Competitive Information for Shiftry [Black/White]
Grass / Dark
Abilities:
If Sunny Day is active, this Pokemon's Speed is doubled.
This Pokemon's sleep counter drops by 2 instead of 1.
If this Pokemon has no item and is hit by a contact move, it steals the attacker's item.
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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Shiftry? 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!
Meet Shiftry, the first-rate Pokémon of Grass and Dark types! It's a sight to see Shiftry out in the 5th generation battlefield. It is weak to Bug, Fighting, Fire, Flying, Ice, and Poison-typed attacks. Want to master Shiftry's movesets? Dive into our detailed strategies below!
Item: Focus Sash / Tanga Berry
Ability: Chlorophyll
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 120 Hp / 252 Atk / 68 Def / 68 SpD
Moveset:
- Foul Play / Sucker Punch
- Razor Leaf / Seed Bomb
- Brick Break / Double-Edge
- X-Scissor
Ready for single battles? Shiftry is a terrific Physical Sweeper. This moveset is formulated to crush rivals using lethal physical moves. Focus Sash helps protect Shiftry from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Chlorophyll, Shiftry's speed is doubled during sunny weather. Brick Break was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Tanga Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective bug-type attack then the Tanga Berry gets consumed.
◆ Sucker Punch is a physical STAB-boosted priority-increased 80-base power Dark-type move (usually goes first. Fails if target is not attacking).
◆ Razor Leaf is a physical STAB-boosted 55-base power Grass-type move (high critical hit ratio. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Seed Bomb is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Grass-type move that deals a nice amount of damage.
◆ Brick Break is a physical 75-base power Fighting-type move (destroys screens, unless the target is immune).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ X-Scissor is a physical 80-base power Bug-type move that deals a mighty amount of damage.
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Item: Focus Sash / Tanga Berry
Ability: Chlorophyll
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 120 Hp / 68 Def / 252 SpA / 68 SpD
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Leaf Storm / Energy Ball
- Foul Play / Dark Pulse
- Air Cutter
- Shadow Ball
Shiftry thrives as a sensational Special Sweeper perfect for single battles. This approach seeks to take down the opponent's team with devastating special attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Shiftry from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Chlorophyll, Shiftry's speed is doubled during sunny weather. With a Tanga Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective bug-type attack then the Tanga Berry gets consumed.
◆ Energy Ball is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Grass-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Foul Play is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Dark-type move (uses target's attack stat in damage calculation).
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Air Cutter is a special 55-base power Flying-type move (high critical hit ratio. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Shadow Ball is a special 80-base power Ghost-type move (20% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
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Item: Choice Specs
Ability: Early Bird
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 6 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Leaf Tornado
- Energy Ball
- Dark Pulse / Grass Knot
- Growth / Giga Drain
When it comes to single battles, Shiftry shines as an incredible Special Sweeper. It's primary goal is to take down the opponent's team with devastating special moves. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Shiftry's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Early Bird, Shiftry's sleep counter drops by 2 instead of 1.
◆ Energy Ball is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Grass-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Grass Knot is a special STAB-boosted 0-base power Grass-type move (more power the heavier the target).
◆ Growth is a status move (raises Shiftry's attack and special attack by 1 stage; 2 in sun).
◆ Giga Drain is a special STAB-boosted 75-base power Grass-type move (Shiftry recovers 50% of the damage dealt).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/gca113
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Early Bird
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 6 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Nasty Plot
- Dark Pulse
- Shadow Ball / Snarl
- Giga Drain
Shiftry makes an a sensational Special Sweeper in single battles. This configuration strives to overwhelm foes with heavy-hitting special attacks. Life Orb boosts the power of Shiftry's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Early Bird, Shiftry's sleep counter drops by 2 instead of 1.
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Shadow Ball is a special 80-base power Ghost-type move (20% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Snarl is a special STAB-boosted 55-base power Dark-type move (100% chance to lower the foes special attack by 1 stage).
◆ Giga Drain is a special STAB-boosted 75-base power Grass-type move (Shiftry recovers 50% of the damage dealt).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/gda113
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Shiftry? 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: Focus Sash / Tanga Berry
Ability: Chlorophyll
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 120 Hp / 252 Atk / 68 Def / 68 SpD
Moveset:
- Razor Leaf / Seed Bomb
- Foul Play / Sucker Punch
- Rock Slide
- Brick Break / Double-Edge
Prepare for double battles with Shiftry as a renowned Physical Sweeper. This moveset is tailored to take down the opponent's team with powerful physical attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Shiftry from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Chlorophyll, Shiftry's speed is doubled during sunny weather. Brick Break was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Tanga Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective bug-type attack then the Tanga Berry gets consumed.
◆ Seed Bomb is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Grass-type move that deals a good amount of damage.
◆ Foul Play is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Dark-type move (uses target's attack stat in damage calculation).
◆ Sucker Punch is a physical STAB-boosted priority-increased 80-base power Dark-type move (usually goes first. Fails if target is not attacking).
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Brick Break is a physical 75-base power Fighting-type move (destroys screens, unless the target is immune).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/haa113
Item: Focus Sash / Tanga Berry
Ability: Chlorophyll
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 120 Hp / 68 Def / 252 SpA / 68 SpD
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Leaf Storm / Energy Ball
- Air Cutter
- Foul Play / Snarl
- Icy Wind / Razor Wind
Shiftry stands out as a terrific Special Sweeper in double battles. This moveset is designed to take down the opponent's team with intense special power. Focus Sash helps protect Shiftry from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Chlorophyll, Shiftry's speed is doubled during sunny weather. Icy Wind was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Tanga Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective bug-type attack then the Tanga Berry gets consumed.
◆ Energy Ball is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Grass-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Air Cutter is a special 55-base power Flying-type move (high critical hit ratio. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Foul Play is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Dark-type move (uses target's attack stat in damage calculation).
◆ Snarl is a special STAB-boosted 55-base power Dark-type move (100% chance to lower the foes special attack by 1 stage).
◆ Icy Wind is a special 55-base power Ice-type move (100% chance to lower the foes speed by 1 stage).
◆ Razor Wind is a special 80-base power Normal-type move (charges, then hits foes turn 2. High crit ratio).
Link (click to copy):
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Movepool
Want to know what moves Shiftry 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 Shiftry.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Shiftry 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 Shiftry
- Moves: Defense curl + Rollout
- Moves: Sunny day + Solar beam
- Moves: Sunny day + Growth
- Moves: Swagger + Foul play
- Moves: Swagger + Psych up
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Substitute + Leech seed
- Moves: Toxic + Leech seed
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Fling + Item: King's Rock
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Bide, Endure, Protect, Fake Out, Quick Attack, Sucker Punch
- Moves that Break Screens: Defog, Brick Break
- Moves that inflict status: Toxic
Moves that boost Shiftry's stats
- Amnesia
- Defense Curl
- Growth
- Harden
- Nasty Plot
- Ominous Wind
- Silver Wind
- Swords Dance
Most notable and possible best moves for Shiftry
- Fake Out
- Knock Off
- Protect
- Rest
- Snarl
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Shiftry 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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Here are the best movesets for Shiftry. Top rated Shiftry Black/White movesets. You can find Shiftry builds Black/White. Shiftry movesets Black/White are listed here. VGC Shiftry Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Shiftry in Black/White along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution