Best Calyrex PvP moveset in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's latest VGC PvP meta has seen a rise in the use of Calyrex, specifically its Shadow and Ice Rider forms. Because of this popularity, many trainers have sought out Calyrex to combine with Glastrier and/or Spectrier to obtain the Ice and Shadow Rider forms respectively. However, trainers still need to pick the right moves for Calyrex for it to perform in the current VGC.

Since this is the case, it doesn't hurt to examine the best movesets for Calyrex as well as its Shadow and Ice Rider forms. No moveset is perfect, but the ones below should help players improve in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's competitive VGC PvP.

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Best PvP moveset for Calyrex in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Using standard Calyrex isn't advised in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Recommended PvP Moveset for Calyrex:

• Calm Mind
• Agility
• Stored Power
• Giga Drain

While it's highly recommended to avoid using base form Calyrex in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet PvP, if players are insistent on doing so, the moveset above should be beneficial. Calm Mind helps Calyrex amp up its special attacks like Stored Power and Giga Drain while also increasing its Sp. Defense stat by one stage to help it (hopefully) hold off an opponent's special attacks.

Stored Power is the main damaging move in this moveset, as it gains +20 power for each of the user's stat boosts. Unfortunately, Stored Power starts with only 20 power, so multiple turns might be needed to strengthen Stored Power to a point where it can be threatening. Meanwhile, Giga Drain can keep Calyrex's health in good shape if it isn't defeated too quickly.

As previously noted, the base form of Calyrex simply lacks the firepower or durability to compete on its own in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet PvP. Trainers are much better served by either Ice Rider or Shadow Rider Calyrex.

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Best PvP moveset for Ice Rider Calyrex in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Glacial Lance is an excellent Ice Rider Calyrex move in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet PvP (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Recommended PvP Moveset for Ice Rider Calyrex:

• Glacial Lance
• High Horsepower
• Trick Room
• Protect

Ice Rider Calyrex has naturally high HP that can be further increased with EV training, making it capable of shrugging off enemy attacks as it sets up Trick Room to reverse the turn order in battle. Thanks to its relatively low speed, Ice Rider Calyrex can be a versatile setter for Trick Room or use it to sweep enemy teams thanks to Glacial Lance, which can hit adjacent opponents for 120 base damage.

Meanwhile, opponents that resist Glacial Lance like Incineroar can be countered with High Horsepower, which hits hard for 95 base damage while still sporting a very high accuracy rating of 95%. Lastly, Protect is ideal for warding off attacks that players know are coming, keeping Ice Rider Calyrex safe while churning out plenty of damage in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet PvP.

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Best PvP moveset for Shadow Rider Calyrex in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Shadow Rider Calyrex has become a menace in Scarlet and Violet PvP (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Recommended PvP Moveset for Shadow Rider Calyrex:

• Astral Barrage
• Draining Kiss
• Nasty Plot
• Protect

Though it does require a little setup, Shadow Rider Calyrex is a creature that every PvPer will likely be well aware of in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC because of its immense potential as a sweeper. Astral Barrage deals a whopping 120 base damage and hits adjacent allies, and every knockout boosts Shadow Rider Calyrex's Sp. Attack stat thanks to its As One ability that Ice Rider also shares.

Draining Kiss ensures that this Calyrex can continue dealing damage while healing itself, and the move also damages opponents that would normally ignore Astral Barrage including Terapagos, but it will also deal super effective damage to meta darlings like Koraidon and Miraidon since it's a Fairy-type move.

Nasty Plot is the ideal setup move for this Calyrex since it boosts its Sp. Attack stat by two stages, which perfectly combos into As One to skyrocket Shadow Rider Calyrex's Special Attack damage output all while the creature remains bulky enough to shrug off attacks. As with Ice Rider Calyrex, Protect is also used to avoid potentially problematic attacks that trainers can predict.