Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: How to make Feraligatr unbeatable

Feraligatr, a fan-favourite since its debut in the Johto region, has returned to the spotlight in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Although it may not be the top choice in the current meta, with strategic PVP builds, Feraligatr can still be a formidable force in Regulation F Singles, which is ongoing until April 30th.

Here's an effective strategy to make Feraligatr a dominant contender in the Paldea Singles scene.

Selecting Feraligatr's ability

Feraligatr has two key Abilities. Its common ability, Torrent, boosts Water-type moves under certain conditions. Yet, Sheer Force, its alternative ability, offers increased damage at the cost of bypassing additional effects.

For maximum impact, Sheer Force is the recommended choice, giving Feraligatr an edge in battles.

Read more: Best Pokémon Scarlet and Violet mods

Building a singles-optimized Feraligatr

Using Sheer Force, pair Feraligatr with a Life Orb. This item boosts its attacks without the usual recoil damage due to Sheer Force negating secondary effects.

Recommended setup:

• Nature: Jolly
• EV spread: 4 HP / 252 Attack / 252 Speed
• Tera type: Dark
• Held item: Life Orb
• Moves: Crunch, Ice Punch, Liquidation, Dragon Dance

Liquidation serves as the primary STAB move, while Dragon Dance is essential for setting up. Ice Punch covers weaknesses, especially against Dragon-types, and Crunch becomes particularly potent when Feraligatr adopts a Dark Tera Type.

As an alternative, if survival is an issue, swap the Life Orb for a Sitrus Berry, enabling a potential revenge kill.

For a speed-focused Feraligatr, consider using a Choice Scarf. Keep the same EV spread but replace Dragon Dance with Flip Turn for strategic retreats.

Adding Earthquake to the moveset provides additional coverage against Earth-type opponents.

While there are arguably stronger options available, Feraligatr in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet holds a special place for many players. For those wanting to include it in VGC teams, a similar setup works, but incorporating Protect into its moveset could offer strategic advantages.