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.
This POKéMON is so quick, it is said to be able to avoid any attack. It loves to feed on 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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
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 37 partners from the Bug egg group. Notable egg moves include Endure, Feint Attack, Gust and 1 more.
You commit to a move every time Ninjask comes in. Choice Band gives raw power at the cost of move flexibility, and Speed Boost adds to that. Flexible EVs EVs make sure the locked move actually hurts. The remaining moves covers the rest.
Best Build
Best Ninjask Moveset
- Silver Wind
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power Rock
- Aerial Ace
Recommended Teammates
You'll want to breed for Endure and Feint Attack on Ninjask. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Leech Life and Aerial Ace, they expand what Ninjask can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
No wild encounters for Ninjask in FireRed & LeafGreen. Bring Nincada over from Ruby, Emerald, or Brilliant Diamond, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Ninjask in FireRed & LeafGreen
Step 1Obtain NincadaCatch in the wild in:
Then trade to FireRed & LeafGreen to continue the evolution chain.
Also found in:
Step 2Ninjask ✓
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