What is a good moveset for Greninja?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Greninja (or Ash-Greninja), post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for any of its pre-evolutions can also be shared on this thread.

Be sure to include full set details in your post, e.g. items, abilities, natures and EVs. Some detail, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Greninja Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Alrighty!
(SPECIAL ATTACKER GRENINJA)

Greninja @ Focus Sash
Ability: Torrent / Protean
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Grass Knot
- Dark Pulse

Scald: STAB and Burn chance >:D
Ice Beam: GRASS TYPES, FEAR ME!!!
Grass Knot: Just in case you're facing another Water-type!
Dark Pulse: just in case you run into some Psychic-types or Ghost-types :3.

(Hope this helps, this is my first ever answer I've ever posted on a question on this site! So correct me if I'm wrong on something please, thanks :D!)

Comments

(i just realised someone else posted this moveset already before me, whoops!)

---

dont really have to say STAB for scald and dark pulse due to protean making them all STAB

Answer 2

I would use this for any fight where you want to troll noobs.

Greninja @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Extrasensory
- Surf
- Ice Beam

You can abuse the Special Attack and Speed EVs to hit hard and fast while leaving your opponent confused on why you are sweeping their team.

Answer 3

Greninja @ Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Surf / Scald
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Toxic Spikes

Surf / Scald - STAB, Surf has higher BP; Scald has chance to burn.
Dark Pulse - STAB
Ice Beam - Nice coverage
Toxic Spikes - Cripples walls

Or....
Let’s get PHYSICAL

Greninja @ Choice Band
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 Atk / SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Night Slash
- U-turn
- Ice Punch / Gunk Shot

Waterfall - STAB
Night Slash - STAB
U-turn - Allows for switching out of bad situations
Ice Punch / Gunk Shot - Coverage. Gunk Shot covers Fairies and Grass, but has bad accuracy. Ice Punch covers Grass and 100% accuracy—whatever floats your boat.

BUT YOU WON’T HAVE A BOAT WHEN GRENINJA SINKS IT!

Answer 4

Here comes another troll set! I've always wondered why Greninja is better in its Special attack than is Physical attack, because its a ninja, but that's not the point. Here is a Physical Ash-Greninja!

Greninja @ Life Orb / Expert Belt
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Low Kick
- Waterfall
- Ice punch

A personal favourite of mine. Life Orb if you don't mind losing HP or Expert Belt if you manage to hit something super effectively. Low kick is for unsuspecting dark or Ice type. Also, if a steel types that is heavy comes along, low kick is so strong on them. Ice Punch is for Dragon and Grass types and U-Turn if you need to get outta here. Waterfall can flinch and is STAB. Jolly is so it can outspeed more things.

And while I'm at it, why not a spikes troll set (also Physical).

Greninja @ Focus Sash
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 HP / 0 Def / 0 SpD
- Spikes
- Acrobatics
- Waterfall
- Night Slash

Works a bit like ETN's Acrobatics Sceptile that she let me use on my Pokemon Database theme team. Spikes can turn you into Ground type and sets up hazards. When the opponent gets you to 1 HP and you lose your focus sash, use acrobatics. It is now powered up and STAB. Waterfall is STAB and may flinch. Night Slash is STAB and has a high critical hit ratio. Jolly is the same as the other set.

Answer 5

Greninja @ Focus Sash
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Mild Nature
- Work Up
- Water Shuriken
- Dark Pulse
- Gunk Shot

Explanation: Ok, so I know what you're thinking. "What on earth? Work Up? Water Shuriken? FOCUS SASH?!" And I get it. This set is weird. But, hear me out. Number one: Nobody expects the Spanish Inqui- Sorry. Work Up. And the Focus Sash with Gren's high base Spe lets you boost up and take out a 'mon, which then allows you to go all Naruto and SWEEP. Gunk Shot hits just as hard as unboosted special coverage once you have Work Up and is Gren's best fairyfricker option due to the generally high SpD of most Fairies. It's goofy, but it works. Trust me. And Dark Pulse and Water Shuriken are STAB / priority.

Answer 6

Greninja is not a Pokemon you should mess with, mostly because of its amazing Speed and Attack stats. Greninja is just a Pokemon that I think deserves a lot of respect for its battling capabilities.

