Competitive Information for Honchkrow [Sun/Moon]
Dark / Flying
Abilities:
This Pokemon cannot fall asleep. Gaining this Ability while asleep cures it.
This Pokemon's Attack is raised by 1 stage if it attacks and KOes another Pokemon.
This Pokemon's critical hit ratio is raised by 1 stage.

Disclaimer: All videos and opinions are owned by their respective creators and may not reflect our views.
Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Honchkrow? 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!
Venusaur-MegaLatiosTapu%20BuluAraquanidSwampertSceptile-MegaUxieArcanineGoodraForretress
Unveil the power of Honchkrow, a rad Pokémon known for its Dark and Flying typing! Honchkrow is a common Pokémon to see in the SM metagame. It is weak to Electric, Fairy, Ice, and Rock-typed attacks. Check out the movesets listed below to learn more about Honchkrow's strategies.
Item: Flyinium Z / Scope Lens
Ability: Super Luck
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Brave Bird / Sky Attack
- Foul Play / Night Slash
- Superpower
- Double-Edge / Return
Honchkrow shows a top-notch Physical Sweeper prowess in single battles. It's designed to crush rivals using devastating physical moves. Scope Lens/Razor Claw increases Honchkrow critical hit ratio by 1 stage and combined with Honchkrow's Super Luck ability will double these chances even further. With Super Luck, Honchkrow's critical hit ratio is raised by 1 stage. With a Flyinium Z equipped to it, if Honchkrow has a flying move, this item allows it to use a flying z-move.
◆ Sky Attack is a physical STAB-boosted 140-base power Flying-type move (charges, then hits turn 2. 30% flinch. High crit).
◆ Foul Play is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Dark-type move (uses target's attack stat in damage calculation).
◆ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Honchkrow's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kaa1ae
Item: Darkinium Z / Scope Lens
Ability: Super Luck
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Foul Play / Dark Pulse
- Air Cutter
- Psychic
- Heat Wave / Incinerate
Honchkrow makes an a renowned Special Sweeper in single battles. It was designed to overwhelm foes with powerful special moves. Scope Lens/Razor Claw increases Honchkrow critical hit ratio by 1 stage and combined with Honchkrow's Super Luck ability will double these chances even further. With Super Luck, Honchkrow's critical hit ratio is raised by 1 stage. With a Darkinium Z equipped to it, if Honchkrow has a dark move, this item allows it to use a dark z-move.
◆ 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 STAB-boosted 60-base power Flying-type move (high critical hit ratio. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Psychic is a special 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Heat Wave is a special 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
◆ Incinerate is a special 60-base power Fire-type move (destroys the foes berry/gem).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kba1ae
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Moxie
Nature: Careful (+SpD, -SpA)
EVs: 210 Hp / 252 Atk / 45 SpD
Moveset:
- Brave Bird
- Payback
- Swagger
- Screech
Honchkrow stands out as a superior Physical Tank in single battles. It's purpose is to take a large amount of physical hits while dealing some decent damage. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Honchkrow last longer regaining it's healthiness every turn. With Moxie, Honchkrow's attack is raised by 1 stage if it attacks and koes another pokemon.
◆ Payback is a physical STAB-boosted 50-base power Dark-type move (power doubles if your Honchkrow moves after the target).
◆ Swagger is a status move (raises the target's attack by 2 stages and confuses it).
◆ Screech is a status move (lowers the target's defense by 2 stages).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kca1ae
Item: Choice Scarf
Ability: Moxie
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Brave Bird
- Night Slash
- Superpower
- Drill Peck / Pursuit
Honchkrow is a prestigious Physical Sweeper to use for single battles. The purpose of this moveset is to take down the opponent's team with overwhelming physical attacks. Choice Scarf will increase Honchkrow's speed by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Moxie, Honchkrow's attack is raised by 1 stage if it attacks and koes another pokemon.
◆ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Honchkrow's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Drill Peck is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Flying-type move that deals a mighty amount of damage.
◆ Pursuit is a physical STAB-boosted 40-base power Dark-type move (if a foe is switching out, hits it at 2x power).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kda1ae
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch / Night Slash
- Roost
- Substitute
In single battles, Honchkrow is known as a phenomenal Physical Sweeper. It is meant to overwhelm foes with forceful physical moves. Life Orb boosts the power of Honchkrow's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Moxie, Honchkrow's attack is raised by 1 stage if it attacks and koes another pokemon. This is pretty self-explanatory. First turn, use Substitute and depending on what the opponent switch-into your honchkrow from there you can Brave Bird or Sucker Punch them. Moxie (the hidden ability) gives it an Attack boost every time it faints a Pokemon (directly, so having it killed by residual damage like Sand or Hail won't trigger it).
Brave Bird would probably be the best move to use once you set up a Substitute, since you'll get STAB. That alone will pack a very big punch, and can be the catalyst of getting the Moxie boost.
◆ Sucker Punch is a physical STAB-boosted priority-increased 70-base power Dark-type move (usually goes first. Fails if target is not attacking).
◆ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Roost is a status move (heals 50% hp. Flying-type removed until turn ends).
◆ Substitute is a status move (Honchkrow takes 1/4 its max hp to put in a substitute).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kea1ae
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Honchkrow? 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!
Venusaur-MegaLatiosTapu%20BuluAraquanidSwampertSceptile-MegaUxieArcanineGoodraForretress
Item: Flyinium Z / Scope Lens
Ability: Super Luck
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Brave Bird / Sky Attack
- Foul Play / Night Slash
- Superpower
- Double-Edge / Return
In double battles, Honchkrow is known as popular Physical Sweeper. The intention of this moveset is to crush rivals using overwhelming physical power. Scope Lens/Razor Claw increases Honchkrow critical hit ratio by 1 stage and combined with Honchkrow's Super Luck ability will double these chances even further. With Super Luck, Honchkrow's critical hit ratio is raised by 1 stage. With a Flyinium Z equipped to it, if Honchkrow has a flying move, this item allows it to use a flying z-move.
◆ Sky Attack is a physical STAB-boosted 140-base power Flying-type move (charges, then hits turn 2. 30% flinch. High crit).
◆ Foul Play is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Dark-type move (uses target's attack stat in damage calculation).
◆ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Honchkrow's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/laa1ae
Item: Flyinium Z / Scope Lens
Ability: Super Luck
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Air Cutter
- Foul Play / Snarl
- Heat Wave / Incinerate
- Icy Wind
Honchkrow stands out as a stunning Special Sweeper in double battles. The objective of this moveset is to overwhelm foes with forceful special attacks. Scope Lens/Razor Claw increases Honchkrow critical hit ratio by 1 stage and combined with Honchkrow's Super Luck ability will double these chances even further. With Super Luck, Honchkrow's critical hit ratio is raised by 1 stage. With a Flyinium Z equipped to it, if Honchkrow has a flying move, this item allows it to use a flying z-move.
◆ 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).
◆ Heat Wave is a special 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
◆ Incinerate is a special 60-base power Fire-type move (destroys the foes berry/gem).
◆ Icy Wind is a special 55-base power Ice-type move (100% chance to lower the foes speed by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/lba1ae
Movepool
Want to know what moves Honchkrow 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 Honchkrow.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Honchkrow 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 Honchkrow
- Moves: Swagger + Flatter
- Moves: Swagger + Foul play
- Moves: Swagger + Psych up
- Moves: Swagger + Screech
- Moves: Flatter + Psych up
- Moves: Psych up + Haze
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Perish song + Protect
- Ability: Super luck + Item: Scope lens
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Assurance + Item: Rocky Helmet
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Detect, Endure, Protect, Snatch, Quick Attack, Sucker Punch
- Moves that Break Screens: Defog
- Moves that inflict status: Thunder Wave, Toxic
Moves that boost Honchkrow's stats
- Calm Mind
- Curse
- Nasty Plot
- Ominous Wind
- Steel Wing
Most notable and possible best moves for Honchkrow
- Brave Bird
- Dark Pulse
- Heat Wave
- Night Slash
- Protect
- Pursuit
- Rest
- Roost
- Roost
- Snarl
- Steel Wing
- Sucker Punch
- Superpower
- Taunt
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Honchkrow in Sun and Moon
- Adamant Nature ( 0/252/0/0/4/252/ )
- Adamant Nature ( 0/252/4/0/0/252/ )
- Optimize Honchkrow'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.

THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Some builds on this page have been hidden, click here to display them
Here are the best movesets for Honchkrow. Top rated Honchkrow Sun/Moon movesets. You can find Honchkrow builds Sun/Moon. Honchkrow movesets Sun/Moon are listed here. VGC Honchkrow Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Honchkrow in Sun/Moon along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution