Aegislash - Best Moveset & Build | Pokemon Sword Shield

#1 - Weakness Policy Build

Go For The Lowest Possible Speed

If Aegislash strikes first, it will change into its rather brittle Sword Forme, causing it to take massive damage. In order to avoid this, try to keep its speed as low as possible! A 0 Speed IV is necessary here. In the mirror matchup, the slower Aegislash will almost always win.

High Defenses and Weakness Policy Go Well Together

Aegislash's Shield Forme provides it with an incredible 150 in both defensive stats, allowing it to survive super effective hits. This makes it a perfect match for Weakness Policy, allowing it to boost its power dramatically. Thanks to King's Shield and Shadow Sneak, Aegislash can be a frustrating and difficult target to deal with.

Limit Your Opponent's Options

Many people are aware of the dangers of Aegislash, as it was quite popular in previous generations. This can cause your opponents to overthink their actions in an effort to avoid triggering the Weakness Policy. Use this to engage in mind games to your advantage.

Recommended Moves

Move/Type	Reason
Shadow Ball	Good STAB physical coverage move.
Flash Cannon	Good STAB steel move.
Shadow Sneak	Priority move, useful for finishing off targets. Low power (40)
King's Shield	Functions like Protect, but also lowers the target's attack. Also triggers Shield Forme.

Other Viable Moves

Move/Type	Reason
Sacred Sword	An alternative to Close Combat, lower power but safer to use.
Steel Beam	Good STAB steel move.
Substitute	Good alternative for weathering a Pokemon's Dynamax. King's Shield -> Substitute -> King's Shield is a good way to buy time.

#2 - Special Attacker Build

No Need To Take A Super-Effective Hit

Although this build is similar to the Weakness Policy in terms of moves, this build allows you to reap the benefits of an item without getting hit. This build is easier to use and is recommended for people who aren't familiar with the meta enough to bait out a super effective hit.

Recommended Moves

Move/Type	Reason
Shadow Ball	Good STAB physical coverage move.
Flash Cannon	Good STAB steel move.
Shadow Sneak	Priority move, useful for finishing off targets. Low power (40)
King's Shield	Functions like Protect, but also lowers the target's attack. Also triggers Shield Forme.

Other Viable Moves

Move/Type	Reason
Sacred Sword	An alternative to Close Combat, lower power but safer to use.
Steel Beam	Good STAB steel move.
Substitute	Good alternative for weathering a Pokemon's Dynamax. King's Shield -> Substitute -> King's Shield is a good way to buy time.

#3 - Physical Attacker Build

Stronger Shadow Sneak

Unlike the Special variant, this will give you a stronger Shadow Sneak. If you can get a Swords Dance off, you'll be able to one shot a Dragapult or Mimikyu (with no defensive EVs).

Bring The Element Of Surprise

In the current online meta, Special Attacker Aegislashes are far more common, so bringing this variant could be a surprise to your opponent. If you want to emphasize this even further and go all-in, try a Choice Band.

Recommended Moves

Move/Type	Reason
Iron Head	Good STAB steel move.
Shadow Sneak	Priority move, useful for finishing off targets. Low power (40).
Sacred Sword	Ignores changes to the targets stats, useful strong Fighting move.
Swords Dance	Boosts attack by 2 stages. Getting this off will dramatically improve your Shadow Sneak.

Other Viable Moves

Move/Type	Reason
Shadow Claw	Good STAB physical coverage move.
King's Shield	Functions like Protect, but also lowers the target's attack. Also triggers Shield Forme.
Close Combat	An extremely powerful fighting move for coverage. Super effective hits will usually one shot.
Head Smash	Strong Rock-type move, but deals 50% recoil damage.