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This is a strategy guide for using Xerneas 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 Xerneas, as well as its strengths and weak points.
Xerneas - Related Guides | |
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Evolution and Learnset | Build for Ranked Battle |
List of Contents
Pokemon | Type 1 | Type 2 |
---|---|---|
Abilities | ||
Fairy Aura | Raises power of Fairy-type moves for all Pokemon in battle. |
Type | |
---|---|
Takes 4x damage |
|
Takes 2x damage | |
Takes 0.5x damage | |
Takes 1/4x damage |
|
Takes 0x damage |
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Atk | Sp. Def | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
126 | 131 | 95 | 131 | 98 | 99 |
Best Natures | ||
---|---|---|
Timid (+Spd, -Atk) |
Modest (+Sp.Atk, -Atk) |
Bold (+Def, -Atk) |
Nature | Timid (+Spd, -Atk) |
---|---|
EV Spread | Def 4 / Sp.Atk 252 / Spd 252 |
Final Stat Values | HP 201 / Def 116 / Sp.Atk 183 / Sp.Def 118 / Spd 166 |
Ability | Fairy Aura |
Held Item | Power Herb |
Moveset | ・Geomancy
・Moonblast ・Thunderbolt ・Draining Kiss |
Xerneas is easily one of the best Fairy-type Pokemon available. Without a secondary typing, Xerneas can take advantage of its immunity to Dragon-type moves without worrying about additional weaknesses other than the rare Poison and Steel-type moves.
Xerneas also has access to a stellar stat-increasing move in the form of Geomancy which, when partnered with Fairy Aura, allows it to dish out some of the strongest STAB Fairy-type moves in the game.
This set revolves around Xerneas getting a two-stage boost on its Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed through the use of Geomancy, after which Xerneas will effectively have 366 Special Attack, 236 Special Defense, and 332 Speed.
Combining this monstrous Special Attack stat with STAB Fairy-type moves such as Moonblast or Draining Kiss, which are then further powered by Fairy Aura, makes Xerneas a threat few can deal with. The former attack can be used to deal raw damage, while the latter can be used as a form of healing.
Thunderbolt serves as a good coverage move for Pokemon who would otherwise resist Xerneas' Fairy-type attacks. It also has the added benefit of a chance to paralyze the opponent.
You can't go wrong with a standard Special Attacking Sweeper spread for Xerneas. This allows you to deal the most damage as fast as possible.
Xerneas' signature ability, Fairy Aura, increases the damage of its Fairy-type attacks. In conjunction with STAB, it almost doubles the Base Power of Xerneas' Fairy-type moves.
Having Xerneas hold a Power Herb allows Geomancy to charge in a single turn instead of two, eliminating the turn of vulnerability that Xerneas would otherwise have without the item.
Substitute | Can be used as a way to scout what the enemy might do, while also giving you more chances to set up safely. |
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Flash Cannon | Steel-type move that may lower the opponent's Sp.Def stat. Gives Xerneas access to Max Steelspike to raise Defense. |
Focus Blast | Coverage move for opposing Steel-types. Also useful against Tyranitar. |
Psyshock | Coverage move for opposing Poison-types. It also allows you to overcome specially-defensive walls by attacking their physical side instead. |
Thunder | A stronger, albeit less reliable, alternative to Thunderbolt. |
Geomancy nets Xerneas a two-stage boost on its Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed. Although normally a two-turn move, holding a Power Herb lets it charge in just one.
The Speed boost provided by Geomancy will be another hurdle that enemies have to overcome. Only select Choice Scarf users will be able to outspeed Xerneas, meaning most opponents will have to take the brunt of the Life Pokemon's attacks.
Scout Lead | Special Attacker | Physical Attacker |
---|---|---|
Rillaboom | Xerneas | Incineroar |
As a Fire-type, Incineroar can be a solid teammate for Xerneas who might struggle facing off against Steel-type Pokemon. Intimidate helps lower the Attack-stat of physical attackers who may wish to prey on Xerneas' physical defense. Incineroar also boasts high offensive stats of its own which works well with this offensive team.
Rillaboom rounds out the team with useful Grass-type coverage and the ability to offer Grassy Terrain for passive healing of the team. With Knock Off, Rillaboom can also cripple enemies who rely on items to succeed.
Xerneas works well with these two starter Pokemon and can also cover their Water and Flying-type weaknesses thanks to its Electric-type coverage.
How to Build an Offensive Team
Weakness |
---|
Xerneas has limited options on raising its physical defense outside of Max Steelspike, so attacking with physical moves will be the way to go to wear this Pokemon down.
Pokemon | Description |
---|---|
Zacian | Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Behemoth Blade absolutely shreds through Xerneas with super effective STAB damage from Zacian. Moveset & Best Build for Zacian |
Cinderace | Ranking: ★★★★ ・Thanks to Libero, Cinderace can fire off a STAB Gunk Shot that will deal super effective damage against Xerneas. Moveset & Best Build for Cinderace |
Necrozma (Dusk Mane) | Ranking: ★★★★ ・Has access to the STAB Steel-type move Sunsteel Strike to deal super effective damage ・Steel / Psychic typing allows Necrozma to take neutral hits from Xerneas' Fighting-type coverage moves. |
Ferrothorn | Ranking: ★★★★ ・Has access to the STAB Steel-type move Gyro Ball to deal super effective damage ・Has to be careful of Xerneas' Fighting-type coverage moves, such as Focus Blast. Moveset & Best Build for Ferrothorn |
Calyrex (Ice Rider) | Ranking: ★★★ ・Has access to the Steel-type move Heavy Slam to deal super effective damage. ・Assault Vest Calyrex (Ice Rider) can better withstand Xerneas' special attacks. |
Metagross | Ranking: ★★★ ・Has access to STAB Steel-type moves such as Meteor Mash and Bullet Punch to deal super effective damage. ・Steel / Psychic typing allows Metagross to take neutral hits from Xerneas' Fighting-type coverage moves. Moveset & Best Build for Metagross |
All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle
Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides | |||||
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Tier List | Best Builds | Series 10 List of Contenders | |||
Doubles Tier List | Team Building | Rental Teams |
Xerneas - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
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