What it does
Moonblast is a special Fairy-type move with 95 base power, 100% accuracy, and a chance to lower the target's Special Attack by one stage. In Champions, that chance is 10%. Standard SV runs at 30% — Champions explicitly nerfed this. That's an important distinction when checking damage calculators or guides from other sources.
Fairy typing covers Dragon, Dark, and Fighting. All three are high-frequency competitive types. Dragon-type attackers like Garchomp, Dark-types like Hydreigon, and Fighting-type pivots — Moonblast threatens all of them in a single move slot. That's why Fairy special attackers run it at such high rates: there's essentially no better Fairy STAB option for the special side.
At 10%, the SpA drop barely factors into tactical planning for a typical 2-4 turn competitive match. You'll run Moonblast for the 95-power 100% accurate hit, full stop. The side effect is a minor bonus, not a strategic lever.
Two types resist Fairy and need to be planned around: Steel and Poison. Heatran, Ferrothorn, Corviknight — Moonblast doesn't impress against these. Build your roster with coverage or teammates to handle Steel-types rather than expecting Moonblast to punch through.
Who runs it
Primarina (95%) carries Moonblast as primary Fairy STAB. Water/Fairy dual typing means both Sparkling Aria and Moonblast are STAB — together they cover an enormous range of threats. Primarina's Special Attack is genuinely high, so 95-power STAB hits hard against any Dragon, Dark, or Fighting type it faces.
Clefable (93%) runs Moonblast as its only STAB option — Normal/Fairy means Fairy is the attacking type with STAB benefit. For offensive sets, Moonblast is the core damage move, and the 100% accuracy means it never misses the turns that matter.
Gardevoir (84%) is Psychic/Fairy with Moonblast as reliable Fairy STAB. Gardevoir's Special Attack is very high, and Psychic + Fairy coverage together threatens most of the metagame's problematic types.
Floette (85%) and Florges (76%) are pure Fairy types — Moonblast is the primary offensive STAB with no real alternative. Florges has moderate Special Attack but 95-power 100% accuracy ensures it contributes meaningfully when attacking.
Aromatisse (67%) is another pure Fairy that needs Moonblast as its main attacking option. It often runs support roles but needs a reliable move to avoid being completely passive.
Whimsicott (92%) — high usage here reflects how commonly it appears, but Whimsicott's Moonblast comes with an interesting split: it often leads with Prankster support moves, but it has enough Special Attack to run offensive sets where Moonblast is the primary STAB. Grass/Fairy lets it threaten a wide range when it does attack.
Sylveon (33%) is Normal/Fairy running Moonblast as Fairy STAB. Some builds prefer Hyper Voice (Normal STAB, spread), which explains the lower rate relative to other Fairy users — Hyper Voice is a spread option while Moonblast is single target.
How to use it
In doubles, Moonblast earns its keep across three main scenarios:
First: when a Dragon-type enters the field. Moonblast is the immediate answer — 95 power, 100% accuracy, super-effective, no setup needed. Don't sit on it.
Second: when a Dragon or Dark type has set up a stat boost (Dragon Dance, Nasty Plot) and threatens to sweep. The 95-power Fairy hit is your clean removal tool before it moves again.
Third: against Dark-type leads using Sucker Punch or priority. If your Fairy attacker outspeeds (which most can manage), Moonblast resolves the threat before the priority move ever fires.
Pair with a Fake Out partner as standard doubles practice. Fake Out on one target, Moonblast the other — the free-hit window is especially valuable when you need to knock out a Dragon-type before it acts.
Against Trick Room teams running Hatterene or similar setters, your Fairy attacker's priority shifts: take out the setter before the field flips, not after. Moonblast's power and accuracy make it a reliable one-shot candidate depending on the target's bulk.
Tips & strategy
Champions' 10% SpA drop rate means you shouldn't build any plan around the side effect. Don't wait for the drop to fire before proceeding. Don't calculate cumulative damage assuming the drop will land. Treat this as a 95-power accurate Fairy STAB and use it purely for that — you won't be disappointed.
Steel-type matchups are the consistent liability. Check the opponent's roster for Heatran, Ferrothorn, Corviknight, or other Steel types during team preview. Your Fairy attacker shouldn't be the designated answer to those — it needs teammates to handle them. Know the matchup before the game starts.
Speed matters on Moonblast users, especially when you're trying to outrun Dragon-type attackers. Primarina (base Speed 60) needs Tailwind or Trick Room support to avoid moving after faster threats. Slower Fairy users should have a speed control plan in the team rather than relying on power to compensate.
Encore from Whimsicott into a Moonblast follow-up is a known combo: Whimsicott locks the opponent into a useless move, your Fairy attacker comes in on a free turn. It's situational but understanding the chain helps when you see that pairing on team preview.