Zen Mode shifts into a different form below half HP — and that one ability is what makes Darmanitan worth using. Without it, the stats don't hold up on their own. Been around since Gen 5.
Darmanitan's spread is anchored by Attack, with balanced defenses backing it up. Sp. Atk is the clear weak point. Worth 2 Attack EVs per KO, and the 1.06M XP medium-slow curve keeps leveling painless.
Anger has reignited its atrophied flame sac. This Pokémon spews fire everywhere as it rampages indiscriminately.
Darmanitan takes this form when enraged. It won’t stop spewing flames until its rage has settled, even if its body starts to melt.
Darmanitan Weakness
AvgDarmanitan's Fire typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Ground, and Rock moves. 6 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. Darmanitan leans offensive (base 140 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
Darmanitan is the evolved form of Darumaka. Breeding produces Darumaka eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Darumaka gave Darmanitan the biggest boost in Attack (+50), bringing the total to 480 stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Darmanitan to get Darumaka eggs easily using 138 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Extrasensory, Flame Wheel, Focus Punch and 3 more.
Darmanitan's locked into one move per switch-in with Choice Scarf, trading flexibility for speed patching through item lock. Flare Blitz is the go-to spam option, with Ground coverage keeping switch-ins honest.
Best Build
Best Darmanitan Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- U Turn
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
You'll want to breed for Extrasensory and Flame Wheel on Darmanitan. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Overheat and Flare Blitz, they expand what Darmanitan can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
No wild encounters for Darmanitan. The 2-stage line runs through Darumaka, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 35 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Darmanitan in Sword & Shield
To get Darmanitan, start by catching Darumaka through walking encounters at Lv. 38-65. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch DarumakaCHALLENGINGRoute 8 - on Steamdrift WayGrassLv.38-415%LateRouteAll WeatherCHALLENGINGRoute 10 - Near StationGrassLv.43-465%LateRouteAll WeatherCHALLENGINGRoute 10GrassLv.44-465%LateRouteAll WeatherMODERATESnowslide SlopeOverworldLv.60-6510%PostIceSnowstorm
Step 2Darmanitan ✓
Don't let Darmanitan's 480 base stat total fool you. Zen Mode is what makes it tick — it punches way above its weight class. We rate it A-Tier as a cannon.
Run Zen Mode on Darmanitan. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Darmanitan also gets Sheer Force, but they don't compare.
Darmanitan fills the cannon role. It's a physical attacker with base 140 Attack. Base 95 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Darmanitan appears in 7 games, including Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, and X & Y.
Darmanitan first appeared in Black & White and spans 7 games across 5 generations. It later gained a Galarian form in Generation 8, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
- 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 VBWDebut
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 VIIISwShGalarian
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A