Competitive Information for Salamence [Sword/Shield]
Dragon / Flying
Abilities:
Movesets for Singles
What is a good competitive moveset for Salamence? 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.
AmoongussIncineroarRotom-WashTyranitarExcadrillMetagrossRegielekiUrshifuRillaboomTapu Koko
Salamence is an outstanding Dragon and Flying-typed Pokemon. It's a pretty usual sight to see Salamence out in the 8th generation battlefield. Salamence is typically seen in the UU tier (Underused). Salamence is weak to Dragon, Fairy, Ice, and Rock-typed attacks.
Item: Life Orb / Lum Berry
Ability: Moxie
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Earthquake / Bulldoze
- Dragon Claw / Outrage
- Dual Wingbeat / Fly
- Protect
Physical Sweeper Salamence (Popular/Trending)
Salamence is a wonderful Physical Sweeper for single battles. It's primary goal is to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Life Orb boosts the power of Salamence's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Moxie, Salamence's attack is raised by 1 stage if it attacks and koes another pokemon. With a Lum Berry equipped to it, Salamence cures itself if it has a non-volatile status or is confused then the Lum Berry gets consumed.
◆ Bulldoze is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (100% chance lower adjacent Pokemon speed by 1 stage).
◆ Dragon Claw is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Dragon-type move that deals a hefty amount of damage.
◆ Outrage is a physical STAB-boosted 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Salamence afterwards).
◆ Dual Wingbeat is a physical STAB-boosted 40-base power Flying-type move (hits 2 times in one turn).
◆ Fly is a physical STAB-boosted 90-base power Flying-type move (flies up on first turn, then strikes the next turn).
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Salamence this turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is10a175
Item: Life Orb / Lum Berry
Ability: Moxie
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Flamethrower / Heat Wave
- Air Slash
- Dragon Dance / Draco Meteor
- Protect
Special Sweeper Salamence (Popular/Trending)
Salamence is an outstanding Special Sweeper for single battles. The purpose of this moveset is to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Life Orb boosts the power of Salamence's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Moxie, Salamence's attack is raised by 1 stage if it attacks and koes another pokemon. With a Lum Berry equipped to it, Salamence cures itself if it has a non-volatile status or is confused then the Lum Berry gets consumed.
◆ Heat Wave is a special 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
◆ Air Slash is a special STAB-boosted 75-base power Flying-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Dragon Dance is a status move (raises your Salamence's attack and speed by 1 stage).
◆ Draco Meteor is a special STAB-boosted 130-base power Dragon-type move (lowers your Salamence's special attack by 2 stages).
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Salamence this turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is11a175
Item: Yache Berry / Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 12 Hp / 252 Atk / 244 Spe
Moveset:
- Outrage / Dragon Claw
- Aqua Tail / Double-Edge
- Dual Wingbeat
- Earthquake
Physical Sweeper Salamence (Intimidate)
Salamence is a phenomenal Physical Sweeper for single battles. It is primarily designed to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Life Orb boosts the power of Salamence's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Intimidate, on switch-in Salamence lowers the attack of opponents by 1 stage. Aqua Tail was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Yache Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective ice-type attack then the Yache Berry gets consumed.
◆ Dragon Claw is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Dragon-type move that deals a substantial amount of damage.
◆ Aqua Tail is a physical 90-base power Water-type move that deals a considerable amount of damage.
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Dual Wingbeat is a physical STAB-boosted 40-base power Flying-type move (hits 2 times in one turn).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is12a175
Item: Yache Berry / Throat Spray
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 12 Hp / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
- Air Cutter / Air Slash
- Flamethrower / Heat Wave
- Hyper Voice / Hyper Beam
Special Sweeper Salamence (Intimidate)
Salamence is pretty popular Special Sweeper for single battles. It attempts to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Throat Spray activates when a Pokemon uses a sound-based move (in this case Hyper Voice) and raises Salamence's special attack stat by 2 stages. With Intimidate, on switch-in Salamence lowers the attack of opponents by 1 stage. With a Yache Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective ice-type attack then the Yache Berry gets consumed.
◆ Dragon Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 85-base power Dragon-type move that deals a large amount of damage.
◆ 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 make the target flinch).
◆ Flamethrower is a special 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
◆ Heat Wave is a special 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
◆ Hyper Voice is a special 90-base power Normal-type move (no additional effect. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Hyper Beam is a special 150-base power Normal-type move (Salamence cannot move next turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is13a175
Item: Choice Scarf
Ability: Moxie
Nature: Naive (+Spe, -SpD)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Dragon Claw
- Outrage
- Fire Blast / Aqua Tail
- Earthquake
Salamence Physical Sweeper (Scarf Salence)
Salamence is an interesting Physical Sweeper for single battles. It's purpose is to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Choice Scarf will increase Salamence's speed by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Moxie, Salamence's attack is raised by 1 stage if it attacks and koes another pokemon.
◆ Outrage is a physical STAB-boosted 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Salamence afterwards).
◆ Fire Blast is a special 110-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
◆ Aqua Tail is a physical 90-base power Water-type move that deals a great amount of damage.
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is14a175
Item: Salac Berry
Ability: Moxie
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Rock Slide / Roost
- Earthquake / Stone Edge
Salamence Physical Sweeper (Moxie )
Salamence is an interesting Physical Sweeper for single battles. It's designed to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. With Moxie, Salamence's attack is raised by 1 stage if it attacks and koes another pokemon. With a Salac Berry equipped to it, raises Salamence's speed by 1 stage when at 1/4 max hp or less then the Salac Berry gets consumed.
◆ Dragon Claw is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Dragon-type move that deals a good amount of damage.
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Roost is a status move (heals 50% hp. Flying-type removed until turn ends).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
◆ Stone Edge is a physical 100-base power Rock-type move (high critical hit ratio).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is15a175
Movesets for Doubles
What is a good doubles moveset for Salamence? 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.
AmoongussIncineroarRotom-WashTyranitarExcadrillMetagrossRegielekiUrshifuRillaboomTapu Koko
Item: Yache Berry / Shell Bell
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 12 Hp / 252 Atk / 244 Spe
Moveset:
- Breaking Swipe / Outrage
- Earthquake / Bulldoze
- Rock Slide
- Double-Edge / Dual Wingbeat
Doubles Physical Sweeper Salamence (Intimidate)
Salamence is a phenomenal Physical Sweeper for double battles. It's designed to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. The Shell Bell item option is to help Salamence recover from the recoil damage it may take from Double-Edge. With Intimidate, on switch-in Salamence lowers the attack of opponents by 1 stage. With a Yache Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective ice-type attack then the Yache Berry gets consumed.
◆ Outrage is a physical STAB-boosted 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Salamence afterwards).
◆ 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).
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Dual Wingbeat is a physical STAB-boosted 40-base power Flying-type move (hits 2 times in one turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/id10a175
Item: Yache Berry / Throat Spray
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 12 Hp / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Air Cutter / Air Slash
- Hyper Voice / Hyper Beam
- Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
- Heat Wave / Incinerate
Doubles Special Sweeper Salamence (Intimidate)
Salamence is a pretty decent Special Sweeper for double battles. It is designed to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Throat Spray activates when a Pokemon uses a sound-based move (in this case Hyper Voice) and boosts Salamence's special attack stat by 2 stages. With Intimidate, on switch-in Salamence lowers the attack of opponents by 1 stage. With a Yache Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective ice-type attack then the Yache Berry gets consumed.
◆ Air Slash is a special STAB-boosted 75-base power Flying-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Hyper Voice is a special 90-base power Normal-type move (no additional effect. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Hyper Beam is a special 150-base power Normal-type move (Salamence cannot move next turn).
◆ Draco Meteor is a special STAB-boosted 130-base power Dragon-type move (lowers your Salamence's special attack by 2 stages).
◆ Dragon Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 85-base power Dragon-type move that deals a nice amount of damage.
◆ Heat Wave is a special 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
◆ Incinerate is a special 60-base power Fire-type move (destroys the foes berry/gem).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/id11a175
Movepool
Wondering what moves can Salamence 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 Salamence 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 Salamence
- Moves: Defense curl + Rollout
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Protect
- Moves that Break Screens: Defog, Brick Break
- Moves that inflict status: Toxic
Moves that boost Salamence's stats
- Defense Curl
- Dragon Dance
- Hone Claws
- Iron Defense
- Steel Wing
Most notable and possible best moves for Salamence
- Air Slash
- Bulldoze
- Draco Meteor
- Dragon Claw
- Dragon Dance
- Dual Wingbeat
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- Flamethrower
- Fly
- Heat Wave
- Hydro Pump
- Outrage
- Protect
- Rest
- Rock Slide
- Roost
- Stone Edge
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Salamence in Sword and Shield
- Jolly Nature ( 4/252/0/0/0/252 )
- Timid Nature ( 4/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Optimize Salamence's EV spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
Related Videos
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Here are the best movesets for Salamence. Top rated Salamence Sword/Shield movesets. You can find Salamence builds Sword/Shield. Salamence movesets Sword/Shield are listed here. VGC Salamence Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Salamence in Sword/Shield along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution