Best Moveset for Espathra Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Espathra is a Psychic-type bird Pokémon that has risen to prominence in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet due to its diverse moveset and Tera Raid utility. Espathra is one of the best options for the ongoing Cinderace 7-star raid, though for this it requires you to set it up with the appropriate moveset.

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This guide will explain Espathra’s strengths and how you can best utilize them to make your Espathra unstoppable.

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Espathra Abilities

Espathra’s stats are quite average and do not set it apart from most other Pokémon. Its abilities, on the other hand, are quite useful. Espathra has 3 abilities that provide it with some extremely powerful buffs.

Ability Name	Description
Frisk	You can check your opponent’s held item.
Opportunist	Copy any stat boosts of your opponents.
Speed Boost	Increases your Speed by one level at the end of every turn.

Espathra Playstyles

There are currently two popular methods of playing Espathra, one focusing on using Espartha to clear Tera Raids and the other for Reverse Sweeping in competitive battles with other trainers.

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Reverse sweeping is the ability of a Pokémon to survive your opponent’s priority attack and start defeating their Pokémon in quick succession using powerful one-hit K.O. attacks.

Tera Raid Espathra Recommended Moveset

• Lumina Crash
• Stored Power
• Feather Dance
• Calm Mind

EVs: 252 Def / 136 Sp. Atk / 106 HP / 16 Spd

Nature: Timid

Item: Shell Bell/Wise Glasses

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This Espathra build is geared towards producing a tanky Espathra and is ideal for dealing with opponents who will be raising their stats regularly. This is because Espathra’s ability Opportunist will help it strengthen itself. 

The goal is to use Lumina Crash and Feather Dance to weaken your opponent while you survive for a couple of rounds due to your speed, tankiness, and the Shell Bell sustain. Once you are able to use Calm Mind, and due to all the buffs from Opportunist, your Espathra will be able to one-shot almost any opponent it faces using Stored Power.

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Reverse Sweep Espathra Recommended Moveset

• Lumina Crash
• Dazzling Gleam/Stored Power
• Protect/Roost
• Shadow Ball

EVs:  252 Sp. Atk / 252 Spd / 4 Sp. Def 

Nature: Modest

Item: Focus Sash

This build is focused on creating a competitively viable Espathra. The stats are focused on Espathra’s Sp. Atk and Speed, so it can serve the role of a reverse sweeper well. Focus Sash is essential as it will let you survive your opponent’s attack, and the Modest nature will boost your Sp. Attack further.

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Dazzling Gleam is for dealing with Dark-type Pokémon who are immune to Psychic attacks, while Stored power is just an overall good option for Espathra due to its abilities Opportunist and Speed Boost. Protect or Roost will allow you to stack Speed Boost before you can start clearing out your opponent’s Pokémon with either Shadow Ball or Lumina Crash, both very powerful attacks.

Final Thoughts

While its stats may be unimpressive, trainers should not overlook Espartha as it is one of the most useful Psychic-type Pokémon available in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. This agile attacker will be able to sweep your opponent’s teams and make Tera Raids a piece of cake as long as you equip it with the right moveset. Follow the guidelines above to make your Espathra a force to be reckoned with!