best lopunny moveset

In the vibrant and competitive world of Pokémon battles, few Normal-type Pokémon have carved out a niche as distinct and formidable as Lopunny. While its initial appearance may suggest a focus on aesthetics over power, a deeper look reveals a potent offensive threat capable of dismantling unprepared teams. The key to unlocking this potential lies not in a single move, but in a cohesive and synergistic moveset. This article will explore the definitive best Lopunny moveset, analyzing its core components, strategic applications, and the specific build that maximizes its unique strengths.

Table of Contents

Understanding Lopunny's Role

The Cornerstone: Return and High Jump Kick

Essential Coverage: Ice Punch and Power-Up Punch

The Crucial Ability: Scrappy and Limber

Itemization and Team Synergy

Strategic Execution and Common Threats

Understanding Lopunny's Role

Lopunny's effectiveness is almost entirely predicated on its Mega Evolution. Mega Lopunny undergoes a dramatic transformation, gaining a powerful Fighting typing and a massive boost to its Attack and Speed stats. This elevates it from a passive supporter to a blisteringly fast and hard-hitting physical attacker. Its primary role is that of a wallbreaker and late-game cleaner. With a base Speed of 135 after Mega Evolving, it outspeeds a vast portion of the metagame, allowing it to apply immediate offensive pressure. The goal of its moveset is to provide powerful, reliable STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) attacks complemented by coverage moves that target its common checks and counters, enabling it to punch holes in defensive cores or sweep teams once faster threats and priority users are removed.

The Cornerstone: Return and High Jump Kick

The foundation of the best Lopunny moveset is built upon its dual STAB attacks. Return, when Lopunny has maximum friendship, provides a devastatingly powerful 102-base power Normal-type move. This move is remarkably reliable, having no drawbacks, and it benefits immensely from STAB. It serves as Lopunny's primary neutral attack, hitting a wide range of targets for significant damage. Its inability to hit Ghost-types is addressed by Lopunny's other critical STAB move: High Jump Kick. This Fighting-type move boasts an immense 130 base power, allowing Mega Lopunny to crush Steel, Rock, Ice, and Dark-type Pokémon that might otherwise resist or wall its Normal-type attacks. The risk of missing or being protected against is notable, but the sheer destructive power it brings is indispensable for breaking through physically defensive titans like Ferrothorn, Tyranitar, and Heatran.

Essential Coverage: Ice Punch and Power-Up Punch

While its STAB combination is excellent, certain Pokémon can still withstand Lopunny's assault. The most prominent of these are Ghost-types immune to Return and Fighting-types that resist High Jump Kick. This is where coverage moves become vital. Ice Punch is the premier coverage option for Mega Lopunny. It decisively handles Flying-types like Landorus-Therian, Garchomp, Gliscor, and Dragonite, which otherwise resist or are immune to its Fighting STAB. A well-timed Ice Punch can eliminate these common defensive pivots, clearing the path for a sweep. The final moveslot offers strategic flexibility. Fake Out provides free damage and a safe Mega Evolution turn, but Power-Up Punch presents a more aggressive and transformative option. This move allows Lopunny to boost its already formidable Attack stat while dealing damage, turning it from a wallbreaker into a self-sufficient sweeper. After a single Power-Up Punch boost, few Pokémon can switch into its attacks safely.

The Crucial Ability: Scrappy and Limber

Lopunny's pre-Mega ability choice is a critical strategic decision that influences its moveset's effectiveness. Scrappy is often the preferred ability, as it allows Lopunny's Normal-type moves, notably Return and Fake Out, to hit Ghost-type Pokémon before it Mega Evolves. This can catch opponents off-guard, preventing Pokémon like Gengar or Dragapult from safely switching in to block a predicted Return. The alternative, Limber, provides immunity to paralysis, which can be situationally useful. However, upon Mega Evolving, Lopunny always gains the ability Scrappy. This is the linchpin of its entire design. Mega Lopunny's Scrappy ability means its powerful Normal-type attacks, including the crucial Return, can hit Ghost-types. This negates what would typically be a perfect counter, allowing Lopunny to threaten the entire metagame with its dual STAB attacks. Very few Pokémon possess both the bulk and typing to repeatedly switch into a Scrappy-boosted Return or a High Jump Kick.

Itemization and Team Synergy

Mega Lopunny's item is, by definition, the Lopunnite. There is no alternative. Therefore, team construction must focus on providing the support Lopunny needs to thrive. Due to its frailty, it appreciates entry hazard support from teammates like Ferrothorn or Landorus-Therian to secure key knockouts. Rapid Spin or Defog support is also valuable to preserve its health, as it will often be switching in and out to leverage its speed and power. Lopunny struggles against faster foes and priority attacks from the likes of Dragapult or Rillaboom. Thus, teammates that can handle these threats, such as Corviknight or a bulky Water-type, are excellent partners. Furthermore, Lopunny excels at breaking down physical walls for other physical sweepers, creating potent offensive cores. A teammate that can eliminate or weaken bulky Ghost-types like Aegislash or Jellicent, though less threatening due to Scrappy, can further ease Lopunny's task.

Strategic Execution and Common Threats

Success with the best Lopunny moveset requires careful prediction and timing. Early in a battle, Lopunny can function as a potent revenge killer or wallbreaker, using its coverage moves to remove specific threats for its teammates. The decision to use Power-Up Punch is pivotal; it should be used against a Pokémon Lopunny forces out, granting a safe Attack boost. Once boosted, it can often snowball out of control. Despite its power, Lopunny faces challenges. Bulky Fairy-types like Tapu Fini and Clefable can take a hit and retaliate with super-effective Moonblast. Unaware Quagsire ignores its Attack boosts. Faster Choice Scarf users, such as Kartana or Dragapult, can revenge kill it. The most significant threat, however, is the presence of powerful priority moves from Conkeldurr (Mach Punch) or Rillaboom (Grassy Glide), which can bypass Lopunny's incredible speed. Identifying and removing these threats through team support is essential for Lopunny to achieve its full potential as a dominant offensive force.

The best Lopunny moveset is a masterpiece of offensive synergy. It combines devastating dual STAB attacks, empowered by the unique Scrappy ability, with precise coverage options to dismantle common defensive answers. The strategic choice between utility and setup in the final moveslot allows it to adapt to different team needs. While it demands smart team support and careful play to mitigate its defensive shortcomings, a well-played Mega Lopunny remains one of the most consistent and threatening offensive presences in the competitive landscape, proving that true power often lies beneath a deceptively simple exterior.

Trump's trade war costs U.S. tourism industry 64 bln USD as foreign visitors cancel trips
Trump to roll back most Biden executive orders due to autopen use
Suspect arrested, charged in connection with Tesla arson attack in Las Vegas
Sri Lanka's Western Province records highest number of drug-addicted schoolchildren
Iraq, Switzerland discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation