Best Tyrantrum Movesets in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Tyrantrum has always been one of those Pokémon that looks like it came straight out of a prehistoric dream—or nightmare, depending on which side of its Crunch you’re on. With its fossil origins, massive Attack stat, and surprisingly solid bulk, Tyrantrum is once again making waves in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Whether you’re planning to use it in your story team or competitive battles, picking the right moveset can turn this ancient beast into a real powerhouse.

Below, we’ll go through the best Tyrantrum movesets, its ideal roles, and how to get the most out of it in Z-A.

Understanding Tyrantrum’s Strengths

Tyrantrum is a Rock/Dragon-type Pokémon, which gives it both offensive power and defensive challenges. Offensively, Rock and Dragon moves hit many targets hard, and its base Attack of 121 ensures it can deal serious damage. Defensively, however, it’s weak to common types like Ice, Fairy, Fighting, Ground, and Steel—so knowing when to switch out is key.

The real charm of Tyrantrum is its Ability: Strong Jaw. This ability powers up biting moves by 50%, making Crunch, Ice Fang, and Fire Fang much more dangerous than they look on paper. That bonus, combined with a solid move pool, opens up several creative builds.

Physical Attacker Set (Strong Jaw Build)

Nature: Jolly or Adamant Ability: Strong Jaw Item: Choice Scarf / Life Orb

Recommended Moves:

• Head Smash – Tyrantrum’s signature move, dealing huge Rock-type damage. The recoil hurts, but the payoff is massive.

• Crunch – Takes full advantage of Strong Jaw, offering consistent Dark-type coverage.

• Ice Fang – Excellent against Ground and Dragon types that might otherwise wall you.

• Fire Fang – Helps cover Steel or Grass types that resist your main attacks.

This build is all about raw power and speed. A Choice Scarf helps Tyrantrum outspeed more threats, while Life Orb adds extra punch at the cost of some HP. It’s not the most forgiving build, but when you predict right, you’ll delete entire teams.

Some players prefer to trade or even buy shiny Pokémon like Tyrantrum for collection or trading value, especially since shiny fossil Pokémon are rare in the wild. If you happen to have a shiny version, showing it off in battle with this build definitely adds to the fun factor.

Dragon Dance Setup (Balanced Build)

Nature: Jolly Ability: Strong Jaw Item: Lum Berry / Weakness Policy

Moveset:

• Dragon Dance – The core of this setup, boosting Attack and Speed.

• Head Smash – Same devastating move as before, but now you can outspeed foes after a boost.

• Earthquake – Great for neutral coverage, especially against Electric or Steel types.

• Crunch / Ice Fang – Choose depending on your team’s needs.

This version of Tyrantrum plays more strategically. Instead of instantly smashing through enemies, you set up with Dragon Dance, then sweep. Lum Berry is handy against status users, while Weakness Policy can turn a super-effective hit into your best chance to win.

The challenge here is finding the right time to set up. You’ll want to switch Tyrantrum in safely, maybe after one of your other Pokémon faints or forces a switch. Once it gets going, few Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A can stand in its way.

Defensive Pivot (Anti-Fairy Tech)

Nature: Impish Ability: Rock Head Item: Leftovers

Moveset:

• Head Smash – With Rock Head, Tyrantrum takes no recoil damage, letting it attack more freely.

• Stealth Rock – Adds entry hazards to control the battlefield.

• Dragon Claw – Reliable STAB move without drawbacks.

• Roar / Earthquake – Use Roar for setups or Earthquake for coverage.

This variant focuses on longevity and utility rather than sweeping. While Tyrantrum isn’t your typical defensive Pokémon, Rock Head makes this version surprisingly viable. It can handle Flying and Fire types comfortably and serve as a mid-game tank.

This build also suits players who prefer unique or customized setups. In fact, some trainers even buy custom Pokémon with pre-set moves or perfect stats when they don’t have time for extensive breeding and training. It’s an option for casual players who want to enjoy battling without the grind, though building one yourself can be more satisfying.

Recommended Team Synergies

Tyrantrum works best alongside Pokémon that can handle its weaknesses.

• Steel-types like Aegislash or Corviknight protect it from Fairy attacks.

• Water-types such as Milotic or Empoleon can cover its Ground and Ice vulnerabilities.

• Fast special attackers, like Gengar or Jolteon, help break through walls that resist Tyrantrum’s hits.

If you’re using Tyrantrum in a team with setup sweepers, keep entry hazards off your side—Stealth Rock damage can chip away at your health fast, especially when you’re running recoil-based moves.

Tyrantrum in the Current Meta

In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Tyrantrum has carved out a niche as a powerful wallbreaker. It might not have the bulk or speed of top-tier dragons like Garchomp, but Strong Jaw makes it unpredictable and versatile. In casual battles, it’s also a fan favorite due to its intimidating design and fossil origins.

The biggest trick is learning when to unleash Head Smash safely. A missed hit can cost you the match, but if it lands, Tyrantrum can sweep entire teams. Many players underestimate it until they’re on the receiving end of a boosted Head Smash—and by then, it’s usually too late.

Tyrantrum is one of those Pokémon that rewards smart, aggressive play. It’s not as simple as pressing one attack button—its recoil, weaknesses, and setup potential make every choice matter. If you enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay, Tyrantrum is one of the most exciting Pokémon to master in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

And whether you’re fine-tuning your battle team, trading with friends, or exploring platforms like U4GM for community insights and build ideas, Tyrantrum remains a prime example of how fun it can be to breathe new life into fossil Pokémon.