Grimmsnarl Movesets & Competitive Sets

Grimmsnarl is a threatening sweeper thanks to its ability to set up and use Substitute with priority because of Prankster. Thanks to its ability, Grimmsnarl can invest fully in its bulk, allowing it to take multiple hits before fainting. Grimmsnarl's STAB combination is also difficult to switch into, as it's unresisted by the entire tier. Sucker Punch helps Grimmsnarl pick off fast frail Pokemon like Kilowattrel and Salazzle. Substitute allows it to take advantage of walls like Milotic, Gastrodon, and Bellibolt, letting it ignore status and set up freely. On top of this, it also helps Grimmsnarl scout Choice-locked Pokemon like Florges and Duraludon. Tera Steel grants it a resistance to Fairy-type attacks, as well as gaining a multitude of other resistances, notably helping Grimmsnarl versus Toxtricity's Boomburst, Staraptor's Brave Bird, and Bronzong's Heavy Slam. Similarly, Tera Poison helps Grimmsnarl take on Fairy-type attacks from Florges, but it trades Tera Steel's wide array of resistances for a resistance to common Fighting-type attacks from faster Pokemon like Heracross and Flamigo. However, it now has to deal with super effective Psychic Noise from both Scream Tail and Florges. Due to having to rely on Sucker Punch to hit Steel-types like Alolan Sandslash, Grimmsnarl commonly struggles against them; because of this, Grimmsnarl appreciates teammates that can pressure them like Salazzle, Delphox, and Golurk. Grimmsnarl's Substitute is easily broken by powerful wallbreakers like Paldean Tauros-F and Staraptor, or it can be ignored by Toxtricity. So, Milotic, Bellibolt, and Bronzong make for great partners, being able to check these strong offensive threats. Grimmsnarl easily takes advantage of and sets up against special attacking walls like Gastrodon and Bellibolt. In order to get Grimmsnarl in against these Pokemon, it must be paired with teammates that force these walls in and can pivot like Grafaiai and Flamigo. Grimmsnarl, due to being slow and having to rely on Sucker Punch to take care of faster threats, likes to have cleaners alongside it such as Choice Scarf users like Staraptor, Rotom-C, and Bruxish to finish up games after it's beaten the bulkier Pokemon. Grimmsnarl also struggles with sweeping early-game, so wallbreakers like Meloetta, Paldean Tauros-F, and Hariyama pair well to overwhelm shared checks such as Coalossal, Mudsdale, and Qwilfish. Scream Tail and Florges are both annoyances for Grimmsnarl, as they can both lock it into a move with Encore and Trick, respectively. In order to deal with these threats, partners like Skuntank, Salazzle, and Toxtricity work well in tandem with Grimmsnarl.

Grimmsnarl's main and only utility is as a dual screens setter on hyper offense teams. It makes use of Taunt to shut down entry hazard setters like Landorus-T and Glimmora, block Defog from Giratina-O, stop opposing Taunt users like various Arceus formes, and prevent Pokemon like Zacian-C, Koraidon, and Miraidon from setting up. Play Rough lets Grimmsnarl threaten Dark-types like Ting-Lu and opposing Grimmsnarl that are immune to Prankster Taunt as well as dealing decent damage to both Koraidon and Miraidon. Parting Shot can be used instead to generate momentum and setup opportunities for Grimmsnarl's teammates. 80 Special Defense EVs allow Grimmsnarl to live two Electro Drifts from Miraidon through Light Screen, with the rest invested to maximize physical bulk. Grimmsnarl should rarely, if ever, be the target of Terastallization, but Tera Ghost can be used to allow it to spinblock Iron Treads and lets it take advantage of the Ghost type's immunities against Choice-locked Koraidon and Extreme Speed from Arceus, while Tera Steel also helps Grimmsnarl avoid being revenge killed by Arceus while flipping its Fairy and Poison weaknesses. Grimmsnarl is exclusively found on hyper offense teams, where it pairs well with setup sweepers that make use of the screens and pivoting it provides, such as Koraidon, Miraidon, and Calyrex-I. In turn, hyper offense teams that rely on Grimmsnarl benefit from the ability of these powerful teammates to remove Steel-types like Necrozma-DM and Zacian-C that Grimmsnarl struggles to set up screens against. Ting-Lu and Ho-Oh can both use Whirlwind to phaze out sweepers, with the former able to set up entry hazards without much issue in front of Grimmsnarl and the latter able to pivot into attacks and stall out screen turns with Regenerator. Koraidon and Miraidon, respectively, can force out these Pokemon and use them as setup opportunities.

Grimmsnarl is a reliable defensive support tool for teams in Regulation G. Spirit Break threatens Koraidon and the Urshifu formes, and it also lowers the Special Attack of strong Pokemon like Terapaos and Calyrex-S. Foul Play is also good insurance against both Calyrex-S and Calyrex-I, forcing them to Terastallize if they don't want to take a lot of damage. Thunder Wave provides speed control to allow Grimmsnarl's allies to outspeed foes after they've been paralyzed. Light Clay makes Reflect and Light Screen last longer, allowing it to utilize its other two moves more often. The EVs put into Defense allow Grimmsnarl to always survive a Behemoth Blade from Zacian-C through Reflect after an Intimidate and almost always survive Tera Water Surging Strikes from Urshifu-R. The EVs put into Special Defense give Grimmsnarl the bulk to survive Electro Drift from Choice Specs Miraidon through Light Screen. Tera Ghost is used to avoid Fake Out, which ruins Grimmsnarl's momentum. Fake Out is often used to prevent Grimmsnarl from setting Light Screen and Reflect up and can lead to being KOed by double targeting before it moves. To work around Fake Out, exert pressure using Grimmsnarl's partner. Grimmsnarl is typically paired with Terapagos or Kyogre to allow them to shrug off hits as they sweep. Rillaboom and Incineroar are other good options to pair with Grimmsnarl, as their support kit adds to the overall longevity of the team, allowing for stronger Pokemon to get more attacks off. Rillaboom in particular is one of the fastest Pokemon in the metagame that uses Fake Out, which makes it a great option to lead alongside Grimmsnarl to ensure dual screens are set up. Iron Hands and Urshifu-R are also common partners for Grimmsnarl. Iron Hands also provides Fake Out support and a pivoting move, and its Fighting-type STAB option is useful for doing damage to opposing Incineroar, which can use Taunt to disable Grimmsnarl's support moves. Urshifu-R can remove threats to Grimmsnarl like Incineroar and use Taunt to stop foes from using status moves like Taunt and Spore, which stop Grimmsnarl from using its support tools.

