What is a good moveset for Salamence?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Salamence, 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.

Salamence Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Imposter proof Mega-Salamence
Gen 7 Ubers

Ditto you dare touch (Salamence-Mega) @ Salamencite
Ability: Aerilate
Happiness: 0
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Frustration
- Earthquake
- Roost

Got them annoying Dittos in ladder? No worries! This set will make those Ditto cry and punch them hard!

Okay so what's different from other sets that Frustration has 1 BP with maximum happiness, whose effect you're gonna take! Whenever Ditto will copy to you, it will have a 1 BP Frustration, as it doesn't copy the happiness of the opposing Pokemon. The next move Earthquake handles Dusk Mane Necrozma, Primal Groudon, etc. while granting yourself full immunity from Ditto—1 BP Frustration that hits like nothing and a Earthquake which you're immune to! Roost is for recovery, and we chose Frustration over Return for Improofing it.

+6 252+ Atk Aerilate Salamence-Mega Frustration vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Salamence-Mega: 7-9 (2.1 - 2.7%) -- possibly the worst move ever

Get rekt, you ugly copy cat pink blob!

Comments

Nice one lol

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Ditto deserves to get punished since it always transforms to my sweepers :P

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Lol good one

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Great set 1+!

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Ditto is annoying :P

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My imposter proof team has imprison + baton pass to my main sweeper.

Answer 2

Salamence (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 228 Def / 28 Spe
Impish Nature
- Wish
- Dragon Claw
- Roost
- Roar

Intimidate means Salamence has defensive merit to potentially pull off a bulky set. Its main forms of utility are Roar (reduces passivity, controls setup sweepers) and Wish (heals teammates, potentially good on less offensive teams).

Comments

awesome

Answer 3

Salamence @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Outrage
- Brick Break
- Stone Edge

You may be wondering why I have a Special move with the nature I put down, but just hear me out. You send in Salamence, and when the opponent realizes that it has Moxie, he switches to a physical wall. You use Draco Meteor and possibly KO, scoring you a Moxie boost. Then all that is left is complete pwnage with your other moves.

Comments

Might wanna try Naive / Naughty  nature

Answer 4

STOP.

MOXIE-MENCE TIME!

Salamence @ Life Orb / Lum Berry
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpA
Naive Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw / Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast

The gist is simple; use only a turn to power up, then proceed to tear your opponents up as your boosts rack up. ;D

Fire Blast has more immediate power than Fire Fang, avoids chip damage from Iron Barbs and Rocky Helmet, and helps Salamence against physically defensive opponents. High-profile targets like Skarmory and Corviknight mean Earthquake not does not have perfect coverage.

Comments

Yeah but a fairy could 2HKO if not 1HKO Salamander Menace so get rid of Dragon Dance and put in Steel Wing because Moxie will probably be enough for attack boost. *Just saiyan...*

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If Fire Blast's for Heatran, it's useless. Heatran gets Flash Fire.

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lol... fireblast
i facepalm at it so many times XD

and get a better nature

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Fire blast is special as well so no d dance or moxie boosts for you

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I'd rather use dual wing beat or roost instead of fire blast since after a few boosts skarmory or bronzong is getting Ohko'd anyways

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I typically like to use Temper Flare instead of Fire Blast.

Answer 5

Salamence (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Outrage
- Fire Blast
- Draco Meteor
- Earthquake

Revenge killer and speed control with wide coverage to hit many opponents and force switches. One of the most used Salamence sets at this moment in time.

Salamence (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dragon Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump

My personal fav as it hits like a truck.

Answer 6

Salamence @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate --> Aerilate
EVs: 252 Atk / 228 Spe / 20 HP / 4 Def / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Return / Double-Edge / Facade
- Outrage / Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Roost

Return is no-recoil, high power STAB, Double-Edge is even more powerful STAB but comes with the drawback of recoil, while Façade is to surprise things like Chansey, Toxapex, and bulky waters with Scald. Earthquake is to destroy Steel, Rock, and Electric types that resist your Flying-type STAB, while Outrage is decent (I guess?) STAB that covers Dragon types and is also useful for having STAB if you run dual megas. Dragon Dance because why run Adamant Mega Salamence if you've got no DD? Without it, Jolly Nature is mandatory for more speed, which is a big hindrance because Salamence really needs to hit as hard as possible. Roost to heal off and to reduce damage from Ice and Rock moves. The latter is very useful, since you probably wont be surviving any Ice attack unless you're grounded, however you can take Rock type moves and then see if you should set up or attack by seeing how much damage a Rock attack does, then multiply the damage done by 2. Roost is also very important on Double-Edge sets because it holds them together, since Roost lets it heal off the damage taken from Double-Edge recoil. Hope you liked this set :)

Comments

Same set +1 upvote.

Answer 7

Salamence (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Flamethrower
- Hydro Pump
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power [Ground]

Hydro Pump for the Sheer Power of that Coverage, No since in Covering something if you can't OHKO it. Flamethrower for the Icee's. Dragon Pulse for that Beastly STAB, and HP Ground for further Coverage.

Comments

this is actually pretty good since most people expect that Salamence is a physical attacker...the downpart is that you have no weapon against a special defensive tank like Blissey...maybe HP Fighting, wich covers Ice, Rock and Normal and replace Flamethrower with something else

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Just slap brick break to slam blissey and use timid if using special mence.

Answer 8

Salamence @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Outrage / Dragon Claw
- Fire Blast
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance

Outrage and Dragon Claw are both good STABs, it depends on if you have Steel types covered already and think you can get rid of them. Fire Blast hits Pokemon x4 weak to it like Scizor, and other Steel types as well. Earthquake also hits Steel types, and has pretty good coverage. Dragon Dance is nice setup move, and may result in a sweep.

Comments

I don't think it can have Moxie and Outrage right?

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Indeed it can, Bagon got it in Dream World.

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F'YEAH

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Hmmm, FIre Blast is a great move (besides the shaky accuracy), but why not Fire Fang?  It's Physical, epecially when running an Adamant nature.  I would only recommend Fire Blast if you are running a Mixed Sweeping Salamence.

Answer 9

Mixi-Mence

Jade (Salamence) (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake / Brick Break

Fire Blast is special coverage. Draco Meteor is special STAB. Once you get a kill with that and your SpA halves, we have two physical moves to help us: one for STAB and one for coverage, and Draco Meteor should be practically insta-kill, so we automatically switch to physical Moxie-Mence. Only 4 EVs make a decent 307 Attack at +0.

Comments

Nice set stell but im not sure there are pokes like garchomp that set up with dragon dance and would destroy sal's speed
Example sal Use's Draco meteror  Gar has Focus Slash  Adment Nature Garchomp use'sSword dance 2.0x Atk Garchomp use's Sweep

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XxSilverSalamencexX, but doesn't that mean Salamence would still outspeed the Adamant Garchomp and KO it with any of its moves?

Answer 10

Salamence @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate --> Aerilate
EVs: 248 HP / 152 Atk / 56 SpD / 52 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Substitute
- Roost
- Return / Thrash

If this thing doesn't get banned, I don't know what will. The EV spread is something I stole from a YouTuber by the name of Pokeaim. Don't really recall what it's meant to take, but I do remember it being able to not have its sub broken by a Volt Switch from most Rotom-Wash sets.
Dragon Dance sets you up to godmode standards with an Aerilate boosted Return off of base 145 attack. Substitute and Roost lets you set up more, with Substitute also protecting you from status. Intimidate lets you set up on things more easily.

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Salamence @ Salamencite
Ability: Moxie --> Aerilate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Fire Blast
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw / Dragon Dance / Outrage
- Return

Wallbreaker set. Fire Blast is there to surprise Ferrothorn and Scizor. It's a great idea to get a revenge kill to get a Moxie boost before Mega Evolving.

Comments

I run the second set with Dragon Dance. I use a Naive nature though, as Salamence now has a heavily boosted Defense.

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Why moxie just use intimidate.

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Wdym why moxie. It's so much better

Answer 11

As usual I'll post a VGC set for my favourite of them all:

Salamence (M) @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 36 HP / 218 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Substitute
- Protect

Pretty straight forward nuke-mence: the EVs: are for taking a Life Orb Koko's Dazzling Gleam 100% of the time while maximizing damage and speed.
Z-Draco Meteor can OHKO pretty much anything that doesn't resist it (or Porygon2) while not dropping the Special Attack. Flamethrower is there for Kartana and Steel types in general. Substitute is a filler move but you can use whatever move you need because Salamence is one on the most versatile Pokemon in the format.

Comments

Roost?

Answer 12

Salamence @ Lum Berry
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Brick Break

One Dragon Dance is all you need to set up this insane monster. After that, it's basically tyrannical sweeping with Moxie-boosted Outrages.

Salamence @ Salamencite
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Return / Double Edge
- Brick Break / Roost

Set up Dragon Dance, then sweep with Dragon Claw and Return. Double Edge/Roost combo is the riskier but "hardcore" way to use this Mega.

Comments

nice set, its good that all it needs is one dragon dance to sweep

Answer 13

Salamence @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Return
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Roost

So the plan here is simple: Get Salemence to max friendship. Mega Evolve and DD on the first turn. The only exception to this is if the opposing Pokemon can learn any powerful Ice move.
Then you sweep using Return and Earthquake. Roost is obviously for recovery.

Comments

Poke Refresh won't count for friendship

Answer 14

Special Mega:

Mega Salamence @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate --> Aerilate
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Hyper Beam
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Flamethrower / Fire Blast

This set is meant to OHKO one or two of the opponent’s Pokémon.
Hyper Beam has 150 power, STAB boost, and Aerilate boost. It will hit like a nuclear bomb but it has a recharge turn, so be careful. Draco Meteor has awesome power and STAB, but -2 Special Attack, so again, be careful. Hydro Pump is strong coverage. Flamethrower/Fire Blast take out Ice (your double weakness), Steel (the type that resists your STABs), as well as Bug and Grass (if you don’t want to waste a Hyper Beam).

Comments

180 base power stab move coming off a 120 special attack would nuke anything.

Answer 15

Gen 8 UU
Salamence @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Dual Wingbeat
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Roost / Dragon Claw

Dual Wingbeat is STAB and can break subs. Earthquake is a powerful move. Dragon Dance is to boost your atttack and speed. Roost is for healing if you predict a switch, or you could run STAB Dragon Claw.

Answer 16

Special Sweeper

Salamence @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Timid Nature
- Flamethrower / Fire Blast
- Hydro Pump
- Dragon Pulse / Draco Meteor
- Hyper Voice

This is a special sweeper set. Flamethrower or Fire Blast is your choice of fire coverage. Hydro Pump is surprise coverage. Dragon Pulse is STAB. Hyper Voice is his best special flying STAB (which is a pain).

Comments

I think you should use Hyper Voice instead, it is a powerful special STAB and doesn't compromise on bulk

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I looked for HV on his set and didn’t find it. Sorry.

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He learns it in gen 7 by move tutor. You must be looking at gen 8, which mega Salamence isn’t even in.

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I was looking at Gen 7, guess I just didn’t see it.

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Oops LOL was looking at S/M not US/UM

Answer 17

Gen 8 Moxie Dynamax Sweeper

Salamence @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Dual Wingbeat
- Dragon Claw
- Brick Break

EARTHQUAKE for Coverage
DUAL WINGBEAT for max airstream + STAB
DRAGON CLAW for STAB
BRICK BREAK for max knuckle + Screen destroyer

First go for max airstream even if you fighting a dragon type or a fairy type, then go for any move that cover the enemy weakness.It is free Dragon dance if you can beat a Pokemon with airstream.
Also weakness policy because dynamax is soo bulky so you can tank dragon, fairy and rock but not ice and also can get your boost going.

Also Pokemons that 4x weak to fight,such as Tyranitar will not know that you have brick break a fighting type move and it always result as a free Moxie.

Answer 18

Gen 8 NFE

Shelgon @ Eviolite
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Toxic / Roar
- Wish
- Protect

Dragon Claw is STAB. Toxic is to poison Pokemon. Roar can be used instead to force out a Pokemon and can be useful with hazards one the opposing side. Wish is for healing. Protect allows you to scout and can be useful after you use Wish.

Answer 19

Gen 8 UU

Salamence @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hurricane
- Draco Meteor / Defog
- Flamethrower
- Roost

Hurricane is the main STAB move here, hitting lots of threats neutrally and a few major Pokemon like Tangrowth, Amoonguss, and Keldeo super-effectively. Draco Meteor is a nice secondary STAB move that has good neutral coverage, Defog removes hazards. Flamethrower roasts Steels trying to come in on Hurricane. Roost lets Salamence heal.

Answer 20

Salamence @ Salamencite
Intimidate----> Aerilate
252 Atk evs, 252 Speed evs, 4 HP evs
Nature:- Adamant
Moveset:-
Return
Earthquake
Fire fang
Dragon dance

(People only think about their own Pokemon and not the enemy's pokemom, we must access the threats in their team and adapt to it, use moves that will catch them off guard. Anyway enough lectures I'll explain, after fighting for a while in pokmon battles I have came to this moveset. Return{if at max friendship} does 100 damage and with Aerilate boosting it as well as with flying STAB, this move does 195 damage, so this is the move I would click most of the time. Earthquake to kill of rock and steel types and 1 dragon dance boost and ur Earthquake can kill most of them. Now Fire Fang, reason I didn't use dragon claw, is while it's a good move to hit for neutral damage, it's only super effective to dragon types and Fairy types are immune to dragon moves. And another reason I use Fire fang is because It damages the steel types that don't get killed by Earthquake like Skarmony, Corvikinght, Scizor and Ferrathorn and also it does super effective damage to ice type pokemom like Weavile, Alolan-Ninetales etc.)