Grimmsnarl's spread isn't flashy. Attack leads, Speed trails, 3 stats clear the bar. Tough to catch and worth 3 Attack EVs, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
This Pokémon has complete control over its hair. Grimmsnarl normally keeps its hair wrapped around its body to support its muscles.
It lives deep within the forest. Even after evolving into this splendid form, it hasn’t given up on its petty misdeeds and pranks.
Poison, Steel, and Fairy moves hit Grimmsnarl for super-effective damage. The upside? Psychic and Dragon-type moves can't touch it at all. With 95 HP and balanced defenses, Grimmsnarl can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Poison, Steel, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Ghost |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic, Dragon |
Hoopa's Focus Blast hits Grimmsnarl for 40-47%.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemAssault Vest NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Grimmsnarl View Cyclizar builds →Rapid Spin13-15% U Turn12-14% Knock Off3-3% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagician ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Grimmsnarl View Hoopa builds →Shadow Ball20-24% Focus Blast40-47% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityInfiltrator ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Grimmsnarl View Dragapult builds →U Turn15-18% Shadow Ball23-27% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Grimmsnarl View Sableye builds →Knock Off4-5% | ||
| C | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Grimmsnarl View Sableye builds →Knock Off4-5% | ||
Grimmsnarl is the final form in a three-stage chain from Impidimp through Morgrem. Breeding this form produces Impidimp eggs (average hatch time). Evolving from Impidimp gave Grimmsnarl the biggest boost in Attack (+75), bringing the total to 510 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Grimmsnarl to get Impidimp eggs using 66 partners from the Fairy and Humanshape egg groups.
Start with HP-heavy investment EVs. Impish nature gives Grimmsnarl the right physical wall lean, Lightclay adds extra utility, and Prankster works in the background. Spiritbreak is the main damage option.
Best Build
Grimmsnarl best EVs are HP and Defense
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Spirit Break
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Spirit Break
- Parting Shot
- Sucker Punch
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Pivot Moveset
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Spirit Break
- Parting Shot
Recommended Teammates
Pivot Moveset
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Parting Shot
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Spirit Break
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Screens Setter Moveset
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Taunt
- Darkest Lariat
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Drain Punch
- Thunder Wave
- Reflect
- Light Screen
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Need something that threatens multiple types? Grimmsnarl's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Foul Play and Play Rough gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Without TMs, Grimmsnarl's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 9 types on top of Foul Play and Play Rough for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
You're catching Impidimp first, not Grimmsnarl. Impidimp appears at decent rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 3-stage chain with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Grimmsnarl in Scarlet & Violet
To get Grimmsnarl, start by catching Impidimp through walking encounters at Lv. 16-42. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch ImpidimpTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.16-36 Forest20%MidTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.16-36 Forest20%Mid
Step 2Catch or Evolve MorgremTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.32-42 Forest6%LateTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.32-42 Forest6%Lateor evolve from Impidimp (Step 1)
Step 3Grimmsnarl ✓
A few locations for Grimmsnarl with decent spawn rates across endgame routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Grimmsnarl in Sword & Shield
To get Grimmsnarl, start by catching Impidimp through walking encounters at Lv. 21-65. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch ImpidimpGiant's MirrorSwordGrass Lv.26-2835%MidHeavy FogGiant's MirrorShieldGrass Lv.26-2835%MidHeavy FogStony WildernessShieldGrass Lv.26-2820%MidThunderstormStony WildernessSwordGrass Lv.26-2820%MidThunderstormStony WildernessShieldGrass Lv.26-2820%MidIntense SunStony WildernessSwordGrass Lv.26-2820%MidIntense SunStony WildernessShieldGrass Lv.26-2820%MidSnowingStony WildernessSwordGrass Lv.26-2820%MidSnowingStony WildernessShieldGrass Lv.26-2820%MidRainingStony WildernessSwordGrass Lv.26-2820%MidRainingStony WildernessShieldGrass Lv.26-2820%MidHeavy FogStony WildernessSwordGrass Lv.26-2820%MidHeavy FogStony WildernessShieldGrass Lv.27-2920%MidNormal WeatherStony WildernessSwordGrass Lv.27-2920%MidNormal WeatherStony WildernessShieldGrass Lv.26-2810%MidSnowstormStony WildernessSwordGrass Lv.26-2810%MidSnowstormStony WildernessShieldGrass Lv.27-2910%MidOvercastStony WildernessSwordGrass Lv.27-2910%MidOvercastHammerlocke HillsShieldGrass Lv.28-3010%MidHeavy FogHammerlocke HillsSwordGrass Lv.28-3010%MidHeavy FogMotostoke OutskirtsShieldGrass Lv.21-245%MidAll WeatherMotostoke OutskirtsSwordGrass Lv.21-245%MidAll WeatherSlippery SlopeShieldOverworld Lv.60-6510%PostHeavy FogSlippery SlopeSwordOverworld Lv.60-6510%PostHeavy Fog
Step 2Catch or Evolve MorgremGlimwood TangleShieldOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest20%LateRainingGlimwood TangleShieldOverworld Lv.34-37 Forest20%LateHeavy FogGlimwood TangleShieldOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest20%LateOvercastGlimwood TangleShieldOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest20%LateNormal WeatherGlimwood TangleShieldOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest20%LateSnowstormGlimwood TangleSwordOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest20%LateAll WeatherGlimwood TangleShieldGrass Lv.34-36 Forest20%LateAll WeatherGlimwood TangleShieldOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest20%LateThunderstormGlimwood TangleSwordGrass Lv.34-36 Forest20%LateAll WeatherGlimwood TangleShieldOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest20%LateIntense SunGlimwood TangleShieldOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest20%LateSnowingGlimwood TangleShieldOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest20%LateSandstormSnowslide SlopeShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice20%PostHeavy FogSnowslide SlopeSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice20%PostHeavy FogGiant's BedShieldOverworld Lv.60-6510%PostHeavy FogGiant's BedSwordOverworld Lv.60-6510%PostHeavy FogGiant's FootShieldOverworld Lv.60-6510%PostHeavy FogGiant's FootSwordOverworld Lv.60-6510%PostHeavy Fogor evolve from Impidimp (Step 1)
Step 3Grimmsnarl ✓Lake of OutrageShieldGrass Lv.50-52 Water25%PostOvercastLake of OutrageSwordGrass Lv.50-52 Water25%PostOvercastor evolve from Morgrem (Step 2)
Don't let Grimmsnarl's 510 base stat total fool you. Prankster is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier as a wallbreaker.
Watch for Roserade (Poison), Ferrothorn (Steel), and Clefable (Fairy) when using Grimmsnarl. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.
Run Prankster on Grimmsnarl. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Grimmsnarl also gets Frisk and Pickpocket, but they don't compare.
Grimmsnarl fills the wallbreaker role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 120 Attack). At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Run Spiritbreak, Reflect, Light Screen, and Thunder Wave on Grimmsnarl. Spiritbreak is the most common pick at 22% usage. This set covers the wallbreaker role with a mix of damage and utility.
Grimmsnarl first appeared in Sword & Shield and spans 2 games across 3 generations. It later gained a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShDebutGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves