Heliolisk Movesets & Competitive Sets

Due to its ability and typing, Heliolisk is a fast pivot in RU that can switch into Water- and Ghost-types like Milotic, Jellicent, and Choice-locked Chandelure and revenge kill Mimikyu. However, it is outclassed by other Electric-types like Raikou and Xurkitree when it comes to checking Flying-types like Togekiss, and Heliolisk cannot break down bulky builds and Pokemon like Umbreon and Registeel as effectively as Xurkitree. Grass Knot takes care of common Ground-type switch-ins such as Gastrodon and Rhyperior. U-turn is preferred for a guaranteed pivoting option, while Volt Switch deals more damage but can be blocked by common Ground-types such as Flygon, Steelix, and Nidoqueen. Hyper Voice hits Grass-types like Celebi and Roserade for decent damage and 2HKOes Flygon as well as offensive Nidoqueen after Stealth Rock, while Surf 2HKOes Nidoqueen and 3HKOes Steelix. Focus Blast is a niche option to hit targets such as Incineroar, Steelix, and Registeel much harder, but it is unreliable. Heavy-Duty Boots enables Heliolisk to safely pivot throughout a match. Slow wallbreakers and setup sweepers like Incineroar, Nidoqueen, and Nasty Plot Celebi appreciate Heliolisk's pivoting. Water-types deal with pesky Ground-types like Nidoqueen and Steelix; Golisopod is a notable Water-type partner that covers Heliolisk's Ground weakness and threatens Grass-types like Celebi. Metagross, Lucario, and Incineroar appreciate Heliolisk checking Water-types, and the former two also like Heliolisk revenge killing Mimikyu. In return, they take advantage of the momentum Heliolisk generates to break through opposing teams. Psychic- and Ghost-types like Gardevoir, Bronzong, Celebi, Dhelmise, and Chandelure benefit from Heliolisk's Ghost immunity. Heliolisk's Water immunity also benefits Chandelure and lets Heliolisk absorb Scald for partners like Dhelmise.

On Normal-type teams, Heliolisk can act as a fearsome special attacker. Its above average Speed lets it outspeed common Pokemon like Indeedee and pivot out on them with Volt Switch to a suitable teammate if it cannot deal with them, allowing it to maintain momentum for the team. Grass Knot lets it pressure Ground-type teams and in combination with its STAB Electric-type move, it becomes a headache for Water-type teams to deal with, making such matchups relatively easier for Normal-type teams to handle. Focus Blast lets it beat Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Excadrill that normally can switch into Heliolisk. Its ability Dry Skin is quite handy too, as it lets it pivot on defensive Pokemon like Toxapex. Maximum Speed investment makes Heliolisk as fast as possible, and maximum Special Attack investment with a Choice Specs bolsters its damage output. Expert Belt can be used to bluff a Choice item and boost super effective damage, as it synergizes well with its coverage. Snorlax and Braviary are good teammates for Heliolisk, as they both appreciate it dealing with troublesome Steel-type Pokemon such as Corviknight, Ferrothorn, and Excadrill. In return, Thick Fat Snorlax checks Fire-type Pokemon for Heliolisk, and Choice Scarf Braviary can beat Fighting-type Pokemon like Gallade for it. Choice Scarf Braviary and Heliolisk form a threatening VoltTurn core, too. Choice Band Diggersby appreciates Volt Switch support from Heliolisk, giving it more chances to wallbreak and deal with Pokemon like Ferrothorn with Fire Punch, relieving the pressure from Heliolisk. Indeedee can wallbreak for Heliolisk and provide it with Psychic Terrain, allowing Heliolisk to revenge kill Pokemon like Lucario for the team. Obstagoon as a teammate adds in additional wallbreaking potential, as it appreciates Volt Switch to find opportunities to come in and break teams down with STAB Knock Off for Heliolisk.

Heliolisk makes its mark on Normal teams thanks to its ability Dry Skin alongside its offensive stats and coverage, which allow it to put in tons of work against Water and Flying teams. Glare allows it to paralyze faster threats such as Kingdra under rain and Choice Scarf Cobalion when Heliolisk is behind a Substitute. Glare mainly allows it to spread status well due to only Electric-type Pokemon being immune to it. Thunderbolt permits it to threaten Water- and Flying-type Pokemon such as Toxapex, Mantine, and Corviknight. Grass Knot grants Heliolisk the ability to target Water- and Ground-type Pokemon such as Seismitoad, Gastrodon, Mamoswine, and Rhyperior. The combination of Thunderbolt and Grass Knot allows Heliolisk to threaten every Water-type Pokemon for super effective damage. Substitute allows Heliolisk to take advantage of passive Pokemon such as Mantine, Toxapex, and specially defensive Aegislash. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Heliolisk to ignore entry hazards that will hinder it such as Sticky Web and Toxic Spikes. However, Leftovers can be used to passively regain health, giving it more opportunities to set up a Substitute. Dry Skin grants Heliolisk an immunity to Water-type attacks, allowing it to switch into attacks such as Dracovish's Fishious Rend and Azumarill's Aqua Jet, which can otherwise devastate Normal teams. Maximum EVs in Special Attack and Speed ensure it is as powerful as possible and faster than Pokemon such as Keldeo. Heliolisk should try to set up a Substitute against Water teams, especially on passive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Mantine or Pokemon Choice-locked into a Water-type attack such as Choice Scarf Rotom-W's Hydro Pump. Substitute then allows it to severely threaten Water teams. Outside of the Water and Flying matchups, Heliolisk's main job is to be spreading paralysis with Glare, which can be done more easily if it's behind a Substitute. Heliolisk supports its offensive teammates with Glare, allowing them to outspeed threats such as Hydreigon. Blissey is a fantastic partner, as it can switch into a plethora of attacks for it such as Rotom-H's Overheat and Indeedee's Expanding Force. In addition, Blissey can set Stealth Rock for Heliolisk, allowing it to break past Pokemon such as Keldeo and Togekiss more easily. Finally, it can also pivot with Teleport to bring in Heliolisk safely. Ditto is a great way to check faster Pokemon such as Dragon Dance Dragapult and Cinderace. Braviary is an important teammate when Heliolisk is not using Heavy-Duty Boots, as it can clear hazards off the field, which is crucial for Heliolisk due to its weakness to Toxic Spikes and Sticky Web. This is especially important against Water teams. Diggersby, Bewear, and Obstagoon can break through special walls for Heliolisk such as Chansey, Ferrothorn, Celebi, and Tyranitar. Diggersby can also take on Fire- and Poison-type Pokemon such as Torkoal, Incineroar, and Salazzle. Obstagoon can help Heliolisk in the Psychic- and Ghost-type matchups by taking on Pokemon such as Mew and Alolan Marowak. Bewear is the best check to threats such as Urshifu-S, as Fluffy alongside a Chople Berry can make that matchup manageable. In return, Heliolisk can slow down faster Pokemon such as Hydreigon with Glare for them.