Pawniard Best Moveset
Dark/Steel at 85 Attack and 60 Speed with AbilityDefiant boosting Attack sharply when a stat drops. The moveset punishes Intimidate and Defog. Held ItemEviolite adds bulk since Bisharp and Kingambit exist. Pre-evolution with real Attack that functions through Defiant. Two evolutions from Kingambit's S-Tier dominance.
Pawniard saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). This was Pawniard's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Defiant with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Pawniard best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Low Kick
Recommended Teammates
Dark/Steel pre-evolution with Defiant in Gen VI (X & Y). Attack rose sharply when stats dropped. Eviolite plus 85 Attack hit hard for a pre-evo.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Dropped in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Bisharp existed and ran Defiant from 125 Attack. The pre-evolution lost the niche to its own final form.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
Pawniard saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Pawniard maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Defiant with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Pawniard saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Pawniard maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Defiant with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Brick Break
Recommended Teammates
Pawniard Weakness
Pawniard is weak to Fighting, Fire, and Ground. Watch out for Fighting attacks, those deal 4x damage. On the flip side, it's immune to Poison and Psychic-type moves entirely. 9 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. Pawniard's physical bulk (base 70 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Fighting |
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Grass, Ice, Flying, Rock, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Poison, Psychic |
What is Pawniard Weak Against
ExcellentBest Pokemon Against Pawniard
Machamp can KO Pawniard with Close Combat (282-332%). Mienfoo's High Jump Kick also KOs at 153-180%.
 Machamp Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNoguard ItemFlame Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Machamp builds →Bullet Punch8-10% Close Combat 4x282-332%KO Stone Edge19-23% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemEviolite NatureRelaxed Moves View Foongus builds →
| ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemEviolite NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Mienfoo builds →Knock Off10-11% U Turn21-25% High Jump Kick 4x153-180%KO | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityStamina ItemEviolite NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Mudbray builds →Earthquake 2x47-55% | ||
D | ||
Recommended Build AbilityOvercoat ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves View Vullaby builds →
| ||
Evolution
Pawniard is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Bisharp first, then eventually reaches Kingambit. For breeding, average hatch time with plenty of partners via one egg group. Evolving adds up to 210 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Pawniard easily with 70 breeding partners from the Humanshape egg group.
How to Get Pawniard
Pawniard is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 26 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Where To Catch Pawniard in SV
To get Pawniard, start by catching Pawniard through walking encounters at Lv. 7-65. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Pawniard ✓Fellhorn GorgeLv.7-60OverworldKitakami WildsLv.7-60OverworldOni MountainLv.7-60OverworldTimeless WoodsLv.7-60OverworldWistful FieldsLv.7-60OverworldEast Province (Area Three) - RiverLv.22-47OverworldRate 30%South Province (Area Five) - RiverLv.22-47OverworldRate 30%Tagtree Thicket - RiverLv.22-47OverworldRate 30%East Province (Area Three) - RockyLv.22-47OverworldRate 15%South Province (Area Five) - RockyLv.22-47OverworldRate 15%North Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestLv.52-65OverworldRate 5%North Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.52-65OverworldRate 3%The Great Crater of PaldeaLv.52-65OverworldRate 3%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into BisharpTimeless WoodsLv.52-60OverworldNorth Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestLv.52-65OverworldRate 5%North Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.52-65OverworldRate 3%The Great Crater of PaldeaLv.52-65OverworldRate 3%or evolve from Pawniard (Step 1)
Pawniard's scattered across 28 spots in early-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Where To Catch Pawniard in SwSh
Pawniard is your first catch on the way to Pawniard. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 10-58 across 30 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Pawniard ✓Challenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 20%OvercastForest of FocusLv.10-15OverworldSwordRate 20%OvercastPotbottom DesertLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 20%OvercastSoothing WetlandsLv.10-15OverworldSwordRate 20%OvercastForest of FocusLv.13-18GrassRate 15%OvercastSoothing WetlandsLv.13-18GrassRate 15%OvercastForest of FocusLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 10%OvercastSoothing WetlandsLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 10%OvercastGiant's MirrorLv.28-30OverworldRate 50%SnowstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28GrassRate 35%SnowstormGiant's CapLv.26-28GrassRate 30%SnowstormStony WildernessLv.26-28GrassRate 30%SnowstormMotostoke OutskirtsLv.21-24GrassRate 20%All WeatherChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 15%OvercastChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 10%OvercastPotbottom DesertLv.19-24OverworldSwordRate 10%OvercastMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 5%SnowstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 5%SnowstormRoute 8Lv.39-41OverworldRate 20%All Weather
Step 2Catch or Evolve into BisharpLake of OutrageLv.55-58OverworldRate 25%Snowstormor evolve from Pawniard (Step 1)
Pawniard appears at moderate rates across 2 spots in late-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Pawniard in USUM
Pawniard is your first catch on the way to Pawniard. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 33-36 across 4 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Pawniard ✓Route 17 - NortheastLv.33-36GrassSOS from Bisharp
Step 2Catch or Evolve into BisharpRoute 17 - NortheastLv.33-36GrassRate 5%or evolve from Pawniard (Step 1)
Pawniard can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Pawniard from Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, or Scarlet & Violet and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Pawniard in SM
- Step 1Pawniard ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave Bisharp with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Pawniard egg.CARTRIDGE TRADEAvailableCatch in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon via Walking · Route 17 · Alternate S.O.S. encounters, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Walking · Route 9. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Walking · Route 9. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom X & YNot TradeableAppears in X & Y via Walking · Lost Hotel. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Sword & ShieldNot TradeableAppears in Sword & Shield via Overworld · Giant's Mirror · Snowstorm. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Scarlet & VioletNot TradeableAppears in Scarlet & Violet via Overworld · South Province (Area Five). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Bisharp
Base Stats
Pawniard's spread isn't flashy. Attack leads, Sp. Atk trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 1 Attack EV, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Any chips in its blades would prove fatal for it. After each battle, it diligently maintains its blades using its favorite sharpening stone.
Pawniard Guide
Pawniard does the job early-game if you need a Dark/Steel type on your team. Evolve it into Bisharp before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Introduced in Black & White, Pawniard has appeared in 8 games across 6 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves