What is a good moveset for Duraludon?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Duraludon, 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 explanation, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Duraludon Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Comments

wouldn't it have been awesome if this thing got Autotomize?

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Yeah It would make it an even better sweeper

Answer 1

A set I’ve been using frequently in Showdown VGC 2020:
Duraludon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Stalwart
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steel Beam
- Draco Meteor
- Thunderbolt
- Dark Pulse
I use this in conjunction with Steely Spirit Perserker. By Dynamaxing T1 or T2, all moves lose their drawbacks, so Steel Beam becomes a defense raising ~200 BP (Steely Spirit) truck. Max Wyrmwind hits Dracovish and Dragapult for a OHKO even after DMAX, Thunderbolt/Max Lightning OHKOs Gyarados and ignores LRod due to Stalwart, Dark Pulse covers ghosts. After DMAX runs out, you can nuke anything with a choice specs Draco Meteor or Steel Beam and rest in peace, but not after killing lots. Perserker offers Fake Out and Close Combat coverage, allowing for physical wallbreaks too. Excadrill is a major counter, so watch out. Overall this set is a major gimmick but it works very well. Fake Out + Neutral Max Steelspike/Super Effective Max Move can kill most support Pokemon T1, ranging from Pelipper to Whimsicott. Running Gigantamax is NOT RECOMMENDED, as Spite is not useful at all as battles tend to be short and the Atk drops from Wyrmwind can be used to shut down threats like Physical Coalossal.
Quick Summary:
Max Steelspike for Neutral and Def, Fairies
Max Wyrmwind for Atk debuff, Vish and Dragapult
Max Lightning for Waters and Flying
Max Darkness for SPDef Cripple, ghosts and psychics
Perserker for Steely Spirit, Fighting coverage and Physical wallbreaks.
Any improvements are welcome in the comments.

Comments

If you plan on dynamaxing early on, then Expert Belt may be more valuable than Choice Specs (especially considering the good type coverage you've got here).

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Use life orb

Answer 2

Eject Pack
Gen 8 NU

Duraludon @ Eject Pack
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Draco Meteor
- Flash Cannon
- Dark Pulse / Thunderbolt

I know this set is similar to one on here, but this one has a different item and runs Max Speed EVs over HP EVs. This is an Eject Pack set. Stealth Rock is for setting up rocks to provide chip damage to opposing Pokémon. Draco Meteor is STAB and where Eject Pack comes in. Eject Pack allows the holder to switch out if any of their stats are lowered. Since Draco Meteor lowers your special attack, that means you can nuke something with a powerful STAB move and be able to immediately switch out afterwards. Flash Cannon is for steel STAB to deal with fairy types like Sylveon and Diancie. Dark Pulse is to 3HKO Bronzong, as shown in this calc:

252 SpA Duraludon Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 168 SpD Bronzong: 126-150 (37.2 - 44.3%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Dark Pulse 3HKOing Bronzong isn't bad, since Bronzong relies on Leftovers and Rest for recovery. Thunderbolt can be used to 2HKO Mantine if you're a person who hates Mantine.

252 SpA Duraludon Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mantine: 280-332 (74.8 - 88.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Enjoy!

Answer 3

Duraludon @ Assault Vest
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt
- Rock Tomb

• Draco Meteor - screw you dragons, damages a lot of Pokemon with this, STAB
• Flash Cannon - screw you fairies, rocks and ices, STAB
• Thunderbolt - screw you water and flying, coverage move for Pokemon that resist draco and flash cannon
• Rock Tomb - basically just to screw things over by making them slower, also screwing over types that I can't be bothered to name

You get the jist, just basically kill as much as you can and slow down opponents when needed

Answer 4

Duraludon @ Leftovers
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
- Flash Cannon
- Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
- Thunderbolt / Dark Pulse
- Stealth Rock

Draco Meteor is to hit harder, while Dragon Pulse means you won't need to swap out as much. Thunderbolt is mainly for Defog users, Dark Pulse is just another option... actually really the only other option sadly. Would've loved if Duraludon got Earth Power or Power Gem, but oh well.

Answer 5

Duraludon @ Blunder Policy
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 80 HP / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Thunder
- Flash Cannon
- Draco Meteor

If you miss a Thunder or Draco Meteor, you activate the Blunder Policy and take advantage of Duraludon's 120 base special attack stat.

