Grimmsnarl's Dark/Fairy typing gives it an immunity to Psychic and Dragon. Only 3 weaknesses on top of that — it has plenty of safe switch-in opportunities. Prankster adds more value on top. One of the newer additions from Gen 8.
Grimmsnarl's spread isn't flashy. Attack leads, Speed trails, 3 stats clear the bar. Tough to catch and worth 3 Attack EVs, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
This Pokémon has complete control over its hair. Grimmsnarl normally keeps its hair wrapped around its body to support its muscles.
It lives deep within the forest. Even after evolving into this splendid form, it hasn’t given up on its petty misdeeds and pranks.
Grimmsnarl Weakness
GoodPoison, Steel, and Fairy-type moves hit Grimmsnarl for super-effective damage. The upside? Psychic and Dragon-type moves can't touch it at all. With 95 HP and balanced defenses, Grimmsnarl can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
Grimmsnarl is the final form in a three-stage chain from Impidimp through Morgrem. Breeding this form produces Impidimp eggs (average hatch time). Evolving from Impidimp gave Grimmsnarl the biggest boost in Attack (+75), bringing the total to 510 stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Grimmsnarl to get Impidimp eggs using 66 partners from the Fairy and Humanshape egg groups.
Start with HP-heavy investment EVs. Impish nature gives Grimmsnarl the right physical wall lean, Lightclay adds extra utility, and Prankster works in the background. Spiritbreak is the main damage option.
Best Build
Best Grimmsnarl Moveset
- Spirit Break
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Need something that threatens multiple types? Grimmsnarl's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Foul Play and Play Rough gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Without TMs, Grimmsnarl's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 9 types on top of Foul Play and Play Rough for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
You're catching Impidimp first, not Grimmsnarl. Impidimp appears at decent rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 3-stage chain with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Grimmsnarl in Scarlet & Violet
To get Grimmsnarl, start by catching Impidimp through walking encounters at Lv. 16-42. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch ImpidimpEASYTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworldLv.16-3620%MidForestEASYTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworldLv.16-3620%MidForest
Step 2Catch or Evolve MorgremMODERATETagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworldLv.32-426%LateForestMODERATETagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworldLv.32-426%LateForestor evolve from Impidimp (Step 1)
Step 3Grimmsnarl ✓
A few locations for Grimmsnarl with decent spawn rates across endgame routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Grimmsnarl in Sword & Shield
To get Grimmsnarl, start by catching Impidimp through walking encounters at Lv. 21-65. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch ImpidimpEFFORTLESSGiant's MirrorSwordGrassLv.26-2835%MidHeavy FogEFFORTLESSGiant's MirrorShieldGrassLv.26-2835%MidHeavy FogEASYStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidThunderstormEASYStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidThunderstormEASYStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidIntense SunEASYStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidIntense SunEASYStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidSnowingEASYStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidSnowingEASYStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidRainingEASYStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidRainingEASYStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidHeavy FogEASYStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidHeavy FogEASYStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.27-2920%MidNormal WeatherEASYStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.27-2920%MidNormal WeatherMODERATEStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.26-2810%MidSnowstormMODERATEStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.26-2810%MidSnowstormMODERATEStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.27-2910%MidOvercastMODERATEStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.27-2910%MidOvercastMODERATEHammerlocke HillsShieldGrassLv.28-3010%MidHeavy FogMODERATEHammerlocke HillsSwordGrassLv.28-3010%MidHeavy FogCHALLENGINGMotostoke OutskirtsShieldGrassLv.21-245%MidAll WeatherCHALLENGINGMotostoke OutskirtsSwordGrassLv.21-245%MidAll WeatherMODERATESlippery SlopeShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostHeavy FogMODERATESlippery SlopeSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostHeavy Fog
Step 2Catch or Evolve MorgremEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestRainingEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3720%LateForestHeavy FogEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestOvercastEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestNormal WeatherEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestSnowstormEASYGlimwood TangleSwordOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestAll WeatherEASYGlimwood TangleShieldGrassLv.34-3620%LateForestAll WeatherEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestThunderstormEASYGlimwood TangleSwordGrassLv.34-3620%LateForestAll WeatherEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestIntense SunEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestSnowingEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestSandstormEASYSnowslide SlopeShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostIceHeavy FogEASYSnowslide SlopeSwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostIceHeavy FogMODERATEGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostHeavy FogMODERATEGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostHeavy FogMODERATEGiant's FootShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostHeavy FogMODERATEGiant's FootSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostHeavy Fogor evolve from Impidimp (Step 1)
Step 3Grimmsnarl ✓EASYLake of OutrageShieldGrassLv.50-5225%PostWaterOvercastEASYLake of OutrageSwordGrassLv.50-5225%PostWaterOvercastor evolve from Morgrem (Step 2)
Don't let Grimmsnarl's 510 base stat total fool you. Prankster is what makes it tick — it punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier as a wallbreaker.
Watch for Roserade (Poison), Ferrothorn (Steel), and Clefable (Fairy) when using Grimmsnarl. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.
Run Prankster on Grimmsnarl. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Grimmsnarl also gets Frisk and Pickpocket, but they don't compare.
Grimmsnarl fills the wallbreaker role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 120 Attack). At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Grimmsnarl can be found in Scarlet & Violet and Sword & Shield.
Grimmsnarl first appeared in Sword & Shield and spans 2 games across 2 generations. It later gained a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwShDebutGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A