Competitive Information for Basculin [Sword/Shield]
Water
Abilities:
This Pokemon's same-type attack bonus (STAB) is 2 instead of 1.5.
This Pokemon's moves and their effects ignore the Abilities of other Pokemon.
This Pokemon's attacks with recoil or crash damage have 1.2x power; not Struggle.
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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Basculin? 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!
Unveil the power of Basculin, an exquisite Pokémon known for its Water typing! Basculin is a common Pokémon to see in the SS metagame. Its only type-related weaknesses are Electric and Grass. Curious about Basculin's movesets? Check our suggestions listed below!
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Band
Ability: Reckless
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Double-Edge / Facade
- Liquidation / Aqua Tail
- Superpower / Revenge
- Psychic Fangs / Zen Headbutt
Basculin makes an a dazzling Physical Sweeper in single battles. It's goal is to crush rivals using potent physical attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Basculin from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Band will increase the damage of Basculin's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. With Reckless, Basculin's attacks with recoil or crash damage have 1.2x power; not struggle. Facade's damage doubles when the user has a status affliction.
◆ Facade is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if Basculin is burn/poison/paralyzed).
◆ Liquidation is a physical STAB-boosted 85-base power Water-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Aqua Tail is a physical STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move that deals a substantial amount of damage.
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Basculin's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Revenge is a physical 60-base power Fighting-type move (power doubles if Basculin is damaged by the target).
◆ Psychic Fangs is a physical 85-base power Psychic-type move (destroys screens, unless the target is immune).
◆ Zen Headbutt is a physical 80-base power Psychic-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/maa226
Item: Focus Sash / Throat Spray
Ability: Reckless
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Ice Beam / Icy Wind
- Round / Snore
- Mud Shot
When it comes to single battles, Basculin shines as a first-rate Special Sweeper. It's primary goal is to take down the opponent's team with heavy-hitting special attacks. Throat Spray activates when a Pokemon uses a sound-based move (in this case Round or Snore) and boosts Basculin's special attack stat by 2 stages. Focus Sash helps protect Basculin from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Reckless, Basculin's attacks with recoil or crash damage have 1.2x power; not struggle.
◆ 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).
◆ Round is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if others used round this turn).
◆ Snore is a special 50-base power Normal-type move (Basculin must be asleep. 30% chance to flinch target).
◆ Mud Shot is a special 55-base power Ground-type move (100% chance to lower the target's speed by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mba226
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Basculin? 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: Focus Sash / Choice Band
Ability: Reckless
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Double-Edge / Facade
- Liquidation / Aqua Tail
- Superpower / Revenge
- Psychic Fangs / Zen Headbutt
In double battles, Basculin is known as a decent Physical Sweeper. This moveset was created to take down the opponent's team with destructive physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Basculin from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Band will increase the damage of Basculin's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. With Reckless, Basculin's attacks with recoil or crash damage have 1.2x power; not struggle. Facade's damage doubles when the user has a status affliction.
◆ Facade is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if Basculin is burn/poison/paralyzed).
◆ Liquidation is a physical STAB-boosted 85-base power Water-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Aqua Tail is a physical STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move that deals a mighty amount of damage.
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Basculin's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Revenge is a physical 60-base power Fighting-type move (power doubles if Basculin is damaged by the target).
◆ Psychic Fangs is a physical 85-base power Psychic-type move (destroys screens, unless the target is immune).
◆ Zen Headbutt is a physical 80-base power Psychic-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/naa226
Item: Focus Sash / Throat Spray
Ability: Reckless
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Icy Wind / Ice Beam
- Round / Snore
- Mud Shot
Basculin shows popular Special Sweeper prowess in double battles. The intention of this moveset is to overwhelm foes with formidable special power. Throat Spray activates when a Pokemon uses a sound-based move (in this case Round or Snore) and increases Basculin's special attack stat by 2 stages. Focus Sash helps protect Basculin from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Reckless, Basculin's attacks with recoil or crash damage have 1.2x power; not struggle.
◆ 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).
◆ Round is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if others used round this turn).
◆ Snore is a special 50-base power Normal-type move (Basculin must be asleep. 30% chance to flinch target).
◆ Mud Shot is a special 55-base power Ground-type move (100% chance to lower the target's speed by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/nba226
Movepool
Want to know what moves Basculin 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 Basculin.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Basculin 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 Basculin
- Moves: Endure + Flail
- Moves: Endure + Reversal
- Moves: Endure + Endeavor
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Substitute + Reversal
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Assurance + Item: Rocky Helmet
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Move: Endeavor + Item: Focus Sash
- Recoil moves boosted by Reckless: Double-Edge, Head Smash, Take Down
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Protect, Aqua Jet
- Moves that Break Screens: Psychic Fangs
- Moves that inflict status: Scald, Toxic
Moves that boost Basculin's stats
- Agility
- Scale Shot
Most notable and possible best moves for Basculin
- Flip Turn
- Head Smash
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Rest
- Scald
- Taunt
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Basculin 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 Basculin'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 Basculin. Top rated Basculin Sword/Shield movesets. You can find Basculin builds Sword/Shield. Basculin movesets Sword/Shield are listed here. VGC Basculin Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Basculin in Sword/Shield along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution