Best Iron Thorns build
RockElectric S Pokédex entry →
Generated from the game rules and this Pokémon's move pool: a solid default for a 30-minute run. Swap moves to match the cards you are offered.
Moves (4 slots)
| Slot | Move | Kind | Why | Evolves into |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Core (starting move) | Rock Throw Rock | Projectile | A heavy boulder that pushes the enemy back. | Stone Edgeneeds Power · ×1.8 damage, +2 projectiles, +2 pierce and bigger |
| 2Crowd clear | Thunderbolt Electric | Chain | A bolt that jumps from one enemy to the next. | Zap Cannonneeds Reflexes · ×1.7 damage and +3 jumps |
| 3Close defense | Discharge Electric | Aura | A permanent electric field around you. | Electric Terrainneeds Armor · ×1.8 damage and 35% more radius |
| 4Flex / damage | Rock Slide Rock | Meteors | Rocks fall from the sky onto nearby enemies. | Stealth Rockneeds Reflexes · ×1.7 damage, +2 meteors and more radius |
How to play the run
- Level Rock Throw first. It is your only attack at the start. Push it to level 5 with upgrade cards.
- Take Power once (+10% damage with every move.) so a golden card turns Rock Throw into Stone Edge (×1.8 damage, +2 projectiles, +2 pierce and bigger).
- Add Thunderbolt for the hordes. Only your active move fires, so switch to it (1–4, Q/E or tap) when you are surrounded.
- Enter every rift you can. Beating the legendary gives a bond: fuse Rock Throw with Thunderbolt so both fire together from one slot.
- Hold Life Orb: +30% damage, but each attack costs a little HP. Held items drop from chests and bosses; you keep one at a time.
- Before minute 30, stack damage and defense: the Judgment of Arceus sends ever-stronger legendaries until you fall.
Level-up card priority
- Power — +10% damage with every move.evolution
- Reflexes — -8% cooldown on every move.evolution
- Armor — +6% damage reduction.evolution
- Vigor — +20 max HP (and heals it).
Items
Life Orb — +30% damage, but each attack costs a little HP.
Alternative: Choice Band — +40% damage, but you can't switch moves.
Permanent upgrades first
- Repertoire (Start with 2 moves, 1,500 coins to max)
- Strength (+4% damage, 5,050 coins to max)
- Reflexes (-3% cooldown, 3,340 coins to max)
- Critical Hit (+3% critical chance (x1.5 damage), 6,300 coins to max)
Best weather
Rain: Water is boosted and Fire is weakened. Sandstorm: Rock, Ground and Steel are boosted; the rest suffer.
Super effective against
FireWaterIceFlyingBug
Best rift arenas for this build
- Eternal Glacier (Articuno, Regice, Kyurem, Glastrier)
- Sky Peak (Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Lugia…)
- Igneous Volcano (Moltres, Entei, Ho-Oh, Heatran…)
Arenas whose legendaries take the most damage from these move types.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Iron Thorns build in PokéSurvivor?
Rock Throw, Thunderbolt, Discharge, Rock Slide, holding Life Orb. Take Power, Reflexes, Armor so the moves can evolve at max level.
What item should Iron Thorns hold?
Life Orb (+30% damage, but each attack costs a little hp.) If you find Choice Band first, it is a good alternative.
How do Iron Thorns's moves evolve?
Rock Throw → Stone Edge (needs Power); Thunderbolt → Zap Cannon (needs Reflexes); Discharge → Electric Terrain (needs Armor); Rock Slide → Stealth Rock (needs Reflexes).
Game data from PokéSurvivor · Last updated