Machoke Best Moveset
Close-range Fighting TermStab at 100 Attack starts to genuinely threaten. 70 Defense absorbs physical hits between cooldowns. 45 Speed still drags the recharge rate and limits offensive pressure. The moveset has real physical damage, one evolution from Machamp's full power.
Machoke saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This marked Machoke's competitive debut. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 50.
Utility Moveset
- Earthquake
- Submission
- Rock Slide
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
100 Attack on a Fighting pre-evolution in Gen II (Gold & Silver). No Eviolite yet. Cross Chop hit hard for the lower tiers from raw base stats.
Utility Moveset
- Cross Chop
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Guts boosted Attack when statused in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). 100 Attack with Guts from a pre-evolution hit harder than some fully evolved Pokemon.
Best Moves
Best Build
Machoke best EVs are Attack and HP
Physical Tank Moveset
- Earthquake
- Bulk Up
- Cross Chop
- Hidden Power Ghost
Recommended Teammates
No Guard made Dynamic Punch always hit in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). 100% confusion on every target. The same trick Golurk later borrowed.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Dynamic Punch
- Payback
- Ice Punch
- Bullet Punch
Recommended Teammates
Machoke saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). This was a decline from C-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Noguard with Eviolite, favoring a Impish nature.
Wall Moveset
- Dynamic Punch
- Ice Punch
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Recommended Teammates
Eviolite arrived and Machoke gained real bulk in Gen VI (X & Y). Guts or No Guard with boosted defenses gave two viable builds.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Bullet Punch
- Bulk Up
- Ice Punch
- Brick Break
Recommended Teammates
Machoke saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). This was a decline from C-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Noguard with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Dynamic Punch
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Machoke saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Machoke maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Guts with Eviolite, favoring a Impish nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off
- Bulk Up
- Close Combat
Recommended Teammates
Machoke Weakness
Machoke's Fighting typing leaves it vulnerable to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy. Standard number of weaknesses for the Fighting typing.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug, Rock, Dark |
What is Machoke Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Machoke
Staraptor's Double-Edge hits Machoke for 55-65%. Gardevoir threatens a KO with Moonblast (102-120%). Togekiss deals 83-98% with Dazzling Gleam.
 Staraptor Normal | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityReckless ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Machoke View Staraptor builds →Close Combat37-43% U Turn11-13% Double Edge55-65% | ||
 Gardevoir PsychicFairy | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTrace ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Machoke View Gardevoir builds →Moonblast 2x102-120%KO Psychic 2x96-113%KO | ||
 Togekiss Fairy | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySerenegrace ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Machoke View Togekiss builds →Air Slash 2x78-92% Dazzling Gleam 2x83-98% | ||
Evolution
Sitting between Machop and Machamp, Machoke is part of a chain that requires a trade. Not your typical level-up setup. So far, Sp.Def got the biggest boost (+25 from Machop). The final form adds another 100 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Machoke to get Machop eggs easily using 70 partners from the Humanshape egg group.
How to Get Machoke
Machoke's 3-stage chain starts with Machop, which appears at moderate rates in the locations below. Level through 3 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.
Where To Catch Machoke in LZA
Machop is your first catch on the way to Machoke. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 24-65 across 4 total spots in the chain.
Machoke's 3-stage chain starts with Machop, which appears at decent rates in the locations below. Level through 3 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.
Where To Catch Machoke in PLA
Machop is your first catch on the way to Machoke. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 13-56 across 16 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch MachopOreburrow TunnelLv.13-16CaveRate 15%Obsidian FallsLv.16-19GrassRate 15%Bolderoll RavineLv.24-27GrassRate 15%Castaway ShoreLv.24-27GrassRate 15%Snowfall Hot SpringLv.24-27CaveRate 15%Icebound FallsLv.33-36GrassRate 15%Arena's ApproachLv.45-55GrassRate 15%Cloudcap PassLv.53-56GrassRate 15%
Step 2Machoke ✓Obsidian FallsLv.16-19GrassRate 15%Castaway ShoreLv.31-34GrassRate 15%Bolderoll RavineLv.43-46GrassRate 15%Arena's ApproachLv.45-55GrassRate 15%Icebound FallsLv.47-50GrassRate 15%Snowfall Hot SpringLv.47-50CaveRate 15%Cloudcap PassLv.53-56GrassRate 15%or evolve from Machop (Step 1)
Step 3Catch or Evolve into MachampArena's ApproachLv.45-55GrassRate 15%or evolve from Machoke (Step 2)
The chain to Machoke requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Machop at solid rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
Where To Catch Machoke in BDSP
To get Machoke, start by catching Machop through walking encounters at Lv. 5-58. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch MachopRoute 207Lv.5-7GrassRate 45%DayRoute 207Lv.5-7GrassRate 35%MorningRoute 207Lv.5-7GrassRate 25%NightMt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceLv.15-16CaveRate 25%Mt. Coronet - Route 211 EntranceLv.13CaveRate 10%Route 208Lv.16-17GrassRate 20%Morning/dayRoute 210 - NorthLv.25-26GrassRate 20%Morning/dayGrassland CaveLv.16-20CaveSpacious CaveLv.16-20CaveSunlit CavernLv.16-20CaveWhiteout CaveLv.16-20CaveRoute 208Lv.17GrassRate 10%NightRoute 210 - NorthLv.26GrassRate 10%Night
Step 2Machoke ✓Route 211 - EastLv.27-28GrassRate 20%Morning/dayGrassland CaveLv.25-29CaveRequires DefogSpacious CaveLv.25-29CaveRequires DefogSunlit CavernLv.25-29CaveRequires DefogWhiteout CaveLv.25-29CaveRequires DefogRoute 210 - NorthLv.26GrassRate 10%Route 211 - EastLv.27GrassRate 10%NightVictory Road - 1FLv.44-46CaveRate 25%Victory Road - B1FLv.44-46CaveRate 25%Route 216Lv.33-34GrassRate 20%Morning/dayAcuity LakefrontLv.35-36GrassRate 20%Morning/dayRoute 217Lv.35-36GrassRate 20%Morning/dayMt. Coronet - SummitLv.39-40CaveRate 20%Morning/dayMt. Coronet - B1FLv.31CaveRate 10%Mt. Coronet - Route 216 EntranceLv.31CaveRate 10%Route 216Lv.34GrassRate 10%NightAcuity LakefrontLv.36GrassRate 10%NightRoute 217Lv.36GrassRate 10%NightMt. Coronet - 2FLv.37CaveRate 10%Mt. Coronet - 3FLv.37CaveRate 10%Mt. Coronet - 4FLv.39CaveRate 10%Mt. Coronet - 5FLv.39CaveRate 10%Mt. Coronet - SummitLv.40CaveRate 10%NightMt. Coronet - Top CaveLv.40CaveRate 10%Mt. Coronet - 6FLv.41CaveRate 10%Mt. Coronet - 7FLv.41CaveRate 10%Victory Road - Nat Dex AreaLv.50-52CaveRate 25%Victory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FLv.50-52CaveRate 25%Route 226Lv.53GrassRate 10%Stark Mountain - EntranceLv.56CaveRate 10%Stark Mountain - InteriorLv.58CaveRate 10%Route 225Lv.51GrassRate 5%or evolve from Machop (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into Machamp
A trade step sits in Machoke's 3-stage chain from Machop. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Machop shows up at solid rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
Where To Catch Machoke in SwSh
The path to Machoke starts with Machop at Lv. 8-40 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch MachopSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 80%Normal WeatherSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 80%Intense SunSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 80%SnowingSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 70%RainingSouth Lake MilochLv.14-16OverworldRate 60%Intense SunSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 60%OvercastSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 60%SandstormSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 60%ThunderstormSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 60%Heavy FogSouth