Sp. Atk and Sp. Def carry most of Primarina's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 3 Sp. Atk EVs. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
With its mouth, it makes sonic waves that sound like beautiful singing. It uses the sonic waves to control its water balloons.
For Primarina, every battle’s a stage. Its singing and the dancing of its balloons will mesmerize the audience.
Type-wise, Primarina takes extra damage from Electric, Grass, and Poison. Dragon moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Primarina's special bulk (base 116 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass, Poison |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Fighting, Bug, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Dragon |
Hippowdon deals 42-50% with Earthquake.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemCharcoal NatureQuiet Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Torkoal builds →Eruption24-29% Heat Wave15-18% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Moltres builds →Flamethrower14-17% U Turn8-9% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake42-50% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityOvercoat ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Mandibuzz builds →U Turn6-7% | ||
 Spiritomb GhostDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInfiltrator ItemLeftovers NatureQuiet Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Spiritomb builds →Dark Pulse14-16% Psyshock18-22% | ||
End of the line. Primarina caps a three-stage chain that started at Popplio. Breeding produces the base form, and eggs are quick to hatch. Sp.Atk grew the most through evolution (+60 over Popplio), and Primarina peaks at 530 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Primarina to get Popplio eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups.
Nothing fancy here. Primarina builds around Throat Spray for a Sp. Atk boost after using a sound move, Modest nature for the right stat lean, and max HP and Sp. Atk EVs. Liquidvoice does its job quietly.
Best Build
Primarina best EVs are HP and Sp. Atk
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Hyper Voice
- Moonblast
- Protect
- Dazzling Gleam
Special Tank Moveset
- Moonblast
- Psychic Noise
- Surf
- Flip Turn
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Pivot Moveset
- Moonblast
- Flip Turn
- Sparkling Aria
- Psychic Noise
Recommended Teammates
Special Tank Moveset
- Moonblast
- Ice Beam
- Scald
- Calm Mind
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Hyper Voice
- Moonblast
- Protect
- Calm Mind
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Moonblast
- Scald
- Sparkling Aria
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Moonblast
- Protect
- Dazzling Gleam
Recommended Teammates
Special Tank Moveset
- Moonblast
- Ice Beam
- Sparkling Aria
- Energy Ball
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Moonblast
- Scald
- Sparkling Aria
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Moonblast
- Protect
- Dazzling Gleam
Recommended Teammates
Special Tank Moveset
- Moonblast
- Ice Beam
- Sparkling Aria
- Energy Ball
Recommended Teammates
Moves
TMs carry this one. Primarina learns Hydro Cannon and Hydro Pump naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Ice and beyond give it real matchup play.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The egg pool carries weight here. Aqua Ring and Life Dew aren't available any other way for Primarina, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Hydro Pump and Misty Explosion for solid options.
The egg pool carries weight here. Amnesia and Aqua Ring aren't available any other way for Primarina, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Hydro Cannon and Hydro Pump for solid options.
The egg pool carries weight here. Amnesia and Aqua Ring aren't available any other way for Primarina, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Hydro Cannon and Hydro Pump for solid options.
Primarina isn't available in the wild in Scarlet & Violet. Start by transferring Popplio from Sun or Ultra Sun. The evolution path from Popplio to Primarina is covered in the steps below.
Primarina can't be caught in Sword & Shield. Transfer Popplio from Sun or Ultra Sun and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
You're catching Popplio first, not Primarina. Popplio appears at moderate rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 3-stage chain with evolution methods between each stage.
Primarina doesn't appear wild. Catch Popplio instead, it shows up at moderate rates. Evolve it at level 34 to get Primarina. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
We rate Primarina B-Tier: a solid choice for the right team. At 530 BST, it fits the wallbreaker role. Base 126 Sp. Atk stands out.
Torrent is the go-to ability for Primarina. It strengthens water moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. Its hidden ability Liquid Voice can work in specific setups.
At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Primarina is a special attacker with base 126 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a wallbreaker.
Best way to handle Primarina: Status moves (Toxic, Will-O-Wisp) wear it down. Setup sweepers can use it as a boost opportunity. Physical attackers can break through.
Primarina joined the series in Sun & Moon and has been available in 4 titles so far. With 4 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
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 7SMDebut
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