What is a good moveset for Shiftry?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Shiftry, 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.

Shiftry Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Shiftry @ Life Orb
Ability: Clorophyll
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Giga Drain
- Dark Pulse
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Sun sweeper.
Nasty Plot makes Shiftry a pretty dangerous sweeper, as always find a good situation to set dat s*** up.
Giga Drain is STAB and healing.
Dark Pulse is also STAB and has a nice flinch chance which could come in handy.
Hidden Power Fire is boosted by Sun and takes care of threats such as Ferrothorn.

Comments

You left speed part blank but I assume it's 252. pretty good set. Ill have to try this one thank you :)

Answer 2

Mixed offensive support (NU)
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Shiftry @ Life Orb
Ability: Early Bird
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Defog
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Leaf Storm / Giga Drain

Defog is just a very great move as it removes hazards. every single psychical dark Pokemon capable of learning Knock Off should use it imo as it hits really hard (especially with shiftrys great attack and LO) and removes item and therefore punishes Pokemons that dares switching in. Sucker Punch can both revenge and KO frailer Pokemons like Pyroar and Swellow thinking they can take on him. Leaf Storm is generally the preferred option since the high base power is needed to deal damage as uninvested 90 Satk is a bit weak imo, but giga drain can also deal huge amounts of damage against stuff like rampardos and seismitoad and regain health lost by its LO

Comments

Have Sunny Day support and use Chlorophyll over E-Bird and you have yourself an unstoppable beast.

Answer 3

VGC Series 10

Shiftry @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Grass Knot
- Focus Blast
- Dark Pulse
- Heat Wave

Have you ever wondered why the green toad with a flower on it was always used? Why not this pinnochio creature? Well, allow me to introduce you to shiftry. Grass Knot deals with heavy Pokemon, which are the restricteds, as well as in general. Focus blast is good coverage, Dark pulse is stab and Heat wave is coverage that is boosted in the sun. Modest is because of speed being doubled.

Answer 4

So, this is one I have been using lately and it works really well. However, it requires sun support.

Shiftry @ Focus Sash
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty / Naive Nature
- Solar Beam
- Dark Pulse
- Nature Power
- Growth

This set works best as a late game sweeper or a wall breaker. Focus Sash ensures at least one Growth, that in the sun give 2x for both Atk and Sat. Solarbeam is just ridiculously powerful STAB, so is Dark Pulse. Nature Power becomes Earthquake in competitive matches, providing some excellent coverage. The Nature don't weaken any attack, and the EVs gives great power. There are some problems though.
This guy eats sweepers and scarfers for his afternoon tea, sporting an impressive 568 Speed stat in the sun, outspeeding almost everything unboosted. But he need Sun Support, or he is rendered almost useless. Another major problem is Priority moves, but I haven't had a lot of troubles with them. Entry Hazards also prevent the Sash+Growth combo, making his offensive powers decrease drastically.
Overall, I really like this set, and I hope you might consider this guy for your team!

Answer 5

swords dance sweeper

Shiftry @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Leaf Blade
- Rock Slide

Life Orb alongside Swords Dance allow Shiftry to hit as hard as possible. Rock Slide lets Shiftry threaten Fire- and Flying-types who resist Leaf Blade. It's best to setup against Pokemon who are weak to Shiftry's Dark and Grass STABs.

Comments

Sorry, but I'm afraid this Moveset isn't legal. Shiftry can only learn Leaf Blade as a Nuzleaf in Gen 6, and Nuzleaf can't be taught Sucker Punch in Gen 4.

Answer 6

Gen 8 Mixed Sweeper

Shiftry @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 180 Atk / 76 SpA / 252 Spe
Lonely Nature
- Solar Blade
- Heat Wave
- Knock Off
- Growth

This set is to be used in the sun. Solar Blade is STAB and doesn't need to charge in the sun. Heat Wave is for coverage. Knock Off is STAB that removes your opponent's item. Growth boosts your attack and special attack by two stages in the sun.

Answer 7

Gen 9 OU (DLC Part 1)

Shiftry @ Focus Sash
Ability: Wind Rider
Tera Type: Dark
EVs: 252 HP / 4 ATK / 252 SPE
Jolly Nature
• Knock Off
• Tailwind
• Synthesis/Leaf Blade
• Fake Out/Defog/Toxic Spikes

Shiftry received a new ability in the DLC, which boost power when hit with wind moves, or Tailwind is set up. Start by using Fake Out, then set up Tailwind. After that, remove the opponents item with Knock Off, and if possible, use Synthesis for healing, or Leaf Blade for offensive purposes

If you go with Toxic Spikes then use the first turn to set up, or use Defog to remove hazards..

Weaknesses are priority moves, and Bug types. This set is meant to be used as a lead. Tera Dark is for boosted Knock Off.

Comments

remove fake out, it does nothing for you. Also why seed bomb over leaf blade, which is superior in every way?

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I forgot it got leaf blade I’ll fix it. Plus what else would be in Fake outs spot? It doesn’t get much else. This is also my first set so it’s bound to have flaws. Thank you though for the advice!

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probably low kick or brick break, fake out is just kinda useless so having that extra coverage move for steel and ice types is hypothetically useful. Alternatively you could use tera blast, but i wouldn't waste my tera on shiftry

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Oh yeah that could be useful, but this was mainly supposed to be a support/lead. Plus this is also for RU but I’m actually not too sure how it fares there. I mainly just wanted to make a Wind Rider set.
Edit: Turns out Shiftry is in OU.

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shiftry will drop, everything starts at OU

Answer 8

Gen 9 NU Swords Dance

Shiftry @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Solar Blade
- Knock Off
- Tera Blast

A Swords Dance Shiftry set for Gen 9 NU. This set is to be used on Sun teams in Gen 9 NU. Swords Dance lets Shiftry boost its attack so it can break through teams, reminding opposing Pokemon (and the actual opponent) to go touch grass. Solar Blade lets Shiftry turn its leaves into one big leaf that is pretty powerful and instantly hits in 1 turn while Sun is up. Knock Off is a nice Dark STAB that pairs well with Solar Blade, as it gives Shiftry a spammable move that is useful to hit Pokemon such as Dragalge, Galarian Slowbro, Chandelure, Arcanine, Altaria, Thundurus, and Staraptor. Knock Off is nice to remove items from opposing Pokemon to cripple its checks. Tera Blast Fire rounds out this set's coverage, as it allows Shiftry to incinerate Steel- and Grass-types such as Vileplume, Copperajah, Registeel, Klefki, Brute Bonnet, and Hisuian Decidueye. Plus, there aren't any Pokemon who resist Grass, Dark, and Fire moves aside from Emboar, who has a 68.8% chance to get one shot by a +2 Solar Blade. Life Orb is used to give Shiftry's attacks extra power. Tera Fire is not only used for Tera Blast, it also allows Shiftry to resist Fairy moves and become immune to burns, which is pretty neat. Adamant Nature is used over Jolly since Chlorophyll with Adamant already lets it outspeed the relevant Choice Scarf Pokemon in NU.