Competitive Information for Prinplup [Black/White]


Water
Abilities:
This Pokemon's Attack is raised by 2 for each of its stats that is lowered by a foe.
At 1/3 or less of its max HP, this Pokemon's offensive stat is 1.5x with Water attacks.


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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Prinplup? These builds are optimized for Black/White Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Black/White metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Get hyped for Prinplup, a sensational Pokémon with Water typing! Prinplup is not a Pokémon anyone usually expects to see on the battlefield. Its only type-related weaknesses are Electric and Grass. Check out the movesets listed below to learn more about Prinplup's strategies.
Item: Life Orb / Choice Band
Ability: Defiant
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Moveset:
- Shadow Claw
- Waterfall / Dive
- Return / Strength
- Drill Peck / Pluck
Taking on single battles? Prinplup is a renowned Physical Sweeper. The intention of this moveset is to crush rivals using overwhelming physical power. Choice Band will increase the damage of Prinplup's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Prinplup's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Defiant, Prinplup's attack is raised by 2 for each of its stats that is lowered by a foe.
◆ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Dive is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (dives underwater turn 1, strikes turn 2).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Strength is a physical 80-base power Normal-type move that deals a large amount of damage.
◆ Drill Peck is a physical 80-base power Flying-type move that deals a considerable amount of damage.
◆ Pluck is a physical 60-base power Flying-type move (Prinplup steals and eats the target's berry).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/gaa18a
Item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
Ability: Defiant
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 Hp / 4 Def / 252 SpA
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Ice Beam / Icy Wind
- Signal Beam
- Grass Knot
For single battles, Prinplup is a top-notch Special Sweeper. This moveset was created to crush rivals using potent special moves. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Prinplup's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Prinplup's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Defiant, Prinplup's attack is raised by 2 for each of its stats that is lowered by a foe.
◆ Scald is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (30% chance to burn the target).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 95-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Icy Wind is a special 55-base power Ice-type move (100% chance to lower the foes speed by 1 stage).
◆ Signal Beam is a special 75-base power Bug-type move (10% chance to confuse the target).
◆ Grass Knot is a special 0-base power Grass-type move (more power the heavier the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/gba18a
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Prinplup? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Black/White Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the Black/White metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Item: Life Orb / Choice Band
Ability: Defiant
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Moveset:
- Shadow Claw
- Waterfall / Dive
- Return / Strength
- Drill Peck / Pluck
When it comes to double battles, Prinplup shines as a noteworthy Physical Sweeper. This moveset was constructed to overwhelm foes with overwhelming physical power. Choice Band will increase the damage of Prinplup's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Prinplup's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Defiant, Prinplup's attack is raised by 2 for each of its stats that is lowered by a foe.
◆ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Dive is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (dives underwater turn 1, strikes turn 2).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Strength is a physical 80-base power Normal-type move that deals a decent amount of damage.
◆ Drill Peck is a physical 80-base power Flying-type move that deals a great amount of damage.
◆ Pluck is a physical 60-base power Flying-type move (Prinplup steals and eats the target's berry).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/haa18a
Item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
Ability: Defiant
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 Hp / 4 Def / 252 SpA
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Icy Wind / Ice Beam
- Signal Beam
- Grass Knot
For double battles, Prinplup is a brilliant Special Sweeper. This strategy is built to crush rivals using lethal special power. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Prinplup's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Prinplup's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Defiant, Prinplup's attack is raised by 2 for each of its stats that is lowered by a foe.
◆ Scald is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (30% chance to burn the target).
◆ Icy Wind is a special 55-base power Ice-type move (100% chance to lower the foes speed by 1 stage).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 95-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Signal Beam is a special 75-base power Bug-type move (10% chance to confuse the target).
◆ Grass Knot is a special 0-base power Grass-type move (more power the heavier the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/hba18a
Movepool
Want to know what moves Prinplup can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Black/White generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Prinplup.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Prinplup can perform in Black/White. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive BW Move and Ability Combos for Prinplup
- Moves: Endure + Flail
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Yawn + Protect
- Ability: Torrent + Item: Focus sash
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Fling + Item: King's Rock
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Move: Double Hit + Item: King's Rock
- Moves with Priority: Bide, Endure, Protect
- Moves that Break Screens: Defog, Brick Break
- Moves that inflict status: Yawn, Scald, Toxic
Moves that boost Prinplup's stats
- Agility
- Hone Claws
- Metal Claw
Most notable and possible best moves for Prinplup
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Rest
- Scald
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Prinplup in Black and White
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.

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