What is a good moveset for Yveltal?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Yveltal, post an answer below and upvote the best ones.

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.

Yveltal Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Gen 8 Ubers

Yveltal @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Disable
- Roost
- Foul Play
A Sub-Disable set I came up with. Substitute is needed so you can disable the move, and also blocks status from Pokémon like Zygarde, Groudon, Blissey, and Ho-Oh. Disable is the main perk of the set-it cripples Specs Kyogre, Groudon (by removing Stone Edge), Zygarde (by removing Thousand Arrows, assuming it doesn’t have dragon tail), Ho-Oh (removes sacred fire, assuming it doesn’t have Brave Bird), Band Urshifu, and Blissey (by removing Seismic Toss).

It can also sub on Xerneas that try to take advantage of it with Geomancy and disable Moonblast so a Pokémon that can take Thunders (Eternatus, Groudon, Zygarde, etc.) can come in. However, this isn’t very safe.

Yveltal still does it’s normal job of beating Calyrex with it’s access to Roost and Foul Play. It can live anything Calyrex throws at it and OHKO. It beats Lunala and Necrozma-Dusk even more easily, as Substitute can ignore Thunder Wave/Will-O-Wisp and it can disable NDM’s Sunsteel strike and Lunala’s ice beam if needed.

Answer 2

Gen 8 AG

Yveltal @ Life Orb
Ability: Dark Aura
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Dual Wingbeat
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Hone Claws / Roost / Taunt

Physical Life Orb Yveltal is an incredibly strong Dynamax sweeper, being one of the only Pokémon that can easily break past the Necrozma-Dusk Mane + Eternatus + Yveltal core, and it’s only viable defensive answer is Tyranitar, which can be worn down as Physical Yveltal hits it harder than Special and Tyranitar relies on Rest. Dual Wingbeat is nice STAB that allows for Max Airstream. Knock Off is strong, Dark Aura boosted STAB that has the added utility of removing items. Sucker Punch is also strong dark aura boosted STAB that can let it function as a nice revenge killer. For the last slot, you can use Hone Claws for even more power (and accuracy for Dual Wingbeat), Roost for longevity, or Taunt to shut down status. Jolly allows you to outspeed Scarf Kyogre at 1+ Speed, while Adamant provides you with more power.

Answer 3

[Gen 8] Anything Goes / Ubers

Yveltal @ Choice Band
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature / Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Dual Wingbeat / Foul Play
- Sucker Punch
- U-turn

Just wanted to put out one of the best Choice Band user in Gen 8 AG / Ubers. We have Choice Scarf and Specs set on the thread, but no Band sets. This set is very good as Knock Off is a highly spam-able move thanks to Dark Aura, 1.5x Atk boost on item holding foes and STAB.

Dual Wingbeat hits opposing Yveltal for good damage, notably 2HKOing SpD Yveltal most cases. It also OHKOes Slurpuff, which is the best Webs lead right now, so it's a decent surprise as well. Foul Play is to be ran with Jolly Nature, can OHKO offensive Landorus-T and Groudon (after a SD) since you outspeed. U-turn provides momentum and can actually do a good chip.

Calcs

252+ Atk Choice Band Dark Aura Yveltal Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Prism Armor Necrozma-Dusk-Mane: 321-379 (80.6 - 95.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Yveltal Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Yveltal: 224-266 (49.2 - 58.4%) -- approx. 99.6% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Dark Aura Yveltal Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 240 HP / 0 Def Eternatus: 367-433 (76.2 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Yveltal Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Slurpuff: 288-342 (105.1 - 124.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

So, bring out Choice Band Yveltal in field and start some real action packing destruction!

Answer 4

Gen 8 Doubles Ubers

Yveltal @ Sitrus Berry / Safety Goggles
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 248 HP / 76 SpA / 184 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dark Pulse
- Oblivion Wing
- Snarl
- Tailwind

An offensive support variant of Yveltal. Dark Pulse is it's main dark type STAB move. Despite this set not having much special attack investment, Dark Pulse still hits targets that don't resist the move for good amounts of damage (also threatening the omnipresent Calyrex-Shadow with a clean OHKO, or taking it down to it's Focus Sash). Oblivion Wing is flying STAB, also increasing Yveltal's longevity. Snarl is a spammable spread move that lowers both opposing Pokemon's special attack stats, allowing Yveltal and it's team to more comfortably take hits from monsters like Kyogre and opposing special Life Orb Yveltal. While it is a lot weaker than Dark Pulse, it's still very nice to have for softnening blows, and the chip damage against even non-special attackers can potentially be important later in the match. Tailwind doubles your teams speed for 4 turns, providing valuable speed control in a metagame where speed is very important.

Sitrus Berry gives Yveltal instant recovery once it hits half of it's max HP, but Safety Goggles is also a good option that allows you to block Spore and Sleep Power from Amoonguss and Chlorophyll Venusaur respectively. This is especially nice against Venusaur, allowing Yveltal to set Tailwind for its team without fear of being put asleep. The EVs and nature maximize Yveltals HP (also makes sure that it's max HP is odd because of residual damage) and allow it to outspeed fully invested base 90s, such as Kyogre. The remaining EVs are in special attack.

Answer 5

This is a MONSTER in Ubers this time I am going to include the best IVs it's ok if you can't get to IVs just get the EVs!

Yveltal @ Life Orb
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Mild Nature
- Oblivion Wing
- Dark Pulse
- U-turn
- Dragon Claw

Oblivion Wing STAB Health Recovery
Dark Pulse STAB
U Turn Quick Switches
Dragon Claw Coverage

Ok so we have...
Oblivion Wing for STAB and good health recovery
Dark Pulse is STAB and a chance to flinch
U turn Quick Switches
Dragon Claw Coverage

Hope This Helps! <3

Comments

Yveltal is not weak against Dragon.

Answer 6

Yvetal @ Life Orb
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Psychic
- Oblivion Wing
- Focus Blast

This set got me 3 disconnects in an hour. His Oblivion Wing can OHKO a Marshadow so if you need a counter for him then he is a great counter. Life Orb boosts damage and with Oblivion Wing you can heal what recoil you take. Dark Pulse because flinch and STAB. Psychic for coverage and since why have Shadow Ball if you have Dark Pulse. And Focus Blast for rock and ice weakness and coverage. Not the best accuracy but still a good move. I hope you like this moveset.

Answer 7

Role: Scout-or-Sweep

Yveltal @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Naive Nature
- U-turn
- Oblivion Wing
- Dark Pulse
- Shadow Ball

U-Turn: Decent power, Although he doesn't have Volt Switch he does have a high physical
Oblivion Wing: STAB, Decent power, Drainage
Dark Pulse: STAB, Decent power, Powered up by Dark Aura and his main move
Shadow Ball: Decent power, Makes for good coverage

Now. Whoever reads this is probably thinking why I am not investing speed into a scout and sweeping Yveltal. He has the bulk at this point to survive any other mild scout (mainly Genesect). It obviously has a nice gimmick with Dark Pulse in this and that should and most likely will be the move you switch in with. Oblivion Wing is powerful as well as being able to regain much health it lost through mostly switching.

Comments

Yveltal has the same physical attack as special attack

Answer 8

Yveltal @ Life Orb
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Oblivion Wing
- Toxic
- Heat Wave
- Dark Pulse

Oblivion Wing - STAB; heals life orb damage
Toxic - Why not?
Heat Wave - Unexpected and covers Magearna
Dark Pulse - STAB; boosted by dark aura

Hope this helps!

Answer 9

Yveltal @ Big Root
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Ability: Dark Aura
Rash Nature
- Dark Pulse - STAB
- Oblivion Wing - STAB
- Steel Wing - Coverage
- Psychic - May lower opponent's special defense

Answer 10

All-out attacker set
Yveltal @ Life Orb
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Oblivion Wing
- Heat Wave
- Sucker Punch/Psychic
Good Teammates:
Zacian-Covers Fairy type threats
Groudon-Covers Electric type threats

---

Defogger set
Yveltal @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Dark Pulse
- Heat Wave
- Oblivion Wing

---

Tailwind set-up set(not recommended)
Yveltal @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Oblivion Wing
- Dark Pulse
- Tailwind
- Heat Wave

---

Physical Yveltal
Yveltal @ Life Orb
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Sky Attack
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
- U-turn

I've hoped I've helped!

Answer 11

Yveltal @ Darkium Z
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 6 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Oblivion wing
- Dark pulse
- Shadow ball
- Tailwind

Answer 12

VGC 2021 Series 8

Yveltal @ Assault Vest
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Oblivion Wing
- Sucker Punch / Heat Wave / Foul Play
- Snarl

Answer 13

Like more dynamax lol
Gen 8 AG

Yveltal @ Life Orb
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Oblivion Wing
- Sucker Punch / Heat Wave
- Knock Off / Heat Wave

Dark Pulse is STAB, Oblivion Wing can heal and is STAB, Sucker Punch is priority against things that attack you and STAB, Knock Off is STAB and removes items, and Heat Wave is coverage.

Answer 14

Dynamax Sweeper (Yveltal) @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Oblivion Wing
- Dark Pulse
- Heat Wave
- Taunt

Explanation is simple dynamax use max airstream and sweep after some thing activates your weakness policy. Yes taunt is there for the pink blob flying around, no points for guessing whom. If you can get around yveltal's weak points this thing is broken and a great too since it counters the single best Pokemon in game calyrex-shadow. If you want to spend dynamax on something else use roost over taunt it still a menace even without dynamax, it has bulk to withstand and super effective hit from something unboosted other than zacian crowned. Necrozma Dusk Mane will make a terrific partner since they both form a bulky core and counter each other's counters. Hope it helped, thank you!

Comments

I personally would suggest that 4 SpD be converted to 4 atk and having a hasty nature, along with sucker punch being a choice in the place of taunt.

Answer 15

Just noticed Boots SpD Yveltal isn’t here yet…

Gen 8 Anything Goes

Yveltal @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Foul Play / Knock Off
- U-turn
- Defog
- Roost

Smogon’s set for the most common Pokémon in AG, Yveltal is one of the best answers to the spectacular Calyrex-Shadow. Foul Play and Knock Off are dark STAB-Foul play can do high damage to physical attackers, while Knock Off removes items which can be annoying or even crippling. U-Turn allows it to pivot. Defog allows it to remove hazards. Roost is for reliable recovery. Yveltal fits very well on balance, filling a spot on just about every balance team except for those that use Tyranitar in it’s place.

Answer 16

Gen 8 Ag Physical Scarf

Yveltal @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Foul Play
- Dual Wingbeat
- U-turn

A unique set that almost nobody will see coming. Knock Off is STAB and removes items. Foul Play is for Physical attackers, specifically weakened Zacians that try to switch in and kill. Dual Wingbeat is flying STAB, mainly in case you need to click the Dmax trigger. U-turn is for pivoting.

Comments

Physical Scarf is almost always outclassed by Special Scarf, as the latter can stay in battle longer with Oblivion Wing.

Answer 17

P.S Not My Idea, Just Stumbled Upon it and Wanted to Share.
Credit to The One Who Thought of This.

NatDex AG
Throat Spray Yveltal

Yveltal @ Throat Spray
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
Mild or Hasty
- Snarl
- Oblivion Wing
- Sucker Punch/Knock Off/Dark Pulse
- Heat Wave

• If Opting for Dark Pulse, Go For Timid/Modest with 0 Atk IVs.

Answer 18

Not the best at this game but this yvetal helped me

X-Ray Dude (Yveltal) @ Focus Sash/Life Orb
Ability: Dark Aura
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Oblivion Wing
- Dark Pulse
- Hurricane/Roost
- Steel Wing/Roost

Oblivion wing helps regain some HP and has a fine attack. Its best if you don’t start with oblivion wing though, because it will not regain any HP because it is already full. However, if you go on the second turn, you might want to start with Oblivion wing.

Since Yvetal’s Ability is Dark aura, Dark pulse can be a powerful attack.

Roost can be helpful of regaining high HP, or you can just go with hurricane or steel wing and just use Oblivion wing as your healing move.

Hope this helped, Tell me if This Yvetal is bad!

Answer 19

NatDex Ubers Defensive Wall

Behold, the killer of Rayquaza, Zacian-C, and all Physical Attackers.

Yveltal @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Dark Aura
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Toxic / Taunt
- Roost
- Knock Off
- Foul Play

Here’s the set I use for Yveltal and it synergies really well with Defog SpDef Boots Ho-Oh. It supports Primal-Groudon and Primal-Kyogre extremely well by eliminating Rayquaza. This Yveltal is built to wall and wear down Physical Attackers, fairing especially well with Physical Rayquaza, Swords Dance Necrozma DM / Ultra, Zacian-C with Tera Steel burned, Marshadow, and Extreme-Killer Arceus.

The Evs maximize Yveltal’s Defensive Bulk, allowing it to easily survive a Stone Edge from +1 Atk P-Groudon and Necrozma-DM. Rocky Helmet allows Yveltal to chip opponents using physical attacks, while rendering Spectral Thief Marshadow’s Sash useless. Tera Steel gives Yveltal a much easier matchup against Zacian-C.

Toxic allows Yveltal to cripple Mons like P-Groudon and non-Rest Kyogre, while Taunt allows Yveltal not to get worn down by stall teams with Salt Cure Garganacl or Toxic Chansey. Roost gives Yveltal reliable recovery, allowing it to carry Rocky Helmet without too much worry. Knock Off allows Yveltal to support the team by removing items, especially Heavy-Duty Boots and Rocky Helmets. Foul Play, combined with Rocky Helmet, is what allows Yveltal to absolutely shut down Physical Attackers. Yveltal absolutely punishes all forms of Sword Dance and Dragon Dance setup, all while being hard to hit back. You CANNOT setup Physically on this without getting absolutely punished.

Foul Play Wreckage:

+3 252 Atk Dark Aura Yveltal Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zacian-Crowned: 253-298 (77.8 - 91.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 Atk Dark Aura Yveltal Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Rayquaza: 498-586 (141.8 - 166.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 252 Atk Dark Aura Yveltal Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kyurem-Black: 378-445 (96.6 - 113.8%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

Defensive Awesomeness:

+3 252 Atk Zacian-Crowned Play Rough vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Tera Steel Yveltal: 166-196 (36.4 - 42.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Rayquaza Dragon Ascent vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Tera Steel Yveltal: 231-273 (50.6 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+1 252 Atk Teravolt Kyurem-Black Fusion Bolt vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Yveltal: 328-386 (71.9 - 84.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

A well timed Tera is all it takes to survive barely scathed against almost any Physical Attacker, and sometimes it doesn’t even take that. After that, Roost off damage and nothing ever happened.

Answer 20

Okay so this set is gonna be really weird. Torment is a very underrated move in my opinion, and when combined with Substitute, it can be pretty annoying to deal with. This is an HP junkie set.

Yveltal @ Leftovers
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Oblivion Wing
- Roost
- Substitute
- Torment