Everything pushes toward physical damage here. Mienshao's Attack does the work, Defense pays the price. But you're still getting 2 Attack EVs per KO. Tough to catch, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
When Mienshao comes across a truly challenging opponent, it will lighten itself by biting off the fur on its arms.
Delivered at blinding speeds, kicks from this Pokémon can shatter massive boulders into tiny pieces.
Mienshao is weak to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy. At base 105 Speed, Mienshao outspeeds most threats and doesn't need to tank what it can outrun.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug, Rock, Dark |
Incineroar's Flare Blitz hits Mienshao for 82-96%. Tyranitar threatens a KO with Earthquake (102-121%).
 | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemSafetygoggles NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Mienshao View Incineroar builds →Knock Off22-26% Flare Blitz82-96% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Mienshao View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off50-59% Stone Edge77-90% Pursuit31-37% Earthquake102-121%KO | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves View Chansey builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityCompetitive ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Mienshao View Empoleon builds →Surf59-70% Ice Beam39-46% Flip Turn29-34% | ||
 Sandy Shocks ElectricGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityProtosynthesis ItemBooster Energy NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Mienshao View Sandy Shocks builds →Volt Switch59-69% Thunderbolt75-89% Power Gem22-26% | ||
Mienshao is what Mienfoo becomes. Breed it for Mienfoo eggs (average hatch time). A massive partner pool for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolution from Mienfoo pushed Mienshao to 510 total stats. Attack saw the largest single gain at +40. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Mienshao to get Mienfoo eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground and Humanshape egg groups.
Mienshao keeps momentum with U-turn, switching out after dealing damage or scouting. Life Orb gives it extra damage on every hit for a health trade, max Attack and Speed EVs let it hit hard on the way out, and the remaining moves prevents dead turns.
Best Build
Mienshao best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- U Turn
- Knock Off
- Close Combat
- Triple Axel
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- Close Combat
- U Turn
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- U Turn
- Knock Off
- Close Combat
- Triple Axel
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- U Turn
- Knock Off
- High Jump Kick
- Fake Out
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- Close Combat
- Poison Jab
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- High Jump Kick
- Meditate
- Poison Jab
Recommended Teammates
Pivot Moveset
- Poison Jab
- High Jump Kick
- Knock Off
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- U Turn
- High Jump Kick
- Fake Out
- Stone Edge
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- High Jump Kick
- Meditate
- Poison Jab
Recommended Teammates
Pivot Moveset
- Poison Jab
- High Jump Kick
- Knock Off
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- U Turn
- High Jump Kick
- Fake Out
- Stone Edge
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Most of Mienshao's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Focus Punch and High Jump Kick, but Normal and Bug and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Egg moves make a real difference. Mienshao gets Feint and Focus Punch exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 9 types rounds out the picture alongside Focus Punch and High Jump Kick.
Egg moves make a real difference. Mienshao gets Ally Switch and Baton Pass exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 9 types rounds out the picture alongside Focus Punch and High Jump Kick.
Egg moves make a real difference. Mienshao gets Ally Switch and Baton Pass exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 8 types rounds out the picture alongside High Jump Kick and Focus Blast.
Mienshao isn't available in the wild in Scarlet & Violet. Start by transferring Mienfoo from Black, Black 2, or Sword. The evolution path from Mienfoo to Mienshao is covered in the steps below.
Can't catch Mienshao directly. Start with Mienfoo at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 50. The 2-stage line from Mienfoo to Mienshao is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Mienshao in Sword & Shield
Mienfoo is your first catch on the way to Mienshao. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 10-24 across 36 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch MienfooChallenge RoadShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Route16%EarlyOvercastChallenge RoadShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Route16%EarlyNormal WeatherChallenge RoadShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Route16%EarlySnowstormChallenge RoadShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Route16%EarlyThunderstormChallenge RoadShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Route16%EarlyIntense SunChallenge RoadShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Route16%EarlySnowingChallenge RoadShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Route16%EarlySandstormChallenge RoadShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Route16%EarlyRainingChallenge RoadShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Route16%EarlyHeavy FogChallenge RoadShieldGrass Lv.19-24 Route30%MidNormal WeatherChallenge RoadShieldGrass Lv.19-24 Route30%MidSnowstormChallenge RoadSwordGrass Lv.19-24 Route30%MidHeavy FogChallenge RoadSwordGrass Lv.19-24 Route30%MidNormal WeatherChallenge RoadSwordGrass Lv.19-24 Route30%MidSnowstormChallenge RoadShieldGrass Lv.19-24 Route30%MidSnowingChallenge RoadShieldGrass Lv.19-24 Route30%MidHeavy FogChallenge RoadSwordGrass Lv.19-24 Route30%MidSnowingChallenge RoadSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Route16%MidSnowingChallenge RoadSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Route16%MidSandstormChallenge RoadSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Route16%MidRainingChallenge RoadSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Route16%MidHeavy FogChallenge RoadSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Route16%MidOvercastChallenge RoadSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Route16%MidNormal WeatherChallenge RoadSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Route16%MidSnowstormChallenge RoadSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Route16%MidThunderstormChallenge RoadSwordOverworld Lv.16-21 Route16%MidIntense SunChallenge RoadSwordGrass Lv.19-24 Route15%MidRainingChallenge RoadSwordGrass Lv.19-24 Route15%MidOvercastChallenge RoadShieldGrass Lv.19-24 Route15%MidThunderstormChallenge RoadShieldGrass Lv.19-24 Route15%MidIntense SunChallenge RoadShieldGrass Lv.19-24 Route15%MidSandstormChallenge RoadSwordGrass Lv.19-24 Route15%MidThunderstormChallenge RoadShieldGrass Lv.19-24 Route15%MidRainingChallenge RoadSwordGrass Lv.19-24 Route15%MidIntense SunChallenge RoadShieldGrass Lv.19-24 Route15%MidOvercastChallenge RoadSwordGrass Lv.19-24 Route15%MidSandstorm
Step 2Mienshao ✓
Can't catch Mienshao directly. Start with Mienfoo at decent rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 50. The 2-stage line from Mienfoo to Mienshao is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Mienshao in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Step 1Catch MienfooVast Poni Canyon - OutsideUltra SunGrass Lv.43-4620%LateVast Poni Canyon - OutsideUltra MoonGrass Lv.43-4620%Late
Step 2Mienshao ✓
Mienshao can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Mienfoo from Black, Black 2, or Sword and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Mienshao looks average on paper at 510 BST. But Regenerator is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. B-Tier sweeper on our tier list.
Mienshao gets Regenerator, Inner Focus, and Reckless. But Regenerator is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that. With base 105 Speed, Regenerator gives Mienshao an edge before opponents can react.
Mienshao is a physical attacker with base 125 Attack. Speed tells the real story. Base 105 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the sweeper role.
Best way to handle Mienshao: Priority moves (Mach Punch, Aqua Jet, Ice Shard) bypass its speed. Bulky walls that resist its STAB also shut it down.
Since Black & White, Mienshao has been obtainable in 8 games. A Generation 5 debut means a shorter history, but Mienshao has appeared steadily across every generation since.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves