Flying is a dangerous matchup for Heracross — quadruple damage means one hit can end things. Known as the Single Horn Pokemon. Built to hit on the physical side.
Attack leads and Sp. Atk gets almost nothing. That's Heracross's stat line in a nutshell. 4 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Tough to catch and yields 2 Attack EVs.
They gather in forests seeking the sweet sap of trees. It is completely clad in a steel-hard shell. It is proud of its horn, which it uses to fling foes.
Heracross Weakness
AvgType-wise, Heracross takes extra damage from Flying, Fire, and Psychic. Watch out for Flying attacks, those deal 4x damage. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. With 80 HP and balanced defenses, Heracross can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
What you see is what you get. Heracross sits outside any evolution chain, so focus on the egg moves and a decent partner pool from one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time.
How to Evolve
Breed Heracross easily with 37 breeding partners from the Bug egg group. Pass egg moves like Bide, False Swipe, Flail and 1 more to offspring.
Find one free turn for Swords Dance and Heracross can run through teams. Jolly nature leans fast physical, Swarm supports the sweep, and utility options stops anything from walling it cleanly.
Best Build
Best Heracross Moveset
- Megahorn
- Rock Slide
- Swords Dance
- Substitute
Recommended Teammates
Breeding's the move. Bide and False Swipe give Heracross options it can't learn any other way, and Normal and Ground coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Focus Punch and Megahorn. The egg moves push it further.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
You'll want mid-game access before hunting Heracross. Moderate rates across 1 encounter spots means the location matters. Sort by Best below and target the top-rated area first.
Best Locations
We rate Heracross B-Tier — a solid choice for the right team. At 500 BST, it fits the wallbreaker role. Base 125 Attack stands out.
Heracross doesn't evolve and has no evolutionary line. It's a Bug/Fighting-type Pokemon with strong stats at 500 BST — no evolution needed.
Swarm is the go-to ability for Heracross. It strengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. Its hidden ability Moxie can work in specific setups. Guts is the other option — pick based on what your team needs.
Base 85 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Heracross is a physical attacker with base 125 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a wallbreaker.
Heracross appears in 19 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Since debuting in Gold & Silver, Heracross has appeared in 19 titles over 8 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
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 VIORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A