Maschiff is technically a pre-evolution of Mabosstiff, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Intimidate lowers the opponent's Attack on switch-in, adding extra value. Psychic moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively. Known as the Rascal Pokemon.
Maschiff's spread isn't flashy. Attack leads, Sp. Atk trails, 0 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 1 Attack EV, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It always scowls in an attempt to make opponents take it seriously, but even crying children will burst into laughter when they see Maschiff’s face.
Its well-developed jaw and fangs are strong enough to crunch through boulders, and its thick fat makes for an excellent defense.
Maschiff Weakness
AvgType-wise, Maschiff takes extra damage from Fighting, Bug, and Fairy. Psychic moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. 3 weaknesses is about average, nothing too hard to play around.
Maschiff evolves into Mabosstiff. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. No compatible partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 165 stat points total.
How to Evolve
Breed Maschiff easily from the Ground egg group.
Stakeout and Eviolite give Maschiff staying power beyond its evolution stage. Jolly nature boosts Speed, a spread EV build EVs set the spread, and the pre-evolution bulk actually works here.
Best Build
Best Maschiff Moveset
- Crunch
- Play Rough
- Trailblaze
- Psychic Fangs
Maschiff develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Double-Edge and Play Rough show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Maschiff can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Bring it over from Scarlet instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Maschiff is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Catch in the wild in:
Then trade to Legends: Z-A.
Maschiff isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Mabosstiff to unlock its full potential. At 340 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Maschiff evolves into Mabosstiff at level 30. Maschiff is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Run Intimidate on Maschiff. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Maschiff also gets Run Away and Stakeout, but they don't compare.
Maschiff fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 78 Attack. At base 51 Speed, it won't be moving first often.
Maschiff can be found in Legends: Z-A and Scarlet & Violet.
Introduced in Scarlet & Violet, Maschiff has appeared in 2 games across 1 generation. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
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 IXSVDebut
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A