Is Lycanroc Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?
Lycanroc Midday at 112 Speed and 115 Attack is a fast Rock physical attacker. Handles Kabu, Raihan's Sandaconda, and contributes against Melony (Shield). AbilitySand Rush doubles Speed in sandstorm, pairing well with Hippowdon. Midnight form trades speed for bulk. Either form handles the midgame competently.
Milo's team hits Rockruff's weaknesses hard.
Rockruff trades roughly evenly with Nessa's team.
Rockruff has the type edge here and should clean up Kabu's team.
Bea's Pokemon outpace and outclass Rockruff here.
Opal's typing presses Rockruff's defenses.
Rockruff trades roughly evenly with Gordie's team.
Piers's team hits Rockruff's weaknesses hard.
Raihan's Pokemon outpace and outclass Rockruff here.
Bede's team hits Rockruff's weaknesses hard.
Lycanroc trades roughly evenly with Leon's team.
Catch Rockruff on Challenge Road (overworld, Lv 10-15). Snowstorm.
Usually ready to evolve before you reach Leon, at typical party pace.
How to Get Lycanroc in Sword & Shield
Can't catch Lycanroc directly. Start with Rockruff at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 25. The 2-stage line from Rockruff to Lycanroc is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Lycanroc in SwSh
To get Lycanroc, start by catching Rockruff through walking encounters at Lv. 10-21. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch RockruffChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%SnowstormChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%Heavy FogChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%SnowingChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%OvercastChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%SandstormChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%ThunderstormChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%Normal WeatherChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%RainingChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%Intense SunChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%RainingChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%Intense SunChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%SnowstormChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%Heavy FogChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%SnowingChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%OvercastChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%SandstormChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%ThunderstormChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%Normal Weather
Step 2Lycanroc ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Lycanroc egg.
Lycanroc Weakness
Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel moves hit Lycanroc for super-effective damage. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Lycanroc leans offensive (base 115 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying |
What is Lycanroc Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Lycanroc
 Roselia GrassPoison | C | |
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodHoneycalm Island Surfing | ||
 Eldegoss Grass | C | |
 Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
 Hitmonchan Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Hitmonchan builds →Drain Punch 2x82-97% Bullet Punch 2x30-36% | ||
 Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x110-130%KO Metal Claw 2x71-84% | ||
 Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Hippowdon builds →Dig 2x94-111%KO Revenge 2x47-56% | ||
 Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Pangoro builds →Vital Throw 2x89-105%KO Dig 2x68-81% Bullet Punch 2x35-41% | ||
 Sawk Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Sawk builds →Brick Break 2x98-116%KO Dig 2x68-81% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodHoneycalm Island Surfing | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x112-132%KO Metal Claw 2x70-83% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Hippowdon builds →Dig 2x94-111%KO Revenge 2x48-57% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Pangoro builds →Vital Throw 2x92-109%KO Dig 2x68-81% Bullet Punch 2x34-41% | ||
Sawk Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Sawk builds →Brick Break 2x97-114%KO Dig 2x68-81% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodHoneycalm Island Surfing | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x107-127%KO Smart Strike 2x93-110%KO Brick Break 2x67-80% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Pangoro builds →Brick Break 2x93-110%KO Dig 2x66-78% Bullet Punch 2x34-41% | ||
 Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Passimian builds →Brick Break 2x91-108%KO Bulldoze 2x48-58% | ||
 Mudsdale Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Mudsdale builds →Earthquake 2x125-148%KO Low Sweep 2x54-64% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Hippowdon builds →Dig 2x91-108%KO Revenge 2x46-55% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x109-129%KO Smart Strike 2x95-113%KO Brick Break 2x68-81% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x117-138%KO Revenge 2x47-56% | ||
Hitmonchan Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Hitmonchan builds →Focus Punch 2x165-194%KO Bulldoze 2x44-53% Bullet Punch 2x30-36% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Pangoro builds →Brick Break 2x95-113%KO Dig 2x68-80% Bullet Punch 2x34-41% | ||
Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Passimian builds →Brick Break 2x93-111%KO Bulldoze 2x50-59% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x111-131%KO Smart Strike 2x97-115%KO Brick Break 2x69-82% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x118-140%KO Revenge 2x48-57% | ||
 Duraludon SteelDragon | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Duraludon builds →Solar Beam 2x99-117%KO Brick Break 2x51-61% Stomping Tantrum 2x51-61% Metal Claw 2x53-63% | ||
 Rhydon GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 2x133-156%KO Hammer Arm 2x88-104%KO Smart Strike 2x63-74% Whirlpool 2x15-18% | ||
Hitmonchan Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Hitmonchan builds →Focus Punch 2x166-196%KO Bulldoze 2x44-53% Bullet Punch 2x31-36% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x138-163%KO Smart Strike 2x98-115%KO Brick Break 2x69-82% | ||
Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Passimian builds →Close Combat 2x150-176%KO Bulldoze 2x50-59% | ||
 Gurdurr Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Gurdurr builds →Focus Punch 2x167-197%KO Dig 2x59-70% | ||
 Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Gallade builds →Close Combat 2x154-182%KO Solar Blade 2x107-126%KO Bulldoze 2x52-61% | ||
 Kommo-o DragonFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Kommo-o builds →Close Combat 2x138-163%KO Stomping Tantrum 2x58-69% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x138-163%KO Smart Strike 2x98-115%KO Brick Break 2x69-82% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Pangoro builds →Close Combat 2x154-182%KO Earthquake 2x85-101%KO Bullet Punch 2x35-42% | ||
Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Passimian builds →Close Combat 2x150-176%KO Earthquake 2x83-98% Energy Ball 2x32-38% | ||
Gurdurr Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Gurdurr builds →Focus Punch 2x167-197%KO Dig 2x59-70% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Gallade builds →Close Combat 2x154-182%KO Solar Blade 2x107-126%KO Earthquake 2x86-102%KO | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x138-163%KO Smart Strike 2x98-115%KO Brick Break 2x69-82% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Pangoro builds →Close Combat 2x154-182%KO Earthquake 2x85-101%KO Bullet Punch 2x35-42% | ||
Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Passimian builds →Close Combat 2x150-176%KO Earthquake 2x83-98% Energy Ball 2x32-38% | ||
Gurdurr Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Gurdurr builds →Focus Punch 2x167-197%KO Dig 2x59-70% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Gallade builds →Close Combat 2x154-182%KO Solar Blade 2x107-126%KO Earthquake 2x86-102%KO | ||
In Sword & Shield, Gyarados can KO Lycanroc with Waterfall (125-147%). Lucario threatens a KO with Close Combat (221-260%). Excadrill's Earthquake also KOs at 164-193%.
Gyarados Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemWacanberry NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Gyarados builds →Waterfall 2x125-147%KO Earthquake 2x103-122%KO Crunch41-49% | ||
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Lucario builds →Extreme Speed25-29% Close Combat 2x221-260%KO Aura Sphere 2x111-131%KO | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySandrush ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x164-193%KO Rapid Spin14-16% | ||
 Metagross SteelPsychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityClearbody ItemAssault Vest NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Lycanroc View Metagross builds →Earthquake 2x120-141%KO | ||
Lycanroc Evolutions
Lycanroc doesn't evolve, so breeding's where the action is. You'll find a massive partner pool across one egg group, and eggs are quick to hatch. It's got 3 egg moves worth looking into. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
SwSh Lycanroc Best Moveset
115 Attack and 112 Speed behind Rock TermStab make the moveset a fast physical attacker. AbilitySand Rush doubles Speed in sand for even more pace. E-tier because 75/65/65 bulk is paper thin and Rock typing alone provides limited offensive coverage plus common weaknesses.
Best Build
Lycanroc best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Stallbreaker Moveset
- Accelerock
- Stealth Rock
- Endeavor
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Don't skip the egg moves. Lycanroc picks up Endeavor and Last Resort only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Stone Edge and Rock Slide while coverage across 9 types adds range.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Base Stats
This form of Lycanroc is normally calm and quiet. Once a battle begins, however, this Pokémon displays a ferocious fighting spirit.
These Pokémon have both calm and ferocious qualities. Their temperamental nature makes them a difficult species to raise.
Lycanroc Sword & Shield Guide
In Sword & Shield, Sand Rush changes the entire equation for Lycanroc. The 487 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a sweeper. Accelerock with Focus Sash is the standard set.
In Sword & Shield, watch for Gyarados (Water), Exeggutor (Grass), and Blaziken (Fighting) when using Lycanroc. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Ground and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. Lycanroc's base 112 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
Sand Rush is what you want on Lycanroc. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Keen Eye, Steadfast) work on paper but Sand Rush is what makes Lycanroc worth using. With base 112 Speed, Sand Rush gives Lycanroc an edge before opponents can react.
Base 112 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Lycanroc is a physical attacker with base 115 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.
In Sword & Shield, run Accelerock, Stealth Rock, Endeavor, and Taunt on Lycanroc. Accelerock is the most common pick at 0% usage. This set covers the sweeper role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Lycanroc joined the series in Sun & Moon and has been available in 4 titles so far. With 4 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
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 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SMDebut
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves