Find out what the PokéCommunity thinks of the new Pokémon in generation seven in the Singles world! We’ve got analysis and sample sets for all the new Pokémon and Alolan forms.

Pokémon Sun and Moon gave us a lot of new Pokémon and the new Alolan Form regional variants, which gives a second chance to select Kanto Pokémon. Some are cute, others cool, and a few just look strange. Each have their fans when it comes to their appearances, but are they any good at battling? Here we – the PokéCommunity – summarise each new Pokémon’s battling capability for Singles, speculate on how viable they are, and offer a set or two to consider.

In this article we only consider the new final evolutions; no old Pokémon or forms, nor pre-evolutions with Eviolite appear here. However, you can expect more in-depth articles on specific Pokémon and strategies, including other formats such as VGC. Check the table of contents for which page the Pokémon you’re interested in is on!

Table of Contents

This page: Decidueye, Incineroar, Primarina, Toucannon, Gumshoos, Alolan Raticate, Alolan Raichu, Vikavolt, Alolan Persian, Alolan Muk, Crabominable, Alolan Dugtrio, Oricorio, Ribombee, Lycanroc, Wishiwashi, Toxapex, Mudsdale, Araquanid

Decidueye, Incineroar, Primarina, Toucannon, Gumshoos, Alolan Raticate, Alolan Raichu, Vikavolt, Alolan Persian, Alolan Muk, Crabominable, Alolan Dugtrio, Oricorio, Ribombee, Lycanroc, Wishiwashi, Toxapex, Mudsdale, Araquanid Page two : Lurantis, Shiinotic, Salazzle, Alolan Marowak, Bewear, Tsareena, Comfey, Oranguru, Passimian, Golisopod, Palossand, Silvally, Minior, Komala, Turtonator, Togedemaru, Alolan Golem, Mimikyu, Bruxish, Drampa, Alolan Sandslash, Alolan Ninetales

Lurantis, Shiinotic, Salazzle, Alolan Marowak, Bewear, Tsareena, Comfey, Oranguru, Passimian, Golisopod, Palossand, Silvally, Minior, Komala, Turtonator, Togedemaru, Alolan Golem, Mimikyu, Bruxish, Drampa, Alolan Sandslash, Alolan Ninetales Page three: Dhelmise, Alolan Exeggutor, Kommo-o, Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, Tapu Fini, Solgaleo, Lunala, Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree, Celesteela, Kartana, Guzzlord, Necrozma, Magearna, Zygarde-Complete

If you have an alternate suggestion, let us know in the comments! We plan to make further, more in-depth articles on competitive battling and other styles, and welcome your own contributions as well!

Decidueye

78 HP/107 Attack/75 Defense/100 Special Attack/100 Special Defense/70 Speed

Decidueye is a mixed attacker stat-wise, but its movepool heavily favours a physical set. Its signature attack, Spirit Shackle, can really mess with opposing strategies, such as VoltTurn, by preventing them from switching out. If you choose to run a secondary STAB (same-type attack bonus) attack, Leaf Blade is the strongest option. Decidueye also gets a nice assortment of Flying-type attacks. Brave Bird and Acrobatics help it tackle Tangrowth, Mega Venusaur, and Buzzwole, whilst Roost provides a good recovery option and Defog helps remove hazards.

Its other coverage is lacking, but what is there is powerful. Sucker Punch is fun to toy around with, and is Decidueye’s only decent priority attack. U-turn allows you to gain a lot of momentum. Substitute and Swords Dance are also always good options to consider.

A Choice Band set is one consideration. Much like many of the Alolan Pokémon, the lower Speed stat may encourage investing spare EVs in to HP rather than Speed.

Decidueye Held Item Choice Band Ability Overgrow (Long Reach when available) EVs 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD Nature Adamant Moves Spirit Shackle

U-turn

Sucker Punch

Brave Bird / Leaf Blade

Incineroar

95/115/90/80/90/60

Incineroar is a good physical attacker with decent bulk. It finds itself with a nice pool of hard-hitting STABs such as Flare Blitz and its signature move, Darkest Lariat, which has a formidable 85 base power and ignores the target’s stat changes to its Defense. Meanwhile, it also has good coverage through Cross Chop, Earthquake, and Leech Life, which was recently turned into a much better move.

