Competitive Information for Archen [Sword/Shield]
Rock / Flying
Abilities:
While this Pokemon has 1/2 or less of its max HP, its Attack and Sp. Atk are halved.
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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Archen? These builds are optimized for Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sword/Shield metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Prepare for battle with Archen, a high-quality Pokémon boasting Rock and Flying attributes. Archen is not a Pokémon anyone usually expects to see on the battlefield. It can be quite a contender in the LC tier (Little Cup). It is weak to Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel, and Water-typed attacks. Want to master Archen's movesets? Dive into our detailed strategies below!
Item: Life Orb / Choice Band
Ability: Defeatist
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Rock Slide / Rock Tomb
- Earthquake
- Knock Off / Crunch
- Shadow Claw
In single battles, Archen is known as a wonderful Physical Sweeper. It is designed to take down the opponent's team with forceful physical attacks. Choice Band will increase the damage of Archen's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Archen's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Defeatist, while Archen has 1/2 or less of its max hp its attack and sp. Atk are halved.
◆ Rock Tomb is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Rock-type move (100% chance to lower the target's speed by 1 stage).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
◆ Knock Off is a physical 65-base power Dark-type move (1.5x damage if foe holds an item; Note: This will also remove that item).
◆ Crunch is a physical 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Shadow Claw is a physical 70-base power Ghost-type move (high critical hit ratio).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/maa236
Item: Focus Sash
Ability: Defeatist
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Hp / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Stealth Rock
- Tailwind / Taunt
- Endeavor
- Quick Attack / Knock Off
Archen stands out as an astounding Support in single battles. Focus Sash helps protect Archen from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Defeatist, while Archen has 1/2 or less of its max hp its attack and sp. Atk are halved. An attack stat more dangerous than life orb abra or even flygon? That is OP for LC. The ability doesn't help much, though. This set is to be used for early set up. I saw it done with an archeop, so why not?
◆ Tailwind is a status move (for 4 turns, allies' speed is doubled).
◆ Taunt is a status move (target can't use status moves its next 3 turns).
◆ Endeavor is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (lowers the target's hp to your Archen's hp).
◆ Quick Attack is a physical priority-increased 40-base power Normal-type move (usually goes first).
◆ Knock Off is a physical 65-base power Dark-type move (1.5x damage if foe holds an item; Note: This will also remove that item).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mba236
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Archen? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sword/Shield 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 Sword/Shield metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Item: Life Orb / Choice Band
Ability: Defeatist
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Rock Slide / Rock Tomb
- Earthquake / Bulldoze
- Knock Off / Crunch
- Shadow Claw
Archen makes an a magnificent Physical Sweeper in double battles. This configuration strives to crush rivals using devastating physical power. Choice Band will increase the damage of Archen's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Archen's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Defeatist, while Archen has 1/2 or less of its max hp its attack and sp. Atk are halved.
◆ Rock Tomb is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Rock-type move (100% chance to lower the target's speed by 1 stage).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
◆ Bulldoze is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (100% chance lower adjacent Pokemon speed by 1 stage).
◆ Knock Off is a physical 65-base power Dark-type move (1.5x damage if foe holds an item; Note: This will also remove that item).
◆ Crunch is a physical 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Shadow Claw is a physical 70-base power Ghost-type move (high critical hit ratio).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/naa236
Movepool
Want to know what moves Archen can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sword/Shield 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 Archen.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Archen can perform in Sword/Shield. 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 SS Move and Ability Combos for Archen
- Moves: Endure + Endeavor
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Move: Assurance + Item: Rocky Helmet
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Move: Endeavor + Item: Focus Sash
- Move: Acrobatics + Item: Red Card
- Move: Acrobatics + Item: Flying Gem
- Moves with Priority: Ally Switch, Endure, Protect, Quick Guard, Quick Attack
- Moves that Break Screens: Defog
Moves that boost Archen's stats
- Agility
- Ancient Power
- Iron Defense
- Steel Wing
Most notable and possible best moves for Archen
- Earthquake
- Head Smash
- Knock Off
- Protect
- Rest
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- U-turn
Common Effort Values for Archen in Sword and Shield
- Adamant Nature ( 0/252/0/0/0/252 )
- Modest Nature ( 0/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Jolly Nature ( 0/252/0/0/0/252 )
- Timid Nature ( 0/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Bold Nature ( 252/0/252/0/0/4 )
- Calm Nature ( 252/0/0/0/252/4 )
- Relaxed Nature ( 252/0/88/0/168/0 )
- Sassy Nature ( 252/0/4/0/252/0 )
- Optimize Archen's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
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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