High risk, high reward with Lycanroc. The offense is outstanding but the bulk won't survive much — 55 base Sp. Atk is the weak link. 5 type weaknesses to keep in mind. Introduced in Gen 7. Clears the crowded base-100 Speed benchmark.
The stat budget goes to damage. Attack and Speed carry the offense, Sp. Atk doesn't even come close. A Wolf Pokemon on a medium-fast 1M XP curve, worth 2 Attack EVs per KO.
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 Weakness
FragileWater, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel-type 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.
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Lycanroc to get Rockruff eggs easily using 138 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Endeavor, Last Resort, Thrash.
Accelerock is the main STAB option after a Swords Dance boost. Life Orb gives Lycanroc extra damage on every hit for a health trade to survive the setup turn, and max Attack and Speed EVs make the boosted hits count. The remaining moves catches resists.
Best Build
Best Lycanroc Moveset
- Accelerock
- Stone Edge
- Close Combat
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
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 Sword & Shield
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 RockruffMODERATEChallenge RoadShieldOverworldLv.10-155%EarlyRouteNormal WeatherMODERATEChallenge RoadShieldOverworldLv.10-155%EarlyRouteSnowstormMODERATEChallenge RoadShieldOverworldLv.10-155%EarlyRouteThunderstormMODERATEChallenge RoadShieldOverworldLv.10-155%EarlyRouteIntense SunMODERATEChallenge RoadShieldOverworldLv.10-155%EarlyRouteSnowingMODERATEChallenge RoadShieldOverworldLv.10-155%EarlyRouteSandstormMODERATEChallenge RoadShieldOverworldLv.10-155%EarlyRouteRainingMODERATEChallenge RoadShieldOverworldLv.10-155%EarlyRouteHeavy FogMODERATEChallenge RoadShieldOverworldLv.10-155%EarlyRouteOvercastMODERATEChallenge RoadSwordOverworldLv.16-215%MidRouteOvercastMODERATEChallenge RoadSwordOverworldLv.16-215%MidRouteNormal WeatherMODERATEChallenge RoadSwordOverworldLv.16-215%MidRouteSnowstormMODERATEChallenge RoadSwordOverworldLv.16-215%MidRouteThunderstormMODERATEChallenge RoadSwordOverworldLv.16-215%MidRouteIntense SunMODERATEChallenge RoadSwordOverworldLv.16-215%MidRouteSnowingMODERATEChallenge RoadSwordOverworldLv.16-215%MidRouteSandstormMODERATEChallenge RoadSwordOverworldLv.16-215%MidRouteRainingMODERATEChallenge RoadSwordOverworldLv.16-215%MidRouteHeavy Fog
Step 2Lycanroc ✓
Sand Rush changes the entire equation for Lycanroc. The 487 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a sweeper.
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.
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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.
Lycanroc can be found in Scarlet & Violet, Sword & Shield, Sun & Moon, and Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.
Lycanroc joined the series in Sun & Moon and has been available in 4 titles so far. With 3 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISMDebut
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A