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.
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.
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, Final Gambit, Flail and 2 more.
You commit to a move every time Ninjask comes in. Choice Band gives raw power at the cost of move flexibility, and Infiltrator adds to that. Max Attack and Speed EVs make sure the locked move actually hurts. The remaining moves covers the rest.
Best Build
Best Ninjask Moveset
- U Turn
- Leech Life
- Dual Wingbeat
- Night Slash
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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)
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 leaning toward the physical side (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