While most trainers evolve Buneary into Lopunny immediately, the unevolved form has a niche with Eviolite boosting its defenses. Ghost moves can't touch it, and only a single type hits it super-effectively. Sits at a decent but contested Speed tier.
Speed and Attack carry most of Buneary's stat budget. Defense's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 1 Speed EV. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
My hypothesis as to why Buneary rolls up its ears is that its hearing is far too keen. I surmise that the Pokémon protects its hearing by limiting the sound that may enter its ears.
Buneary Weakness
GoodBuneary's Normal typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting moves. It shrugs off Ghost-type attacks completely. Just 1 weak spot to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.
One evolution ahead. Buneary grows into Lopunny through a straightforward two-stage chain. No compatible partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 130 total stats over Buneary.
How to Evolve
Breed Buneary easily from the Ground and Humanshape egg groups.
One guaranteed turn is all Buneary needs. Focus Sash buys it, a spread EV build EVs make it count, and Limber adds something extra. The goal: deal early damage and deal damage with Endeavor. Utility options gives it play beyond just the lead turn.
Best Build
Best Buneary Moveset
- Fake Out
- Endeavor
- Protect
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
STAB runs through Hyper Voice and Headbutt for the basics, but Buneary's real strength is the 11-type coverage spread. Fairy and Dark hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Buneary is meant to evolve into Lopunny. At 350 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Watch for Lucario (Fighting) when using Buneary. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Buneary evolves into Lopunny by leveling up. Buneary is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Run Away ensures success fleeing from wild battles — that's the one you want on Buneary. Limber is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Klutz works too if your team needs something different.
Base 85 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Buneary is a physical attacker with base 66 Attack. Defensively? Fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Buneary appears in 13 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.
Available in 13 titles since its debut in Diamond & Pearl, Buneary 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