Competitive Information for Zoroark [Sword/Shield]
Dark
Abilities:
Movesets for Singles
What is a good competitive moveset for Zoroark? 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.
WhimsicottNihilegoCelesteelaMamoswineThundurus-TherianRegielekiNinetales-AlolaArctozoltSableyeNaganadel
Zoroark is a spectacular Dark-typed Pokemon. It's frequent to find yourself dealing with Zoroark when battling in the 8th generation meta. This Pokemon deserves to see more play in the meta. Zoroark is weak to Bug, Fairy, and Fighting-typed attacks.
Item: Life Orb / Ring Target
Ability: Illusion
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Flamethrower / Burning Jealousy
- Night Daze / Dark Pulse
- Protect / Hyper Beam
- Trick
Special Sweeper Zoroark (Popular/Trending)
Zoroark is a decent Special Sweeper for single battles. It is designed to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Life Orb boosts the power of Zoroark's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Illusion, Zoroark appears as the last pokemon in the party until it takes direct damage. With a Ring Target equipped to it, the holder's type immunities granted solely by its typing are negated.
◆ Burning Jealousy is a special 70-base power Fire-type move (100% burns a target that had a stat rise this turn).
◆ Night Daze is a special STAB-boosted 85-base power Dark-type move (40% chance to lower the target's accuracy by 1 stage).
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Zoroark this turn).
◆ Hyper Beam is a special 150-base power Normal-type move (Zoroark cannot move next turn).
◆ Trick is a status move (Zoroark switches its held item with the target's).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is10a23b
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Band
Ability: Illusion
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 52 Hp / 252 Atk / 204 Spe
Moveset:
- Foul Play / Knock Off
- Shadow Claw
- U-turn / Skitter Smack
- Facade / Retaliate
Physical Sweeper Zoroark (Illusion)
Zoroark is an interesting Physical Sweeper for single battles. It tries to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Zoroark from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Band will increase the damage of Zoroark's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. With Illusion, Zoroark appears as the last pokemon in the party until it takes direct damage. Facade's damage doubles when the user has a status affliction.
◆ Knock Off is a physical STAB-boosted 65-base power Dark-type move (1.5x damage if foe holds an item; Note: This will also remove that item).
◆ Shadow Claw is a physical 70-base power Ghost-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ U-turn is a physical 70-base power Bug-type move (Zoroark switches out after damaging the target).
◆ Skitter Smack is a physical 70-base power Bug-type move (100% chance to lower target's special attack by 1 stage).
◆ Facade is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if Zoroark is burn/poison/paralyzed).
◆ Retaliate is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if an ally fainted last turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is11a23b
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Specs
Ability: Illusion
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 52 Hp / 252 SpA / 204 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Foul Play / Night Daze
- Extrasensory / Hyper Voice
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
Special Sweeper Zoroark (Illusion)
Zoroark is an extraordinary Special Sweeper for single battles. It is designed to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Zoroark from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Zoroark's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Illusion, Zoroark appears as the last pokemon in the party until it takes direct damage. Extrasensory was added to provide additional threat coverage.
◆ Night Daze is a special STAB-boosted 85-base power Dark-type move (40% chance to lower the target's accuracy by 1 stage).
◆ Extrasensory is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Hyper Voice is a special 90-base power Normal-type move (no additional effect. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Flamethrower is a special 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
◆ Sludge Bomb is a special 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is12a23b
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Illusion
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Nasty Plot
- Dark Pulse
- Agility
- Flamethrower
Illusion Zoroark
Zoroark is a phenomenal Special Sweeper for single battles. It's designed to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Life Orb boosts the power of Zoroark's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Illusion, Zoroark appears as the last pokemon in the party until it takes direct damage. A pretty damn strong special sweeper. Nasty Plot are for setting up the sweep. Agility so you can outspeed and hit everything hard. Dark Pulse is STAB and Flamethrower is coverage.
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Agility is a status move (raises your Zoroark's speed by 2 stages).
◆ Flamethrower is a special 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is13a23b
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Illusion
Nature: Quiet (+SpA, -Spe)
EVs: 125 Hp / 10 Def / 125 SpA / 250 SpD
Moveset:
- Grass Knot
- Nasty Plot
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
Zoroark Special Wall (Nasty Plotter)
Zoroark is popular Special Wall for single battles. It's purpose is to take a nice amount of hits from special attacks while dealing some decent damage. Life Orb boosts the power of Zoroark's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Illusion, Zoroark appears as the last pokemon in the party until it takes direct damage.
◆ Nasty Plot is a status move (raises your Zoroark's special attack by 2 stages).
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Flamethrower is a special 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is14a23b
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Illusion
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Night Daze / Dark Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Substitute
- Flamethrower
Zoroark Special Sweeper (Aggressive Fox)
Zoroark is an interesting Special Sweeper for single battles. It's meant to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Zoroark last longer regaining it's health every turn. With Illusion, Zoroark appears as the last pokemon in the party until it takes direct damage.
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Focus Blast is a special 120-base power Fighting-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Substitute is a status move (Zoroark takes 1/4 its max hp to put in a substitute).
◆ Flamethrower is a special 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is15a23b
Movesets for Doubles
What is a good doubles moveset for Zoroark? 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.
WhimsicottNihilegoCelesteelaMamoswineThundurus-TherianRegielekiNinetales-AlolaArctozoltSableyeNaganadel
Item: Choice Scarf
Ability: Illusion
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 244 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Dark Pulse
- Burning Jealousy
- Snarl
- Low Sweep
Doubles Special Sweeper Zoroark (Popular VGC)
Zoroark is an astounding Special Sweeper for double battles. This particular build was popular during earlier competitions. It's purpose is to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Choice Scarf will increase Zoroark's speed by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Illusion, Zoroark appears as the last pokemon in the party until it takes direct damage.
◆ Burning Jealousy is a special 70-base power Fire-type move (100% burns a target that had a stat rise this turn).
◆ Snarl is a special STAB-boosted 55-base power Dark-type move (100% chance to lower the foes special attack by 1 stage).
◆ Low Sweep is a physical 65-base power Fighting-type move (100% chance to lower the target's speed by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/id10a23b
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Band
Ability: Illusion
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 52 Hp / 252 Atk / 204 Spe
Moveset:
- Foul Play / Knock Off
- Shadow Claw
- U-turn / Skitter Smack
- Facade / Retaliate
Doubles Physical Sweeper Zoroark (Illusion)
Zoroark is an outstanding Physical Sweeper for double battles. It's meant to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Zoroark from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Band will increase the damage of Zoroark's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. With Illusion, Zoroark appears as the last pokemon in the party until it takes direct damage. Facade's damage doubles when the user has a status affliction.
◆ Knock Off is a physical STAB-boosted 65-base power Dark-type move (1.5x damage if foe holds an item; Note: This will also remove that item).
◆ Shadow Claw is a physical 70-base power Ghost-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ U-turn is a physical 70-base power Bug-type move (Zoroark switches out after damaging the target).
◆ Skitter Smack is a physical 70-base power Bug-type move (100% chance to lower target's special attack by 1 stage).
◆ Facade is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if Zoroark is burn/poison/paralyzed).
◆ Retaliate is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if an ally fainted last turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/id11a23b
Item: Focus Sash / Throat Spray
Ability: Illusion
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 52 Hp / 252 SpA / 204 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Hyper Voice
- Foul Play / Snarl
- Burning Jealousy / Incinerate
- Sludge Bomb
Doubles Special Sweeper Zoroark (Illusion)
Zoroark is an outstanding Special Sweeper for double 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 or Snarl) and boosts Zoroark's special attack stat by 2 stages. Focus Sash helps protect Zoroark from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Illusion, Zoroark appears as the last pokemon in the party until it takes direct damage.
◆ Foul Play is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Dark-type move (uses target's attack stat in damage calculation).
◆ Snarl is a special STAB-boosted 55-base power Dark-type move (100% chance to lower the foes special attack by 1 stage).
◆ Burning Jealousy is a special 70-base power Fire-type move (100% burns a target that had a stat rise this turn).
◆ Incinerate is a special 60-base power Fire-type move (destroys the foes berry/gem).
◆ Sludge Bomb is a special 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/id12a23b
Movepool
Wondering what moves can Zoroark 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 Zoroark 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 Zoroark
- Moves: Swagger + Foul play
- Moves: Swagger + Psych up
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- 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
- Moves with Priority: Detect, Endure, Protect, Sucker Punch
- Moves that inflict status (and combo with the move Hex): Toxic, Burning Jealousy
Moves that boost Zoroark's stats
- Agility
- Calm Mind
- Hone Claws
- Nasty Plot
- Swords Dance
Most notable and possible best moves for Zoroark
- Burning Jealousy
- Dark Pulse
- Fake Tears
- Flamethrower
- Hyper Beam
- Knock Off
- Nasty Plot
- Night Daze
- Protect
- Rest
- Sludge Bomb
- Snarl
- Taunt
- Toxic
- Trick
- U-turn
Common Effort Values for Zoroark in Sword and Shield
- Timid Nature ( 4/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Timid Nature ( 0/0/0/252/4/252 )
- Optimize Zoroark's EV spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
Related Videos
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Here are the best movesets for Zoroark. Top rated Zoroark Sword/Shield movesets. You can find Zoroark builds Sword/Shield. Zoroark movesets Sword/Shield are listed here. VGC Zoroark Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Zoroark in Sword/Shield along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution