The Best Sweeper Pokémon

Pokémon games push trainers to better themselves to become the very best like no one ever was. This pursuit means training Pokémon thoughtfully and adapting teams to challenges they may face. It is a meticulous process that becomes even more challenging for competitive battling. The complexities of competitive Pokémon require trainers to carefully plan out their teams and designate specific roles for each member. Every Pokémon serves a purpose, but none are as vital as Sweepers.

Sweepers are Pokémon that boast impressive offensive potential capable of wiping out entire teams. These devastating Pokémon can shift the course of a battle but can falter tremendously without proper consideration. Therefore, players must use Sweepers cautiously by understanding their strengths and weaknesses. Each of these Pokémon benefits trainers differently, and with a vast selection of Sweepers, it is a difficult choice. However, there are many notable Pokémon that make excellent Sweepers.

Updated December 7, 2024, by Hamza Haq: Any balanced competitive battling team in Pokemon requires a sweeper Pokemon of some sort. Special Sweepers rely on their Special Attack stat whereas Physical Sweepers rely on pure Attack. This power can either be achieved by an already high base stat total or stat-increasing moves like Calm Mind, Swords Dance, or Quiver Dance. A Sweeper’s job is to come in after the field is set for them by their allies and clean up the entire opposing team by their lonesome, defeating six Pokemon one after the other if they have to.

17 Lucario (Steel / Fighting)

Swords Dance Build

• Item: Life Orb
• Ability: Inner Focus
• Nature: Adamant
• EVs: 252 Attack / 4 HP / 252 Speed
• Moves: Swords Dance, Close Combat, Extreme Speed, Crunch

Lucario is a beloved Pokémon concerning the overall community, but it’s also a capable Sweeper in the right hands. The Swords Dance build for this Steel / Fighting menace turns it into a powerhouse hitter thanks to its impressive swiftness and resistances.

Its typing means Lucario is heavily resistant to attacks from Dark, Rock, and Bug-type Pokémon while also packing a solid resistance to moves from Normal, Steel, Grass, and Dragon-types. This formidability to withstand a punch from some of the biggest hitters in competitive Pokémon play allows Lucario to get off a speedy Swords Dance and then punish opponents that fail to finish it off.

16 Gengar (Ghost / Poison)

Shadow Ball STAB Build

• Item: Life Orb
• Ability: Levitate
• Nature: Timid
• EVs: 252 Special Attack / 4 Defense / 252 Speed
• Moves: Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt, Focus Blast, Explosion

Gengar has fallen out of favor for some thanks to an accuracy nerf to Hypnosis but is still capable of sweeping a team and benefits from a STAB to its Shadow Ball, making it a hard-hitting Ghost-type that’s capable of out-pacing many opponents.

This crafty Ghost / Poison powerhouse has an impressive moveset capable of sweeping various opponents with Shadow Ball inflicting heavy damage to Psychic and Ghost-types, making Gengar a nightmare for some of the strongest mind-manipulators in the competitive scene. Thunderbolt and Explosion give it great utility, and its Ability known as Levitate will keep it safe from some truly damaging Ground-type moves.

15 Scizor (Bug / Steel)

Swords Dance Build

• Item: Life Orb
• Ability: Technician
• Nature: Adamant
• EVs: 252 Attack / 4 Sp.Def / 252 Speed
• Moves: Swords Dance, Bullet Punch, Knock Off, Sand Tomb

Scizor is a decently defensive Physical Sweeper with phenomenal offensive capabilities. Its Bug / Steel typing grants many resistances and immunity to Poison, yet a debilitating weakness to Fire. Scizor possesses an impressive Attack stat, making it a significant threat to even the most formidable Physical Walls. This build works to reinforce its role as a Physical Sweeper.

This build functions to capitalize on Scizor’s offensive potential while compensating for its ordinary defenses and negligible Speed. Providing Scizor with a Life Orb multiplies the damage it can deal at the cost of some HP, furthering its Sweeping capabilities. Moreover, Scizor’s Ability Technician builds upon its offensive capabilities by enhancing moves of 60 power or less. Thus, allowing Scizor to utilize the move Bullet Punch so that it may effectively dispatch faster foes.

14 Garchomp (Dragon / Ground)

Swords Dance Build

• Item: Leftovers
• Ability: Rough Skin
• Nature: Jolly
• EVs: 252 Attack / 4 Sp.Def / 252 Speed
• Moves: Swords Dance, Earthquake, Fire Fang, Scale Shot

Garchomp is a well-rounded Physical Sweeper capable of withstanding and dishing out hits. Its Dragon / Ground typing grants a few resistances and immunity to Electric; however, it sports a deadly weakness to Ice. Garchomp bears an impressive Attack stat capable of overcoming the most stalwart Physical Walls. It is already a formidable Pokémon, but this build enhances its overall capabilities.

This build improves Garchomp’s offensive capabilities while bettering its longevity in battle. With Leftovers, Garchomp can continuously regenerate HP so that it may passively recover from hits it endures. Garchomp’s Ability Rough Skin will inflict considerable damage to any Pokémon that makes physical contact. It can effectively punish Physical Attackers like Dragapult, wearing down their HP with every hit.

13 Cinderace (Fire)

Offensive Utility Build

• Item: Heavy-Duty Boots
• Ability: Libero
• Nature: Jolly
• EVs: 252 Attack / 4 Sp.Def / 252 Speed
• Moves: Pyro Ball, Court Change, Sucker Punch, U-Turn

Cinderace is a versatile Physical Sweeper capable of dealing with nearly any challenger. Its Fire typing provides many resistances and few weaknesses. Cinderace holds both an impressive Attack stat and Speed stat, allowing it to get the jump on most opponents. It makes for a phenomenal Physical Sweeper, especially with the following build.

This build focuses on making Cinderace much more effective and adaptable in battle. Heavy-Duty Boots prevent Cinderace from taking detrimental damage from hazards such as Stealth Rock. Cinderace’s Ability Libero changes its type depending on the move it uses. Cinderace will gain a STAB boost on every assault it makes, turning it into an opponent that is nearly impossible to counter.

12 Volcarona (Bug / Fire)

Offensive Quiver Dance Build

• Item: Heavy-Duty Boots
• Ability: Flame Body
• Nature: Timid
• ​​EVs: 4 Defense / 252 Sp.Atk / 252 Speed
• Moves: Quiver Dance, Flamethrower, Bug Buzz, Psychic

Volcarona is capable of surpassing the most renowned competitive Pokémon. Its Bug / Fire typing grants many resistances, though it has a crippling weakness to Rock. Volcarona possesses an exceptional Special Attack, stat making it a threat to even the most capable Special Walls. Volcarona is already an outstanding Special Sweeper, and this build functions to further its offensive potential.

This build not only reinforces Volcarona’s strengths but also hinders opponents. With Heavy-Duty Boots, Volcarona will be immune to hazards like Stealth Rock. Volcarona’s Ability Flame Body grants it a chance to impose the Burned status effect upon foes that make contact, allowing Volcarona to dwindle a Physical Attacker’s HP passively.

11 Mimikyu (Ghost / Fairy)

Swords Dance Build

• Type: Ghost / Fairy
• Item: Life Orb
• Ability: Disguise
• Nature: Jolly
• EVs: 252 Attack / 4 Defense / 252 Speed
• Moves: Swords Dance, Play Rough, Shadow Sneak, Shadow Claw

Mimikyu is an exceptionally defensive Physical Sweeper able to withstand the nastiest of blows. Its Ghost / Fairy typing grants resistance against Bug alongside immunity to Normal, Fighting, and Dragon. While Mimikyu’s stats are blatantly average, its other features make it a resilient and worthwhile Physical Sweeper — especially with the elements of this build.

This build takes advantage of Mimikyu’s surprising bulk to prepare itself and endure powerful attacks. The Life Orb provides Mimikyu with a much-needed attack boost, though it will decrease HP slightly. Mimikyu’s Ability Disguise allows it to withstand a devastating blow, taking only 1/8 of the damage. Mimikyu will have the freedom to gain an advantage against opponents, whether by setting up Swords Dance or picking off faster foes.

10 Hawlucha (Fighting / Flying)

Unburden Build

• Item: Grassy / Electric Seed
• Ability: Unburden
• Nature: Adamant
• EVs: 252 Attack / 132 Sp.Def / 124 Speed
• Moves: Swords Dance, Acrobatics, Close Combat, Taunt

Hawlucha is a fearsome Physical Sweeper, able to outspeed Pokémon like Dragapult. Its Fighting / Flying typing grants few resistances alongside an immunity to Ground. Hawlucha has an impressive Speed stat that, in conjunction with its Ability, can surpass many of the fastest Pokémon.

This build improves its Speed to legendary levels to sweep foes with little trouble. Using either a Grassy Seed or an Electric Seed will raise Hawlucha’s Defense, granting it extra bulk. Hawlucha’s Ability Unburden doubles its Speed on held item loss. With either a Grassy Seed or Electric Seed, Hawlucha can easily double its Speed stat while gaining an additional stat boost.

