Haxorus - Moveset & Build | Pokemon Sword Shield

Last Updated: August 21, 2022 10:59 PM

Find out how to get Haxorus in Pokemon Sword and Shield! Learn about the best competitive Haxorus build, best movesets, best nature, counters & the breeding process!!!

Table of Contents

Best Moveset & Build
Best Moves
Best Items
Best Nature And EVs
Counters
Competitive Breeding Process

Haxorus Related Articles

Location & Stats

Competitive Build

Haxorus Best Moveset & Build

Total Base Stats	600
Type

Mold Breaker Life Orb Build

Best Nature	Best Item
Jolly (Speed ↑ / Sp.Atk ↓)	Life Orb
Best Ability
Mold Breaker Moves can be used on the target regardless of its Abilities.
Best Moveset
Outrage / Iron Tail / Swords Dance / Earthquake ▼Check Move Info Here
Best EV Spread
Atk 252, Speed 252, Def 4

A Mold Breaker That Outspeeds Mimikyu

The main draw to Haxorus is that it outspeeds Mimikyu and has Mold Breaker. This allows it to break through its Disguise and take it out. There are other Mold Breaker options available, but Haxorus simply excels in terms of pure attack power.

Two Super-Effective Moves VS. Mimikyu

Iron Tail and Shadow Claw are both moves that will deal super-effective damage to Mimikyu. Iron Tail is somewhat unrelaible due to its accuracy, while Shadow Claw is accurate but deals less damage. The decision is ultimately up to you as to what you prefer.

Move	Power and Effect
Iron Tail	Will 1 shot, but has a 75% accuracy.
Max Steelspike	Will 1 shot.
Shadow Claw	Will 1 shot if you have a Life Orb (or better).
Max Phantasm	Will 1 shot.

Swords Dance or Dragon Dance?

The choice between these two buff moves comes down to two things: More firepower, or more speed. If you want to outspeed Scarf Rotom or Scarf Togekiss, choose Dragon Dance. If you're using a Choice item, you don't need either of these moves, however.

Counter Dragon Types With A Haban Berry

One alternate way to specialize your Haxorus is to equip a Haban Berry and pit it against enemy Dragon types like Hydreigon and Dragapult. Note that if you want to survive Hydreigon's Draco Meteor, you'll need to put 124 EVs into HP (take them from Attack).

Articles You Might Be Interested In

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Haxorus - Best Moves

Mold Breaker Life Orb Build

Recommended Moves

Move/Type	Reason
Outrage	Extremely powerful STAB move. Useful versus all targets, but especially against Dragons.
Iron Tail	Low accuracy steel move, but will one-shot Mimikyu. Useful while Dynamaxed too.
Earthquake	Powerful coverage move, works well vs. Rotom due to Mold Breaker.
Swords Dance	Increases attack Sharply. Useful to ensure a sweep.

Other Viable Moves

Move/Type	Reason
Shadow Claw	Accurate but lower power than Iron Head.
Crunch	Good coverage move.
Rock Slide	Good coverage move.
Dual Chop	Alternative to Outrage that has fewer drawbacks, but is also weaker.
Dragon Dance	Alternative to Swords Dance, will help you outspeed certain Scarf users.
Guillotine	Useful vs. walls that try to stall you with recovery moves.

Haxorus - Best Item to Hold

Item	Traits
Life Orb	Increases the attack of all moves at the expense of health. Useful damage boosting item.
Lum Berry	Cures a status condition. Lets you get off scot-free after using Outrage.
Haban Berry	Reduces the damage of super-effective Dragon moves. Useful for specializing as a Dragon-killer.
Choice Scarf	Increases speed by 150% but locks you into a move. Useful for outspeeding certain Dragon types.
Choice Band	Increases attack by 150% but locks you into a move. Useful for ensuring 1HKOs on some targets.

Check Out Battle Item Locations Here!

Haxorus - Best Nature And EVs

Haxorus - Recommended Natures

Nature	Traits
Jolly	Speed↑ / Sp.Atk↓ Jolly nature is absolutely necessary to outspeed Mimikyu.

Recommended Base Point (EV) Allocation

Mold Breaker Life Orb Build

Stat	Base Point
Attack	252 points (max)
Speed	252 points (max)
Defense	4 points

This EV allocation is optimal for outspeeding and taking out Mimikyu with one shot.

Anti-Hydreigon Spec

Stat	Base Point
Attack	128 points
Speed	252 points (max)
HP	124 points
Defense	4 points

This will allow you to survive 1 Draco Meteor so you can take out Hydreigon.

Check Out The EV (Base Point) Guide Here!

Haxorus Counters

Pokemon	Explanation
Corviknight	Pros - High defense lets it withstand hits - Won't be hit with a super-effective move Cons - Can be set up on with Swords Dance - Might be taken out by Guillotine
Hippowdon	Pros - Can take at least 2 hits - Can set up Stealth Rock and Yawn easily Cons - Lum Berry might break Sleep - Choice Band Outrage will 2 shot it
Ferrothorn	Pros - High defense, can take hits - Leech Seed and its Ability will wear Haxorus down - Can deal 60% damage with Gyro Ball Cons - Can be 2 shot by Close Combat - Can be taken out with Guillotine
Galarian Corsola	Pros - Will-o-Wisp and Strength Sap can lower its attack - Immune to Guillotine and Close Combat Cons - Has a hard time finishing Haxorus off
Hydreigon	Pros - Is slightly faster than Haxorus - Can one shot with Dragon moves Cons - Countered by Haban Berry, Choice Scarf, and Focus Sash
Galarian Darmanitan	Pros - Can outspeed and one-shot with Icicle Spear + Choice Scarf Cons - Loses to Scarf variants

How To Play Against Haxorus

Use A Physical Wall

Haxorus has a devastating 147 base Attack stat, which means that you'll almost certainly need a physical tank to deal with. Bring out Corviknight, as that will give you the highest chance of coming out alive. Try setting up on it with Bulk Up, before it sets up too much of its own Swords/Dragon Dances.

Outspeed and 1-Shot It

Haxorus doesn't have particularly excellent defensive stats, so it's easiest to hit it hard and fast with a super-effective move. Take it out before it boosts its Defense with Max Steelspike.

Watch Out For Mold Breaker

Haxorus will almost always be running Mold Breaker. As such, keep Pokemon who rely on their ability like Mimikyu or Rotom out of the battle.

Haxorus - Breeding Process

Breeding Process Flow Chart

1	Catch an Axew on Route 6 or in Axew's Eye.
2	Hatch eggs until you get a high IV Axew.
3	Breed that Axew until you get one with a Jolly nature.
4	Put 252 EVs in Atk and Speed
5	Max out its Dynamax Level
6	Teach it Outrage, Iron Head, Earthquake, and Swords Dance
7	Equip a Life Orb