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2 votes
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If you have a good competitive moveset for Kartana, 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.

Kartana Pokedex & learnset for reference.

Kartana sprite

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Interesting fact: upon the removal of HMs in Sun and Moon, Kartana is now the only Pokemon who can learn Cut in SM.
what if we held a tournament to decide what moveset is the true best one
Smogon Forums already does that several times each year.

15 Answers

8 votes

Z-Tailwind


Edgelord (Kartana) @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant/Jolly Nature
- Tailwind
- Psycho Cut / Night Slash
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword

A few minutes ago, someone used this on me in Showdown. It's so laughable to think about, it's ridiculous. I'm dying over here. If I hadn't managed to burn this thing with a Mimikyu's Wisp, it'd have literally been a hot knife through my butter of a team.

First, let's review why the way crits work in this generation is ridiculous.

First column is how they worked from Gen 2-5.
Second is Gen 6.
Third is Gen 7.
The far left numbers represent how high your crit ratio has been upgraded.

0: 1/16 (6.25%) 1/16 (6.25%) 1/24 (~4.167%)

1: 1/8 (12.5%) 1/8 (12.5%) 1/8 (12.5%)

2: 1/4 (25%) 1/2 (50%) 1/2 (50%)

3: 1/3 (~33.3%) Always (100%) Always (100%)

4+: 1/2 (50%) Always (100%) Always (100%)

You want to know what Z-Tailwind does? Not only does it give you the standard tailwind boost that makes Kartana faster than literally anything without prior setup or priority, it gives you a +2 crit rate. Your Speed is now 634-696 and you automatically have a 1/2 chance to land a devastating crit with that 459-507 Attack.

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!

With access to LEAF BLADE and PSYCHO CUT (even Night Slash, if you choose) - that's right - you are now guaranteed a critical hit. Sacred Sword, not so much, but you've still got an excellent 1/2 chance. Who cares if you've got 31 base Sp. Def when they can't even land it? And, of course, if you can't manage to stay alive, the Tailwind will give great support for the rest of your team.

WEAKNESSES (not types):
Just watch out for Sash Pokemon. If you have hazards up before this and you play smart, this can singlehandedly be game over for them. It also isn't a fan of Mimikyu - while it can take it down without a problem, you're almost guaranteed to be suspect to a burn attempt, such as I used.

Also, the occasional special-attacking Infernape or Lucario can blow Origami Boi away with a single Vacuum Wave. A STAB Special priority is no bueno for that base 31 Sp. Def.

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Very gimmicky, but cool moveset. I upvoted
This moveset is so cool! Will use on my Kartana.
Imagine this in gen 1
I thought kartana cannot learn tailwind
I'd have never battled one if it didn't get Tailwind.
6 votes


Kartana @ Life Orb / Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs : 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Sacred Sword
- Psycho Cut

Kartana is simply a great Physical Attacker with Life Orb, also with a great movepool. Beast Boost is always a great ability for sweeping. The EV spread is suitable for him. Leaf Blade and Smart Strike for STAB. Psycho Cut covers fighting types. Sacred Sword provides even more coverage. Just remember to keep him alway from fire types and some of the Scarfers and quicker attackers since they may outspeed Kartana. If you really fear Scarfers and quicker attackers, than put Choice Scarf on it.

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That's a pretty cool set! Though since Kartana has pretty awesome physical bulk, it could take a turn to set up Swords Dance against physical attackers. Of course that would not work with a scarf set, but it is definitely something to keep in mind
that was exactly my original set for kartana ._.
This is the same Set I run but I use Adamant nature with a Life Orb for more power but with the Same Ev's as well.
Why Psycho Cut instead of Night Slash?
2 votes

Kartana @ Life Orb / Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Smart Strike
- Swords Dance / Night Slash

Life Orb goes with SD, Night Slash for Choice Scarf.

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1 vote

Special Moveset (Because why not)
Kartana @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 4 HP
- Calm Mind
- Air Slash
- Hidden Power Grass
- Vacuum Wave

After four Calm Minds, you hit 488 Special Attack, which is pretty good. Hidden Power Grass makes up for this set's lack of STAB. Considering that your only other special options are air cutter and round, this is probably the best thing possible.

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This Kartana set looks like Something PIMPNITE would do if he ever did an "Epic Kartana Sweep".
IKR this set sucks so badly it’s good I love it
1 vote

SPEED BOOSTING KARTANA!

Kartana @ Choice Band
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 19 Atk
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Knock Off
- Smart Strike

Ok... this is actually ridiculous! With the Timid Nature and 19 ATK EVs, whenever Kart picks up a kill, it's SPEED is Boosted instead of its ATK!!! Choice Band is for immediate power, and patch up that attack after it's been lowered. Leaf Blade and Smart Strike for STAB, Sacred Swords for coverage, and Knock Off for utility.

