Without Intimidate, Hitmontop wouldn't see any competitive play. With it? It lowers the opponent's Attack on switch-in, turning modest base stats into a real offensive threat. Fighting is solid coverage on top of that. Needs some investment to avoid getting outsped.
Hitmontop's spread favors balanced defenses over offense. Sp. Def leads the defensive side, Sp. Atk eats the cost. Yields 2 Sp. Def EVs per defeat. Medium-fast 1M XP curve to level.
It fights while spinning like a top. The centrifugal force boosts its destructive power by a factor of 10.
Hitmontop Weakness
AvgFlying, Psychic, and Fairy-type moves hit Hitmontop for super-effective damage. With 50 HP and balanced defenses, Hitmontop can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
You get Hitmontop from Tyrogue at level 20. It's one of 3 possible evolutions in this branching family, each requiring its own method. Breed through Tyrogue to get eggs. Both Hitmontop and Hitmonlee hit 455 total stats from Tyrogue. The difference is how those stats are split.
How to Evolve
Breed with Hitmontop to get Tyrogue eggs (with patience) using 70 partners from the Humanshape egg group.
Bulk and offense in one package. Hitmontop runs Heavy-Duty Boots for hazard immunity on every switch-in with a Adamant nature, so it survives long enough to threaten with Rapid Spin. Max HP and Attack EVs and the remaining moves make it hard to safely switch into.
Best Build
Best Hitmontop Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Triple Axel
- Close Combat
- Mach Punch
Recommended Teammates
Without TMs, Hitmontop's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 7 types on top of Close Combat and Focus Blast for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Without breeding, Hitmontop misses out on Bullet Punch and Counter. That's 9 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from High Jump Kick and Close Combat, with Normal and Steel coverage and more rounding things out.
Without breeding, Hitmontop misses out on Bullet Punch and Counter. That's 8 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from High Jump Kick and Close Combat, with Normal and Steel coverage and more rounding things out.
Without breeding, Hitmontop misses out on Bullet Punch and Counter. That's 11 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from High Jump Kick and Close Combat, with coverage across 7 types rounding things out.
Hitmontop can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Transfer Tyrogue from Gold, Crystal, or Sword and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Hitmontop doesn't appear wild. Catch Tyrogue instead, it shows up at decent rates. Evolve it at level 20 to get Hitmontop. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Hitmontop in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The path to Hitmontop starts with Tyrogue at Lv. 12-63 via walking and special encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
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 2Hitmontop ✓
Hitmontop tops out at low spawn rates across 2 locations in endgame routes. The encounters below are sorted by rate so you can see exactly what you're working with.
Where To Catch Hitmontop in Sword & Shield
To get Hitmontop, start by catching Tyrogue through walking encounters at Lv. 7-58. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
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 2Hitmontop ✓CHALLENGINGLake of OutrageShieldOverworldLv.55-582%PostWaterOvercastCHALLENGINGLake of OutrageSwordOverworldLv.55-582%PostWaterOvercastor evolve from Tyrogue (Step 1)
Hitmontop isn't available in the wild in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Start by transferring Tyrogue from Gold, Crystal, or Sword. The evolution path from Tyrogue to Hitmontop is covered in the steps below.
Don't let Hitmontop's 455 base stat total fool you. Intimidate is what makes it tick — it punches way above its weight class. We rate it A-Tier.
Watch for Aerodactyl (Flying), Starmie (Psychic), and Gardevoir (Fairy) when using Hitmontop. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.
Run Intimidate on Hitmontop. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Hitmontop also gets Technician and Steadfast, but they don't compare.
Hitmontop fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 95 Attack. Base 70 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Hitmontop appears in 17 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Hitmontop first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 17 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
- 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 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