Competitive Information for Xatu [Sun/Moon]
Psychic / Flying
Abilities:
This Pokemon's sleep counter drops by 2 instead of 1.
This Pokemon blocks certain Status moves and bounces them back to the user.
If another Pokemon burns/poisons/paralyzes this Pokemon, it also gets that status.
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 Xatu? 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!
BlisseyFerrothornLopunny-MegaTogedemaruReuniclusQuagsireTapu%20BuluBisharpTogekissKlefki
Meet Xatu, the exquisite Pokémon of Psychic and Flying types! Xatu is a common Pokémon to see in the SM metagame. Don't underestimate it; it can be a hidden gem in the meta. It is weak to Dark, Electric, Ghost, Ice, and Rock-typed attacks. Want to master Xatu's movesets? Dive into our detailed strategies below!
Item: Leftovers / Grassy Seed
Ability: Magic Bounce
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Heat Wave
- Psychic / Stored Power
- Roost / Air Slash
- Trick
Xatu is a fabulous Special Sweeper. It was designed to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Xatu last longer regaining it's it's vitality every turn. With Magic Bounce, Xatu blocks certain status moves and bounces them back to the user.
♦ Psychic is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
♦ Stored Power is a special STAB-boosted 20-base power Psychic-type move ( + 20 power for each of your Xatu's stat boosts).
♦ Roost is a status move (heals 50% hp. flying-type removed until turn ends).
♦ Air Slash is a special STAB-boosted 75-base power Flying-type move (30% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Trick is a status move (Xatu switches its held item with the target's).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kaab2
Item: Psychium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Bounce
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 76 Hp / 252 SpA / 180 Spe
Moveset:
- Synchronoise / Psychic
- Air Cutter / Air Slash
- Heat Wave
- Dazzling Gleam
Xatu is a decent Special Sweeper. It's purpose is to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Xatu from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Magic Bounce, Xatu blocks certain status moves and bounces them back to the user.
♦ Psychic is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
♦ Air Cutter is a special STAB-boosted 60-base power Flying-type move (high critical hit ratio. hits adjacent foes).
♦ Air Slash is a special STAB-boosted 75-base power Flying-type move (30% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Heat Wave is a special 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
♦ Dazzling Gleam is a special 80-base power Fairy-type move (no additional effect. hits adjacent foes).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kbab2
Item: Light Clay
Ability: Magic Bounce
Nature: Bold (+Def, -Atk)
EVs: 248 Hp / 104 Def / 156 SpD
Moveset:
- Roost
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Night Shade / Psychic
Xatu is a stupendous Double Wall. It was designed to have enough defenses and bulk to take both physical and special hits. With Magic Bounce, Xatu blocks certain status moves and bounces them back to the user.
♦ Reflect is a status move (for 5 turns, physical damage to allies is halved).
♦ Light Screen is a status move (for 5 turns, special damage to allies is halved).
♦ Night Shade is a special 0-base power Ghost-type move (does damage equal to your Xatu's level).
♦ Psychic is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kcab2
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Xatu? 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!
BlisseyFerrothornLopunny-MegaTogedemaruReuniclusQuagsireTapu%20BuluBisharpTogekissKlefki
Item: Psychium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Bounce
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 76 Hp / 252 SpA / 180 Spe
Moveset:
- Synchronoise / Psychic
- Air Cutter / Air Slash
- Heat Wave
- Dazzling Gleam
Xatu is a notable Special Sweeper. It's goal is to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Xatu from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Magic Bounce, Xatu blocks certain status moves and bounces them back to the user.
♦ Psychic is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
♦ Air Cutter is a special STAB-boosted 60-base power Flying-type move (high critical hit ratio. hits adjacent foes).
♦ Air Slash is a special STAB-boosted 75-base power Flying-type move (30% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Heat Wave is a special 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
♦ Dazzling Gleam is a special 80-base power Fairy-type move (no additional effect. hits adjacent foes).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/laab2
Item: Psychium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Bounce
Nature: Quiet (+SpA, -Spe)
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 Hp / 128 Def / 128 SpD
Moveset:
- Toxic
- Pain Split
- Synchronoise / Psychic
- Trick Room
Xatu is a remarkable Defensive Trick Room. Focus Sash helps protect Xatu from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Magic Bounce, Xatu blocks certain status moves and bounces them back to the user.
♦ Pain Split is a status move (shares hp of Xatu and target equally).
♦ Synchronoise is a special STAB-boosted 120-base power Psychic-type move (hits adjacent pokemon sharing your Xatu's type).
♦ Psychic is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
♦ Trick Room is a status move (goes last. for 5 turns, turn order is reversed).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/lbab2
Movepool
Want to know what moves Xatu 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 Xatu.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Xatu 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 Xatu
- Moves: Sunny day + Solar beam
- Moves: Wish + Baton pass
- Moves: Swagger + Foul play
- Moves: Swagger + Psych up
- Moves: Psych up + Haze
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Pain split + Toxic
- Moves: Stored power + Psych up
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Ally Switch, Detect, Endure, Magic Coat, Protect, Quick Attack, Sucker Punch
- Moves that Break Screens: Defog
- Moves that inflict status: Thunder Wave, Toxic
Moves that boost Xatu's stats
- Calm Mind
- Curse
- Ominous Wind
- Silver Wind
- Steel Wing
- Note:This Pokemon can also learn Stored Power.
Most notable and possible best moves for Xatu
- Air Slash
- Baton Pass
- Calm Mind
- Dazzling Gleam
- Defog
- Future Sight
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power
- Light Screen
- Night Shade
- Protect
- Protect
- Psychic
- Reflect
- Rest
- Roost
- Stored Power
- Teleport
- Thunder Wave
- Toxic
- Trick
- Trick Room
- U-turn
- U-turn
- Wish
Common Effort Values for Xatu in Sun and Moon
- Timid Nature ( 0/0/0/252/4/252/ )
- Bold Nature ( 252/0/252/4/0/0/ )
- Optimize Xatu'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 Xatu. Top rated Xatu Sun/Moon movesets. You can find Xatu builds Sun/Moon. Xatu movesets Sun/Moon are listed here. VGC Xatu Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Xatu in Sun/Moon along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution