Mankey Best Moveset
Fighting at 80 Attack and 70 Speed with AbilityDefiant boosting Attack sharply when a stat drops. The moveset has an interesting ability on underwhelming stats. Evolve to Primeape for 105 Attack, then into Annihilape where Ghost/Fighting TermStab at 115 Attack dominates the format.
Mankey saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This was Mankey's competitive peak. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 35.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Submission
- Karate Chop
- Dig
- Body Slam
Mankey saw minimal competitive use in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal). Mankey maintained its position from the previous generation.
Utility Moveset
- Cross Chop
- Hidden Power Fighting
- Low Kick
- Detect
Recommended Teammates
Mankey saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Mankey maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Vitalspirit with Salacberry, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Frustration
- Rock Slide
- Brick Break
Recommended Teammates
Mankey saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Mankey maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Vitalspirit with Choice Scarf, favoring a Adamant nature.
Utility Moveset
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch
- U Turn
- Punishment
Recommended Teammates
Mankey saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Mankey maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Vitalspirit with Choice Scarf, favoring a Jolly nature.
Utility Moveset
- Close Combat
- U Turn
- Punishment
- Final Gambit
Recommended Teammates
Mankey saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Mankey maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Vitalspirit with Leftovers, favoring a Jolly nature.
Utility Moveset
- U Turn
- Metronome
- Gunk Shot
- Close Combat
Recommended Teammates
Mankey saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Mankey maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Defiant with Choice Scarf, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- U Turn
- Close Combat
- Gunk Shot
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Mankey saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Mankey maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Vitalspirit with Choice Scarf, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Close Combat
- U Turn
- Earthquake
- Assurance
Recommended Teammates
Mankey Weakness
Mankey is weak to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy. Not too many gaps in the chart, 3 weaknesses to account for.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug, Rock, Dark |
What is Mankey Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Mankey
Mimikyu threatens a KO with Play Rough (231-271%).
 Hatterene PsychicFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Bounce ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Mankey View Hatterene builds →Nuzzle12-14% | ||
 Mimikyu GhostFairy | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDisguise ItemRed Card NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Mankey View Mimikyu builds →Play Rough 2x231-271%KO Shadow Sneak52-61% | ||
 Talonflame Fire | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves View Talonflame builds →
| ||
Evolution
Mankey kicks off a three-stage evolution line through Primeape all the way to Annihilape. For breeding, average hatch time with a massive partner pool via one egg group. Evolving adds up to 230 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Mankey easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
How to Get Mankey
Mankey is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 22 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Where To Catch Mankey in SV
To get Mankey, start by catching Mankey through walking encounters at Lv. 5-60. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Mankey ✓South Province (Area Five) - GrassLv.15-19OverworldRate 36%West Province (Area One) - GrassLv.15-19OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area Five) - MountainLv.15-19OverworldRate 12%West Province (Area One) - MountainLv.15-19OverworldRate 12%Apple HillsLv.5-60OverworldDayKitakami RoadLv.5-60OverworldDayKitakami WildsLv.5-60OverworldDayOni MountainLv.5-60OverworldDayParadise BarrensLv.5-60OverworldDayTimeless WoodsLv.5-60OverworldDayWistful FieldsLv.5-60OverworldDay
Step 2Catch or Evolve into PrimeapeKitakami WildsLv.28-60OverworldDayTimeless WoodsLv.28-60OverworldDayNorth Province (Area One) - Bamboo ForestLv.28-47OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area One) - ForestLv.28-47OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestLv.28-47OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.28-47OverworldRate 8%West Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.28-47OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area One) - RockyLv.28-47OverworldRate 4%North Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.28-47OverworldRate 4%West Province (Area Three) - RockyLv.28-47OverworldRate 4%or evolve from Mankey (Step 1)
Step 3Catch or Evolve into AnnihilapeKitakami WildsLv.36-60OverworldNightTimeless WoodsLv.36-60OverworldNightor evolve from Primeape (Step 2)
Mankey can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Mankey from Red & Blue, Yellow, or Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Mankey in LZA
- Step 1Mankey ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Red & BlueNot TradeableAppears in Red & Blue via Walking · Route 8. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom YellowNot TradeableAppears in Yellow via Walking · Route 23. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Route 9. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Route 22. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Pokeradar · Route 225. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Pokeradar · Route 225. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Evolve into Primeape
- Step 3Evolve into Annihilape
10 encounter spots for Mankey at moderate rates starting from mid-game routes. Two different catch methods are in play here. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Mankey in BDSP
To get Mankey, start by catching Mankey through walking and special encounters at Lv. 22-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Mankey ✓Route 225Lv.22Using PokeRadarRate 2%Route 226Lv.22Using PokeRadarRate 2%Grassland CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve into PrimeapeRoute 225Lv.51-52Using PokeRadarRate 20%Route 226Lv.51-53Using PokeRadarRate 20%Grassland CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameor evolve from Mankey (Step 1)
decent spawn rates for Mankey across 2 locations in early-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Mankey in LGPE
Step 1Mankey ✓Route 3Lv.3-8GrassLet's Go PikachuRate 20%Route 4Lv.7-12GrassLet's Go PikachuRate 20%
Step 2Evolve into Primeape
Base Stats
Nothing fancy in Mankey's spread. It leans physical with Attack out front. And you'll get 1 Attack EV per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It lives in groups in the treetops. If it loses sight of its group, it becomes infuriated by its loneliness.
Mankey Guide
For a casual playthrough, Mankey works as a placeholder. Fighting coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Primeape. That's where the stats start mattering.
Game Availability
Present since Red & Blue, Mankey appears in 20 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Mankey have the longest track record of availability in the series.
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