Incineroar’s movepool and stats allow a variety of sets to be run on it. While an Incinium Z set is an option, it is also useful to set Incineroar as a defense-orientated Pokémon. Should you choose to run a defensive set, Leftovers are a good item choice due to the fact that Incineroar gets no recovery on its own. Darkest Lariat and Flare Blitz will allow you to deal some decent damage to the enemy, and Will-O-Wisp can neutralize some threats as well as deal a bit of consistent damage.

It can also find some nice utility in Roar and U-Turn. However, the latter is somewhat hard to take advantage of due to Incineroar’s low Speed.

Incineroar Held Item Assault Vest Ability Blaze (Intimidate when available) EVs 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD Nature Adamant Moves Darkest Lariat

Flare Blitz

Earthquake

U-turn

Primarina

80/74/74/126/116/60

Primarina’s typing allows it to use Pokémon such as Ash Greninja, Keldeo, and Mega Sableye as opportunities to fire off strong special attacks. Its typing also grants it quite a few resistances, which, when coupled with its good special bulk, can make Primarina a bit tricky to deal with. However, it finds itself without recovery and with average physical bulk, and these drawbacks stop it from being truly amazing. Do not assume though that Primarina is not viable; it hits hard and can take most attacks well. Its Hidden Ability, Liquid Voice, presents it with STAB from Hyper Voice – a move which is already powerful on its own.

Primarina can either run an Assault Vest or Choice Specs to capitalize on its high Special Attack and Special Defense, respectively. Hydro Pump is the go-to Water STAB for Primarina, but once Liquid Voice becomes legal, Hyper Voice could be used in place of it to bypass Substitute.

Moonblast is the best available Fairy STAB for it, without a doubt, and this leaves two more move slots for coverage. You can run a multitude of things here, such as Ice Beam, Psychic, or even Energy Ball / Shadow Ball. Primarina does not find much utility in its movepool, but at least it can hit hard. 88 Speed EVs allows it to outspeed 0 Speed Skarmory; adjust as necessary.

Primarina Held Item Choice Specs Ability Torrent (Liquid Voice when available) EVs 168 HP / 252 SpA / 88 Spe Nature Modest Moves Hydro Pump

Moonblast

Psychic

Hidden Power Fire / Scald

Toucannon

80/120/75/75/75/60

Toucannon sadly has to fight it out with a number of other Normal/Flying Pokémon. It has a nice Attack stat and useful ability, but ultimately is too slow and not quite bulky enough to reliably carry itself in Singles. Even Tailwind support won’t help its 60 Base Speed, but it is suitable for Trick Room.

Skill Link is the only ability that should be used. Bullet Seed and Rock Blast gives it some varied coverage compared to other regional bird Pokémon. It also helps break Substitutes.

You could consider King’s Rock and investing in Speed – King’s Rock allows for a ~41% flinch chance on its multi-hit attacks. Sadly its base Speed stat is solely lacking – but then this is the case for many Alolan Pokémon.

Toucannon Held Item King’s Rock / Choice Scarf Ability Skill Link EVs 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe Nature Jolly Moves Brave Bird

Bullet Seed

Rock Blast

U-turn

Gumshoos

88/110/60/55/60/45

If Toucannon is on the frailer side, then Gumshoos is even more-so with base 60 Defense stats. It will seek out a Trick Room team with its Speed, but like most rodent Pokémon, will continue to struggle.

It has three decent Abilities, although Hyper Fang is only ever viable for a Strong Jaw set. Stakeout relies on calling when opponents do switch-ins, while Adaptability lets it hit decently with Normal STAB attacks.

Gumshoos Held Item Choice Band / Life Orb Ability Stakeout / Adaptability EVs 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD Nature Adamant / Brave Moves Return

Crunch

Earthquake

U-turn

Alolan Raticate

75/71/70/40/80/77

Alolan Raticate is an unfortunate case. While it may appear to be better than standard Raticate at first glance, with its new Dark typing powering up useful moves such as Sucker Punch, any possible offensive utility is dashed by the fact that Alolan Raticate is weaker and slower than its standard form. Alolan Raticate may have increased bulk, but its Dark/Normal typing ironically works against it defensively; Alolan Raticate’s typing gives it an even more exploitable weakness to Fighting-type moves, as well as annoying Bug- and Fairy-type weaknesses in exchange for a Psychic immunity and Dark resistance.

Losing Guts removes what would have been a good way for Alolan Raticate to exert offensive presence with minimal drawbacks, especially given the nerf to burn’s passive damage this generation, and, as such, it is forced to rely on Hustle, which has the crippling effect of making Alolan Raticate’s moves less accurate.

Alolan Raticate’s poor movepool, underwhelming bulk, and inability to run Thick Fat sets without being rendered excessively passive due to its lack of power or Knock Off leave the set below as the only viable one in the current metagame… and, even then, it is disappointing. Sucker Punch hits faster Pokémon decently hard; as Alolan Raticate’s Speed leaves a lot to be desired, you will often find yourself in this situation. Return is Alolan Raticate’s best STAB.

U-turn lets Raticate pivot out of the plethora of Pokémon that check it and lets it be of some use by potentially allowing you to gain momentum. Pursuit lets Alolan Raticate strike the Psychic- and Ghost-types it forces out for solid damage. Bear in mind, however, that it cannot switch into many of them, as offensive Ghost- and Psychic-types often carry Fighting-type coverage moves that annihilate Alolan Raticate.

Hustle boosts Alolan Raticate’s Attack stat to the equivalent of a fully invested, positively natured base 115 Attack, which isn’t actually that terrible, and Life Orb beefs up Alolan Raticate’s power further. In short, this is a “wallbreaker” that is slow, relatively frail, and extremely difficult to switch in, so it needs to be played very carefully.

Alolan Raticate Held Item Life Orb Ability Hustle EVs 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe Nature Jolly Moves Sucker Punch

Return

U-turn

Pursuit

Alolan Raichu

60/85/50/95/85/110

Pancakes sure did something for the Pokémon’s mascot evolution. Alolan Raichu delights in Electric Terrain due to its Surge Surfer ability (doubling its Speed whilst in Electric Terrain), making it an effective teammate for Tapu Koko. The Electric/Psychic typing helps it out, and even without assistance from Tapu Koko, it is still a reliably fast Pokémon.

Nasty Plot is also an option to the set provided below, paired with Psyshock to avoid any Special walling. Focus Blast allows it another option against Dark and Steel types like Ferrothorn. Encore may be preferred in the last moveslot to lock in opponents into a stat-boosting move.

Alolan Raichu Held Item Life Orb / Aloraichium Z Ability Surge Surfer EVs 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Nature Modest / Timid Moves Thunderbolt / Thunder

Psychic / Psyshock

Focus Blast

Nasty Plot / Grass Knot / Encore

Vikavolt

77/70/90/145/75/43

The Special Attack stat is what sticks out the most with Vikavolt. The base 43 Speed means it is forced to go slow or rely on Trick Room, but if it hits it is going to hurt. Choice Specs seems to be the ideal item to help it be a nuke machine. Levitate grants it a useful immunity as well and aids its good typing.

Vikavolt is, however, let down by a somewhat narrow movepool. Flash Cannon helps with Fairies but outside of its STABs, it lacks something to really hit most of the game. Hidden Power Ice will be only for opposing Ground and Dragon types, and Air Slash doesn’t quite help it. Its Defense is respectable but Special Defense is somewhat lacking, so it won’t be living for very long.

Vikavolt Held Item Choice Specs Ability Levitate EVs 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD Nature Modest Moves Thunderbolt

Bug Buzz

Volt Switch

Hidden Power Ice

Alolan Persian

65/60/60/75/65/115

Alolan Persian is a tricky character, and serves as an excellent lead and pivot. Its stats are pitiful, with the exception of its excellent Speed. However, it has two of the best abilities in the game: Fur Coat and Technician. Either ability can be used well. Fur Coat helps turn Persian-A into a physically bulky Pokémon, while Technician aids moves such as Fake Out.

In the coverage department, pure Dark is a fine typing, but its coverage pool is limited. However, a better plan is just to ignore the awful Attack stat by running Foul Play, which uses the opponent’s instead. Persian-A also has a decent support pool with Parting Shot, Taunt, Roar, and Toxic. Parting Shot in particular is an awesome move, as it allows you to scout what your opponent will send in, and then weaken its attack while switching out to a counter.

Darkinium Z is used for Parting Shot, as you can afford to not use your item slot for something else here. As a Z-Move, it provides Parting Shot with a Healing Wish affect, fully healing whatever ally comes in to replace Persian.

Alolan Persian Held Item Darkinium Z Ability Fur Coat / Technician EVs 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe Nature Jolly Moves Foul Play

Parting Shot

Taunt

Fake Out

Alolan Muk

105/105/75/65/100/50

Alolan Muk benefits from its newly acquired Dark typing; with one weakness, one immunity and four resistances, it is a somewhat bulky offensive Pokémon with two good choices for Abilities (Power of Alchemy however is only viable in VGC). Gluttony is for sets involving berries, while Poison Touch will make opponents worried to touch this pile of rainbow sludge for fear of taking residual poison damage.

It has a useful movepool, being one of the few SM Pokémon able to currently learn Knock Off. Muk can also pull off a Curse set. Gunk Shot does have lower accuracy but provides A-Muk with the ability to hurt the four Tapus. Shadow Sneak grants useful priority, while Rock Slide gives coverage. Assault Vest for an all-attacking set is another option to consider as well; you’d just want to watch out for its Physical Defenses and the lack of recovery options.

Alolan Muk Held Item Black Sludge Ability Poison Touch EVs 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD Nature Adamant / Brave Moves Knock Off

Poison Jab

Curse

Shadow Sneak / Fire Blast

Crabominable

97/132/77/62/67/43

Like Vikavolt, Crabominable will fancy the Trick Room environment, and can use Hammer Arm or Ice Hammer to further benefit the situation. Ice and Fighting is a good offensive pairing, but the number of weaknesses has done it a disservice. Its Attack stat is great, but its defences are lacking.

Ability choice depends on if you fear Intimidate users or want to give a boost to the likes of Ice Hammer and other punching moves (third slot). Anger Point is too gimmicky for Singles given its other choices. Earthquake is a staple for Fighting-types and adds useful coverage.

Crabominable Held Item Life Orb Ability Iron Fist / Hyper Cutter EVs 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD Nature Brave Moves Close Combat

Ice Hammer

Power-Up Punch / Crabhammer

Earthquake

Alolan Dugtrio

35/100/60/50/70/110

This curiosity loses perhaps the biggest positive it had in its regular form: Arena Trap. Sand Force seems to be its best bet now. Tangling Hair may better suit a set for setting up Stealth Rocks, then hitting before death through a Memento in an alternative, more gimmicky set (or a Z Memento with the Darkinium Z Crystal). Steel typing and a slightly higher Defense stat (traded for lower Speed) give it another STAB and the ability to absorb more physical attacks in general. The pitiful HP stat is not helping it survive much beyond priority, however.

Sadly even Sand Force fails to really set it apart with the likes of Excadrill given the very low HP and lower Attack stats, and this may be one of the few Alolan forms that shall remain worse off to the original, bald Dugtrio. At least it is fabulous.

Alolan Dugtrio Held Item Life Orb / Darkinium Z Ability Sand Force EVs 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe Nature Jolly Moves Earthquake

Iron Head

Stone Edge / Rock Slide

Memento / Toxic

Oricorio

75/70/70/98/70/93

Oricorio is an unusual Pokémon with four forms, each with a separate typing. The Pom-Pom (Electric/Flying) and Sensu (Ghost/Flying) forms are recommended, but the other forms can be considered based on your team. Sadly it only has the one ability which is more useful for Doubles, as it relies on partners or opponents using dancing moves (e.g. Dragon Dance and Quiver Dance). Expect it on VGC teams, but not in any high tier of Singles. It doesn’t help that there’s an alternative choice (e.g. Zapdos, Sigilyph, Talonflame, and Driftblim) for each of its typings either.

Oricorio Held Item Choice Scarf / Choice Specs Ability Dancer EVs 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Nature Timid Moves Revelation Dance

Hurricane / Air Slash

Hidden Power Ground

U-turn

Ribombee

60/55/60/95/70/124

Ribombee is surprisingly fast and sets itself up as the fastest Fairy type in the game. It also carries a respectable Special Attack stat. It is let down by its defenses, but has a decent typing and basic movepool with solid Bug and Fairy STABs. Quiver Dance is the most appealing choice for its sets.

Shield Dust will be the optimal ability, preventing flinches and paralysis or burns from the likes of Discharge and Scald. Sweet Veil does shut down Spore users, however.

Ribombee Held Item Life Orb / Focus Sash Ability Shield Dust EVs 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Nature Timid Moves Quiver Dance

Bug Buzz / Pollen Puff

Moonblast

Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Fire / Psychic

Lycanroc

75/115/65/55/65/112

Lycanroc has two forms, but its Midday form is the clear winner. It needs all the speed it can get as the minor buff to its Midnight form’s defences is not worth the trade-off. It also has the superior ability (while No Guard is good, it only really benefits Stone Edge) and access to a priority Rock-type attack. One wonders why the Midnight form was so shafted.

Lycanroc’s movepool remains somewhat narrow, earning the status of the first Rock type without access to Earthquake. Swords Dance helps it hit hard, but outside of Accelerock and Stone Edge you may be resorting to using Brick Break or Fang attacks… hardly an impressive set. You’ll ideally want to use it as a late-game sweeper and revenge killer, and consider it in Sandstorm teams. Stealth Rock and Taunt are other options if you want it to lead.

Lycanroc (Midday) Held Item Life Orb / Stone Plate Ability Sand Rush EVs 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Nature Jolly / Adamant Moves Swords Dance

Accelerock

Stone Edge

Fire Fang / Brick Break

Wishiwashi

45/20/20/25/25/40

45/140/130/140/135/30 (Schooling Form)

It is essential that Wishiwashi stays above 25% health given the immense stat boosts it gains – higher than the pseudo-legendaries – or it’ll have worse stats than pitiful Sunkern. Investing into HP and the attack stat of choice is the way to go, given the Base 30 Speed stat, which can allow it to function in Trick Room. Wishiwashi can also pull off mixed sets thanks to a movepool boasting Hydro Pump, Scald, Ice Beam, Earthquake and U-turn.

The choice of item is up to you. Chesto Berry plus Rest if pulled off gives Wishiwashi a new life, while Leftovers can potentially keep it above 25% that one extra turn. It does need a higher HP stat to let that be a real worry for an opponent outside of Trick Room however. Alternatively, a Choice item can ensure it hits hard and may be ideal for either breaking walls or cleaning up… if you don’t mind taking a hit first.

Wishiwashi Held Item Chesto Berry / Leftovers / Aguav Berry Ability Schooling EVs 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpA Nature Quiet Moves Scald / Hydro Pump

Ice Beam

Earthquake / U-turn

Rest / U-turn

Toxapex

50/63/152/53/142/35

Its defensive stats speak for itself. Even the low HP is well compensated by its Defense and Special Defense. It also has great Abilities, with Regenerator in particular, especially paired with Recover, ensuring it almost never dies. Merciless is an option, but it relies on poisoning opponents to be viable, and realistically Toxapex’s attacking potential is fairly low.

Scald remains the best STAB choice despite the nerf to burns. Toxic or Toxic Spikes depends on how you want to fit Toxapex into your team, while Haze prevents Toxapex being set up upon. Black Sludge aids its recovery options, although Rocky Helmet can discourage physical attackers all the more.

Toxapex Held Item Black Sludge / Rocky Helmet Ability Regenerator EVs 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD Nature Bold Moves Scald

Haze

Recover

Toxic / Toxic Spikes

Mudsdale

100/125/100/55/85/35

Mudsdale has decent bulk and a fairly high attack stat, but has poor speed and a shallow movepool for the OU metagame. The EVs allow it to outspeed Pokémon such as slower variants of Clefable, Magearna, Celesteela, Tyranitar, and Pelipper. With a Choice Band, Heavy Slam can OHKO Clefable or Tapu Lele quite easily. Close Combat deals super effective damage to Ferrothorn, Heatran, Chansey, and Excadrill. Rock Slide is good coverage against Volcarona or Zapdos, while Earthquake is its only STAB ground type move. A Choice Band is preferable if you want to deal as much damage as possible, or you can have an Assault Vest to give Mudsdale more bulk against Pokémon who use Hidden Power Ice like Zapdos.

Mudsdale Held Item Choice Band / Assault Vest Ability Stamina EVs 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe Nature Adamant Moves Earthquake

Close Combat

Heavy Slam

Rock Slide

Araquanid

68/70/92/50/132/42

Araquanid is a specially defensive spider lacking a couple of legs and more importantly offensive and Speed stats. Happily, its unique Water Bubble ability makes its Water attacks hit a lot harder, doubling the power of such attacks (something not mentioned in its in-game description). As an added bonus, Water Bubble protects it from the burns that would cripple it and gives it a handy resistance to Fire attacks.