What is a good moveset for Masquerain?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Masquerain, 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.

Masquerain Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Gen V

Masquerain (F) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Hydro Pump
- Air Slash

Focus Sash and Intimidate can give Masquerain at least on turn to setup Quiver Dance, allowing it to potentially pull off a sweep. Hydro Pump allows Masquerain to threaten Fire- and Rock-types who resist Air Slash and/or Bug Buzz.

Comments

I would replace Hydro Pump with Scald for reliability.

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I would replace Hydro Pump, with Baton Pass so you can pass the stats on to the next pokemon.

Answer 2

Masquerain @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Timid Nature
- Bug Buzz / U-turn
- Water Sport
- Hydro Pump / Hidden Power [Ground] / Ice Beam
- Air Slash / Quiver Dance

OK, so Bug Buzz is there for STAB benefit, which Masquerain needs as its Special Attack isn't impressive. Masquerain is a way to serve Intimidate, and with Speed EVs/Nature should be able to get away with a quick U-turn, as NU isn't exactly a fast tier. Water Sport weakens Fire attacks if it gets trapped, and Hidden Power [Ground]/Hydro Pump is for coverage otherwise, though I prefer Hidden Power [Ground] as it's way more reliable. Ice Beam is also an option. Air Slash is STAB, though does not provide any coverage whatsoever, so run Quiver Dance if you must.

Answer 3

Masquerain (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Hydro Pump
- Baton Pass / Ice Beam / Air Slash

Quiver Dance is an excellent boosting move, Intimidate also help setting up somewhat.
Bug Buzz is good STAB.
Hydro Pump hits Fire types trying to ruin Masquerain's fun.
Baton Pass passes the boosts to a teammate, or Air Slash can be used for extra STAB and flinch chance or Ice Beam for coverage.

Answer 4

NatDex UU

Masquerain @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Giga Drain / Ice Beam / Bug Buzz
- Air Slash
- Quiver Dance

This thing is more than likely far from viable in NatDex UU, but I really wanted to post a Masquerain set with Heavy Duty Boots, which helps it not to be crippled by its 4x weakness to Stealth Rock. Scald is for coverage and has a 30% to burn, which alongside with Intimidate can cripple physical sweepers / wallbreakers. Giga Drain is for healing. Ice Beam can be used instead to deal with flying types. Bug Buzz can be used for STAB. Air Slash is STAB that has a 30% to flinch. Quiver Dance boosts your special attack, special defense, and speed.

Comments

I think it's a meme that it get's intimidate. Otherwise, however, why not shadow ball? I know this is probably a stupid question, but still.

Answer 5

Masquerain (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Ice Beam
- Bug Buzz
- Hydro Pump

Sweeper Masquerain for NU.
After a Mr. Mime has set up a Substitute and has Baton Passed it onto Masquerain you're able to set up at least one or two Quiver Dances then sweep for a bit.

Answer 6

Masquerain @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 100 Def / 156 SpA
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Air Slash
- Roost / Giga Drain

This set is just amazing! In PU and NU I've swept many teams with this set. It can take a few hits while setting up Quiver Dances. Then you can recover with Roost and keep Quiver Dancing. Giga Drain works well with this set too.

Answer 7

Masquerain @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Air Slash
- Ice Beam / Scald

Bug Buzz and Air Slash for STAB and Ice Beam for Flying types. If you want Scald, its for Fire and Rock types.

I recommend Scald more because it takes care of more weaknesses than Ice Beam.

Answer 8

Masquerain @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Air Slash
- Hidden Power [Ground]

Explanation: Quiver Dance to boost its stats, which pairs nicely with Intimidate. Bug Buzz and Air Slash are STAB with decent additional effects; having a chance to flinch is always good. Hidden Power [Ground] counters three of Masquerain's major weaknesses: Rock, Fire and Electric.

Answer 9

Gen 9 Hyper Offense Lead

Masquerain @ Focus Sash
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Jolly Nature

• Sticky Web
• Whirlwind
• Tailwind
• U-Turn

This set allows for a guaranteed Sticky Web set up. Whirlwind takes out any Pokemon that want to set up (e.g. Koraidon or CM Miraidon). Tailwind gets that extra speed boost while U-Turn let's you pivot to save Masquerain (Especially from Rapid Spin users like Iron Treads).

Answer 10

Just like Spidops, Masquerain didn't drop to PU. Use this in NU only if you want to use Masquerain and Sticky Web.

Gen 9 NU Sticky Web Lead

Masquerain @ Focus Sash
Ability: Intimidate
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sticky Web
- Bug Buzz
- Hurricane
- Quiver Dance

This is a Sticky Web lead set Masquerain can use in Gen 9 NU. Sticky Web is used to slow down grounded Pokemon. Bug Buzz is used for a Bug STAB. Hurricane is used for a powerful Flying STAB that is useful for dealing neutral or super effective damage to Pokemon such as Braviary, Passimian, Drifblim, and Vespiquen. Quiver Dance is used to boost its Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed stats, which makes Masquerain have some sort of offensive presence should it still be alive after you setup Sticky Web. Intimidate along with Focus Sash is used to give Masquerain opportunities to setup Sticky Web. Tera Ghost is used to spinblock Pokemon who try to use Rapid Spin to get rid of Sticky Web.