Physical
Sweeper
136Speed · Extreme

Stats & Training

Speed leads and Sp. Def gets almost nothing. That's Barraskewda's stat line in a nutshell. 2 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Moderately hard to find and yields 2 Speed EVs.

Base Stats
Above
HP61
C
Attack123
A
Defense60
C
Sp. Atk60
C
Sp. Def50
D
Speed136
A
Total490
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging60 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.3 m
Weight30.0 kg
Base XP172
Abilities
Swift SwimTop Pick
Doubles Speed during rain.
Propeller TailHARare
Ignores moves and abilities that draw in moves.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Speed training target
Pokedex Entries

This Pokémon has a jaw that’s as sharp as a spear and as strong as steel. Apparently Barraskewda’s flesh is surprisingly tasty, too.

Barraskewda Weakness

Barraskewda's Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric and Grass. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. At base 136 Speed, Barraskewda outspeeds most threats and doesn't need to tank what it can outrun.

Barraskewda Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Type ChartGood
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None
How to Beat Barraskewda in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)
Ferrothorn
Ferrothorn
GrassSteel
A
Available Moves
Moves
  • Power WhipLv. 1
  • Solar BeamTM11
Damage vs Barraskewda
Power Whip 2x
144-169%KO
Solar Beam 2x
107-126%KO
View Ferrothorn builds →

Sword & Shield Evolution

Evolved from Arrokuda. Barraskewda is the final form in this two-stage line. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Speed grew the most through evolution (+70 over Arrokuda), and Barraskewda peaks at 490 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Barraskewda
Water
HP
41
61+20
ATK
63
123+60
DEF
40
60+20
SP.ATK
40
60+20
SP.DEF
30
50+20
SPE
66
136+70
BST
280D-Tier
490B-Tier+210
ROLE
Balanced
Sweeper
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Barraskewda to get Arrokuda eggs easily using 22 partners from the Water2 egg group. Notable egg moves include Acupressure, Night Slash, Slash and 1 more.

Egg Groups
Water2
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
4moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosoctillerymalamarmagikarpremoraidinkaywailordrelicanthwailmerlanturnsharpedowhiscash

Sword & Shield Barraskewda Best Moveset

Prediction matters here. Choice Band means Barraskewda can't change moves after clicking, but the payoff is raw power at the cost of move flexibility. Max Attack and Speed EVs with Swiftswim back that up. Dark coverage prevents free switches.

Best Build

Solid pick
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
Choice BandPOWER
Best Nature for Barraskewda

Barraskewda best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • Close Combat
  • LiquidationSTAB
  • Flip TurnSTAB
  • CrunchCoverage

Moves

The natural movepool does the job, but Acupressure and Night Slash from the egg pool give Barraskewda something extra. Pair those with Hydro Pump and Surf for STAB and coverage across 9 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Aqua Jet+1
B4010020Water
Lv 1
Bite
C6010025Dark
Lv 1
Fury Attack
158520Normal
Lv 1
Peck
3510035Flying
Lv 1
Throat Chop
C8010015Dark
Lv 18
Agility
C30Psychic
Lv 24
Dive
B8010010Water
Lv 32
Laser Focus
30Normal
Lv 40
Crunch
A8010015Dark
Lv 48
Liquidation
S8510010Water
Lv 56
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal

TM Moves

TM
TR12
Agility
C30Psychic
TM58
Assurance
6010010Dark
TM31
Attract
C10015Normal
TM52
Bounce
C85855Flying
TM43
Brick Break
C7510015Fighting
TR53
Close Combat
S1201005Fighting
TR32
Crunch
A8010015Dark
TM45
Dive
B8010010Water
TR87
Drill Run
A809510Ground
TR26
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM39
Facade
C7010020Normal
TR13
Focus Energy
C30Normal
TM09
Giga Impact
B150905Normal
TR03
Hydro Pump
C110805Water
TM08
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM67
Ice Fang
B659515Ice
TR98
Liquidation
S8510010Water
TR57
Poison Jab
A8010020Poison
TM25
Protect+4
C10Normal
TR97
Psychic Fangs
B8510010Psychic
TM33
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM21
Rest
C10Psychic
TM76
Round
D6010015Normal
TR84
Scald
C8010015Water
TM26
Scary Face
10010Normal
TR27
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM24
Snore
5010015Normal
TR20
Substitute
C10Normal
TR04
Surf
C9010015Water
TM40
Swift
D6020Normal
TR95
Throat Chop
C8010015Dark
TR16
Waterfall
B8010015Water
TM36
Whirlpool
D358515Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Acupressure
30Normal
Egg
Night Slash
C7010015Dark
Egg
Slash
C7010020Normal
Egg
Thrash
B12010010Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Flip Turn
S6010020Water
Tutor
Scale Shot
D259020Dragon

How to Get Barraskewda in Sword & Shield

high spawn rates for Barraskewda across 26 locations in mid-game water routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.

