Competitive Information for Honchkrow [X/Y]
Dark / Flying
Abilities:
This Pokemon cannot fall asleep. Gaining this Ability while asleep cures it.
This Pokemon's Attack is raised by 1 stage if it attacks and KOes another Pokemon.
This Pokemon's critical hit ratio is raised by 1 stage.

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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Honchkrow? 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!
Say hello to Honchkrow, a stunning Pokémon that excels with Dark and Flying typing! It's to see Honchkrow show up as a X/Y opponent. It is weak to Electric, Fairy, Ice, and Rock-typed attacks. Uncover the best movesets for Honchkrow below and optimize your gameplay!
Item: Scope Lens / Shell Bell
Ability: Super Luck
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Brave Bird / Sky Attack
- Foul Play / Night Slash
- Double-Edge / Return
- Superpower
Honchkrow makes an a high-quality Physical Sweeper in single battles. This approach seeks to overwhelm foes with destructive physical moves. Scope Lens/Razor Claw increases Honchkrow critical hit ratio by 1 stage and combined with Honchkrow's Super Luck ability will double these chances even further. The Shell Bell item option is to help Honchkrow recover from the recoil damage it may take from Double-Edge and Brave Bird. With Super Luck, Honchkrow's critical hit ratio is raised by 1 stage.
◆ Sky Attack is a physical STAB-boosted 140-base power Flying-type move (charges, then hits turn 2. 30% flinch. High crit).
◆ Foul Play is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Dark-type move (uses target's attack stat in damage calculation).
◆ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Honchkrow's attack and defense by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/iaa1ae
Item: Scope Lens / Life Orb
Ability: Super Luck
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Foul Play / Dark Pulse
- Air Cutter
- Psychic
- Heat Wave / Incinerate
In single battles, Honchkrow's Special Sweeper role is a prestigious. The intention of this moveset is to overwhelm foes with heavy-hitting special power. Scope Lens/Razor Claw increases Honchkrow critical hit ratio by 1 stage and combined with Honchkrow's Super Luck ability will double these chances even further. Life Orb boosts the power of Honchkrow's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Super Luck, Honchkrow's critical hit ratio is raised by 1 stage.
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Air Cutter is a special STAB-boosted 60-base power Flying-type move (high critical hit ratio. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Psychic is a special 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ 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/iba1ae
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Moxie
Nature: Careful (+SpD, -SpA)
EVs: 210 Hp / 252 Atk / 45 SpD
Moveset:
- Brave Bird
- Payback
- Swagger
- Screech
When it comes to single battles, Honchkrow shines as a superior Physical Tank. This moveset is tailored to withstand physical attacks and hit back effectively. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Honchkrow last longer regaining it's health every turn. With Moxie, Honchkrow's attack is raised by 1 stage if it attacks and koes another pokemon.
◆ Payback is a physical STAB-boosted 50-base power Dark-type move (power doubles if your Honchkrow moves after the target).
◆ Swagger is a status move (raises the target's attack by 2 stages and confuses it).
◆ Screech is a status move (lowers the target's defense by 2 stages).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/ica1ae
Item: Choice Scarf
Ability: Moxie
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Brave Bird
- Night Slash
- Superpower
- Drill Peck / Pursuit
Honchkrow makes an a notable Physical Sweeper in single battles. It's designed to overwhelm foes with destructive physical moves. Choice Scarf will increase Honchkrow's speed by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Moxie, Honchkrow's attack is raised by 1 stage if it attacks and koes another pokemon.
◆ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Honchkrow's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Drill Peck is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Flying-type move that deals a great amount of damage.
◆ Pursuit is a physical STAB-boosted 40-base power Dark-type move (if a foe is switching out, hits it at 2x power).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/ida1ae
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch / Night Slash
- Roost
- Substitute
Honchkrow excels as a stupendous Physical Sweeper during single battles. It is primarily designed to crush rivals using formidable physical attacks. Life Orb boosts the power of Honchkrow's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Moxie, Honchkrow's attack is raised by 1 stage if it attacks and koes another pokemon. This is pretty self-explanatory. First turn, use Substitute and depending on what the opponent switch-into your honchkrow from there you can Brave Bird or Sucker Punch them. Moxie (the hidden ability) gives it an Attack boost every time it faints a Pokemon (directly, so having it killed by residual damage like Sand or Hail won't trigger it).
Brave Bird would probably be the best move to use once you set up a Substitute, since you'll get STAB. That alone will pack a very big punch, and can be the catalyst of getting the Moxie boost.
◆ Sucker Punch is a physical STAB-boosted priority-increased 80-base power Dark-type move (usually goes first. Fails if target is not attacking).
◆ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Roost is a status move (heals 50% hp. Flying-type removed until turn ends).
◆ Substitute is a status move (Honchkrow takes 1/4 its max hp to put in a substitute).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/iea1ae
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Honchkrow? 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!
Item: Scope Lens / Shell Bell
Ability: Super Luck
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Brave Bird / Sky Attack
- Foul Play / Night Slash
- Double-Edge / Return
- Superpower
Prepare for double battles with Honchkrow as a top-notch Physical Sweeper. It's primary goal is to take down the opponent's team with heavy-hitting physical attacks. Scope Lens/Razor Claw increases Honchkrow critical hit ratio by 1 stage and combined with Honchkrow's Super Luck ability will double these chances even further. The Shell Bell item option is to help Honchkrow recover from the recoil damage it may take from Double-Edge and Brave Bird. With Super Luck, Honchkrow's critical hit ratio is raised by 1 stage.
◆ Sky Attack is a physical STAB-boosted 140-base power Flying-type move (charges, then hits turn 2. 30% flinch. High crit).
◆ Foul Play is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Dark-type move (uses target's attack stat in damage calculation).
◆ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Honchkrow's attack and defense by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/jaa1ae
Item: Scope Lens / Life Orb
Ability: Super Luck
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Air Cutter
- Foul Play / Snarl
- Heat Wave / Incinerate
- Icy Wind
Honchkrow makes an a marvelous Special Sweeper in double battles. It is designed to take down the opponent's team with potent special moves. Scope Lens/Razor Claw increases Honchkrow critical hit ratio by 1 stage and combined with Honchkrow's Super Luck ability will double these chances even further. Life Orb boosts the power of Honchkrow's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Super Luck, Honchkrow's critical hit ratio is raised by 1 stage.
◆ 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).
◆ 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).
◆ Icy Wind is a special 55-base power Ice-type move (100% chance to lower the foes speed by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/jba1ae
Movepool
Want to know what moves Honchkrow 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 Honchkrow.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Honchkrow 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 Honchkrow
- Moves: Swagger + Flatter
- Moves: Swagger + Foul play
- Moves: Swagger + Psych up
- Moves: Swagger + Screech
- Moves: Flatter + Psych up
- Moves: Psych up + Haze
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Perish song + Protect
- Ability: Super luck + Item: Scope lens
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Assurance + Item: Rocky Helmet
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Protect, Snatch, Sucker Punch
- Moves that Break Screens: Defog
- Moves that inflict status: Thunder Wave, Toxic
Moves that boost Honchkrow's stats
- Calm Mind
- Nasty Plot
- Ominous Wind
- Steel Wing
Most notable and possible best moves for Honchkrow
- Protect
- Rest
- Roost
- Snarl
- Taunt
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Honchkrow 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 Honchkrow'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 Honchkrow. Top rated Honchkrow X/Y movesets. You can find Honchkrow builds X/Y. Honchkrow movesets X/Y are listed here. VGC Honchkrow Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Honchkrow in X/Y along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution