Zoroark Guide: Best Builds and Moveset | Pokemon UNITE｜Game8 (2024)

The best guide on how to play Zoroark in Pokemon UNITE for Nintendo Switch and Mobile. Check here for the best builds, Held and Battle items, movesets, as well as the latest nerfs, buffs, counters, matchups, and more!

Zoroark Pokemon Pages
Zoroark Release Date	Zoroark Guide

Zoroark Latest Nerfs & Buffs (4/16)

Version 1.14.1.5 Patch Notes

Zoroark Changes (April 16)
Night Slash	• Damage reduced by 15%. • Cooldown increased from 8s to 9s. • HP restoration decreased by 20%.

Zoroark Basic Info

Zoroark
	Tier Rating: Role: Speedster Attack Type: Melee Damage Type: Physical Difficulty: ExpertCost: 14000/ 575
"Confound the competition with speed and illusions!"

Pokemon Unite Tier List

Zoroark Best Lanes

Top	Jungle	Bottom

Tips & Strategies for Every Lane

Zoroark Cost and Price

UNITE License: Zoroark	14,000 575

As of November 3, 2022, Zoroark is now purchasable for 14,000 Aeos Coins or 575 Aeos Gems! This comes one week after Zoroark was first released and was only available to purchase together with the Costume Party Style Zoroark Holowear for 1,381 Aeos Gems.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Zoroark Best Builds

Night Slash Build

Night Slash Build
Moveset			Held Items
Shadow Claw Night Slash			Muscle Band Attack Weight Weakness Policy
Battle Item
Full Heal
Item Effects (at Level 30)			Recommended Lane
Attack: +48 Attack Speed: +7.50% HP: +210			Top Lane Jungle Bot Lane
Emblem Color Combination			Target Emblem Stats
Brown x6 White x6			Positive Stats: • Attack • Critical-Hit Rate Free Negative Stats: • Sp. Atk • Defense • Sp. Def
Note:The emblem color and stats here are suggestions only. The builds are still viable even without the suggested emblems.

Night Slash Build Explanation

This build centered on bursting targets down with Night Slash and Shadow Claw or Cut. The key to this build is hitting all of Night Slash's activations, particularly the final AOE damage since it deals the highest burst damage.

• Muscle Band works well with Night Slash since Zoroark needs to attack to perform the combo.
• Attack Weight provides Zoroark with a large Attack stat boost, increasing its overall damage output.
• Weakness Policy improves Zoroark's damage as it takes hits from opponents, particularly while using Night Slash.
• Float Stone can be a replacement for Muscle Band, giving Zoroark damage and mobility in exchange for improved attack damage.
• For a more defensive build, Focus Band can replace one of the items. Aeos Cookie can also work but should only replace either Muscle Band or Weakness Policy.
• Full Heal protects Zoroark from disables and debuffs, allowing it to fully perform Night Slash.
• Eject Button or X Speed can also work, giving Zoroark more mobility.
• The build's Boost Emblem loadout should consist of 6 Brown Emblems for more damage and 6 White Emblems additional HP. This can be achieved by having at least two (2) Emblems that are both Brown and White.
• Equip Emblems that improve Attack or Critical-Hit Rate to further improve Zoroark's damage while using Night Slash.
• Sp. Atk., Sp. Def., and Defense can be freely traded for the other stats.

Night Slash Build Damage Test

Since the build is centered on Night Slash, equipping items that will maximize its damage output is the ideal item combination.

As the results show, Muscle Band, Attack Weight, and Weakness Policy will generate the best Night Slash damage result for the build.

As for alternatives, replacing Muscle Band with Float Stone would be the ideal choice. The attack stat and movement speed bonus from Float Stone provides a good balance of damage and mobility that suits Zoroark's Speedster role.

Feint Attack Build

Feint Attack Build Explanation

This build utilizes Feint Attack's move reset mechanic to allow Zoroark to use Shadow Claw or Cut more frequently and perform a combo.

• Attack Weight provides Zoroark with a large Attack stat boost, increasing the Pokemon's damage output significantly.
• Weakness Policy improves Zoroark's damage as it takes hits from opponents, particularly when performing its combo using Feint Attack.
• Float Stone gives Zoroark mobility via increased movement speed and more damage through increased Attack stat.
• Muscle Band or Razor Claw can be a replacement for Float Stone, exchanging mobility for better attack damage.
• For a more defensive build, Focus Band or Aeos Cookie can replace Float Stone.
• Full Heal protects Zoroark from disables and debuffs, allowing it to perform its combo during Feint Attack.
• The build's Boost Emblem loadout should consist of 6 Brown Emblems for more damage and 6 White Emblems additional HP. This can be achieved by having at least two (2) Emblems that are both Brown and White.
• Equip Emblems that improve Attack or Critical-Hit Rate to further improve Zoroark's damage.
• Sp. Atk., Sp. Def., and Defense can be freely traded for the other stats.

Feint Attack Build Damage Test

Since the build is centered on Feint Attack and utilizing its cooldown reset mechanic, equipping items that will maximize Zoroark's move damage is the ideal item combination.

As the results show, Attack Weight, Weakness Policy, and Float Stone will produce the highest move damage results for the build.

As for alternatives, replacing Float Stone with either Muscle Band or Razor Claw would be the best choice. Both item combinations generated the second highest move damage results but will improve Zoroark's attack damage as well.

Zoroark Best Items & Moveset

Best Held Items

Item	Explanation
Attack Weight	Attack Weight adds more Attack stat for Zoroark each time you score goal (up to 6 times). Getting the full stack bonus further increases Zoroark's damage for maximum lethality.
Float Stone	Float Stone increases both of Zoroark's movement speed and attack. This allows the Pokemon to efficiently roam the map while also adding to its damage output.
Focus Band	Focus Band provides extra defenses and a chance to save Zoroark with HP recovery when its HP gets low.
Scope Lens	Scope Lens increases both of Zoroark's critical-hit rate and damage. This can potentialy help Zoroark burst down targets in quick succession, if it manages to deal a couple of critical hits.
Muscle Band	Muscle Band adds more damage to Zoroark's Standard Attacks. Since you will constantly be dealing Standard Attacks during combos, the extra damage will be significant when it piles up.
Razor Claw	Razor Claw adds a slow effect everytime you hit opponents with your moves. This allows you to keep opponents in place as you set up combos and burst down targets.

List of Held Items

Best Battle Items

Item	Explanation
Full Heal	Full Heal gives Zoroark protection against getting interrupted when it performs its combos.
Eject Button	Eject Button adds more dash opportunities to Zoroark's already great dash moveset. The item gives you a quick and easy way to reposition Zoroark during fights.
X Speed	X Speed helps Zoroark get increased in movement speed for maneuvering around the battlefield. It also helps Zoroark get around enemy crowd control.

List of Battle Items

Best Moveset

Move	Explanation
Shadow Claw	Shadow Claw allows Zoroark to disable a target with a stun, which leaves them vulnerable to Zoroark's combos.
Night Slash	Night Slash is a quick and hard-hitting dash move that has Zoroark burst down its targets with powerful slashes. Getting the full amount of hits allows Zoroark to launch an air attack that can easily bring even the sturdiest of Pokemon down.

This moveset gives Zoroark the highest amount of burst damage when used in a combo. Although quite tricky to pull off, Night Slash requires Zoroark to incorporate attacks to perform the full combo, leading to a high amount of burst damage. Shadow Claw simply deals more damage compared to Cut and is an objectively better setup move for Night Slash.

Night Slash and Feint Attack are Zoroark's primary damage move. The difference between the two is that Night Slash deals significantly more damage compared to Feint Attack, but Feint Attack has more mechanics that Zoroark can utilize during fights.

Shadow Claw and Cut are another set of damage moves but deals significantly lesser damage compared to the other moveset. However, they do offer some utility. Shadow Claw is a decent crowd control move since it stuns and knocks up opponents. On the other hand, Cut can heal Zoroark.

Choosing a move combination is entirely up to player preference since Zoroark's moves can blend well with each other.

Which Moveset Do You Think is Best for Zoroark?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Previous Poll Result

How to Play Zoroark

Race to Level 7

Zoroark's power spike starts at level 7. From here, it will have access to better dash moves and damage that improve its lethality in combat. Gathering as much EXP as possible, especially during the early game, will be crucial in turning Zoroark into an effective assassin. It's best not to get too aggressive to avoid getting knocked down in the fight and losing momentum.

Focus on Farming with Initial Kit

Both of Zoroark's initial moveset - Fury Swipes and Slash - offer decent mobility and damage that contributes to the Pokemon's early offense. Since Zoroark's defenses are relatively low during the early game, it is best to use the moves for farming Wild Pokemon spawns instead of seeking out enemy knockdowns - unless they are over-extending. Zoroark can also take advantage of Fury Swipes' double activations to deal quick burst damage towards a single target and steal EXP from opponents!

Jungle Area is Recommended

Taking the Jungler role is highly recommended. This will allow Zoroark to farm Wild Pokemon spawns in the jungle area uncontested and get EXP much faster. Thanks to its powerful dash moves, it also opens up strong gank opportunities as the game progresses.

Jungle Guide and Best Junglers

Trick the Enemy Team with Illusion

Zoroark's passive ability, Illusion, has the Pokemon turn into a random opposing Pokemon or Wild Pokemon to confuse the enemy team. The effect lasts for 15 seconds which gives you enough time to move around the battlefield without getting noticed. During this, you will show up in the enemy team's minimap as an ally or as a gold dot when you take the form of a Wild Pokemon.

Illusion: Zoroark Passive Effect and Cooldown

Avoid Damage

Since Zoroark becomes invincible for a brief period of time when you activate Illusion, it can completely avoid incoming damage by using it at the right moment. This is effective against Sure-Hit moves.

Use Cut or Shadow Claw in Between Feint Attack Dashes

Each time Zoroark uses Feint Attack, its other move's cooldown resets, allowing it to use that move again. The most efficient way to use Feint Attack is by alternating between Feint Attack and your other move. Doing so maximizes the combo's damage output.

Alternate Between Dashing and Attacking When Using Night Slash

When using Night Slash, hitting a target with attacks or moves allows Zoroark to use Night Slash again. However, the most efficient way to perform the entire Night Slash combo is by alternating dashing and attacking. Doing so allows Zoroark to dish out damage and finish the combo quickly. It also makes the Pokemon harder to aim since it's dashing too fast.

Use Shadow Claw or Cut to Dash

While Zoroark is in the air, it can use Shadow Claw or Cut to dash a short distance, allowing it to better aim Night Slash's final attack. This is useful for chasing targets down that are a little out of range.

Nightfall Daze Strategy

Zoroark's Unite Move, Nightfall Daze, is a quick and powerful move that has the Pokemon release AoE shockwaves within an area. Generally, you will want to get close to the target before activating the move to deal the most damage possible.

Nightfall Daze: Zoroark Move Effect and Cooldown

Use it as a Finisher

One way to get the most out of the move's damage is to activate Nightfall Daze as a finishing attack to cleanly knock down an opponent. The massive damage will be enough to knock down low-HP Pokemon instantly, especially after performing a combo!

Disengage From Fights

When attempting combos, you may find yourself either interrupted by enemy crowd control or missing a move, leaving Zoroark open for counterattacks. You can use Night Fall's to become unstoppable for a few seconds as Zoroark channels the explosion, allowing you to avoid getting further pinned down by enemy stuns or slows. Additionally, the added movement speed you get for activating the move will help you disengage from the fight easier.

Unite Move Guide: How to Use and Effects

Zoroark Progression and Leveling Guide

Top or Bottom Lane Guide

Level 1 to 5

• Secure as many Wild Pokemon as you can and get EXP to reach level 5.
• Once at level 5, learn either Night Slash or Feint Attack.
• Continue to farm wild Pokemon and level up, defend the lane, score points, and knock out opponents.

Level 6 to 9

• Once at level 7, learn Shadow Claw or Cut, and start to get aggressive.
• Continue to farm wild Pokemon, defend the lane, score points, and knock out opponents to level up.
• Help your allies secure Regieleki and/or Regice, Registeel, or Regirock.
• Once at level 9, learn Nightfall Daze to get all moves.

Level 10+

• Continue to farm and level up.
• Stick with allies to defend or push lanes, secure objectives, and win teamfights.
• Reach at least level 13 on or before Rayquaza spawns for a full-upgraded moveset.
• Help your allies win a team fight and secure Rayquaza.
• After securing Rayquaza, just score points to gain the score lead, then immediately return to base and just defend the remaining goal zones until the match ends.

Jungle Guide

Level 1 to 5

• Clear the first wave of jungle camps and level up to level 5 with the help of Thunder Shock and Thunder Wave.
• Once at level 5, learn either Night Slash or Feint Attack.
• Help the top or bottom lane by securing the Altaria and Swablu camps, knocking out opponents, and scoring points.

Level 6 to 9

• Clear the second wave of jungle camps to reach level 7 and get either Shadow Claw or Cut.
• At the 8:00 minute mark, go to the center of the map and secure the Altaria and Swablu camps.
• At the 7:20 minute mark, go to the bottom lane and help secure the Altaria and Swablu camps, knock out opponents, and score points.
• Once at level 9, learn Nightfall Daze.
• At the 7:00 minute mark, help allies secure Regice, Registeel, or Regirock.
• Afterwards, try to secure Regieleki on the top lane if it's still there.

Level 10+

• Stick with allies to defend or push lanes, secure objectives, and win teamfights.
• Reach at least level 13 on or before Rayquaza spawns for a fully-upgraded moveset.
• Help your allies win a team fight and secure Rayquaza.
• After securing Rayquaza, just score points to gain the score lead, then immediately return to base and just defend the remaining goal zones until the match ends.

Zoroark Combos

When setting up Zoroark's combos, we recommend to use Illusion first to flank opponents and get proper positioning for your dash moves. This way, you will have a better chance chaining together multiple hits to reach maximum damage output

Slash and Swipe Combo

Hyper Feint Combo

Ultimate Hyper Feint Combo

Night Slash Burst Combo

Ultimate Night Slash Burst Combo

Matchups & Counters for Zoroark

Zoroark Matchups

Matchup Notes
Hard Counter	Even Matchup	Easy Matchup
1. The chart is based on our own experience playing Zoroark. 2. Pokemon within each tier are unordered 3. Any Pokemon not shown here are still under investigation.

Hard Counter with Slow and Disables

Zoroark is capable of using its high mobility to make it hard for the enemy to catch. However, it is still susceptible to getting disabled as it performs its combos.

Best Counters

Pokemon	Explanation
Slowbro	Rating: ★★★★★ • Can disrupt Zoroark's combos using Surf, Telekinesis, and Slowbeam. • Has high durability and can recover a large amount of HP using Amnesia.
Clefable	Rating: ★★★★ • Can prevent Zoroark from using its dash moves using Gravity. • Can heal a large amount of HP using Moonlight.
Umbreon	Rating: ★★★ • Can trap Zoroark using Mean Look, limiting its mobility severely. • Can disrupt Zoroark's combos using Snarl.

Even Matchups for Zoroark

Utilizing Zoroark's mobility and successfully perfoming its combos are its best weapon against these Pokemon.

Wait for An Opening

Utilize Mobility

Strike First and Fast

Group Up with Allies

Easy Matchups for Zoroark

Easy matchups are Pokemon who have little to no way of stopping Zoroark's combos and can easily get knocked out with one combo.

Close the Gap

Utilize Mobility

Take Them Out First

Best Teammates for Zoroark

Pokemon	Explanation
Pikachu Snorlax Wigglytuff	Disablers
	Pokemon with disabling moves makes it easier for Zoroark to finish its combos. They can use moves like Heavy Slam and Sing to keep enemies in place and allow Zoroark to quickly and safely execute combos.
Mr. Mime Mamoswine Tsareena	Frontliners
	Pokemon that can charge the frontlines helps Zoroark do its job of picking off targets. They can keep the enemy's attention away from Zoroark and direct it towards themselves, giving room for Zoroark to wait for an opening before dashing in and knocking out targets. They can also use disabling moves like Confusion and Icicle Crash to set up Zoroark's combos.

Looking for teammates to synergize with you? Head over to our Friend Request Board to find other trainers to join you in your grind or just to hang out with!

Friend Request Board

Zoroark Moves

Move Slot 1 (R)

Slash (Lv. 1 or 3)	Move Type: Dash Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 5.5s Starting Damage: 335 Final Damage: 402
Has the user dash in the designated direction , dealing damage to opposing Pokemon.
Shadow Claw (Lv. 7)Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Dash Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 5.5s Starting Damage: 598 Final Damage: 1024
Has the user dash in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon, and leaving them unable to act for a short time. If this move hits an opposing Pokemon near the dash's end point, that Pokemon will be thrown instead of being left unable to act.Upgrade: Increases the length of time opposing Pokemon are thrown.
Cut (Lv. 7)Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Dash Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 4.5s Starting Damage: 560 HP healed: 8% of Max HP Final Damage: 965 HP healed: 10% of Max HP
Has the user dash in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon and restoring the user's HP.Upgrade: Increases the amount of HP this move restores.

Move Slot 2 (ZR)

Fury Swipes (Lv. 1 or 3)	Move Type: Ranged Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 7.5s Starting Damage: 872 Damage per dash: 436, Number of dashes: 2 Final Damage: 996 Damage per dash: 498, Number of dashes: 2
Has the user dash in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon. If this move hits an opposing Pokemon, for a short time, it can be used again.
Night Slash (Lv. 5)Upgrade Lv. 11	Move Type: Dash Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 8s / Upgraded: 7s Starting Damage: Dash: 424, Final Attack: 1032 Damage per dash: 424, Final attack damage: 1032 Final Damage: Dash: 794, Final Attack: 1906 Damage per dash: 794, Final attack damage: 1906
For a short time, the user's next movement becomes a dash attack. After the user performs a dash attack, its next basic attack becomes a special boosted basic attack. Then, after that special boosted basic attack (or another move) hits an opposing Pokemon, the user's next movement becomes a dash attack again, and so on. This move's effect duration is limited, but after each time the user hits with a dash atack, a special boosted basic attack, or another move, the duration resets. If the user moves when unable to do a dash attack, this move's effect duration immediately ends. During this move, if the user hits opposing Pokemon with a combined total of six dash attacks and special boosted basic attacks (or other moves), the uuser will jump into the air and then land with a slash in a set area of effect, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon. If this slash attack hits opposing Pokemon, the user recovers HP. While jumping, the user is able to use Shadow Claw or Cut to move a set distance.Upgrade: Reduces the move's cooldown.
Feint Attack (Lv. 5)Upgrade Lv. 11	Move Type: Dash Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 6s / Upgraded 5s Starting Damage: 3979 Damage per dash: 532, Number of dashes: 4, Leap damage: 1332 + 519 Final Damage: 7550 Damage per dash: 1010, Number of dashes: 4, Leap damage: 2526 + 984
Has the user dash in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon and reducing all of the user's move cooldowns. If this move hits opposing Pokemon, the dash's start point is marked for a short time, and the user is able to use this move again. If this move is used again, the new dash's start point is marked, and the user dashes back toward the previous one, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon it hits along the way. As long as a point is marked, if the user uses certain moves other than Feint Attack, the point where the move was used becomes the new marked point. If the user hits opposing Pokemon four times with either Feint Attack or other moves without interrupting the chain of marking, the next use of Feint Attack changes. If this changed Feint Attack is used, the user leaps at the designated opposing Pokemon and deals damage to it before landing in the designated direction.Upgrade: Reduces this move's cooldown.

Unite Moves (ZL)

Nightfall Daze (Lv. 9)	Move Type: Sure Hit Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 100s Starting Damage: 3144 Damage per shock wave: 1048, Number of shock waves: 3 Final Damage: 4794 Damage per shock wave: 1598, Number of shock waves: 3
Has the user release three dark shock waves with increasing area of effect, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon. The user is immune to hindrances while releasing shock waves.

Standard Attack

Standard Attack	Becomes a boosted attack with every third attack, dealing increased damage.

Ability (Passive)

Illusion	All Evolution StagesThe Pokemon takes form of a random wild Pokemon or Pokemon from the opposing team. The Pokemon returns to its original form when it takes damage or uses a basic attack or move.

Zoroark Stats & Evolutions

Zoroark Evolutions

1st Evolution	Final Evolution
Zorua (Lv. 1)	Zoroark (Lv. 5)

Zoroark Stats

Attack Damage is the damage of the Basic Attack as tested against the Training Dummy.

Zoroark In-Game Stat Listings

Offense	Endurance	Mobility	Scoring	Support

Zoroark Skins (Holowear)

Holowear
Costume Party Style Zirco Trading: 1050	Ghost Style Event: Season 15 Battle Pass
Dancer Style Event: Season 22 Battle Pass

All Pokemon Skins (Holowear)

Zoroark Character Spotlight

Zoroark Achievements

Night Slash Achievement

Night Slash
Pokemon	Move
Zoroark	Night Slash
Mission:Hit 2 or more Pokemon from the opposing team at the same time when slashing the ground while landing with Night Slash or Night Slash+ (10/20/40 times)
Medals & Points	Rewards
Beginner 5	Aeos Ticket x100
Expert 5	Aeos Coin x300
Master 10	Holowear Ticket x3

List of Speedster Pokemon Achievements

Pokemon UNITE Related Guides

List of All Pokemon

All Pokemon Guides and Builds

Best Build for Each Pokemon

Pokemon Roster
Absol	Aegislash	Alolan Ninetales	Azumarill
Blastoise	Blaziken	Blissey	Buzzwole
Ceruledge	Chandelure	Charizard	Cinderace
Clefable	Comfey	Cramorant	Crustle
Decidueye	Delphox	Dodrio	Dragapult
Dragonite	Duraludon	Eldegoss	Espeon
Falinks	Garchomp	Gardevoir	Gengar
Glaceon	Goodra	Greedent	Greninja
Gyarados	Hoopa	Inteleon	Lapras
Leafeon	Lucario	Machamp	Mamoswine
Meowscarada	Metagross	Mew	Mimikyu
Mr. Mime	Pikachu	Sableye	Scizor
Slowbro	Snorlax	Sylveon	Talonflame
Tsareena	Tyranitar	Umbreon	Trevenant
Urshifu	Wigglytuff	Venusaur	Zeraora
Zoroark	-

EX Pokemon List

EX Pokemon Roster
Mega Mewtwo X	Mega Mewtwo Y
Zacian	Miraidon

EX Pokemon Meaning: List and Mechanics

Upcoming Pokemon

Top 5 Master Rank Picks & Win Rate

All data is based on Season 19 Master Rank Top 100.
Last Updated: June 4, 2024

Pokemon	Tier	Most Played %	Average Win %
Zoroark		15%	74.33%
Blaziken		8.3%	66.80%
Mew		8.3%	74.60%
Trevenant		8.3%	76.40%
Falinks		6.7%	78.75%

Top Picked Pokemon Per Role

Attacker	All- Rounder	Supporter	Defender	Speedster
Mew	Blaziken	Hoopa	Trevenant	Zoroark

Master Rank: Top Ranked Win Rates

Pokemon by Role

All Pokemon Roles
Attackers		All-Rounders		Defenders
Speedsters			Supporters

Pokemon by Characteristics

Attack Type
Melee Pokemon	Ranged Pokemon
Physical Pokemon	Special Pokemon
Stat Rankings
HP Ranking	Defense Ranking
Sp. Def. Ranking	Basic Attack Ranking