Swanna Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Scald may be used over Surf so Swanna is able to threaten physical attackers with a potential burn. Z-Rain Dance allows Swanna to gain a +1 Speed boost as well as activate its ability, Hydration. Swanna has the option to run Ice Beam over Roost exclusively for Altaria. Set Details Waterium Z is necessary to boost Swanna's Speed in cleaning situations; however, it can also be used to boost Swanna’s selected Water-type STAB move by turning it into Hydro Vortex if the speed boost is not needed. However, Hydro Vortex from Scald is much weaker than from Surf. Usage Tips Swanna's main role is to act as a late-game sweeper, so it is best to preserve it until it has a clear opening or its checks and counters are weakened. The choice between using Z-Rain Dance or Hydro Vortex should be based on whether Swanna needs a Speed boost in order to sweep. Under rain, Hydro Vortex can be used to catch opposing weakened specially defensive walls off guard such as Bronzor, Lickilicky, Assault Vest Komala, and Kecleon. Ideally, Roost should be used on predicted switches in order to maintain Swanna's HP, giving it a greater chance of completing its sweep. With the +1 Speed boost, Swanna outpaces and KOes common Choice Scarf users such as Chatot, Leafeon, Pinsir, a weakened Electivire, and weakened Silvally formes. Swanna should be wary of priority users such as Kecleon and Pawniard, as they ignore Swanna's Speed boost and can take advantage of its low defenses. Team Options Swanna greatly appreciates entry hazard support in order to weaken some of its checks and counters, so Pokemon that can set hazards such as Golem and Mareanie all make for great partners. Because Swanna is weak to Stealth Rock, Pokemon that can remove hazards such as Komala and Silvally formes are all excellent options. Silvally-Fighting in particular makes for a fantastic option because it isn't weak to Stealth Rock and can pressure Golem and Probopass. Swanna often finds itself pressured by Electric-type Pokemon, so Pokemon that are immune to Electric-type attacks such as Raichu, Electivire, and Golem all make for good partners. Swanna can synergize well with other physical late-game sweepers like Muk, Pinsir, and Combusken by eliminating each other's defensive checks. Physical wallbreakers such as Combusken and Choice Band Komala are all able to pressure Pokemon that wall Swanna such as Bronzor, Vigoroth, and Kecleon.

Moves Z-Mirror Move gives Swanna a +2 boost in Attack and allows it to fire off the foe's last move as a Z-Move. STAB Brave Bird sets Swanna apart from Floatzel, allowing it to hit Leafeon and Gourgeist-XL. Aqua Jet offers Swanna priority, allowing it to clean if the opposing team still has a weakened Choice Scarf user. Alternatively, Roost enables Swanna to regain its health so it can maintain a threatening position. In addition, Roost allows Swanna to become a better soft check to Floatzel and Silvally-Fighting. Set Details Flyinium Z allows Swanna to use Z-Mirror Move or Supersonic Skystrike in order to clean late-game. Usage Tips Swanna should be primarily used as a late-game cleaner, so potential threats and walls should be removed such as Choice Scarf Electivire, Pawniard, Pyukumuku, and Silvally-Water. Before using Z-Mirror Move, take into account the last move that was used and whether it would KO the opposing Pokemon. Because of the recoil damage, Brave Bird should only be used to net KOs that Liquidation can't. Due to its lackluster bulk, Swanna lacking Roost should refrain from switching into opposing attacks. Team Options Swanna appreciates Pokemon that can set entry hazards and chip its checks and counters, so Pokemon like Golem and Mareanie make for great partners. Because Swanna is weak to Stealth Rock, it appreciates Pokemon that can remove them such as Silvally formes and Komala. Silvally-Fighting is one of the best options due to its resistance against Stealth Rock and ability to check Pokemon such as Golem, Probopass, and Pawniard. Electric-type Pokemon threaten Swanna, so Pokemon that are immune to Electric-type attacks such as Electivire, Golem, and Raichu make for good partners. Physical wallbreakers such as Choice Band Komala can weaken Pokemon like Bronzor and Altaria so Swanna has an easier time cleaning late-game. Other late-game sweepers such as Mr. Mime, Muk, and Combusken pair well with Swanna due to their combined offensive presence.

