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.
Its cry leaves a lasting headache if heard for too long. It moves so quickly that it is almost invisible.
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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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 47 partners from the Bug egg group. Notable egg moves include Bug Bite, Bug Buzz, Endure and 4 more.
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
- X Scissor
- Swords Dance
- Night Slash
- Aerial Ace
Recommended Teammates
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 Leech Life, they expand what Ninjask can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
Can't catch Ninjask directly. Start with Nincada at decent rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 20. The 2-stage line from Nincada to Ninjask is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Ninjask in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Step 1Catch NincadaEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSoulSilverGrassLv.26-36UncommonMidFacilityPost-game (Thu, Sat)EASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestHeartGoldGrassLv.26-36UncommonMidFacilityPost-game (Thu, Sat)
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