Competitive Information for Piplup [Sun/Moon]
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 Piplup? 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!
Unleash the power of Piplup, a lit Pokémon with Water typing. Piplup is not a Pokémon anyone usually expects to see on the battlefield. It can be quite a contender in the LC tier (Little Cup). Its only type-related weaknesses are Electric and Grass. Discover how Piplup excels in battles with the movesets provided below.
Item: Waterium Z / Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 224 Hp / 252 Atk / 28 Def / 4 SpD
Moveset:
- Waterfall / Dive
- Return / Facade
- Drill Peck / Pluck
- Brick Break
For single battles, Piplup is an exquisite Physical Sweeper. This moveset attempts to take down the opponent's team with destructive physical power. Life Orb boosts the power of Piplup's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Defiant, Piplup's attack is raised by 2 for each of its stats that is lowered by a foe. Facade's damage doubles when the user has a status affliction. With a Waterium Z equipped to it, if Piplup has a water move, this item allows it to use a water z-move.
◆ 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).
◆ Facade is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if Piplup is burn/poison/paralyzed).
◆ Drill Peck is a physical 80-base power Flying-type move that deals a hefty amount of damage.
◆ Pluck is a physical 60-base power Flying-type move (Piplup steals and eats the target's berry).
◆ Brick Break is a physical 75-base power Fighting-type move (destroys screens, unless the target is immune).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kaa189
Item: Waterium Z / Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 224 Hp / 28 Def / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Ice Beam / Icy Wind
- Signal Beam
- Grass Knot
Piplup thrives as a phenomenal Special Sweeper perfect for single battles. This strategy is built to overwhelm foes with intense special power. Life Orb boosts the power of Piplup's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Defiant, Piplup's attack is raised by 2 for each of its stats that is lowered by a foe. With a Waterium Z equipped to it, if Piplup 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).
◆ 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/kba189
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Piplup? 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: Waterium Z / Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 224 Hp / 252 Atk / 28 Def / 4 SpD
Moveset:
- Waterfall / Dive
- Return / Facade
- Drill Peck / Pluck
- Brick Break
Piplup excels as a wonderful Physical Sweeper during double battles. The purpose of this moveset is to take down the opponent's team with potent physical power. Life Orb boosts the power of Piplup's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Defiant, Piplup's attack is raised by 2 for each of its stats that is lowered by a foe. Facade's damage doubles when the user has a status affliction. With a Waterium Z equipped to it, if Piplup has a water move, this item allows it to use a water z-move.
◆ 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).
◆ Facade is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if Piplup is burn/poison/paralyzed).
◆ Drill Peck is a physical 80-base power Flying-type move that deals a nice amount of damage.
◆ Pluck is a physical 60-base power Flying-type move (Piplup steals and eats the target's berry).
◆ Brick Break is a physical 75-base power Fighting-type move (destroys screens, unless the target is immune).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/laa189
Item: Waterium Z / Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 224 Hp / 28 Def / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Icy Wind / Ice Beam
- Signal Beam
- Grass Knot
Piplup thrives as an impressive Special Sweeper perfect for double battles. This setup is intended to overwhelm foes with overwhelming special moves. Life Orb boosts the power of Piplup's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Defiant, Piplup's attack is raised by 2 for each of its stats that is lowered by a foe. With a Waterium Z equipped to it, if Piplup 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).
◆ 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/lba189
Movepool
Want to know what moves Piplup 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 Piplup.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Piplup 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 Piplup
- 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 Piplup's stats
- Agility
- Work Up
Most notable and possible best moves for Piplup
- Hidden Power
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Rest
- Scald
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Piplup 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 Piplup. Top rated Piplup Sun/Moon movesets. You can find Piplup builds Sun/Moon. Piplup movesets Sun/Moon are listed here. VGC Piplup Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Piplup in Sun/Moon along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for Prinplup evolution