Sharpedo, The Brutal Pokémon. As soon as it catches the scent of prey, Sharpedo will jet seawater from its backside, hurtling toward the target to attack at 75 mph. This Pokémon is known as the Bully of the Sea. Any ship entering the waters Sharpedo calls home will be attacked-no exceptions.
Overview
Sharpedo is always one of the classic Pokémon from the Hoenn region and it makes a return in Galar with the Isle of Armor. Hindered slightly by the lack of its Mega Evolution, Sharpedo hasn't really changed much or gained many new utilities. It is still a glass cannon which can hit hard and hit fast, but it just cannot take a hit. There is one new utility it has received, the attack Flip Turn which acts as a Water Volt Switch, but it's just too much of a gamble to use continually
Positives
Speed Boost is a fantastic ability which, when combined with its Attack stat, can result in doing some seriously decent damage
It has a few priority moves and utility moves that may surprise including Destiny Bond
Negatives
Its defense stats just aren't good. This means Sharpedo will not take hits well and, with its weaknesses all being fairly common, it is going to be an issue
Removal of its Mega Evolution has hindered it even further
Movesets
Physical
- Liquidation
- Close Combat
- Protect
- Crunch
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs and Nature:
252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
Sharpedo has a fantastic physical Attack and, with its Speed, it can do a lot of powerful damage. Liquidation is its most powerful Water-type move so can do some serious damage while Close Combat is generally a very powerful move which you can use because, let's face it, Sharpedo won't last more than a turn anyway so the loss of Defense isn't that big a deal. Crunch gives some nice Dark-type coverage and Protect can be used so you can set up Speed Boosts in order to full outspeed nearly every threat
Special
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam/Destiny Bond
- Protect
- Dark Pulse
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs and Nature:
252 SAtk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
Sharpedo also has a solid Special Attack stat. While not as good as its physical one, use of it allows for it to be Intimidated without any concern. Hydro Pump is ridiculously powerful still, though does have the risky accuracy. Ice Beam and Dark Pulse give some nice coverage while Protect has the same option of allowing you to boost Speed to guarantee to outspeed any threats. The real treat of this set is Destiny Bond. If you're sure you're about to be knocked out, you can use Destiny Bond to remove the attacker as well.
Other Options & Team Ideas
-Aqua Jet is always a decent option. It is weak but still does decent damage due to Sharpedo's attack stat and, it gives clear priority to outspeed certain threats that may need just a little bit of health knocked out
-Flip Turn is a new move from the Isle of Armor and can give Sharpedo the chance to live to fight another day. Acting like Volt Switch, it will damage the opponents and return Sharpedo to you so you can switch in something better. It's not overly powerful but with STAB and Sharpedo's Attack stat, it certainly can do some decent damage.
-Waterfall is another decent move that plays the RNG a bit. It does decent damage with Sharpedo and, due to Sharpedo's Speed, you may get a chance of a flinch
-Other coverage moves such as Earthquake, Poison Jab, Psychic Fangs, and Zen Headbutt can also be considered for various other circumstances
Countering Sharpedo
Sharpedo is a Pokémon that can be difficult to take down if it comes in once your team has been weakened, but playing safely against Sharpedo can easily keep it in check. Sharpedo relies entirely on trying to clean up late-game once all of its checks have been weakened, so making sure you have something that can take a hit is important, as Sharpedo is unlikely to survive any moderately powerful attack. Fairy-types such as Tapu Fini, Clefable, and Azumarill give Sharpedo a difficult time, especially since it struggles to break through them without a Poison-type move. Sharpedo is easily revenge killed by priority, so any priority user can make short work of Sharpedo unless it carries Aqua Jet. Grass-types don't like taking an Ice Beam or Ice Fang, but otherwise they can switch into Sharpedo's strongest STAB move and take it down. Bulky Steel-types also don't mind any of Sharpedo's moves, so keeping something like Ferrothorn or Celesteela healthy can make Sharpedo a relatively simple foe to deal with.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Not in game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Routes 103, 118, 122, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, Mossdeep City, Pacifidlog Town
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Trade from Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald/XD
Colosseum/XD:
Evolve Carvanha (XD)
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Routes 213 & 222
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Evolve Carvanha
Black/White:
Village Bridge
Black 2/White 2:
Village Bridge
X/Y:
Route 22
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Route 118, Route 119
Sun/Moon:
Poni Breaker Coast
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Poni Breaker Coast
Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee!:
Not in game
Sword/Shield:
Training Lowlands, Stepping-Stone Sea, Insular Sea, Honeycalm Sea
Max Raid Battles: Soothing Wetlands, Challenge Road, Workout Sea, Stepping-Stone Sea, Insular Sea, Honeycalm Sea
Anime Appearences
