Mid-stage Pokemon like Machoke rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Machamp, which is where the real potential kicks in. Works well under Trick Room. Only weak to Flying and Psychic.
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.
The belt around its waist holds back its energy. Without it, this POKéMON would be unstoppable.
Machoke Weakness
AvgMachoke's Fighting typing leaves it vulnerable to Flying and Psychic moves. Few weaknesses and 2 resistances make the typing clean. Just 2 weak spots to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.
- 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
Machoke connects Machop to Machamp as a Fighting type. Can't breed at 405 stats, just keep evolving. So far, Sp.Def got the biggest boost (+25 from Machop). The final form adds another 100 stats on top.
How to Evolve
an item and an ability form the backbone. Machoke invests flexible EVs EVs to play its attacker role properly, and a nature nature pushes higher. Submission handles the heavy lifting on offense. Ground coverage rounds it out.
Best Build
Best Machoke Moveset
- Earthquake
- Submission
- Rock Slide
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Machoke. TMs unlock Normal and Ground coverage and more and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Submission and Karate Chop into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
4 encounter spots for Machoke at decent spawn rates starting from late-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Machoke in Yellow
To get Machoke, start by catching Machop through walking and trade encounters at Lv. 15-45. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch MachopEFFORTLESSRock Tunnel - B1FGrassLv.15-17CommonEarlyCaveEASYRock Tunnel - 1FGrassLv.17-21UncommonMidCaveCHALLENGINGRoute 10GrassLv.16-18RareMidRoute
Step 2Machoke ✓EASYVictory Road - 3FGrassLv.42-45UncommonLateCaveCHALLENGINGVictory Road - 2FGrassLv.39-42RareLateCaveLEGENDARYRoute 5In-game tradeLimitedRouteTrade for (give Cubone)LEGENDARYUnderground Path 5-6In-game tradeLimitedRouteTrade for (give Cubone)or evolve from Machop (Step 1)
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) and Alakazam (Psychic) when using Machoke. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
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.
Machoke appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
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.
- 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