Competitive Information for Barbaracle [Sword/Shield]
Rock / Water
Abilities:
Movesets for Singles
What is a good competitive moveset for Barbaracle? These builds have been optimized for Pokemon competing in Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs have been specifically calibrated to deal the most amount of damage to the largest group of potentially common opponents and typing threats for the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
Barbaracle is an outstanding Rock and Water-typed Pokemon. It's frequent to find yourself dealing with Barbaracle when battling in the 8th generation meta. Barbaracle is weak to Electric, Fighting, Grass, and Ground-typed attacks.
Item: Rindo Berry / Eject Pack
Ability: Tough Claws
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Liquidation / Razor Shell
- Superpower
- Night Slash
- Shadow Claw
Physical Sweeper Barbaracle (Tough Claws)
Barbaracle is a notable Physical Sweeper for single battles. It's purpose is to take down the opponent's team with brute 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.
◆ 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).
◆ Night Slash is a physical 70-base power Dark-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/is10a2b1
Item: Scope Lens / Rindo Berry
Ability: Sniper
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Night Slash
- Shadow Claw
- Earthquake / Slash
- Liquidation / Razor Shell
Physical Sweeper Barbaracle (Sniper)
Barbaracle is a spectacular Physical Sweeper for single battles. It attempts to take down the opponent's team with brute 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. 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.
◆ Shadow Claw is a physical 70-base power Ghost-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
◆ Slash is a physical 70-base power Normal-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/is11a2b1
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 Physical Sweeper (Barnacles)
Barbaracle is an awesome Physical Sweeper for single battles. It is designed to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. 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/is12a2b1
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
Barbaracle Physical Tank (Edgequake Barnaclehead)
Barbaracle is an astounding Physical Tank for single battles. It's goal is to take a good 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 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/is13a2b1
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Sniper
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 224 Atk / 172 Def / 112 Spe
Moveset:
- Shell Smash
- Rock Slide
- Dig
- Earthquake
Barbaracle Physical Sweeper (Barbaric Barnacle)
Barbaracle is an awesome Physical Sweeper for single battles. It attempts to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. 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/is14a2b1
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
Barbaracle Physical Tank (Thiefing Barbarian)
Barbaracle is a remarkable Physical Tank for single battles. It tries to take a good 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 mighty amount of damage.
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is15a2b1
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 Physical Sweeper (Smash That!*)
Barbaracle is popular Physical Sweeper for single battles. It's meant to take down the opponent's team with brute 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/is16a2b1
Movesets for Doubles
What is a good doubles moveset for Barbaracle? These builds have been optimized for Sword/Shield Double Battles. They have movesets and EVs specifically calibrated to generally work best versus multiple Pokemon at once as well as helping to support other team members and allys in the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
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
Doubles Physical Sweeper Barbaracle (Tough Claws)
Barbaracle is a remarkable Physical Sweeper for double battles. It is designed to take down the opponent's team with brute 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/id10a2b1
Item: Scope Lens / Rindo Berry
Ability: Sniper
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Night Slash
- Shadow Claw
Doubles Physical Sweeper Barbaracle (Sniper)
Barbaracle is a sensational Physical Sweeper for double battles. It's goal is to take down the opponent's team with brute 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. 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).
◆ Night Slash is a physical 70-base power Dark-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/id11a2b1
Movepool
Wondering what moves can Barbaracle learn? Here is the list of moves this Pokemon can learn in this selected generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by move type, category, accuracy, and power. Bolded moves will gain the same-type attack bonus (STAB) if this Pokemon uses them.
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: Slash
- Ability: Sniper + High Crit Move: Cross Chop
- Ability: Sniper + High Crit Move: Night Slash
- Ability: Sniper + High Crit Move: Shadow Claw
- Ability: Sniper + High Crit Move: Stone Edge
- Contact moves boosted by Tough Claws: Dig, Skull Bash, Slash, Low Kick, Cut, Fury Swipes, Scratch, Strength, Cross Chop, Thief, Fury Cutter, Rock Smash, False Swipe, Brick Break, Dive, Endeavor, Aerial Ace, Dragon Claw, Facade, Superpower, Payback, Assurance, Grass Knot, Giga Impact, Night Slash, Poison Jab, Shadow Claw, X-Scissor, Dual Chop, Razor Shell, Infestation, Power-Up Punch, Brutal Swing, Liquidation
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Protect, Helping Hand
- Moves that Break Screens: Brick Break
- Moves that inflict status: Toxic, Scald
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 )
- Optimize Barbaracle's EV spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
Related Videos
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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