9 Haxorus (Dragon)

Choice Band Build

• Item: Choice Band
• Ability: Mold Breaker
• Nature: Jolly
• EVs: 252 Attack / 4 HP / 252 Speed
• Moves: Swords Dance, Outrage, Earthquake, Poison Jab

Haxorus relies on its excellent Attack stat (147) and access to Outrage to sweep enemy teams with relative ease. Its pure Dragon typing ensures it has no 4x weaknesses and is only vulnerable to the usual threats of Ice, Dragon, and Fairy. The Dragon typing also gives it resistance to Electric, Grass, Fire, and Water.

In a competitive setting, Haxorus’s relatively slow Speed is its biggest weakness. This can be rectified by choosing the Jolly nature and investing fully in Speed EVs. Swords Dance is Haxorus’s main setup move, increasing Attack by two stages to incredible effect. Best of all, it has access to physical moves with high base power in Earthquake and Poison Jab. Despite all its positives, Haxorus is a bit of a glass cannon and can easily be countered by a revenge killer if it doesn’t get the aid of an ally with Baton Pass or Sticky Web to solve its Speed issues.

8 Excadrill (Ground / Steel)

Sand Rush Build

• Item: Leftovers
• Ability: Sand Rush
• Nature: Jolly
• ​​EVs: 252 Attack / 4 Sp.Def / 252 Speed
• Moves: Swords Dance, Earthquake, Iron Head, Rapid Spin

Excadrill is an exceptional Physical Sweeper that can easily overcome faster foes. Its Ground / Steel typing grants it numerous resistances alongside immunity to Electric and Poison. Excadrill boasts an exceedingly high Attack stat, allowing it to dispatch many Physical Walls effortlessly.

This build works to enhance Excadrill’s Speed so that it may sweep teams near effortlessly. With Leftovers, Excadrill can recover lost HP, which significantly increases its longevity in battle. Excadrill’s Ability Sand Rush doubles its Speed if a Sandstorm is active. Excadrill can outspeed most opponents and dispatch adversaries with ease.

7 Latios (Dragon / Psychic)

Soul Dew Build

• Item: Soul Dew
• Ability: Levitate
• Nature: Timid
• EVs: 252 Special Attack / 4 Def / 252 Speed
• Moves: Draco Meteor, Luster Purge, Calm Mind, Recover

Latios’s strength lies in its excellent defensive typing with decent stats. Latios is a dedicated special sweeper with a threatening 130 Special Attack that can threaten almost every Pokemon even remotely vulnerable to this type of offensive. Its hidden ace, however, is its excellent Dragon / Psychic typing, which gives it resistance to six different types of attack. Thanks to Levitate, it’s also immune to Ground-type moves.

Calm Mind is Latios’s setup move of choice, allowing it to increase its Sp. Atk and Sp. Def by one stage every turn. Draco Meteor is the hardest-hitting Dragon-type move in the game, and Luster Purge does as much damage as Psychic, but with the chance to lower enemy Sp. Def by one stage upon hit, something Latios loves. Recover makes Latios difficult to put down, giving it the ability to restore half of its HP without any aid. If Mega Evolutions are on the table, Mega Latios is a bigger, badder version of Latios with incredibly high Special Attack, excellent bulk, and decent Speed.

6 Weavile (Dark / Ice)

Swords Dance Build

• Item: Heavy-Duty Boots
• Ability: Pressure
• Nature: Jolly
• ​​EVs: 252 Attack / 4 Sp.Def / 252 Speed
• Moves: Swords Dance, Triple Axel, Knock Off, Ice Shard

Weavile is a capable Physical Sweeper that possesses both impressive Attack and Speed. Its Dark / Ice typing grants few resistances and immunity to Psychic, yet a debilitating weakness to Fighting. Weavile’s exceptional Attack and Speed make it a dangerous opponent to face.

This build works to build upon Weavile’s strengths and better guarantee OHKOs. The Heavy-Duty Boots protect Weavile from various hazards such as Stealth Rock. Weavile’s Ability Pressure decreases the PP of any move used against it. Weavile can chip away at the PP of vital moves such as U-Turn, steadily limiting opponents.

5 Dragonite (Dragon / Flying)

Offensive Dragon Dance

• Item: Heavy-Duty Boots
• Ability: Multiscale
• Nature: Jolly
• ​​EVs: 252 Attack / 4 Sp.Def / 252 Speed
• Moves: Dragon Dance, Earthquake, Dual Wingbeat, Roost

Dragonite is a formidable Physical Sweeper capable of taking hits and returning them in full. The Dragon / Flying typing provides many resistances and immunity to Ground; however, it has an overwhelming weakness to Ice. Dragonite’s Attack is phenomenal, allowing it to OHKO many of the Physical Walls in competitive play.

