Gigantamax Rillaboom Movesets & Competitive Sets

Between access to Fake Out and the incredibly strong Grassy Surge and Grassy Glide combination, Rillaboom is one of Series 11's best offensive support Pokemon. Most Rillaboom that aim to be more defensive opt to use Assault Vest in order to better survive attacks from some of the metagame's most potent threats like Kyogre and Calyrex-S. Grassy Glide in Grassy Terrain provides a strong priority attack that threatens heavy damage on Water-types like Kyogre and Blastoise and Ground-types like Groudon. Wood Hammer is often used as a secondary offensive option that can deal significant damage, while Knock Off is an alternative option that offers a more consistent answer to Calyrex-S and provides utility by removing items from Pokemon that depend on them such as Porygon2 and Dusclops. U-turn allows Rillaboom's teammates to pivot in safely, which is an especially effective option when paired with Assault Vest. Fake Out rounds out the set and allows Rillaboom to flinch an opposing Pokemon while its partner is free to set up or deal damage. The given EVs ensure that Rillaboom is not 2HKOed by Kyogre's Mystic Water Max Geyser based off Water Spout after Grassy Terrain. Rillaboom is most commonly used on teams that need additional support against Water-types like Kyogre and Gastrodon. Accordingly, two of the most common partners for Rillaboom are Coalossal and Blastoise, which both have significant trouble against Water- and/or Ground-types like Kyogre, Groudon, and Gastrodon. Zacian-C makes a strong Restricted partner for this reason, as well as because of its strong defensive synergy with Rillaboom, which makes for opportunities such as being able to pivot around Landorus-T's STAB moves. Other common partners for Rillaboom include Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Incineroar that can threaten Fire-, Grass- or Steel-types such as Torkoal, Venusaur, and Zacian-C that trouble Rillaboom.

More offensively inclined Rillaboom will often opt for Miracle Seed as their item in order to further increase their already potent Grass-type damage output, which allows Rillaboom to get priority OHKOs on important Water-types like Kyogre and Blastoise. After accounting for Grassy Terrain and Miracle Seed, Grassy Glide becomes an incredibly powerful priority move that is not only capable of always getting an OHKO on top metagame threat Kyogre, but also deals sizable damage to nearly every Pokemon that doesn't resist Grass. Wood Hammer is often used as the secondary attacking move due to the amazing damage output it provides. However, Rillaboom using Wood Hammer must be wary about recoil, so if Grassy Glide is deemed sufficient for damage Rillaboom may instead opt for U-turn instead to allow for better positioning and defensive play. Fake Out allows Rillaboom to play a bit of a supportive role, letting a partner make an important move while being unimpeded by an enemy Pokemon. Teams that want to quickly remove opposing Water-types like Kyogre and Lapras will often opt to use Miracle Seed Rillaboom. This leads to Coalossal and Blastoise as common partners, since Rillaboom can KO opposing Water-types and allow Gigantamaxed Coalossal or Blastoise to tear through opposing teams. Zacian-C is a common Restricted partner for Rillaboom, due to Zacian-C appreciating Rillaboom's ability to OHKO Kyogre and Blastoise. Incineroar and Landorus-T also make for strong partners for Rillaboom given that they can help check Fire- and Steel-types like Torkoal and Zacian-C that can threaten Rillaboom, and that they appreciate Rillaboom's ability to deal with Water-types.

Strong priority Grassy Glide, targetting Ground- and Water-types like Groudon, Gastrodon, and Kyogre, makes Rillaboom a great Pokemon in VGC 2022. Fake Out is an invaluable support tool which shuts down a foe, allowing teammates opportunities to attack or set up. Assault Vest grants Rillaboom more resilience against special attackers like Kyogre and Calyrex-S, surviving Max Hailstorm and avoiding the 2HKO from Astral Barrage. High Horsepower 2HKOes the extremely common Zacian-C and while Gigantamaxed grants Rillaboom's team Special Defense boosts via Max Quake. Wood Hammer OHKOes bulkier variants of Kyogre which can survive Grassy Glide and Groudon. Knock Off is a decent option which hits Shedinja, Calyrex-S, and Lunala, though Rillaboom's other options tend to be more valuable. U-turn lets Rillaboom pivot powerful teammates like Kyogre and Zacian-C in safely. Rillaboom usually doesn't Gigantamax, but G-Max Drumsolo is a very powerful attack which OHKOes Dynamaxed Kyogre and heavily dents most resistant foes. The given EV spread lives Zacian-C's Behemoth Blade most of the time, OHKOes Kyogre without bulk investment via Grassy Glide, and outpaces maximum Speed Incineroar.

Rillaboom is a great Pokemon in VGC 2022 with its powerful priority Grassy Glide KOing or heavily damaging common Water- and Ground-types like Kyogre, Gastrodon, and Groudon. Additionally, Rillaboom uses Fake Out to prevent a foe from moving and allow teammates safer opportunity in attacking or setting up. Miracle Seed grants Rllaboom a much appreciated power boost, allowing its priority Grassy Glide to pick off Pokemon like Groudon and Calyrex-S more easilyand OHKO many variants of bulky Kyogre. High Horsepower 2HKOes the very pertinent Zacian-C and has some usefulness while Gigantamaxed for Max Quake Special Defense boosts. Alternatively, Wood Hammer gives Rillaboom a more powerful Grass-type STAB move which nets OHKOes on bulky Kyogre through Reflect and Groudon and notably dents even resistant foes. Rillaboom doesn't often Gigantamax, but its G-Max Drumsolo is incredibly powerful and can OHKO even a Dynamaxed bulky Kyogre, and 2HKOes many Grass-resistant hyphen Pokemon. The EV spread survives Zacian-C's Behemoth Blade most of the time and outpaces maximum Speed Incineroar.

With a Choice Band in hand, Rillaboom becomes both a good revenge killer with Grassy Glide's priority under Grassy Terrain, and an effective scout thanks to U-turn. High Horsepower lets Rillaboom demolish Heatran and blast Cinderace and Naganadel switch-ins. Wood Hammer doesn't offer any additional coverage, but deals such a massive amount of damage that it's worth the recoil. Superpower is Rillaboom's best chance to deal good damage to Celesteela and Galarian Moltres, while Drain Punch is a weaker alternative that allows Rillaboom to gain some health back instead of lower power. EV Spreads 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe Adamant: This spread maximizes Rillaboom's power and bulk. 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 Spe Adamant: With this EV spread, Rillaboom outspeeds up to Timid Celesteela, important if running a Fighting-type move. 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe Jolly or Adamant: Maximizing Speed ensures that Rillaboom outspeeds a wide variety of offensive threats, such as Dragonite, Heatran, Metagross, and Choice Band Dracovish. While Adamant fails to always outspeed these, it does outspeed more defensive Zapdos.

Rillaboom is still an effective revenge killer and potential scout without an offensive item. Drum Beating lets Rillaboom offer valuable Speed control, particularly effective against Max Airstream switch-ins such as Galarian Moltres and Salamence. Wood Hammer is a viable alternative due to its high power. U-turn provides valuable scouting and momentum-conserving potential for Rillaboom. High Horsepower is ideal for dealing massive damage to Heatran. Superpower is Rillaboom's best attack against Celesteela and Ferrothorn. Items Assault Vest gives Rillaboom some valuable extra special bulk, which is especially useful while Gigantamaxed. Focus Sash on the other hand, lets Rillaboom surprise offensive threats it otherwise wouldn't survive against, such as Nihilego. EV Spreads 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe Adamant: This spread gives Rillaboom the best combination of bulk and power. 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 Spe Adamant: When using Superpower or U-turn, this EV spread is highly recommended for outspeeding Timid Celesteela. 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe Jolly or Adamant: This EV spread allows Rillaboom to outspeed a wide variety of offensive threats, such as Dragonite, Heatran, Metagross, and Choice Band Dracovish, allowing Rillaboom to get an important hit in before getting KOed. Adamant can be used if only outspeeding defensive Zapdos is needed.

With Grassy Glide being such a strong priority attack, Rillaboom can make for an effective late-game cleaner, especially with its powerful Gigantamax forme. Rillaboom should carry a Fighting-type attack to hit Celesteela as hard as possible and provide additional means to boost Attack while Gigantamaxed. Superpower deals the most one-time damage to Celesteela, but Drain Punch is a more consistent option against bulky threats. Knock Off is Rillaboom's strongest attack against Dragapult, and removing items is very valuable. High Horsepower not only crushes Heatran, but provides a useful Special Defense boost as Max Quake. Acrobatics pairs well with Grassy Seed for decent coverage, and becomes the dangerous Max Airstream while Gigantamaxed. Items Grassy Seed's Defense boost gives Rillaboom an easier time setting up Swords Dance late-game. Focus Sash lets Rillaboom set up Swords Dance against unexpected foes. EV Spreads 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 Spe Adamant: This spread ensures that Rillaboom outspeeds Timid Celesteela while still giving it decent bulk if it's unable to set up Swords Dance. 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe Jolly: Maximizing Speed lets Rillaboom outspeed some valuable targets such as Dragonite, Gyarados, and Metagross, increasing its potential to sweep late-game in exchange for less bulk for general use.