Lake MilochLv.14-16OverworldRate 50%OvercastSouth Lake MilochLv.11-13GrassRate 40%Normal WeatherSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 35%SnowstormWatchtower RuinsLv.11-14FloorSwordRate 30%OvercastNorth Lake MilochLv.14-16GrassRate 30%OvercastRoute 3Lv.8-13GrassRate 20%All WeatherSouth Lake MilochLv.11-13GrassRate 20%OvercastSouth Lake MilochLv.11-13GrassRate 20%Heavy FogSouth Lake MilochLv.11-13GrassRate 20%RainingSouth Lake MilochLv.14-16OverworldRate 15%SandstormSouth Lake MilochLv.11-13GrassRate 10%SnowingSouth Lake MilochLv.11-13GrassRate 10%SnowstormSouth Lake MilochLv.11-13GrassRate 10%ThunderstormWatchtower RuinsLv.11-14FloorShieldRate 10%OvercastSouth Lake MilochLv.14-16OverworldRate 10%SnowstormSouth Lake MilochLv.14-16OverworldRate 10%RainingSouth Lake MilochLv.14-16OverworldSwordRate 10%Normal WeatherSouth Lake MilochLv.14-16OverworldRate 10%SnowingSouth Lake MilochLv.14-15OverworldShieldRate 10%Normal WeatherStony Wilderness - 3Lv.28-30OverworldRate 35%Normal WeatherStony Wilderness - 3Lv.28-30OverworldRate 35%OvercastGiant's MirrorLv.26-28GrassRate 10%SandstormGiant's MirrorLv.26-28GrassRate 10%SnowstormGiant's MirrorLv.26-28GrassRate 10%ThunderstormGiant's MirrorLv.26-28GrassRate 10%Heavy FogGiant's MirrorLv.26-28GrassRate 10%SnowingGiant's MirrorLv.26-28GrassRate 10%RainingGiant's MirrorLv.26-28GrassRate 10%Intense SunGiant's MirrorLv.27-29GrassRate 10%Normal WeatherGiant's MirrorLv.27-29GrassRate 10%OvercastGiant's SeatLv.33-38OverworldRate 60%OvercastGiant's SeatLv.33-38OverworldShieldRate 10%Normal WeatherGiant's SeatLv.33-38OverworldRate 10%SnowingGiant's SeatLv.33-38OverworldRate 10%Sandstorm
Step 2Machoke ✓Stony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 45%OvercastGiant's SeatLv.30-35GrassRate 40%OvercastStony WildernessLv.28-30OverworldRate 35%OvercastHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 34%SandstormHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 25%OvercastHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 15%OvercastHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 15%RainingHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 10%Intense SunHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 5%Normal WeatherHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 5%SnowstormHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 5%ThunderstormAxew's EyeLv.36-40OverworldRate 25%OvercastGiant's SeatLv.33-38OverworldSwordRate 10%Normal WeatherAxew's EyeLv.36-40OverworldRate 5%Normal Weatheror evolve from Machop (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into MachampBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Machamp egg.
Base Stats
Attack and HP carry most of Machoke's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Moderately hard to find and yields 2 Attack EVs. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
Its muscular body is so powerful, it must wear a power-save belt to be able to regulate its motions.
Machoke Guide
Machoke is meant to evolve into Machamp. At 405 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Watch for Aerodactyl (Flying), Alakazam (Psychic), and Clefable (Fairy) when using Machoke. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.
No. Machoke only evolves into Machamp through a real trade. There is no in-game alternative in . Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Machoke to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required.
Guts increases Attack to 1.5× with a major status ailment. That's the one you want on Machoke. Steadfast is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. No Guard works too if your team needs something different.
Base 45 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Machoke is a physical attacker with base 100 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as an attacker.
Game Availability
One of the original 151, Machoke has appeared in 21 games — nearly every mainline game. 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