while its coverage overlaps with Shadow Ball, allows Spectrier to lower the opposing team's special defense when it becomes Max Darkness during Dynamax.

Hyper Beam is a move that Spectrier should only use during Dynamax to avoid the recharge. It also allows the Swift Horse Pokemon to provide speed control as Max Strike lowers the opposing team's speed by one stage.

It's last move is Will-O-Wisp, which is useful when Spectrier is facing against a Pokemon that can use Sucker Punch, such as Bisharp.

About Spectrier's EV Spread

We're using a standard special attacking spread with full investment in Special Attack and Speed so that Spectrier hits hard and as fast as possible. The remaining 4 EVs are placed in Special Defense to further boost its special bulk.

About Spectrier's Ability

Grim Neigh is Spectrier's only Ability. This Ability boosts the Swift Horse Pokemon's Special Attack by one stage when it knocks out an opposing Pokemon.

About Spectrier's Held Item

Spectrier has two options for held item.

Focus Sash ensures it can Dynamax and fire off a powerful Max Move even if it gets hit by an attack taht would otherwise knock it out.

Life Orb, on the other hand, boosts the power of Spectrier's moves by 30% at the cost of some residual damage.

Other Viable Moves

How to Use Spectrier Effectively

A Fast Special Attacker

Spectrier easily fills the role of a fast special attacker and Dynamax lead. While it can't increase its team's speed with Max Airstream, it can still provide speed control by using Max Strike to lower the opposing team's speed.

Low Move Coverage Hinders its Sweeping Potential

Spectrier has excellent Special Attack and Speed, but its shallow movepool means it has low coverage. It's easily walled by Normal or Dark-type Pokemon, with their immunity and resistances negating Spectrier's powerful attacks and boosts.

Spectrier's low move coverage means you need to switch it out often or Dynamax it immediately to ensure it can still support its team with its Max Moves' secondary effects.

How to Build a Team with Spectrier

Spectrier's high Speed and Special Attack but low move coverage limits its usage in most teams, but it has a small niche in Hyper Offense teams.

A Dynamax Lead for Hyper Offense Teams

Spectrier's fast speed makes it a good Dynamax Lead, crippling the opposing team with its Max Moves' secondary effects.

The following teams show some examples of ways in which Spectrier can be effectively used in a team for Ranked Battle.

Example Choice User + Defensive Pivot Team

Lead Dynamax	Choice Band Sweeper	Defensive Pivot
Spectrier	Entei	Zapdos

Spectrier's Defense and Special Defense lowering Max Moves helps Entei KO certain Pokemon that can withstand its Choice Band boosted attacks.

Zapdos serves as the Defensive core for the two, using Volt Switch to quickly pivot to its teammates.

Example Setup Sweeper + Wish Support Team

Lead Dynamax	Calm Mind Sweeper	Wish Support
Spectrier	Cresselia	Vaporeon

Alternatively, you can switch Entei for Cresselia if you prefer a slower approach. Spectrier's Max Strike is useful for this since it lowers the opposing team's speed, letting Cresselia outpace its usual counters and potentially get a Calm Mind boost before the opposing Pokemon.

Vaporeon serves as the defensive core for the two, and it's main role is passing Wish to its teammates to keep them in good condition.

Check out our guide below to learn more about building a Hyper Offense team.
How to Build a Hyper Offense Team

Counters for Spectrier

Weakness

Counter it with a Normal or Dark-type Pokemon

Spectrier's shallow movepool means its easily countered or walled by Normal and Dark-type Pokemon. Many of these counters take little damage from Spectrier's other moves and can even use it as setup fodder.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Tyranitar	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Resists all of Spectrier's main attacking moves ・Sandstorm boosts Tyranitar's Special Defense by 50% ・Can easily KO Spectrier with its STAB Dark-type moves Moveset & Best Build for Tyranitar
Grimmsnarl	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Resists all of Spectrier's main attacking moves ・Has a high chance of 1HKOing 0 Def EV Spectrier with Sucker Punch (87.5% chance) ・Can support its team by setting up dual screens or cripple Spectrier with Thunder Wave Moveset & Best Build for Grimmsnarl
Blissey	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Immune to Spectrier's Ghost-type STAB because of its Normal typing ・High Special Defense lets it withstand all of Spectrier's coverage moves ・Can 2HKO Spectrier with Shadow Ball Moveset & Best Build for Blissey
Cinderace	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Easily 1HKOs 0 Def EV Spectrier with Life Orb boosted Sucker Punch ・A common sight in many teams, which means Spectrier is always at risk of getting KO'd by Sucker Punch Moveset & Best Build for Cinderace

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 Crown Tundra Pokemon

Movesets & Best Builds for The Crown Tundra Pokemon
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
Kartana	Stakataka	Blaziken
Kyogre	Yveltal	Xerneas
Necrozma (Dusk Mane)	Calyrex (Shadow Rider)	Mewtwo
Calyrex (Ice Rider)	Dialga	Lugia
Black Kyurem	Zekrom	Ho-Oh
Rayquaza	Zygarde	Reshiram
White Kyurem	Groudon	Regirock
Palkia	Regigigas	Registeel
Regice	Giratina	Solgaleo
Lunala	Kyurem	Necrozma
Uxie	Mesprit	Azelf
Calyrex