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.
Because they move so quickly, they sometimes become unseeable. They congregate around tree sap.
Ninjask's Bug/Flying typing leaves it vulnerable to Rock, Fire, Electric, Ice, and Flying. 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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Rock |
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Electric, Ice, Flying |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
Jolteon can KO Ninjask with Thunderbolt (257-302%). Volcarona threatens a KO with Heat Wave (197-232%). Glimmora's Power Gem also KOs at 285-335%.
 Jolteon Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x257-302%KO Volt Switch 2x200-236%KO Shadow Ball76-90% | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemGrassyseed NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Volcarona builds →Heat Wave 2x197-232%KO | ||
 Glimmora RockPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemRed Card NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Glimmora builds →Power Gem 4x285-335%KO | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Weavile builds →Knock Off71-84% Ice Shard 2x89-105%KO | ||
 Pelipper Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Pelipper builds →Hurricane 2x190-224%KO | ||
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
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
Ninjask best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- U Turn
- Leech Life
- Dual Wingbeat
- Night Slash
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Baton Pass
- Protect
- Swords Dance
- Dual Wingbeat
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Swords Dance
- Protect
- Leech Life
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- U Turn
- Leech Life
- Dual Wingbeat
- Night Slash
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Baton Pass
- Protect
- Swords Dance
- Dual Wingbeat
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Swords Dance
- Protect
- Leech Life
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Protect
- Baton Pass
- X Scissor
- Aerial Ace
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Swords Dance
- Leech Life
- Aerial Ace
- Night Slash
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Protect
- Baton Pass
- X Scissor
- Aerial Ace
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Swords Dance
- Leech Life
- Aerial Ace
- Night Slash
Moves
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 NincadaEterna ForestBrilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadar Lv.10-12 Forest22%EarlyEterna ForestShining PearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.10-12 Forest22%EarlyGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameGrassland CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-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 NincadaSouth Lake MilochShieldGrass Lv.11-13 Water40%EarlySandstormSouth Lake MilochSwordGrass Lv.11-13 Water40%EarlySandstormWest Lake AxewellSwordGrass Lv.7-11 Cave30%EarlySandstormWest Lake AxewellShieldGrass Lv.7-11 Cave30%EarlySandstormSouth Lake MilochShieldGrass Lv.11-13 Water10%EarlyIntense SunSouth Lake MilochSwordGrass Lv.11-13 Water10%EarlyIntense SunRoute 5SwordGrass Lv.16-18 Route5%MidAll WeatherRoute 5ShieldGrass Lv.16-18 Route5%MidAll Weather
Step 2Ninjask ✓Stony WildernessShieldOverworld Lv.28-3035%MidRainingStony WildernessSwordOverworld Lv.28-3035%MidRainingStony Wilderness - 2ShieldOverworld Lv.28-3035%MidNormal WeatherStony Wilderness - 2SwordOverworld Lv.28-3035%MidNormal WeatherStony WildernessShieldOverworld Lv.28-3030%MidNormal WeatherStony WildernessSwordOverworld Lv.28-3030%MidNormal WeatherStony Wilderness - 2ShieldOverworld Lv.28-3015%MidRainingStony Wilderness - 2SwordOverworld Lv.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.
Run Protect, Baton Pass, Swords Dance, and Leechlife on Ninjask. Protect is the most common pick at 18% usage. This set covers the pivot role with a mix of damage and utility.
Ninjask first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 14 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
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