How to evolve
Hisuian form
Hisuian Zorua
Hisuian ZoroarkLevel 30
Zoroark Best Moveset
AbilityIllusion disguises Zoroark as the last Pokemon in the party, making opponents misread the type matchup. 120 Sp. Atk at 105 Speed behind Dark TermStab with Held ItemFocus Sash and NatureTimid fires fast special damage. The moveset wins games through information asymmetry. 60/60/60 bulk folds to anything once the illusion breaks. The mind game IS the competitive advantage.
Illusion disguised Zoroark as the last Pokemon in the party in Gen V (Black & White). Mind games on every switch-in. 105/120 offenses hit hard once the opponent guessed wrong.
Best Moves
Best Build
Zoroark best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Dark Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power Ice
Recommended Teammates
Between tiers in Gen VI (X & Y). Team Preview showed the full team, and experienced players identified the Illusion pattern. The surprise factor faded fast.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Nasty Plot
- Focus Blast
Recommended Teammates
Two gens between tiers in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Illusion still tricked inexperienced opponents but the competitive format figured out the tells. Dark Pulse and Flamethrower coverage wasn't enough.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Dark Pulse
- Sludge Bomb
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Three gens of decline in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). The mind game that defined Zoroark was solved. Predictable without the element of surprise.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Dark Pulse
- Trick
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Fell further in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Hisuian Zoroark's Normal/Ghost typing was more competitively interesting than the original's pure Dark. Outclassed by its own regional variant, like Goodra.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Nasty Plot
- Sludge Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Zoroark Weakness
Zoroark's Dark typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting, Bug, and Fairy. It shrugs off Psychic-type attacks completely. At base 105 Speed, Zoroark outspeeds most threats and doesn't need to tank what it can outrun.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting, Bug, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Ghost, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
What is Zoroark Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Zoroark
Dragapult can KO Zoroark with Draco Meteor (102-120%).
S | ||
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Dragapult builds →U Turn 2x62-73% Draco Meteor102-120%KO Shadow Ball31-37% | ||
S | ||
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Great Tusk builds →Rapid Spin32-38% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn20-24% Scald16-20% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Kingambit builds →Sucker Punch25-30% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Gholdengo builds →Shadow Ball26-30% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Iron Valiant builds →Moonblast 2x113-133%KO Close Combat 2x113-133%KO Knock Off15-18% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityProtosynthesis ItemBooster Energy NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Raging Bolt builds →Thunderclap50-59% Thunderbolt65-76% Dragon Pulse61-72% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityMultiscale ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Dragonite builds →Extreme Speed57-67% Earthquake71-84% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch42-49% Knock Off34-40% U Turn 2x146-172%KO Close Combat 2x249-293%KO | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDauntlessshield ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Zamazenta builds →Crunch24-28% Close Combat 2x144-169%KO | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Gliscor builds →Earthquake40-47% Knock Off13-15% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityQuarkdrive ItemBooster Energy NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Iron Moth builds →Dazzling Gleam 2x98-116%KO Energy Ball55-65% | ||
 Urshifu FightingDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnseenfist ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Urshifu builds →Close Combat 2x341-401%KO Close Combat 2x341-401%KO | ||
Evolution
Evolved from Zorua. Zoroark is the final form in this two-stage line. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs take an average time to hatch. Attack grew the most through evolution (+40 over Zorua), and Zoroark peaks at 510 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Zoroark to get Zorua eggs using 278 partners from the Field egg group.
Shiny Zoroark
Zoroark swaps the dark gray and red highlights for a purple-and-blue scheme that leans harder into its trickster persona. It looks like something out of a neon-lit alley, honestly. The color shift is dramatic enough to warrant A Tier, especially when you catch that purple fur mid-animation.
Shiny Zoroark Odds & Hunting Methods
9 of 9 VerifiedHow do we research these odds?
We check every game where a shiny is possible, then rank each one by the best method available in that game, so the row at the top is the fastest route overall.
Odds marked verified are cross-checked against multiple independent sources before we publish them. Where a rate is not yet confirmed we mark the row pending rather than guess a number.
Read our full methodologyHow to Get Zoroark
Zoroark appears at moderate rates across 4 spots in late-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Zoroark in SV
Zorua is your first catch on the way to Zoroark. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 16-56 across 14 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch ZoruaTagtree Thicket - ForestLv.16-31OverworldRate 3%West Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.16-31OverworldRate 3%West Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.16-31OverworldRate 2%
Step 2Zoroark ✓Casseroya Lake - ForestLv.45-56OverworldRate 1%Tagtree Thicket - ForestLv.45-56OverworldRate 1%West Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.45-56OverworldRate 1%Socarrat TrailLv.52-56Overworldor evolve from Zorua (Step 1)
Not landing the catch? Calculate Zoroark catch rates for Scarlet & Violet by ball, status, and HP.
3 encounter spots for Zoroark at decent spawn rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Zoroark in PLA
To get Zoroark, start by catching Zorua through walking encounters at Lv. 16-70. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
- Step 1Catch ZoruaBonechill WastesLv.16-70GrassUncommonAlabaster IcelandsGrassMass outbreak
- Step 2Zoroark ✓Lake AcuityLv.12-70GrassLimitedBonechill WastesLv.16-70GrassUncommonAlabaster IcelandsGrassMass outbreakor evolve from Zorua (Step 1)
You'll find Zoroark at Loop Lagoon as a set encounter. It's always there at that location, so come prepared for the battle. The location details below cover exact positioning.
How to Obtain Zoroark in SwSh
Zorua is your first catch on the way to Zoroark. You'll find walking and fixed encounters from Lv. 10-18 across 6 total spots in the chain.
- Step 1Catch ZoruaForest of FocusLv.13-18GrassRate 15%Heavy FogForest of FocusLv.10-15OverworldRate 10%Heavy Fog
- Step 2Zoroark ✓Loop LagoonInteract with PokemonRate 100%or evolve from Zorua (Step 1)
Zoroark stalks the tall grass of Poni Grove, the illusion fox prowling that late-game thicket anywhere from level 52 to 55.
Where To Catch Zoroark in USUM
To get Zoroark, start by catching Zorua through walking encounters at Lv. 5-8. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Not landing the catch? Calculate Zoroark catch rates for Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon by ball, status, and HP.
Base Stats
The stat budget goes to damage. Sp. Atk and Attack carry the offense, HP doesn't even come close. An Illusion Fox Pokemon on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve, worth 2 Sp. Atk EVs per KO.
Each has the ability to fool a large group of people simultaneously. They protect their lair with illusory scenery.
Zoroark Event Distributions
Zoroark reaches players through several Mystery Gift distributions, though it is far from a regular.
Zoroark (Hisui) GiftFeb 2023 - Mar 2024ScarletVioletNot shiny
A special Zoroark!Sep 2011BlackWhiteBlack 2White 2Not shiny
It's a Zoroark full of tricks!Omega RubyAlpha SapphireNot shiny
Pokemon EXPO Gym ZoroarkXYOmega RubyAlpha SapphireNot shiny
Zoroark Guide
Use Zoroark as a sweeper. Splits damage between physical and special. It outspeeds most threats,
Build your team around Hatterene, Dragapult, and Thundurus Therian. These have the highest co-usage rates with Zoroark in competitive formats. They cover each other's weaknesses.
Zoroark has a Hisuian form that swaps the typing and reshuffles the stats. Introduced in Gen 8. Worth checking if the original version doesn't fit your team.
Run Timid on Zoroark. +Speed is what matters, and the -Attack cut doesn't hurt this set. Fits the sweeper role.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Black & White, Zoroark has appeared in 9 titles over 5 generations. Along the way, it received a Hisuian form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7Let's Go
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves
Explore
Where to go next after Zoroark.
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