Bonsly's all-in on Defense at the expense of Sp. Atk. The physical lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 1 Defense EV and follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
In order to adjust the level of fluids in its body, it exudes water from its eyes. This makes it appear to be crying.
From its eyes, it can expel excess moisture from its body. This liquid is similar in composition to human sweat.
Type-wise, Bonsly takes extra damage from Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Bonsly's physical bulk (base 95 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying |
Archaludon can KO Bonsly with Flash Cannon (91-107%). Annihilape deals 53-62% with Drain Punch.
 Archaludon SteelDragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityStamina ItemAssault Vest NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Bonsly View Archaludon builds →Flash Cannon 2x91-107%KO Dragon Pulse48-56% | ||
 Dondozo Water | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves View Dondozo builds →
| ||
 Annihilape FightingGhost | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityDefiant ItemSitrus Berry NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Bonsly View Annihilape builds →Drain Punch 2x53-62% | ||
 Krookodile GroundDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMoxie ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Bonsly View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 2x82-97% Knock Off27-32% Close Combat 2x66-77% | ||
 Whimsicott GrassFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemCovert Cloak NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Bonsly View Whimsicott builds →Moonblast30-35% | ||
Bonsly is the baby form here. It evolves into Sudowoodo after learning Mimic, but you can't breed it directly. Hatch one by breeding the evolved forms instead. Evolving adds up to 120 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Sturdy and Eviolite give Bonsly staying power beyond its evolution stage. Adamant nature boosts Attack, spread EVs set the spread, and the pre-evolution bulk actually works here.
Best Build
Bonsly best EVs are Sp. Def and Attack
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Sucker Punch
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Utility Moveset
- Unknown
- Counter
- Sucker Punch
- Dig
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Rock Slide
- Stealth Rock
- Sucker Punch
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Protect
- Flail
Recommended Teammates
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
TMs define Bonsly's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Stone Edge and Power Gem, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it Normal and Dark coverage and more. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Bonsly's options are limited here. You've got Head Smash and Rock Slide for STAB damage, but there isn't much beyond Rock hitting power. TMs help fill gaps, though the kit stays tight.
Breeding's the move. Curse and Defense Curl give Bonsly options it can't learn any other way, and Normal and Dark coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Rock Slide and Rock Tomb. The egg moves push it further.
Breeding's the move. Curse and Defense Curl give Bonsly options it can't learn any other way, and Normal and Dark coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Rock Slide and Rock Tomb. The egg moves push it further.
low spawn rates is the best you'll get on Bonsly in early-game routes. Use the sort toggle below. Best shows where the odds peak, Earliest shows where you can access it soonest in your playthrough.
Best Locations to Catch Bonsly in Scarlet & Violet
Which version you're playing matters for Bonsly. 20 walking spots at Lv. 5-12 spread across Scarlet and Violet, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.
2 encounter spots for Bonsly at decent spawn rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Best Locations to Catch Bonsly in Legends: Arceus
Easy grab on Bonsly with decent spawn rates across 4 locations in mid-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations to Catch Bonsly in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
4 walking spots from Lv. 16-20 for Bonsly. Sorted by game progression with rates on each row, so you can compare without scrolling through everything.
high spawn rates across 8 locations for Bonsly 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.
Best Locations to Catch Bonsly in Sword & Shield
8 walking encounters at Lv. 27-30 for Bonsly across Sword and Shield. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
Bonsly evolves into Sudowoodo after learning Mimic. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 290 BST.
Bonsly is catchable across 13 games. Debuted in Scarlet & Violet and most recently available in Platinum and HeartGold & SoulSilver.
Bonsly appears in 13 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.
Bonsly does the job early-game if you need a Rock type on your team. Evolve it into Sudowoodo before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Bonsly first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 13 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves