Stakataka Movesets & Competitive Sets

Alternate EV spread: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD

Alternate EV spread: 252 HP / 116 Atk / 140 SpD For full USUM 1v1 analyses, you can check out the USUM format page.

Stakataka’s high Attack and low Speed make it an excellent offensive Trick Room setter. In the fourth moveslot, Wide Guard can replace Protect to shield against Earthquake and defend partners such as Mega Charizard Y from Rock Slide. A Lonely nature and 17 Defense IVs ensure Beast Boost increases Attack when a foe is KOed, although Brave and maximum Defense IVs are an option if you’d prefer a chance of survival against attacks such as Landorus-T’s Earthquake and Tyranitar’s Low Kick. Cresselia is recommended as a secondary Trick Room setter on hard Trick Room teams, as it can set Trick Room in the face of Fighting- and Ground-type moves from foes such as Landorus-T and Mega Kangaskhan.

Moves Trick Room enables Stakataka to outpace nearly every Pokemon for five turns, making it an instant threat to offensive teams. Gyro Ball is Stakataka's main STAB move, as its consistently high Base Power thanks to Stakataka's very low Speed makes it very spammable against most teams. Stone Edge acts as a secondary STAB move and allows Stakataka to hit Flying-types such as Zapdos and Mega Charizard Y. It can also be used as a powerful Continental Crush, which can damage many Pokemon that can otherwise switch in, such as defensive Landorus-T. Earthquake is the preferred coverage move, as it can hit Pokemon that otherwise wall Stakataka, namely Toxapex, Magnezone, and opposing Stakataka. Set Details Maximum Attack investment is necessary in order for Stakataka to hit as hard as possible. Maximum HP gives Stakataka more bulk and opportunities to set up Trick Room. 15 IVs in Defense alongside a Lonely nature are required in order for Beast Boost to raise Stakataka's Attack stat every time it obtains a KO. 0 IVs in Speed make Stakataka as slow as possible in order to maximize the damage output from Gyro Ball and the number of Pokemon it can outpace under Trick Room. Rockium Z allows Stakataka fire off its powerful Z-Move, maximizing its offensive capabilities and limiting defensive switch-ins. Beast Boost allows it to be an even deadlier sweeper, further limiting defensive checks after just one boost. Usage Tips Use Stakataka's bulk and typing to set up with Trick Room against threats such as Zapdos, Latios, and Choice-locked Victini. With this in mind, however, do not recklessly allow Stakataka to take unnecessary damage, as it has no way to recover HP. Stakataka often forces switches thanks to its immediate offensive power, so it appreciates entry hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes being up before setting Trick Room in order to wear down switch-ins. Stakataka can easily be lured and taken out by by Ground- and Fighting-type coverage from the likes of Earthquake Celesteela and Focus Blast Victini, so it is important to keep this in mind and scout for these moves before attempting to set up on these Pokemon. Additionally, burns from the likes of Scald and Will-O-Wisp can severely limit Stakataka, as the halved Attack stat will make it much easier to counter defensively. Use Stakataka's Z-Move in situations where a regular attack lacks the power to dent the foe, such as against Celesteela and Mega Scizor after an Attack boost. Additionally, while Stakataka can easily set up Trick Room against most physical walls, it struggles to break past many of them without prior chip damage. Generally speaking, Gyro Ball's consistently high power and 100% accuracy mean that it's easily spammable in most scenarios. Lastly, preserve Stakataka in matchups such as Flying and Dragon, as Stakataka's STAB combination in tandem with the lack of defensive answers on these types makes it a great sweeper in these matchups. Team Options Since Stakataka functions as a late-game sweeper, it appreciates bulky teammates that can stack entry hazards in order for Stakataka to sweep more effectively and wear down its switch-ins. Ferrothorn boasts a resistance to Water, a neutrality to Ground, and the ability to set up hazards for Stakataka to wear down opposing Pokemon. Ferrothorn's very low Speed also goes in hand with Stakataka's use of Trick Room. Celesteela is a great teammate that provides a defensive check to many Pokemon that threaten Stakataka such as Greninja and Ground-types such as Garchomp. Skarmory functions as a check to various Ground- and Fighting-types that Stakataka cannot take on, such as Landorus-T and Heracross. Unlike Celesteela, Skarmory can compress the roles of a hazard setter and a hazard remover, making it a suitable teammate. Mega Scizor's bulk and ability to help keep faster foes in check even under Trick Room thanks to its access to strong priority also make it a great teammate for Stakataka. Its U-turn support also allows Stakataka to be brought in safely, giving it more setup opportunities. While Heatran shares common weaknesses with Stakataka, it's a premier special attacker that can easily deal with defensive Pokemon as well as offensive threats such as Volcarona and Mega Charizard Y thanks to its useful Fire immunity. Klefki's dual screens support benefits Stakataka by providing it with even more opportunities to safely set up with Trick Room. Jirachi is a decent offensive teammate that can break past problematic Pokemon such as Toxapex thanks to its useful Psychic typing. Lastly, Bronzong is an alternative Trick Room user that shares a low Speed stat and a typing that complements Stakataka and the rest of the team thanks to its Ground immunity and neutrality to Fighting, giving it setup opportunities against types that Stakataka may have more trouble with, such as the aforementioned Fighting and Ground.

Moves Gyro Ball hits devastatingly hard, achieving OHKOs on the likes of Tapu Koko and Tyranitar as well as 2HKOes on Tapu Fini, Landorus-T, and Zygarde. Stone Edge is preferred due to it packing much more of a punch than Rock Slide, notably enabling it to 2HKO Amoonguss and have a better shot against slow Pokemon that take little damage from Gyro Ball. Rock Slide is an alternative STAB move, doing considerable spread damage while still hitting the likes of Zapdos and Amoonguss hard enough, especially after a couple of Attack boosts. It is generally preferred on Lonely sets, as it can usually nab more KOs. Trick Room is key to Stakataka's niche, as it enables the Ultra Beast to outspeed the entire metagame from a couple of turns. Protect allows Stakataka to not take damage when a partner sets up Trick Room and in general keeps it safe when it's needed to. Wide Guard, on the other hand, provides a way to block spread moves such as Heat Wave from Mega Charizard Y and Muddy Water from Kingdra and Tapu Fini. Set Details A Lonely nature and 15 Defense IVs along with 252 Attack EVs make Stakataka's Attack and Defense stats identical, providing Attack raises from Beast Boost, which are preferred most of the time to allow Stakataka to become much more threatening and snowball with much more ease. Nonetheless, a Brave nature can also be used to provide Defense boosts from Beast Boost, making Stakataka a more reliable setter of Trick Room, notably enabling it to avoid the OHKO from uninvested Landorus-T's spread Earthquake when compared to its Lonely counterpart. Rockium Z is the preferred item, as it enables Stakataka to use a powerful move that often nabs it a KO on a Pokemon such as Amoonguss or a weakened Celesteela, giving it a coveted Attack raise; Rockium Z should be used alongside Stone Edge. However, Shuca Berry can be used instead to allow Stakataka to better handle the likes of Landorus-T and Zygarde. Life Orb is also an option for a more offensive set in case the Z-Crystal slot is already taken. Usage Tips In most cases, Stakataka's goal is to exploit Trick Room turns and tear through its opponent's team. Thus, it is often optimal to save Stakataka for late-game, when its checks have been successfully weakened. It's also a decently reliable setter of Trick Room, so it is often important to make use of redirection, Fake Out, or Wide Guard from Stakataka's ally to help it get Trick Room up, as oftentimes, an opponent double targeting Stakataka will likely knock it out. Having another Trick Room setter on the field also mitigates this, as the opponent can only double target one of them, creating some mind games. Similarly, punishing the opponent for double targeting Stakataka is also nice, with a partner wielding great offensive presence and by using Protect on Stakataka. This is especially useful because players are compelled to double target Stakataka in an attempt to prevent Trick Room. Finally, switching into an Intimidate user to limit damage from Ground- or Fighting-type moves is also a great strategy. Against Taunt users such as Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, and Gothitelle, it might be a smart idea simply to Gyro Ball them as they Taunt Stakataka. Under Trick Room, though, it's important to always give Stakataka the KO instead of its ally, if at all possible, in order to trigger Beast Boost. Team Options Pairing Stakataka with another Trick Room setter is a great idea, because Stakataka isn't the most reliable setter out there. Porygon2 takes out Landorus-T and Zygarde that may try to remove Stakataka with their Ground-type attacks, and Necrozma deals with most of the Steel-types that annoy Stakataka with its Ground coverage or even a potential Tectonic Rage. Tapu Bulu can take on bulky Water-types such as Tapu Fini and Suicune and provides Grassy Terrain as a bonus for Stakataka. Other slow attackers such as Mega Camerupt, Torkoal, and Lurantis really appreciate the Trick Room provided by Stakataka.

Choice Band makes Stakataka a very powerful tank, with Gyro Ball being so strong that even bulky Pokemon such as Mega Salamence risk getting OHKOed by it. Rock Blast is important for demolishing Focus Sash Pokemon and getting around Substitute users that may try to stall out Trick Room. Earthquake is Stakataka's best response to Steel-types such as Mega Metagross and Aegislash. Superpower is the most Stakataka can deal to Ferrothorn, which otherwise will wall it. A Brave nature with 0 Speed IVs and the given EV spread makes Stakataka a bulky and powerful user of Choice Band. If using Stakataka on a dedicated Trick Room team, a Lonely nature with 16 or 17 Defense IVs can be used to boost Stakataka's Attack stat after a Beast Boost, but this greatly compromises Stakataka's ability to take non-STAB Earthquakes. This Stakataka can benefit from Trick Room support, though it does not need to be on a dedicated Trick Room team to function. If Trick Room support is considered, Cresselia is an excellent partner, thanks to its ability to take Fighting- and Ground-type attacks easily and access to Lunar Dance to restore Stakataka at the right time for a sweep. Mimikyu is a great offensive alternative that can easily set up Trick Room due to Disguise, while Mega Slowbro provides a good mixture of bulk and offense. Porygon2 can also be used, though you should note that it shares a Fighting-type weakness with Stakataka.

Stakataka is the best option for a physically offensive Trick Room setter. With Gyro Ball and 0 Speed IVs, Stakataka hits most offensive Pokemon for the full 150 Base Power. If you're using Rockium Z, Stone Edge is the Rock STAB attack of choice due to its stronger Z-Move. Otherwise, Rock Blast is highly recommended as Stakataka's secondary STAB attack. While it isn't as consistently powerful as Stone Edge, its multi-hit ability is extremely useful against Substitute Pokemon that may try to stall out Trick Room. It also hits Focus Sash Pokemon and Multiscale Dragonite. Earthquake gives Stakataka valuable coverage against opposing Steel-types, mainly Aegislash, Mega Metagross, and Heatran. Superpower leaves Stakataka walled by Aegislash, but it allows Stakataka to seriously damage Ferrothorn A big decision to make is which nature Stakataka will use. A Brave nature is the most reliable nature for setting up Trick Room. With maximum HP and 4 Defense EVs, Stakataka will survive Adamant Mega Salamence's Earthquake nearly all the time. The Defense boost after a KO can also make Stakataka very difficult to take down. If sweeping with Stakataka is of more importance, a Lonely nature with 16 or 17 Defense IVs can be used. This makes Stakataka's Defense stat the same as as its Attack stat, meaning that Beast Boost will boost Stakatakta's Attack stat instead of its Defense stat. This can make Stakataka a surprisingly fearsome sweeper when Trick Room is set up. However, the Defense drop makes Stakataka likely to be KOed by non-STAB Earthquakes, unlike Brave Stakataka. Rockium Z gives Stakataka a powerful STAB with Stone Edge-based Continental Crush, which is especially useful for hitting Water-types hard. Groundium Z is notable for OHKOing Mega Metagross and having a 75% chance of OHKOing Aegislash. Fightinium Z can also be used to avoid Superpower's stat drops and deal massive damage to Ferrothorn and Celesteela. Life Orb increases Stakataka's sweeping potential, especially when you're using a Lonely nature. However, the recoil compromises Stakataka's good bulk, making it even more committed towards sweeping under Trick Room. Air Balloon gives Stakataka one shot of switching into Earthquake, vastly increasing the number of Pokemon Stakataka can set Trick Room up on at the cost of easy sweeping power. Shuca Berry can also be used if one does not want to risk Air Balloon popping too soon. Stakataka is bulky enough to usually barely survive non-STAB Earthquakes, so a super recovery Berry such as Iapapa can be used to give Stakataka a good amount of health back after surviving. While Stakataka is good at setting up Trick Room, it usually should not be the only user of it on its team due to its common weaknesses. Cresselia is a great partner to consider, since it can switch into Ground- and Fighting-type attacks with ease and can even use Lunar Dance to restore Staktakta's health for a sweep. Mimikyu is a more offensive alternative that happens to be immune to Fighting-type attacks. Mega Slowbro is also a reasonable option due to its massive physical bulk. Although they can share checks, Tapu Bulu can work well with Stakataka, since Grassy Terrain will make Earthquake much easier to handle, and offensive Tapu Bulu appreciate Trick Room support.