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1 vote

Swords Dance + Giga Impact

National Dex OU
Kartana
Kartana @ Normalium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Giga Impact
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword

Giga Impact is one of the worst moves in competitive, so are most recharging move. However, have you ever thought that Normalium allows it to get rid of that recharge turn and have a very powerful 200 BP move? That's what the set is for! SD Breakneck Blitz allows it to break through Zapdos which is a very common counter for Kartana, and also can hurt Tangrowth after some chip.

Some calculations to prove it:

+2 252 Atk Kartana Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 248 HP / 220 Def Zapdos: 505-595 (131.8 - 155.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 Atk Kartana Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tangrowth: 345-406 (85.3 - 100.4%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

Being able to OHKO its most reliable counters is very good. Sacred Sword is for Ferrothorn, Heatran, and other steel-types. Leaf Blade is STAB, Swords Dance boosts its already high Atk even more.

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0 votes

CRITICAL KARTANA
Kartana @ Razor Claw
Ability: Beast Boost (duh)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Psycho Cut
- Night Slash
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword/Smart Strike

Three of these moves have increased Crit Rate, + Claw
Smart Strike for guaranteed STAB, or Sacred Sword for fighting move and ignores stat change
Not as much crit chance as a Super Luck Absol, but pretty good nevertheless.

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0 votes

Kartana @ Choice Band
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Jolly Nature
- Psycho cut (for the fighting types)
- Leaf blade (high crit ratio, high base power move + STAB)
- Smart Strike (ignores accuracy and evasiveness)
- Sacred Sword/Brick break (Sacred Sword ignores stat changes and Brick Break breaks through Reflect and Light screen)

Kartana's huge attack plus Choice Band = destruction. Beast Boost also raises attack which makes Kartana even stronger.

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but its just gonna get outdsped and okoed by a spa pokemon
Ummm, so are most of the other kartana sets. Also, kartana has pretty high speed too.
wow i do NOT want to deal with this on a sticky webs team, cuz then outspeeding it isn't really a valid option unless you're flying or levitate on a fire type
0 votes

Problem: Kartana has awesome attack and average speed.
Solution: Choice Scarf

Kartana @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature

  • Leaf Blade
  • Smart Strike
  • Sacred Sword
  • Psycho Cut

Leaf Blade and Smart Strike are your reliable STABs, Sacred Sword is for coverage against steel types, who would otherwise wall this set. Psycho Cut is for coverage against fighting types.

The EV spread maximizes Kartana’s sweeping potential. Choice Scarf allows Kartana’s speed to go from good to insane without setting up. Beast Boost is the only ability Kartana can have. Beast Boost is also a great ability, making Kartana deadly after a KO. Finally, an adamant nature gives Kartana maximum wallbreaking power, but a timid nature allows Kartana to outspeed more threats, like timid Choice Scarf Blacephalon.

This Kartana is shure to be a huge threat to your opponent’s team!

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Why not run Jolly instead of Timid? Timid cuts Kartana’s attack
Sorry. Got natures confused. Will edit.
Looking back at this set, I realized I stole Orange Gaimer’s set. Sorry.
0 votes

kartana has moves I really do like, awesome attack and terrible special attack. so i'm getting in a physical sweeper.

Kartana@Life Orb

Trait: Beast Boost.
Nature: adamant (+atk-spa)
Evs: 4 hp, 252 spa, 128 def, 128 spe

Moves:

Leaf Blade (507 atk + 135 base power move. critical hits OHKO shuckle, no kidding.)
Smart strike (obviously)
Sacred Sword (ovbiously)
Knock Off (eliminates opponents items, if it doesnt OHKO)

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0 votes

Kartana @ Focus Sash
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 250 Atk / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Sacred Sword
- Psycho Cut

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0 votes

Here’s the set I always use:
Kartana @ Focus Sash
Ability: Beast Boost
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spe, 4 SpD
-Leaf Blade
-Smart Strike
-Sacred Sword
-Knock Off
Focus Sash definitely isn’t the absolute best item for Kartana, but having it has saved my butt multiple times. Dual STABs- one with a high crit ratio, the other never misses- great coverage move in Sacred Sword, and excellent utility in Knock Off.

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0 votes

Gami (Kartana) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Smart Strike
- Leaf Blade
- Synthesis
- Sacred Sword

It's simple.Smart Strike is for STAB and can't miss ensuring a hit.Leaf BLAde for STAB and high critical hit ratio.Synthesis for healing and making sure it stays for a while.And sacred sword is for coverage.Just keep these things away from fire types.

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Why naughty, use adamant. And sitrus berry won't help because it's super frail.
0 votes

Mustacho (Kartana) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Sacred Sword
- Smart Strike
- Leaf Blade
- Knock Off

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0 votes

Here is a standard Kartana in Gen 8:

Kartana @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 132 HP / 8 Atk / 32 Def / 156 SpD / 180 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Sacred Sword
- Aerial Ace

Leaf Blade and Smart Strike are STAB. Aerial Ace is for Fighting types. Sacred Sword hits other Steel types.

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Why not just do a standard 252 Atk/252 Spd/4 HP?
And what do u mean by “standard”? The EV spread looks questionable to me :/