Roaring Moon, the Paradox Pokémon. It is possible that this is the creature listed as Roaring Moon in an expedition journal that still holds many mysteries. According to an article in a dubious magazine, this Pokémon has some connection to a phenomenon that occurs in a certain region.

Overview

The final ace Pokémon in Scarlet, Roaring Moon lives up to the reputation of power that a final boss and Mega Salamence expy commands. Phenomenal Base 139 coupled with horrifically powerful STAB Dragon and STAB Knock Off means nothing wants to switch into Roaring Moon, even before considering its wide coverage pool. Coupled with that offense is a blistering base 119 Speed outspeeding already fast Pokémon like Ogerpon, Latios, and Serperior further constraining offensive counterplay against Roaring Moon. Dragon Dance and Protosynthesis add to the terror of Roaring Moon, enabling it to quickly boost its speed and offense to some of the highest in the game, enabling it to ravage teams without recourse. Even more, Roaring Moon is far from frail with its great HP and good Special Defense enable it to reliable tank special attacks with ease, easing getting in and setting up.

For all Roaring Moon’s strengths, it isn’t without flaw. Dark Dragon typing gives a litany of common weaknesses including a crippling quadruple Fairy weakness. Roaring Moon’s Defense is far from impressive as well, incredibly worrisome with the number of super effective priority attacks like Conkeldurr’s Mach Punch and Weavile’s Ice Shard running around. Additionally, while the buff from Protosynthesis is amazing, if going for that alone, Roaring Moon either misses out on OHKOs or is outsped by dire threats like Zamazenta, Meowscarada, and Dragapult. Roaring Moon also tends to be limited in Scape and can struggle breaking through several of the game’s most prominent walls like Skarmory and Corviknight. Roaring Moon is a force unto its own and dire care must be exercised lest it run away with the whole game on the spot.
Positives
Base 139 Attack enters the realm of ludicrous with few capable of boasting higher natural power than Roaring Moon.
Base 119 Speed is amazing, getting the jump on already fast Pokémon and is easily boosted with Protosynthesis or Dragon Dance.
Good 105/101 special bulk along with Dragon’s many resistances makes Roaring Moon surprisingly durable for such an offensive Pokémon.
Great offensive movepool, with the amazing Knock Off for STAB along with great coverage enable Roaring Moon to get the most out of its Attack.

Negatives
Dragon Dark has massively common Fighting, Ice and a quadruple Fairy weakness, cutting into its bulk.
71 Defense is a noticeable weakpoint that has Roaring Moon folding to neutral physical attackers.
Struggles to answer physically defensive Steel types, especially those that have had their item removed and don’t mind Earthquake.

Movesets

Dancing Moon

-Dragon Dance
-Knock Off
-Acrobatics
-Earthquake
Ability: Protosynthesis
Item: Booster Energy
EVs and Nature:
252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature

Roaring Moon’s Flagship offensive set, using Dragon Dance to push its Speed and Attack to terrifying heights before ripping into the opposing team, with the dual boost from Booster Energy making it incredibly difficult to withstand Roaring Moon’s assault. Take advantage of Special Attackers like Galarian Slowking and Gholdengo to safely switch in and setup Dragon Dance before going for the sweep. Knock Off is Roaring Moon’s bread and butter STAB, providing insane power and potent item disruption all in one. If the opponent manages to survive Knock Off, they lose their item, cutting into their bulk or power, making them far easier for Roaring Moon and its teammates to handle. As a result, safe switch ins to Knock Off are nearly non-existent. Acrobatics synergizes amazingly with Booster Energy, giving Roaring Moon a great coverage move that destroys physically bulky Fighting types like Great Tusk and Zamazenta that would otherwise be called upon to wall it. Earthquake rounds out the set, devastating Steel types that can otherwise tank Acrobatics or Dragon STAB with ease after the opponent’s item has been removed. Dragon Dance Roaring Moon is a largely standalone Pokémon and fits on practically any team that isn’t hard stall, and with access to Knock Off, serves well as a mid to late game sweeper as well as forcing progress in the early game.

Tera Types:
Roaring Moon’s power is such that it doesn’t require Terastalization to excel but it certainly can take advantage. If running Acrobatics, Tera Flying is highly recommended both offensively for getting pseudo STAB on a base 110 power attack and defensively for giving Roaring Moon invaluable resistances to Fighting and Bug, types it fears otherwise. Tera Dark is a good fallback option, enabling Knock Off to do utterly obscene damage to targets with an item on them and still be viable even if the item has been removed, while removing Roaring Moon’s Ice weakness. Tera Fire is a niche option, since Roaring Moon would have to run Tera Blast for good Fire coverage, but offers invaluable Fairy and Ice resistances as well as outright melting Corviknight and Skarmory.

EVs and Items:
The standard sweeper array of max Attack and Speed is recommended here to get the most out of Dragon Dance. One can drop 32 EVs from Attack however so that Protosynthesis boosts Roaring Moon’s speed instead. This can be important for getting the jump on Pokémon like Meowscarda, and Dragapult, enabling Roaring Moon to immediately force them out without relying on Dragon Dance, as well as outspeeding Pokémon such as Swift Swim Floatzel, Unburden Sneasler, and Chlorophyll Hisuian Lilligant. Going max Attack and getting the Attack boost from Booster energy has its own benefits, enabling Roaring Moon to threaten bulkier Pokémon straight off the bat, such as Zamazenta after Tera Flying. If not running Booster Energy, max Attack and Speed every time. Life Orb is an alternative option, that provides a persistent boost, but at the cost of Roaring Moon’s durability, and precludes the use of Acrobatics.

Partners:
While Roaring Moon is a solo act, there are partners it benefits from. Hazard setters like Glimmora and Great Tusk are invaluable for Roaring Moon to sweep, compromising the opposing team and pushing them into the range where Roaring Moon can, if not one hit KO them, overwhelm them. Great Tusk offers some offensive synergy as well, threatening opposing Dark and Steel types that can otherwise give Roaring Moon issues. Partners that enable safe setup are also recommended. Alolan Ninetales’ Aurora Veil, Pecharunt’s Parting Shot and Galarian Slowking’s Future Sight and slow pivot with Chilly Reception are all standout options that greatly facilitate Roaring Moon Dragon Dancing without risking a big hit in return. All 3 also do decently into Roaring Moon’s weaknesses, with all 3 threatening Fighting types. While Alolan Ninetales also scares opposing Dragon and Dark types, Galarian Slowking and Pecharunt solidly absorb Fairy attacks while loving Roaring Moon for being able to take Dark attacks in turn.

Other Options:
Taunt is fantastic disruption that is great for preventing opposing walls from healing, phazing or setting up in front of Roaring Moon. Roost gives Roaring Moon considerable longevity, and helps alleviate its weakness to opposing priority and enables Roaring Moon to attempt to sweep multiple times in a match. Brick Break is niche, but improves Roaring Moon’s matchup against Screen teams while being decent coverage into Dark types. Jaw Lock enables an all or nothing variant of this set where Roaring Moon traps a target in, then Dragon Dance and Roosts until it is at +6 then sweep, but requires specific opponents.

Moon Crash

-Knock Off
-Outrage
-Earthquake
-U-Turn
Ability: Protosynthesis
Item: Choice Band
EVs and Nature:
36 HP / 220 Attack / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature

Roaring Moon’s Choice Band set boasts immediate sheer force, differentiating itself from the Dragon Dance set for its sheer power enabling it to muscle through walls without losing much momentum. Knock Off is still an incredibly spammable attack, ripping chunks out of an opponent and depriving them of their item. Outrage shows up as Roaring Moon’s Dragon STAB of Choice, its sheer power coupled with Choice Band instrumental in knocking out walls like Dondozo, Gliscor and Ting-Lu after a little chip damage. U-Turn shows up as the Choice set staple, chunking opponents for good damage and pivoting out to counter predicted switches, or just scout on how your opponent reacts to Roaring Moon, maintaining momentum and positioning in your favor. Roaring Moon again slots on all sorts of teams, but this set loves being on Sun teams, to take advantage of both Choice Band and Protosynthesis. This Roaring Moon operates in early game for compromising and crushing the opponent’s defensive backbone in preparation for one of its teammates to sweep.

Tera Types:
Roaring Moon doesn’t need to Terastalize to do its job, but it certainly does not hurt. Tera Dragon deserves mention for the sheer power it provides to Outrage; cleanly nabbing a 2HKO on Dondozo, Gliscor, and Ting-Lu, as well as a potential one shot on Skeledirge, though Outrage’s nature makes it very punishable if the opposing team has any Fairy/Tera Fairy types. Tera Dark is more useful in most other situations, giving an appreciable boost to the already absurd Knock Off. If running Iron Head, Tera Steel is another fantastic option given the numerous resistances it supplies including important ones to Dragon, Ice and Fairy attacks, though the shared Fighting weakness is unfortunate.

EVs and Items:
Max Speed is a given, as Roaring Moon is feared due to its amazing speed in the first place. Again, the main argument for Attack investment is what kind of boost is one looking for from Protosynthesis. If not running a Sun team with this set, Max Attack investment is preferred for consistency, and there is merit for getting the Attack boost off Protosynthesis; the extra Attack is instrumental in reaching that 2HKO on Dondozo while not having to rely on chip damage or Terastalization. Otherwise going for 220 in Attack is tantalizing for getting the Speed boost from Protosynthesis, giving Roaring Moon a pseudo Dragon Dance, greatly limiting the counterplay afforded against it. Choice Band is the namesake of the set and isn’t replaceable.

Partners:
As mentioned, Sun teams work great with this set, with Torkoal offering that invaluable Sun for triggering Protosynthesis. Torkoal being able to absorb predicted Ice, Fairy and Bug attacks is just icing on the cake. Venusaur is another key partner in the Sun, able to threaten both Fairies like Primarina and Fighting types like Great Tusk thanks to its Grass Poison typing, as well as having a phenomenal matchup into the many Ground and Water type physical bulwarks tasked with slowing Roaring Moon down. Hazard control is of the utmost importance for the Choiced set, as between U-Turn and Outrage, Roaring Moon will be constantly pivoting in and out, and as such, hazards will eat it alive unless managed. Great Tusk is a key standout, loving Sun teams as much as Roaring Moon, and able to run the Ground and Fighting coverage for threatening opposing Steel types that can trouble Roaring Moon. Hatterene also deserves mention for Magic Bounce punishing opposing hazards and great matchup into Fighting types.

Other Options:
Iron Head is great for dealing with Fairy types that can switch into both STABs as well as Weavile.

Doubles and VGC Options

Roaring Moon soars strong in Doubles, not only bringing the same overwhelming power it does in Singles, but potent support and disruption as well. With access to tools like Breaking Swipe and Tailwind on top of the already fantastic Knock Off, Roaring Moon is power, support and disruption all in one package. Sun teams being naturally strong in Doubles is a boon for Roaring Moon, making it easy to activate Protosynthesis without relying on Booster Energy, though the presence of the latter makes Roaring Moon a fit for nearly all teams. Its Dark typing is another minor boon, able to block Prankster, preventing Prankster Taunt and Encore from preventing/punishing Tailwind. Flutter Mane’s dominance in Doubles is a huge issue, being able to easily outspeed and annihilate Roaring Moon. Being weak to Urshifu as well doesn't help matters, for while Roaring Moon is naturally faster, there are plenty of ways for Urshifu to surmount the speed advantage. Additionally, competition for the Dragon type slot is fierce, with other all stars like Archaludon, Baxcalibur, and Gouging Fire all vying for a similar slot. Nevertheless, Roaring Moon is often a key piece of anyone's win condition and must be respected as such.

Lunar Winds

-Tailwind
-Acrobatics
-Breaking Swipe
-Protect
Ability: Protosynthesis
Item: Booster Energy
Tera Type: Flying
EVs and Nature:
36 HP / 220 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature

Roaring Moon carves out a niche for itself as an incredibly offensive Tailwind setter. While not as fast as Prankster setters, Booster Energy Roaring Moon will outspeed any unboosted threat, making it reliable at setting up Tailwind. Acrobatics returns for its synergy with Booster Energy and the wide neutral coverage it boasts. Additionally, its advantageous match up against the many popular Grass types like Rillaboom, Ogerpon, Amoonguss, and Whimsicott is invaluable in quickly eliminating these threats. Breaking Swipe is a STAB spread move that not only pushes more damage, but applies an Attack debuff, making one’s team more resilient against physical attackers. The role compression of speed control, offense and damage mitigation into a single team slot is invaluable and why Roaring Moon has seen such widespread play. Protect returns as the doubles staple, blocking Fake Out, stalling out opposing beneficial conditions, scouting for moves and Terastalizations and more.

Tera Flying is recommended for both its offensive synergy with Acrobatics as well as for its defensive synergies regarding Fighting and Bug attacks. 36 EVs are placed into HP from Attack so that Booster Energy boosts Speed instead of Attack, vital in getting the jump on Pokémon like Flutter Mane, Chien Pao and Scarf Urshifu.

Other Options & Partners:
Clear Amulet may preclude using Acrobatics, but it more than makes up for it with giving immunity to Intimidate and Parting Shot, making Roaring Moon’s damage output more reliable.
Knock Off is as amazing in Doubles as it is in Singles, providing incredible damage and the item disruption it provides is always worth considering.
Dragon Dance is as viable in Doubles as it is in Singles, further emphasizing Roaring Moon as a win condition.
Earthquake has amazing coverage synergy with both of Roaring Moon’s STABs and the common Acrobatics, devastating opposing Steel types. Iron Head is Roaring Moon’s best answer into Flutter Mane the most popular Pokémon in use at the moment.

Iron Hands makes for a great partner, providing Fake Out support to safely get Tailwind up, and its Fighting STAB answers opposing Dark and Steel types that can give Roaring Moon issues. Iron Hands slow speed also punishes opposing Trick Room, as it excels in it and can cover for one of Roaring Moon's weaknesses.
Dondozo also makes for a good partner for Roaring Moon, loving the item disruption for when it is time to go Commander and having the high Defense and Ice resistance that make it a good pivot for Roaring Moon in a pinch, while Roaring Moon eats opposing Grass types alive as they almost never pack a defensive Tera for Acrobatics or Knock Off. Glimmora on these teams also slots in nicely with Roaring Moon, loving the Tailwind support for getting the jump on Flutter Mane.

Countering Roaring Moon

Roaring Moon is difficult to defensively handle thanks to its love of Knock Off, as incredibly few Pokémon like being deprived of their item, and the obscene damage that accompanies said item removal just adds to the injury.

Rocky Helmet Skarmory and Corviknight are notable standouts, able to absorb Roaring Moon’s attacks, punish Knock Off, use Iron Defense to counter Dragon Dance boosts and threaten back with Super Effective Body Press, though Jaw Lock can prove troublesome.

Other checks vary depending on the set. Dondozo does well against Dragon Dance sets, its sheer bulk able to absorb attacks and beat down Roaring Moon. Ting-Lu also has the bulk to tank a boosted attack and pHaze Roaring Moon out with Whirlwind. Skeledirge needs to Terastalize (preferably to Fairy), but then can ruin Roaring Moon with Will-O-Wisp. Do note that none of the list like Taunt.

While not exactly a hard check, Fairy and Tera Fairy types work well against Choice Band sets, due to blanking Outrage and resisting everything aside from Earthquake and Iron Head, while threatening back with their quadruply effective STAB.

Kingambit utterly walls Roaring Moon if it doesn’t have Earthquake, able to use Roaring Moon as setup fodder and strike at its weaker defense.

Offensively checking Roaring Moon is difficult as well, as between Protosynthesis and/or Dragon Dance, it can easily outstrip its normal checks. If Roaring Moon hasn’t nabbed a boost, Weavile, Triple Axel Meowscarada, Specs Greninja, Dragapult and Zamazenta all naturally outspeed and threaten an OHKO. If Dauntless Shield is active, Zamazenta especially works well, having the bulk to tank all but Tera Flying boosted Acrobatics and OHKO back. If Roaring Moon has a Speed boost, the pool dramatically shrinks, with Scarf Zamazenta, and weather boosted attackers like Swift Swim Barraskewda being the only ones that can reliably outspeed. At which point Super Effective priority like Weavile’s Ice Shard, Breloom and Conkeldurr’s Mach Punch are preferred for stopping Roaring Moon. Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite’s Extreme Speed also approaches OHKO territory, but needs at least a layer of Spikes or equivalent chip to be able to reach the range.

Anime Appearences

Roaring Moon has yet to make any appearances in the anime # -English Episode Name- -Jp. Episode Name- Pics