Competitive Information for Greninja [Sun/Moon]
Water / Dark
Abilities:
At 1/3 or less of its max HP, this Pokemon's offensive stat is 1.5x with Water attacks.
After KOing a Pokemon: becomes Ash-Greninja, Water Shuriken: 20 power, hits 3x.
This Pokemon's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use.
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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Greninja? 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!
Landorus-TherianMagearnaKartanaTapu%20LeleZapdosKommo-oMedicham-MegaAlakazam-MegaSerperiorTapu%20Bulu
Get ready to meet Greninja, the exceptional Water and Dark-typed Pokémon! Greninja is a common Pokémon to see in the SM metagame. It is weak to Bug, Electric, Fairy, Fighting, and Grass-typed attacks. Ready to elevate your game with Greninja's movesets? They're right below!
Item: Life Orb / Expert Belt
Ability: Protean
Nature: Hasty (+Spe, -Def)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Gunk Shot
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
- Spikes / Dig
In single battles, Greninja is known as a marvelous Physical Sweeper. This strategy is built to overwhelm foes with forceful physical moves. Expert Belt boosts the damage of Greninja's super effective moves by 20%. Life Orb boosts the power of Greninja's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use.
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ U-turn is a physical 70-base power Bug-type move (Greninja switches out after damaging the target).
◆ Spikes is a status move (hurts grounded foes on switch-in. Max 3 layers).
◆ Dig is a physical 80-base power Ground-type move (digs underground turn 1, strikes turn 2).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kaa292
Item: Life Orb / Expert Belt
Ability: Protean
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Extrasensory
- Spikes
Greninja excels as an awesome Special Sweeper during single battles. This moveset attempts to crush rivals using brute special moves. Expert Belt boosts the damage of Greninja's super effective moves by 20%. Life Orb boosts the power of Greninja's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use.
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Extrasensory is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Spikes is a status move (hurts grounded foes on switch-in. Max 3 layers).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kba292
Item: Darkinium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Protean
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 188 Hp / 252 Atk / 68 Spe
Moveset:
- Night Slash / Brutal Swing
- Waterfall / Dive
- U-turn / Return
- Ice Punch
Dominating single battles, Greninja is a brilliant Physical Sweeper. It's primary goal is to overwhelm foes with formidable physical moves. Focus Sash helps protect Greninja from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use. U-turn was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Darkinium Z equipped to it, if Greninja has a dark move, this item allows it to use a dark z-move.
◆ Brutal Swing is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Dark-type move (no additional effect. Hits adjacent pokemon).
◆ 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).
◆ U-turn is a physical 70-base power Bug-type move (Greninja switches out after damaging the target).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Ice Punch is a physical 75-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kca292
Item: Waterium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Protean
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 188 Hp / 252 SpA / 68 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam / Icy Wind
- Extrasensory
Greninja proves to be a sensational Special Sweeper for single battles. The purpose of this moveset is to overwhelm foes with intense special moves. Focus Sash helps protect Greninja from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use. With a Waterium Z equipped to it, if Greninja 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).
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ 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).
◆ Extrasensory is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to make the target flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kda292
Item: Expert Belt
Ability: Protean
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Dark Pulse
- Extrasensory
- Ice Beam
- Surf / Hydro Cannon
Greninja proves to be a magnificent Special Sweeper for single battles. This build is crafted to take down the opponent's team with brute special moves. Expert Belt boosts the damage of Greninja's super effective moves by 20%. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use.
◆ Extrasensory is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Surf is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move (hits adjacent pokemon. Double damage on dive).
◆ Hydro Cannon is a special STAB-boosted 150-base power Water-type move (Greninja cannot move next turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kea292
Item: Red Card
Ability: Protean
Nature: Quiet (+SpA, -Spe)
EVs: 120 Hp / 252 SpA / 136 SpD
Moveset:
- Scald / Toxic Spikes
- Shadow Sneak
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
For those intense single battles, Greninja is a spectacular Special Tank. It's meant to handle special hits and respond with decent damage. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use. With a Red Card equipped to it, if Greninja survives a hit, attacker is forced to switch to a random ally then the Red Card gets consumed.
◆ Toxic Spikes is a status move (poisons grounded foes on switch-in. Max 2 layers).
◆ Shadow Sneak is a physical priority-increased 40-base power Ghost-type move (usually goes first).
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kfa292
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Protean
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Grass Knot
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
For those intense single battles, Greninja is an incredible Special Sweeper. This approach seeks to crush rivals using devastating special power. Life Orb boosts the power of Greninja's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use.
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Hydro Pump is a special STAB-boosted 110-base power Water-type move that deals a extensive amount of damage.
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kga292
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Protean
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Scald
- Grass Knot
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
In single battles, Greninja is known as an interesting Special Sweeper. It tries to take down the opponent's team with destructive special power. Life Orb boosts the power of Greninja's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use.
◆ Grass Knot is a special 0-base power Grass-type move (more power the heavier the target).
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kha292
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Greninja? 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!
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Item: Darkinium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Protean
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 188 Hp / 252 Atk / 68 Spe
Moveset:
- Night Slash / Brutal Swing
- Rock Slide / Rock Tomb
- Waterfall / Dive
- Ice Punch / U-turn
Greninja thrives as a pretty decent Physical Sweeper perfect for double battles. It's goal is to take down the opponent's team with brute physical moves. Focus Sash helps protect Greninja from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use. Ice Punch or U-turn are added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Darkinium Z equipped to it, if Greninja has a dark move, this item allows it to use a dark z-move.
◆ Brutal Swing is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Dark-type move (no additional effect. Hits adjacent pokemon).
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Rock Tomb is a physical 60-base power Rock-type move (100% chance to lower the target's speed by 1 stage).
◆ 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).
◆ Ice Punch is a physical 75-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ U-turn is a physical 70-base power Bug-type move (Greninja switches out after damaging the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/laa292
Item: Waterium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Protean
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 188 Hp / 252 SpA / 68 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Dark Pulse
- Icy Wind / Ice Beam
- Extrasensory
Dominating double battles, Greninja is a wonderful Special Sweeper. It's primary goal is to overwhelm foes with devastating special moves. Focus Sash helps protect Greninja from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use. With a Waterium Z equipped to it, if Greninja 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).
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ 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).
◆ Extrasensory is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to make the target flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/lba292
Movepool
Want to know what moves Greninja 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 Greninja.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Greninja 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 Greninja
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Ability: Battle bond + Move: Water shuriken
- 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: Acrobatics + Item: Red Card
- Move: Acrobatics + Item: Flying Gem
- Moves with Priority: Protect, Snatch, Quick Attack, Shadow Sneak, Water Shuriken
- Moves that inflict status: Scald, Toxic
Moves that boost Greninja's stats
- Power-Up Punch
- Work Up
Most notable and possible best moves for Greninja
- Dark Pulse
- Dig
- Extrasensory
- Gunk Shot
- Hidden Power Fire
- Hydro Cannon
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Low Kick
- Protect
- Rest
- Rock Slide
- Scald
- Spikes
- Taunt
- Toxic
- Toxic Spikes
- U-turn
Common Effort Values for Greninja in Sun and Moon
- Hasty Nature ( 0/252/0/4/0/252/ )
- Timid Nature ( 0/0/0/252/4/252/ )
- Optimize Greninja's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon 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 Greninja. Top rated Greninja Sun/Moon movesets. You can find Greninja builds Sun/Moon. Greninja movesets Sun/Moon are listed here. VGC Greninja Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Greninja in Sun/Moon along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution