Leveraging high Speed for combining special attacks with pivot control — an attacker build. It deals damage with STAB Surf and Dark Pulse, and pivots to teammates with Flip Turn against unfavorable matchups.

Alternative Move Options

U-turn is an option for hitting Grass types

Swap Flip Turn for U-turn to gain a Grass-type matchup and pivot utility. Protean can turn it into STAB as well.

Role of the Pivot Special Attacker

Send it in as a lead or after a teammate faints to chip away with fast attacks. Use Flip Turn against switches or unfavorable matchups, supporting favorable plays for teammates — it works as a lubricant for the team.

Threats

Choice Scarf attackers and high-bulk special walls

Greninja struggles against Choice Scarf attackers and high-bulk special walls. With low bulk, being outsped greatly increases the risk of being KO'd before Protean changes its type. High-bulk special walls are also hard to finish off, so plan for teammates to handle them.

Specializes in Sp. Atk and Speed, Focus SashGreninja special attacker / setup build that grants action assurance via this. Leveraging high Speed to alternate wide-coverage special moves, and after surviving with Focus Sash, the Ability Torrent uses Water moves with raised power to Pressures opponents significantly.

Alternative Move Options

Swap secondary moves

• Ice Beam

• Grass Knot

Greninja has multiple secondary move candidates.Focus Sash+Torrent can leverage Water Shuriken or moves serving as damage against Water-types Grass Knot etc. are available. To expand coverage, change the Ability to Protean to change resistances while fighting is also recommended.

Role of the Focus Sash Toxic Spikes Greninja build

Chips slower opponents with special moves, and just before being defeated or in unfavorable matchups, Toxic Spikes spreads to support backup as its role. Not only as an attacker, but Setup that imposes Poison pressure on opponent cycles also functions as such, enabling a versatile playstyle.

Threats

Greninja struggles in trades against Normal- and Steel-type bulky Pokémon that are hard to hit super-effectively. If you judge that 2 hits aren't enough to KO, consider switching out.

Leveraging its ability's type change, a special attacker firing broad-coverage moves with STAB. The item tanks one hit, then multi-hit priority secures KOs.

Alternative Move Options

Sludge Wave for Fairy coverage is also an option

Grass KnotReplacing Sludge Wavewith the alternative secures Fairy coverage — one option.ProteanIt also benefits from making it STAB via ability.

Focus Sash Attacker Role

Using its rich coverage to hit weaknesses, a role of reliably KOing face-off opponents from lead or revenge slot. Even against faster opponents, Water Shurikenit can deal minimum damage with it.

Threats

Greninja struggles vs. bulky Normal/Steel types it can't hit super-effectively. If 2 hits won't KO, consider switching while playing.

With HP/Spe EVs, Light Ball Flingthrows for reliable Speed manipulation as hazard setter Greninja. Protean type change deflects opponent moves while deploying multiple hazards shaping board for team aces — composition.

Alternative Move Options

Slight attack boost

Spikesas attack move, slight attack boost is viable.Ice BeamThis slot too — Dark Pulseor Sludge Waveand other-type swap candidates. Pick per team/meta.

Hazard Setter Role

From high Speed, Paralysisinflict status and use multiple hazards for chip damage to support team sweeps. After lowering opponent Speed, Ice Beamchip with it and leveraging ability flexible type changes keep it on the field — viable.

Threats

Hazard-resistant Pokémon

This Greninja uses hazards for setup. Ability Magic Bouncethat reflects them, or Mortal Spin clearing hazards prevents fulfilling role — be careful.