Restricted Legendary — Regulation I

Lunala
VGC Guide

Lunala is one of the premier Trick Room setters in Regulation I. Shadow Shield halves first-hit damage at full HP, while 137 SpAtk + Moongeist Beam’s ability-bypassing effect threatens every Pokémon in the format.

137
HP
137
Sp.Atk
121
Speed
680
Total BST

Shadow Shield: Full Mechanics Breakdown

🌙

Halves all damage at full HP

Identical to Dragonite’s Multiscale. Even OHKO-level attacks only deal 50% damage, giving Lunala exactly one free turn to survive and set up Trick Room before being KO’d — assuming no chip damage has been taken.

⚠️

Chip damage removes the protection

Hail, sandstorm, poison, burn, Rocky Helmet contact damage, and entry hazards all push Lunala below full HP, disabling Shadow Shield. Rocky Helmet on an Incineroar Fake Out is a common counter in high-level play.

✨

Interaction with Weakness Policy

Shadow Shield ensures a super-effective hit doesn’t immediately KO, triggering Weakness Policy’s +2 Atk/SpAtk. However, the opponent’s second Pokémon often follows up immediately — this strategy requires redirection support to protect Lunala after WP activates.

Best Movesets

Trick Room Setter (Standard)
→
Moongeist Beam(Ghost)
Ghost STAB, 100 BP. Bypasses all ability effects including Shadow Shield, Multiscale, Intimidate
→
Trick Room(Psychic)
5-turn speed reversal — with 121 base Speed, Lunala moves first under TR against most of the metagame
→
Psyshock / Ice Beam(Psychic/Ice)
Psyshock covers Dark-types weak to Fighting; Ice Beam targets Dragon-type restricted legends
→
Protect(Normal)
Doubles staple. Buys a turn for TR partners to act first after setup
ItemWeakness Policy / Focus Sash
AbilityShadow Shield
NatureQuiet (+Sp.Atk / −Speed)
EVs252 HP / 252 SpAtk / 4 SpDef
Tailwind Setter Variant
252 SpAtk / 4 SpDef / 252 Spe · Timid

Trades TR strategy for Speed, using Lunala as a fast special attacker. Moongeist Beam’s ability bypass is equally powerful in fast teams — Shadow Shield ensures Lunala survives one hit to attack back.

Trick Room Team Building

Lunala’s key advantage is its 121 base Speed — considered "slow" among restricted legendaries — which means it moves first under Trick Room against most of the metagame. Paired with Calyrex-Ice (50 base Speed), the "Twin Crown" archetype operates in two modes opponents cannot prepare for simultaneously.

Core 1

Lunala (TR setter + Moongeist Beam offensive threat)

Core 2

Calyrex-Ice (moves first under TR with 50 Speed, Glacial Lance spread)

Support

Amoonguss + Farigiraf (Spore control + priority blocking)

Weaknesses & Counters

Threat
Dark-type Pokémon
Weakness
2× Dark weakness
Response
Moongeist Beam bypasses abilities but cannot change type matchups — Dark-types are still immune to Ghost moves. Bring Fighting coverage or Fighting-type partners.
Threat
Incineroar (Rocky Helmet + Fake Out)
Weakness
Rocky Helmet contact removes full HP
Response
Use Farigiraf/Indeedee to block Fake Out, or Protect Lunala on turn 1 to preserve full HP before TR setup.
Threat
Chip damage (Hail/Sand/Poison)
Weakness
Shadow Shield disabled below full HP
Response
Keep Lunala at full HP before entry. Avoid fielding Lunala when opponent weather is active without a plan to remove it.
Threat
Wide Guard blocking Trick Room
Weakness
Wide Guard targets your side — Trick Room targets the field, so Wide Guard does NOT block TR
Response
Note: Wide Guard does NOT block Trick Room. Taunt, however, does block TR setup — bring Taunt support or a faster Trick Room user.

Calculate Lunala’s Damage Ranges

Damage CalculatorTrick Room Team GuideCalyrex-Ice Guide (Twin Crown)