Comments

What format is it? Why is it gmax?

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It doesn't have to be gmax
It's allowed in UU according to Smogon tiering as of now, so I guess UU Singles

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I actually love this and had no idea the Blunder Policy existed til now.

Answer 6

Duraludon-Gmax @ Leftovers
Ability: Stalwart
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
- Steel Beam / Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt
- Protect
This Pokemon is amazing to dynamax, Draco Meteor for STAB and also the fact that most people use it, but if you really do not want that -2 Special Attack drop, Dragon Pulse would be fine, Steel beam is great both for STAB and Max Steelpike, Flash Cannon would be fine if you think Duraludon can't last long (recoil damage).
Thunderbolt would be a good move since this whole moveset is apparently not very effective against Steel types except Thunderbolt, The 10% chance Paralysis effect would be nice too. Protect is just for coverage. This is just my Pokemon showdown set.

I've hoped I've helped!

Answer 7

Gen 9 NU IronPress

Duraludon @ Eviolite
Ability: Light Metal
Tera Type: Poison
EVs: 252 HP / 24 Def / 232 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Iron Defense
- Body Press
- Flash Cannon
- Draco Meteor

Since DLC 2 came out, meaning Duraludon is an NFE Pokemon that can use Eviolite now :D. Here is an IronPress set it can use in Gen 9 NU. Iron Defense lets Duraludon boost its defense to take physical hits better and lets it serve as a wincon. Body Press works well with Iron Defense and is useful coverage against Steel-types such as Copperajah, opposing Duraludon, Alolan Sandslash, as well as hitting Bronzong for nuetral damage. Flash Cannon is used for a Steel STAB to hit Fairy-types such as Florges, Sylveon, and Scream Tail. Draco Meteor is used for a powerful Dragon STAB to hit most Pokemon who resist Body Press. You won't really need to switch out as much after using Draco Meteor since this is an IronPress set. Eviolite gives Duraludon some extra bulk to help it setup. Tera Poison lets Duraludon resist Fighting moves while resisting Fairy moves.

252 HP EVs are used for bulk. 232 Speed EVs allow Duraludon to outspeed Adamant Arcanine. The leftover EVs are used in Defense to give Duraludon some physical bulk for Body Press.

Answer 8

Gen 9 NU Choice Specs

Duraludon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Light Metal
Tera Type: Ground
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt
- Tera Blast

A Choice Specs set Duraludon can use in Gen 9 NU. This Choice Specs lets it take advantage of Tera. Draco Meteor is Duraludon's powerful Dragon STAB, with Choice Specs making it more dangerous to switch into. Flash Cannon is used for a Steel STAB that hits Fairy-types such as Florges, Sylveon, and Scream Tail super effectively. Thunderbolt is a useful coverage move to hit Water- and Flying-types such as Qwilfish, Bruxish, Tauros-Paldea-Aqua, Flamigo, and Oricorio-Sensu super effectively without having to use Draco Meteor and getting the -2 Special Attack drop afterwards. With Tera Blast Ground, Duraludon actually has a useful coverage move against Steel-types such as Copperajah, opposing Duraludon, and Alolan Sandslash without having to use Body Press on a Specs set. Tera Blast Ground also lets Duraludon hit Pokemon such as Coalossal, Delphox, Toxtricity, Jolteon, and Heatproof Bronzong super effectively. Tera Ground also lets Duraludon potentially block a Volt Switch from Pokemon such as Jolteon and Hisuian Electrode.

Answer 9

Gen 9 NU Specially Defensive

Duraludon @ Eviolite
Ability: Light Metal
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 160 HP / 96 SpA / 252 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Flash Cannon
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave / Thunderbolt / Dragon Tail / Dark Pulse

A specially defensive set Duraludon uses in Gen 9 NU. Specially Defensive Duraludon has been getting used lately as a Steel type that has utility, being useful as a check against HO teams thanks to its bulk and typing and can serve as a check to special attackers such as Munkidori and Toxtricity, being able to do so even better when invested into Special Defense. Draco Meteor is used for the Dragon STAB due to it being Duraludon's most powerful STAB move. Flash Cannon is used for a Steel STAB that is useful to hit Fairy-types such as Scream Tail, Sylveon, and Alolan Ninetales super effectively. Stealth Rock allows Duraludon to set a hazard that is useful to chip opposing Pokemon. Thunder Wave provides more utility for your team by slowing down opposing Pokemon, being useful against HO teams to cripple fast Pokemon such as Cinccino and Scream Tail. Thunderbolt can be used to hit Water-types such as Vaporeon, Araquanid, and Basculegion super effectively. Dragon Tail can be used as an option to force out opposing Pokemon while making them take chip damage, which is useful to stop HO sweepers setting up, and is also useful on hazard stack teams. Dark Pulse is an option to hit Bronzong super effectively. You can pair this set with Vaporeon to have a Wishpasser that can restore Duraludon's HP to have a form of HP recovery.

Eviolite is used for the item to give Duraludon more bulk. Light Metal is used as the Ability since it allows Duraludon to take less damage from moves like Low Kick from Grafaiai. Tera Fairy is used to allow Duraludon to resist Fighting moves and gain an immunity to Dragon moves. You can also consider other options like Tera Ghost to have a Fighting immunity.

The EV spread may look weird for a Specially Defensive spread, but it has its uses. 252 Special Defense EVs are used instead of 160 SpD EVs and 252 HP EVs to give Archaludon as much Special Defense as possible. 96 Special Attack EVs with a Modest Nature may sound off for a defensive EV spread, but the specific Special Attack investment allows Duraludon's damage output and Special Attack to match the Special Attack stat of Duraludon's offensive EV spread of 40 Def / 216 SpA / 252 Spe with Timid Nature. The rest of the EVs are used in HP for bulk. You can honestly mess around with the HP and SpD EVs to fit your liking, or to add some speed investment as well. (Also, fun fact, the EV spread is the most common spread used on Duraludon as shown on NU's December usage stats, both for the 1630 and 1760 options)

Answer 10

Duraludon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Light Metal / Stalwart
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest / Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Dark Pulse
- Thunderbolt
- Dragon Pulse

You get the gist. If you wanted a speedy option other than Molthree's innovative choice, here's something to slap a Scarf on.

These are Duraludon's 4 moves that are really even options. The teambuilder was more inclined to give me Timid, but I thought 339 slightly underpowered for the effect I wanted so I chose Modest instead, that's optional. Stalwart will prevent you from hitting a Lightning Rod Pokemon if you desire, but really, I don't really see much importance to any of its abilities.

Answer 11

Duraludon @ Assault Vest
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 116 HP / 136 Def / 146 SpA / 112 SpD
Calm Nature
- Steel Beam
- Dragon Pulse
- Thunderbolt
- Dragon Tail

• Steel Beam (powerful STAB, don't use it often though)
• Dragon Pulse (STAB)
• Thunderbolt (coverage)
• Dragon Tail (use this to stop setups or to switch out deadly opponents)

This works especially well when you Dynamax. You get more HP and move power. You can use Max Steelspike to raise your defense (and the defense of a teammate). Max Wyrmwind can lower your foe's attack. You can also use Max Lightning to setup an Electric Terrain, increasing the power of Thunderbolt (or you can use it just to overwrite an existing terrain). And you get to deal loads of damage while doing all this :P.

Comments

What format? You suggested dynamaxing it, but it has dragon tail so I’m assuming ag but why not use dialga?

Answer 12

Sub Iron Defense Set

Duraludon @ Leftovers
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 96 HP / 252 Def / 160 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Iron Defense
- Body Press
- Thunderbolt / Dragon Pulse

Basically an NU version of Sub Iron Defense Magnezone minus the electric STAB. Substitute can help you setup. Iron Defense boosts your defense. Body Press takes advantage of your boosted defense stat and can beat opposing steel types like Copperajah. Thunderbolt is coverage and can dent Mantine, who resists Body Press. Dragon Pulse can be used instead if you want to have a STAB move, but Thunderbolt is generally better. 252 Defense EVs helps to make your Body Press stronger. 160 Speed EVs allow you to outspeed max speed Adamant Toxicroak. You shouldn't really have to worry about Toxicroak's Drain Punch as much since most Toxicroak are opting for Low Kick as their fighting STAB due to the chance a +2 Adamant Low Kick can OHKO Mudsdale. Duraludon's ability, Light Metal, makes Toxicroak's Low Kick weaker. The leftover EVs are dumped into HP.

