Competitive Information for Barbaracle [Sword/Shield]
Rock / Water
Abilities:
If this Pokemon has no item and is hit by a contact move, it steals the attacker's item.
If this Pokemon strikes with a critical hit, the damage is multiplied by 1.5.
This Pokemon's contact moves have their power multiplied by 1.3.
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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Barbaracle? 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!
Get hyped for Barbaracle, an exceptional Pokémon with Rock and Water typing! It's to see Barbaracle show up as a Sword/Shield opponent. It is weak to Electric, Fighting, Grass, and Ground-typed attacks. Explore the movesets of Barbaracle below to understand its battle capabilities.
Item: Rindo Berry / Eject Pack
Ability: Tough Claws
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Liquidation / Razor Shell
- Superpower
- Poison Jab / Slash
- Shadow Claw
Barbaracle thrives as an incredible Physical Sweeper perfect for single battles. This setup is intended to crush rivals using overwhelming physical moves. With Tough Claws, Barbaracle's contact moves have their power multiplied by 1.3. Poison Jab was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Rindo Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective grass-type attack then the Rindo Berry gets consumed. With a Eject Pack equipped to it, if Barbaracle's stat stages are lowered, it switches to a chosen ally then the Eject Pack gets consumed.
◆ Razor Shell is a physical STAB-boosted 75-base power Water-type move (50% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Barbaracle's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Poison Jab is a physical 80-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Slash is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Shadow Claw is a physical 70-base power Ghost-type move (high critical hit ratio).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/maa2b1
Item: Scope Lens / Rindo Berry
Ability: Sniper
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Earthquake / Slash
- Shadow Claw
- Night Slash
- Liquidation / Razor Shell
Barbaracle thrives as a phenomenal Physical Sweeper perfect for single battles. It's meant to overwhelm foes with overwhelming physical moves. Scope Lens/Razor Claw increases Barbaracle critical hit ratio by 1 stage and combined with Barbaracle's Sniper ability will increase the amount of damage done by those critial hits. With Sniper, if Barbaracle strikes with a critical hit the damage is multiplied by 1.5. Earthquake was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Rindo Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective grass-type attack then the Rindo Berry gets consumed.
◆ Slash is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Shadow Claw is a physical 70-base power Ghost-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Night Slash is a physical 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Liquidation is a physical STAB-boosted 85-base power Water-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Razor Shell is a physical STAB-boosted 75-base power Water-type move (50% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mba2b1
Item: White Herb
Ability: Tough Claws
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Razor Shell
- Shell Smash
- Stone Edge
- Cross Chop
Barbaracle thrives as a marvelous Physical Sweeper perfect for single battles. This moveset is designed to overwhelm foes with forceful physical attacks. White Herb will reset Barbaracle's negative stat changes once (specifically for when it uses Shell Smash). With Tough Claws, Barbaracle's contact moves have their power multiplied by 1.3.
◆ Shell Smash is a status move (lowers def, spd by 1 stage; raises atk, spa, spe by 2 stages).
◆ Stone Edge is a physical STAB-boosted 100-base power Rock-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Cross Chop is a physical 100-base power Fighting-type move (high critical hit ratio).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mca2b1
Item: White Herb
Ability: Tough Claws
Nature: Impish (+Def, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Moveset:
- Razor Shell
- Shell Smash
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
Ready for single battles? Barbaracle is an interesting Physical Tank. It is primarily designed to absorb physical damage and return fire with decent force. White Herb will reset Barbaracle's negative stat changes once (specifically for when it uses Shell Smash). With Tough Claws, Barbaracle's contact moves have their power multiplied by 1.3.
◆ Shell Smash is a status move (lowers def, spd by 1 stage; raises atk, spa, spe by 2 stages).
◆ Stone Edge is a physical STAB-boosted 100-base power Rock-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mda2b1
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Sniper
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 224 Atk / 172 Def / 112 Spe
Moveset:
- Shell Smash
- Rock Slide
- Dig
- Earthquake
When it comes to single battles, Barbaracle shines as a prestigious Physical Sweeper. This moveset design focuses to crush rivals using forceful physical moves. Life Orb boosts the power of Barbaracle's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Sniper, if Barbaracle strikes with a critical hit the damage is multiplied by 1.5.
◆ Rock Slide is a physical STAB-boosted 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Dig is a physical 80-base power Ground-type move (digs underground turn 1, strikes turn 2).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mea2b1
Item: White Herb
Ability: Pickpocket
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Def
Moveset:
- Razor Shell / Brick Break
- Shell Smash
- Fling / Stone Edge
- Thief / Dragon Claw
Taking on single battles? Barbaracle is an awesome Physical Tank. It tries to take a great amount of physical hits while dealing some decent damage. White Herb will reset Barbaracle's negative stat changes once (specifically for when it uses Shell Smash). With Pickpocket, if Barbaracle has no item and is hit by a contact move it steals the attacker's item. I believe this barbaracle should get his shell smash off first which will activate white herb (using it) and so can use thief if the opponent is a special attacker or use a move and get hit activating pickpocket to steal their items, then use fling to discard them if it hinders your barbaracle.
◆ Brick Break is a physical 75-base power Fighting-type move (destroys screens, unless the target is immune).
◆ Shell Smash is a status move (lowers def, spd by 1 stage; raises atk, spa, spe by 2 stages).
◆ Fling is a physical 0-base power Dark-type move (flings your Barbaracle's item at the target. Power varies).
◆ Stone Edge is a physical STAB-boosted 100-base power Rock-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Thief is a physical 60-base power Dark-type move (if your Barbaracle has no item, it steals the target's).
◆ Dragon Claw is a physical 80-base power Dragon-type move that deals a good amount of damage.
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mfa2b1
Item: White Herb
Ability: Pickpocket
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Razor Shell
- Shell Smash
- Cross Chop
- Thief / Stone Edge
Barbaracle is an astounding Physical Sweeper to use for single battles. This moveset was created to take down the opponent's team with devastating physical power. White Herb will reset Barbaracle's negative stat changes once (specifically for when it uses Shell Smash). With Pickpocket, if Barbaracle has no item and is hit by a contact move it steals the attacker's item.
◆ Shell Smash is a status move (lowers def, spd by 1 stage; raises atk, spa, spe by 2 stages).
◆ Cross Chop is a physical 100-base power Fighting-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Thief is a physical 60-base power Dark-type move (if your Barbaracle has no item, it steals the target's).
◆ Stone Edge is a physical STAB-boosted 100-base power Rock-type move (high critical hit ratio).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mga2b1
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Barbaracle? 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: Rindo Berry / Eject Pack
Ability: Tough Claws
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Rock Slide
- Liquidation / Razor Shell
- Superpower
- Earthquake
Barbaracle shows an exquisite Physical Sweeper prowess in double battles. The main aim of this moveset is to crush rivals using destructive physical power. With Tough Claws, Barbaracle's contact moves have their power multiplied by 1.3. With a Rindo Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective grass-type attack then the Rindo Berry gets consumed. With a Eject Pack equipped to it, if Barbaracle's stat stages are lowered, it switches to a chosen ally then the Eject Pack gets consumed.
◆ Liquidation is a physical STAB-boosted 85-base power Water-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Razor Shell is a physical STAB-boosted 75-base power Water-type move (50% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Barbaracle's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/naa2b1
Item: Scope Lens / Rindo Berry
Ability: Sniper
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Liquidation / Slash
- Shadow Claw
For double battles, Barbaracle is an exquisite Physical Sweeper. It is primarily designed to take down the opponent's team with potent physical power. Scope Lens/Razor Claw increases Barbaracle critical hit ratio by 1 stage and combined with Barbaracle's Sniper ability will increase the amount of damage done by those critial hits. With Sniper, if Barbaracle strikes with a critical hit the damage is multiplied by 1.5. Liquidation was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Rindo Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective grass-type attack then the Rindo Berry gets consumed.
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
◆ Liquidation is a physical STAB-boosted 85-base power Water-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Slash is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Shadow Claw is a physical 70-base power Ghost-type move (high critical hit ratio).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/nba2b1
Movepool
Want to know what moves Barbaracle 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 Barbaracle.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Barbaracle 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 Barbaracle
- Moves: Swagger + Screech
- Moves: Endure + Endeavor
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Ability: Sniper + Item: Scope lens
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Assurance + Item: Rocky Helmet
- Move: Fling + Item: King's Rock
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Move: Endeavor + Item: Focus Sash
- Move: Meteor Beam + Item: Power Herb
- Ability: Sniper + High Crit Move: Night Slash
- Ability: Sniper + High Crit Move: Shadow Claw
- Ability: Sniper + High Crit Move: Slash
- Ability: Sniper + High Crit Move: Cross Chop
- Ability: Sniper + High Crit Move: Stone Edge
- Contact moves boosted by Tough Claws: Aerial Ace, Assurance, Brick Break, Brutal Swing, Dig, Dive, Dragon Claw, Endeavor, Facade, False Swipe, Grass Knot, Infestation, Liquidation, Low Kick, Night Slash, Payback, Poison Jab, Power-Up Punch, Rock Smash, Scratch, Shadow Claw, Skull Bash, Slash, Strength, Superpower, Razor Shell, Thief, X-Scissor, Cross Chop, Fury Swipes, Dual Chop, Giga Impact, Cut, Fury Cutter
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Helping Hand, Protect
- Moves that Break Screens: Brick Break
- Moves that inflict status: Scald, Toxic
Moves that boost Barbaracle's stats
- Ancient Power
- Bulk Up
- Hone Claws
- Iron Defense
- Meteor Beam
- Power-Up Punch
- Rock Polish
- Shell Smash
- Skull Bash
- Swords Dance
- Withdraw
Most notable and possible best moves for Barbaracle
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Rest
- Scald
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Barbaracle 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 Barbaracle'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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Here are the best movesets for Barbaracle. Top rated Barbaracle Sword/Shield movesets. You can find Barbaracle builds Sword/Shield. Barbaracle movesets Sword/Shield are listed here. VGC Barbaracle Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Barbaracle in Sword/Shield along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution