Ekans Best Moveset
Poison at 60 Attack and 55 Speed. AbilityIntimidate lowers opposing Attack on entry, but the stats behind it can't take advantage. The moveset is a pre-evolution placeholder. Evolve to Arbok for 95 Attack and the AbilityIntimidate that actually matters on a team.
Ekans saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This was Ekans's competitive peak. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 40.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Wrap
- Mega Drain
- Substitute
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Ekans was a niche pick at best in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation.
Utility Moveset
- Sludge Bomb
- Acid
- Curse
- Toxic
Ekans saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Ekans climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Shedskin with Oranberry, favoring a Hardy nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Wrap
- Poison Sting
- Leer
- Bite
Recommended Teammates
Ekans saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Ekans maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Intimidate with Oranberry, favoring a Adamant nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Poison Jab
- Glare
- Earthquake
- Aqua Tail
Recommended Teammates
Ekans saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Ekans maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Intimidate with Eviolite, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Gunk Shot
- Sucker Punch
- Coil
- Glare
Recommended Teammates
Ekans was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Intimidate with Air Balloon, favoring a Adamant nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Coil
- Gunk Shot
- Earthquake
- Poison Jab
Recommended Teammates
Ekans saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Ekans climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Intimidate with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Gunk Shot
- Earthquake
- Coil
- Sucker Punch
Ekans saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Ekans maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Intimidate with Focus Sash, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Gunk Shot
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Glare
Recommended Teammates
Ekans Weakness
Ekans's Poison typing leaves it vulnerable to Ground and Psychic. The Poison typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Ekans's Poison typing only leaves 2 gaps to cover.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Fairy |
What is Ekans Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Ekans
Mienfoo deals 52-62% with Knock Off.
 Landorus Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves View Landorus builds →
| ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Ekans View Glimmet builds →Sludge Bomb26-31% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemEviolite NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Ekans View Mienfoo builds →Knock Off52-62% U Turn28-33% High Jump Kick52-61% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityStamina ItemEviolite NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Ekans View Mudbray builds →Earthquake 2x129-152%KO | ||
D | ||
Recommended Build AbilityOvercoat ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves View Vullaby builds →
| ||
Evolution
Ekans is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Arbok. Check the evolution method below. Plenty of partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 160 total stats over Ekans. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Get Ekans
moderate rates across 16 locations for Ekans in early-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 Ekans in SV
The path to Ekans starts with Ekans at Lv. 7-60 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Ekans ✓Apple HillsLv.7-60OverworldCrystal PoolLv.7-60OverworldFellhorn GorgeLv.7-60OverworldKitakami RoadLv.7-60OverworldMossfell ConfluenceLv.7-60OverworldOni MountainLv.7-60OverworldRevelers RoadLv.7-60OverworldWistful FieldsLv.7-60Overworld
Step 2Catch or Evolve into ArbokFellhorn GorgeLv.22-60OverworldMossfell ConfluenceLv.22-60OverworldOnis MawLv.22-60Overworldor evolve from Ekans (Step 1)
Ekans appears at moderate rates across 1 spots in early-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Ekans in LZA
Ekans is your first catch on the way to Ekans. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 8-52 across 3 total spots in the chain.
- Step 1Ekans ✓Wild Zone 4Lv.8-10OverworldLegends: Z-A
- Step 2Catch or Evolve into ArbokWild Zone 10Lv.31-33OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 10Lv.50-52OverworldLegends: Z-Aor evolve from Ekans (Step 1)
moderate rates across 6 locations for Ekans in endgame 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 Ekans in BDSP
The path to Ekans starts with Ekans at Lv. 58-63 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Ekans ✓Bogsunk CavernLv.58-63GrassBrilliant DiamondPost-gameGrassland CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameRiverbank CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameStill-Water CavernLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameSwampy CaveLv.58-63GrassBrilliant DiamondPost-game
Step 2Evolve into Arbok
decent spawn rates across 2 locations for Ekans in early-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 Ekans in LGPE
Step 1Ekans ✓Route 3Lv.3-8GrassLet's Go EeveeRate 20%Route 4Lv.7-12GrassLet's Go EeveeRate 20%
Step 2Evolve into Arbok
Base Stats
You won't find a real weakness in Ekans's stat line. It's well-rounded for the Snake Pokemon, and what it does with that depends on moveset and items. Yields 1 Attack EV, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It sneaks through grass without making a sound and strikes unsuspecting prey from behind.
Ekans Guide
For a casual playthrough, Ekans works as a placeholder. Poison coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Arbok. That's where the stats start mattering.
Game Availability
Present since Red & Blue, Ekans appears in 20 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Ekans have the longest track record of availability in the series.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
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