High risk, high reward with Hitmonlee. The offense is outstanding but the bulk won't survive much — 35 base Sp. Atk is the weak link. Only weak to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy. An original Gen 1 pick.
Attack leads and Sp. Atk gets almost nothing. That's Hitmonlee's stat line in a nutshell. 3 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Tough to catch and yields 2 Attack EVs.
Its legs can stretch to double their length. First-time foes are startled by Hitmonlee’s extensible reach.
Hitmonlee Weakness
AvgType-wise, Hitmonlee takes extra damage from Flying, Psychic, and Fairy. Hitmonlee's special bulk (base 110 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
Hitmonlee is one of 3 ways Tyrogue's chain can end. This one takes the level-up path, while the siblings go different directions. Breed through Tyrogue to get eggs. Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan share the same 455 total stats, but they're distributed differently. Check the comparison below to see where each one specializes.
How to Evolve
Breed with Hitmonlee to get Tyrogue eggs (with patience) using 70 partners from the Humanshape egg group.
One boost from Swords Dance and Hitmonlee gets dangerous fast. The Adamant nature targets max Attack and Speed, and Unburden backs the whole approach. Knock Off and the remaining moves handle most of what's left standing.
Best Build
Best Hitmonlee Moveset
- Knock Off
- Close Combat
- Swords Dance
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
TMs carry this one. Hitmonlee learns High Jump Kick and Close Combat naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Dark and beyond give it real matchup play.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The egg pool carries weight here. Bullet Punch and Counter aren't available any other way for Hitmonlee, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Focus Punch and High Jump Kick for solid options.
The egg pool carries weight here. Bullet Punch and Counter aren't available any other way for Hitmonlee, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of High Jump Kick and Close Combat for solid options.
TMs carry this one. Hitmonlee learns High Jump Kick and Superpower naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Ground and beyond give it real matchup play.
No wild encounters for Hitmonlee in Scarlet & Violet. Bring Tyrogue over from Gold, Crystal, or Sword, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
No wild encounters for Hitmonlee. The 2-stage line runs through Tyrogue, which you can catch at decent rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 20 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Hitmonlee in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Hitmonlee, start by catching Tyrogue through walking and special encounters at Lv. 12-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch TyrogueCHALLENGINGRoute 211 - WestShining PearlUsing PokeRadarLv.12-1422%EarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 211 - WestBrilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadarLv.12-1422%EarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 208Shining PearlUsing PokeRadarLv.17-1822%MidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 208Brilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadarLv.17-1822%MidRouteGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameGrassland CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSpacious CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSpacious CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameWhiteout CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameWhiteout CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-game
Step 2Hitmonlee ✓
moderate rates is the best you'll get on Hitmonlee in late-game routes. Use the sort toggle below. Best shows where the odds peak, Earliest shows where you can access it soonest in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Hitmonlee in Sword & Shield
Tyrogue is your first catch on the way to Hitmonlee. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 7-47 across 71 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch TyrogueEASYRolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1028%EarlyOvercastEASYRolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1028%EarlyOvercastEASYRolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1028%EarlyOvercastEASYRolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1028%EarlyOvercastMODERATESouth Lake MilochShieldGrassLv.11-1310%EarlyWaterOvercastMODERATESouth Lake MilochSwordGrassLv.11-1310%EarlyWaterOvercastMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlySnowingMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlySandstormMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyThunderstormMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyRainingMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyIntense SunMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyHeavy FogMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlySnowingMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlySandstormMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyNormal WeatherMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyRainingMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlySnowstormMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyHeavy FogMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyNormal WeatherMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyThunderstormMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlySnowstormMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyIntense SunMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyThunderstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlySnowstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyIntense SunMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlySnowingMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlySandstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyThunderstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyRainingMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyIntense SunMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyHeavy FogMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlySnowingMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlySandstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyNormal WeatherMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyRainingMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-105%EarlySnowstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyHeavy FogMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-105%EarlyNormal WeatherCHALLENGINGWest Lake AxewellSwordGrassLv.7-115%EarlyCaveOvercastCHALLENGINGWest Lake AxewellShieldGrassLv.7-115%EarlyCaveOvercastMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2SwordOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterThunderstormMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2ShieldOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterSnowstormMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2SwordOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterIntense SunMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2SwordOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterSnowingMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2SwordOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterSandstormMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2ShieldOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterThunderstormMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2SwordOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterRainingMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2ShieldOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterIntense SunMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2SwordOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterHeavy FogMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2ShieldOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterSnowingMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2SwordOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterOvercastMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2ShieldOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterSandstormMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2SwordOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterNormal WeatherMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2ShieldOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterRainingMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2SwordOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterSnowstormMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2ShieldOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterHeavy FogMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2ShieldOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterOvercastMODERATESouth Lake Miloch - 2ShieldOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterNormal WeatherCHALLENGINGRoute 3ShieldOverworldLv.10-142%EarlyRouteAll WeatherCHALLENGINGRoute 3SwordOverworldLv.10-142%EarlyRouteAll WeatherCHALLENGINGDappled GroveShieldOverworldLv.13-152%EarlyForestOvercastCHALLENGINGDappled GroveSwordOverworldLv.13-152%EarlyForestOvercastEASYStony WildernessShieldOverworldLv.28-3015%MidNormal WeatherEASYStony WildernessSwordOverworldLv.28-3015%MidNormal WeatherEASYStony Wilderness - 2ShieldOverworldLv.28-3015%MidNormal WeatherEASYStony Wilderness - 2SwordOverworldLv.28-3015%MidNormal WeatherEASYStony Wilderness - 3ShieldOverworldLv.28-3015%MidNormal WeatherEASYStony Wilderness - 3SwordOverworldLv.28-3015%MidNormal WeatherCHALLENGINGGiant's SeatShieldOverworldLv.33-382%LateWaterOvercastCHALLENGINGGiant's SeatSwordOverworldLv.33-382%LateWaterOvercast
Step 2Hitmonlee ✓MODERATEDusty BowlOverworldLv.42-475%LateOvercastor evolve from Tyrogue (Step 1)
Tyrogue doesn't appear in the wild, so the 2-stage path to Hitmonlee starts at the nursery. Catch Hitmonlee first, breed for Tyrogue, then evolve through the chain.
Where To Catch Hitmonlee in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
The path to Hitmonlee starts with Tyrogue at Lv. 30-46 via gift and walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Breed Tyrogue from HitmonleeBreed from Hitmonlee at the Day Care.
Step 2Hitmonlee ✓Saffron CityLet's Go EeveeGift from NPCLv.30MidCitySaffron CityLet's Go PikachuGift from NPCLv.30MidCityCHALLENGINGVictory Road - 1F-3FLet's Go EeveeGrassLv.41-46RareLateCaveUnique encounterCHALLENGINGVictory Road - 1F-3FLet's Go PikachuGrassLv.41-46RareLateCaveUnique encounteror evolve from Tyrogue (Step 1)
We rate Hitmonlee B-Tier — a solid choice for the right team. At 455 BST, it fits the cannon role. Base 120 Attack stands out.
Limber is the go-to ability for Hitmonlee. It prevents paralysis. Its hidden ability Unburden can work in specific setups. Reckless is the other option — pick based on what your team needs.
Base 87 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Hitmonlee is a physical attacker with base 120 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a cannon.
Hitmonlee appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
One of the original 151, Hitmonlee has appeared in 20 games — nearly every mainline game. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.
- 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