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Slaking's monstrous base stats make the creature appealing to some players, despite its horrendous Ability in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Truant prevents the Pocket Monster from performing any action every other turn, making it arguably the worst Ability in the franchise alongside something like Regigigas' Slow Start.
It's no surprise that Slaking has seen little to no competitive play through the years. Although, one difference between then and now is the introduction of Grafaiai in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. This Pokemon is an excellent ally to have in double battles, and its Prankster Doodle can get rid of the atrocious Truant Ability. Slaking is still a niche option in such combat scenarios, but a dangerous one if used correctly.
How to build Slaking for PvP in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?
Here is a good moveset for Slaking in double battles:
- Ability: Truant
- Nature: Jolly
- EVs: 134 HP / 124 Attack / 252 Speed
- IVs: 31 HP / 31 Attack / 31 Defense / Sp. Atk IVs don't matter / 31 Sp. Def / 31 Speed
- Moves: Body Slam + Bulk Up + Sucker Punch + Drain Punch
- Tera-Type: Ghost, Normal, Ground, or Fairy
- Item: Clear Amulet, Leftovers, Life Orb, or Sitrus Berry
Ideally, you should have Slaking's ally most — likely Grafaiai — remove Truant, and then start using Bulk Up. The former Pokemon's massive HP and solid Defense ensure that it can easily set up the move against most physical attackers.
Subsequently, you can use Body Slam for STAB, Sucker Punch to hit faster opponents, or Drain Punch for Fighting coverage that also heals the user. Sucker Punch is also useful against the fast Ghost-types that are immune to the other moves listed here.
Alternate options to consider include:
- Earthquake - Powerful Ground coverage, and hits all targets in double battles.
- Protect - A very common move in the doubles meta.
- Rock Slide - Strong Rock coverage that hits both foes and may make them flinch.
- Shadow Claw - Ghost coverage, in case you don't like Sucker Punch guessing games.
- Slack Off - Heals the user of 50% of their Max HP.
- Tera Blast - Guaranteed STAB if you Terastallize.
You may also change the EVs to make Slaking either bulkier or hit harder by maxing out its HP or Attack, respectively.
Singles PvP build in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
This Normal-type is significantly worse in the singles metagame than it is in double battles. Still, if you wish to use it in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's one-on-one combat, then here's a moveset to use:
- Ability: Truant
- Nature: Jolly
- EVs: 252 Attack / 252 Speed / 4. Sp. Def
- IVs: 31 HP / 31 Attack / 31 Defense / Sp. Atk IVs don't matter / 31 Sp. Def / 31 Speed
- Moves: Body Slam + Earthquake + Sucker Punch + Tera Blast
- Tera-Type: Ghost, Normal, Ground, or Fairy
- Item: Choice Band or Choice Scarf
Thanks to Truant, it wouldn't make sense to use status moves when you're forced to do nothing every other turn. Similarly, you'll often switch out when using Slaking to avoid doing nothing for an entire turn, making the Choice items quite excellent for the creature in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Most of the same alternate moves from the previous section also apply here. However, you wouldn't ever consider adding Protect since that move has horrible synergy with Truant.
That's the end of this PvP build guide. Ideally, you should stick to doubles since that's where Slaking shines the most in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
