Physical
Attacker
95Speed · Above Avg

Is Primeape Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Sleep can't touch Primeape thanks to AbilityVital Spirit. Fast Fighting coverage handles Brock, Giovanni, and Lorelei without worrying about being put to sleep mid-fight. The Speed means Primeape usually strikes first. Falls off against Sabrina and Agatha where Psychic and Ghost dominate. Strong through five of eight gyms.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGTETTTGGGGTEEBrockGym 1MankeyCatchableMistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4PrimeapeEvolveKogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Good

Mankey has the type edge here and should clean up Brock's team.

You Win
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
You Win
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Tough

Misty's typing presses Mankey's defenses.

Even
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
Avoid
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Even

Mankey trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
You Win
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Even
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Tough

Erika's typing presses Mankey's defenses.

Risky
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Even
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Risky
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Tough

Koga's typing presses Primeape's defenses.

Risky
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Even
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
Risky
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Risky
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Tough

Sabrina's team hits Primeape's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
Risky
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
Even
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Avoid
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

Primeape has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

Easy KO
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
You Win
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

Primeape has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
You Win
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
Even
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Even
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Good

Primeape has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.

Easy KO
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
Easy KO
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
Even
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
Even
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
Easy KO
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Primeape has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
You Win
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
You Win
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
You Win
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Tough

Agatha's team hits Primeape's weaknesses hard.

Even
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
Risky
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
Risky
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
Even
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
Risky
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Primeape trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
Even
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Even

Primeape trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.

Even
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
Easy KO
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
Risky
Exeggutor
Lv 73
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Giga DrainPsychicSleep PowderLight Screen
Even
Gyarados
Lv 73
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hydro PumpDragon DanceEarthquakeHyper Beam
Even
Charizard
Lv 75
FireFlying
Blaze
Fire BlastDragon ClawAerial AceEarthquake
Catch Mankey
Available after Badge 1
Type
Fighting
Tier
E

Catch Mankey on Route 3 (walking, Lv 7, uncommon).

View Mankey locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Brock
    • TUTORNormalMega Kick12075%5
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM31FightingBrick Break113100%15
    • LV 31FightingCross Chop15080%5
  • After Koga
    • TM01FightingFocus Punch225100%20
    • LV 46NormalThrash120100%10
  • After Giovanni
    • TM50FireOverheat13090%5
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
    • TM26GroundEarthquake100100%10
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Evolve Mankey to Primeape
Level 28
Type
Fighting
Tier
B

Your Mankey should hit Level 28 before you reach Koga, at typical leveling pace.

View Primeape locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM31FightingBrick Break113100%15
  • After Erika
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • LV 35FightingCross Chop15080%5
  • After Koga
    • TM01FightingFocus Punch225100%20
  • After Giovanni
    • TM50FireOverheat13090%5
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
    • TM26GroundEarthquake100100%10
    • LV 62NormalThrash120100%10
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

How to Get Primeape in FireRed & LeafGreen

Six encounters for Primeape in both versions, limited to endgame caves and routes. Rare or uncommon at every spot, so don't expect easy sightings.

3 locations to catch Primeape

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 8
Post-Game

Where To Catch Primeape in FRLG

The path to Primeape starts with Mankey at Lv. 2-61 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

Primeape Weakness

Flying and Psychic moves hit Primeape for super-effective damage. Its Fighting typing keeps the defensive matchups simple. Primeape leans offensive (base 105 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.

Primeape Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Flying, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)Bug, Rock, Dark
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Primeape Weak Against

Avg
2Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Primeape Strong Against

5Strong
4Resisted
1Immune
Score0

Best Pokemon Against Primeape

Primeape Evolutions

Primeape is the evolved form of Mankey. Breeding produces Mankey eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Mankey gave Primeape the biggest boost in HP (+25), bringing the total to 455 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Mankey
Fighting
Primeape
Fighting
HP
40
65+25
ATK
80
105+25
DEF
35
60+25
SP.ATK
35
60+25
SP.DEF
45
70+25
SPE
70
95+25
BST
305D-Tier
455C-Tier+150
ROLE
Balanced
Attacker
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Primeape to get Mankey eggs easily using 102 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Beat Up, Counter, Foresight and 5 more.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
8moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosrhydondewgongarbokquagsirenidorinofarfetchdflaaffy

FRLG Primeape Best Moveset

105 Attack at 95 Speed makes Primeape one of the faster physical Fighting types. AbilityVital Spirit blocks sleep, shutting down status strategies. The moveset fires MoveCross Chop for Fighting TermStab from the physical side with MoveRock Slide and MoveEarthquake covering the rest.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Vital Spirit
Item
Scope Lens
Best Nature for Primeape
Jolly+SPE

Primeape best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • Cross ChopSTAB
  • Rock Slide
  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • Aerial Ace

Moves List

Don't skip the egg moves. Primeape picks up Beat Up and Counter only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Focus Punch and Cross Chop while coverage across 8 types adds range.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
D10030Normal
Lv 1
Low Kick
10020Fighting
Lv 1
Rage
2010020Normal
Lv 1
Scratch
D4010035Normal
Lv 6
Low Kick
10020Fighting
Lv 11
Karate Chop
7510025Fighting
Lv 16
Fury Swipes
D188015Normal
Lv 21
Focus Energy
A30Normal
Lv 26
Seismic Toss
D10020Fighting
Lv 28
Rage
2010020Normal
Lv 35
Cross Chop
B150805Fighting
Lv 44
Swagger
D9015Normal
Lv 53
Screech
D8540Normal
Lv 62
Thrash
12010020Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
A6020Flying
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM31
Brick Break
C11210015Fighting
TM08
Bulk Up
A20Fighting
TM28
Dig
C6010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
A10010010Ground
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM01
Focus Punch-3
B22510020Fighting
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM23
Iron Tail
C1007515Steel
TM50
Overheat
C140905Fire
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
C3010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
D609510Rock
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM12
Taunt
C10020Dark
TM46
Thief
C6010025Dark
TM25
Thunder
D1207010Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
D9510015Electric
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Beat Up
D10010Dark
Egg
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Egg
Foresight
10040Normal
Egg
Meditate
40Psychic
Egg
Revenge-4
9010010Fighting
Egg
Reversal
D10015Fighting
Egg
Rock Slide
B759010Rock
Egg
Smelling Salts
C7010010Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Tutor
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Tutor
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Tutor
Mega Kick
C120755Normal
Tutor
Mega Punch
808520Normal
Tutor
Metronome
D10Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Rock Slide
B759010Rock
Tutor
Seismic Toss
D10020Fighting
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP65
C
Attack105
B
Defense60
C
Sp. Atk60
C
Sp. Def70
C
Speed95
B
Total455
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging75 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.0 m
Weight32.0 kg
Base XP159
Abilities
Vital Spirit
Prevents sleep.
Anger Point
Raises Attack to the maximum of six stages upon receiving a critical hit.
EV Yield
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

It is always outrageously furious. If it gives chase, it will tenaciously track the target no matter how far.

Always furious and tenacious to boot. It will not abandon chasing its quarry until it catches up.

Primeape FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Primeape can be caught in the wild at Route 23, Victory Road, and Cerulean Cave in Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen.

Game Availability

Primeape has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.

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