Bonsly Best Moveset
Rock at 80 Attack and 95 Defense with 10 Speed and 10 Sp. Atk. AbilitySturdy survives one hit. The moveset goes last against everything and can only hit physically. Evolve to Sudowoodo for 100 Attack and the Rock TermStab behind 115 Defense.
Bonsly was a niche pick at best in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum), rarely seen in standard play. This marked Bonsly's competitive debut. Its most popular set ran Rockhead with Life Orb, favoring a Jolly nature.
Utility Moveset
- Sucker Punch
- Explosion
- Rock Slide
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Bonsly was a niche pick at best in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2), rarely seen in standard play. Bonsly maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sturdy with Focus Sash, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Bonsly saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). This was Bonsly's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Rockhead with Normalgem, favoring a Adamant nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Bonsly best EVs are Attack and HP
Physical Tank Moveset
- Uproar
- Counter
- Attract
- Thief
Recommended Teammates
Bonsly was a niche pick at best in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sturdy with Berryjuice, favoring a Adamant nature.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Explosion
- Rock Slide
- Stealth Rock
- Sucker Punch
Bonsly was a niche pick at best in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP), rarely seen in standard play. Bonsly maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sturdy with Toxic Orb, favoring a Brave nature.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Dig
- Explosion
- Sandstorm
Recommended Teammates
Bonsly was a niche pick at best in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A), rarely seen in standard play. Bonsly maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sturdy with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Rock Slide
- Stealth Rock
- Sucker Punch
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Bonsly Weakness
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 |
What is Bonsly Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Bonsly
Scizor can KO Bonsly with Close Combat (98-115%). Greninja threatens a KO with Surf (168-197%).
 Scizor BugSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Bonsly View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch 2x49-59% Knock Off27-32% U Turn43-51% Close Combat 2x98-115%KO | ||
 Greninja WaterDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Bonsly View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse74-87% Ice Beam56-66% Surf 2x168-197%KO | ||
 Kartana GrassSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Bonsly View Kartana builds →Knock Off21-25% | ||
 Conkeldurr Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemFlame Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Bonsly View Conkeldurr builds →Drain Punch 2x66-77% Mach Punch 2x36-42% Knock Off19-22% | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Bonsly View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x75-88% | ||
Evolution
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
How to Get Bonsly
Bonsly starts showing up in early-game routes at moderate rates across 32 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Bonsly in SV
Bonsly is your first catch on the way to Bonsly. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 5-60 across 46 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Bonsly ✓Apple HillsLv.7-60OverworldOni MountainLv.7-60OverworldOnis MawLv.7-60OverworldParadise BarrensLv.7-60OverworldRevelers RoadLv.7-60OverworldWistful FieldsLv.7-60OverworldCasseroya Lake - ForestLv.5-12OverworldRate 1%East Province (Area One) - ForestLv.5-12OverworldRate 1%East Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.5-12OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area One) - ForestLv.5-12OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.5-12OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Four) - ForestLv.5-12OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area One) - ForestLv.5-12OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.5-12OverworldRate 1%Tagtree Thicket - ForestLv.5-12OverworldRate 1%West Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.5-12OverworldRate 1%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into SudowoodoKitakami WildsLv.16-60OverworldOni MountainLv.16-60OverworldParadise BarrensLv.16-60OverworldTimeless WoodsLv.16-60OverworldWistful FieldsLv.16-60OverworldCasseroya Lake - ForestLv.20-60OverworldRate 6%West Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.20-60OverworldRate 6%or evolve from Bonsly (Step 1)
2 encounter spots for Bonsly at decent spawn rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Bonsly in PLA
To get Bonsly, start by catching Bonsly through walking encounters at Lv. 6-42. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Bonsly ✓Cloudpool RidgeLv.6-28GrassRate 15%Celestica RuinsLv.39-42FloorRate 15%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into SudowoodoCloudpool RidgeLv.6-28GrassRate 15%Celestica RuinsLv.39-42FloorRate 15%or evolve from Bonsly (Step 1)
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.
Where To Catch Bonsly in BDSP
The path to Bonsly starts with Bonsly at Lv. 16-30 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Bonsly ✓Route 209Lv.16GrassShining PearlRate 25%MorningRoute 210 - SouthLv.18-20GrassShining PearlRate 25%MorningRoute 209Lv.16GrassShining PearlRate 5%Route 210 - SouthLv.20GrassShining PearlRate 5%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into SudowoodoRoute 214Lv.23-24GrassShining PearlRate 15%Route 221Lv.29-30GrassShining PearlRate 15%or evolve from Bonsly (Step 1)
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.
Where To Catch Bonsly in SwSh
The path to Bonsly starts with Bonsly at Lv. 22-45 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Bonsly ✓Stony Wilderness - 3Lv.28-30OverworldRate 50%SandstormStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 45%SandstormBridge FieldLv.27-29OverworldRate 40%SandstormStony WildernessLv.28-30OverworldRate 35%Sandstorm
Step 2Catch or Evolve into SudowoodoHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 40%SandstormHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 40%Intense SunMotostoke OutskirtsLv.22-26OverworldRate 30%All WeatherMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 25%SandstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 25%SandstormBridge FieldLv.26-28GrassRate 20%SandstormHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 10%Normal WeatherDusty BowlLv.40-45GrassRate 30%Sandstormor evolve from Bonsly (Step 1)
Base Stats
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.
From its eyes, it can expel excess moisture from its body. This liquid is similar in composition to human sweat.
Bonsly Guide
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.
Game Availability
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 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves