Competitive Information for Xerneas [Sword/Shield]
Fairy
Abilities:
While this Pokemon is active, a Fairy move used by any Pokemon has 1.33x power.
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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Xerneas? 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!
Say hello to Xerneas, a superior Pokémon that excels with Fairy typing! Xerneas is a common Pokémon to see in the SS metagame. Its only type-related weaknesses are Poison and Steel. Ready to elevate your game with Xerneas's movesets? They're right below!
Item: Eject Pack / Choice Band
Ability: Fairy Aura
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Play Rough
- Close Combat
- Outrage
- Night Slash
Dominating single battles, Xerneas is a mythical Physical Sweeper. It's purpose is to crush rivals using powerful physical attacks. Choice Band will increase the damage of Xerneas's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. With Fairy Aura, while Xerneas is active a fairy move used by any pokemon has 1.33x power. With a Eject Pack equipped to it, if Xerneas's stat stages are lowered, it switches to a chosen ally then the Eject Pack gets consumed.
◆ Close Combat is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Xerneas's defense and special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Outrage is a physical 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Xerneas afterwards).
◆ Night Slash is a physical 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/maa2cc
Item: Throat Spray / Life Orb
Ability: Fairy Aura
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Misty Explosion / Moonblast
- Hyper Voice / Hyper Beam
- Psychic / Psyshock
- Thunderbolt
Ready for single battles? Xerneas is a legendary Special Sweeper. This moveset attempts to overwhelm foes with overwhelming special attacks. Throat Spray activates when a Pokemon uses a sound-based move (in this case Hyper Voice) and boosts Xerneas's special attack stat by 2 stages. Life Orb boosts the power of Xerneas's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Fairy Aura, while Xerneas is active a fairy move used by any pokemon has 1.33x power.
◆ Moonblast is a special STAB-boosted 95-base power Fairy-type move (30% chance to lower the target's special attack by 1 stage).
◆ 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 (Xerneas cannot move next turn).
◆ Psychic is a special 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Psyshock is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (damages target based on defense, not special defense).
◆ Thunderbolt is a special 90-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mba2cc
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Xerneas? 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: Power Herb
Ability: Fairy Aura
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 60 Hp / 4 Def / 180 SpA / 12 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Dazzling Gleam
- Protect
- Geomancy
- Hyper Beam
Dominating double battles, Xerneas is a prestigious Special Sweeper. In past tournaments, this build was a go-to choice. It tries to crush rivals using overwhelming special power. With Fairy Aura, while Xerneas is active a fairy move used by any pokemon has 1.33x power. With a Power Herb equipped to it, Xerneas's two-turn moves complete in one turn (except sky drop) then the Power Herb gets consumed.
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Xerneas this turn).
◆ Geomancy is a status move (charges, then raises spa, spd, spe by 2 stages turn 2).
◆ Hyper Beam is a special 150-base power Normal-type move (Xerneas cannot move next turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/naa2cc
Item: Eject Pack / Choice Band
Ability: Fairy Aura
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Rock Slide
- Play Rough
- Close Combat
- Outrage
For those intense double battles, Xerneas is a mythical Physical Sweeper. It tries to crush rivals using powerful physical attacks. Choice Band will increase the damage of Xerneas's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. With Fairy Aura, while Xerneas is active a fairy move used by any pokemon has 1.33x power. With a Eject Pack equipped to it, if Xerneas's stat stages are lowered, it switches to a chosen ally then the Eject Pack gets consumed.
◆ Play Rough is a physical STAB-boosted 90-base power Fairy-type move (10% chance to lower the target's attack by 1 stage).
◆ Close Combat is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Xerneas's defense and special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Outrage is a physical 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Xerneas afterwards).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/nba2cc
Item: Throat Spray / Life Orb
Ability: Fairy Aura
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Dazzling Gleam / Misty Explosion
- Hyper Voice / Hyper Beam
- Psychic / Psyshock
- Thunderbolt
Prepare for double battles with Xerneas as a fabled Special Sweeper. This configuration strives to take down the opponent's team with overwhelming special power. Throat Spray activates when a Pokemon uses a sound-based move (in this case Hyper Voice) and increases Xerneas's special attack stat by 2 stages. Life Orb boosts the power of Xerneas's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Fairy Aura, while Xerneas is active a fairy move used by any pokemon has 1.33x power.
◆ Misty Explosion is a special STAB-boosted 100-base power Fairy-type move (Xerneas faints. Xerneas on misty terrain: 1.5x power).
◆ 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 (Xerneas cannot move next turn).
◆ Psychic is a special 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Psyshock is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (damages target based on defense, not special defense).
◆ Thunderbolt is a special 90-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/nca2cc
Movepool
Want to know what moves Xerneas 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 Xerneas.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Xerneas 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 Xerneas
- Moves: Rain dance + Thunder
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Move: Geomancy + Item: Power Herb
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Protect
- Moves that inflict status: Thunder Wave
Moves that boost Xerneas's stats
- Calm Mind
- Geomancy
Most notable and possible best moves for Xerneas
- Geomancy
- Light Screen
- Protect
- Reflect
- Rest
Common Effort Values for Xerneas 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 Xerneas'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 Xerneas. Top rated Xerneas Sword/Shield movesets. You can find Xerneas builds Sword/Shield. Xerneas movesets Sword/Shield are listed here. VGC Xerneas Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Xerneas in Sword/Shield along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution