Utility
Balanced
300Low
46Slow
DTier

Grubbin sits at the start of its evolution line — not yet at full power, but that changes fast. Most trainers push through to Vikavolt as fast as possible. Introduced in Gen 7. Only weak to Fire, Flying, and Rock.

An unusually even spread gives Grubbin flexibility. Attack barely edges ahead. But Defense isn't far off. Easy to catch and follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve. Yields 1 Attack EV.

Base Stats
300Avg
HP47
D
Attack62
C
Defense45
D
Sp. Atk55
D
Sp. Def45
D
Speed46
D
Total300
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Grubbin yields +1 Atk
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Details
Catch255GuaranteedMedium Fast1M XP0.4m / 1'04"4.4kg / 9.7 lbs60Base XP
Pokedex Entries

Its natural enemies, like Rookidee, may flee rather than risk getting caught in its large mandibles that can snap thick tree branches.

Sword

It uses its big jaws to dig nests into the forest floor, and it loves to feed on sweet tree sap.

Shield

Grubbin Weakness

Avg

Grubbin is weak to Fire, Flying, and Rock-type moves. Standard number of weaknesses for the Bug typing.

4xCriticali
None
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
3Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Scorei-3
Stealth Rock25% on switch
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
SwarmStrengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.

Three stages ahead. Grubbin grows into Charjabug, then pushes on to Vikavolt. Check the evolution methods below. For breeding, quick to hatch with a decent partner pool via one egg group. Evolving adds up to 200 stat points total.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Grubbin
Bug
Charjabug
BugElectric
Vikavolt
BugElectric
HP
47
57+10
77+20
ATK
62
82+20
70-12
DEF
45
95+50
90-5
SP.ATK
55
55
145+90
SP.DEF
45
75+30
75
SPE
46
36-10
43+7
BST
300D-Tier
400D-Tier+100
500B-Tier+100
ROLE
Balanced
Trick Room
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Utility
Physical
Special
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed Grubbin easily with 47 breeding partners from the Bug egg group. Pass egg moves like Discharge, Harden to offspring.

Egg Groups
Bug
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
15 cycles·3,855 steps
Quick~4 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
2moves
Breed With (best first)
flygondrapiongolisopodcrustleribombeearaquanidvibravaskorupidwebblecutieflytrapinchdewpider

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

TMs carry this one. Grubbin learns X-Scissor and Skitter Smack naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Ground and Normal and beyond give it real matchup play.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Mud-Slap
2010010Ground
Lv 1
Vise Grip
5510030Normal
Lv 5
String Shot
9540Bug
Lv 10
Bug Bite
6010020Bug
Lv 15
Bite
6010025Dark
Lv 21
Spark
6510020Electric
Lv 25
Sticky Web
20Bug
Lv 30
X-Scissor
8010015Bug
Lv 35
Crunch
8010015Dark
Lv 40
Dig
8010010Ground

TM Moves

Src
TM78
Acrobatics
5510015Flying
TM31
Attract
10015Normal
TR32
Crunch
8010015Dark
TM15
Dig
8010010Ground
TM82
Electroweb
559515Electric
TR26
Endure+4
10Normal
TM39
Facade
7010020Normal
TM17
Light Screen
30Psychic
TM53
Mud Shot
559515Ground
TR57
Poison Jab
8010020Poison
TM25
Protect+4
10Normal
TM33
Rain Dance
5Water
TM21
Rest
10Psychic
TM76
Round
6010015Normal
TM16
Screech
8540Normal
TR27
Sleep Talk
10Normal
TM24
Snore
5010015Normal
TR20
Substitute
10Normal
TM14
Thunder Wave
9020Electric
TR08
Thunderbolt
9010015Electric
TM80
Volt Switch
7010020Electric
TR86
Wild Charge
9010015Electric
TR60
X-Scissor
8010015Bug

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Discharge
8010015Electric
Egg
Harden
30Normal

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Rising Voltage
7010020Electric
Tutor
Skitter Smack
709010Bug

Easy grab on Grubbin with high spawn rates across 20 locations in early-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.

Best Locations

Which version you're playing matters for Grubbin. 20 walking spots at Lv. 2-16 spread across Shield and Sword, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.

North Lake Miloch
ShieldGrassLv.14-1640%EarlyWaterThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
North Lake Miloch
SwordGrassLv.14-1640%EarlyWaterThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
Dappled Grove
ShieldGrassLv.11-1535%EarlyForestThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
Dappled Grove
SwordGrassLv.11-1535%EarlyForestThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
Dappled Grove
ShieldGrassLv.11-1535%EarlyForestRaining
EFFORTLESS
Dappled Grove
SwordGrassLv.11-1535%EarlyForestRaining
EFFORTLESS
East Lake Axewell
ShieldGrassLv.8-1230%EarlyCaveRaining
EFFORTLESS
East Lake Axewell
SwordGrassLv.8-1230%EarlyCaveRaining
EFFORTLESS
Watchtower Ruins
ShieldGrassLv.11-1430%EarlyBuildingThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
Watchtower Ruins
SwordGrassLv.11-1430%EarlyBuildingThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
North Lake Miloch
ShieldGrassLv.14-1630%EarlyWaterRaining
EFFORTLESS
North Lake Miloch
SwordGrassLv.14-1630%EarlyWaterRaining
EFFORTLESS
East Lake Axewell
ShieldOverworldLv.10-1515%EarlyCaveRaining
EASY
East Lake Axewell
SwordOverworldLv.10-1515%EarlyCaveRaining
EASY
Route 1
ShieldGrassLv.2-510%EarlyRouteAll Weather
MODERATE
Route 1
SwordGrassLv.2-510%EarlyRouteAll Weather
MODERATE
Slumbering Weald - Low Level
ShieldOverworldLv.2-310%EarlyForestAll Weather
MODERATE
Slumbering Weald - Low Level
SwordOverworldLv.2-310%EarlyForestAll Weather
MODERATE
Slumbering Weald
ShieldGrassLv.2-35%EarlyForestAll Weather
CHALLENGING
Slumbering Weald
SwordGrassLv.2-35%EarlyForestAll Weather
CHALLENGING
  • Grubbin is meant to evolve into Charjabug. At 300 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.

  • Grubbin's biggest threats include Arcanine (Fire), Talonflame (Flying), and Golem (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.

  • Grubbin evolves into Charjabug at level 20. Grubbin is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.

  • Swarm is the go-to ability for Grubbin. It strengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. It's Grubbin's only ability.

  • Base 46 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Grubbin is leaning toward the physical side (base 62 Attack). Defensively? Fragile — can't afford to take many hits.

  • Grubbin can be found in Scarlet & Violet, Sword & Shield, Sun & Moon, and Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.

Grubbin joined the series in Sun & Moon and has been available in 4 titles so far. With 3 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.