VGC Restricted Legendary Guide · Regulation I

Xerneas
VGC Guide 2026

Power Herb Geomancy gives Xerneas +2 Sp.Atk, Sp.Def, and Speed in a single turn. Fairy Aura boosts all Fairy moves ×1.3 — post-Geomancy Moonblast and Dazzling Gleam spread become nearly unsurvivable.

+2
Geomancy SpAtk Stage
131
Base Sp.Atk
95
Base Speed

Geomancy: The One-Turn Transformation

Effect Details
Sp.Atk
+2 stages (×2.25)
Sp.Def
+2 stages (×2.25)
Speed
+2 stages (×2.25)

Geomancy normally needs one charge turn (like Solar Beam), but Power Herb enables instant completion — the herb is consumed after use. Post-+2 with Fairy Aura ×1.3, Xerneas' effective Moonblast Sp.Atk reaches approximately 131×2.25×1.3 = 383. Almost no Sp.Def investment survives without a Fairy resistance.

Xerneas' core threat is not just damage — it's that opponents must KO it on the exact turn it uses Geomancy or face a +2 Sp.Def, +2 Speed Xerneas next turn. The "deal with it now or lose" pressure defines the entire pace of the game.

Fake Out support is the most critical Xerneas synergy — it lets Xerneas use Geomancy without priority disruption. Incineroar's Fake Out is nearly mandatory to let Xerneas safely complete setup turn one.

Best Moveset

Geomancy Sweeper Set (Recommended)
→
Geomancy(Fairy)
Core setup; Power Herb enables instant +2 SpAtk/SpDef/Speed
→
Moonblast(Fairy)
95 BP primary Fairy STAB; devastating with Fairy Aura + Geomancy
→
Dazzling Gleam(Fairy)
80 BP spread Fairy; post-Geomancy spread sweep finisher
→
Thunder(Electric)
Steel and Flying coverage; swap for Psyshock or Focus Blast
ItemPower Herb (Required)
AbilityFairy Aura
NatureModest (+SpA / -Atk) or Timid (+Spe / -Atk)
EVs4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Viable Alternatives
Psyshock
Uses opponent's Defense stat; bypasses high Sp.Def walls post-Geomancy
Protect
Safe option vs priority moves; lets partner act first turn two
Gravity
Grounds Flying-types for your team's Ground moves; changes priority structures

EV Spread Breakdown

Max SpAtk / Speed (Standard)
Recommended
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe · Modest

Maximizes post-Geomancy Speed to outspeed as many threats as possible. Fairy Aura + +2 Sp.Atk gives Moonblast an effective ~383 Sp.Atk — almost nothing survives.

HP-Invested Speed Tune
Advanced
156 HP / 252 SpA / 100 Spe · Modest

Trades some Speed for HP bulk. Post-Geomancy Speed still outspeeds max Speed Koraidon and most fast threats; extra HP makes surviving initial priority hits before Geomancy more reliable.

Team Synergy

Incineroar
Fire/Dark

Fake Out grants the Geomancy turn; Intimidate makes physical revenge-KOs against Xerneas harder

Cresselia
Psychic

Trick Room + Xerneas creates a speed paradox — after TR reversal, Geomancy still makes Xerneas faster again

Whimsicott
Grass/Fairy

Prankster Encore locks opponents in setup moves; Tailwind + Geomancy speed is double-stacked insurance

Amoonguss
Grass/Poison

Rage Powder redirects attacks away from Xerneas during Geomancy turn; Spore removes one opponent

Counters & Checks

Threat
Steel-type spread / single target
Example
Gholdengo Make It Rain, Iron Hands Meteor Crash
Response
Predict Geomancy and pivot in a Steel-type; Xerneas' Thunder provides some coverage but not reliable
Threat
Poison moves
Example
Poison Jab, Toxic + Taunt
Response
Xerneas has no recovery; Poison chip stacks up and can KO before Geomancy sweep completes
Threat
Priority moves before Geomancy
Example
Extreme Speed, Sucker Punch
Response
Use Fake Out disruption before Geomancy turn; HP invest to survive priority KO attempts

Calculate Post-Geomancy Xerneas Damage

Use the damage calculator to verify Moonblast and Dazzling Gleam ranges at +2 Sp.Atk with Fairy Aura.

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