Competitive Information for Basculin [Sun/Moon]
Water
Abilities:
This Pokemon's same-type attack bonus (STAB) is 2 instead of 1.5.
This Pokemon's moves and their effects ignore the Abilities of other Pokemon.
This Pokemon's attacks with recoil or crash damage have 1.2x power; not Struggle.
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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Basculin? These builds are optimized for Sun/Moon Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sun/Moon metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Basculin is here! This dazzling Pokémon is Water-typed and ready to shine! It's to see Basculin show up as a Sun/Moon opponent. Its only type-related weaknesses are Electric and Grass. Delve into Basculin's movesets below and strategize for victory!
Item: Normalium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Reckless
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Double-Edge / Return
- Liquidation / Aqua Tail
- Superpower / Revenge
- Crunch / Bite
For those intense single battles, Basculin is an exquisite Physical Sweeper. It's meant to crush rivals using powerful physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Basculin from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Reckless, Basculin's attacks with recoil or crash damage have 1.2x power; not struggle. With a Normalium Z equipped to it, if Basculin has a normal move, this item allows it to use a normal z-move.
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Liquidation is a physical STAB-boosted 85-base power Water-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Aqua Tail is a physical STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move that deals a mighty amount of damage.
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Basculin's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Revenge is a physical 60-base power Fighting-type move (power doubles if Basculin is damaged by the target).
◆ Crunch is a physical 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Bite is a physical 60-base power Dark-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kaa226
Item: Waterium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Reckless
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Ice Beam / Icy Wind
- Hidden Power / Round
- Mud Shot
Taking on single battles? Basculin is a noteworthy Special Sweeper. It's primary goal is to take down the opponent's team with lethal special attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Basculin from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Reckless, Basculin's attacks with recoil or crash damage have 1.2x power; not struggle. With a Waterium Z equipped to it, if Basculin has a water move, this item allows it to use a water z-move.
◆ Scald is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (30% chance to burn the target. Thaws target).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-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).
◆ Hidden Power is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (varies in type based on your Basculin's ivs).
◆ Round is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if others used round this turn).
◆ Mud Shot is a special 55-base power Ground-type move (100% chance to lower the target's speed by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kba226
Item: Focus Sash
Ability: Mold Breaker
Nature: Naughty (+Atk, -SpD)
EVs: 210 Hp / 210 Atk / 60 SpD / 30 Spe
Moveset:
- Aqua Jet
- Revenge / Aqua Tail
- Return
- Waterfall
When it comes to single battles, Basculin shines as a first-rate Physical Tank. It attempts to withstand physical attacks and hit back effectively. Focus Sash helps protect Basculin from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Mold Breaker, Basculin's moves and their effects ignore the abilities of other pokemon.
◆ Revenge is a physical 60-base power Fighting-type move (power doubles if Basculin is damaged by the target).
◆ Aqua Tail is a physical STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move that deals a mighty amount of damage.
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kca226
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
Nature: Naughty (+Atk, -SpD)
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Moveset:
- Aqua Jet
- Zen Headbutt
- Return
- Substitute
For those intense single battles, Basculin is an impressive Physical Tank. It's meant to withstand physical attacks and hit back effectively. Life Orb boosts the power of Basculin's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Adaptability, Basculin's same-type attack bonus (stab) is 2 instead of 1.5.
◆ Zen Headbutt is a physical 80-base power Psychic-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Substitute is a status move (Basculin takes 1/4 its max hp to put in a substitute).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kda226
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Basculin? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sun/Moon 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 Sun/Moon metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Item: Normalium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Reckless
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Double-Edge / Return
- Liquidation / Aqua Tail
- Superpower / Revenge
- Crunch / Bite
Prepare for double battles with Basculin as an exquisite Physical Sweeper. The purpose of this moveset is to crush rivals using overwhelming physical moves. Focus Sash helps protect Basculin from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Reckless, Basculin's attacks with recoil or crash damage have 1.2x power; not struggle. With a Normalium Z equipped to it, if Basculin has a normal move, this item allows it to use a normal z-move.
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Liquidation is a physical STAB-boosted 85-base power Water-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Aqua Tail is a physical STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move that deals a nice amount of damage.
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Basculin's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Revenge is a physical 60-base power Fighting-type move (power doubles if Basculin is damaged by the target).
◆ Crunch is a physical 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Bite is a physical 60-base power Dark-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/laa226
Item: Waterium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Reckless
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Icy Wind / Ice Beam
- Hidden Power / Round
- Mud Shot
Prepare for double battles with Basculin as a magnificent Special Sweeper. This approach seeks to crush rivals using potent special power. Focus Sash helps protect Basculin from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Reckless, Basculin's attacks with recoil or crash damage have 1.2x power; not struggle. With a Waterium Z equipped to it, if Basculin has a water move, this item allows it to use a water z-move.
◆ Scald is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (30% chance to burn the target. Thaws 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 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Hidden Power is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (varies in type based on your Basculin's ivs).
◆ Round is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if others used round this turn).
◆ Mud Shot is a special 55-base power Ground-type move (100% chance to lower the target's speed by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/lba226
Movepool
Want to know what moves Basculin can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sun/Moon 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 Basculin.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Basculin can perform in Sun/Moon. 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 SM Move and Ability Combos for Basculin
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Move: Endeavor + Item: Focus Sash
- Recoil moves boosted by Reckless: Double-Edge, Head Smash, Take Down
- Moves with Priority: Protect, Aqua Jet
- Moves that inflict status: Scald, Toxic
Moves that boost Basculin's stats
- Agility
- Rage
Most notable and possible best moves for Basculin
- Head Smash
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Rest
- Scald
- Taunt
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Basculin in Sun and Moon
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 Basculin. Top rated Basculin Sun/Moon movesets. You can find Basculin builds Sun/Moon. Basculin movesets Sun/Moon are listed here. VGC Basculin Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Basculin in Sun/Moon along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution