What is a good moveset for Tyranitar?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Tyranitar, 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.

Tyranitar Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Stone Edge
- Ice Punch / Thunder Punch
- Fire Punch / Earthquake

When you mega evolve, Tyranitar's defenses are increased by quite a bit, making it one of the most bulkiest sweepers (I believe). With the help of Ninetales' Aurora Veil before sending out this beast, and Tyranitar's Sand Stream after, you can even survive a Focus Blast from a Life Orb Mewtwo. Dragon Dance is there to help with making you an absolute truck. Stone Edge is STAB with pretty good power. Ice Punch and Fire Punch are there for coverage. Thunder Punch is for those annoying water types that resist all your other moves. Earthquake is just there because it has helped me with sweeping a lot recently. This moveset doesn't have Crunch because I believe that Stone Edge can deal some massive damage, and with a 1+ by the Dragon Dance, you can even OHKO that stupid Mewtwo.

Comments

you are correct, it is the bulkiest Pokemon that can use Dragon Dance. Also, this is a great moveset.

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good moveset maybe just crunch instead of one of the punches to get stab

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Ice Punch and Fire Punch/Earthquake are preferred on sweeper sets over Dark STAB because they stop Landorus, Garchomp, Skarmory, Ferrothorn, etc from being roadblocks.

Answer 2

National Dex AG

Caly ur death (Tyranitar-Mega) @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature

• Thunder Wave
• Pursuit
• Foul Play
• Stealth Rock

Once, a king named Calyrex fused with Spectrier and become Calyrex-Shadow rider. It become menacing, just wiped out entire tier with its As One boosted 120 BP Astral Barrage. It became so broken that Yveltal, the Y-God had to become mandatory on each and every team. At one period, there also come Dynamax Yveltal. This thing was so broken, it would OHKO Zacian-Crowned with Max Flare, or almost every non-Dark resist Pokemon with its 170 BP STAB and Life Orb boosted Max Darkness. After becoming such an unbalanced metagame, Nat Dex AG called for help from Tyranitar-Mega. Now, this thing just resisted everything the both would throw at it, which made them feel very bad. Let's see how much are these Yveltal and Calyrex-S bullied by M-Tyranitar.

• 252 SpA Calyrex-Shadow Astral Barrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Tyranitar-Mega in Sand: 50-59 (12.3 - 14.6%) -- possible 7HKO
• 252 SpA Calyrex-Shadow Draining Kiss vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Tyranitar-Mega in Sand: 56-68 (13.8 - 16.8%) -- possible 6HKO
• 252 SpA Calyrex-Shadow Pollen Puff vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Tyranitar-Mega in Sand: 102-120 (25.2 - 29.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

Get rekt Calyrex-Shadow! Yveltal's not forgiven, either.

• 252 SpA Life Orb Dark Aura Yveltal Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Tyranitar-Mega in Sand: 48-57 (11.8 - 14.1%) -- possible 8HKO

Now now, that's all for the torture on these poor Yveltal and Calyrex-S. Mega-Tyranitar is useful in other cases too. It beats non-Earthquake Mega-Rayquaza, while hitting it hard with Foul Play if it Dragon Dances. Thunder Wave to cripple switch-ins. It's also your Stealth Rock setter. If you want healing, go for Rest over Stealth Rocks.

Hope that you bully Caly-S and Y-god a lot in Nat Dex AG with this set!

Comments

U shld prolly add that it can take non nasty plot savage spinout.
Btw i tot u said lefties better lol

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Well ladder carries Draining Kiss over Pollen Puff. That Buginium was a tech to anti-ladder >:) Regardless Lefties are only chosen on stall teams where the mega is needed on Sableye. Most people don't prefer stall so it's OK.

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You can’t bully Bandit :(

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Bandit must be bullied for bombarding my Nat Dex AG team with STAB Life Orb 170 BP Max Darkness XD

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I like bullying other people's teams, so I might use this lol

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Pursuit isn’t available in pokemon shield

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This is National Dex, which lets Pokemon use moves that were removed from the game (Pursuit, Hidden Power, etc)

Answer 3

Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch or Pursuit
- Earthquake
- Thunder Punch

This set gives him enough speed to out-run Politoed and if you run Jolly Ninetales. Stone Edge is STAB. Crunch is strong STAB while Pursuit is strategic STAB too hurt a fleeing Poltoed/Ninetales. Earthquake is for coverage. Thunder Punch is coverage specifically for destroying Politoed the arch-nemesis of Tyranitar.

Comments

I like this learnset. :)

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but if you use a move how will you use pursuit after
I don't want to only use pursuit

Answer 4

Good ol' T-tar

Tyranitar @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 192 HP / 64 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Crunch / Payback
- Flamethrower / Ice Beam
- Superpower / Stone Edge

This is a set that I've used recently on servers and in-game.

Stealth Rock: One of the best entry hazards, helps keep certain threats at bay.
Crunch / Payback: Deals good damage of T-tar's great attack stat. Helps maul Psychic and Ghost types that stay in or try to switch out when using Pursuit.
Flamethrower / Ice Beam: Makes Steel types like Ferrothorn, Scizor and co think twice about trying to come in and set up in it, or deal with predicted Gliscor switch ins and Dragon types.
Superpower / Stone Edge: Useful for hitting Rock, Ice, Dark and Normal types or another stab to hit Flying, Bug and Fire types.

Answer 5

Here's my variation of this Pokemon, I call it Swagnitar.

Tyranitar @ Dread Plate
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Spe / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Jolly Nature
- Swagger
- Foul Play
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch / Ice Fang / Rock Slide / Aerial Ace

Basically, I have a S.S. Team.
Swagger- Basically a set-up for something unexpected.
Foul Play- A new move that uses the foes' base Atk, the move acts as if the target is attacking themselves, and thus is more powerful when the opponent has higher Attack, it is amplified by Swagger thus not making you all that threatened because of confusion, and STAB.
Earthquake- No reason needed. This skill is OP.
Ice Punch / Ice Fang / Rock Slide / Aerial Ace- Ice to deal with weaknesses, Rock Slide helps and has a chance of flinching or Aerial Ace a move that never misses. Your choice, as for me, I currently use Rock Slide I feel lucky with that flinch.

Answer 6

I decided to go for something a bit different and I pretty much have no issues using this moveset.

Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt

• Dark Pulse: STAB, chance to flinch, Ghost and Psychic
• Flamethrower: Grass, Bug, Steel, Ice and Flying
• Ice Beam: Ground, Grass, Flying and Dragon
• Thunderbolt: Water and Flying

I know a modest Tyranitar sounds odd, but this moveset pretty much covers most types and you have the chance to burn, freeze, paralyze your opponent....oh and make them flinch.

If not, I also have the basic physical set.

Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Earthquake

• Dragon Dance: Atk and Spd+1
• Stone Edge: STAB, high critical hit ratio
• Crunch - STAB, chance to lower foe's Def-1
• Earthquake - Coverage

Answer 7

Role: Bulky Strong Sweeper

Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk/ 252 Spe/ 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance

This Godzilla mon is one hell of a sweeper, and comes from hell itself. Its 143 base defense means it can tank a couple of hits. Sand stream is good for sand-based teams like the ones with Excadrill. This monster only appears in the depths of hell at Gen 7 OU, so its Dark typing makes it perfect to be in hell. Sand stream can be used even if you're not running a sand team because Sandstorm boosts Rock types' SpD by 50% from Gen 4 onwards, which means Tyranitar bringing bad luck to Special attackers being able to tank a hit and D-dance and start sweeping. Dragon Dance is to boost that sky-high attack stat and speed stat. Crunch is STAB and a 10% chance to lower the defense of the opposing Pokemon.

Stone Edge is STAB and 100 BP that has a high critical ratio that will definitely destroy teams vulnerable to Rock type moves such as Mega-Charizard-X and Blacephalon. Earthquake is for type coverage and eliminating threats such as Excadrill and surviving a hit from an Excadrill, able to revenge kill it. Some good teammates is Skarmory that is immune to Ground types, and resists both Bug types and Fairy types and neutral to Fighting types. Another teammate is Excadrill, since it gets a boost from Sandstorm due to Sand Rush and can set up with Swords Dance and start sweeping and clearing threats to Tyranitar. It also resists Bug types and Fairy types, but not Ground types, so Air Balloon might do, although Focus Sash is recommended.

Hope you like this Gen 7 set :).

Comments

love this set!

Answer 8

Tyranitar @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 228 Def / 24 SpD
Impish Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Dragon Tail
- Stealth Rock
- Heavy Slam

Parashuffler with Rocks. Thunder Wave 'em, then set-up Stealth Rock. Dragon Tail to do some damage and to phaze. Heavy Slam destroys Dragon-immune fairies. This set is supposed to focus on chip damage and team support. After it has done its work, the opposing team will be severely weakened.

Answer 9

Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Thunder Punch / Thunder Fang
- Ice Punch / Ice Fang
- Fire Punch / Fire Fang
- Rock Tomb

In doubles pair this guy with a Pokémon with the ability Sand Force, Sand Rush, or Sand Veil (power, speed, or evasion)

Answer 10

National Dex UU Offensive

Tyranitar-Mega @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
Tera Type: Rock
EVs: 48 HP / 200 Atk / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge / Superpower
- Pursuit
- Knock Off
- Stealth Rock / Superpower

Because of its typing and now being able to use Knock Off, Mega Tyranitar is currently the king of Gen 9 NatDex UU. Stone Edge is Mega Tyranitar's strongest Rock STAB, being useful to hit Pokemon such as Enamorus, Iron Moth, and Galarian Moltres super effectively. Pursuit lets Mega Tyranitar trap Psychic- and Ghost-types such as Galarian Slowking, Mega Latias lacking Aura Sphere, Latios lacking Aura Sphere, and Aegislash. Having access to Knock Off is really nice for Mega Tyranitar, as it gives it a spammable Dark STAB that will make some sort of progress against opposing Pokemon by removing crucial items such as Leftovers, Heavy-Duty-Boots, etc. Stealth Rock lets Mega Tyranitar setup a hazard that can chip opposing Pokemon switching in. Superpower can be used to hit opposing Mega Tyranitar as well as Pokemon such as Bisharp, Iron Treads, Ogerpon-Cornerstone, and Excadrill super effectively.

If you already have a Stealth Rock setter, you could use Superpower in that slot as long as you have Stone Edge in the first slot. You can also have Superpower for the first move slot if you have Stealth Rock as the last move slot.

252 Speed EVs are used to let Mega Tyranitar outspeed Max Speed Jolly Aegislash and Max Speed Adamant Bisharp. 48 HP EVs with 8 Special Defense EVs allow Mega Tyranitar to survive a Choice Specs or Life Orb Boosted Aura Sphere from Latios. The rest of the EVs are used in Attack with Adamant Nature to give Mega Tyranitar as much power as possible.

Answer 11

Payback killer
Tyranitar @ Shell Bell
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Brave Nature
- Earthquake
- Payback
- Avalanche
- Stone Edge / Curse

• Payback (due to naughty slowdown, it'll be stronger, due to the likelihood of attacking second)
• Avalanche (same strategy as Payback)

Comments

+ Atk, - Speed is brave nature not naughty

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sorry got mixed up

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What move is "Playback"?

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Another mistake: it's payback, not paayback.

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shell bell sucks. 1/8 isn't enough, I've used it on some of the best sweepers around, it did only 5%. completely outclassed by leftovers.

Answer 12

My Tyranitar is a good somewhat defensive sweeper. It can take hits while it builds speed, then it can stop opponents in their tracks. It does get annoying though, because everyone keeps forfeiting. Here's what mine knows.

