Mid-stage Pokemon like Charjabug rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Vikavolt, which is where the real potential kicks in. Works well under Trick Room. Only weak to Fire and Rock.
Charjabug's built to absorb hits, not race for knockouts. Physical bulk with Defense doing the heavy lifting. And the medium-fast 1M XP curve means it won't take forever to bring up, worth 2 Defense EVs.
While its durable shell protects it from attacks, Charjabug strikes at enemies with jolts of electricity discharged from the tips of its jaws.
Its digestive processes convert the leaves it eats into electricity. An electric sac in its belly stores the electricity for later use.
Charjabug Weakness
AvgFire and Rock-type moves hit Charjabug for super-effective damage. The Bug/Electric typing picks up 4 resistances to work with. With 57 HP and balanced defenses, Charjabug can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
Charjabug connects Grubbin to Vikavolt in this chain. At least one evolution here needs an evolution item. So far, Defense got the biggest boost (+50 from Grubbin). The final form adds another 100 stats on top.
How to Evolve
Breed with Charjabug to get Grubbin eggs easily using 47 partners from the Bug egg group. Notable egg moves include Discharge, Harden.
The recommended build leans into Charjabug's strengths as a defensive wall. Powerlens provides extra utility, and HP-heavy investment EVs back that up. Battery rounds out the package.
Best Build
Best Charjabug Moveset
- Round
- Bug Bite
- Eerie Impulse
- Light Screen
Recommended Teammates
The level-up pool tells the story here. Charjabug learns Thunderbolt and Wild Charge naturally, plus enough variety that TMs feel like bonuses. Ground and Normal coverage and more extends the reach beyond that.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
6 encounter spots for Charjabug at high spawn rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Charjabug in Sword & Shield
To get Charjabug, start by catching Grubbin through walking encounters at Lv. 2-45. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch GrubbinEFFORTLESSNorth Lake MilochShieldGrassLv.14-1640%EarlyWaterThunderstormEFFORTLESSNorth Lake MilochSwordGrassLv.14-1640%EarlyWaterThunderstormEFFORTLESSDappled GroveShieldGrassLv.11-1535%EarlyForestThunderstormEFFORTLESSDappled GroveSwordGrassLv.11-1535%EarlyForestThunderstormEFFORTLESSDappled GroveShieldGrassLv.11-1535%EarlyForestRainingEFFORTLESSDappled GroveSwordGrassLv.11-1535%EarlyForestRainingEFFORTLESSEast Lake AxewellShieldGrassLv.8-1230%EarlyCaveRainingEFFORTLESSEast Lake AxewellSwordGrassLv.8-1230%EarlyCaveRainingEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsShieldGrassLv.11-1430%EarlyBuildingThunderstormEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsSwordGrassLv.11-1430%EarlyBuildingThunderstormEFFORTLESSNorth Lake MilochShieldGrassLv.14-1630%EarlyWaterRainingEFFORTLESSNorth Lake MilochSwordGrassLv.14-1630%EarlyWaterRainingEASYEast Lake AxewellShieldOverworldLv.10-1515%EarlyCaveRainingEASYEast Lake AxewellSwordOverworldLv.10-1515%EarlyCaveRainingMODERATERoute 1ShieldGrassLv.2-510%EarlyRouteAll WeatherMODERATERoute 1SwordGrassLv.2-510%EarlyRouteAll WeatherMODERATESlumbering Weald - Low LevelShieldOverworldLv.2-310%EarlyForestAll WeatherMODERATESlumbering Weald - Low LevelSwordOverworldLv.2-310%EarlyForestAll WeatherCHALLENGINGSlumbering WealdShieldGrassLv.2-35%EarlyForestAll WeatherCHALLENGINGSlumbering WealdSwordGrassLv.2-35%EarlyForestAll Weather
Step 2Charjabug ✓EASYHammerlocke HillsShieldGrassLv.28-3025%MidThunderstormEASYHammerlocke HillsSwordGrassLv.28-3025%MidThunderstormEFFORTLESSAxew's EyeShieldGrassLv.35-4030%LateRainingEFFORTLESSAxew's EyeSwordGrassLv.35-4030%LateRainingEASYDusty BowlShieldGrassLv.40-4520%LateThunderstormEASYDusty BowlSwordGrassLv.40-4520%LateThunderstormor evolve from Grubbin (Step 1)
At 400 BST, Charjabug is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Vikavolt before bringing it to any serious fight.
Battery ally Pokémon's moves have their power increased to 1.3× — that's the one you want on Charjabug. It's the only ability Charjabug has.
Charjabug is a special attacker with base 55 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 36 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. Fits the trick room role.
Charjabug can be found in Scarlet & Violet, Sword & Shield, Sun & Moon, and Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.
Since Sun & Moon, Charjabug has been obtainable in 4 games. A Generation 7 debut means a shorter history, but Charjabug 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 VIISMDebut
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