The best candidates to use False Swipe

False Swipe is a phenomenal move to use while Shiny Hunting on Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. While several Pocket Monsters can learn it, that doesn’t mean they are all good candidates. Ideally, the user of this move should have a reasonably high Attack stat and gain a power boost.

For those who don’t know what False Swipe does, here’s a quick reminder:

• Guy: Normal
• basic power: 40
• Accuracy: 100
• PAGES: 40~64
• Effect: The attack can never KO the opponent, guaranteeing they will have at least 1 HP.

This move is extremely valuable when Shiny Hunting, as it can never KO the enemy. This means that you do not have to reset as often compared to strategies that do not use this move.

Best Options for False Swipe in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Shiny Hunting Guide

Here is a quick list of good candidates that can learn False Swipe in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet:

• Persian
• Breloom
• To turn off
• zangoose
• gallade
• reyámbito
• iron brave
• Chien Pao

A more detailed explanation of who to use for Shiny Hunting will be provided below. There will be two categories:

• dream ushers
• high attack options

There can be some overlap, which means that anything with a high attack stat and a sleep move is usually the best option.

dream ushers

The following candidates can use this move and put the opponent to sleep:

• Persian (hypnosis)
• Breloom (spore)
• Gallade (Hypnosis)
• Iron Valiant (Hypnosis)

Of the three options, Breloom is the best user. He has Spore, which is much more accurate than Hypnosis. The only time you’d want Hypnosis on Spore is if you’re fighting a Grass-type, since they’re immune to gunpowder moves.

Breloom also has 130 Base Attack and Technician, making it a powerful user of this move on Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Sleep increases the chance of catching a wild Pocket Monster while Shiny Hunting.

The combination of these attributes makes Breloom arguably the best False Swipe user of the entire generation.

Note: The Sharpness ability does not affect the base power of False Swipe, contrary to popular belief. Therefore, Gallade is not as strong as one might think.

high attack

Here are some other candidates that depend on raw power:

• To turn off
• zangoose
• reyámbito
• Chien Pao

In terms of raw power, Zangoose is the strongest user of this move. However, that requires you to poison it beforehand, ideally with a Toxic Orb. Slaking has a less powerful version that is still much stronger than most of his competitors. Unfortunately, his Absent ability is atrocious.

Kingambit’s False Swipe is decent on Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, though you need to faint five of your allies for it to be nearly as strong as other powerful users of this move. Chien-Pao is a decent option if:

• I don’t want to poison the False Swipe user like you would in the case of Zangoose
• Want to use something with a good ability, unlike Slaking
• Don’t feel like having a team fainted like you would in the case of Kingambit

Ultimately, these options aren’t as reliable as Breloom because they lack sleep moves. However, some Pokemon Scarlet and Violet trainers can rely on it.