Grimmsnarl's Dark/Fairy typing gives it an immunity to Psychic and Dragon. Only 3 weaknesses on top of that — it has plenty of safe switch-in opportunities. Prankster adds more value on top. One of the newer additions from Gen 8.
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.
By transforming its leg hair, this Pokémon delivers power-packed drill kicks that can bore huge holes in Galar’s terrain.
Gigantamax energy has caused more hair to sprout all over its body. With the added strength, it can jump over the world’s tallest building.
Grimmsnarl Weakness
GoodPoison, Steel, and Fairy-type 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.
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.
How to Evolve
Start with max HP and Sp. Def EVs. Careful nature gives Grimmsnarl the right special wall lean, Lightclay adds extra utility, and Prankster works in the background. Light Screen is the main damage option.
Best Build
Best Grimmsnarl Moveset
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Spirit Break
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 ImpidimpEFFORTLESSGiant's MirrorSwordGrassLv.26-2835%MidHeavy FogEFFORTLESSGiant's MirrorShieldGrassLv.26-2835%MidHeavy FogEASYStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidThunderstormEASYStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidThunderstormEASYStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidIntense SunEASYStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidIntense SunEASYStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidSnowingEASYStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidSnowingEASYStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidRainingEASYStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidRainingEASYStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidHeavy FogEASYStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidHeavy FogEASYStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.27-2920%MidNormal WeatherEASYStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.27-2920%MidNormal WeatherMODERATEStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.26-2810%MidSnowstormMODERATEStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.26-2810%MidSnowstormMODERATEStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.27-2910%MidOvercastMODERATEStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.27-2910%MidOvercastMODERATEHammerlocke HillsShieldGrassLv.28-3010%MidHeavy FogMODERATEHammerlocke HillsSwordGrassLv.28-3010%MidHeavy FogCHALLENGINGMotostoke OutskirtsShieldGrassLv.21-245%MidAll WeatherCHALLENGINGMotostoke OutskirtsSwordGrassLv.21-245%MidAll WeatherMODERATESlippery SlopeShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostHeavy FogMODERATESlippery SlopeSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostHeavy Fog
Step 2Catch or Evolve MorgremEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestRainingEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3720%LateForestHeavy FogEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestOvercastEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestNormal WeatherEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestSnowstormEASYGlimwood TangleSwordOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestAll WeatherEASYGlimwood TangleShieldGrassLv.34-3620%LateForestAll WeatherEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestThunderstormEASYGlimwood TangleSwordGrassLv.34-3620%LateForestAll WeatherEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestIntense SunEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestSnowingEASYGlimwood TangleShieldOverworldLv.34-3620%LateForestSandstormEASYSnowslide SlopeShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostIceHeavy FogEASYSnowslide SlopeSwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostIceHeavy FogMODERATEGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostHeavy FogMODERATEGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostHeavy FogMODERATEGiant's FootShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostHeavy FogMODERATEGiant's FootSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostHeavy Fogor evolve from Impidimp (Step 1)
Step 3Grimmsnarl ✓EASYLake of OutrageShieldGrassLv.50-5225%PostWaterOvercastEASYLake of OutrageSwordGrassLv.50-5225%PostWaterOvercastor 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 C-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.
Grimmsnarl can be found in Scarlet & Violet and Sword & Shield.
Grimmsnarl first appeared in Sword & Shield and spans 2 games across 2 generations. It later gained a Gigantamax 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 VBW

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 VIIISwShDebutGigantamax

Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV

Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A