Stats & Training
The stat line revolves around Attack. Percentage recovery gets extra mileage here. Sp. Atk backs it up, though Defense doesn't pull its weight. Worth 3 HP EVs on a slow 1.25M XP grind to max out.
Legends say it can share eternal life. It slept for a thousand years in the form of a tree before its revival.
When the horns on its head shine in seven colors, it is said to be sharing everlasting life.
Xerneas Weakness
Xerneas is weak to Poison and Steel. On the flip side, it's immune to Dragon-type moves entirely. Xerneas's overall bulk (126/95/98) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Poison, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fighting, Bug, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Dragon |
In Sword & Shield, Amoonguss's Sludge Bomb hits Xerneas for 45-53%.
 Heatran FireSteel | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
 Amoonguss GrassPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Xerneas View Amoonguss builds →Sludge Bomb 2x45-53% Giga Drain18-22% | ||
 Ferrothorn GrassSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Xerneas View Ferrothorn builds →Knock Off6-7% | ||
 Salazzle PoisonFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityCorrosion ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Xerneas View Salazzle builds →Flamethrower34-40% Sludge Bomb 2x69-81% | ||
Sword & Shield Evolution
Xerneas is a powerhouse with 680 total stats as a Fairy legendary. Can't breed it, so you're locked to whatever you catch or receive. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Sword & Shield Xerneas Best Moveset
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Take Down and Moonblast bring the raw damage. But Xerneas also picks up coverage across 11 types from TMs, making it tough to find a safe switch. You're not locked into one angle here.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Xerneas in Sword & Shield
Xerneas Guide
In Sword & Shield, Xerneas is a Legendary Pokemon rated S-Tier. At 680 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a wallbreaker. That 131 base Attack does the heavy lifting.
Fairy Aura is the go-to ability for Xerneas. It strengthens fairy moves to 1.33× their power for all friendly and opposing Pokémon. It's Xerneas's only ability.
Xerneas is a mixed attacker with base 131 Attack and 131 Sp. Atk. Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 99 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the wallbreaker role.
In Sword & Shield, the best way to handle Xerneas: Status moves (Toxic, Will-O-Wisp) wear it down. Setup sweepers can use it as a boost opportunity. Physical attackers can break through.
Game Availability
Since X & Y, Xerneas has appeared in 6 games. Legendary Pokemon like Xerneas are usually found through story events or special post-game areas rather than random encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XYDebut
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves