Grass-type Pokémon are one of the most common types in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, but some are stronger than others. However, almost any Grass type can be viable on your team if they have the proper setup. This list will go over some of the best moves a Grass type can learn and help you on your journey to becoming the next Pokémon champion.
Not all moves on this list can be learned by every Grass-type Pokémon in the game, and some may be better suited for certain Pokémon and not others. This list will not feature unique moves like Chloroblast or Flower Trick, as they are exclusive to one Pokémon.
10 Stun Spore
If there’s one type of move that Grass-type Pokémon have an abundance of, its Status moves, and Stun Spore is one of the best. This move causes Paralysis to the opponent’s Pokémon, occasionally forcing them to lose their turn and cutting their Speed stat in half.
This move is terrific against speedy combatants like Barraskewda and Wugtrio, as they can out-speed most of the competition. Paralysis forces the opponent to switch out their Pokémon or use a turn to heal it. Either way, Stun Spore is an excellent move (aside from having a low accuracy rating of 75).
9 Energy Ball
Energy Ball is a strong Special Attack with 90 base power, 100 accuracy, plus a chance to lower your opponent’s Special Defense, which increases the damage of this attack overall. The best part about this move is that it can be learned by several Non-Grass-type Pokémon.
Since this attack can be learned by several Non-Grass-type Pokémon, such as Gardevoir, Calyrex, and the elusive Armarouge, it offers type coverage on the battlefield. Of course, if a Grass type uses this move, its base damage will be increased to 135, thanks to the STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) modifier.
8 Grassy Terrain
Any competitive Grass-type team isn’t viable unless they have Grassy Terrain, and if you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out. This terrain-altering move powers up Grass-type moves and heals all Pokémon on the field, including your opponent’s Pokémon, and reduces the strength of moves like Magnitude, Bulldoze, and every Ground type’s ace move, Earthquake.
This move will also increase the healing effects of Floral Healing and increase the priority of Grassy Glide, making it go first every time. Using a move that can also benefit your opponents may seem counter-intuitive. Still, if you design a team around Grassy Terrain, your opponent’s Pokémon won’t survive long enough to utilize them.
7 Magical Leaf
Magical Leaf is a solid Special Attack that never misses, making it one of the most reliable Grass-type moves in the game. With so many stat-modifying moves that can increase your opponent’s evasion or decrease your accuracy, having an attack that is guaranteed to hit is always worthwhile.
Magical Leaf has an average base power of 60, but with STAB, it will go up to 90, making it more impressive. There are certainly stronger moves a Grass types can use, but using a move with low accuracy, like Power Whip, can be punishing to your team if it doesn’t hit.
6 Leech Seed
If you’re surprised to see Leech Seed on this list, don’t be. This non-damaging move plants life-stealing seed under your opponent’s Pokémon and steals 1/8 of their max HP. Leech Seed is one of the best Grass-type moves in the game, as it offers plenty of boons to your team while applying pressure onto the opponent.
Since your opponent’s Pokémon is threatened by losing HP every turn, they will either have to endure the effects of Leech Seed or switch out, and forcing a Pokémon’s switch will usually work in your favor. Be mindful that this move doesn’t affect Grass types and can be broken by Rapid Spin.
5 Leaf Blade
Leaf Blade was notorious when it debuted in Generation Three, as it was an exclusive move for Grovyle and Sceptile. Luckily, Leaf Blade can be learned by several Pokémon, and its high Critical hit chance is a welcomed one.
This Physical attack is excellent for Pokémon with a high Attack stat, such as Gallade and Leafeon. This move possesses a base power of 90, matching the strength of Energy Ball. So, if you’re deciding between the two for a Pokémon, choose Energy Ball if your Pokémon has a higher Special Attack stat and Leaf Blade for Physical Attack.
4 Petal Blizzard
If you’ve been looking for a Grass-type move with high base power that hits all other Pokémon on the field, like the Water-type move Surf, look no further. Petal Blizzard is a solid Physical attack with an impressive base power of 90 that will always hit unless there are evasion modifiers in play.
The actual downside to this move is when you are in a Double Battle, it will also damage your partner’s Pokémon. If you plan on fighting more Double Battles, consider using a different move, such as Power Whip, Leaf Blade, or Seed Bomb, as they will not damage your teammates.
3 Giga Drain
Giga Drain is every high HP Pokémon’s dream come true. This Special move has a base power of 75, which can be 110 thanks to STAB, and absorbs half as much HP from the opponent’s Pokémon to the user. Moves like these that can accomplish two jobs at once are valuable moves to have equipped.
Pokémon with high HP aren’t the only ones who can benefit from this attack. Pokémon with high Special Attack stats, like Lilligant, Arboliva, and even Gengar, can do wonders with this attack. This move can easily carry your Pokémon throughout your journey in the game.
2 Leaf Storm
Leaf Storm is one of the strongest Grass-type moves in the game, and it carries a massive 130 base power. Coupled with STAB, this attack has a base damage of 195, and that’s without any additional stat modifiers such as Work Up or Calm Mind!
While there are other strong Grass-type moves available, this attack has the least diminishing returns, as all stat modifiers can be negated by switching out your Pokémon or using a plethora of Stat modifiers. This attack is a must if you have a Lurantis with the ability Contrary on your team.
1 Spore / Speed Powder
As mentioned earlier, Grass types have a plethora of Status moves to choose from, but none are better than Spore and Sleep Powder. These moves will induce the opponent’s Pokémon to fall asleep, causing them to miss the next one to three turns, which is more than enough to turn the tide of a battle.
The only difference between the two moves is their accuracy. Sleeping Powder has a base accuracy of 75, while Spore has a mighty accuracy of 100. Spore is the clear winner between the two, but not all Pokémon can learn Spore. If you have access to Spore, equip it and be ready to knock out your opponent’s entire team.
