Hitmonlee Best Moveset
120 Attack at 87 Speed on Fighting with AbilityReckless boosting recoil moves by 20%. MoveHigh Jump Kick under Reckless hits with devastating force. The moveset bets everything on landing the kick. 53 Defense means any physical priority ends it. High-risk offense that pays off when the damage connects.
Fighting-type struggled against Psychic dominance in Gen I (Red & Blue). 120 Attack hit hard, but Hitmonlee had no way to touch Psychic-types.
Utility Moveset
- High Jump Kick
- Body Slam
- Seismic Toss
- Mega Kick
Recommended Teammates
High Jump Kick was a strong but risky STAB in Gen II (Gold & Silver). One miss meant massive recoil. Worth it when it connected, devastating when it didn't.
Utility Moveset
- High Jump Kick
- Meditate
- Hidden Power Ghost
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
Coverage expanded in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). High Jump Kick plus Rock Slide plus Earthquake covered a lot of the format.
Best Moves
Best Build
Hitmonlee best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Rock Slide
- Mach Punch
- High Jump Kick
- Brick Break
Recommended Teammates
Close Combat arrived in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl) as reliable STAB with perfect accuracy. 120 Attack finally had a move worthy of it.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Sucker Punch
- Close Combat
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
Recommended Teammates
Unburden doubled Speed after consuming an item in Gen V (Black & White). Berry boost into Unburden Speed made Hitmonlee a legitimate sweeper.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Reversal
- Endure
- High Jump Kick
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Same Unburden tricks worked in Gen VI (X & Y) but the power ceiling rose faster than Hitmonlee's tools could keep pace.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Fake Out
- High Jump Kick
- Poison Jab
Recommended Teammates
Fell further in Gen VII (Sun & Moon) as Mega Evolutions and Z-Moves raised the bar. Hitmonlee's paper-thin defenses were a constant liability.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Endure
- Reversal
- High Jump Kick
- Mach Punch
Recommended Teammates
Competing against Urshifu and other superior Fighting-types in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). 120 Attack wasn't special anymore.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Stone Edge
- Endure
- Reversal
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Two straight gens at the bottom in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Hitmonlee's niche of fast, strong Fighting-type was filled better by newer Pokemon.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Reversal
- Endure
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Hitmonlee Weakness
Type-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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug, Rock, Dark |
What is Hitmonlee Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Hitmonlee
Ting-Lu's Earthquake hits Hitmonlee for 54-63%. Darkrai's Ice Beam hits Hitmonlee for 39-46%. Tyranitar deals 63-74% with Stone Edge.
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityVesselofruin ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Hitmonlee View Ting-Lu builds →Earthquake54-63% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityBaddreams ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Hitmonlee View Darkrai builds →Dark Pulse17-20% Ice Beam39-46% Sludge Bomb39-46% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Hitmonlee View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off41-49% Stone Edge63-74% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
Recommended Build AbilitySapsipper ItemAssault Vest NatureModest Moves View Goodra-Hisui builds →
| ||
Evolution
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Hitmonlee to get Tyrogue eggs (with patience) using 70 partners from the Humanshape egg group.
How to Get Hitmonlee
Hitmonlee starts showing up in endgame routes at moderate rates across 2 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Hitmonlee in SV
Tyrogue is your first catch on the way to Hitmonlee. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 50-80 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch TyrogueCanyon BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCanyon BiomeLv.63Overworld
Step 2Hitmonlee ✓Canyon BiomeLv.50-80Overworldor evolve from Tyrogue (Step 1)
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 BDSP
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 TyrogueRoute 211 - WestLv.12-14Using PokeRadarRate 22%Route 208Lv.17-18Using PokeRadarRate 22%Grassland CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRiverbank CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStill-Water CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameWhiteout CaveLv.58-63CavePost-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 SwSh
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 TyrogueRolling FieldsLv.7-10OverworldRate 28%OvercastRolling Fields - 2Lv.7-10OverworldRate 28%OvercastSouth Lake MilochLv.11-13GrassRate 10%OvercastRolling FieldsLv.7-10OverworldRate 5%ThunderstormRolling FieldsLv.7-10OverworldRate 5%Normal WeatherRolling FieldsLv.7-10OverworldRate 5%RainingRolling FieldsLv.7-10OverworldRate 5%Intense SunRolling FieldsLv.7-10OverworldRate 5%SnowstormRolling FieldsLv.7-10OverworldRate 5%Heavy FogRolling FieldsLv.7-10OverworldRate 5%SnowingRolling FieldsLv.7-10OverworldRate 5%SandstormRolling Fields - 2Lv.7-10OverworldRate 5%SandstormRolling Fields - 2Lv.7-10OverworldRate 5%ThunderstormRolling Fields - 2Lv.7-10OverworldRate 5%Normal WeatherRolling Fields - 2Lv.7-10OverworldRate 5%RainingRolling Fields - 2Lv.7-10OverworldRate 5%Intense SunRolling Fields - 2Lv.7-10OverworldRate 5%SnowstormRolling Fields - 2Lv.7-10OverworldRate 5%Heavy FogRolling Fields - 2Lv.7-10OverworldRate 5%SnowingWest Lake AxewellLv.7-11CaveRate 5%OvercastSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 5%RainingSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 5%Intense SunSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 5%SnowstormSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 5%Heavy FogSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 5%SnowingSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 5%OvercastSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 5%SandstormSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 5%ThunderstormSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 5%Normal WeatherRoute 3Lv.10-14OverworldRate 2%All WeatherDappled GroveLv.13-15OverworldRate 2%OvercastStony WildernessLv.28-30OverworldRate 15%Normal WeatherStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 15%Normal WeatherStony Wilderness - 3Lv.28-30OverworldRate 15%Normal WeatherGiant's SeatLv.33-38OverworldRate 2%Overcast
Step 2Hitmonlee ✓Dusty BowlLv.42-47OverworldSwordRate 5%Overcastor 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 LGPE
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 CityLv.30Gift from NPCChoose Hitmonlee or HitmonchanVictory Road - 1FLv.41-46CaveRate 5%Unique encounteror evolve from Tyrogue (Step 1)
Base Stats
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.
This amazing Pokémon has an awesome sense of balance. It can kick in succession from any position.
Hitmonlee Guide
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.
The core moveset is Knock Off, Reversal, Endure, and Swords Dance. Knock Off leads at 0% usage. Reversal provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
One of the original 151, Hitmonlee has appeared in 20 games — most mainline games. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves