Physical
Wallbreaker
97Speed · Above Avg

Is Haxorus Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?

Leon puts Haxorus on his Champion team, and its 147 Attack explains why. Pure Dragon with AbilityMold Breaker ignoring abilities tears through anything that doesn't resist Dragon. Handles Raihan's gym in a mirror matchup and threatens everything Leon fields. Level 48 evolution means it can arrive for the Champion Cup bracket. One of the strongest physical Dragons available.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGGEETEEETGMiloGym 1NessaGym 2KabuGym 3AxewCatchableBeaGym 4OpalGym 5FraxureEvolveGordieGym 6PiersGym 7RaihanGym 8HaxorusEvolveBedeGym 9LeonChamp*
Milo
Gym 1
Good

Axew has the type edge here and should clean up Milo's team.

Easy KO
Gossifleur
Lv 19
Grass
Regenerator
Magical LeafRoundRapid Spin
You Win
Eldegoss
Lv 20
Grass
Regenerator
Magical LeafLeafageRound
Nessa
Gym 2
Good

Axew has the type edge here and should clean up Nessa's team.

You Win
Goldeen
Lv 22
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseWhirlpoolHorn AttackAgility
You Win
Arrokuda
Lv 23
Water
Swift Swim
Aqua JetBiteWhirlpoolFury Attack
Even
Drednaw
Lv 24
WaterRock
Swift Swim
Razor ShellWater GunBiteHeadbutt
Kabu
Gym 3
Even

Axew trades roughly evenly with Kabu's team.

Even
Ninetales
Lv 25
Fire
Flash Fire
Will O WispFire SpinQuick AttackEmber
Even
Arcanine
Lv 25
Fire
Intimidate
Will O WispFlame WheelBiteAgility
Even
Centiskorch
Lv 27
FireBug
Flash Fire
Flame WheelCoilBug BiteSmokescreen
Bea
Gym 4
Even

Axew trades roughly evenly with Bea's team.

Even
Hitmontop
Lv 34
Fighting
Technician
Triple KickQuick AttackCounterRevenge
Even
Pangoro
Lv 34
FightingDark
Mold Breaker
Bullet PunchCircle ThrowNight SlashWork Up
Even
Sirfetchd
Lv 35
Fighting
Steadfast
DetectSwords DanceBrutal SwingRevenge
Even
Machamp
Lv 36
Fighting
Guts
Scary FaceRevengeKnock OffStrength
Opal
Gym 5
Tough

Opal's team hits Axew's weaknesses hard.

Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SludgeFairy WindTackle
Risky
Mawile
Lv 36
SteelFairy
Intimidate
Draining KissCrunchIron DefenseAstonish
Avoid
Togekiss
Lv 37
FairyFlying
Hustle
Air SlashDraining KissAncient Power
Avoid
Alcremie
Lv 38
Fairy
Sweet Veil
Draining KissAcid ArmorSweet Kiss
Gordie
Gym 6
Even

Fraxure trades roughly evenly with Gordie's team.

Even
Barbaracle
Lv 40
RockWater
Tough Claws
Shell SmashRock TombRazor Shell
Even
Shuckle
Lv 40
BugRock
Contrary
Power SplitStone EdgeStruggle BugRock Tomb
Even
Stonjourner
Lv 41
Rock
Power Spot
Stealth RockRock TombBody SlamWonder Room
Even
Coalossal
Lv 42
RockFire
Steam Engine
Tar ShotStealth RockHeat CrashRock Tomb
Piers
Gym 7
Even

Fraxure trades roughly evenly with Piers's team.

Even
Scrafty
Lv 44
DarkFighting
Intimidate
Fake OutSand AttackBrick BreakPayback
Easy KO
Malamar
Lv 45
DarkPsychic
Contrary
Night SlashFoul PlayPsycho CutPayback
Even
Skuntank
Lv 45
PoisonDark
Aftermath
Sucker PunchScreechToxicSnarl
Even
Obstagoon
Lv 46
DarkNormal
Reckless
ObstructThroat ChopCounterShadow Claw
Raihan
Gym 8
Even

Fraxure trades roughly evenly with Raihan's team.

Even
Gigalith
Lv 46
Rock
Sand Stream
Stealth RockSand TombRock BlastBody Press
You Win
Flygon
Lv 47
GroundDragon
Levitate
Thunder PunchBreaking SwipeCrunchSteel Wing
Even
Sandaconda
Lv 46
Ground
Sand Spit
ProtectGlareFire FangEarth Power
Even
Duraludon
Lv 48
SteelDragon
Heavy Metal
Breaking SwipeBody PressStone EdgeIron Head
Bede
Gym 9
Tough

Bede's team hits Haxorus's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Mawile
Lv 51
SteelFairy
Intimidate
Play RoughIron HeadCrunch
Risky
Gardevoir
Lv 51
PsychicFairy
Synchronize
Dazzling GleamPsychicCalm MindWish
Even
Rapidash
Lv 52
Fire
Pastel Veil
Psycho CutTake DownDazzling GleamQuick Attack
Risky
Hatterene
Lv 53
PsychicFairy
Anticipation
PsychicDazzling GleamCalm MindMystical Fire
Leon
Champion
Good

Haxorus has the type edge here and should clean up Leon's team.

Even
Aegislash
Lv 62
SteelGhost
Stance Change
Kings ShieldShadow BallSacred SwordFlash Cannon
You Win
Dragapult
Lv 62
DragonGhost
Clear Body
Shadow BallFlamethrowerThunderboltDragon Breath
You Win
Haxorus
Lv 63
Dragon
Mold Breaker
Poison JabIron TailOutrageEarthquake
You Win
Mr Rime
Lv 64
IcePsychic
Tangled Feet
Teeter DancePsychicFreeze DryThunderbolt
Even
Inteleon
Lv 64
Water
Torrent
Snipe ShotDark PulseMud ShotTearful Look
Even
Charizard
Lv 65
FireFlying
Blaze
Fire BlastAir SlashSolar BeamAncient Power
Catch Axew
Available after Badge 3
Type
Dragon
Tier
E

Catch Axew on Hammerlocke Hills (overworld, Lv 29-31). Sandstorm.

View Axew locations

Evolve Axew to Fraxure
Level 38
Type
Dragon
Tier
E

Your Axew should hit Level 38 before you reach Gordie, at typical leveling pace.

Evolve Fraxure to Haxorus
Level 48
Type
Dragon
Tier
B

Your Fraxure should hit Level 48 before you reach Bede, at typical leveling pace.

View Haxorus locations

How to Get Haxorus in Sword & Shield

Haxorus sits at moderate rates across 2 spots in endgame routes. Pick one from the sorted list and commit to it. Jumping between areas wastes more time than waiting in the right location.

Where To Catch Haxorus in SwSh

To get Haxorus, start by catching Axew through walking encounters at Lv. 29-58. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Axew
    Step 1Catch Axew
    Route 6
    Lv.29-33Overworld
    SwordRate 5%
    All Weather
    Hammerlocke Hills
    Lv.29-31Overworld
    SwordRate 2%
    Sandstorm
    Route 6
    Lv.29-33Overworld
    ShieldRate 1%
    All Weather
    Axew's Eye
    Lv.36-40Overworld
    Rate 10%
    Normal Weather
    Axew's Eye
    Lv.36-40Overworld
    Rate 10%
    Raining
    Axew's Eye
    Lv.36-40Overworld
    Rate 10%
    Overcast
    Axew's Eye
    Lv.36-40Overworld
    Rate 10%
    Heavy Fog
  2. Fraxure
    Step 2Evolve into Fraxure
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave Haxorus with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Fraxure egg.
  3. Haxorus
    Step 3Haxorus
    Lake of Outrage
    Lv.55-58Overworld
    SwordRate 5%
    Thunderstorm
    Lake of Outrage
    Lv.55-58Overworld
    ShieldRate 1%
    Thunderstorm
    or evolve from Fraxure (Step 2)

Haxorus Weakness

Haxorus is weak to Ice, Dragon, and Fairy. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. With 76 HP and balanced defenses, Haxorus can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.

Haxorus Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ice, Dragon, Fairy
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Electric, Grass

What is Haxorus Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score-2
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Haxorus Strong Against

1Strong
1Resisted
1Immune
Score-1
2xStrong
½xResisted
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Haxorus

Haxorus Evolutions

Haxorus is the final form in a three-stage chain from Axew through Fraxure. Breeding this form produces Axew eggs (takes forever to hatch). Evolving from Axew gave Haxorus the biggest boost in Attack (+60), bringing the total to 540 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Axew
#610Axew
38
Level 38
Fraxure
#611Fraxure
48
Level 48
Haxorus
#612Haxorus
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Axew
Dragon
Fraxure
Dragon
Haxorus
Dragon
HP
46
66+20
76+10
ATK
87
117+30
147+30
DEF
60
70+10
90+20
SP.ATK
30
40+10
60+20
SP.DEF
40
50+10
70+20
SPE
57
67+10
97+30
BST
320D-Tier
410C-Tier+90
540B-Tier+130
ROLE
Balanced
Cannon
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Physical
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Easy

Breed with Haxorus to get Axew eggs easily using 63 partners from the Dragon and Monster egg groups. Notable egg moves include Counter, Endeavor, First Impression and 2 more.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
5moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradoscharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticnoivernvenusaurblastoisenidokingswampertrhyperior

SwSh Haxorus Best Moveset

One of the most devastating physical movesets in the format. 147 Attack with AbilityMold Breaker ignoring defensive abilities, and MoveDragon Dance setup making Dragon TermStab nearly unstoppable after one boost. B-tier because 97 Speed is fast enough after a Dance to outrun most competitive threats.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Setup Sweeper
Ability
Mold Breaker
Item
Life OrbPOWER
Best Nature for Haxorus

Haxorus best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • Close Combat
  • Dragon DanceSTAB
  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • Poison Jab

Moves List

Outrage and Giga Impact bring the raw damage. But Haxorus also picks up coverage across 12 types from TMs, making it tough to find a safe switch. You're not locked into one angle here.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bite
C6010025Dark
Lv 1
False Swipe
4010040Normal
Lv 1
Leer
10030Normal
Lv 1
Scratch
4010035Normal
Lv 9
Assurance
6010010Dark
Lv 12
Taunt
C10020Dark
Lv 15
Slash
C7010020Normal
Lv 18
Dragon Claw
A12010015Dragon
Lv 21
Scary Face
D10010Normal
Lv 24
Crunch
C8010015Dark
Lv 27
Dragon Dance
B20Dragon
Lv 30
Dual Chop
609015Dragon
Lv 33
Laser Focus
30Normal
Lv 36
Dragon Pulse
C12710010Dragon
Lv 41
Swords Dance
C20Normal
Lv 46
Outrage
A18010010Dragon
Lv 53
Guillotine
D305Normal
Lv 60
Giga Impact
B150905Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM58
Assurance
6010010Dark
TM31
Attract
C10015Normal
TM99
Breaking Swipe
B9010015Dragon
TM43
Brick Break
C7510015Fighting
TM97
Brutal Swing
C6010020Dark
TM81
Bulldoze
6010020Ground
TR53
Close Combat
B1201005Fighting
TR32
Crunch
C8010015Dark
TM15
Dig
C8010010Ground
TR47
Dragon Claw
A12010015Dragon
TR51
Dragon Dance
B20Dragon
TR62
Dragon Pulse
C12710010Dragon
TR10
Earthquake
B10010010Ground
TR26
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM39
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM94
False Swipe
4010040Normal
TM59
Fling
D10010Dark
TR64
Focus Blast
D120705Fighting
TR13
Focus Energy
C30Normal
TM09
Giga Impact
B150905Normal
TR77
Grass Knot
D10020Grass
TM08
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TR31
Iron Tail
C1007515Steel
TR07
Low Kick
D10020Fighting
TR24
Outrage
A18010010Dragon
TM57
Payback
C5010010Dark
TR57
Poison Jab
B8010020Poison
TM25
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM69
Psycho Cut
C7010020Psychic
TM33
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM21
Rest
C10Psychic
TR21
Reversal
D10015Fighting
TM22
Rock Slide
C759010Rock
TM48
Rock Tomb
C609515Rock
TM76
Round
D6010015Normal
TM26
Scary Face
D10010Normal
TM65
Shadow Claw
C7010015Ghost
TR27
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM85
Snarl
D559515Dark
TM24
Snore
D5010015Normal
TM98
Stomping Tantrum
C7510010Ground
TR20
Substitute
C10Normal
TM34
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TR39
Superpower
B1201005Fighting
TR04
Surf
D9010015Water
TM40
Swift
D6020Normal
TM
Swords Dance
C20Normal
TR37
Taunt
C10020Dark
TR60
X-Scissor
C8010015Bug

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Egg
Endeavor
D1005Normal
Egg
First Impression+2
B9010010Bug
Egg
Harden
D30Normal
Egg
Night Slash
C7010015Dark

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Scale Shot
A379020Dragon

Base Stats

Base Stats
High
HP76
C
Attack147
A
Defense90
B
Sp. Atk60
C
Sp. Def70
C
Speed97
B
Total540
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.8 m
Weight105.5 kg
Base XP270
Abilities
Rivalry
Increases damage inflicted to 1.25× against Pokémon of the same gender, but decreases damage to 0.75× against the opposite gender.
Mold Breaker
Bypasses targets' abilities if they could hinder or prevent a move.
UnnerveHidden Ability
Prevents opposing Pokémon from eating held Berries.
EV Yield
HPAtk+3DefSpASpDSpe
Strong Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

Its resilient tusks are its pride and joy. It licks up dirt to take in the minerals it needs to keep its tusks in top condition.

While usually kindhearted, it can be terrifying if angered. Tusks that can slice through steel beams are how Haxorus deals with its adversaries.

Haxorus Sword & Shield Guide

  • In Sword & Shield, Don't let Haxorus's 540 base stat total fool you. Mold Breaker is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier as a wallbreaker. Close Combat with Life Orb is the standard set.

  • In Sword & Shield, Haxorus's biggest threats include Walrein (Ice), Garchomp (Dragon), and Togekiss (Fairy), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.

  • In Sword & Shield, Run Mold Breaker on Haxorus. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Haxorus also gets Rivalry and Unnerve, but they don't compare.

  • In Sword & Shield, Haxorus fills the wallbreaker role. It's a physical attacker with base 147 Attack. Base 97 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.

  • For Sword & Shield, the core moveset is Close Combat, Dragon Dance, Earthquake, and Poisonjab. Close Combat leads at 0% usage. This set covers the wallbreaker role with a mix of damage and utility.

Game Availability

Introduced in Black & White, Haxorus has appeared in 8 games across 6 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.

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