Seismitoad - Best Moveset & Build | Pokemon Sword Shield

Build #1 - Swift Swim Special Attacker

Powerful Max Geyser User

Seismitoad is now capable of providing its own rain to activate its ability Swift Swim, meaning its speed will increase by 2 stages and its attack stats by 1! This effect is even better than max Airstream, making Seismitoad an incredible Dynamaxing ace.

Invest In Speed

While under the effects of Swift Swim, Seismitoad can outspeed a Charizard with a Max Airstream buff. Combining this excellent speed with excellent move variety allows it to take on a wide range of opponents.

Strong Against Yawn Users

Dynamax aces are typically weak to Yawn users. However, Seismitoad can one shot Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Quagsire, not allowing them to even get a taunt off in the first place. This is something that other priority Dynamaxers cannot do!

Capable Of Taking A Hit

Seismitoad's HP/Def/Sp.Def stats are 105-75-75, with its only weakness being grass. It is more than capable of with standing a hit and then turning the tide using Max Geyser.

Consider Running One Status Move

By syncing Dynamax with your opponent, you can stall out their Dynamax by using Max Guard - Max Geyser - Max Guard. This will allow you to set up your Rain while avoiding the majority of your opponent's moves. At the end of Dynamax, you should come out on top due to the Swift Swim bonus. To do this, run at least one status move!

Try To Get A Max Ooze Off

Max Move raises your Sp. Attack by one stage, meaning that if you combine this with the Rain boost, you'll be almost unstoppable. Depending on the roll, you'll even be able to one shot a 252 HP Corviknight!

Recommended Moves

Move/Type	Reason
Hydro Pump	Powerful STAB move. Low accuracy, but it's mainly used for Max Geyser anyway.
Earth Power	Powerful STAB move.
Sludge Bomb	90 power Poison move, good type coverage in a pinch, but also useful for Max Ooze.
Grass Knot	Deals more damage the heavier the opponent is. Useful for other Water types.

Other Viable Moves

Move/Type	Reason
Sludge Wave	An alternative to Sludge Bomb, 95 power but has a lower chance to poison.
Focus Blast	Coverage move. Chance to lower SpDef.
Stealth Rock	Could be useful in general, but mainly brought for access to Max Guard.
Toxic	Poisons the opponent badly. Useful, but mainly used for Max Guard.

Build #2 - Swift Swim Physical Attacker

Learned The Physical Move Of Its Dreams

In Sword and Shield, Seismitoad finally got access to a good physical Water-type move in the form of Liquidation, thus paving the way for viable physical builds. In addition to this, it learned Power Whip, giving it a good Grass move as well.

Same Battle Plan As The Special Build

This build is essentially very similar to the previous special variant: it has incredible speed and an excellent move pool. The main difference is that your offense-boosting move is now Max Knuckle. Power Whip + a damage boosting item can even one shot Wash Rotom! However, it's worth noting that this build is not capable of one shotting a Hippowdon.

Recommended Moves

Move/Type	Reason
Liquidation	Powerful physical STAB move. May lower Defense.
Earthquake	Powerful STAB move.
Power Whip	High power Grass move. Useful coverage.
Drain Punch	Heals the user for damage dealt. Mainly used for the Max Knuckle Attack boost.

Other Viable Moves

Move/Type	Reason
Poison Jab	An alternative coverage move. Could be useful vs. Grass or Fairy types.
Brick Break	An alternative for Drain Punch. Goes through Reflect and Light Screen, which can be quite useful.
Ice Punch	Ice coverage move.
Rock Tomb	Rock coverage move.
Stealth Rock	Could be useful in general, but mainly brought for access to Max Guard.
Toxic	Poisons the opponent badly. Useful, but mainly used for Max Guard.

Build #3 - Water Absorb

Set Up On Rotom!

Due to its Ground/Water typing and Water Absorb build, this Seismitoad build can completely block out Heat/Wash Rotom's moves. Aim to set up Stealth Rock and Toxic asap. This build is also strong against Dracovish and other Seismitoads.

Not Suited For Taking Hits

If you compare it to Pokemon that fill a similar role such as Quagsire or Gastrodon, Seismitoad is direly lacking in an HP recovery move. This means that it doesn't function that well as a tank - getting out your hazards and dealing damage should be priority here.

Watch Out For Unexpected Grass Moves

Due to its 4x weakness to grass, Seismitoad really needs to watch out for rogue Power Whips or other strong moves, as they will likely one shot you. Mimikyu and Dragapult both can learn grass moves, so if you want to deal with that specifically, consider a Rindo Berry to decrease the damage.

Recommended Moves

Move/Type	Reason
Stealth Rock	Could be useful in general, but mainly brought for access to Max Guard.
Toxic	Poisons the opponent badly. Useful, but mainly used for Max Guard.
Scald	Strong STAB move, can sometimes burn the opponent.
Earth Power	Powerful STAB move.

Other Viable Moves

Move/Type	Reason
Earthquake	Powerful physical STAB move. Adjust nature if going for physical moves.
Liquidation	Powerful physical STAB move. May lower Defense. Adjust nature if going for physical moves.
Rock Tomb	Rock coverage move. Adjust nature if going for physical moves.
Icy Wind	Icy move that drops speed.
Fling	Power varies depending on held item. Good coverage.
Substitute	Sacrifice HP to set up a Substitute. Could be useful.