Tyranitar Best Moveset
AbilitySand Stream sets sandstorm on entry, boosting all Rock-type Sp. Def by 50% and chipping non-Rock/Steel/Ground opponents. 134 Attack behind Rock/Dark TermStab with Held ItemChoice Band and NatureAdamant hits with staggering force. The moveset defines team composition because sandstorm changes the entire field. S-Tier for eight straight generations because nothing outperforms this combination.
134 Attack, 100 Sp. Atk, and Sand Stream summoned permanent Sandstorm in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Pursuit trapped Psychics, and the Rock/Dark coverage was unique.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
Sand Stream boosted Rock-type Sp. Def by 50% in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Tyranitar effectively had 150 Sp. Def in sand. Dragon Dance turned it into a sweeper too.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Hidden Power Bug
Recommended Teammates
Choice Band, Dragon Dance, and mixed attacker sets in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Opponents never knew which Tyranitar they were facing, and all three were dangerous.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Sand Stream war with Politoed's Drizzle defined Gen V (Black & White). Whoever controlled the weather controlled the game. Tyranitar's Sand won just as often.
Wall Moveset
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Superpower
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Weather nerfed to five turns but Tyranitar barely noticed in Gen VI (X & Y). Versatility, bulk, and coverage meant it didn't need permanent sand.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Stone Edge
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Superpower
Recommended Teammates
Six straight gens at the top in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Pursuit trapping remained essential, and Tyranitar adapted to Z-Moves and every new threat.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Pursuit
- Earthquake
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
Recommended Teammates
Heavy-Duty Boots removed Stealth Rock chip in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Dragon Dance Tyranitar was still one of the most dangerous setup sweepers available.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Eight consecutive gens at the top in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Rock/Dark, Sand Stream, 600 BST. The most consistent non-legendary Pokemon in competitive history.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Stone Edge
- Ice Punch
- Low Kick
Recommended Teammates
Tyranitar Weakness
Tyranitar is weak to Fighting, Water, Grass, Ground, Bug, Steel, and Fairy. Watch out for Fighting attacks, those deal 4x damage. On the flip side, it's immune to Psychic-type moves entirely. It resists 6 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Tyranitar's physical bulk (base 150 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Fighting |
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Ground, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying, Ghost, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
What is Tyranitar Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Tyranitar
Indeedee deals 38-45% with Dazzling Gleam.
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Recommended Build AbilitySynchronize ItemLeppaberry NatureRelaxed Moves View Rabsca builds →
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Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Tyranitar View Haunter builds →Shadow Ball10-12% Thunderbolt23-27% | ||
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Recommended Build AbilityPsychic Surge ItemTerrain Extender NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Tyranitar View Indeedee builds →Dazzling Gleam 2x38-45% | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureSassy Moves View Slowking-Galar builds →
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Recommended Build AbilityPsychic Surge ItemTerrain Extender NatureTimid Moves View Indeedee-F builds →
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Evolution
The three-stage chain from Larvitar through Pupitar ends here at Tyranitar. Want more? Breed for Larvitar eggs. Plenty of partners available via one egg group. The evolution from Larvitar pushed Tyranitar to 700 total stats. Attack saw the largest single gain at +100. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Tyranitar to get Larvitar eggs using 81 partners from the Monster egg group.
How to Get Tyranitar
Tyranitar doesn't appear wild. Catch Larvitar instead, it shows up at decent rates. Evolve it at level 55 to get Tyranitar. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Tyranitar in SV
Larvitar is your first catch on the way to Tyranitar. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 16-58 across 15 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch LarvitarSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainLv.16-28OverworldScarletRate 25%East Province (Area One) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldScarletRate 5%East Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldScarletRate 5%Glaseado MountainLv.16-38OverworldRate 5%North Province (Area One) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldScarletRate 5%North Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldScarletRate 5%North Province (Area Two) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldScarletRate 5%South Province (Area One) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldScarletRate 5%South Province (Area Six) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldScarletRate 5%West Province (Area One) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldScarletRate 5%West Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldScarletRate 5%West Province (Area Two) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldScarletRate 5%East Province (Area Three) - MineLv.16-38OverworldScarletRate 2%
Step 2Catch or Evolve PupitarSouth Province (Area Six) - CaveLv.42-58OverworldScarletRate 3%or evolve from Larvitar (Step 1)
Step 3Tyranitar ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Tyranitar egg.
moderate rates for Tyranitar across 1 locations in endgame routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Tyranitar doesn't appear wild. Catch Larvitar instead, it shows up at decent rates. Evolve it at level 55 to get Tyranitar. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Tyranitar in BDSP
Larvitar is your first catch on the way to Tyranitar. You'll find walking and special encounters from Lv. 6-63 across 5 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch LarvitarRoute 207Lv.6-7Using PokeRadarBrilliant DiamondRate 22%Big Bluff CavernLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameRocky CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve PupitarBig Bluff CavernLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameRocky CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameor evolve from Larvitar (Step 1)
Step 3Tyranitar ✓
Can't catch Tyranitar directly. Start with Larvitar at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 55. The 3-stage chain from Larvitar to Tyranitar is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Tyranitar in SwSh
The path to Tyranitar starts with Larvitar at Lv. 50-65 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch LarvitarRoaring-Sea CavesLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 10%All WeatherLake of OutrageLv.50-52GrassShieldRate 5%OvercastLake of OutrageLv.50-52GrassShieldRate 5%Intense Sun
Step 2Catch or Evolve PupitarLake of OutrageLv.50-52GrassShieldRate 2%SandstormLake of OutrageLv.55-58OverworldShieldRate 2%Sandstormor evolve from Larvitar (Step 1)
Step 3Tyranitar ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Tyranitar egg.
Base Stats
The stat bars tell the story: Attack carries everything and Speed's dead weight. But this Armor Pokemon still yields 3 Attack EVs per fight on a slow 1.25M XP grind.
If it rampages, it knocks down mountains and buries rivers. Maps must be redrawn afterward.
Tyranitar Guide
Tyranitar already has 700 BST going for it, and Sand Stream pushes the competitive value even higher. B-Tier wallbreaker on our tier list.
Yes. Mega Tyranitar is the evolved form, sitting at 800 BST. Big power spike over base Tyranitar (700). Equip the Mega Stone and it transforms in battle.
Tyranitar's biggest threats include Machamp (Fighting), Gyarados (Water), and Exeggutor (Grass), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Machamp is the most dangerous since Fighting moves deal 4x damage. Ground, Bug, Steel, and Fairy-type attackers are also a problem. With 7 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. Tyranitar has enough bulk to absorb a hit, but don't push the matchup. Pivot to a teammate that resists.
Tyranitar gets Sand Stream. But Sand Stream is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that. On wall sets, Sand Stream pairs with Tyranitar's base 150 Defense to absorb physical hits on the switch.
Tyranitar is a mixed attacker with base 164 Attack and 95 Sp. Atk. Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 71 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the wallbreaker role.
Game Availability
Available since Gold & Silver, Tyranitar appears in 18 games spanning 9 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained a Mega form in Generation 6.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
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 6ORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
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