Competitive Information for Greninja [X/Y]
Water / Dark
Abilities:
At 1/3 or less of its max HP, this Pokemon's offensive stat is 1.5x with Water attacks.
This Pokemon's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use.
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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Greninja? These builds are optimized for X/Y Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the X/Y metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
ThrohTangrowthAromatisseTyranitar-MegaLugiaAmbipomDusknoirMetagrossGengarFerrothorn
Get hyped for Greninja, a rad Pokémon with Water and Dark typing! Greninja is a common Pokémon to see in the XY metagame. It is weak to Bug, Electric, Fairy, Fighting, and Grass-typed attacks. Explore the movesets below to see how Greninja performs in battles.
Item: Focus Sash / Red Card
Ability: Protean
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Night Slash
- Acrobatics
- Spikes
- Toxic Spikes / Gunk Shot
Greninja excels as an impressive Physical Sweeper during single battles. It's purpose is to overwhelm foes with overwhelming physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Greninja from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use. With a Red Card equipped to it, if Greninja survives a hit, attacker is forced to switch to a random ally then the Red Card gets consumed.
◆ Acrobatics is a physical 55-base power Flying-type move (power doubles if your Greninja has no held item).
◆ Spikes is a status move (hurts grounded foes on switch-in. Max 3 layers).
◆ Toxic Spikes is a status move (poisons grounded foes on switch-in. Max 2 layers).
◆ Gunk Shot is a physical 120-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/iaa292
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Band
Ability: Protean
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 188 Hp / 252 Atk / 68 Spe
Moveset:
- Night Slash / Thief
- Waterfall / Dive
- U-turn / Return
- Ice Punch
Greninja proves to be a stupendous Physical Sweeper for single battles. It's primary goal is to take down the opponent's team with forceful physical attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Greninja from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Band will increase the damage of Greninja's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use. U-turn was added to provide additional threat coverage.
◆ Thief is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Dark-type move (if your Greninja has no item, it steals the target's).
◆ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Dive is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (dives underwater turn 1, strikes turn 2).
◆ U-turn is a physical 70-base power Bug-type move (Greninja switches out after damaging the target).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Ice Punch is a physical 75-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/iba292
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Specs
Ability: Protean
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 188 Hp / 252 SpA / 68 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Scald
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam / Icy Wind
- Extrasensory
In single battles, Greninja's Special Sweeper role is a terrific. It is meant to crush rivals using intense special moves. Focus Sash helps protect Greninja from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Greninja's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use.
◆ Scald is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (30% chance to burn the target. Thaws target).
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ 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).
◆ Extrasensory is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to make the target flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/ica292
Item: Expert Belt
Ability: Protean
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Dark Pulse
- Extrasensory
- Ice Beam
- Surf / Hydro Cannon
Greninja proves to be a wonderful Special Sweeper for single battles. This moveset design focuses to crush rivals using devastating special moves. Expert Belt boosts the damage of Greninja's super effective moves by 20%. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use.
◆ Extrasensory is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Surf is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move (hits adjacent pokemon. Double damage on dive).
◆ Hydro Cannon is a special STAB-boosted 150-base power Water-type move (Greninja cannot move next turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/ida292
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Protean
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power
- Ice Beam
- Surf
In single battles, Greninja's Special Sweeper role is a noteworthy. This moveset is designed to crush rivals using destructive special power. Life Orb boosts the power of Greninja's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use.
◆ Hidden Power is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (varies in type based on your Greninja's ivs).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Surf is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move (hits adjacent pokemon. Double damage on dive).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/iea292
Item: Red Card
Ability: Protean
Nature: Quiet (+SpA, -Spe)
EVs: 120 Hp / 252 SpA / 136 SpD
Moveset:
- Scald / Toxic Spikes
- Shadow Sneak
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam / Hidden Power
Greninja is a notable Special Tank to use for single battles. It's purpose is to absorb special attacks and counter with decent force. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use. With a Red Card equipped to it, if Greninja survives a hit, attacker is forced to switch to a random ally then the Red Card gets consumed.
◆ Toxic Spikes is a status move (poisons grounded foes on switch-in. Max 2 layers).
◆ Shadow Sneak is a physical priority-increased 40-base power Ghost-type move (usually goes first).
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Hidden Power is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (varies in type based on your Greninja's ivs).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/ifa292
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Protean
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Grass Knot
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
Dominating single battles, Greninja is a notable Special Sweeper. This moveset focuses to take down the opponent's team with overwhelming special power. Life Orb boosts the power of Greninja's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use.
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Hydro Pump is a special STAB-boosted 110-base power Water-type move that deals a massive amount of damage.
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/iga292
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Protean
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Scald
- Grass Knot
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
Greninja makes an an astounding Special Sweeper in single battles. The purpose of this moveset is to take down the opponent's team with potent special attacks. Life Orb boosts the power of Greninja's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use.
◆ Grass Knot is a special 0-base power Grass-type move (more power the heavier the target).
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/iha292
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Greninja? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive X/Y 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 X/Y metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
ThrohTangrowthAromatisseTyranitar-MegaLugiaAmbipomDusknoirMetagrossGengarFerrothorn
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Band
Ability: Protean
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 188 Hp / 252 Atk / 68 Spe
Moveset:
- Night Slash / Thief
- Rock Slide / Rock Tomb
- Waterfall / Dive
- Ice Punch / U-turn
Greninja shows an impressive Physical Sweeper prowess in double battles. This technique aims to overwhelm foes with lethal physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Greninja from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Band will increase the damage of Greninja's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use. Ice Punch or U-turn are added to provide additional threat coverage.
◆ Thief is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Dark-type move (if your Greninja has no item, it steals the target's).
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Rock Tomb is a physical 60-base power Rock-type move (100% chance to lower the target's speed by 1 stage).
◆ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Dive is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (dives underwater turn 1, strikes turn 2).
◆ Ice Punch is a physical 75-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ U-turn is a physical 70-base power Bug-type move (Greninja switches out after damaging the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/jaa292
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Specs
Ability: Protean
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 188 Hp / 252 SpA / 68 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Water Pledge
- Dark Pulse
- Icy Wind / Ice Beam
- Extrasensory
In double battles, Greninja is known as a noteworthy Special Sweeper. This moveset was constructed to take down the opponent's team with destructive special attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Greninja from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Greninja's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Protean, Greninja's type changes to match the type of the move it is about to use.
◆ Water Pledge is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (use with grass or fire pledge for added effect).
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ 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).
◆ Extrasensory is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to make the target flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/jba292
Movepool
Want to know what moves Greninja can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon X/Y 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 Greninja.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Greninja can perform in X/Y. 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 XY Move and Ability Combos for Greninja
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Ability: Torrent + Item: Focus sash
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Fling + Item: King's Rock
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Move: Acrobatics + Item: Red Card
- Move: Acrobatics + Item: Flying Gem
- Moves with Priority: Protect, Snatch, Quick Attack, Shadow Sneak, Water Shuriken
- Moves that inflict status: Scald, Toxic
Moves that boost Greninja's stats
- Power-Up Punch
Most notable and possible best moves for Greninja
- Hidden Power
- Hydro Cannon
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Rest
- Scald
- Taunt
- Toxic
- U-turn
Common Effort Values for Greninja in X and Y
- 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 Greninja's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon X and Y
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 Greninja. Top rated Greninja X/Y movesets. You can find Greninja builds X/Y. Greninja movesets X/Y are listed here. VGC Greninja Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Greninja in X/Y along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution