Competitive Information for Xatu [Sword/Shield]
Psychic / Flying
Abilities:
This Pokemon's sleep counter drops by 2 instead of 1.
This Pokemon blocks certain Status moves and bounces them back to the user.
If another Pokemon burns/poisons/paralyzes this Pokemon, it also gets that status.
Disclaimer: All videos and opinions are owned by their respective creators and may not reflect our views.
Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Xatu? 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!
Discover the strength of Xatu, a brilliant Pokémon known for its Psychic and Flying typing! Xatu is a common Pokémon to see in the SS metagame. It's an underrated pick that could surprise many in the meta. It is weak to Dark, Electric, Ghost, Ice, and Rock-typed attacks. Want to master Xatu's movesets? Dive into our detailed strategies below!
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Specs
Ability: Synchronize
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 76 Hp / 252 SpA / 180 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Psychic / Expanding Force
- Air Cutter / Air Slash
- Heat Wave
- Dazzling Gleam
Taking on single battles? Xatu is a brilliant Special Sweeper. The objective of this moveset is to overwhelm foes with heavy-hitting special attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Xatu from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Xatu's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Synchronize, if another pokemon burns/poisons/paralyzes Xatu it also gets that status.
◆ Expanding Force is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Psychic-type move (Xatu on psychic terrain: 1.5x power, hits foes).
◆ 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).
◆ Heat Wave is a special 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
◆ Dazzling Gleam is a special 80-base power Fairy-type move (no additional effect. Hits adjacent foes).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/maab2
Item: Light Clay
Ability: Magic Bounce
Nature: Bold (+Def, -Atk)
EVs: 248 Hp / 104 Def / 156 SpD
Moveset:
- Roost
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Night Shade / Psychic
Xatu is a prestigious Double Wall to use for single battles. This moveset was created to balance defenses for both physical and special attacks. With Magic Bounce, Xatu blocks certain status moves and bounces them back to the user. With a Light Clay equipped to it, Xatu's use of aurora veil, light screen, or reflect lasts 8 turns instead of 5.
◆ Reflect is a status move (for 5 turns, physical damage to allies is halved).
◆ Light Screen is a status move (for 5 turns, special damage to allies is halved).
◆ Night Shade is a special 0-base power Ghost-type move (does damage equal to your Xatu's level).
◆ Psychic is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mbab2
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Xatu? 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 Specs
Ability: Synchronize
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 76 Hp / 252 SpA / 180 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Air Cutter / Air Slash
- Heat Wave
- Dazzling Gleam
- Psychic / Psyshock
Xatu is an astounding Special Sweeper to use for double battles. It is designed to take down the opponent's team with potent special moves. Focus Sash helps protect Xatu from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Xatu's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Synchronize, if another pokemon burns/poisons/paralyzes Xatu it also gets that status.
◆ Air Slash is a special STAB-boosted 75-base power Flying-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Heat Wave is a special 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
◆ Dazzling Gleam is a special 80-base power Fairy-type move (no additional effect. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Psychic is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Psyshock is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Psychic-type move (damages target based on defense, not special defense).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/naab2
Item: Focus Sash
Ability: Synchronize
Nature: Quiet (+SpA, -Spe)
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 Hp / 128 Def / 128 SpD
Moveset:
- Psychic / Expanding Force
- Air Cutter / Air Slash
- Heat Wave
- Trick Room
Prepare for single battles with Xatu as a pretty decent Defensive Trick Roomer. Focus Sash helps protect Xatu from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Synchronize, if another pokemon burns/poisons/paralyzes Xatu it also gets that status.
◆ Expanding Force is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Psychic-type move (Xatu on psychic terrain: 1.5x power, hits foes).
◆ 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).
◆ Heat Wave is a special 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
◆ Trick Room is a status move (goes last. For 5 turns, turn order is reversed).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/nbab2
Movepool
Want to know what moves Xatu 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 Xatu.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Xatu 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 Xatu
- Moves: Sunny day + Solar beam
- Moves: Mimic + Imprison
- Moves: Wish + Baton pass
- Moves: Swagger + Foul play
- Moves: Swagger + Psych up
- Moves: Psych up + Haze
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Pain split + Toxic
- Moves: Stored power + Psych up
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Ally Switch, Detect, Endure, Magic Coat, Protect, Quick Attack, Sucker Punch
- Moves that Break Screens: Defog
- Moves that inflict status: Thunder Wave, Toxic
Moves that boost Xatu's stats
- Calm Mind
- Cosmic Power
- Curse
- Steel Wing
- Note:This Pokemon can also learn Stored Power.
Most notable and possible best moves for Xatu
- Baton Pass
- Light Screen
- Protect
- Reflect
- Rest
- Roost
- Stored Power
- Teleport
- Toxic
- U-turn
Common Effort Values for Xatu 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 Xatu'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.
THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Some builds on this page have been hidden, click here to display them
Here are the best movesets for Xatu. Top rated Xatu Sword/Shield movesets. You can find Xatu builds Sword/Shield. Xatu movesets Sword/Shield are listed here. VGC Xatu Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Xatu in Sword/Shield along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution