What is a good moveset for Lunala?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Lunala, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for its pre-evolutions, if any, 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.

Lunala Pokedex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Lunala @ Life Orb
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs : 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature / Timid Nature

• Moongeist Beam
• Psyshock / Psychic
• Calm Mind
• Moonblast

Moongeist Beam and Psychic are STAB. Psyshock deals with special walls like Blissey. Moonblast deals with Dark types. Calm Mind is great while dealing while dealing with special attackers, also allowing Lunala to sweep. But I recommend only using it when Lunala starts first. Life Orb is great for sweeping.

Comments

Life Orb recoil makes you lose Shadow Shield.

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Great set! But I prefer roost so that you can re-activate your shadow shield back

Answer 2

Here is a bulkier set I just thought of to take advantage of Lunala's signature ability. This one is a doozy.

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Lunala @ Leftovers
Ability: Shadow Shield (basically Multiscale)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Bold Nature
- Moongeist Beam
- Psyshock
- Cosmic Power
- Roost

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• Moongeist Beam There is literally no reason to not use this move on Lunala. Next.
• Psyshock This is mainly against Blissey, as well as the unpredictability factor.
• Cosmic Power While Moonblast seems attractive, this set requires more bulk for its maximum troll factor. I'll explain in a moment.
• Roost It's one thing that this restores health, but if you manage to bring your health back up to 100%, Shadow Shield will be in effect yet again, making you take even less damage on the next hit.

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So the set basically dictates you to bring out Lunala, out-speed some things with that max speed EVs investment, set up Cosmic Power, get hit probably, Roost, rinse and repeat. If the opportunity arises, hit some enemies with those sweet STABs in Moongeist Beam or Psyshock.

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Now this set has a couple of issues that need to be addressed. For one, if you receive Stealth Rock damage before setting up Cosmic Power, then Shadow Shield will not protect you from the first hit which will likely be Ghost or Dark Type, given that they cause 4x damage. This is even a bigger problem if the opponent out-speeds you.
Secondly, any and all status will cause problems.

But then again, all sets have their flaws.

Answer 3

Eccentric Lunala

Lunala @ Bright Powder
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Timid Nature

• Moongeist Beam
• Night Daze
• Focus Blast / Moonblast
• Moonlight / Roost / Confuse Ray

Practically annoy opponent by making Lunala hard to hit. Healing moves pair well with Shadow Shield, and Confuse Ray to make yourself harder to hit.
Focus blast hits Normal types super effectively, but it has low accuracy, so Moonblast can also help with Dark types and perhaps STAB Outrage users.
Max HP instead of Speed is OK with Modest Nature.

Comments

Annoying as heck. I love it. 1+

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Why is this flagged?

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It doesn't list the ability.

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Lunala has exactly one legal ability. I don't think every moveset needs to repeat information that you should already know.

Answer 4

Triple Beam??

[Gen] 8 Anything Goes / [Gen 8] National Dex AG

Lunala @ Power Herb
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Meteor Beam
- Moongeist Beam
- Moonblast / Ice Beam
- Psyshock

Drat, Gen 8 awarded this bat with Meteor Beam, which allows it to boosts its SpA by 1 stage, thereby significantly making it harder to deal with.

Meteor Beam OHKOes all variants of Ho-Oh, 2HKOing Specially Defensive Yveltal as well as OHKOing Offensive Yveltal sets. Power Herb means Meteor Beam becomes a one-turn move. Psyshock deals with special walls, especially Chansey and Blissey. Moonblast and Ice Beam have same damage, but the later is preferred for Galar AG because Yveltal is the most common Dark-type that is weak to it, as well as OHKOing Zygarde without any boosts along with Groudon at +1 SpA. In case of being Nat Dex AG, prefer Moonblast because it hits DarkCeus along with Yveltal.

This set is able to handle Lunala's defensive checks pretty easily. For dealing with Calyrex-Shadow and other faster threats bar Yveltal, Sticky Webs are helpful. Ditto is a major weakness of this set, so remember to improof yourself well. Since Power Herb is a one-time use item, don't try to use it early. Instead, save it for later game when you have opposing walls enough damage for Lunala to break through team easily.

Comments

Isnt this just guards lunala on ag sample teams but without roost

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It's just similar. But Guard's Lunala isn't prepared for Chansey and other special walls. Even if its almost similar, the explanation is in my words, not his.

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Why not night daze

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Night Daze doesn't give much needed coverage when you have Ghost moves, and you get STAB

Answer 5

Shadow Tank

Lunala @ Leftovers
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 6 Def
Modest Nature

• Moongeist Beam
• Psyshock / Focus Blast
• Roost
• Thunder Wave

So basically, the first move you use is Thunder Wave to paralyze faster targets, then, if you feel like it, spam Roost until your opponent gets fully paralyzed and you've gotten a free Roost off. Shadow Shield and max HP mean Roost will pretty much always reactivate Shadow Shield unless you're hit by a Ghost/Dark-Type move. This means that you'll be left with a full-health Lunala and free paralysis on your foe, so after that just attack using Lunala's high Sp. Attack and decent, high-powered signature move. You can rinse and repeat spamming Roost to get free turns when you feel like thanks to this combination of Thunder Wave+Roost+Shadow Shield. Focus Blast has perfect type coverage with Moongeist Beam, but Psyshock is a secondary STAB option, hits Specially defensive Pokemon hard, and helps conserve Moongeist Beam's PP (it can only be used 5-8 times per battle, and Focus Blast isn't really helping with that).

Answer 6

Lunala @ Power Herb
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Timid Nature
• Moongeist Beam
• Meteor Beam
• Dazzling Gleam
• Psychic
Power Herb + Meteor beam boosts SpA, and hits incredibly hard as an added bonus. Moongeist beam and Psychic are STABs. Dazzling Gleam covers Dark.

Comments

Why Dazzling Gleam over Moonblast and Psychic over Psyshock?

Answer 7

Lunala @ Leftovers
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 HP / 4 Def or SpD
Modest nature

• Moongeist Beam
• Moonblast
• Roost
• Will-O-Wisp / Calm Mind / Cosmic Power

This is Lunala's defensive set with great offensive power in it (making taunt less of a worry). With Moongeist Beam being insane to Lugia and friends (it neglects Lugia's Multiscale, isn't that amazing!), Moonblast is there for Dark types. These two moves cover up her weaknesses. Roost is for reliable recovery and activation of Shadow Shield and Will-O-wisp is just one of the many big surprises this Pokemon has. Calm Mind and Cosmic Power are also recommendations for Offensive and Defensive pressure respectively. You should be wary of status conditions with this set though...

Answer 8

Tank Lunala

Lunala @ Lum Berry / Leftovers / Psychium-Z
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 Def / 252 SpD / 4 HP
Calm / Bold Nature (Calm for SpD, Bold for Def)
- Moongeist Beam
- Roost
- Magic Coat
- Confuse Ray / Psychic / Psyshock / Moonblast

• Moongeist Beam (Why not?)
• Roost (Easy HP and lets you use the effect of Shadow Shield again)
• Magic Coat (if you don't like status, also +2 SpD with Psychium-Z)
• Confuse Ray (just to be annoying) /Psychic (STAB, lowers opponent's SpD) / Psyshock (For Special tanks) / Moonblast (Coverage from Dark types and hits hard, with a chance to lower SpA)

Here's the idea. You send Lunala out and start tanking up. If you get anywhere near 1/2 HP, use Roost. Then, once you are maxed out, spam Confuse Ray and Moongeist Beam until your opponent gets you low. Using Roost and Leftovers lets you use the effect of Shadow Shield over and over. This is annoying as CRAP because your Pokemon is confused and you can't deal much damage on top of having to deal with STAB Moongeist. The Z-move for Magic Coat lets you use it and raise your Sp. Def by 2 stages, giving you a good boost in defense against the great SpA attacker Pokemon in today's meta.

(PS I know my grammar isn't great but I'm to lazy to fix it anymore than I have :)

Answer 9

Lunala @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Timid Nature

• Moongeist Beam
• Psyshock
• Moonblast
• Ice Beam / Flamethrower / Thunderbolt

Scarf set. This allows Lunala to outspeed most of the Pokemon in the Uber tier. Moongeist Beam being an amazing move is a must (Kinda like its a must to have Earthquake on a physical Ground type). Psyshock is Psychic STAB and able to hit special walls. Moonblast is used to deal with Dark types and Ice Beam, Flamethrower and Thunderbolt being coverage. I have been seeing many Life Orb sets but I don't think it is is a good idea since if it's HP is reduced even slightly, a fast (or scarfed) Dark or Ghost type will OHKO Lunala. Otherwise, with its ability Shadow Shield, it might survive the attack.

Answer 10

Lunala @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs : 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Moongeist Beam
- Psyshock
- Calm Mind / Cosmic Power
- Roost

This is a moveset me and a friend of mine came up with and I've used it ever since. I go in between Calm Mind and Cosmic Power, it's really up to you.

Answer 11

Lunala is one of my favorite legends. Here's a really good moveset:

Lunala @ Lum Berry / Leftovers
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Moongeist Beam
- Moonblast
- Roost
- Calm Mind

• Moongeist Beam (do I need to explain why?)
• Moonblast (great coverage against dark types)
• Roost (lunala is pretty defensive. If it does get close to fainting, just Roost up)
• Calm Mind (raises Lunala's already good Special Defense and Special Attack, adding to Lunala's amazing bulk)

This Lunala is meant to be a bulky special sweeper.

Answer 12

Lunala @ Ghostium Z / Psychium Z / Flyium Z / Leftovers / Colbur Berry / Kasib Berry
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def or Atk / 4 Spe or Def or Atk
Impish / Adamant Nature
- Roost / Moonlight
- Phantom Force / Acrobatics / Psyshock
- Cosmic Power
- Toxic / Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Wave

• Roost / Moonlight (for a sun team if you dont wanna use roost)
• Phantom Force / Acrobatics / Psyshock (any of these moves work well, or if you wanna go for a Skill Swap Pixilate, Refrigerate, Return, or Giga Impact.
• Cosmic Power (for even more bulk, and to stall your opponent into wasting PP)
• Toxic / Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Wave (I recommend Toxic to further weaken your opponent, and upon them switching, (if they do, and keep on switching) all of their team will be poisoned.

Lunala is really nice for a bulky staller, but with an Adamant one (or Impish or Careful) one, you're only limited to a few physical moves like Aerial Ace, Sky Drop, Sky Attack, Fly, Acrobatics, Shadow Claw, Phantom Force, Return, or Giga Impact.

If only Lunala learned Zen Headbutt as a tutor move, then she could have had another coverage move for Fighting and Poison types. But I guess you can count Psyshock as a physical move considering that it only affects the defense stat of an opponent. (knowing its a special move)

Answer 13

BoltBeam Lunala

Lunala @ Leftovers
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 220 HP / 252 SpA / 36 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Calm Mind
- Moongeist Beam/Roost

BoltBeam covers a lot, Calm Mind to take advantage of the passive ability and boost up stats, and either Moongeist Beam for STAB, or Roost for longevity.

Answer 14

Lunala @ Leftovers
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 HP / 236 Def / 4 SpA / 16 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hypnosis
- Calm Mind
- Roost
- Ice Beam

Hypnosis to spread sleep. Calm Mind to set up. Roost for recovery. Ice Beam is a filler move that no Pokemon has an immunity to (except Shedinja).

Answer 15

Nat Dex AG set

Lunala @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 244 HP / 152 Def / 32 SpA / 44 SpD / 48 Spe
Timid Nature

• Moongeist Beam
• Will-O-Wisp / Psyshock
• Defog
• Roost

Moongeist Beam is STAB and covers Ghost types, also hits things like Necrozma-DM hard. Will-O-Wisp burns, however you can use Psyshock for Blissey and Chansey. Defog removes hazards, which is key for supporting Mega Rayquaza. Roost is recovery and can give you Shadow Shield back more often that not.

64 SpA Lunala Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Blissey: 216-255 (30.2 - 35.7%) -- 34.3% chance to 3HKO

+1 252+ Atk burned Zacian-Crowned Crunch vs. 244 HP / 152 Def Shadow Shield Lunala: 164-194 (34.4 - 40.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

0 Atk Tyranitar-Mega Pursuit vs. 244 HP / 152 Def Shadow Shield Lunala: 126-150 (26.4 - 31.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

252 Atk Life Orb burned Marshadow Spectral Thief vs. 244 HP / 152 Def Shadow Shield Lunala: 175-207 (36.7 - 43.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Comments

In my opinion Will-O-Wisp is better than Heat Wave for shutting down Sword Dog and Colbur berry isn't too good since they can hit you again with SE move while you may not OHKO them,

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Got it, thanks. Should I add more Special Defense EVs for Yveltal's Dark Pulse?

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Tbh, you shouldn't stay in to Yveltal. Yveltal even with no EV investment can take one moonblast, then KO you with Dark Pulse after Colbur Berry and  Shadow Shield is finished. As such, investing in SpD isn't much needed, since it's isn't always going to save you from something. instead invest in Def, to secure better match up against physical attackers. Also Will-O-Wisp handles TTar, so no need of Focus Blast. Instead go for something.

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Edited, thanks again

Answer 16

Lunala @ Psychium Z
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hypnosis
- Calm Mind
- Moongeist Beam
- Moonblast / Any Coverage Move You Need
Psychium Z is used for a reason explained later. Shadow Shield is the only ability it gets, and it is pretty good, if you are at full health, damage taken is halved. The EVs are your bread and butter sweeper EVs. Timid Nature maximizes speed, which helps it with fast Pokemon. 0 Atk IVs minimize Foul Play damage. Hypnosis is supposed to be turned into Z-Hypnosis, which boosts your speed by 1 and does what Hypnosis normally does. Putting the opponent to asleep allows you to set up Calm Minds, and with the speed boost, it outspeeds a lot of things. Moongeist Beam hits insanely hard, and is STAB. Moonblast is coverage, but can be replaced by other coverage moves depending on what Pokemon you need to cover.