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.
Stories say those who tried to catch Zoroark were trapped in an illusion and punished.
Each has the ability to fool a large group of people simultaneously. They protect their lair with illusory scenery.
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 |
Flutter Mane can KO Zoroark with Moonblast (184-217%). Mienfoo's High Jump Kick also KOs at 143-168%.
 Flutter Mane GhostFairy | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityProtosynthesis ItemBooster Energy NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Flutter Mane builds →Moonblast 2x184-217%KO Shadow Ball39-46% Dazzling Gleam 2x155-183%KO | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn30-36% | ||
 Mienfoo Fighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemEviolite NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Mienfoo builds →Knock Off12-14% U Turn 2x51-61% High Jump Kick 2x143-168%KO | ||
 Scizor BugSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch63-74% U Turn 2x219-257%KO Knock Off34-40% Close Combat 2x249-293%KO | ||
 Urshifu FightingDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnseenfist ItemFocus Sash NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Urshifu builds →Close Combat 2x250-294%KO Sucker Punch36-43% | ||
Evolved from Zorua. Zoroark is the final form in this two-stage line. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. 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 Ground egg group.
You commit to a move every time Zoroark comes in. Choice Specs gives boosted special damage with move lock, and Illusion adds to that. Max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs make sure the locked move actually hurts. Fire coverage covers the rest.
Best Build
Zoroark best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Sludge Bomb
- Trick
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Low Kick
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
- Nasty Plot
Doubles Special Stallbreaker Moveset
- Memento
- Taunt
- Snarl
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
- Dark Pulse
- Psychic
Recommended Teammates
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Trick
- Taunt
- Memento
- Roar
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Dark Pulse
- Trick
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Foul Play
- Sucker Punch
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Dark Pulse
- Sludge Bomb
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Dark Pulse
- Sludge Bomb
- Nasty Plot
Moves
STAB runs through Foul Play and Night Daze for the basics, but Zoroark's real strength is the 10-type coverage spread. Normal and Bug hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
A solid spread overall. Zoroark gets Dark Pulse and Snarl for same-type damage alongside coverage across 7 types. It won't blow anyone away, but it doesn't leave you stuck either.
STAB runs through Foul Play and Night Daze for the basics, but Zoroark's real strength is the 10-type coverage spread. Normal and Bug hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
You'll want to breed for Captivate and Copycat on Zoroark. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Foul Play and Night Daze, they expand what Zoroark can actually threaten in practice.
Finding Zoroark at low spawn rates takes patience. 6 spots are available in late-game routes, but the rate difference between them matters. Lock in the top one from the sorted list below.
Where To Catch Zoroark in Scarlet & Violet
Zorua is your first catch on the way to Zoroark. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 16-56 across 12 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch ZoruaTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.16-31 Forest3%MidTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.16-31 Forest3%MidWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.16-31 Route3%MidWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.16-31 Route3%MidWest Province (Area Three) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.16-31 Route2%MidWest Province (Area Three) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.16-31 Route2%Mid
Step 2Zoroark ✓Casseroya Lake - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.45-56 Water1%LateCasseroya Lake - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.45-56 Water1%LateTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.45-56 Forest1%LateTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.45-56 Forest1%LateWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.45-56 Route1%LateWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.45-56 Route1%Lateor evolve from Zorua (Step 1)
2 encounter spots for Zoroark at decent spawn rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Zoroark in Legends: Arceus
To get Zoroark, start by catching Zorua through walking encounters at walking. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch ZoruaBonechill WastesGrassUncommon
Step 2Zoroark ✓Bonechill WastesGrassUncommonLake AcuityGrass WaterUncommonor evolve from Zorua (Step 1)
No wild encounters for Zoroark. The 2-stage line runs through Zorua, which you can catch at decent rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 30 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Zoroark in Sword & Shield
Zorua is your first catch on the way to Zoroark. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 10-18 across 4 total spots in the chain.
- Step 1Catch ZoruaForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest15%EarlyHeavy FogForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest15%EarlyHeavy FogForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest10%EarlyHeavy FogForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest10%EarlyHeavy Fog
- Step 2Zoroark ✓
A few locations for Zoroark with decent spawn rates across endgame routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Zoroark in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
To get Zoroark, start by catching Zorua through walking encounters at Lv. 5-55. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch ZoruaRoute 1 - Trainers' SchoolUltra SunGrass Lv.5-8 Route30%EarlyRoute 1 - Trainers' SchoolUltra MoonGrass Lv.5-8 Route30%Early
Step 2Zoroark ✓Poni GroveUltra SunGrass Lv.52-55 Forest20%PostPoni GroveUltra MoonGrass Lv.52-55 Forest20%Postor evolve from Zorua (Step 1)
We rate Zoroark B-Tier: a solid choice for the right team. At 510 BST, it fits the sweeper role. Base 120 Sp. Atk stands out.
Illusion takes the appearance of the last conscious party Pokémon upon being sent out until hit by a damaging move. That's the one you want on Zoroark. It's the only ability Zoroark has.
Base 105 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Zoroark is a special attacker with base 120 Sp. Atk. Best used as a sweeper.
Zoroark has answers, but so do you. Priority moves (Mach Punch, Aqua Jet, Ice Shard) bypass its speed. Bulky walls that resist its STAB also shut it down.
Since debuting in Black & White, Zoroark has appeared in 9 titles over 6 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 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves