Pokémongames push trainers to better themselves to become the very best like no one ever was. This pursuit means training Pokémon thoughtfully and adapting teams to challenges they may face. It is a meticulous process that becomes even more challengingfor competitive battling. The complexities of competitive Pokémon require trainers to carefully plan out their teams and designate specific roles for each member. Every Pokémon serves a purpose, but none are as vital as Sweepers.
Sweepers are Pokémon that boast impressive offensive potential capable of wiping out entire teams. These devastating Pokémon can shift the course of a battle but can falter tremendously without proper consideration. Therefore, players must use Sweepers cautiously by understanding their strengths and weaknesses. Each of these Pokémon benefits trainers differently, and with a vast selection of Sweepers, it is a difficult choice. However, there are many notable Pokémon that make excellent Sweepers.
Updated August 02, 2025, by Hamza Haq:Any balanced competitive battling team in Pokemon requires a sweeper Pokemon of some sort. Special Sweepers rely on their Special Attack stat whereas Physical Sweepers rely on pure Attack. This power can either be achieved by an already high base stat total or stat-increasing moves like Calm Mind, Swords Dance, or Quiver Dance. A Sweeper’s job is to come in after the field is set for them by their allies and clean up the entire opposing team by their lonesome, defeating six Pokemon one after the other if they have to.
17Lucario (Steel / Fighting)
Swords Dance Build
Lucario is a beloved Pokémon concerning the overall community, but it’s also a capable Sweeper in the right hands. The Swords Dance build for thisSteel / Fightingmenace turns it into a powerhouse hitter thanks to its impressive swiftness and resistances.
Its typing means Lucario is heavily resistant to attacks from Dark, Rock, and Bug-type Pokémon while also packing a solid resistance to moves from Normal, Steel, Grass, and Dragon-types. This formidability to withstand a punch from some of the biggest hitters in competitive Pokémon play allows Lucario to get off a speedy Swords Dance and then punish opponents that fail to finish it off.
16Gengar (Ghost / Poison)
Shadow Ball STAB Build
Gengar has fallen out of favor for some thanks to an accuracy nerf to Hypnosis but is still capable of sweeping a team and benefits from a STAB to its Shadow Ball, making it a hard-hitting Ghost-type that’s capable of out-pacing many opponents.
This craftyGhost / Poisonpowerhouse has an impressive moveset capable of sweeping various opponents with Shadow Ball inflicting heavy damage to Psychic and Ghost-types, making Gengar a nightmare for some of the strongest mind-manipulators in the competitive scene. Thunderbolt and Explosion give it great utility, and its Ability known asLevitate will keep it safe from some truly damaging Ground-type moves.
15Scizor (Bug / Steel)
Scizor is a decently defensive Physical Sweeper with phenomenal offensive capabilities. ItsBug / Steeltyping grants many resistances andimmunity to Poison, yet a debilitating weakness to Fire. Scizor possesses an impressive Attack stat, making it a significant threat to even the most formidable Physical Walls. This build works to reinforce its role as a Physical Sweeper.
This build functions to capitalize on Scizor’s offensive potential while compensating for its ordinary defenses and negligible Speed. Providing Scizor with aLife Orbmultiplies the damage it can deal at the cost of some HP, furthering its Sweeping capabilities. Moreover, Scizor’s AbilityTechnicianbuilds upon its offensive capabilities by enhancing moves of 60 power or less. Thus, allowing Scizor to utilize the moveBullet Punchso that it may effectively dispatch faster foes.
14Garchomp (Dragon / Ground)
Garchomp is a well-rounded Physical Sweeper capable of withstanding and dishing out hits. ItsDragon / Groundtyping grants a few resistances and immunity to Electric; however, it sports a deadly weakness to Ice. Garchomp bears an impressive Attack stat capable of overcoming the most stalwart Physical Walls. It is already a formidable Pokémon, but this build enhances its overall capabilities.
This build improves Garchomp’s offensive capabilities while bettering its longevity in battle. WithLeftovers, Garchomp can continuously regenerate HP so that it may passively recover from hits it endures. Garchomp’s AbilityRough Skin will inflict considerable damageto any Pokémon that makes physical contact. It can effectively punish Physical Attackers like Dragapult, wearing down their HP with every hit.
13Cinderace (Fire)
Offensive Utility Build
Cinderace is aversatile Physical Sweeper capable of dealing with nearly any challenger. ItsFiretyping provides many resistances and few weaknesses. Cinderace holds both an impressive Attack stat and Speed stat, allowing it to get the jump on most opponents. It makes for a phenomenal Physical Sweeper, especially with the following build.
This build focuses on making Cinderace much more effective and adaptable in battle.Heavy-Duty Bootsprevent Cinderace from taking detrimental damage from hazards such as Stealth Rock. Cinderace’s AbilityLibero changes its type depending on the move it uses. Cinderace will gain a STAB boost on every assault it makes, turning it into an opponent that is nearly impossible to counter.
12Volcarona (Bug / Fire)
Offensive Quiver Dance Build
Volcarona is capable of surpassing the most renowned competitive Pokémon. ItsBug / Firetyping grants many resistances, though it has a cripplingweakness to Rock. Volcarona possesses an exceptional Special Attack, stat making it a threat to even the most capable Special Walls. Volcarona is already an outstanding Special Sweeper, and this build functions to further its offensive potential.
This build not only reinforces Volcarona’s strengths but also hinders opponents. WithHeavy-Duty Boots,Volcarona will be immune to hazards like Stealth Rock. Volcarona’s AbilityFlame Bodygrants it a chance toimpose the Burned status effectupon foes that make contact, allowing Volcarona to dwindle a Physical Attacker’s HP passively.
11Mimikyu (Ghost / Fairy)
Mimikyu is anexceptionally defensive Physical Sweeper able to withstand the nastiest of blows. ItsGhost / Fairytyping grants resistance against Bug alongside immunity to Normal, Fighting, and Dragon. While Mimikyu’s stats are blatantly average, its other features make it a resilient and worthwhile Physical Sweeper — especially with the elements of this build.
This build takes advantage of Mimikyu’s surprising bulk to prepare itself and endure powerful attacks. TheLife Orbprovides Mimikyu with a much-needed attack boost, though it will decrease HP slightly. Mimikyu’s AbilityDisguiseallows it towithstand a devastating blow, taking only 1/8 of the damage. Mimikyu will have the freedom to gain an advantage against opponents, whether by setting upSwords Danceor picking off faster foes.
10Hawlucha (Fighting / Flying)
Unburden Build
Hawlucha is a fearsome Physical Sweeper, able to outspeed Pokémon like Dragapult. ItsFighting / Flyingtyping grants few resistances alongside animmunity to Ground. Hawlucha has an impressive Speed stat that, in conjunction with its Ability, can surpass many of the fastest Pokémon.
This build improves its Speed to legendary levels to sweep foes with little trouble. Using either aGrassy Seedor anElectric Seedwill raise Hawlucha’s Defense, granting it extra bulk. Hawlucha’s AbilityUnburdendoubles its Speed on held item loss. With either a Grassy Seed or Electric Seed, Hawlucha can easily double its Speed stat while gaining an additional stat boost.
9Haxorus (Dragon)
Choice Band Build
Haxorus relies on itsexcellent Attack stat (147)and access to Outrage to sweep enemy teams with relative ease. Its pureDragontyping ensures it has no 4x weaknesses and is only vulnerable to the usual threats of Ice, Dragon, and Fairy. The Dragon typing also gives it resistance to Electric, Grass, Fire, and Water.
In a competitive setting, Haxorus’s relatively slow Speed is its biggest weakness. This can be rectified by choosing the Jolly nature and investing fully in Speed EVs. Swords Dance is Haxorus’s main setup move, increasing Attack by two stages to incredible effect. Best of all, it has access tophysical moves with high base powerin Earthquake and Poison Jab. Despite all its positives, Haxorus is a bit of a glass cannon and can easily be countered by a revenge killer if it doesn’t get the aid of an ally with Baton Pass or Sticky Web to solve its Speed issues.
8Excadrill (Ground / Steel)
Sand Rush Build
Excadrill is an exceptional Physical Sweeper that can easily overcome faster foes. ItsGround / Steeltyping grants it numerous resistances alongsideimmunity to Electricand Poison. Excadrill boasts an exceedingly high Attack stat, allowing it to dispatch many Physical Walls effortlessly.
This build works to enhance Excadrill’s Speed so that it may sweep teams near effortlessly. WithLeftovers, Excadrill can recover lost HP, which significantly increases its longevity in battle. Excadrill’s AbilitySand Rushdoubles its Speed if a Sandstorm is active. Excadrill can outspeed most opponents and dispatch adversaries with ease.
