Don't let the raw stats fool you. Speed Boost raises its Speed every turn it stays in, and that completely changes the math for Ninjask. Ground moves can't touch it, which offsets the 5 weaknesses somewhat. A competitive option since Gen 3.
Ninjask's all-in on Speed at the expense of Defense. The physical lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 2 Speed EVs and follows a standard growth curve.
Because they move so quickly, they sometimes become unseeable. They congregate around tree sap.
Ninjask Weakness
VulnerableNinjask's Bug/Flying typing leaves it vulnerable to Rock, Fire, Electric, Ice, and Flying moves. Rock hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Ground-type attacks completely. At base 160 Speed, Ninjask outspeeds most threats and doesn't need to tank what it can outrun.
Out of 2 evolutions from Nincada, Ninjask comes from the level-up path. The method you use determines which form you end up with. Breed through Nincada to get eggs. Stat-wise, Ninjask comes out 220 points ahead of Shedinja, mostly thanks to a bigger Speed gain.
How to Evolve
Breed with Ninjask to get Nincada eggs easily using 91 partners from the Bug egg group.
Find one free turn for Swords Dance and Ninjask can run through teams. Adamant nature leans physical, Speed Boost supports the sweep, and the remaining moves stops anything from walling it cleanly.
Best Build
Best Ninjask Moveset
- Protect
- Baton Pass
- Swords Dance
- Leech Life
Recommended Teammates
Ninjask develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Bug Buzz and Giga Impact 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
You'll want to breed for Bug Bite and Final Gambit on Ninjask. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Bug Buzz and X-Scissor, they expand what Ninjask can actually threaten in practice.
You'll want to breed for Bug Bite and Bug Buzz on Ninjask. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Bug Buzz and X-Scissor, they expand what Ninjask can actually threaten in practice.
You'll want to breed for Bug Bite and Bug Buzz on Ninjask. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Bug Buzz and X-Scissor, they expand what Ninjask can actually threaten in practice.
Ninjask doesn't appear wild. Catch Nincada instead, it shows up at decent rates. Evolve it at level 20 to get Ninjask. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Ninjask in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Ninjask, start by catching Nincada through walking and special encounters at Lv. 10-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch NincadaCHALLENGINGEterna ForestBrilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadarLv.10-1222%EarlyForestCHALLENGINGEterna ForestShining PearlUsing PokeRadarLv.10-1222%EarlyForestGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameGrassland CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-game
Step 2Ninjask ✓
high spawn rates for Ninjask across 8 locations in mid-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Ninjask in Sword & Shield
The path to Ninjask starts with Nincada at Lv. 7-30 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch NincadaEFFORTLESSSouth Lake MilochShieldGrassLv.11-1340%EarlyWaterSandstormEFFORTLESSSouth Lake MilochSwordGrassLv.11-1340%EarlyWaterSandstormEFFORTLESSWest Lake AxewellSwordGrassLv.7-1130%EarlyCaveSandstormEFFORTLESSWest Lake AxewellShieldGrassLv.7-1130%EarlyCaveSandstormMODERATESouth Lake MilochShieldGrassLv.11-1310%EarlyWaterIntense SunMODERATESouth Lake MilochSwordGrassLv.11-1310%EarlyWaterIntense SunCHALLENGINGRoute 5SwordGrassLv.16-185%MidRouteAll WeatherCHALLENGINGRoute 5ShieldGrassLv.16-185%MidRouteAll Weather
Step 2Ninjask ✓EFFORTLESSStony WildernessShieldOverworldLv.28-3035%MidRainingEFFORTLESSStony WildernessSwordOverworldLv.28-3035%MidRainingEFFORTLESSStony Wilderness - 2ShieldOverworldLv.28-3035%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSStony Wilderness - 2SwordOverworldLv.28-3035%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSStony WildernessShieldOverworldLv.28-3030%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSStony WildernessSwordOverworldLv.28-3030%MidNormal WeatherEASYStony Wilderness - 2ShieldOverworldLv.28-3015%MidRainingEASYStony Wilderness - 2SwordOverworldLv.28-3015%MidRainingor evolve from Nincada (Step 1)
Ninjask isn't available in the wild in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Start by transferring Nincada from Ruby, Emerald, or Brilliant Diamond. The evolution path from Nincada to Ninjask is covered in the steps below.
Ninjask isn't available in the wild in Sun & Moon. Start by transferring Nincada from Ruby, Emerald, or Brilliant Diamond. The evolution path from Nincada to Ninjask is covered in the steps below.
Don't let Ninjask's 456 base stat total fool you. Speed Boost is what makes it tick — it punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier as a pivot.
Watch for Golem (Rock), Charizard (Fire), and Raikou (Electric) when using Ninjask. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Golem is the most dangerous since Rock moves deal 4x damage. Ice and Flying-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. Ninjask's base 160 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
Run Speed Boost on Ninjask. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Ninjask also gets Infiltrator, but they don't compare.
Ninjask fills the pivot role. It's a physical attacker with base 90 Attack. Base 160 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Ninjask appears in 14 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Ninjask first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 14 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRSDebut
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