Prinplup sits in the middle of its evolution line — stronger than Piplup but not yet at full power. Most trainers push through to Empoleon as fast as possible. Known as the Penguin Pokemon. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets.
Sp. Atk and Sp. Def carry most of Prinplup's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 2 Sp. Atk EVs. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It swims gracefully through the frigid sea and sings with a voice like the roaring tide. It has powerful, sturdy wings and dignity to match.
Prinplup Weakness
GoodType-wise, Prinplup takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Just 2 weak spots to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.
Partway through Piplup's chain. Prinplup still has another evolution ahead before reaching Empoleon. For breeding, average hatch time with a massive partner pool via two egg groups. Sp.Atk has grown the most so far (+20), but there's still another 125 stats to gain in the final evolution.
How to Evolve
Breed with Prinplup to get Piplup eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups.
The physical wall spread is where Prinplup earns its spot. Eviolite for a bulk boost that only works before full evolution, Bold nature for the right lean, and Roost handles sustain. Competitive does the rest without needing a move slot.
Best Build
Best Prinplup Moveset
- Roost
- Ice Beam
- Whirlpool
- Psych Up
Recommended Teammates
Hard to wall, honestly. Prinplup threatens 10 types beyond its own STAB, with Normal and Flying standing out. Pair that with Hydro Pump and Surf and switchins need to think twice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Not a lot to pick from. Prinplup gets Liquidation and Water Pulse for same-type damage, and Normal and Flying coverage and more rounds things out. You're building around what's available rather than choosing from a deep bench.
Hard to wall, honestly. Prinplup threatens 10 types beyond its own STAB, with Steel and Normal standing out. Pair that with Hydro Pump and Surf and switchins need to think twice.
Hard to wall, honestly. Prinplup threatens 11 types beyond its own STAB, with Steel and Normal standing out. Pair that with Hydro Pump and Surf and switchins need to think twice.
Prinplup isn't available in the wild in Scarlet & Violet. Start by transferring Piplup from Diamond, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus. The evolution path from Piplup to Prinplup is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Prinplup in Scarlet & Violet
Step 1Obtain Piplup
Step 2Prinplup ✓
decent spawn rates across 1 locations for Prinplup in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Prinplup in Legends: Arceus
Step 1Catch PiplupEASYSpring PathGrassUncommonRoute
Step 2Prinplup ✓EASYSpring PathGrassUncommonRouteor evolve from Piplup (Step 1)
Can't catch Prinplup directly. Start with Piplup at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 16. The 2-stage line from Piplup to Prinplup is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Prinplup in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Prinplup, start by catching Piplup through walking encounters at Lv. 58-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PiplupFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-game
Step 2Prinplup ✓
Prinplup starts showing up in late-game routes at moderate rates across 2 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Prinplup in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Step 1Obtain Piplup
Step 2Prinplup ✓Route 16Ultra MoonGrassLv.35LateRouteIsland Scan (Tuesday)Route 16Ultra SunGrassLv.35LateRouteIsland Scan (Tuesday)or evolve from Piplup (Step 1)
Prinplup is meant to evolve into Empoleon. At 405 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Torrent is the go-to ability for Prinplup. It strengthens water moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. Its hidden ability Competitive can work in specific setups.
Base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Prinplup is a special attacker with base 81 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Prinplup appears in 12 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.
Available in 12 titles since its debut in Diamond & Pearl, Prinplup spans 6 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through catching or hatching as a base form in a solid number of games.
- 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 IVDPDebut
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 IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A