Nothing about Hitmonchan screams competitive powerhouse, and that's fine. Fighting means only weak to Flying and Psychic. Needs some investment to avoid getting outsped. Known as the Punching Pokemon.
Nothing fancy in Hitmonchan's spread. It leans physical with Sp. Def out front. And you'll get 2 Sp. Def EVs per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
While apparently doing nothing, it fires punches in lightning fast volleys that are impossible to see.
Hitmonchan Weakness
AvgHitmonchan's Fighting typing leaves it vulnerable to Flying and Psychic moves. Not many exploitable gaps in the Fighting typing defensive chart. Hitmonchan's special bulk (base 110 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
- Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
- Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
- Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split
Evolve Tyrogue at level 20 to get Hitmonchan. At 455 stats, this Fighting type caps the chain without any egg option. Both Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee hit 455 total stats from Tyrogue. The difference is how those stats are split.
How to Evolve
an item and an ability form the backbone. Hitmonchan invests flexible EVs EVs to play its setup attacker role properly, and a nature nature pushes higher. Submission handles the heavy lifting on offense. The remaining moves rounds it out.
Best Build
Best Hitmonchan Moveset
- Ice Punch
- Body Slam
- Submission
- Agility
Recommended Teammates
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Hitmonchan's Normal and Fire coverage and more all comes from technical machines, built on top of Submission and Counter for same-type damage. Double-Edge and Mega Kick are the payoff moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Hitmonchan is a gift in this game. Pick it up at Saffron City — no wild encounters or spawn rates to deal with. The details below cover exactly when it becomes available.
Best Locations
Hitmonchan works as a setup sweeper with 455 BST behind it. C-Tier on our list — a situational pick that fills a niche. That 110 base Sp. Def does the heavy lifting.
Watch for Aerodactyl (Flying) and Alakazam (Psychic) when using Hitmonchan. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Hitmonchan is a physical attacker with base 105 Attack. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 76 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. Fits the setup sweeper role.
Hitmonchan appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Present since Red & Blue, Hitmonchan appears in 20 games spanning 9 generations. Gen 1 originals like Hitmonchan have the longest track record of availability in the series.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
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 VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A