Set Details Grimmsnarl's main role is to set up Light Screen and Reflect to increase the bulk of its partners. Grimmsnarl can also be an annoying disruptor with Thunder Wave and sometimes Parting Shot. Setting up dual screens is very effective against hyper offensive teams using Koraidon and Calyrex-S, as these teams are normally quite frail, and surviving one extra attack can often be the difference maker in those matchups. Thunder Wave is a good option for disruption and speed control, allowing partners like Miraidon and Urshifu-R to outspeed Calyrex-S and Koraidon, while Parting Shot is good for further weakening foes and giving Grimmsnarl a strong pivoting option, which helps partners like Ho-Oh and Ursaluna activate their abilities of Regenerator and Guts, respectively, with less risk. Spirit Break OHKOes Koraidon before it Terastallizes, as well as being able to threaten both Urshifu formes, and it reduces the Special Attack of Pokemon such as Calyrex-S and Lunala. Foul Play allows Grimmsnarl to do significant damage to Calyrex-I, Calyrex-S, and Lunala. Light Clay allows Reflect and Light Screen to last longer, allowing for prolonged damage mitigation even after Grimmsnarl has fainted. The Special Defense investment allows Grimmsnarl to live a Moonblast from Timid Flutter Mane when Light Screen isn't up, and Grimmsnarl can also live a Choice Specs Miraidon Electro Drift when Light Screen is up. The Defense EVs let it survive Ursaluna's Guts-boosted Facade when behind Reflect. Tera Ghost helps Grimmsnarl avoid Fake Out from Iron Hands, Rillaboom, and Incineroar, which can be crucial to allow Grimmsnarl to get dual screens up or use an extra Thunder Wave. It also gives it an immunity to Zamazenta-C's Body Press and removes the Heavy Slam and Behemoth Bash weaknesses. Teambuilding Urshifu-R ignores all of Grimmsnarl's damage mitigation with Surging Strikes, and some Choice Band variants can also OHKO Grimmsnarl with Surging Strikes. Taunt from Incineroar and Flutter Mane can effectively shut down Grimmsnarl's supportive ability, leaving it stuck using either Spirit Break or Foul Play. Galarian Weezing's Neutralizing Gas prevents Grimmsnarl from getting its dual screens off immediately, allowing Koraidon, which is usually paired with Galarian Weezing, to easily OHKO it with Tera Fire Flare Blitz. Dark-, Electric-, and Ground-types like opposing Grimmsnarl, Incineroar, Miraidon, and Landorus are immune to Prankster Thunder Wave, reducing Grimmsnarl's effectiveness on the field. Fake Out from Rillaboom, Iron Hands, and Incineroar is also detrimental to Grimmsnarl, as it stops Grimmsnarl from supporting its team. Spore from Amoonguss and Brute Bonnet can make it difficult for Grimmsnarl to get both screens up in a game. Grimmsnarl's dual screens are able to support most teams, but Miraidon, Ho-Oh, Lunala, and Calyrex-I especially enjoy Grimmsnarl's support because they typically favor bulkier playstyles. Miraidon is able to quickly remove Urshifu-R while also protecting Grimmsnarl from Spore with Electric Terrain, and Ho-Oh is a great check for Koraidon, as it resists all of its moves and threatens an OHKO with Brave Bird. Incineroar and Iron Hands provide support with Fake Out, which makes it easier to get both screens up, and Urshifu-R can threaten Taunt Incineroar and other Dark- and Ground-types, which are immune to Thunder Wave, with Close Combat and Surging Strikes.

Grimmsnarl's access to Prankster, as well as Reflect and Light Screen, makes it invaluable on hyper offensive variants of Dark teams and as a way to take on opposing Dark teams. Prankster lets Grimmsnarl set up priority Reflect and Light Screen, making it easier for teammates to set up. Grimmsnarl's access to Parting Shot allows it to bring in a teammate immediately, but Taunt is also a viable option to prevent Defog and opposing leads setting up entry hazards. Thunder Wave also can be used as a form of speed control. Spirit Break lets Grimmsnarl threaten opposing Dark-type setup sweepers such as Hydreigon and Darkrai that may leverage their Prankster immunity to set up on Grimmsnarl. Grimmsnarl should be used aggressively early-game to capitalize on its teammates' sweeping potential. Teammates such as Nasty Plot Galarian Moltres, Nasty Plot Hydreigon, Swords Dance Bisharp, and Dragon Dance Roaring Moon all appreciate Grimmsnarl reducing the damage they take while setting up with dual screens. Entry hazard setters like Ting-Lu can be useful to help wear down opposing defensive Pokemon so that Grimmsnarl's teammates can sweep. Choice Scarf Meowscarada is appreciated for being able to revenge kill Pokemon such as Great Tusk and Iron Valiant. Darkrai and Bisharp can utilize Grimmsnarl's dual screens to break through opposing teams, and Hydreigon can break through Steel-types that may threaten Grimmsnarl out. Greninja can threaten out Cinderace and prevent it from using Court Change while also being able to revenge kill Iron Valiant.

The given EV spread and nature allow Grimmsnarl to survive a Swords of Ruin-boosted Extreme Speed from a Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite, then invests the remaining EVs into Special Defense. This is a sample set as we work on proper analyses. Stay tuned!

