What is a good moveset for Feraligatr?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Feraligatr, 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.

Feraligatr Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Gen V

Feraligatr (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 140 Def / 116 Spe
Impish Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Ice Punch
- Rock Slide

Dragon Dance. Such a wonderful move. Easily the best stat raising move of Gens III and IV. Feraligatr has the EV spread it does as it gives it enough Speed and power along with Dragon Dance. Especially with Sheer Force and Life Orb. All moves (besides Dragon Dance of course) are boosted by Sheer Force, and no recoil is given by Life Orb. Waterfall provides STAB. Ice Punch and Rock Slide are type coverage. Feraligatr also has some EVs put into defense. This is to protect against priority, of which all but the rare Vacuum Wave is physical.

Answer 2

Double/Triple Battle

Feraligatr (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def
Adamant Nature
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Waterfall
- Ice Punch

Damn the unreliability of stat boosting!!! Now I have some sort of tank. Rock Slide and Earthquake hit multiple foes, Rock Slide boosted by Sheer Force. Waterfall is Sheer Force boosted STAB. Ice Punch is Sheer Force boosted coverage.

Answer 3

Gen 6+ Feraligatr

Feraligatr @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Crunch
- Ice Punch / Superpower

Feraligatr's Dream World Ability is here and here is my set. Dragon Dance is used for boosting its Attack and Speed to good levels.

Waterfall hits hard when factoring STAB, Sheer Force and Life Orb. Crunch also hits hard due to Sheer Force and Life Orb, and is good against Pokemon that resist Water. Ice Punch provides useful coverage for Grass- and Dragon-types, while Superpower can be used to hit Steel-types harder than other moves on this set.

Answer 4

Gen 6-7 UU

Feraligatr @ Life Orb / Lum Berry
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall / Liquidation (For use in Gen 7 UU)
- Ice Punch
- Swords Dance
- Agility

Dual Dance set. Waterfall is STAB and gets boosted by Sheer Force. Liquidation can be used if you use this in Gen 7 UU. Ice Punch is coverage against grass and dragon types, and few Pokémon in the tier resist the water + ice type move combo. Swords Dance is to boost your attack. Agility is to boost your speed.

Comments

Ooh, cool. Double dance Feraligatr. +1

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Life Orb would definitely work better with Sheer Force.

Answer 5

Feraligatr @ Focus Sash / Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Block
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall

Pair this with Scarf Truant Durant with Entrainment. The other moves can be anything you want.

Explanation:
Send out Durant and use Entrainment so the other Pokemon has the ability Truant. Then switch out to Feraligatr and use Block. It won't be able to escape and this gives you the opportunity to set up D-Dance. Use Protect on every turn when Truant is not active and D-Dance when it is. Finally, when you finished maxing out the stats, you can sweep using Waterfall.

Note: Focus Sash helps Feraligatr survive a hit from a super-effective move and deal as much as damage as possible.

Comments

For posterity: Pokemon with trapping abilities are plainly better than Feraligatr at this. If seeing Durant and Entrainment didn't tip you off the first time, you get *another* chance to switch on the turn Feraligatr uses Block.

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Hi Fizz,
Thanks for commenting on my moveset. Obviously, this is a gimmick movset, but keep in mind that trapping abilities were banned in most formats around Gen 6, which is when this moveset was made. I don't think because one Pokemon could fit this niche better if it was unbanned (e.g. dugtrio) is a valid argument against this proof of concept, which only applies to this Pokemon.

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I think it's a great proof of concept, but a poor strategy.

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Also water absorb and storm drain

Answer 6

A lovely little moveset for maximum type coverage. Actually, there are 592 Pokemon that this guy can hit super-effectively against, he only has two weaknesses himself and he has fair speed and good bulk meaning he's a very versatile player. Anyway, my type-advantage Feraligatr.

Feraligatr @ Expert Belt / Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 HP / 128 Atk / 128 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Shadow Claw / Crunch
- Ice Punch/ Ice Fang
- Brick Break / Dragon Dance
- Earthquake / Bulldoze

Explanation: Basically, this guy hits every type (based on the moves on the left) apart from Water, Fighting, Bug and Fairy (and a few dual types resist him, such as Charizard and Malamar), but every single other Pokemon (including those dual-types) is hit for neutral damage. Expert Belt takes advantage of this, it boosts the power of super-effective moves by 20%, which is basically giving Feraligatr a Life Orb with no recoil. That brings us to the Life Orb, thanks to Sheer Force Feraligatr gets no recoil on Sheer Force boosted moves (Ice Punch/Fang, Crunch and Bulldoze), which brings us to his moves. Shadow Claw gives you coverage against about 12 more Pokemon, but doesn't abuse the Sheer Force/Life Orb combo, whereas Crunch does. Ice Punch is more accurate, but Ice Fang has more power (both abuse the SF/LO combo). Brick Break is coverage and gets rid of Reflect from Klefki, etc. but isn't affected by Sheer Force. Earthquake has higher base power, but isn't boosted by Sheer Force so it will have recoil, whereas SF boosts Bulldoze's power to 90, which is 10 less than Earthquake, but the LO won't give you any recoil. Your choice on the moves. This moveset makes him a lethal opponent. If you want, you can swap Brick Break for Dragon Dance and use his bulk to set up, but this will reduce the number of opponents you can super-effectively hit by just over 100, so it's not recommended. Sheer Force allows you to swap some of his Attack EVs for Defense and utilise his respectable defence. Adamant makes him more of a powerhouse, whereas Jolly lets him have a respectable 143 Speed (at lv. 50 with 31 IV's), which is enough to outspeed a large amount of commonly used Pokemon whilst still having nice bulk. Hope this set is useful :)

Answer 7

Feraligatr @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
Evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance

Explanation: A Dragon Dance sweeper set. Feraligatr doesn't take damage from Life Orb due to Sheer Force. Waterfall is STAB and powered up with Sheer Force. Ice Punch is Grass and Dragon coverage also boosted with Sheer Force. EQ is Electric type coverage but since it doesn't have a secondary effect, you still take Life Orb damage. Dragon Dance raises Attack and Speed by 1 Stage each and allows Feraligatr to become a sweeper.

Answer 8

Do you want to deal a surprising amount of special damage to your opponents? Do you want to capitalize on your opponents switching in Pokemon with good Defense but bad Special Defense against you, because they think you are running a (standard) physical Feraligatr? Do you want to make your opponents salty because they are getting swept by a Feraligatr with a set that is never used? If so, special attacking Feraligatr is for you.

Feraligatr @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 HP / 4 Def
Modest Nature
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Focus Blast
- Toxic

Scald
Sheer Force boosted STAB.

Ice Beam
Sheer Force boosted Ice coverage. Kills Grass types (which hit you super effectively) and common threats like Garchomp and Landorus.

Focus Blast
Sheer Force boosted Fighting coverage.

Toxic
If all else fails, you can badly poison your opponent.

Answer 9

Feraligatr @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Waterfall
- Ice Punch

Similar to the popular Dragon Dance set, but slanted towards being a wallbreaker more than a sweeper due to Swords Dance. Max Speed is needed in the absence of Dragon Dance.

Comments

Waterfall is stronger than Aqua Tail with Sheer Force, so replace it with Waterfall.

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I edited Waterfall in (plus some description).
It is also worth mentioning that Crunch is stronger than Earthquake due to Sheer Force, so it is better coverage for targets that resist Water (though OP may have their reasons for using Earthquake).

Answer 10

This menacing croc is one of the coolest Pokémon ever created, and it has also one of the best shinies in the game. Like crocs in real life, Feraligatr shows true sheer force in battle

Gen VII UU/ Nat Dex RU/ BDSP OU

Dragon Dance
Feraligatr @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall/ Liquidation
- Ice Punch
- Crunch/ Rock Slide
- Dragon Dance

High Attack and Sheer Force + Life Orb is fearsome, but Feraligatr has mediocre Speed. That is when Dragon Dance comes in, fixing the croc's Speed problems while making it even more powerful. Feraligatr also has a great defensive type and passable bulk, alowing it to set up more easily.

Liquidation is STAB (you are unfortunately stuck with Waterfall in BDSP).
Ice Punch is coverage for Grass and Dragon types that resist its water STAB.
Both Crunch and Rock Slide are here to hit mons that resist both Water and Ice for at least neutral damage (most of the time). Crunch is the preferred move thanks to higher BP and accuracy.
Addionally, all of the damaging moves on this set are boosted by Sheer Force, so you don't need to worry about Life Orb recoil and just focus on doing damage >:)

Answer 11

Feraligatr @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Def / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake / Dragon Claw / Brick Break / Crunch/ Superpower / Stone Edge
- Ice Punch / Dragon Claw / Brick Break / Crunch / Superpower / Stone Edge
- Dragon Dance

This set is very straightforward. Waterfall is STAB, Dragon Dance is to set up. I would recommend Earthquake and Ice Punch, to cover weaknesses, but the other moves I listed provide coverage.

Hope I helped!

Answer 12

BDSP competitive moveset:

Feraligatr @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 128 HP / 252 Atk / 128 Def
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake / Rock Slide
- Dragon Dance / Swords Dance

Set up with Dragon Dance or Swords Dance depending on your needs. Waterfall for STAB. Ice Punch can become boosted via Sheer Force. Earthquake for coverage or Rock Slide for Sheer Force boost.

Comments

Why bulk over speed?

Answer 13

Gen 9 NU Swords Dance Scale Shot

Feraligatr @ Loaded Dice / Life Orb / Lum Berry
Ability: Sheer Force
Tera Type: Dragon
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Liquidation
- Scale Shot
- Crunch

Since Feraligatr dropped to NU, here is a Swords Dance Scale Shot set I've been experimenting with. This set is to be used on a Webs HO team. Swords Dance is used to give Feraligatr a +2 Attack boost so its attacks can have more power. Liquidation is used for the Water STAB since it gets boosted by Sheer Force. Scale Shot is used so Feraligatr can boost its speed, which can allow Feraligatr to outspeed Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Mienshao, Infernape, and Munkidori after getting a +2 Speed Boost. Scale Shot also lets Feraligat hit Dragon types such as Dragalge, Flygon, and Noivern super effectively. By the way, Sheer Force doesn't negate Scale Shot's speed boosting effect, as Scale Shot boosting speed doesn't have a percentage, and Sheer Force only cares about percentages. Crunch is used for a Sheer Force boosted move to hit Pokemon such as Slowbro, Mew, Reuniclus, Basculegion, and Brambleghast super effectively. Tera Dragon is used to resist Grass and Electric moves and boost the power of Scale Shot.

Loaded Dice is used to make Scale Shot more consistent, which can let +2 Tera Dragon Scale Shot break through Vileplume and Vaporeon. Life Orb can be used instead to give more power to Liquidation and Crunch. Plus, having Life Orb to make Feraligatr's attacks more powerful can allow +2 Tera Dragon Scale Shot into Crunch to break through Vileplume and Vaporeon, as shown in these calcs using a +3 Scale Shot:

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Tera Dragon Feraligatr Scale Shot (3 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Vaporeon: 273-327 (58.8 - 70.4%) -- approx. 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Sheer Force Tera Dragon Feraligatr Crunch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Vaporeon: 250-294 (53.8 - 63.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Tera Dragon Feraligatr Scale Shot (3 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Vileplume: 222-261 (62.7 - 73.7%) -- approx. 2HKO

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Sheer Force Tera Dragon Feraligatr Crunch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Vileplume: 204-240 (57.6 - 67.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Lum Berry is also an option so Feraligatr can cure its status condition so it won't get hindered by Scald burns, poison, or paralysis.

Answer 14

Gen 9 NU Bulky Swords Dance

Feraligatr @ Lum Berry
Ability: Sheer Force
Tera Type: Dark
EVs: 224 HP / 252 Atk / 32 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Liquidation
- Crunch
- Aqua Jet

Instead of being a fast set, this Feraligatr uses a Bulky Swords Dance set that is to be used in Gen 9 NU. You can use this on Sticky Web teams for a bit more speed against Pokemon such as Chandelure and Magnezone. Using its decent natural bulk, Feraligatr can eat powerful hits from Pokemon such as Lycanorc-Dusk and Mienshao for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Swords Dance is used to boost Feraligatr's already good attack stat to make it a scary breaker. Liquidation is used for the Water STAB since it gets boosted by Sheer Force to make it powerful. Crunch is used as the coverage move boosted by Sheer Force since it lets Feraligatr snack on Slowbro's soul, and Liquidation + Crunch hits everything in the NU tier neutrally or super effectively that isn't named Brute Bonnet. Aqua Jet is used for a priority STAB to allow Feraligatr to pick off faster Pokemon that are weakened. Lum Berry is used to let Feraligatr heal a status condition so to prevent things like burns and poison from hindering it. Tera Dark is used to boost the power of Crunch and is useful against Slowbro so you don't have to take damage from Future Sight.

252 Attack EVs are used with an Adamant Nature to let Feraligatr hit as hard as possible. 32 Speed EVs are used to allow Feraligatr to outspeed Max Speed Modest Diancie. The rest of the EVs are used in HP for bulk.