Moves Hurricane and Scald are Swanna’s most effective moves, allowing it to take advantage of its fantastic STAB combination. Roost gives Swanna the ability to restore its health after Life Orb recoil and Stealth Rock damage and allows it to repeatedly check Pokemon such as Floatzel, Silvally-Fighting, and Combusken. Set Details Flyinium Z allows Swanna to bypass Hurricane’s low accuracy. Life Orb is used to boost Swanna's damage output; however, the recoil damage is often detrimental when coupled with Stealth Rock damage. Big Pecks allows Swanna to avoid Defense drops, which help Swanna better check Floatzel that use Liquidation. Usage Tips Swanna’s main goal is to act as a wallbreaker, taking advantage of physically defensive walls such as Golem and Gourgeist-XL as well as slower offensive Pokemon such as Leafeon, Silvally-Fighting, and Oricorio-F. Swanna can switch into Pokemon it is able to threaten such as Combusken, Gourgeist-XL, and Silvally-Fighting. Swanna should take the opportunity to remove entry hazards when it forces switches. It is important to utilize Roost in order to maintain Swanna's longevity when checking Pokemon like Floatzel and Combusken. Swanna's relatively low Special Attack stat means it struggles to break specially defensive Pokemon such as Lickilicky, Kecleon, and Bronzor without a super effective move, so it's best to switch into physical wallbreakers to better handle them. Swanna's Z-Move is best used to net KOs when it doesn't want to risk a Hurricane miss. Furthermore, Supersonic Skystrike can also be used to remove weakened defensive Pokemon such as Silvally-Water and Pyukumuku. Team Options Swanna pairs well with Pokemon that appreciate entry hazards removed like Combusken, Rapidash, and Pinsir. Physical wallbreakers such as Machoke and Komala can threaten specially defensive walls like Lickilicky and Kecleon that are able to wall Swanna. These Pokemon also appreciate Swanna's ability to check Golem, Gourgeist-XL, and Silvally-Fighting. Electric-types such as Electivire and Machoke appreciate Swanna's ability to threaten Ground-types like Golem, Silvally-Ground, and Marowak. Swanna hates opposing Electric-types, so Pokemon immune to Electric-type attacks like Golem, Electivire, and Raichu all pair well it. Swanna appreciates Pokemon with entry hazard support such as Golem, Mareanie, and Probopass. In return, Golem and Probopass appreciate Swanna's ability to check Fighting-types. Because Swanna is weak to Stealth Rock and cannot switch into most hazard setters comfortably, it often appreciates a second hazard remover such as Silvally-Fighting, Silvally-Dragon, or Komala.

Substitute and Roost allow Swanna to avoid status and large hits while healing off any damage it takes. Swanna can also find a lot of opportunities to set up Substitute against common threats like Tentacool and Choice-locked Monferno. Scald + Hurricane is also a great combination, as both have a 30% chance inflict burn and confusion, respectively. This particular STAB combination is really only fully resisted by the exceedingly rare Chinchou, meaning that Swanna is largely free to spam the appropriate move without much need for coverage. Leftovers is the go-to choice for this set to add to the longevity of this set, but Life Orb can also be useful for additional damage. Swanna is fast but can still be revenge killed by the likes of Zebstrika and other faster threats, so backup switch-ins such as Stunfisk make for good teammates. It also prefers to have Stealth Rock off the field, so entry hazard removal like Tentacool and Natu are also excellent partners. It loves the help of wallbreakers such as Monferno to help take down common walls such as Klang. Swanna also adds some light defensive utility to teams by resisting Fire, Fighting, and Ground, so Pokemon like Klang and Stunfisk appreciate the additional synergy. SubRoost Swanna is also excellent at stallbreaking threats such as Zweilous, Audino, and Machoke, so Pokemon like Zebstrika that tend to struggle against stall also love having Swanna around.

Surf is the chosen go-to STAB move, as Scald is not as powerful and Hydro Pump is not as consistent for a revenge killer. Ice Beam is for hitting Grass-types such as Vileplume and Maractus, and Hidden Power Electric hits other Water-types, with the most notable being opposing Swanna. The last move is dedicated to a Flying-type STAB move, but the selection is varied. Brave Bird has 100% accuracy and makes Swanna a decent mixed attacker, but it has recoil. Hurricane allows Swanna to run Timid nature and hits harder, but it can miss at crucial times. This set is best suited for more offensive-oriented teams that need a slot dedicated for speed control and revenge killing threats faster than Zebstrika. As such, wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Beheeyem appreciate having Swanna take out potential faster threats such as Monferno and Sneasel. Wallbreakers also have the added benefit of breaking down Swanna's defensive answers to allow a potential sweep later. Choice Scarf Swanna is easily walled by Klang, Frillish, Articuno, Audino, Bronzor, and other defensive Pokemon that can take advantage of it being locked into the wrong move. As a result, Pokemon like Stunfisk and Klang that can provide a safe switch-in when Swanna needs it are appreciated.

Other than supporting its team, Swanna can't do much else, so Tailwind, Hail, or Rain Dance should be used accordingly. Tailwind is the dominant choice, supporting all of Swanna's teammates. Scald is the preferred STAB Water-type move that Swanna can choose from, because of Scald's ability to burn. With Hurricane, Swanna can 2HKO Amoonguss and OHKO Jolly Virizion; the possibility of confusing the opponent supports Swanna's teammates too. Air Slash is the better choice if Rain Dance is not used; without the boosted accuracy, Hurricane isn't reliable. Air Slash's ability to flinch can also be useful in tough situations. Ice Beam is for coverage, hitting most common Pokemon in VGC 2011 for super effective damage. Ice Beam doesn't OHKO anything of significance, but it can take down quite a few things that were damaged beforehand, Swanna can really only finish off what its partner leaves. Although these moves don't have much coverage, and are walled by Pokemon such as Jellicent, Swanna can be threatening when it has good synergy with its teammates. Big Pecks is chosen over Keen Eye as Swanna's defenses already suffer enough, and some Pokemon take advantage of stat lowering moves. Timid is preferred to allow Swanna to be able to set up as soon as possible since it's not going to be attacking much. Many Pokemon outclass Swanna and have the ability to set up more consistently. There will rarely be a chance to do much other than set up with Swanna, so a bulkier Pokemon may be preferred. The EVs mentioned allow Swanna to take quite a few common attacks. With this EV Spread, Swanna survives anything Amoonguss throws at it and handles a few non-STAB Rock Slides. Swanna also has the ability to take anything Chandelure, Jellicent, or Tornadus decide to dish out. The ever common Fighting-types, Conkeldurr and Scrafty, can only 2HKO Swanna with Rock Slide without any boosts, while Swanna deals serious damage in return. Unless hail is being set up, Focus Sash is usually the best choice of item to use on Swanna, as most teams have something that can OHKO it, while Lum Berry helps with Amoonguss, which is extremely common in VGC 2011. Relying on secondary effects is Swanna's biggest offensive tactic because it needs two super effective hits for it to take out anything. Note that other Pokemon can do this better, such as Thunder Wave Thundurus and Whimsicott because of their priority from Prankster. Pokemon with Rage Powder and Fake Out are excellent choices to pair with Swanna, as they give Swanna a chance to set up. Amoonguss can handle anything that is super effective against Swanna, so it's definitely the preferred one of the two Rage Powder users in VGC 2011. A Fake Out user can flinch a Taunt user aiming to ruin Swanna's ability to set up. Any partner benefits from Swanna's Tailwind. Jellicent, Vanilluxe, and other Blizzard users prefer Swanna's ability to set up Hail. With Rain Dance, Seismitoad, the only usable Swift Swim Sweeper in VGC 2011, should be considered as well as several of the other Water-type Pokemon. Earthquake users are also viable partners for Swanna thanks to its immunity to Ground-type moves. It's also important to draw attention away from Swanna so it can help. Haxorus is a great distraction because of its sky-high Attack stat. To make sure Swanna does not die, switch it in on predicted Earthquakes.