Greninja @ Life Orb
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Water Shuriken
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Extrasensory

For this set all you have to do is get a KO to setup the Battle Bond. And that is when you start sweeping teams with the help of Life Orb as well. I use this set a lot and it works well. Greninja is basically the best Pokemon on my team with this set. OP Pokemon!

Answer 7

Greninja @ Expert Belt
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Dark Pulse
- Extrasensory
- Ice Beam

Scald - STAB
Dark Pulse - STAB
Extrasensory - Coverage
Ice Beam - Coverage

Answer 8

Greninja @ Focus Sash
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Night Slash
- Shadow Sneak
- Aerial Ace

Waterfall and Night slash are both STAB, also great moves in my opinion, Shadow Sneak is for priority and Aerial Ace is for coverage against Fighting-types. The Focus Sash is for living a Fighting type that may OHKO Greninja.

Comments

Jolly is way better than Impish.

Answer 9

"But wynaut use Protean or Battle Bond?" Because people have the right to come up with fun and surprising new gimmick sets.

National Dex / Gen 7 OU

Greninja @ Waterium Z
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Substitute
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Spikes / Ice Beam

Hydro Pump is strong STAB that can be boosted by Torrent and can also be powered up into Hydro Vortex for a turn. Substitute to take advantage of the switches it forces to deal free damage to the enemy the next turn. Substitute also lowers Greninja's HP stat by 25%, which means that Torrent activates after 3 subs (since Greninja's HP is an odd number). Hidden Power [Fire] covers Ferrothorn and Kartana. Spikes weakens the opposition, Ice Beam does more to most Grass types and covers Dragon types.

I know this set is outclassed by Protean and Battle Bond by a mile, but it was fun to make. It also has the surprise factor to it.

Answer 10

Super versatile, Greninja with Protean is known for being a powerful threat

Gen VII
Greninja @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Scald
- Dark Pulse / Spikes / Shadow Sneak
- Ice Beam
- Grass Knot

All of Greninja's moves are STAB, so the plan is to use the right move on the right situation

Answer 11

I don't get how nobody is taking advantage of this
Ash Greninja Physical Sweeper
145 Attack - That's the same as Mega Sceptile's SpA (and that thing sweeps) but with the added bonus of an item.

Greninja @ Blunder Policy / Choice Band / Choice Scarf
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- U-turn
- Night Slash / Ice Punch / Acrobatics
- Gunk Shot

Waterfall - STAB (Sadlly it does'nt learn liquidation)
U-turn - Good Coverage
Night Slash / Ice Punch / Acrobatics - STAB or coverage, Use Acrobatics if Blunder Policy is used up
Gunk Shot - For those pesky Fairy Types (Main reason for Blunder Policy)

Sweep Time B)

Comments

Why Choice Specs with all physical moves...

Answer 12

Greninja is one of the greatest Pokemon with incredible Speed and Special Attack

Greninja
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
- Scald
- Dark Pulse
- Extrasensory
- U-turn

Although the Ash-Greninja is amazing and put the Pokemon to a brand new level, I believe Protean in some cases might gain an upper hand in-game. With protean, Greninja can cover its 5 weaknesses by changing its type every time it moves. It is also a nice cover from its low defensive stats. On the other hand, its incredible speed and special attack strike its opponent OHKOs. So consider putting special moves like scald, dark pulse, etc. Also using various move types can be a big support for the Protean ability.

Comments

This is for competitive, not in-game

Answer 13

Repost Greninja moveset and I see a lot of people not using water shuriken in their movesets

Greninja @ Choice Specs / Leftovers / Choice Scarf
Ability: Protean
EVs: 6 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Mild / Hasty Nature
- Water Shuriken
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- U-turn

Water Shuriken: priority STAB
Dark Pulse: STAB and this is special attack greninja so no night slash
Ice Beam: as I said this is special attack greninja so no ice punch and coverage
U-turn: take that 6 attack EVs to good use

I'm still gonna do a physical Greninja for yalls

Greninja @ Leftovers / Choice Band
Ability: Protean
EVs: 6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Ice Punch
- Shadow Sneak
- Night Slash
- Waterfall

Ice Punch: this is a physical set, so no Ice Beam
Shadow Sneak: replacement for Water Shuriken, not as strong but does the trick
Night Slash: ya know the drill, right?
Waterfall: another physical move to replace water shuriken

this one doesn't have Water Shuriken, so I recommend the special attacker set for Greninja

Comments

For the future reference, please post movesets in Showdown-importable syntax as it makes movesets easier to read and makes sure you don't leave out any details. Also, if you have more than one moveset to post, please post them as separate answers so they can be voted on separately.

Answer 14

Gen 7 (NFE)

Frogadier (M) @ Life Orb / Expert Belt
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hydro Pump / Scald
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam / Gunk Shot
- U-Turn / Toxic Spikes

- Hydro Pump High Power STAB, allows Frogadier to KO anything slower than it that doesn't resist it's STAB.
- Scald A viable alternative to Hydro Pump. In return for less power, Scald has the potential to cripple physical answers by lowering their attack with a burn.
- Dark Pulse A superb coverage option for common ghosts and psychics like Haunter, Metang, Misdreavus, and is a good way to threaten Dusclops.
- Ice Beam Amazing grass coverage over the dominanting Servine and Roselia. This move also handles dragon and flying types like, Gabite and Staravia extremely well.
- Gunk Shot A good substitute for ice beam sacrificing flying dragon coverage in favor of being able to be used as an option to deal with Clefairy and the like.
- U-Turn Frogadier's best and only pivoting option that he also gets STAB from thanks to Protean. Works well with Volt Switch users for an amazing VoltTurn Offensive.
- Toxic Spikes Can be substituted in to give Frogadier a hazard option to weaken it's opponents over time and bring them into KO range, giving Frogadier the ability to pressure it's checks and counters.

Aside from an Offensive Pivot, this frogadier set can be used as a Rain Abuser and take advantage of its Water STAB to dominate many of its offensive switch-ins although, this set mainly has a hard time dealing with bulky water types like Prinplup and Wartortle. Therefore, Pokemon like Electabuzz who can cover Frogadier's weaknesses synergize well together.

Answer 15

Greninja @ Choice Specs
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- aerial ace

Comments

Can you provide a reasoning for your choices?

Answer 16

Greninja @ Choice Specs / Choice Scarf / Life Orb / Expert Belt
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
- Water Shuriken / Surf
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Ground] / Hidden Power Psychic] / Hidden Power [Fire] / U-Turn / Spikes

• Water Shuriken (STAB, Water, Hits multiple times) / Surf (STAB, Water)
• Dark Pulse (Dark, 20% chance to Flinch Opponent)
• Ice Beam (Ice, 10% chance to Freeze Opponent)
• Hidden Power (Ground/Psychic/Fire) / U-Turn (Bug, Switches Greninja out) / Spikes (Hazard)

Comments

What type Hidden Power?

---

It depends on your IVs

---

Is this set supposed to be for in-game playthroughs?

---

Preferably competitive. although i guess in-game is fine too. why? is there any reason it shouldn't be competitve that i should fix?

---

Movesets that use hidden power should specify its type. For example, you wouldn't recommend dark hidden power for Greninja, right? It would also be good to include format/rules for each moveset.

---

Oh thx!

---

@KaterGator You have the freedom to select any Hidden Power type on competitive battle simulators unlike in-game where it depends on IVs. In-game movesets aren't allowed on these threads, so that's why I asked that
And as sumwun said, you should specify the preferable type.

Answer 17

National Dex Monotype (Water)

Greninja @ Expert Belt
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Grass Knot
- Low Kick

This set is used as a lure for Pokemon such as Kyurem, who can be a nuisance for Water-type teams. Ice Beam lets you deal with Pokemon such as Kommo-o, Dragonite, Garchomp, Tapu Bulu, Landorus, Tornadus-T, and Thundurus-T. Hidden Power Electric lets you deal super effective damage to Pokemon like Pelipper, Corviknight, Celesteela, and Mantine, as well as forming the BoltBeam combo. Grass Knot is used for Ground-types and Pokemon who can live Ice Beam such as Mamoswine, Seismitoad, Slowbro, Mega Swampert, and Gastrodon. Low Kick is what allows Greninja to deal with Pokemon such as Kyurem. Kyurem can switch into Greninja's Ice Beam, and then you use Low Kick to eliminate Kyurem. Low Kick also allows Greninja to OHKO Tyranitar, Mega Tyranitar, Weavile, and Bisharp. Low Kick also lets Greninja either OHKO or 2HKO Heatran, depending on what the Heatran set is and wheter or not Stealth Rock is up.

Answer 18

Gen 9 National Dex UU Choice Specs + Battle Bond

Greninja @ Choice Specs
Ability: Battle Bond
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Water Shuriken
- Surf

A Choice Specs set with Battle Bond for Gen 9 NatDex UU. This set should be used on Rain teams, as Rain teams are the only time you would use Battle Bond over Protean on Greninja in Gen 9 NatDex UU.

Hydro Pump is incredibly powerful STAB, especially since it gets boosted from rain and Choice Specs. Dark Pulse is used for Dark STAB that is useful against Pokemon such as Gastrodon, Pokemon who are immune to water moves. Water Shuriken is used for priority Water STAB that allows you to revenge kill faster Pokemon. Surf is used for an accurate Water STAB that is useful late game.

Battle Bond makes this thing scary in rain. In Gen 9, should a Battle Bond Greninja knock out a Pokemon, it will gain +1 boosts to Attack, Special Attack in, and Speed. This means Greninja can have a Water STAB boosted by rain, Choice Specs, and the boost from Battle Bond. And should you use Tera Water, your Water STAB will have a x2 boost instead of 1.5, which makes it even scarier with rain, Choice Specs, and the boost from Battle Bond. Do note that Battle Bond only works once per battle, however.

If you hadn't already noticed, this set has 3 Water STABs on the same set. Please hear me out. The Water STABs have different purposes in the game. Hydro Pump is used early game to have a powerful move to secure OHKOs on opposing Pokemon. Water Shuriken is used to revenge kill weakened fast Pokemon. Surf is used for an accurate STAB move that is used late game. For those wondering if I should have coverage, these calcs show how scary Water STAB in rain is despite being resisted:

+1 252 SpA Choice Specs Tera Water Greninja Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Amoonguss in Rain: 299-352 (69.3 - 81.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

---

+1 252 SpA Choice Specs Tera Water Greninja Surf vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Amoonguss in Rain: 245-289 (56.8 - 67%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

---

252 SpA Choice Specs Tera Water Greninja Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Dondozo in Rain: 326-384 (64.6 - 76.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Anyways, enjoy using this set in rain!

---

Answer 19

Greninja @ Choice Specs / Scope Lens
Ability: Protean
Tera Type: Poison
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Sp. Atk / 252 Spe
Nature(s): Timid / Modest

• Water Shuriken / Surf / Hydro Pump
• Extrasensory / Spikes / Toxic Spikes
• Ice Beam
• Gunk Shot

Protean has been changed in Gen 9 to where it only works once per switch in.

This move set can be used in other Generations—minus the Tera Type.

This is a move set that I use on my Greninja so it may not work for everyone!

Choice Specs: Increases Sp. Atk damage but can only use the first move you chose.

Scope Lens: Increases the Crit. ratio.

Water Shuriken / Surf / Hydro Pump:
- I personally recommend using Surf. (:

Extrasensory / Spikes / Toxic Spikes:
- Spikes / Toxic Spikes for setting up traps.

Ice Beam:
- A cover for Grass, Flying, and Ground types.

Gunk Shot:
- A cover for [Again] Grass and Fairy types.
- Boost if Terastallized [Poison Tera Type].

Answer 20

Greninja
Physical attacker
Ability: Protean / Torrent (Works fine with both)
EVs: 252 Attack / 252 Speed / 4 HP
Nature: Adamant or Jolly
Held item: Life Orb / Flying Gem
Moves
Mat Block / Acrobatics
Night Slash
Water Shuriken / Waterfall
U-Turn
Explanation
Life Orb will boost all the attacks you use but decreases HP. Mat block is mainly for double or triple battles, it will protect your active Pokemon while your other mons attack the opponents. Acrobatics and Flying Gem are simple alternatives if you do not want to use Mat Block. Night Slash does not need much explanation, STAB and high crit. ratio. Both water-type moves are great you can choose either one, it depends on how you want to use Greninja. U-Turn is great for scouting.
Hope this helps.