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 AbilityInfiltrator ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Dragapult builds →U Turn 2x62-73% Draco Meteor102-120%KO Shadow Ball31-37% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn20-24% Scald16-20% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySupremeoverlord ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Kingambit builds →Sucker Punch25-30% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityGoodasgold ItemAir Balloon NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Gholdengo builds →Shadow Ball26-30% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Zoroark View Gliscor builds →Earthquake40-47% Knock Off13-15% | ||
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 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.
How to Get Zoroark
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 SV
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 - 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%or evolve from Zorua (Step 1)
2 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. 12-70. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch ZoruaBonechill WastesLv.16-70GrassRate 15%
Step 2Zoroark ✓Lake AcuityLv.12-70GrassRate 15%Bonechill WastesLv.16-70GrassRate 15%or 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 SwSh
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 FocusLv.13-18GrassRate 15%Heavy FogForest of FocusLv.10-15OverworldRate 10%Heavy Fog
- Step 2Zoroark ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Zoroark egg.
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 USUM
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' SchoolLv.5-8GrassRate 30%
Step 2Zoroark ✓Poni GroveLv.52-55GrassRate 20%or evolve from Zorua (Step 1)
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 Guide
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 mixed attacker with base 105 Attack and 120 Sp. Atk. Best used as a sweeper.
Run Dark Pulse, Flamethrower, Nasty Plot, and Sludge Bomb on Zoroark. Dark Pulse is the most common pick at 0% usage. This set covers the sweeper role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
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 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 7LGPE
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