Free switch-ins on Poison and Psychic moves make Kingambit useful in any team that needs that coverage. Only 3 weaknesses keeps it safe in most matchups. Known as the Big Blade Pokemon. The stat spread favors raw physical power.
The stat bars tell the story: Attack carries everything and Speed's dead weight. But this Big Blade Pokemon still yields 3 Attack EVs per fight on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Only a Bisharp that stands above all others in its vast army can evolve into Kingambit.
Though it commands a massive army in battle, it’s not skilled at devising complex strategies. It just uses brute strength to keep pushing.
Kingambit Weakness
ExcellentKingambit's Dark/Steel typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting, Fire, and Ground moves. Fighting hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Poison and Psychic-type attacks completely. It resists 9 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Kingambit's physical bulk (base 120 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
Kingambit evolved from Pawniard's chain using a unique condition. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Pawniard eggs (average hatch time). The evolution from Pawniard pushed Kingambit to 550 total stats. HP saw the largest single gain at +55.
How to Evolve
Breed with Kingambit to get Pawniard eggs easily using 70 partners from the Humanshape egg group.
Sucker Punch is the main STAB option after a Swords Dance boost. Leftovers gives Kingambit passive recovery each turn to survive the setup turn, and max HP and Attack EVs make the boosted hits count. The remaining moves catches resists.
Best Build
Best Kingambit Moveset
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance
- Kowtow Cleave
- Iron Head
Recommended Teammates
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Kingambit won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 10 types means it always has an effective option. Steel Beam and Foul Play anchor the STAB core.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Kingambit doesn't appear wild. Catch Pawniard instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it through a special method to get Kingambit. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Kingambit in Scarlet & Violet
Pawniard is your first catch on the way to Kingambit. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 22-65 across 22 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PawniardEFFORTLESSEast Province (Area Three) - RiverScarletOverworldLv.22-4730%MidRouteEFFORTLESSEast Province (Area Three) - RiverVioletOverworldLv.22-4730%MidRouteEFFORTLESSSouth Province (Area Five) - RiverScarletOverworldLv.22-4730%MidRouteEFFORTLESSSouth Province (Area Five) - RiverVioletOverworldLv.22-4730%MidRouteEFFORTLESSTagtree Thicket - RiverScarletOverworldLv.22-4730%MidForestEFFORTLESSTagtree Thicket - RiverVioletOverworldLv.22-4730%MidForestEASYEast Province (Area Three) - RockyScarletOverworldLv.22-4715%MidRouteEASYEast Province (Area Three) - RockyVioletOverworldLv.22-4715%MidRouteEASYSouth Province (Area Five) - RockyScarletOverworldLv.22-4715%MidRouteEASYSouth Province (Area Five) - RockyVioletOverworldLv.22-4715%MidRouteMODERATENorth Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestVioletOverworldLv.52-655%PostRouteMODERATENorth Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestScarletOverworldLv.52-655%PostRouteCHALLENGINGNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyVioletOverworldLv.52-653%PostRouteCHALLENGINGNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyScarletOverworldLv.52-653%PostRouteCHALLENGINGThe Great Crater of PaldeaScarletOverworldLv.52-653%PostCHALLENGINGThe Great Crater of PaldeaVioletOverworldLv.52-653%Post
Step 2Catch or Evolve BisharpMODERATENorth Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestVioletOverworldLv.52-655%PostRouteMODERATENorth Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestScarletOverworldLv.52-655%PostRouteCHALLENGINGNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyVioletOverworldLv.52-653%PostRouteCHALLENGINGNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyScarletOverworldLv.52-653%PostRouteCHALLENGINGThe Great Crater of PaldeaVioletOverworldLv.52-653%PostCHALLENGINGThe Great Crater of PaldeaScarletOverworldLv.52-653%Postor evolve from Pawniard (Step 1)
Step 3Kingambit ✓
Kingambit works as a wallbreaker with 550 BST behind it. A-Tier on our list — a strong competitive pick. That 135 base Attack does the heavy lifting.
Watch for Urshifu (Fighting), Cinderace (Fire), and Golem (Ground) when using Kingambit. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Urshifu is the most dangerous since Fighting moves deal 4x damage. Kingambit has enough bulk to absorb a hit, but don't push the matchup. Pivot to a teammate that resists.
Defiant raises Attack two stages upon having any stat lowered — that's the one you want on Kingambit. Pressure is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Supreme Overlord works too if your team needs something different.
Kingambit is a physical attacker with base 135 Attack. Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. Fits the wallbreaker role.
Kingambit can be found in Scarlet & Violet.
Since Scarlet & Violet, Kingambit has been obtainable in 1 games. A Generation 9 debut means a shorter history, but Kingambit has appeared steadily across every generation since.
- 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 VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSVDebut
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A