Blood Moon Ursaluna stands as one of the most significant additions to the competitive Pokémon landscape since its introduction in the Scarlet and Violet DLC. Unlike the standard Ursaluna discovered in the Hisui region, this specific form represents a unique biological deviation found only in the Timeless Woods of Kitakami. As of 2026, it remains a dominant force in both Regulation-style VGC doubles and high-ladder single battles, primarily due to its rare positioning as a bulky special-attacking Ground-type.

The Unique Identity of the Blood Moon Form

In the broader taxonomy of Pokémon, most regional variants or special forms offer slight adjustments to type or ability. Blood Moon Ursaluna, however, fundamentally rewrites the role of the Ursaluna line. While the standard form (evolved from Ursaring in Hisui) is a physical juggernaut relying on the Guts ability and Flame Orb synergy, the Blood Moon form shifts the focus entirely to Special Attack.

This form is not an evolution but a singular entity within the game. You cannot evolve an Ursaring into a Blood Moon Ursaluna using a Peat Block, nor can you breed for it. This scarcity adds to its prestige, but its raw power is what sustains its high usage rates. Its design—characterized by iron-hard mud and a glowing red lunar mark on its forehead—reflects its hardened nature and its adaptation to the dark forests where it was first sighted.

Statistical Breakdown: A Bulky Special Powerhouse

Understanding Blood Moon Ursaluna begins with its base stats. Its distribution is optimized for a slow, methodical sweep or a devastating role on a Trick Room team.

  • HP: 113
  • Attack: 70
  • Defense: 120
  • Special Attack: 135
  • Special Defense: 65
  • Speed: 52
  • Total: 555

The most striking feature is the 135 base Special Attack. In a meta where many Ground-types are physical attackers (like Landorus-Therian or Great Tusk), a Special Attacking Ground-type bypasses common physical walls such as Corviknight or Dondozo.

Its physical bulk is equally impressive. A base 120 Defense combined with 113 HP allows it to survive powerful physical hits, even from super-effective Fighting-type moves, especially if invested correctly. However, the base 65 Special Defense is a clear Achilles' heel. High-tier special attackers using Water, Grass, or Ice moves can often threaten a one-hit knockout (OHKO) if Blood Moon Ursaluna isn't protected by an Assault Vest or Tera-typing.

The Speed stat of 52 is intentionally "awkward." It is slow enough to function brilliantly under Trick Room, yet just fast enough to outspeed some dedicated walls outside of Trick Room if minimal investment is applied. For optimal competitive use, players often hunt for a "0 Speed IV" specimen to ensure it moves first when Trick Room is active.

Mind’s Eye: The Ability That Changes the Rules

Blood Moon Ursaluna possesses the signature ability Mind’s Eye. This is arguably one of the most powerful offensive abilities in the game. It combines the effects of the Scrappy ability with Keen Eye, but with a specific focus on the Special side.

  1. Ghost-Type Neutralization: Mind’s Eye allows Blood Moon Ursaluna to hit Ghost-type Pokémon with Normal and Fighting-type moves. Historically, Ghost-types have been the primary switch-in for Normal-type attacks. With this ability, Ursaluna’s powerful STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) Normal moves, like Blood Moon and Hyper Voice, become un-resisted by Ghosts. This makes Gholdengo, Flutter Mane, and Annihilape much less safe when facing this beast.
  2. Accuracy Stability: The ability prevents the user’s accuracy from being lowered and ignores the opponent's evasion boosts. In a competitive environment where "Minimize" strategies or accuracy-reducing moves occasionally crop up to cause frustration, Blood Moon Ursaluna offers a consistent, reliable counter.

The Signature Move: Blood Moon

The move that gives this Pokémon its name is as terrifying as its lore. Blood Moon is a Normal-type Special attack with a massive 140 base power and 100% accuracy.

Its mechanic is similar to Gigaton Hammer: the Pokémon cannot use the move twice in a row. However, unlike Hyper Beam, it does not require a recharge turn. This means on the alternating turns, Ursaluna can use Earth Power, Hyper Voice, or Vacuum Wave, and then immediately return to using Blood Moon. The raw damage output of a STAB 140-power move coming off a 135 Special Attack stat is enough to dent even the bulkiest neutral targets. When paired with a Life Orb or Choice Specs, very few Pokémon can safely switch into a predicted Blood Moon.

How to Catch Blood Moon Ursaluna

Unlike most Pokémon that can be found roaming the wild or through standard evolution, obtaining Blood Moon Ursaluna requires completing a specific story-driven side quest within the Kitakami region (The Teal Mask DLC).

Step 1: Pokedex Requirement

Before you can trigger the quest, you must have registered at least 150 Pokémon in the Kitakami Pokedex. This encourages exploration of the region and ensures players have spent significant time in the DLC area.

Step 2: Finding Perrin

Once the requirement is met, head to Mossui Town and look for a character named Perrin. She is a photographer searching for a mysterious "Blood Moon Beast." She will challenge you to a brief battle to prove your worth.

Step 3: The Photography Trial

After the battle, Perrin will lead you to the Timeless Woods. During a rainy night, you will engage in a mini-game where you must photograph ten different species of Pokémon in the area. This section is relatively straightforward but serves to build the atmosphere for the encounter.

Step 4: The Boss Battle

Once the photography task is complete, the Blood Moon Ursaluna will appear. This is a "Boss-style" encounter, meaning it has increased HP and stat boosts. You cannot catch it during the battle itself. You must defeat it first. Once defeated, you are granted a scripted capture—any Poké Ball you use will succeed.

Note for Competitive Players: While the capture is guaranteed, the stats are not. If you want a 0 Speed or 0 Attack IV Blood Moon Ursaluna, you should save your game before the fight and be prepared to reset and recapture. This can be time-consuming but is vital for those looking to maximize its potential in Trick Room teams.

Competitive Strategies: Movesets and EV Spreads

In the current 2026 meta, Blood Moon Ursaluna is versatile. It can function as a tanky wallbreaker or a late-game sweeper. Here are the most effective configurations.

1. The Trick Room Sweeper (Doubles/VGC)

This is the most common set found in high-level play. It pairs excellently with setters like Cresselia, Porygon2, or Farigiraf.

  • Nature: Quiet (+Sp. Atk, -Speed)
  • IVs: 0 Speed, 0 Attack
  • EV Spread: 252 HP / 252 Sp. Atk / 4 Sp. Def
  • Held Item: Life Orb or Silk Scarf
  • Tera Type: Normal or Ground
  • Moves:
    • Blood Moon
    • Earth Power
    • Hyper Voice (for spread damage)
    • Protect / Vacuum Wave

Strategic Value: Under Trick Room, Ursaluna moves first. A Tera-Normal boosted Blood Moon is often a guaranteed OHKO on non-resisted targets. Vacuum Wave provides priority to pick off weakened foes even if Trick Room expires.

2. The Assault Vest Tank (Singles/Doubles)

Because of its low Special Defense, the Assault Vest is an excellent choice to turn Ursaluna into a general-purpose tank.

  • Nature: Modest (+Sp. Atk, -Attack)
  • EV Spread: 252 HP / 252 Sp. Atk / 4 Def
  • Held Item: Assault Vest
  • Tera Type: Ghost or Steel (to flip weaknesses)
  • Moves:
    • Blood Moon
    • Earth Power
    • Vacuum Wave
    • Flash Cannon / Moonblast

Strategic Value: With the Assault Vest, Ursaluna can survive hits from powerful Special attackers like Gholdengo or Flutter Mane and retaliate with its own massive damage. The addition of Moonblast (learned via TM) allows it to hit Fighting and Dragon-types that might otherwise resist its Ground-type STAB.

3. The Calm Mind Set

For a slower, more durable approach, the Calm Mind set allows Ursaluna to shore up its Special Defense while reaching astronomical levels of power.

  • Nature: Modest or Bold
  • Held Item: Leftovers
  • Tera Type: Poison (to resist Fighting/Grass and avoid toxic poisoning)
  • Moves:
    • Calm Mind
    • Moonlight (for recovery)
    • Blood Moon / Hyper Voice
    • Earth Power

Strategic Value: This set is best used against defensive teams. Once it gets one or two Calm Minds up, it becomes nearly impossible to remove without a critical hit or a powerful physical Fighting-type move.

The Role of Tera Typing

Terastallization is key to Blood Moon Ursaluna's survival. Its natural typing (Normal/Ground) is excellent offensively but leaves it vulnerable to common types like Fighting, Water, Grass, and Ice.

  • Tera Normal: Used strictly for maximum damage. It makes Blood Moon hit like a truck, often breaking through resistances through sheer force.
  • Tera Ghost: An excellent defensive choice. It grants immunity to the Fighting-type moves that commonly threaten Ursaluna, such as Sacred Sword or Close Combat.
  • Tera Steel: Provides a plethora of resistances, including to Ice and Grass, though it maintains a weakness to Fighting and adds a weakness to Ground/Fire.
  • Tera Grass: Useful in niche scenarios to ignore Spore or Rage Powder and to resist Water and Grass attacks.

Synergies and Teammates

No Pokémon exists in a vacuum. To get the most out of Blood Moon Ursaluna, you need a team that supports its weaknesses.

  1. Cresselia: The premier Trick Room setter. Cresselia provides Levitate, meaning Ursaluna can use Earthquake (if running a hybrid set) without hitting its partner, though Special sets prefer Hyper Voice. Cresselia's "Helping Hand" also boosts Blood Moon's damage to absurd levels.
  2. Amoonguss: Offers redirection with Rage Powder and healing with Pollen Puff. Since Ursaluna is slow, it appreciates a partner that can put threats to sleep with Spore.
  3. Incineroar: Provides Intimidate support to further bolster Ursaluna’s physical bulk and Fake Out support to help set up Trick Room or a Calm Mind.
  4. Torkoal: In Sun teams, Torkoal and Ursaluna can create a powerful "slow" core. The Sun weakens Water-type attacks that threaten Ursaluna, while Ursaluna handles the Rock and Fire-resistant Pokémon that Torkoal struggles with.

Countering the Blood Moon

If you find yourself facing a Blood Moon Ursaluna, you must play around its alternating attack pattern. Since it cannot use Blood Moon twice in a row, the turn following a Blood Moon is often the safest time to switch or set up.

  • Strong Special Attackers: Iron Bundle, Wellspring Mask Ogerpon, and Primarina can often outspeed and OHKO Ursaluna before it can move.
  • Wide Guard: In doubles, Wide Guard can block Hyper Voice and Earth Power, forcing Ursaluna to rely on single-target moves.
  • Haze and Clear Smog: These moves reset Calm Mind boosts, preventing a defensive Ursaluna from snowballing.
  • Assault Vest Walls: Pokémon like Hisuian Goodra or Blissey can take multiple hits from even a boosted Ursaluna and stall it out with their own utility moves.

Conclusion: The Reign of the Peat Pokémon

Blood Moon Ursaluna is a rare example of a Pokémon that perfectly balances flavor, lore, and competitive utility. Its introduction changed how players approach the Ground-type slot on their teams, proving that Special Attack can be just as viable as Physical Attack for a bear-themed powerhouse.

Whether you are trekking through the Timeless Woods to complete Perrin's quest or optimizing a 0 Speed IV specimen for the Master Ball tier, the effort is well worth it. Its ability to ignore Ghost-type immunities and deliver 140-power nukes ensures that as long as Scarlet and Violet remain the primary competitive platforms, the Blood Moon will continue to rise over the battlefield.

Strategic success with this Pokémon comes down to managing its "cooldown" turns and protecting its weaker Special Defense. When played with precision, it isn't just a beast of legend—it's a consistent winner.