Tyranitar @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 50 Spe / 108 Def / 100 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Rock Polish
- Rock Slide
- Fire Fang
- Earthquake

-Rock Polish: Raises speed by 2 levels
-Rock Slide: Hits 2 Pokemon in double or triple, more accurate than stone edge, and can make them flinch (works well with Rock Polish)
-Fire Fang: Type coverage (Bug, Steel, Grass), burn (adds with Sandstorm), and can flinch
-Earthquake: because everyone needs a good power-move, but you can pick whichever else you like
p.s. One thing I've noticed is most people forget rock beats ice, but ice doesn't beat rock, so don't fear the ice types unless they know water attacks (yes, rock type attacks are still super effective on ice and water double types; no, fire fang is not). Also, Tyranitar can learn ice fang and thunder fang too, so if you want more flinch moves, more status problems, or more type coverage (ice: beats ground, grass, flying; electric: beats water, flying), pick one of those.

Comments

I use a similar set just with stone edge rock polish, then ice punch over fire fang, it can learn fire punch cant it ?

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Rock Polish raises speed 2 stages, not 3.

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Well if peopel are leaving then yoy might as well put in a garchomp fpr its sand ability

Answer 13

My Tyranitar is a good somewhat defensive sweeper. It can take hits while it builds speed, then it can stop opponents in their tracks. It does get annoying though, because everyone keeps forfeiting. Here's what mine knows.

Tyranitar @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 6 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
IVs: 23 SpA / 10 Spe
- Rock Polish
- Rock Slide
- Ice Fang
- Earthquake

-Rock Polish: raises speed 3 levels
-Rock Slide: hits 2 people in double or triple, more accurate than stone edge, and can make them flinch (works well with rock polish)
-Ice Fang: type coverage (grass, ground, flying, dragon), may freeze, may flinch
-Earthquake: because everyone needs a good power-move, but you can pick whichever else you like

p.s. One thing I've noticed is most people forget rock beats ice, but ice doesn't beat rock, so don't fear the ice types unless they know water attacks (yes, rock type attacks are still super effective on ice and water double types; no, fire is not). Also, tyranitar can learn fire fang and thunder fang too, so if you want more flinch moves, more status problems, or more type coverage(fire: beats bug, grass, steel, ice; electric: beats water, flying), pick one of those. Also, I made an earlier post similar to this one, then I realized ice fang was better than fire fang because fire takes care of steel, bug, and grass. Earthquake covers steel and rock slide covers bug, and ice fang takes care of grass, ground, and those pesky dragon types. I hope this helps.

Comments

I agree with everything, but i'd rather have crunch over rock polish because of STAB and even more coverage over physics (even though they can't even hurt tyranitar).But I do like the rock polish idea, but i also like the 80 power +40 from STAB and 100 accuracy. But the flinching and speed boost can be a deadly combination, So i'd go with either moveset.

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I would like to point out that in your comment you mentioned you prefer Crunch over Rock Polish because crunch makes others flinch. I am sorry to say that you are mislead. Crunch does not make them flinch. I believe you are thinking of Bite: a move with a power of 60, accuracy of 100, and the ability to make opponents flinch. If you want Crunch to make them flinch, simply give Tyranitar either a King's Rock or a Razor Fang item to hold. Those items will give a small chance of flinch to any move, and a bigger chance of flinch to moves that already have a chance to flinch. I would like to point out that I have a Bug type Scizor in my team and do not worry about Psychic types. Also, most psychic types have low Def and good SDef, so Tyranitar has them overpowered.

Answer 14

Ok here's my one. It's very similar to a couple mentioned before but has a slight twist.

Tyranitar @ Leftovers / Shell Bell
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Fire Punch / Brick Break / Earthquake / Aerial Ace
- Crunch
- Stone Edge / Rock Slide

• Fire Punch / Brick Break / Earthquake / Aerial Ace (whatever coverage you want)
• Crunch (STAB)
• Stone Edge / Rock Slide (STAB - [power or accuracy])

Shell bell is more for if you want to use your Leftovers on one of your other Pokemon. Since this Ttar is going to be dishing out a lot of damage Shell Bell will provide a good amount of healing anyway.
There may be a better item to use than these, but since Choice items aren't good with Dragon Dance and Focus Sashes aren't needed (explained below) I haven't come up with anything better yet.
Perhaps an Expert Belt if you don't have anything better to use it on.

So the thinking behind this is that with all those SpD EVs + Careful nature + the SpD boost from sandstorm it should easily be able to take multiple hits from special attacks so send it out against a special attacker (preferably without Focus Blast). They hit it, it shrugs it off and Dances. The opponent has a choice then of either hitting it again (not usually a great plan) or switching to something with a bit more phys (should have done that last turn). Either way Ttar now has 2 dances up and at this point there's not much that can stand up to it.
Using this set up I've managed to survive Focus Blasts from Alakazam with over 1/4 of my HP remaining so there's not really any special attackers out there that can threaten it enough to need a focus sash.

Its main weakness is if someone switches straight out to a physical attacker with a fighting move and enough speed to beat it while dragon danced, but most people will try hitting it with at least one special attack before realizing how useless that is.

Hope you like it, and if you think of a better item for it or any major flaws I'd love to hear it.

Answer 15

Lead-Tank
Tyrany (Tyranitar) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 128 Atk / 128 Def
Brave Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Payback

• Stealth Rock (that's why he lead with Sand Stream)
• Earthquake (no need to explain)
• Stone Edge (STAB of course)
• Payback (It will hit with 100 base power, having advantage Brave nature itself)

or you can switch with Sand Rush Excadrill ^.^

Answer 16

Okay there are a million possibilities for this monster. Tyranitar can be a sweeper or a tank or a mix. I prefer the mix.

Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Def / 128 Atk / 128 SpD
Impish Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide

Dragon dance is absolutely amazing with mega tyranitar because mega tyranitar can practically take any physical move with ease, which allows 2 easy dragon dances. Ice punch coverage, earthquake is a must, rock slide is more accurate and I would rather not take the chance and miss in a dire situation. Please give comment and feedback I would love to know what you guys have to say.

Answer 17

DD Sweeper
He is bulky enough to set up one or two Dragon Dance, and I guess this is enough to lots of damage and outspeed some annoying ones.

Tyranitar @ Sitrus Berry / Lum Berry / Chople Berry (can't use another Life Orb or Leftovers)
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 128 HP / 128 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Earthquake

Vest Sweeper
This is a version with Assault Vest. With his great stats, he will be bulky enough and can use Ice Fang for more and more coverage. An option here is change the 252 Hp for 128 Hp and 128 Def.

Tyranitar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Aerial Ace / Ice Fang / Fire Fang
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Earthquake

I know there are other opions like Stealth Rock and Bulky natures. But what about this movesets for a sweeper? If good, what is best choice?
Rock Polish instead Dragon Dance can be a good option?
What is the best Fang/Ace?

Answer 18

Tyranitar @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 108 Atk / 200 Def / 200 SpD
Careful Nature
- Toxic
- Protect
- Iron Defense
- Earthquake

This moveset is completely unexpected. Leftovers + This EV spread + Sandstorm + Toxic + Iron Defense + Protect= Awesome stalling. So, poison types and steel types aren't taken out by that strategy, right? What do steel and poison types have in common? THEY HATE EARTHQUAKES! Mwahahahahahahaha...

Answer 19

Space Godzila (Tyranitar) @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Rock Polish
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Outrage

After one Rock Polish, you outspeed all non-Scarfed Pokemon (and all Scarfed with base 105 and below). This means a clear sweep in most games. As an added bonus, Sandstorm will finish off Sashed and Sturdy Pokemon who aren't immune. This is OP as hell, so try it. I DEAR YOU!

Comments

Ability: Sandstorm??

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Damn, mistake. I'll go edit.

Answer 20

I go with

Tyrant (Tyranitar) @Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 2 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 2 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Crunch / Rock Slide / Stone edge

This guy is so dang awesome. Earthquake is earthquake. Nuff said. Dragon dance is for setting up and his bulk means you'll manage at least one. Outrage is just for destroying things once you've done some dancin. Crunch is STAB and can lower their defence, Rock slide can flinch and is STAB and Stone edge is STAB and finishes the epic EdgeQuake combo. You choose which one. Also, their aren't many Mega Tyranitars out there so you might catch your opponent off guard. Plus it grants you a buff in most necessary places.