Find out how to breed Braviary in Pokemon Sword and Shield! Inclues best competitive Braviary move sets, best builds, nature, counters & the breeding process!!!
Table of Contents
Braviary Related Articles
 Location & Stats | Competitive Build |
Braviary Best Moveset & Build
| Total Base Stats | 510 |
|---|---|
| Type | |
Life Orb Build
| Best Nature | Best Item |
|---|---|
| Jolly (Speed↑ / Sp.Atk ↓) | Life Orb |
| Best Ability | |
| Defiant Sharply raises attack when its stats are lowered. | |
| Best Moveset | |
| Brave Bird / Close Combat / U-Turn / Bulk Up ▼Check Move Info Here | |
| Best EV Spread | |
| Attack 252, Speed 252, Defense 4 | |
A Max Airstream Ace
Braviary's main appeal is its STAB Max Airstream which can help boost its speed. By doing so, you will be able to outspeed basically anything. Although Close Combat actually loses power by becoming Max Knuckle (120 -> 95), the Life Orb helps make up for that lost damage.
Life Orb And Dynamax Go Well Together
The damage Life Orb deals to its user is based on the Pokemon's pre-Dynamax HP. This means that while it normally deals 10% HP in damage, while Dynamaxed, you'll effectively be taking only 5% each turn. For this reason, we recommend using this build mainly with Dynamax.
Defiant Trumps Stat Dropping Moves
Braviary's Hidden Ability Defiant raises its Attack 2 stages whenever a stat is lowered. This makes it particularly effective against Intimidate and Dynamax, as many Max Moves lower stats. You can also reflect your Max Flutterby vs. an enemy Mirror Armor Corviknight to get the attack boost too.
Switch Out With U-Turn
When in an unfavorable matchup, this build retains the option of foregoing Dynamax and U-Turning out into a favorable matchup instead.
Bring Bulk Up For Max Guard
Although it's possible to use Bulk Up just to boost stats, it also gives you the option of Max Guarding through an opponent's Dynamax. If your previous Pokemon was taken out by a Dynamaxer, switch in Braviary and Max Guard to survive long enough to Dynamax yourself and sweep.
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Braviary - Best Moves
Life Orb Build
Recommended Moves
| Move/Type | Reason |
|---|---|
| Brave Bird | Powerful STAB move which also deals recoil. Mainly used for Max Airstream while Dynamaxed. |
| Close Combat | Powerful fighting move. Allows you to use Max Knuckle. |
| U-Turn | Fallback option when you need to escape. |
| Bulk Up | Can boost your own Attack/Defense, or simply use it as Max Guard to stall out an opponent's Dynamax. |
Braviary - Best Item to Hold
| Item | Traits |
|---|---|
| Life Orb | Boosts all attack moves by 30%, but you take 10% HP damage each time you attack. Works well with Dynamax due to the recoil damage calculation. |
Braviary - Best Natures And EVs
Braviary - Recommended Natures
| Nature | Traits |
|---|---|
| Jolly | Speed↑ / Sp.Atk↓ Braviary's surprisingly low 80 speed needs all the help it can get to ensure it goes first. |
Recommended Base Point (EV) Allocation
Life Orb Build
| Stat | Base Point |
|---|---|
| Attack | 252 points (max) |
| Speed | 252 points (max) |
| Def | 4 points |
Braviary's main purpose is to sweep opponents while Dynamaxed, so maximizing offensive stats is the way to go.
Check Out The EV (Base Point) Guide Here!Braviary Counters
Recommended Pokemon To Counter Braviary
| Pokemon | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Wash Rotom | Pros - Can deal massive damage with Electric moves - Can survive 3 Max Airstreams - Volt Switch gives you the advantage since Braviary will likely swap out Cons - Choice Specs build is in trouble if the opponent switches in a Ground type |
| Heat Rotom | Pros - Can deal massive damage with Electric moves - Can survive 3 Max Airstreams - Volt Switch gives you the advantage since Braviary will likely swap out Cons - Choice Specs build is in trouble if the opponent switches in a Ground type |
| Galarian Darmanitan | Pros - Can often 1 shot a Dynamaxed Braviary (depends on roll) - Choice Band builds will one shot 100% of the time Cons - Icicle Crash only has a 90% accuracyc, could miss. |
| Tyranitar | Pros - Can proc Weakness Policy off Max Knuckle and sweep Cons - Needs to Dynamax to survive the initial hit |
| Rhyperior | Pros - Can take 3 hits even without Dynamaxing Cons - None |
How To Play Against Braviary
Don't Trigger Defiant
Whatever you do, avoid using stat lowering moves, as they will massively buff Braviary. When combined with the speed boost from Max Airstream, this can lead to your entire team being wiped out in no time. Leave out Intimidate users and be careful with your Max Moves.
Its Defenses Aren't That Great
With 75 in both defensive stats, Braviary would fall easily if it weren't for the massive HP cushion provided by Dynamax. If you buy time until its Dynamax is over, you should be able to take it out quickly with a super effective move.
Braviary - Competitive Breeding Process
Breeding Process Flow Chart
| 1 | Catch Rufflet on Route 8 Pokemon Sword Only! |
|---|---|
| 2 | Hatch Eggs until you get a High IV Rufflet |
| 3 | Breed that Rufflet until you get one with a Jolly Nature |
| 4 | Put 252 EVs in Attack, 252 EVs in Speed, and 4 in Defense |
| 5 | Max out its Dynamax Level |
| 6 | Teach it Brave Bird, Close Combat, U-Turn, and Bulk Up |
| 7 | Equip a Life Orb |
Pokemon Sword and Shield - Related Articles
Go Back To The Top PageMust Reads For Beginners
| Popular Beginner Tips | |
|---|---|
| Recommended Starters | Story Walkthrough List | Best Team For Story |
Breeding
| Popular Breeding Articles | |
|---|---|
| Step By Step Guide On How To Breed | |
| All Egg Group List | Useful Items For Breeding |
Post Game Content
| Must Read | |
|---|---|
| What To Do After Beating The Game | |
| Ranked Battle Tier List | Ranked Battle Builds List |
| Battle Tower Guide | Ranked Battle Guide |
Database
| Popular Databases | |
|---|---|
| Galar Pokedex | Base Stats Ranking | Clothes & Hairstyles List |
