Alakazam - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle | Pokemon Sword and Shield|Game8 (2024)

Alakazam - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle | Pokemon Sword and Shield|Game8 (1)
This is a strategy guide for using Alakazam in competitive play for the games Pokemon Sword and Shield. Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, and Held Items to use with Alakazam, as well as its strengths and weak points.

Alakazam - Related Guides
Evolution and LearnsetAlakazam - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle | Pokemon Sword and Shield|Game8 (3)Build for Ranked Battle

List of Contents

  • Basic Information for Alakazam
  • Singles Movesets for Alakazam
  • Doubles Movesets for Alakazam
  • How to Use Alakazam Effectively
  • How to Build a Team with Alakazam
  • Counters for Alakazam
  • Related Links

Basic Information for Alakazam

Types and Abilities

PokemonType 1Type 2

Alakazam

Abilities
SynchronizePasses a burn, poison, or paralysis to the foe.
Inner FocusThe Pokemon is protected from flinching.
Magic Guard(Hidden)Protects the Pokemon from indirect damage.

Alakazam Weaknesses and Resistances

Type
Takes 4x damage-
Takes 2x damage

Takes 0.5x damage

Takes 1/4x damage-
Takes 0x damage-

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

HPAttackDefenseSp. AtkSp. DefSpeed
55504513595120

Best Nature for Alakazam

Best Natures
Timid
(+Spd, -Atk)

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Alakazam

Life Orb Special Attacker Moveset & Best Build

Alakazam - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle | Pokemon Sword and Shield|Game8 (11)

NatureTimid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV SpreadSp.Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat ValuesHP 130 / Def 65 / Sp.Atk 187 / Sp.Def 116 / Spd 189
AbilityMagic Guard
Held ItemLife Orb
MovesetNasty Plot
Psychic
Dazzling Gleam
Focus Blast

Alakazam's classic special attacking set is still as effective as ever, and stands above other Life Orb attackers due to its immunity to recoil damage thanks to its Ability.

About Alakazam's Moves

Nasty Plot boosts Alakazam's Special Attack by 2 stages. While Alakazam's low defenses make it difficult for it to set up with this move, successfully doing so makes the Psi Pokemon very difficult to switch into.

Psychic is its main STAB move and has great neutral coverage with Dazzling Gleam to hit Dark-types for super effective damage.

Focus Blast is its last coverage move, and while it has shaky accuracy, allows Alakazam to hit Steel-types such as Bisharp, Ferrothorn, and Heatran for super effective damage.

About Alakazam's EV Spread

We're using a simple special attacking EV spread for this build with full investment in Sp.Atk and Spd so that Alakazam hits hard and as fast as possible.

The remaining 4 EVs are invested in Special Defense to slightly boost its great Special Defense.

About Alakazam's Ability

Magic Guard is Alakazam's best Ability. This prevents Alakazam from receiving indirect damage, such as the recoil from Life Orb, entry hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes, and debilitating weather such as Sandstorm and Hail.

About Alakazam's Held Item

This build revolves around Life Orb, which boosts the power of Alakazam's moves by 30%. Thanks to Magic Guard, Alakazam doesn't receive any recoil damage.

Other Viable Moves

PsyshockAn alternative Psychic-type STAB that hits the opposing Pokemon's Defense stat, allowing Alakazam to beat the likes of Chansey and Blissey.
Shadow BallAn alternative coverage move that allows Alakazam to hit Ghost-types.
TauntCan replace one of its coverage moves to shut down defensive Pokemon and prevent them from using status moves.

Doubles Movesets for Alakazam

Doubles Expanding Force Sweeper Moveset & Best Build

Alakazam - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle | Pokemon Sword and Shield|Game8 (12)

NatureTimid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV SpreadSp.Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat ValuesHP 130 / Def 65 / Sp.Atk 187 / Sp.Def 116 / Spd 189
AbilityMagic Guard
Held ItemLife Orb
MovesetNasty Plot
Expanding Force
Dazzling Gleam
Taunt

Access to the move Expanding Force makes Alakazam a powerful sweeper in the Doubles metagame. It's best partnered with Indeedee (Female) who not only sets up Psychic Terrain, but also provides redirection support.

About Alakazam's Moves

Nasty Plot boosts Alakazam's Special Attack by 2 stages, and is easier to use in Doubles especially if your Alakazam is partnered with a Pokemon that can use Follow Me or Rage Powder.

Dazzling Gleam is a great coverage move that hits Dark-types for super effective damage, and also hits both opposing Pokemon in Doubles.

Its last move is Taunt, which allows Alakazam to shut down opposing support Pokemon from using status moves.

Other Viable Moves

PsyshockAn alternative Psychic-type STAB that hits the opposing Pokemon's Defense stat, allowing Alakazam to beat the likes of Chansey and Blissey.
Shadow BallAn alternative coverage move that allows Alakazam to hit Ghost-types.
Focus BlastAnother great coverage move that hits Steel-types for super effective damage but has a very shaky accuracy.

How to Use Alakazam Effectively

A Powerful but Frail Special Attacker

Alakazam's great special attack and speed stat, coupled with immunity to Life Orb's recoil damage, makes it an exceptionally powerful special attacker that can deal heavy damage or even outright KO other Pokemon.

This, however, is offset by its very low physical defense. Even weak attacks deal heavy damage to the Psi Pokemon, which results in Alakazam needing to switch out repeatedly.

As the quintessential glass cannon, Alakazam requires a lot of support, but if surrounded by the right teammates, it's an effective special attacker that provides great offensive momentum to any team!

How to Build a Team with Alakazam

Alakazam is a tempting addition to both offensive and defensive-oriented teams, but its frail defenses and mediocre coverage limit its overall usage. It does have a greater niche in Doubles, where it has ample support and can use Expanding Force to its fullest.

Use it as a Backup Special Attacker

Alakazam's limited special coverage and low bulk make it a poor choice as the team's Dynamax Pokemon. It does, however, have a niche as a backup special attacker and revenge killer for offensive-oriented teams!

Example Hyper Offense Team

Lead Dynamax Offensive Pivot Backup Special Attacker
Naganadel Landorus (Therian Forme) Alakazam

Although Alakazam seems to take a back seat in this offensive team, it actually functions as a late-game cleaner for the team.

Sending out Naganadel at the start of the match allows it to potentially steamroll through the opposing team as it accumulates Max Ooze boosts. It also softens opposing threats with its coverage moves, something Alakazam appreciates if it doesn't get the chance to use Nasty Plot.

Landorus' Therian Forme functions as this team's offensive pivot, providing solid bulk which both Naganadel and Alakazam really appreciate. It can also U-turn to its teammates to keep offensive momentum up.

How to Build an Offensive Team

Use it as an Expanding Force Sweeper in Doubles

Alakazam shines in the Doubles Battle format where it gets the support it needs from redirection users, and where it can use Expanding Force to its full potential.

Example Doubles Team

Redirection Support Special Sweeper
Indeedee (Female) Alakazam
Physical Attacker Special Sweeper
Buzzwole Starmie

Both Indeedee (Female) and Alakazam lead this Doubles Team, with the former instantly setting up Psychic Terrain with its Psychic Surge Ability, allowing Alakazam to fire off a boosted Expanding Force at the very start of the match.

Indeedee also alleviates Alakazam's poor bulk by redirecting moves with Follow Me. It can also heal up Alakazam with Heal Pulse or further boost the power of its moves with Helping Hand.

Buzzwole is this team's backup physical attacker and also appreciates Psychic Terrain as it prevents priority moves from opposing Pokemon. Starmie can also use Expanding Force and can reset it even after Indeedee gets knocked out if it uses Dynamax.

How to Build a Doubles Team

Counters for Alakazam

Alakazam - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle | Pokemon Sword and Shield|Game8 (20)
Weakness

Hit it with a Super Effective Priority Move

Alakazam is fast, but it lacks any countermeasures against priority moves as its middling defense make it a poor Dynamax Pokemon.

As such, Pokemon that can use priority moves - especially super effective ones, can easily KO Alakazam if it doesn't switch out.

Note: This strategy only applies to Singles where Alakazam can't always rely on setting up Psychic Terrain.

Best Pokemon to Use

PokemonDescription
MimikyuRanking: ★★★★★ ・Easily KOs Alakazam with Shadow Sneak, even without any boosts
Disguise Ability lets it set up with Swords Dance even if Alakazam decides to stay in
BisharpRanking: ★★★★★ ・Easily KOs Alakazam with Sucker Punch, even without any boosts
・Can set up with Swords Dance, making it more difficult to beat if Alakazam decides to switch
DragoniteRanking: ★★★★ ・Can KO Alakazam with Extreme Speed after one Dragon Dance boost
・Its Multiscale Ability allows it to shrug off Alakazam's boosted attacks when at full health

Wear it Down with Multi-Target Moves

Even in Doubles, where Alakazam has more freedom to move thanks to redirection support, it still struggles with long-term survivability as it is easy to wear down or potentially getting knocked out by Pokemon that can use multi-target moves that hit both Pokemon.

Best Pokemon to Use

PokemonDescription
TyranitarRanking: ★★★★★Rock Slide ignores Follow Me and can KO Alakazam in two hits
Sand Stream generates Sandstorm that boosts Tyranitar's Special Defense by 50%
Landorus (Therian Forme)Ranking: ★★★★★Earthquake ignores Follow Me and can KO Alakazam in one hit
・Can quickly pivot out of the battle using U-Turn

Related Links

Alakazam - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle | Pokemon Sword and Shield|Game8 (29)

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle

Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Tier List Best Builds Series 10 List of Contenders
Doubles Tier List Team Building Rental Teams

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Alakazam - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle | Pokemon Sword and Shield|Game8 (2024)

FAQs

Is Alakazam good for competitive? ›

Alakazam stands as a potent setup sweeper due to its high Speed, coverage options, access to Nasty Plot, and amazing ability in Magic Guard. However, it is a very niche pick due to its extreme frailty, which leaves it helpless against Choice Scarf users, priority, and faster Pokemon once its Focus Sash is broken.

What are the best movesets for Alakazam? ›

Best moveset for Alakazam

The best moves for Alakazam are Confusion and Psychic when attacking Pokémon in Gyms. This move combination has the highest total DPS and is also the best moveset for PVP battles.

Is Alakazam good in Sword and Shield? ›

Alakazam is perhaps the best glass cannon in Pokemon Sword and Shield: it has very frail defenses, but it destroys every opponent who comes at it, so it doesn't matter.

What is the best item for Alakazam to hold? ›

Leftovers is the preferred item to heal entry hazard damage and aid setting up, while Life Orb gives Alakazam a further power boost.

Which Pokemon is stronger than Alakazam? ›

Over the entire history of the game Gengar has more often than not been better than Alakazam, thanks to its movepool and typing. There's just more you can do with Gengar.

What is Alakazam's hidden ability? ›

Magic Guard is the hidden ability for the Abra/Kadabra/Alakazam evolution line.

What is super effective to Alakazam? ›

Like its standard form, Mega Alakazam is a pure psychic type, which makes it vulnerable to bug, dark and ghost Pokemon. Since these types will deal super-effective damage to Mega Alakazam, you'll want to stack your team with as many as you can to give you the best chance to defeat the Mega Pokemon.

Why is Alakazam so powerful? ›

Psychic: Alakazam uses a strong psychokinesis for offensive, defensive, and supplementary means such as lifting the target in question, control it or simply blasting them. It may also lower their special defense. Role Play: Alakazam exchanges its passive ability with that of the opponent.

What are Kadabra's best moves? ›

Kadabra's great Speed and Special stats make it an ideal choice for a "first strike" Pokemon. But the best thing about Kadabra is its lineup of naturally-learned attacks: Teleport is worthless, but Confusion, Psybeam, Recover and Psychic are all very useful.

Is Alakazam better than Lucario? ›

Overall Mega Lucario is the better pokemon but when put against each other, Alakazam will most likely win with focus blast.

How much stronger is Alakazam than Kadabra? ›

By level 100, you'll ultimately have the same stat total by then. The sooner you evolve, the better in terms of having stronger Pokemon. Since Kadabra and Alakazam both learn the same moves at the same levels, there's no disadvantage to evolve.

What is Alakazam's weakness in sword and shield? ›

Pokemon Sword and Shield Alakazam is a Psychic Type Psi Pokémon, which makes it weak against Bug, Ghost, Dark type moves. You can find and catch Alakazam in Fields of Honor with a 5% chance to appear during Normal Weather weather.

What is the best ability and nature for Alakazam? ›

A Modest nature can be run if it isn't necessary to guarantee outspeeding Mega Lopunny and Ash-Greninja as well as Speed tying with Timid Mega Alakazam. Magic Guard is the best ability to give Alakazam prior to Mega Evolving, allowing it to take zero damage from entry hazards upon switching in.

What is the best level to evolve Alakazam? ›

You have to trade Kadabra to make it evolve into an Alakazam. It doesn't evolve at any specific level. You could trade it as soon as it evolves into Kadabra at level 16, or you could wait until level 100. Any level will do.

What is the best second move for Alakazam? ›

The second charge move slot for Alakazam usually goes to either Shadow Ball or Psychic. In most instances, Psychic will be the preferred choice, as it does serious neutral damage to most of the meta. The utility that Shadow Ball provides is that it can hit Ghosts and opposing Psychic-types.

Is Alakazam good for PvP? ›

Although, in terms of its performance in Pokemon GO battles, Alakazam doesn't exhibit particularly impressive stats, making it less competitive in both PvE and PvP settings, despite its intriguing variety of moves.

Which is better Kadabra or Alakazam? ›

Kadabra is okay by itself. Evolving it into Alakazam right away gives you an easier time. Plus, Alakazam learns the best moves as an Alakazam since you don't need to wait for Kadabra to learn exclusive moves or anything like that. When a Pokemon evolves, its stats usually increase.

What tier is Alakazam in? ›

Base
TypePsychic Resists: Fighting Psychic Weak to: Bug Dark Ghost
AbilitiesSynchronize If another Pokemon burns/poisons/paralyzes this Pokemon, it also gets that status. Inner Focus This Pokemon cannot be made to flinch. Magic Guard This Pokemon can only be damaged by direct attacks.
TierUUBL

References

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