This build enhances Dragonite’s offensive and recuperative capabilities, allowing it to endure unfavorable circumstances. With Heavy-Duty Boots, Dragonite can avoid hazards like Stealth Rock altogether. Dragonite’s Ability, Multiscale, halves the damage taken when it is at full HP. In conjunction with Roost, Dragonite could endure numerous devastating blows with ease.

4 Dragapult (Dragon / Ghost)

Mixed Attacker Build

• Item: Life Orb
• Ability: Infiltrator
• Nature: Hasty
• ​​EVs: 48 Attack / 204 Sp.Atk / 252 Speed
• Moves: U-Turn, Dragon Darts, Thunderbolt, Fire Blast

Dragapult is a Mixed Sweeper that is difficult to fend off as its moveset and capabilities are unpredictable. Its Dragon / Ghost typing grants many resistances alongside immunity to Normal and Fighting. Dragapult’s good Attack and outstanding Speed make it a near-perfect Sweeper.

This build works to include both Physical and Special Attacks into Dragapult’s moveset, granting it much coverage. With a Life Orb, Dragapult’s Attack stat improves at the cost of some HP. Dragapult’s Ability Infiltrator allows it to ignore defensive moves like Substitute or Reflect. Dragapult can inflict damage without any barriers or protections.

3 Salamence (Dragon / Flying)

Mixed Attacker Build

• Item: Life Orb
• Ability: Intimidate
• Nature: Naive
• ​​EVs: 232 Attack / 24 Sp.Atk / 252 Speed
• Moves: Dragon Dance, Outrage, Earthquake, Fire Blast

Salamence is a frightening Mixed Sweeper that is advantageously ambiguous to most opponents. Its Dragon / Flying typing grants it several resistances and immunity to Ground-type attacks. However, this typing leaves Salamence considerably weak to Ice-type moves, which players should keep in mind lest their Pokémon meet a quick demise. With an impressive Attack, Special Attack, and Speed stat, Salamence is a terrifyingly powerful Sweeper Pokémon.

This Mixed Attacker build integrates both Physical and Special Attacks, making Salamence a dangerously unpredictable foe. The Life Orb grants Salamence a much-needed improvement to its offenses at the expense of some HP, which proves well worth it. Salamence’s Ability Intimidate allows it to weaken the Attack stat of opponents, lessening their offensive capabilities. This debilitating effect allows Salamence to survive longer when pitted against superior Physical Attackers like Cinderace.

2 Infernape (Fire / Fighting)

Mixed Attacker Build

• Item: Life Orb
• Ability: Blaze
• Nature: Naive
• ​​EVs: 64 Attack / 252 Sp.Atk / 192 Speed
• Moves: Close Combat, Fire Blast, Grass Knot, Hidden Power

Infernape is a devastating and flexible Mixed Sweeper that can counter nearly any threat it faces. Its Fire / Fighting typing grants it superb defense, especially against Bug-types. The few weaknesses Infernape possesses are fortunately countered effectively by this build. Its Attack, Special Attack, and Speed stats are nothing to scoff at, making Infernape an effective and reliable Sweeper for most teams.

The Mixed Attacker build capitalizes on Infernape’s impressive Attack and Special Attack, turning it into a versatile Sweeper. With the Life Orb, Infernape’s offenses become even more powerful but at the cost of a fraction of its HP. Infernape’s Ability Blaze strengthens its attacks even further should it fall below 1/3 of its health. Thus, ensuring that Infernape will only become more deadly as its HP diminishes, whether because of enemy attacks or the Life Orb.

1 Kyurem-Black (Dragon / Ice)

Multishot Build

• Item: Loaded Dice
• Ability: Teravolt
• Nature: Adamant
• EVs: 252 Attack / 4 Def / 252 Speed
• Moves: Dragon Dance, Icicle Spear, Fusion Bolt, Scale Shot

Kyurem-B boasts an incredibly high Attack stat (170) that makes it one of the most terrifying sweepers in all of Pokemon. Not only is its offensive capacity absurdly high, none of its other stats are low. With a base stat total of 700, Kyurem-B’s lowest stat is its Sp. Def (90) and even that’s more than what most Pokemon get. Speed is Kyurem-B’s only exploitable weakness as many Pokemon outspeed this monster, and a sufficiently powerful attacker has a chance to OHKO it with the right move. This problem can be fixed by putting Sticky Web on another team member.

Dragon Dance allows Kyurem-B to set up to sweep by increasing its already high Attack and Speed by one stage every turn. Icicle Spear and Scale Shot are both multishot moves that hit 2-5 times per use. With Loaded Dice as a Held Item, moves that hit multiple times always hit 4-5 times instead of 2-5 times. This makes Icicle Spear and Scale Shot basically hit for 100 base power with 4 chances of landing a critical hit every time a move is used.