Wave Crash is Basculegion’s signature move: a Water-type physical attack with 120 base power and 1/3 HP recoil (the user takes damage equal to one-third of the damage dealt).
120 base power is already extremely high. Under rain, Water moves deal 50% more damage — bringing the effective output to 180. With Swift SwimSwift SwimabilityAn ability that doubles the Pokémon's Speed stat while rain is active on the field.Click to read more → doubling Speed in rain, Basculegion is both the fastest and one of the hardest-hitting Pokémon on the field.
The rain sweeper formula
The Basculegion package is designed around one idea: hit hard and hit first. In rain:
- DrizzleDrizzleabilityAn ability that instantly summons permanent rain when the Pokémon enters the field — no move required.Click to read more → (Pelipper entering) activates rain.
- Swift Swim doubles Basculegion’s Speed — it moves before almost everything.
- Wave Crash at 120 base power, boosted 50% by rain, knocks out whatever it touches.
This is often enough to take out a Pokémon in one hit, leaving the opponent in a 2v1 on the turn after.
Recoil and longevity
The 1/3 recoil is significant. Basculegion’s plan is to sweep fast — it doesn’t expect to stay healthy for long. A Helping HandHelping HandmoveA +5 priority move that boosts the partner's next move by 1.5× — doubles-only support that amplifies damage without attacking.Click to read more → boost amplifies the initial damage further, front-loading the KO potential. Pairs that use Helping Hand into Wave Crash are among the highest-damage single-action combinations in the format.
Adaptoid / Spirit item interaction
Many Basculegion builds run Choice Band to further amplify Wave Crash power, accepting the lock-in because Wave Crash is the move they want to use every turn anyway.