Answer 13

Offensive + Ironpress
Gen 8 NU

Duraludon @ Leftovers
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Iron Defense
- Body Press
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon

Offensive + Ironpress Duraludon set. Iron Defense is for boosting your defense and helps you take physical moves better. Body Press takes advantage of your boosted defense and allows your to hit Pokémon opposing steels neutrally or super effectively, depending on what steel type Pokemon you're using Body Press on. Thunderbolt is for doing super effective damage on Pokemon like Mantine, Araquanid, Blastoise, Vaporeon, Talonflame, etc. Flash Cannon is STAB that allows you to hit fairy types like Sylveon and Diancie super effectively.

Answer 14

Suicide Lead?
Gen 8 NU

Duraludon @ Focus Sash
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Draco Meteor
- Thunderbolt
- Steel Beam

Um, so this is a suicide set, despite not having a way of preventing hazards. (Quite a shame this thing doesn't get Taunt, it would be useful for stopping Stealth Rock setters like Mudsdale, Bronzong, and Copperajah.) Stealth Rock is for setting up rocks. Draco Meteor is strong dragon STAB. Thunderbolt is for coverage allowing you to do super effective damage to Vaporeon and Mantine. Steel Beam is strong steel STAB that can allow you to prevent Defog when bought down to your sash.

Answer 15

Dual Screens Set
National Dex Monotype (Dragon)

Duraludon @ Light Clay
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Steel Beam

Screens setter Duraludon. Stealth Rock is to chip opposing Pokemon. Light Screen and Reflect are for setting up dual screens, which helps your setup sweepers setup. Steel Beam is for STAB and can be useful when you have 50% HP or less to help generate momentum so you can get a teammate in without them taking damage from opposing Pokemon's attacks.

Answer 16

Gen 8 NU

Duraludon @ Expert Belt
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt
- Body Press

Expert Belt Duraludon has been seeing use recently in NU. Expert Belt is used to allow you to deal more damage to Pokemon like Sylveon and Copperajah. Draco Meteor is an incredibly strong Dragon STAB move. Flash Cannon is used to hit Fairy-types like Sylveon and Diancie. Thunderbolt is used to deal super effective damage to bulky Water-types like Mantine and Vaporeon. Body Press allows you to chip Steel-types and can 2HKO Assault Vest Copperajah as well as having a 78.5% chance to 2HKO Stealth Rock Copperajah, which is a benefit of using Expert Belt on Duraludon.

Answer 17

(good lead mon)

Duraludon @ Sitrus Berry / Leftovers
Ability: Light Metal / Stalwart
EVs: 252 Def / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Modest Nature
- Steel Beam / Flash Cannon
- Dragon Pulse / Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse / Thunderbolt / Snarl
- Stealth Rock

This set is mainly for lead role to set up rocks, and do some dmg before it dies, steel beam is for big burst of dmg and to be paired with sitrus berry, flash cannon is for stab and no recoil, dark pulse/thunderbolt for coverage and snarl for support, and stealth rock for entry hazard, the ev spread is for max bulk

Answer 18

Duraludon @ Power Herb
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 6 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA
Rash Nature
- Solar Beam
- Metal Sound / Iron Defense
- Flash Cannon
- Dragon Pulse

Solar Beam: Solar beam would cover Duraludon's ground type weakness, and it is already really powerful, even without the complimenting Nature and EVs. Power Herb will make this a one turn move, but it only is good for one use. If you're doing a double/triple battle and you have a Pokemon with Sunny Day, it will have the same effect as the Power Herb.
Metal Sound or Iron Defense: Metal Sound lowers the targets Sp. Defense, so Duraludon's other moves will do more damage. Iron Defense increases Duraludon's Defense, which is already high, so Duraludon will take less damage (From Physical Attacks). I would go with Metal Sound.
Flash Cannon: Flash Cannon gives STAB and is already really powerful. Does more damage if you use Metal Sound.
Dragon Pulse: Dragon Pulse is really powerful, and gains STAB. It does more damage when Metal Sound is used.

Hope this helps!

Comments

How does Mirror Coat cover its Fighting type weakness? By ensuring that it moves last and allowing the opponent to KO it?

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I realized that after I posted it... It was the only Psychic Type move it could learn, so I didn't think about it too hard. Sorry...

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What the heck is this? Solar beam? Just have coverage on the rest of your team, no need to get so desperate

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Body Press... not Solar Beam. ESPECIALLY if you run Iron Defense