Where To Catch Barraskewda in Sword & Shield

The path to Barraskewda starts with Arrokuda at Lv. 4-52 via surfing and fishing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Arrokuda
    Step 1Catch Arrokuda
    Forest of Focus
    SwordSuper Rod Lv.13-18 Forest
    20%Early
    Forest of Focus
    ShieldSuper Rod Lv.13-18 Forest
    20%Early
    Route 2
    SwordSuper Rod Lv.4-6 Route
    5%Early
    Route 2
    ShieldSuper Rod Lv.4-6 Route
    5%Early
    Hulbury
    SwordSuper Rod Lv.20-24
    50%Mid
    Hulbury
    ShieldSuper Rod Lv.20-24
    50%Mid
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordSuper Rod Lv.26-28
    50%Mid
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldSuper Rod Lv.26-28
    50%Mid
    Route 2
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Route
    70%Late
    All Weather
    Route 2
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Route
    70%Late
    All Weather
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    65%Late
    Thunderstorm
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    65%Late
    Thunderstorm
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    60%Late
    Sandstorm
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    60%Late
    Sandstorm
    Challenge Beach - River
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
    45%Late
    All Weather
    Challenge Beach - River
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
    45%Late
    All Weather
    Forest of Focus
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Forest
    45%Late
    All Weather
    Forest of Focus
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Forest
    45%Late
    All Weather
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    45%Late
    Heavy Fog
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    45%Late
    Overcast
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    45%Late
    Heavy Fog
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    45%Late
    Overcast
    Training Lowlands
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
    45%Late
    All Weather
    Training Lowlands
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
    45%Late
    All Weather
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    40%Late
    Raining
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    40%Late
    Raining
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    30%Late
    Normal Weather
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    30%Late
    Normal Weather
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    25%Late
    Intense Sun
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    25%Late
    Intense Sun
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    20%Late
    Snowstorm
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    20%Late
    Snowstorm
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    15%Late
    Snowing
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
    15%Late
    Snowing
  2. Barraskewda
    Step 2Barraskewda
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldSuper Rod Lv.26-28
    10%Mid
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordSuper Rod Lv.26-28
    10%Mid
    Dusty Bowl
    ShieldSuper Rod Lv.40-45
    50%Late
    Dusty Bowl
    SwordSuper Rod Lv.40-45
    50%Late
    Route 2
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Route
    28%Late
    All Weather
    Route 2
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Route
    28%Late
    All Weather
    Lake of Outrage
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Snowstorm
    Lake of Outrage
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Thunderstorm
    Lake of Outrage
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Intense Sun
    Lake of Outrage
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Snowing
    Lake of Outrage
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Thunderstorm
    Lake of Outrage
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Sandstorm
    Lake of Outrage
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Intense Sun
    Lake of Outrage
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Raining
    Lake of Outrage
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Snowing
    Lake of Outrage
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Heavy Fog
    Lake of Outrage
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Sandstorm
    Lake of Outrage
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Overcast
    Lake of Outrage
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Raining
    Lake of Outrage
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Normal Weather
    Lake of Outrage
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Heavy Fog
    Lake of Outrage
    SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Snowstorm
    Lake of Outrage
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Overcast
    Lake of Outrage
    ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Water
    5%Late
    Normal Weather
    Lake of Outrage
    ShieldSuper Rod Lv.50-52 Water
    50%Post
    Lake of Outrage
    SwordSuper Rod Lv.50-52 Water
    50%Post
    or evolve from Arrokuda (Step 1)

Barraskewda Guide

  • In Sword & Shield, Swift Swim changes the entire equation for Barraskewda. The 490 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a sweeper. Close Combat with Choice Band is the standard set.

  • In Sword & Shield, watch for Manectric (Electric) and Breloom (Grass) when using Barraskewda. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. Barraskewda's base 136 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.

  • Swift Swim is what you want on Barraskewda. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Propeller Tail) work on paper but Swift Swim is what makes Barraskewda worth using. With base 136 Speed, Swift Swim gives Barraskewda an edge before opponents can react.

  • Base 136 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Barraskewda is a physical attacker with base 123 Attack. Best used as a sweeper.

  • In Sword & Shield, run Close Combat, Liquidation, Flip Turn, and Crunch on Barraskewda. Close Combat is the most common pick at 23% usage. Liquidation provides reliable STAB damage.

Game Availability

Barraskewda joined the series in Sword & Shield and has been available in 2 titles so far. With 3 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.

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