What is a good moveset for Tyranitar?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Tyranitar, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for any of its pre-evolutions can also be shared on this thread.

Be sure to include full set details in your post, e.g. items, abilities, natures and EVs. Some detail, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Tyranitar Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

SUB-PUNCH SET
Tyranitar @ Smooth Rock / Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpA
Jolly / Careful Nature
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Thunderbolt / Fire Blast / Fire Punch
- Crunch / Earthquake

First off we have smooth rock to increase Tyranitar's Special defence and to get some chip damage for a bit longer, alternatively we have Leftovers to potentially get another use of substitute. Our ability is obviously sand stream and the EV's we are running are very important, 252 Hp makes our Tyranitar have 404 Hp this survives a Blissey seismic toss on 1 Hp so we can get our focus punch up and obliterate that Blissey or Chansey. For moves we have Substitute (Obviously) and Focus punch but the most unexpected ones are Thunderbolt, Fire Blast or Fire punch, The main reason to have fire punch is for Celesteelas but thunderbold or fire blast will deal more damage to Skarmorys so it really comes down to who you fear most. Lastly we have Crunch and Earthquake for coverage. In all this set is very niche but is very unexpected and always catches people off gaurd.

EDIT:It should be noted that Tyranitar can only learn fire punch in previous generations*

Answer 2

There's really no point in using Dragon Dance normal Tyranitar, since it's just too slow at +1 to outspeed anything. If you're gonna use DD, I would suggest this moveset:

Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Ice Punch / Fire Punch / Thunder Punch
- Dragon Dance

- Stone Edge --- Quite frankly just the strongest move Tyranitar can use, so it should be used as the primary attack when trying to sweep. Rock Slide can be used if you're afraid of missing, but Stone Edge's extra power is usually worth the risk.
- Crunch --- Crunch is the strongest dark-type move Tyranitar has access to (Other than Payback and Foul Play, but both of those attacks are completely pointless to run on a Dragon Dance boosting set), so it should be used on all Dragon Dance variations.
- Ice Punch/Fire Punch/ Thunder Punch --- After dual STAB, you should use one of the elemental punches to knock out Pokemon like Scizor, Landorus and Gyarados at +1. Iron Head or Poison Jab are also usable If you're really scared of fairies like Clefable or Diancie.
- Dragon Dance --- Dragon Dance is one of the scariest boosting moves in all of Pokemon, since it raises your attack to break through very defensive Pokemon, and it also raises your speed to outpace everything in the metagame at +3. Rock Polish is a possible replacement for Dragon Dance, in order to outspeed almost everything in one boost, but since DD also raises your attack, it is almost always preferred.

If you want to use a Defensive Tyranitar set, this is what I suggest:

Tyranitar @ Smooth Rock / Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 156 Atk / 100 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Ice Beam
- Stone Edge
- Pursuit
- Stealth Rock

Sand Stream --- You might think of using Unnerve if your team doesn't have any Pokemon to take advantage of the sand, but Sand Stream is always the better ability on Tyranitar. It breaks opposing Focus Sashes on switch-in, and boosts Tyranitar's already relatively high Special Defense even further.
- Ice Beam --- Looking at this set you might be thinking that using a special move on a Pokemon with such a high attack stat would be completely pointless, but Ice Beam is very useful on this version of Tyranitar. It hits Landorus and Garchomp VERY hard because they run physical defensive sets, and since they don't have any recovery moves, they cant stay in on you, meaning you can either Pursuit them, or use Stealth Rock.
- Stone Edge --- The strongest attack that Tyranitar has access to, when accounting for STAB, so it should always be used on all versions of Tyranitar. It knocks out Volcarona in one hit, and since your Special Defense stat is so high from Sand Stream, it can be used to stop a Volcarona sweep.
- Pursuit --- Traps a lot of Psychic-type Pokemon like Latios, Latias, and Alakazam (If they switch, Latios and Alakazam always get OHKO'd after Stealth Rock damage, and Latias gets OHKO'd after Stealth Rock and one turn of Life Orb damage). This can be switched out for Crunch if you'd rather just have an attack that will always be strong.
- Stealth Rock --- Since it's so bulky, Tyranitar will have a lot of opportunities to set up Rocks for your team.

Answer 3

Wow... Special Tyranitar is AMAZING!

Tyranitar @ Choice Specs
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Thunderbolt
- Surf

• Dark Pulse (Obligatory STAB)
• Flamethrower (Pesky Grass and Steel types!)
• Thunderbolt (Want sum, Starmie???)
• Surf (R.I.P. Landorus)

Comments

If you want to beat landorus, use ice beam instead of surf

Answer 4

I have an interesting moveset for Tyranitar: The Assult Vest T-Tar.

Tyranitar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch

Everyone knows that sandstorm allows Tyranitar to take special hits with ease. And that Tyranitar has great physical defense. So I thought: Why not put on an Assault Vest? Now equipped with an Assault Vest, Tyranitar becomes one of the bulkiest Pokemon in the game. Stone Edge is for spammable STAB. Crunch is for STAB, but also has a chance to decrease defense. Earthquake hits Klefki, along with rock types. The last move is Fire Punch, and is mainly used to hit Ferrothorn and Scizor.

The EVs allow Tyranitar to be as physically bulky as possible, while having some extra damage. Tyranitar does not need any special defense EVs, thanks to Assult Vest and Sand Stream. Sand Stream is essential for the special defense boost. Assult Vest works with Sand Stream to boost special defense to insane levels. Finally, an Impish Nature is used to increase physical bulk as much as possible.

Counters:

Physical fighting types: Even fully invested, fighting types can always break through tyranitar with a CC.

Chansey: Chansey can take any hit from Tyranitar with ease, and Soft-Boiled the damage away.

Toxic: Toxic wears down T-Tar, and with no form of recovery, the ancient T-Rex will eventually fall.

Let me know if I missed anything.

Please consider using! Thanks!

Answer 5

Tyranitar moveset:

Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite / Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Lax Nature
- Earthquake
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Dragon Dance

Partners: Aerodactyl/Flying type Pokemon with boost or immunity to sandstorm

1- Earthquake - Perfect with Aerodactyl’s immunity

2-Crunch- You STAB the enemy and you have a 30% chance of lowering the opponent’s defense

3-Stone Edge- A powerful move with high chances of critical hit (roughly 1/8)

4-Dragon Dance- Meanwhile Aerodactyl uses Rockslide Tyranitar uses dragon dance ‘cause there’s a chance of causing flinchin’

Comments

Sandstorm boosts SDef, not SAtk.

---

True sorry i fix it

---

Lax reduces Sp.def. Why not use impish and reduce a useless stat?

Answer 6

Tyranitar (F) @ Choice Band / Life Orb
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Focus Punch
- Crunch
- Stone Edge

• Earthquake (POWER AND A MUST FOR TTAR)
• Focus Punch (Can hit harder than a STAB Crunch but needs set up W/ Sleep or Paralysis from another Pokémon if Substitute isn’t used)
• Crunch (Strong STAB+ coverage for Pesky Psychics and Ghosts)
• Stone Edge (STAB and 2x Critical Hit Ratio) + Super-effective against 4 different types

I know I probably could have put the 252 points in D or SpD instead of health, but it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. Tyranitar already has naturally low Speed so I don’t see a reason to try to compensate for it. Just try to work with his natural strengths instead!

Answer 7

Here's what I'm running:

Tyranutar @ Kings Rock / Shell Bell
Ability: Sandstream
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Crunch
- Stealth Rock

This is a hazard setter T-Tar. Her main goal is to set up stealth rock and then keep swinging til she falls. Kings Rock to maybe grab an extra flinch or 2 on the few pkmn you'll outrun. You could also run it with shell bell for a little bit of recovery. (My Togekiss already has leftovers so I cant use it twice but that could also work here)

Comments

Where's the trapping part?

---

Apologies Ive always thought of hazards as traps. The "trap" here is stealth rock.

Answer 8

Even though Tyranitar has always been OU (unsurprisingly, and deservingly), Tyranitar has shot up in usage in SS. It fits right into the metagame, though it does have quite a few checks. It's best used as a bulky Stealth Rock setter and support, but it can run a mean Dragon Dance set and surprise your opponent. Even the unorthodox special attacking set isn't bad, even if it is outclassed. In conclusion, Tyranitar can fit into any play style, and you won't regret using it. Just watch out for fighting types.

1. Ubers

Tyranitar @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Thunder Wave
- Stealth Rock

The special defence investment and sandstorm help you check a lot of dangerous special attackers. Don't hesitate to switch it into Reshiram, Eternatus, Lunala, Kyurem-White and Mewtwo. Then predict their next move and attack, set up rocks or paralyse something. Just watch out for strong physical moves and Fighting-type coverage.
A special attacking set with Snarl and a Calm nature is not a bad set either.

1. OU

Tyranitar @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
- Fire Punch
- Crunch

Standard set. Set up rocks if given the opportunity, then attack. This set can dent the two common defoggers (Mandibuzz and Corviknight). Just watch out for Toxic from Mandibuzz and Body Press from Corviknight. The given speed EVs let it outspeed 0 Spe Mandibuzz.

Answer 9

Physical tank mega tyranitar

Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def
Adamant / Impish Nature
- Iron Defense
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
- Crunch

• Iron Defense: his sp.defense is boosted by sandstorm, so boost his defense and he can take a lot of hits
• Stealth Rock: to set up hazards
• Stone Edge: STAB, good power
• Crunch: STAB, more reliable than payback and assurance in my opinion

Answer 10

Tyranitar @ Chople Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Protect
- Low Kick
- Crunch
- Rock Slide

Works great in Gen 8 doubles paired with Excadrill. Excadrill would know Earthquake in this situation. Dynamax Tyranitar first turn on most occasions. Low Kick can be turned into Max Knuckle for Attack boosts.

Answer 11

Gen 8 AG CalyShadow + Yveltal counter

Tyranitar @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Rock Blast
- Foul Play
- Stealth Rock
- Rest
Explanation: Stealth Rocks to cripple opposing mons. Foul Play hits Calyrex-Shadow. Rock Blast hits Yveltal and other flying types as necessary. Rest is for recovery and gets rid of status.

Comments

Not a Cal-S counter as it falls prey to a +2 Savage Spin Out or whatever name (Pollen Z-Move).
Hell, it doesn’t even a check after a +2...

---

This isn't NatDex AG, this is gen *. There aren't any Z-moves.

Answer 12

Gen 8 SS Monotype (Dark)

Tyranitar @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Blast
- Heavy Slam
- Thunder Wave

This is the Standard Specially Defensive set that Dark Balance uses in Gen 8 SS Monotype. Stealth Rock is used to chip Pokemon switching in. Rock Blast is the rock STAB used on this set, as it has more PP, better accuracy than Stone Edge, and helps you deal with Pokemon such as SubRoost Kyurem. Heavy Slam allows Tyranitar to hit Hatterene as you can't setup Stealth Rock versus it due to Magic Bounce, as well allowing you to deal a good amount of damage to Pokemon like Clefable and Tapu Lele. Thunder Wave provides good utility for your team since you can slow down fast Pokemon with paralysis.

Answer 13

Tyranitar @Leftovers
Ability Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 ATK / 4 SpD
Adamant/Brave Nature
-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Stone Edge
-Payback
The idea of this set it to be tanky but still back a punch. Iron Head has coverage for pesky fairy types. I prefer to run payback > crunch or pursuit because ttar is slow (especially if you run brave nature) which plays right into payback. Also, with a max dmg of 100 damage, it makes it ttar's strongest dark type move. Stone edge is for STAB and EQ is there to help with sweeping. Left overs help to passively heal and keep ttar alive. Hope this set helps.

Answer 14

Oh boy! Here he comes!

Big Bones (Tyranitar) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sand Stream
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Earthquake
- Avalanche
- Stone Edge
- Crunch

Today, we got Tyranitar. Truly a powerhouse of unfathomable levels (ignore that it's in UU, so was Scizor in Gen 8). Anyways, we had to do Assault Vest. This set could also work well with our other AV friend Garchomp, even pairing with Sand Veil. It also eats special attacks for breakfast, stomaching the likes of Energy Ball Iron Moth and Glimmora, scaring Skeledirge and Rotom Wash out, and can switch into Specs Gholdengo's Make it Rain, something that few can manage. It also threatens the madlad of the tier, Clodsire, with a hurting Earthquake, letting your Gholdengo run free. It also has the advantage of taking out Specs Dragapult and Mixed Garchomp. Tera Ghost so you don't have that awful Fighting weakness (also Avalanche is the perfect move for Tyranitar).

Things You Beat:
Iron Moth
Gholdengo
Specs Dragapult
Garchomp
Glimmora
Ting-Lu
Clodsire

Things you Lose To:
Great Tusk
Greninja
Cinderace

Top Teammate
Scarf Gholdengo. Ghold cuts through all three of the checks for AV TTar and TTar gets Clodsire and other special walls.

Summary
This is one of my favorite sets I've ever made. It pairs great with Garchomp and Gholdengo, and those three alone can majorly hurt the entire OU tier. And if you have doubts about this set, just know that it's better than Scarf Regieleki.

MrKensa

Answer 15

Gen 9 National Dex UU Choice Band

Tyranitar @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
Tera Type: Rock
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Superpower

So, the DLC gave Tyranitar Knock Off, so here is a Choice Band set that should be used in Gen 9 NatDex UU so Tyranitar can have Knock Off alongside Pursuit. Stone Edge is Tyranitar's powerful STAB move, being able to 2HKO Pokemon such as Defensive Buzzwole and Specially Defensive Celesteela. Knock Off gives Tyranitar a really good Dark STAB that allows Tyranitar to punish switch-ins such as Hippowdon, Iron Hands, and Gastrodon by removing their items. Pursuit lets Tyranitar punish Pokemon such as Latios, Latias, Mega Latias lacking Aura Sphere, Slowking, and Galarian Slowking that try to switch out. Superpower is used to hit opposing Tyranitar super effectively, as well as being able to hit Steel-types such as Iron Treads and Excadrill.

Answer 16

Gen 9 National Dex UU Dragon Dance

Tyranitar-Mega @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
Tera Type: Rock
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Stone Edge
- Knock Off
- Low Kick

The standard Dragon Dance set Mega Tyranitar uses in NatDex UU, but with a different last slot for the coverage move. This set should be used on Hyper Offense teams. Dragon Dance boosts Mega Tyranitar's already high attack stat along with its speed stat so it can be a scary breaker than can clean through teams. Stone Edge is Mega Tyranitar's strongest STAB, being able to 2HKO Physically Defensive Pokemon such as Celesteela, Amoonguss, Skarmory, Hydrapple, and Tangrowth after a Dragon Dance boost. Knock Off is used for the Dark STAB since it is stronger than Crunch (due to the 1.5x boost) and has the utility of removing items, being able to cripple its checks such as Hippowdon and Skarmory. Knock Off is useful to hit Psychic- and Ghost-types such as Alakazam, Aegislash, and Slowbro super effectively. Usually, Mega Tyranitar uses Earthquake for the last slot. The one I'm posting has Low Kick instead. With Low Kick, Mega Tyranitar can actually deal a lot more damage to Ting-Lu. Low Kick also allows Mega Tyranitar to OHKO opposing Mega Tyranitar, which is nice if you have to speedtie against one. Low Kick also lets Mega Tyranitar hit Hydreigon super effectively so you don't have to rely on Stone Edge landing. You also still have a coverage move to hit Excadrill with, which is useful to have. This set uses Jolly Nature since Mega Tyranitar already has a high attack, and it allows Mega Tyranitar to outspeed Alakazam after one Dragon Dance boost.

Answer 17

Tyranitar @ Focus Sash
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Polish
- Stone Edge
- Foul Play

I found this build Really good in Ubers. Stone Edge is a PowerFul STAB Which Rips Even Shuckle. Use Rock Polish by predicting switches. Foul Play is a nice STAB and Can Kill Swords dance builds. Earthquake is there for coverage and sometimes To finish the Work Stone edge has left. Focus sash is there to Prevent OHKOs From Fighting and Water moves so Tyranitar can Chip away some health.

Comments

How is this set good in Ubers?

---

Why Foul play over crunch and WHY focus sash.

Answer 18

Physical Tyranitar

Tyranitar @ Focus Sash
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 5 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def
Jolly Nature
- Aerial Ace
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Dig

• Aerial Ace (covers fighting weakness)
• Stone Edge (STAB)
• Crunch (STAB)
• Dig (covers steel weakness + avoids damage for 1 turn)

Comments

You do realize that Aerial Ace is a 60 base power move, so even a super effective Aerial Ace will be really weak? Why in the world are you putting Focus Sash on a Pokemon with good enough defenses and then putting 252 EVs into Defense? Why did you give it Jolly if you didn't give it any Speed EVs at all? What benchmarks will Tyranitar hit with Jolly and 0 Speed EVs? Are you seriously going to use the 2 turn dig, which can easily be switched into with Flying types, over the 1 turn, stronger Earthquake?

---

this has to be a joke moveset.