Light Screen and Reflect, in combination with Prankster, make Grimmsnarl an excellent hyper offense suicide lead. Taunt prevents Pokemon like Calyrex-S, Koraidon, Arceus, and various other sweepers from using Grimmsnarl as setup fodder and stops entry hazard setters like Eternatus, Gliscor, and Deoxys-S from using Spikes and Toxic Spikes. Parting Shot gives Grimmsnarl an excellent method of pivoting while also reducing damage taken for the Pokemon switching in. Alternatively, Grimmsnarl could opt to use Play Rough with an Adamant Nature and maximum Attack investment to have a good chance to 2HKO Ting-Lu, which, being unaffected by Taunt, could otherwise freely set up Spikes in the face of Grimmsnarl. Tera Steel prevents Glimmora from using Mortal Spin and grants Grimmsnarl a resistance to Zacian-C's Behemoth Blade and Arceus's Extreme Speed. The default EV spread allows Grimmsnarl to live an Extreme Speed from a boosted Arceus after a layer of Spikes, with the rest dumped into Special Defense to take hits from Calyrex-S better. Grimmsnarl is somewhat one-dimensional. As its only role is being a suicide lead, it only fits on hyper offense teams. Sweepers like Dragon Dance Arceus-Ground, Tera Fairy Calyrex-S, Double Dance Miraidon, and Swords Dance Koraidon all especially appreciate Grimmsnarl's screens support, as they all value the extra bulkthat makes it easier to set up. Bulkier sweepers like Arceus and Necrozma-DM also benefit from Grimmsnarl's dual screens, as it makes them much more difficult to revenge kill. Since Grimmsnarl is unable to set up entry hazards on its own, it pairs very well with teammates like Glimmora, whose hazards combined with Grimmsnarl's dual screens support make it far easier for its team to sweep. Furthermore, Glimmora can use Mortal Spin to remove opposing Ribombee's Sticky Web and keep off Spikes against Ting-Lu, both of which may prove to be issues for hyper offense teams that do not frequently use Heavy Duty-Boots. Glimmora's Poison- typing enables it to remove Eternatus's Toxic Spikes, which may otherwise cripple setup sweepers. If not running Play Rough, Grimmsnarl is also quite vulnerable to Ting-Lu, which is immune to Grimmsnarl's Prankster Taunt and can freely set up Spikes. Thus, Grimmsnarl appreciates having teammates like Koraidon, which can threaten to cause great damage to Ting-Lu and force it to switch out.

112 Special Defense EVs allow Grimmsnarl to live a Gholdengo Make It Rain.

Grimmsnarl distinguishes itself from Deoxys-S with the ability to pivot with Parting Shot, giving it better longevity while letting teammates set up easier. Grimmsnarl also has a good defensive typing versus Chien-Pao and Marshadow, both of which can revenge kill Grimmsnarl's teammates, making it a decent switch-in. Unfortunately, Grimmsnarl is unable to do much if it does get Taunted itself by Magic Coat Deoxys-S, and because it's unable to prevent Yveltal from using Defog or Calm Mind Arceus-Dark and Chi-Yu from setting up alongside it, Grimmsnarl can become passive against certain team structures; regardless, Grimmsnarl is still good at setting up dual screens for hyper offense teams. Taunt is useful to ensure opposing Pokemon like Arceus, Primal Groudon, Zacian-C, and Zygarde cannot set up alongside Grimmsnarl as it sets dual screens. It's also useful to prevent opposing leads such as Glimmora and Smeargle from setting up entry hazards, letting Grimmsnarl protect its teammates. Parting Shot allows Grimmsnarl to pivot, increasing momentum while allowing for easier setup for the teammate with its stat drops. Spirit Break prevents Yveltal and Arceus-Dark from completely walling Grimmsnarl while also stopping the latter from setting up alongside Grimmsnarl. Thunder Wave is a niche option that allows Grimmsnarl to punish foes like Meteor Beam Eternatus, Arceus-Fairy, and Zacian-C more directly, benefitting its teammates to let them sweep more easily while avoiding a potential sweep. The given special bulk investment allows Grimmsnarl to survive defensive Primal Groudon's Overheat, with the rest of the EVs being dumped into Defense to survive attacks such as 300-Base Power Basculegion-M's Last Respects and Arceus-Ground's unboosted Tectonic Rage without Reflect. However, with both screens up, Grimmsnarl can survive attacks such as Zacian-C's Play Rough and Eternatus's +1 Sludge Bomb. Tera Ghost allows Grimmsnarl to avoid getting hit by Arceus's Extreme Speed, which is useful for slowing down its attempt to sweep through Grimmsnarl's team, allowing it to set up Reflect more reliably. However, Grimmsnarl's teammates are better off using Terastallization, since they benefit from it more. Grimmsnarl should only Terastallize in emergency situations. It is usually best to lead with Grimmsnarl to set up screens early for the team. If there is an opposing Arceus-Dark or Yveltal present though, it may be desirable to lead with something else, such as Eternatus, and play more aggressively with Grimmsnarl around them to ensure that Grimmsnarl isn't direct setup fodder for them. A similar idea applies against Shuckle, since Grimmsnarl cannot deny Sticky Web from going up due to Mental Herb. It's important to set the correct screen against a foe. Physical threats like Marshadow and Rayquaza should be dealt with Reflect, while special threats like Arceus-Fairy and Palkia-O are dealt with Light Screen. This is necessary to ensure Grimmsnarl can set both screens up as opposed to just one, since it will never be OHKOed behind the correct screen. Grimmsnarl works best on hyper offense teams that can capitalize on the extra longevity provided by dual screens, giving them multiple setup opportunities. Dragon Dance Arceus-Ground can reliably take care of Zacian-C and Necrozma-DM, both of which would be an issue for Grimmsnarl, while also having Taunt and Stone Edge to prevent Defog users from removing dual screens. Kyurem-B has a similarly good matchup versus standard Defog users such as Ho-Oh and Giratina-O while also having a good matchup against Dondozo, something Grimmsnarl cannot help with against stall teams because it cannot provide hazard control. It also appreciates the additional bulk to let it set up with Dragon Dance twice, notably letting it outspeed Zacian-C. Teammates that can generally dissuade hazard removal options like Ho-Oh, Giratina-O, and Yveltal are great for Grimmsnarl. These teammates include Primal Kyogre, Double Dance Primal Groudon, Arceus, Yveltal, and Play Rough Zacian-C, with all five of them needing dual screens support to set up more easily or, in Yveltal's case, dish out more damage versus Ho-Oh and opposing Yveltal. Additionally, Zacian-C does well versus Arceus-Dark and Yveltal, especially since it avoids the OHKO from +3 Tera Dark Foul Play from Choice Scarf Yveltal behind Reflect.

With Prankster and the movepool to use it, Grimmsnarl is a good alternative to Alolan Ninetales for setting up dual screens, useful for setting up dangerous sweepers such as Dragonite or Urshifu-R. Parting Shot: Parting Shot is not only useful for dropping stats, but the pivoting action can let Grimmsnarl come in later to set up screens if it's in a bad matchup. Thunder Wave: This is a reasonable alternative for crippling fast foes that may be problematic for sweeps. Taunt: Taunt shuts down phazers and opposing Taunts that could stop the dual screens from being set up. Spirit Break versus Foul Play: Hitting foes like Chien-Pao and Urshifu-S makes Spirit Break a good offensive move. Alternatively, Foul Play is notable for breaking Gholdengo's Substitute and punishing physical setup sweepers like Dragonite. Tera Types Tera Dependency - Very Low: This Grimmsnarl should almost never Terastallize, since it's trying to support sweepers rather than deal serious damage on its own. Steel: Tera Steel protects Grimmsnarl against Fairy-type attacks in the extremely rare event that it needs to Terastallize against Flutter Mane in the late-game. Fire: Tera Fire provides both a resistance to Flutter Mane's Moonblast and Ogerpon-H's Ivy Cudgel in the rare event Terastallization is needed.

This set's write-up has not started yet, but here's some basic info to get you started! 244 HP / 252 Def / 12 SpD with Impish: This spread avoids a OHKO from Timid Choice Specs Iron Bundle. 236 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def / 12 SpD / 4 Spe with Adamant: This spread sacrifices some physical bulk in exchange for KOing Chien-Pao with Fake Out + Spirit Break. It also survives Timid Choice Specs Iron Bundle from full health.