calyrex guide

Calyrex Guide: The King of Bountiful Harvests, In Detail

Calyrex, the King Pokémon (When it’s dismounted), or the High King Pokémon (When it’s riding its good ol’ steed), is a Legendary Pokémon introduced in Gen 8. When Calyrex is alone, it is a Psychic/Grass-type Pokémon. But Calyrex has a trick, as it is a handy jockey who can horse ride Glastrier or Spectrier.

When Calyrex and Glastrier travel together, they merge into Calyrex-Ice, changing its type to Psychic/Ice-type. But, when Calyrex uses a saddle on Spectrier, they merge into Calyrex-Shadow, changing into Psychic/Ghost-type. 

Calyrex, the King of Galar 

calyrex pokemon
Image from Pokemon Fandom

It is said that Calyrex ruled over Galar when all was just a piece of ice. The legends also say it was a kind-hearted king who lived alongside humans and Pokémon without problems. Calyrex was very important as it worked as a bridge to connect both species. 

Older adults told their sons Calyrex got to be the king when an uncontrollable horse-like Pokémon arrived in the biggest town of Galar at that moment, Freezington, and started attacking people and Pokémon while eating all the crops of the town. 

Calyrex arrived at the place, controlling the horse and making it the Steed of the King. The horse is known to be Glastrier or Spectrier. 

What Can Calyrex Do? 

Calyrex can take control of Pokémon, humans, and harvests. It is known that Calyrex is one of the few Pokémon with the ability to communicate with humans, as well as being able to control them telepathically. But the most important reason for Calyrex being known as the King of Bountiful Harvests is its ability to make the crops grow, no matter the place or the weather. 

Imagine you are a poor Galarian about to die from starvation or hypothermia when a Pokémon arrives and helps you with your garden, giving you food for yourself and your family. It was easy to imagine why Calyrex was a king back then. 

What is Calyrex Based On? 

Calyrex looks like an Artic Hare, and this is because all its concept is based on the Three Hares Symbol, mostly used in Celtic Folklore. Everything fits because the three hares symbol is believed to be related to fertility! The legend of Calyrex being able to control Glastrier or Spectrier is based on the Celtic legend of king Brian Boru and the Púca. 

It is said that the Púca were uncontrollable white or black beasts that ate all the harvests of the towns and villages. And on the other hand, Brian Boru was an Irish king known as the only human able to control a Púca, making it a faithful steed. 

Calyrex Summary of Appearances in Pokémon Versions and Media (Games, Anime, Movies)

calyrex sword and shield

Games 

Calyrex is only available in Sword and Shield and only after installing the Crown Tundra Expansion Pass. The Expansion Pass has a quest dedicated to Calyrex, where you’ll be helping Calyrex regain its power and then catching it. You’ll also have to choose Spectrier and Glastrier; sadly, you can’t have both. 

How to get Calyrex, a Walkthrough 

As soon as you put your feet on the Crown Tundra, you’ll meet Peony, a Gym Leader who is taking some free time to explore the complete Tundra.

Peony is important as he’ll give you access to the quests to get the legendaries.  Peony and his daughter, Peonia, are there to explore the Crown Tundra. Still, Peonia constantly turns a blind eye to his father, as she wants to go to the Dynamax Adventures in the Max Lair. 

Your task will be sticking around Peony to get the quests and meet the new legendaries. Still, before doing it, you’ll have to go to the Max Lair and have a Dynamax Adventure by yourself. I recommend having some more Dynamax Adventures there, as you’ll need the Dynite Ores you’ll get after a successful adventure. 

How to Start the Quest? 

Calyrex Summary

After going through the Dynamax Adventures, you’ll have to head to Freezington (which has the most obvious name for a place since Town City) and find Peony. There, Freezingtonians will tell you about the King of Bountiful Harvests, which is none other than Calyrex. 

Upon talking with Peony and getting to your inn, you’ll see a wooden crown-shaped thing on the table. Peony says he was using it as a pillow (A very hard one to use, if you ask me), but it’s just the crown of the statue in the middle of the town. So take it and put it where it belongs. 

As you put the Crown on Wooden Calyrex, the real one will appear and, to see if you are trustworthy, It’ll fight against you. You can’t catch it yet, so feel free to attack it as you wish. As you win the battle, Peony will appear, and Calyrex will take control of his body; now, it can communicate with you. Finally, Peony will not say anything dumb for a while! 

Calyrex will tell you the story about its legend and how to recover its ancient power to help Freezington become big and prosperous again. It will first ask you to go around Freezington to ask people if they remember the King of Bountiful Harvests, but people only remember it as a far fable. 

Calyrex’s power comes from its link with the people, and if people don’t recognize it as the King of Bountiful Harvests, Calyrex can’t help them. 

Spectrier or Glastrier 

After telling Calyrex no one loves it anymore, it wants to recover its power, so the strategy is to find its lovely steed. To do it, you’ll have to look for Freezington’s Mayor; he’s at Giant’s Bed. Find the Mayor, talk with him, and head back to Freezington as you’ll have to talk with him again in his house. You’ll learn that Calyrex’s steed loved carrots, so now it’s time to create some of them. 

Luckily, an older man in front of Freezington’s Gardens will sell you Carrot Seeds if you give him some Dynite Ores. This is why I told you to do some Dynamax Adventures before going into the quest.

Now that you got the seeds, go and talk with Calyrex; it will tell you where to plant those seeds. You have two places, a garden in Snowslide Slope, which will give you the Iceroot Carrots, and a grim garden near the Old Cemetery, which will give you Shaderoot Carrots. 

With the Iceroot Carrots, you’ll be able to summon Glastrier, and the Shaderoot Carrots will let you summon Spectrier. 

Time To Catch Calyrex 

As you summon the steed, it’ll run to Freezington only to wreak havoc. You’ll have to battle against it. Don’t try to catch it, as you can’t do it yet. If you defeat Glastrier, it’ll give you the White Hair Mane, while if you defeat Spectrier, it’ll give you the Black Hair Mane. 

If you take the given Hair Mane to Calyrex, it’ll create a Radiant Petal, and then you’ll be able to create the Reins of Unity.  The next step is to take the Radiant Petal and the Hair Mane to the Mayor. Sadly, he cannot create the Reins of Unity, but then Peony appears to save the day!

Finally, Peony’s years of experience fixing his daughter’s clothes help you to create the Reins of Unity. Who would say that Peony was going to be helpful? Calyrex will appear, telling you the steed hide in the Crown Shrine, so you’ll have to get there. To get to the Crown Shrine, you’ll have to cross through the Tunnel to the Top (yes, the obvious names are still on fire). 

As you get to the Crown Shrine, you’ll have a battle against Calyrex and its steed. Then, finally, you can catch it! 

Calyrex Evolution Line: When does Calyrex Evolve? 

ice calyrex
Image from Pokemon Fandom

Calyrex is a Legendary Pokémon, so it can’t evolve into any Pokémon and doesn’t have a prior evolutionary stage. 

Calyrex Stats

When Calyrex isn’t riding any of its faithful steeds, it isn’t as powerful as it can be, having the following stats: 

  HP Attack Defense Sp. Atk Sp. Def Speed
Base Stats 100 80 80 80 80 80
Favorable Nature 404 284 284 284 284 284

Strangely, Calyrex has 80 Base Stat Points in all its Stats except for its HP, which reaches 100, making it Calyrex pretty much useless for the competitive meta and a very complicated Pokémon to carry on the adventure. I mean, Calyrex isn’t good in any stat, so it’s hard to create a strategy or even make it work. But don’t worry, as Calyrex gets heavily powerful when being with its fabulous horses. 

Calyrex-Ice 

When Calyrex is riding its faithful Glastrier, it changes into Calyrex-Ice and develops a very strong power; let’s see it: 

  HP Attack Defense Sp. Atk Sp. Def Speed
Base Stats 100 165 150 85 130 50
Favorable Nature 404 471 438 295 394 218

Calyrex-Ice has one of the best Attack Stats a Pokémon has ever seen. Calyrex’s Attack, combined with its great Defenses, makes it one of the best Pokémon of the highest competitive tier, known as Uber. Calyrex-Ice is well known as a Wallbreaker, capable of facing the most fearsome bulky threats and making them fall apart with ease. Everyone with a Calyrex-Ice knows they have one of the best Physical Pokémon in the game. 

Calyrex only lacks Speed, as it is very slow, but that’s not a big issue, as Calyrex-Ice can easily depend on its defenses to hang on the field enough to land very powerful hits! 

Calyrex-Shadow 

When Calyrex is up on the backs of Spectrier, it gets extreme speed and swiftness alongside a strength worthy of the best Special Pokémon of the game. 

These are Calyrex-Shadow’s Stats: 

  HP Attack Defense Sp. Atk Sp. Def Speed
Base Stats 100 85 80 165 100 150
Favorable Nature 404 295 284 471 328 438

If Calyrex-Ice was a great and bulky Physical Attacker, Calyrex-Shadow is the best Special Sweeper of the competitive meta. Calyrex-Shadow’s high-class Speed and Special Attack make it have many different strategies.  Calyrex-Shadow can be a Special Sweeper (Which is its best role, in my opinion), can be an Entry Hazard Setter, or can even be a Pivot! 

It’s great to see Pokémon with several build options; I love it! It is said that it’s almost impossible to play against a Calyrex-Shadow, but it’s also fair to say that its Physical Defense isn’t the best; that’s its weakest point. 

Abilities 

Calyrex can only have the following ability: 

Unnerve: Calyrex prevents the foe’s Pokémon from eating any kind of berries. 

I know this one is a useless ability for regular adventures. Still, it’s a very useful one in competitive matches! I love it because I can get rid of those Sitrus Berry users who heal their Pokémon with no effort!

Calyrex-Ice 

calyrex ice rider

And now, here’s the catch. Technically, when Calyrex is riding Glastrier or Spectrier, they are two Pokémon fused into one, making it have two abilities! This ability combination is known as As One, and it works like this: 

As One: This ability combines Calyrex’s Unnerve ability with Glastrier’s Chilling Neigh ability! 

Chilling Neigh is very useful, as every time Calyrex-Ice knocks a Pokémon out, it’ll increase its Attack in one stage! 

Calyrex-Shadow 

Calyrex-Shadow 

Calyrex-Shadow also has As One, and it works like this: 

As One: Again, Calyrex’s Unnerve and Spectrier’s Grim Neigh combine into a single ability for Calyrex-Shadow. 

Grim Neigh works perfectly for Calyrex-Shadow as every time it gets a Pokémon down, it’ll increase its Special Attack in one stage. 

Possible Natures 

As Calyrex and its possible forms are Legendary Pokémon, they are impossible to breed, making it impossible to choose a Nature that fits them. In short, if Calyrex got a Neutral Nature or a Nature that doesn’t benefit it, you’ll have to work with that. 

Nonetheless, if you are going to play in Pokémon Showdown, you’ll be able to build your Calyrex from scratch with the best Nature and EVs. 

Calyrex-Ice 

We need Calyrex-Ice to do the most out of its Attack, as the idea is to make it a great Wallbreaker. Hitting first isn’t important on Calyrex-Ice; if it can hang on the field for a long time while landing powerful hits, that’s more than enough. 

I love having different options on Natures for a Pokémon. For example, Calyrex-Ice has three; we can increase its Special Defense, Attack, or Speed. 

Special Defense 

You can increase Calyrex-Ice’s Special Defense in case you want to play safely and without risks. 

  • Calm (Increases Special Defense, Decreases Attack)
  • Gentle (Increases Special Defense, Decreases Defense)
  • Sassy (Increases Special Defense, Decreases Speed)
  • Careful (Increases Special Defense, Decreases Special Attack)

So, you’ll choose a Nature depending on the build you want to use with Calyrex. As Calyrex’s best Stat is its Attack, and all the moves it can learn are Physical, it’s a bad idea to downgrade its Attack, and it’s never an option to decrease its Defenses. 

The best way to go is choosing Careful, increasing its Special Defense but without using its Special Attack at all. 

Attack 

You can increase Calyrex’s Attack in case you want a hyper-offensive Calyrex build. 

  • Lonely (Increases Attack, Decreases Defense)
  • Brave (Increases Attack, Decreases Speed)
  • Adamant (Increases Attack, Decreases Special Attack)
  • Naughty (Increases Attack, Decreases Special Defense)

Again, the best idea is to discard Calyrex-Ice’s Special Attack only in favor of buffing its Attack; that’s why Adamant is a great option. Also, some Calyrex-Ice builds don’t use the Speed at all as they work with different strategies; that’s why Brave can also work perfectly. 

Speed 

Calyrex-Ice’s worst Stat is its Speed, which only gets to a measly 50 Base Stat Points. Trying to fix its low Speed with a favorable Nature can be a good idea, as the rest of Calyrex-Ice’s Stats aren’t bad at all. 

  • Timid (Increases Speed, Decreases Attack)
  • Hasty (Increases Speed, Decreases Defense)
  • Jolly (Increases Speed, Decreases Special Attack)
  • Naive (Increases Speed, Decreases Special Defense)

Again, the best option is using Jolly as Calyrex-Ice will not use its Special Attack at all. 

Calyrex-Shadow 

Calyrex-Shadow is an absurd beast. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t even need a favorable Nature to obliterate its enemies completely. Nonetheless, we can assign it a good Nature, and we have two ways to go; we can buff its Speed or its Special Attack. 

Speed 

As Calyrex-Shadow’s idea is to Sweep its rivals quickly, the idea is not to be touched by anyone, hence the need to increase its Speed even more. 

  • Timid (Increases Speed, Decreases Attack)
  • Hasty (Increases Speed, Decreases Defense)
  • Jolly (Increases Speed, Decreases Special Attack)
  • Naive (Increases Speed, Decreases Special Defense)

In this case, Calyrex-Shadow doesn’t need its Attack, as all the good moves it can learn are mostly Special, and its sets don’t use Physical moves. 

Special Attack 

Now, if you feel like a wild competitive player, you can just buff its Special Attack to destroy your enemies even more than usual. 

  • Modest (Increases Special Attack, Decreases Attack)
  • Mild (Increases Special Attack, Decreases Defense)
  • Quiet (Increases Special Attack, Decreases Speed)
  • Rash (Increases Special Attack, Decreases Special Defense)

I’ll choose Modest by the same token I chose Timid when buffing its Speed; Calyrex-Shadow will not use its Attack in competitive matches! 

Calyrex Moves Per Level

Calyrex can learn the following moves by leveling up:

Level Move Type Category Power Accuracy PP
1 Pound Normal Physical 40 100% 35
1 Mega Drain Grass Special 40 100% 15
1 Confusion Psychic Special 50 100% 20
1 Growth Normal Status 20
8 Life Dew Water Status 10
16 Giga Drain Grass Special 75 100% 10
24 Psyshock Psychic Special 80 100% 10
32 Helping Hand Normal Status 20
40 Aromatherapy Grass Status 5
48 Energy Ball Grass Special 90 100% 10
56 Psychic Psychic Special 90 100% 10
64 Leech Seed Grass Status 90% 10
72 Heal Pulse Psychic Status 10
80 Solar Beam Grass Special 120 100% 10
80 Future Sight Psychic Special 120 100% 10

Calyrex Moves Per TM/TR

Calyrex can learn the following moves through the usage of a TM or a TR: 

TM/TR (GEN VIII) Move Type Category Power Accuracy PP
TM02 Pay Day Normal Physical 40 100% 20
TM08 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150 90% 5
TM09 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150 90% 5
TM10 Magical Leaf Grass Special 60 20
TM11 Solar Beam Grass Special 120 100% 10
TM12 Solar Blade Grass Status 125 100% 10
TM17 Light Screen Psychic Status 30
TM18 Reflect Psychic Status 20
TM19 Safeguard Normal Status 25
TM21 Rest Psychic Status 10
TM24 Snore Normal Special 50 100% 15
TM25 Protect Normal Status 10
TM28 Giga Drain Grass Special 75 100% 10
TM34 Sunny Day Fire Status 5
TM39 Facade Normal Status 70 100% 20
TM40 Swift Normal Special 60 20
TM41 Helping Hand Normal Status 20
TM44 Imprison Psychic Status 10
TM50 Bullet Seed Grass Physical 25 100% 30
TM60 Power Swap Psychic Status 10
TM61 Guard Swap Psychic Status 10
TM62 Speed Swap Psychic Status 10
TM70 Trick Room Psychic Status 5
TM71 Wonder Room Psychic Status 10
TM72 Magic Room Psychic Status 10
TM76 Round Normal Special 60 100% 15
TM87 Draining Kiss Fairy Special 50 100% 10
TM88 Grassy Terrain Grass Status 10
TM91 Psychic Terrain Psychic Status 10
TR11 Psychic Psychic Special 90 100% 10
TR12 Agility Psychic Status 30
TR14 Metronome Normal Status 10
TR19 Tri-Attack Normal Special 80 100% 10
TR20 Substitute Normal Status 10
TR25 Psyshock Psychic Special 100% 10
TR26 Endure Normal Status 10
TR27 Sleep Talk Normal Status 10
TR29 Baton Pass Normal Status 40
TR30 Encore Normal Status 100% 5
TR34 Future Sight Psychic Special 120 100% 10
TR38 Trick Psychic Status 100% 10
TR40 Skill Swap Psychic Status 10
TR49 Calm Mind Psychic Status 20
TR59 Seed Bomb Grass Physical 80 100% 15
TR65 Energy Ball Grass Special 90 100% 10
TR69 Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical 80 90% 15
TR71 Leaf Storm Grass Special 130 90% 5
TR77 Grass Knot Grass Special 100% 20
TR82 Stored Power Psychic Special 20 100% 10
TR83 Ally Switch Psychic Status 15
TR96 Pollen Puff Bug Special 90 100% 15

Calyrex-Ice Moves Per Level

Calyrex-Ice can learn the following moves by leveling up: 

Level Move Type Category Power Accuracy PP
1 Glacial Lance Ice Physical 130 100% 5
1 Tackle Normal Physical 40 100% 35
1 Tail Whip Normal Status 100% 30
1 Double Kick Fighting Physical 30 100% 30
1 Avalanche Ice Physical 60 100% 10
1 Stomp Normal Physical 65 100% 20
1 Torment Dark Status 100% 15
1 Mist Ice Status 30
1 Icicle Clash Ice Physical 85 90% 10
1 Take Down Normal Physical 90 85% 20
1 Iron Defense Steel Status 15
1 Thrash Normal Physical 120 100% 10
1 Taunt Dark Status 100% 20
1 Double-Edge Normal Physical 120 100% 15
1 Swords Dance Normal Status 20
1 Pound Normal Physical 40 100% 35
1 Mega Drain Grass Special 40 100% 15
1 Confusion Psychic Special 50 100% 25
1 Growth Normal Status 20
8 Life Dew Water Status 10
16 Giga Drain Grass Special 75 100% 10
24 Psyshock Psychic Special 80 100% 10
32 Helping Hand Normal Status 20
40 Aromatherapy Grass Status 5
48 Energy Ball Grass Special 90 100% 10
56 Psychic Psychic Special 90 100% 10
64 Leech Seed Grass Status 90% 10
72 Heal Pulse Psychic Status 10
80 Solar Beam Grass Special 120 100% 10
88 Future Sight Psychic Special 120 100% 10

Calyrex-Ice Moves Per TM/TR

Calyrex-Ice can learn the following moves when using a TM or a TR on it: 

TM/TR (GEN VIII) Move Type Category Power Accuracy PP
TM02 Pay Day Normal Physical 40 100% 20
TM08 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150 90% 5
TM09 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150 90% 5
TM10 Magical Leaf Grass Special 60 20
TM11 Solar Beam Grass Special 120 100% 10
TM12 Solar Blade Grass Status 125 100% 10
TM17 Light Screen Psychic Status 30
TM18 Reflect Psychic Status 20
TM19 Safeguard Normal Status 25
TM21 Rest Psychic Status 10
TM24 Snore Normal Special 50 100% 15
TM25 Protect Normal Status 10
TM26 Scary Face Normal Status 100% 10
TM27 Icy Wind Ice Special 55 95% 15
TM28 Giga Drain Grass Special 75 100% 10
TM35 Hail Ice Status 10
TM34 Sunny Day Fire Status 5
TM39 Facade Normal Status 70 100% 20
TM40 Swift Normal Special 60 20
TM41 Helping Hand Normal Status 20
TM44 Imprison Psychic Status 10
TM50 Bullet Seed Grass Physical 25 100% 30
TM51 Icicle Spear Ice Physical 25 100 30
TM53 Mud Shot Ground Special 55 95% 15
TM57 Payback Dark Physical 50 100% 10
TM58 Assurance Dark Physcial 60 100% 10
TM60 Power Swap Psychic Status 10
TM61 Guard Swap Psychic Status 10
TM62 Speed Swap Psychic Status 10
TM64 Avalanche Ice Physical 60 100% 10
TM70 Trick Room Psychic Status 5
TM71 Wonder Room Psychic Status 10
TM72 Magic Room Psychic Status 10
TM76 Round Normal Special 60 100% 15
TM81 Bulldoze Ground Physical 60 100% 20
TM85 Snarl Dark Special 55 95% 15
TM87 Draining Kiss Fairy Special 50 100% 10
TM88 Grassy Terrain Grass Status 10
TM91 Psychic Terrain Psychic Status 10
TM96 Smart Strike Steel Physical 70 10
TM98 Stomping Tantrum Ground Physical 75 100% 10
TR00 Swords Dance Normal Status 20
TR01 Body Slam Normal Physical 85 100% 15
TR)5 Ice Beam Ice Special 90 100% 10
TR06 Blizzard Ice Special 110 70% 5
TR11 Psychic Psychic Special 90 100% 10
TR12 Agility Psychic Status 30
TR14 Metronome Normal Status 10
TR19 Tri-Attack Normal Special 80 100% 10
TR20 Substitute Normal Status 10
TR24 Outrage Dragon Physical 120 100% 10
TR25 Psyshock Psychic Special 100% 10
TR26 Endure Normal Status 10
TR27 Sleep Talk Normal Status 10
TR28 Megahorn Bug Physical 120 85% 10
TR29 Baton Pass Normal Status 40
TR30 Encore Normal Status 100% 5
TR32 Crunch Dark Physical 80 100% 15
TR34 Future Sight Psychic Special 120 100% 10
TR35 Uproar Normal Special 90 100% 10
TR37 Taunt Dark Status 100% 20
TR38 Trick Psychic Status 100% 10
TR39 Superpower Fighting Physical 120 100% 5
TR40 Skill Swap Psychic Status 10
TR46 Iron Defense Steel Status 15
TR49 Calm Mind Psychic Status 20
TR53 Close Combat Fighting Physical 120 100% 5
TR59 Seed Bomb Grass Physical 80 100% 15
TR65 Energy Ball Grass Special 90 100% 10
TR69 Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical 80 90% 15
TR71 Leaf Storm Grass Special 130 90% 5
TR77 Grass Knot Grass Special 100% 20
TR79 Heavy Slam Steel Physical 100% 10
TR82 Stored Power Psychic Special 20 100% 10
TR83 Ally Switch Psychic Status 15
TR94 High Horsepower Ground Physical 95 95% 20
TR95 Throat Chop Dark Physical 80 100% 15
TR96 Pollen Puff Bug Special 90 100% 15
TR99 Body Press Fighting Physical 80 100% 10

Calyrex-Shadow Moves Per Level 

Calyrex-Shadow can learn the following moves by leveling up: 

Level Move Type Category Power Accuracy PP
1 Astral Barrage Ghost Special 120 100% 5
1 Tackle Normal Physical 40 100% 35
1 Tail Whip Normal Status 100% 30
1 Double Kick Fighting Physical 30 100% 30
1 Hex Ghost Special 65 100% 10
1 Stomp Normal Physical 65 100% 20
1 Confuse Ray Ghost Status 100% 10
1 Haze Ice Status 30
1 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 80 100% 15
1 Take Down Normal Physical 90 85% 20
1 Agility Psychic Status 30
1 Thrash Normal Physical 120 100% 10
1 Disable Normal Status 100% 20
1 Double-Edge Normal Physical 120 100% 15
1 Nasty Plot Dark Status 20
1 Pound Normal Physical 40 100% 35
1 Mega Drain Grass Special 40 100% 15
1 Confusion Psychic Special 50 100% 25
Growth Normal Status 20
8 Life Dew Water Status 10
16 Giga Drain Grass Special 75 100% 10
24 Psyshock Psychic Special 80 100% 10
32 Helping Hand Normal Status 20
40 Aromatherapy Grass Status 5
48 Energy Ball Grass Special 90 100% 10
56 Psychic Psychic Special 90 100% 10
64 Leech Seed Grass Status 90% 10
72 Heal Pulse Psychic Status 10
80 Solar Beam Grass Special 120 100% 10
88 Future Sight Psychic Special 120 100% 10

Calyrex-Shadow Moves Per TM/TR

Calyrex-Shadow can learn the following moves by using a TM/TR:

TM Move Type Category Power Accuracy PP
TM02 Pay Day Normal Physical 40 100% 20
TM08 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150 90% 5
TM09 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150 90% 5
TM10 Magical Leaf Grass Special 60 20
TM11 Solar Beam Grass Special 120 100% 10
TM12 Solar Blade Grass Physical 125 100% 10
TM17 Light Screen Psychic Status 30
TM18 Reflect Psychic Status 20
TM19 Safeguard Normal Status 25
TM21 Rest Psychic Status 10
TM24 Snore Normal Special 50 100% 15
TM25 Protect Normal Status 10
TM28 Giga Drain Grass Special 75 100% 10
TM34 Sunny Day Fire Status 5
TM39 Facade Normal Physical 70 100% 20
TM40 Swift Normal Special 60 20
TM41 Helping Hand Normal Status 20
TM44 Imprison Psychic Status 10
TM50 Bullet Seed Grass Physical 25 100% 30
TM60 Power Swap Psychic Status 10
TM61 Guard Swap Psychic Status 10
TM62 Speed Swap Psychic Status 10
TM70 Trick Room Psychic Status 5
TM71 Wonder Room Psychic Status 10
TM72 Magic Room Psychic Status 10
TM76 Round Normal Special 60 100% 15
TM87 Draining Kiss Fairy Special 50 100% 10
TM88 Grassy Terrain Grass Status 10
TM91 Psychic Terrain Psychic Status 10
TR11 Psychic Psychic Special 90 100 10
TR12 Agility Psychic Status 30
TR14 Metronome Normal Status 10
TR19 Tri Attack Normal Special 80 100% 10
TR20 Substitute Normal Status 10
TR25 Psyshock Psychic Special 80 100% 10
TR26 Endure Normal Status 10
TR27 Sleep Talk Normal Status 10
TR29 Baton Pass Normal Status 40
TR30 Encore Normal Status 100% 5
TR34 Future Sight Psychic Special 120 100% 10
TR38 Trick Psychic Status 100% 10
TR40 Skill Swap Psychic Status 10
TR49 Calm Mind Psychic Status 20
TR59 Seed Bomb Grass Physical 80 100% 15
TR65 Energy Ball Grass Special 90 100% 10
TR69 Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical 80 90% 15
TR71 Leaf Storm Grass Special 130 90% 5
TR77 Grass Knot Grass Special 100% 20
TR82 Stored Power Psychic Special 20 100% 10
TR83 Ally Switch Psychic Status 15
TR96 Pollen Puff Bug Special 90 100% 15

Calyrex Strengths

Calyrex Strengths

When Calyrex is dismounted, it is a Grass/Psychic-type Pokémon, meaning it is strong against Pokémon with the following types: 

  • Calyrex only gets 1/2 of the damage against Water, Fighting, Electric, Grass, Psychic, and Ground-type moves. 
  • Also, Calyrex’s moves are very effective against Pokémon with the following types: 
  • With Grass-type moves, Calyrex will deal x2 damage to Water, Rock, and Ground-type Pokémon.
  • With Psychic-type moves, Calyrex will deal x2 damage to Fighting and Poison-type Pokémon. 

There’s not much to talk about Calyrex when it’s dismounted, as it’s a mostly weak Pokémon, and even if it’s facing a Pokémon weak against it, Calyrex can have some issues to take it down. 

Calyrex Weaknesses

When not being on the back of its steed, Calyrex is weak against moves from the following types: 

  • Calyrex will receive x2 damage against Ghost, Fire, Ice, Dark, Poison, and Flying-type moves.  
  • It will also receive x4 damage against Bug-type moves. 

Also, Pokémon with the following types will have a walk in the park when facing Calyrex: 

  • With Grass-type moves, Calyrex deals 1/2 of its damage to Steel, Dragon, Fire, Bug, Grass, Poison, and Flying-type Pokémon. 
  • With Psychic-type moves, Calyrex deals 1/2 of its damage to Steel and Psychic-type Pokémon. Also, Dark-types are immune to Psychic-type moves. 

Calyrex’s Grass/Psychic type isn’t defensively the best, as it makes it susceptible against Bug-types. A strong, effective move can destroy Calyrex; that’s why it’s not suitable for competitive matches. 

Calyrex-Ice Strengths

When Calyrex is playing as Glastrier’s Jockey, it’ll be a Psychic-Ice/type Pokémon, meaning it can resist moves from the following types: 

  • Calyrex-Ice only gets 1/2 of the damage against Ice and Psychic-type moves. 

Also, Calyrex-Ice freezing moves will do a lot to Pokémon with the following types: 

  • With Ice-type moves, Calyrex-Ice will deal x2 damage to Dragon, Grass, Ground, and Flying-type Pokémon. 

Calyrex-Ice’s type combination is very weak defensively, being able to cover only two types successfully. But the same type of combination makes Calyrex-Ice a big offensive threat. Landing powerful hits on Dragon, Ground, and Flying-type Pokémon makes it able to get down most of the Walls of Uber, like Zygarde, Eternatus, and every Dragon-type Legendary Pokémon. 

Others like Groudon, Landorus, Excadrill and many more have no options against Calyrex-Ice, as it can withstand any hit given by those Pokémon easily. 

Calyrex-Ice Weaknesses

Calyrex-Ice will have serious problems when facing Pokémon with the following types: 

  • Calyrex-Ice will receive x2 damage against Steel, Bug, Ghost, Fire, Rock, and Dark-type moves. 

Also, Calyrex-Ice has no options against Pokémon with the following types: 

  • With its Ice-type moves, Calyrex-Ice inflicts 1/2 of its damage to Steel, Water, Fire, and Ice-type Pokémon. 
  • Calyrex-Ice has a good few weaknesses, but it can handle most of them, except for the Dark and Fire-types, which can mess it up badly. 
  • Calyrex-Ice has serious problems against Ho-Oh, Cinderace, Heatran, or Reshiram because it doesn’t have a good way to get rid of these threats. 

In these cases, Calyrex-Ice needs to rely on its teammates, or else it’ll be down. 

Calyrex-Shadow Strengths

Calyrex shadow strengths
Image from Pokemon.com

When Calyrex and Spectrier are combined, Calyrex-Shadow appears, having the Psychic/Ghost-type combination. So, it can resist moves from the following types: 

  • Calyrex-Shadow only gets 1/2 of the damage against Psychic and Poison-type moves. 
  • Also, Calyrex-Shadow is immune to Normal and Fighting-type moves. 

Also, Calyrex-Shadow’s moves will do a lot to Pokémon with the following types: 

  • With Ghost-type moves, Calyrex-Shadow will inflict x2 damage to Ghost and Psychic-type Pokémon. 
  • Calyrex-Shadow can only resist moves from two types, but it isn’t vulnerable to many types as it is Calyrex-Ice.  

In fact, its type combination is considered a very defensive one mostly because of the immunities against Normal and Fighting-type moves, which gives Calyrex-Shadow the advantage against Pokémon like Blissey, Urshifu, or Zamazenta in its two versions. 

Calyrex-Shadow Weaknesses

Calyrex-Shadow is very vulnerable to moves from the following types: 

  • Calyrex-Shadow will receive x4 damage against Dark and Ghost-type moves. 

Also, Calyrex-Shadow will not do much against Pokémon with the following types: 

  • With its Ghost-type moves, Calyrex-Shadow will only deal 1/2 of its damage against Dark-types, while Normal-types will be immune to its moves. 
  • Calyrex-Shadow has almost no weaknesses, but the ones it has are very hard to counter. 
  • Only two Pokémon can get Calyrex-Shadow into serious problems: Yveltal and Marshadow. 
  • Yveltal is the most powerful Dark-type Pokémon in Uber and can destroy Calyrex-Shadow if it doesn’t get some help from its teammates. 

On the other hand, Marshadow’s Ghost-type moves can destroy Calyrex-Shadow as much as Calyrex-Shadow can destroy Marshadow. This one is a known rivalry in Uber, and the winner will be the first to land a hit on its opponent. 

Calyrex-Ice Best Moveset

Tricky Wallbreaker Calyrex-Ice 

As Calyrex-Ice’s Speed is really bad, the best way to exploit its slowness is through using a lovely Move named Trick Room. 

So, a slow-paced Calyrex-Ice can work with the following build: 

  • Trick Room
  • Glacial Lance
  • High Horsepower
  • Body Press / Megahorn 

With Heavy-Duty Boots as its item, As One as its Ability, and Brave, Sassy, or Adamant as its Nature. 

EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Def / 4 SpD

Moves 

With this build, we are making the most of Calyrex-Ice’s turtle-like Speed by using Trick Room. Trick Room is a cool move that changes the attacking order of a match, making the slowest pokémon on the battlefield attack first. Unfortunately, Trick Room only lasts five turns, so you only have five turns where Calyrex-Ice will be attacking first. 

Calyrex-Ice needs to rely on its wonderful Defense and Special Defense to hang on the field enough to set the Trick Room. Therefore, it’ll be attacking first, destroying anything on its path. 

Glacial Lance is Calyrex-Ice’s signature move and will be its main offensive tool in the match.  

High Horsepower works to counter Calyrex-Ice’s Fire and Steel-type weaknesses. 

Lastly, you can choose between Body Press or Megahorn to counter Calyrex-Ice’s Dark-type weakness. Both work perfectly against Dark-types (except for Yveltal, which is better to attack with Glacial Lance). I like Body Press as its damage is calculated through Calyrex-Ice’s Defense stat instead of its Attack. With the build I recommend, Calyrex-Ice’s Defense will be very high, so it’ll deal great damage. 

On the other hand, Megahorn is harder to land but has a power of 120, making it a great option. This one is up to you! 

Item 

Heavy-Duty Boots will work as our horse’s horseshoe, as the common Entry Hazards like Spikes or Stealth Rocks hurt Glastrier’s hoofs badly. We don’t want to see Calyrex-Ice’s HP getting to a half only by entering the field, right? 

Good Teammates for Calyrex-Ice 

Calyrex-Ice can get a good helping hand from these kinds of Pokémon: 

  • If you don’t want to use Heavy-Duty Boots on Calyrex-Ice, you’ll need a Defogger or a Rapid Spin user on your team. Ho-Oh, Excadrill, or Lugia can perform this role perfectly. 
  • Calyrex-Ice needs some help to get rid of Yveltal, its most common threat. Any strong Electric-type user will help you with this task. 
  • Calyrex-Ice’s task is to pave the way for Sweepers, so Sweepers like Xerneas, Marshadow, or Yveltal can do it perfectly alongside our cold horse and its rider. 

Calyrex-Shadow Best Moveset 

calyrex best moveset
Image from Pokemon.com

Special Sweeper Calyrex-Shadow 

Calyrex-Shadow is a big beast in the competitive system. It’s very hard to take it down, but it has a major flaw; Yveltal. Yveltal’s moves can deal an x4 damage to our creepy jockey and its horse with its Dark-type moves, so we have to build Calyrex-Shadow around trying to pull the sinister bird down. 

Knowing this, Calyrex-Shadow will work perfectly with the following build: 

  • Astral Barrage
  • Draining Kiss
  • Nasty Plot
  • Psychic, or any other move, depending on your team’s flaws. 

With Focus Sash as its item, As One as its ability, and Modest as its Nature. 

EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

Moves 

Let’s start talking about Nasty Plot. This move raises Calyrex-Shadow’s Special Attack in two stages, so it’s a very dangerous move. 

There will be plenty of chances where you can use a Nasty Plot without getting severely hurt. Calyrex-Shadow’s defenses are very good, and if someone tries to land a Dark-type move on you, Focus Sash will prevent Calyrex-Shadow from falling with a single hit. 

Astral Barrage is Calyrex-Shadow’s signature move and its main offensive move. The only problem is that you can’t land it on Normal-types, but that’s not a problem, as you can hurt them with Psychic or any other offensive move you wish. 

Lastly, Draining Kiss is Calyrex-Shadow’s healing move. It combines perfectly with Focus Sash and will be good against Yveltal and other Dark-type Pokémon. It won’t One-Hit KO them, but Calyrex-Shadow will deal a lot of damage while healing itself. 

Item 

Focus Sash is perfect for Late-Game Sweepers like Calyrex-Shadow, as it’ll prevent it from fainting with a move that would One-Hit KO it, like a strong Dark-type move. 

Good Teammates for Calyrex-Shadow 

Calyrex-Shadow will join forces perfectly with the following Pokémon: 

  • Calyrex-Shadow is a Sweeper; it’ll be the one who gives the coup-de-grace to the opposite team. So, it can appreciate help from Wallbreakers like Incarnate Landorus, Galarian Darmanitar, or Hero of Many Battles Zacian. 
  • Calyrex-Shadow will appreciate being around Entry Hazard Setters like Dialga, Ferrothorn, or Skarmory, which are great Spikes or Stealth Rocks users, to deal a lot of passive damage to the opposite team. 
  • Alternatively, Will-O-Wisp users like Ho-Oh or Giratina can be a side option if you don’t want to rely on Entry Hazards. Calyrex-Shadow can also learn Will-O-Wisp, but I personally prefer not to give this tool to Sweepers. 

Calyrex On a Video

I love searching around YouTube for different strategies to use on Calyrex in both forms, as you can usually find options you’ve never thought about before. 

This video shows a great team combination for a dual battle with Calyrex-Ice, using a build with Body Press. This video is perfect for seeing some great teammate options and move alternatives for Calyrex-Ice.

This video is very straightforward, but I wanted to showcase the big damage a Calyrex-Shadow can do if it’s in good company. 

In this case, Calyrex had a lead on Wigglytuff, which confused and damaged its opponent, paving the way for Calyrex to snowball by defeating Tapu Koko and then proccing Grim Neigh. The rest is very predictable; Calyrex-Shadow swept the opposite team entirely. 

FAQs

Question: Which one is better, Calyrex-Ice or Calyrex-Shadow? 

Answer: Both do slightly different things. Calyrex-Ice is more of a defensive Pokémon, while Calyrex-Shadow intends to be highly offensive. Nonetheless, I feel Calyrex-Shadow works more efficiently than its counterpart, as the former has a better type combination. 

Question: Is it possible to get a Shiny Calyrex? 

Answer: No, it’s not possible. The newly event Pokémon, like Calyrex, Galarian Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres, Zacian, Zamazenta, and more, are programmed never to be shiny. 
I don’t know why. There is no valid reason to do this, and it feels like a bad move from Game Freak. 

Question: What will happen if you fail to catch Calyrex? 

Answer: If you get to the point where you are battling against Calyrex and your desired steed, and you accidentally take it down instead of catching it, you are pretty much forced to reset your game and try it again, as you only have a chance to catch them. I recommend saving your game before trying to catch Calyrex if you don’t want to repeat the whole event. 

Calyrex Guide: Conclusion

Calyrex gave the whole competitive meta a 180-degree turn. Thanks to Calyrex and its two forms, other Pokémon, like Zarude or Yveltal, emerged as great options and escalated quickly into the top teams, as players needed options to get Calyrex down. 

I love Calyrex, as it’s what Pokéfans needed to make the competitive battles interesting again; I feel like since Calyrex arrived, competitive battles have been more enjoyable! 

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