What is a good moveset for Espathra?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Espathra, 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 explanation, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Espathra Pokedex & learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Espathra @ Leftovers
Ability: Speed Boost
Tera Type: Fairy / Fighting
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Roost
- Dazzling Gleam / Tera Blast
- Stored Power

This thing is really mean with CM + Speed Boost + PhysDef. Calm Mind is 1 of the 2 things that makes this thing strong, giving it special attack and special defense boosts. Roost allows this thing to stay alive while setting up. Dazzling Gleam hits dark types, and Tera Fairy boosts its damage and gives it Dragon immunity and Knock Off and Sucker Punch resist, but Tera Blast and Fighting can be used to give it the same resistance to Dark but also gives you a hit against Steels. Stored Power with Speed Boost is basically a 30+ (with STAB) BP move for every turn you are on the field, and with only 2 CMs, combined with Speed Boost and STAB it is a base 210 power attack. With the physically defensive EVs and Bold Nature, it can also tank hits from the physical side. Lefties allows you to keep setting up CMs or attacking instead of having to use your precious Roost PP.

Answer 2

Gen 9 Ubers Defensive Baton Passer

Espathra @ Leftovers
Ability: Speed Boost
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 200 HP / 200 Def / 108 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Lumina Crash
- Baton Pass
- Calm Mind

Strategy is simple here. Alternate between Protect and Calm Mind, use Lumina Crash when possible, and Baton Pass to special attackers such as Chi-Yu. Defensive investment to outlive hits while using Calm Mind, and Tera Fairy to resist U-Turn and Chi-Yu’s Dark Pulse. The 108 Speed EVs ensure outspeeding the whole unboosted meta aside from Dragapult after a Protect.

Answer 3

This is a moveset I use in Pokemon Showdown 1v1. It's kinda cheap and I haven't yet lost with it.

Espathra (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Speed Boost
Shiny: Yes
Tera Type: Psychic
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Substitute
- Stored Power
- Dazzling Gleam

Start by using Protect, and let Speed Boost do its thing. Next turn use Substitute. Rinse and repeat until your speed is 4x. Then Stored Power will 1HKO just about anything.

Comments

Not dark types like incineroar, urshifu single strike, kingambit and other competitive staples, though I suppose it’s the same issue for my set, and all stored power sets. Dark types are unfortunately far too prominent in the meta for psychic types to truly shine.

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Incin is nowhere near the tier Espathra is in, Urshifu isn’t on the battlefield if this chicken carries Dazzling Gleam, and Kingambit the same with Tera fighting Tera blast(which this set doesn’t have, but if you are willing to use it over substitute, ok)

Answer 4

Roost/Speed Boost Sprintaway

Espathra @ Leftovers
Ability: Speed Boost
Tera Type: Psychic
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Bold nature (+ Def, - Atk)
- Roost
- Lumina Crash
- Baton Pass
- Stored Power

Roost/Speed boost will quickly max your speed. Then spam stored power and lumina crash, Baton passing out whenever you see fit. This Thing is such a troll.