Competitive Information for Zoroark [X/Y]
Dark
Abilities:
This Pokemon appears as the last Pokemon in the party until it takes direct damage.
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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Zoroark? 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!
Unleash the power of Zoroark, a brilliant Pokémon with Dark typing. Zoroark is a common Pokémon to see in the XY metagame. It is weak to Bug, Fairy, and Fighting-typed attacks. Discover how Zoroark excels in battles with the movesets provided below.
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Band
Ability: Illusion
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 52 Hp / 252 Atk / 204 Spe
Moveset:
- Foul Play / Knock Off
- Return / Facade
- Shadow Claw
- U-turn
Zoroark makes an an exquisite Physical Sweeper in single battles. This moveset attempts to overwhelm foes with powerful physical attacks. 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).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Facade is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if Zoroark is burn/poison/paralyzed).
◆ 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).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/iaa23b
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
- Flamethrower
- Extrasensory / Hyper Voice
- Sludge Bomb
Prepare for single battles with Zoroark as a top-notch Special Sweeper. The intention of this moveset is to take down the opponent's team with brute special moves. 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).
◆ Flamethrower is a special 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
◆ 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).
◆ 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/iba23b
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
Prepare for single battles with Zoroark as an impressive Special Sweeper. This setup is intended to overwhelm foes with lethal 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/ica23b
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 stands out as an extraordinary Special Wall in single battles. This setup is intended to handle special hits and respond with 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/ida23b
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 stands out as a superb Special Sweeper in single battles. This moveset is designed to overwhelm foes with intense special power. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Zoroark last longer regaining it's HP 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/iea23b
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Zoroark? 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: Focus Sash / Choice Band
Ability: Illusion
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 52 Hp / 252 Atk / 204 Spe
Moveset:
- Foul Play / Knock Off
- Return / Facade
- Shadow Claw
- U-turn
Zoroark excels as a terrific Physical Sweeper during double battles. This moveset attempts to crush rivals using destructive physical moves. 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).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Facade is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if Zoroark is burn/poison/paralyzed).
◆ 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).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/jaa23b
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Specs
Ability: Illusion
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 52 Hp / 252 SpA / 204 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Hyper Voice
- Foul Play / Snarl
- Incinerate / Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
Dominating double battles, Zoroark is an exceptional Special Sweeper. The objective of this moveset is to take down the opponent's team with heavy-hitting special moves. 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.
◆ 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).
◆ Incinerate is a special 60-base power Fire-type move (destroys the foes berry/gem).
◆ 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/jba23b
Movepool
Want to know what moves Zoroark 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 Zoroark.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Zoroark 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 Zoroark
- Moves: Swagger + Foul play
- Moves: Swagger + Psych up
- Moves: Swagger + Punishment
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Fling + Item: King's Rock
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Detect, Protect, Snatch, Sucker Punch
- Moves that inflict status: Toxic
Moves that boost Zoroark's stats
- Agility
- Calm Mind
- Hone Claws
- Nasty Plot
- Swords Dance
Most notable and possible best moves for Zoroark
- Knock Off
- Protect
- Rest
- Snarl
- Taunt
- Toxic
- U-turn
Common Effort Values for Zoroark 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 Zoroark'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 Zoroark. Top rated Zoroark X/Y movesets. You can find Zoroark builds X/Y. Zoroark movesets X/Y are listed here. VGC Zoroark Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Zoroark in X/Y along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution