Greninja Best Moveset
122 Speed at 103 Sp. Atk on Water/Dark with AbilityProtean changing type to match the move used (once per switch-in). Held ItemLife Orb with NatureTimid fires coverage from any type, each with TermStab bonus. The moveset adapts its typing to every matchup. AbilityBattle Bond transforms it after a KO for boosted stats instead. A-Tier through speed and type versatility.
Protean changed Greninja's type to match every move before attacking in Gen VI (X & Y). STAB on everything. 122 Speed. Banned from standard play for unpredictability.
Best Moves
Best Build
Greninja best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Water Shuriken
Recommended Teammates
Battle Bond form replaced KO'd opponents with a stat boost in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Both Protean and Battle Bond sets were viable at the top tier.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Water Shuriken
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
Recommended Teammates
Returned without Battle Bond in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Protean was nerfed to activate only once per switch-in. Lost the ability to change type every turn. Dropped.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Water Shuriken
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Greninja Weakness
Type-wise, Greninja takes extra damage from Electric, Grass, Fighting, Bug, and Fairy. Psychic moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Greninja leans offensive (base 95 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass, Fighting, Bug, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Ghost, Dark, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
What is Greninja Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Greninja
Tornadus's U-turn hits Greninja for 50-59%. Moltres's U-turn hits Greninja for 45-53%. Hippowdon deals 39-46% with Earthquake.
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemEjectbutton NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Greninja View Tornadus builds →U Turn 2x50-59% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Greninja View Moltres builds →Flamethrower18-21% U Turn 2x45-53% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemRocky Helmet NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Greninja View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake39-46% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityCorrosion ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Greninja View Salazzle builds →Flamethrower20-24% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves View Dusclops builds →
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B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemHeatrock NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Greninja View Torkoal builds →Rapid Spin14-16% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNoguard ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Greninja View Golurk builds →Earthquake85-100%KO Poltergeist46-55% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Greninja View Grafaiai builds →Knock Off21-25% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Greninja View Pelipper builds →Hurricane35-41% U Turn 2x29-34% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityUnburden ItemSitrus Berry NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Greninja View Drifblim builds →Shadow Ball11-13% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Greninja View Delphox builds →Flamethrower21-25% Fire Blast25-30% | ||
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves View Landorus-Therian builds →
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Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves View Tornadus-Therian builds →
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Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves View Rotom-Heat builds →
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Evolution
End of the line. Greninja caps a three-stage chain that started at Froakie. Breeding produces the base form, and eggs take an average time to hatch. Speed grew the most through evolution (+51 over Froakie), and Greninja peaks at 530 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Greninja to get Froakie eggs using 114 partners from the Water 1 egg group.
Shiny Greninja
Greninja goes from dark blue to full black with those red accents sharpened up. Most fans agree it looks like it was designed specifically to reference a certain anime form. The red scarf-tongue against the pitch-black body is A Tier material through and through.
Shiny Greninja Odds & Hunting Methods
6 of 6 VerifiedHow do we research these odds?
We check every game where a shiny is possible, then rank each one by the best method available in that game, so the row at the top is the fastest route overall.
Odds marked verified are cross-checked against multiple independent sources before we publish them. Where a rate is not yet confirmed we mark the row pending rather than guess a number.
Read our full methodologyHow to Get Greninja
Can't catch Greninja directly. Start with Froakie in the wild from the locations below, then evolve at level 36. The 3-stage chain from Froakie to Greninja is where the leveling time goes.
Greninja, the Water and Dark ninja frog, melts in and out of Lumiose City's Wild Zones on the overworld, first met near level 41 and showing once more by level 56.
Where To Catch Greninja in LZA
To get Greninja, start by catching Froakie through walking and gift encounters at Lv. 14-52. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 2Catch or Evolve FrogadierHyperspace Lumiose - Water 3-StarLv.23-25GrassLegends: Z-AHyperspace Lumiose - Water 4-StarLv.36-38GrassLegends: Z-AHyperspace Lumiose - Dark 4-StarLv.36-38GrassLegends: Z-Aor evolve from Froakie (Step 1)
Step 3Greninja ✓Hyperspace Lumiose - Water 4-StarLv.41-43GrassLegends: Z-AHyperspace Lumiose - Dark 4-StarLv.41-43GrassLegends: Z-AHyperspace Lumiose - Water 5-StarLv.54-56GrassLegends: Z-Aor evolve from Frogadier (Step 2)
Come Friday, an Island Scan at the Poni Wilds pulls Greninja out of hiding at level 44, the ninja frog appearing for that one day only before the trail goes cold.
Where To Catch Greninja in USUM
Bring the right balls: check Greninja catch odds in the Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Catch Rate Calculator before you throw.
Greninja can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Froakie in from X & Y, then evolve it into Greninja. The step cards below show each evolution.
How to Obtain Greninja in SM
Step 1Obtain FroakieLATER APPEARANCEfrom X & YNot TradeableAppears in X & Y via Gift · Aquacorde Town · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Scarlet & VioletNot TradeableAppears in Scarlet & Violet via Overworld · Coastal Biome. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Legends: Z-ANot TradeableAppears in Legends: Z-A via Walking · Hyperspace Lumiose. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Frogadier
Step 3Greninja ✓
Base Stats
The stat budget goes to damage. Speed and Sp. Atk carry the offense, Defense doesn't even come close. A Ninja Pokemon on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve, worth 3 Speed EVs per KO.
It appears and vanishes with a ninja’s grace. It toys with its enemies using swift movements, while slicing them with throwing stars of sharpest water.
Greninja Event Distributions
Greninja has seen a few separate Mystery Gift events rather than a steady stream of them.
Special Demo Version Ash-GreninjaNov 2016SunMoonUltra SunUltra MoonNot shiny
Super Smash Bros. Simultaneous Purchase BonusJan 2015XYOmega RubyAlpha SapphireNot shiny
Greninja GiftXYOmega RubyAlpha SapphireNot shiny
Greninja Guide
Protean is the hidden ability. It changes the bearer's type to match each move it uses. Worth hunting for if you want Greninja to compete at a higher level.
Greninja plays as a sweeper. It outspeeds most threats, so it can pressure opponents before they move. Surf is the primary attack.
Timid is the go-to nature for Greninja. That's +Speed / -Attack. Pair it with 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe EVs. Fits the sweeper role.
Game Availability
Greninja joined the series in X & Y and has been available in 6 titles so far. With 4 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
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 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XYDebut
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7Let's Go
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
Explore
Where to go next after Greninja.
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