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% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNoguard ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Greninja View Golurk builds →Earthquake85-100%KO Poltergeist46-55% | ||
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves View Landorus-Therian builds →
| ||
Evolution
End of the line. Greninja caps a three-stage chain that started at Froakie. Breeding produces the base form, and eggs are average hatch time. 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 Water1 egg group.
How to Get Greninja
Can't catch Greninja directly. Start with Froakie at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 36. The 3-stage chain from Froakie to Greninja is where the leveling time goes.
Greninja doesn't appear wild. Catch Froakie instead, it shows up at moderate rates. Evolve it at level 36 to get Greninja. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
moderate rates across 2 locations for Greninja in late-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.
Greninja can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Froakie from X & Y, Scarlet & Violet, or Legends: Z-A and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Greninja in SM
Step 1Obtain FroakieBREEDINGAvailableLeave Frogadier with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Froakie egg.LATER 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 Overworld · Wild Zone 16. 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 Guide
Protean changes the entire equation for Greninja. The 530 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a sweeper.
Greninja's biggest threats include Manectric (Electric), Roserade (Grass), and Machamp (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Bug and Fairy-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. Greninja's base 122 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
Protean is what you want on Greninja. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Torrent) work on paper but Protean is what makes Greninja worth using. With base 122 Speed, Protean gives Greninja an edge before opponents can react.
Base 122 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Greninja is a special attacker with base 103 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.
The core moveset is Dark Pulse, Ice Beam, Watershuriken, and Surf. Dark Pulse leads at 0% usage. Surf provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Greninja joined the series in X & Y and has been available in 6 titles so far. With 5 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 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