Primeape's built around physical offense. Attack leads the charge, Defense pays for it. Moderately hard to find, worth 2 Attack EVs. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It becomes wildly furious if it even senses someone looking at it. It chases anyone that meets its glare.
Some researchers theorize that Primeape remains angry even when inside a Poké Ball.
Flying, Psychic, and Fairy moves hit Primeape for super-effective damage. Primeape leans offensive (base 105 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug, Rock, Dark |
Ting-Lu's Earthquake hits Primeape for 59-70%. Heatran deals 44-51% with Flash Cannon.
 | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityVesselofruin ItemSitrus Berry NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Ting-Lu builds →Earthquake59-70% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn20-23% | ||
 Heatran FireSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemAir Balloon NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Heatran builds →Flash Cannon44-51% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves View Blissey builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Clodsire builds →Earthquake32-38% | ||
Primeape is partway through a three-stage line between Mankey and Annihilape. The chain involves an evolution item, so it's not a straightforward grind. So far, HP got the biggest boost (+25 from Mankey). The final form adds another 80 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Primeape to get Mankey eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.
One boost from Bulk Up and Primeape gets dangerous fast. The Jolly nature targets max Attack and Speed, and Defiant backs the whole approach. Ragefist and utility options handle most of what's left standing.
Best Build
Primeape best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Rage Fist
- Drain Punch
- Bulk Up
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Support Moveset
- Rage Fist
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Drain Punch
- Rage Fist
- Protect
- Bulk Up
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Rage Fist
- Drain Punch
- Bulk Up
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Rage Fist
- Drain Punch
- Bulk Up
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Rage Fist
- Drain Punch
- Bulk Up
- Taunt
Support Moveset
- Rage Fist
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Drain Punch
- Rage Fist
- Protect
- Bulk Up
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Rage Fist
- Drain Punch
- Bulk Up
- Protect
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Gunk Shot
- Retaliate
Recommended Teammates
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
Coverage runs deep. Primeape can hit 13 types beyond STAB, including Dark and Normal. The offense anchors on Focus Punch and Close Combat while TMs handle everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Coverage runs deep. Primeape can hit 12 types beyond STAB, including Normal and Rock. The offense anchors on Close Combat and Focus Blast while TMs handle everything else.
Coverage runs deep. Primeape can hit 11 types beyond STAB, including Normal and Dark. The offense anchors on Focus Punch and Close Combat while TMs handle everything else.
Coverage runs deep. Primeape can hit 10 types beyond STAB, including Normal and Bug. The offense anchors on Brick Break and Karate Chop while TMs handle everything else.
moderate rates for Primeape across 16 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 Primeape in Scarlet & Violet
The path to Primeape starts with Mankey at Lv. 15-47 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch MankeySouth Province (Area Five) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.15-19 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area Five) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.15-19 Route36%EarlyWest Province (Area One) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.15-19 Route36%EarlyWest Province (Area One) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.15-19 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area Five) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.15-19 Route12%EarlySouth Province (Area Five) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.15-19 Route12%EarlyWest Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.15-19 Route12%EarlyWest Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.15-19 Route12%Early
Step 2Primeape ✓North Province (Area One) - Bamboo ForestScarletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area One) - Bamboo ForestVioletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestVioletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestScarletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route8%MidWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route8%MidWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area One) - RockyVioletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route4%MidNorth Province (Area One) - RockyScarletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route4%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyScarletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route4%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyVioletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route4%MidWest Province (Area Three) - RockyScarletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route4%MidWest Province (Area Three) - RockyVioletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route4%Midor evolve from Mankey (Step 1)
Primeape can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Mankey from Red, Yellow, or Brilliant Diamond and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
10 encounter spots for Primeape at decent spawn rates starting from endgame routes. Two different catch methods are in play here. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Primeape in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Primeape, start by catching Mankey through walking and special encounters at Lv. 22-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch MankeyRoute 225Brilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadar Lv.22 Route2%MidRoute 225Shining PearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.22 Route2%MidRoute 226Shining PearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.22 Route2%MidRoute 226Brilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadar Lv.22 Route2%MidGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameGrassland CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSpacious CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSpacious CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-game
Step 2Primeape ✓Route 225Brilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadar Lv.51-52 Route20%PostRoute 225Shining PearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.51-52 Route20%PostRoute 226Shining PearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.51-53 Route20%PostRoute 226Brilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadar Lv.51-53 Route20%PostGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameGrassland CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSpacious CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSpacious CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameor evolve from Mankey (Step 1)
No wild encounters for Primeape. The 2-stage line runs through Mankey, which you can catch at decent rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 28 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Primeape in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
Step 1Catch MankeyRoute 3Grass Lv.3-8 Route20%EarlyRoute 4Grass Lv.7-12 Route20%Early
Step 2Primeape ✓
Primeape isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Annihilape to unlock its full potential. At 455 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Watch for Aerodactyl (Flying), Alakazam (Psychic), and Clefable (Fairy) when using Primeape. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.
Mankey evolves into Primeape at level 28. Primeape evolves into Annihilape using a Rage Fist 20 Times. Primeape is a middle-stage evolution in the Mankey line.
Vital Spirit prevents sleep. That's the one you want on Primeape. Defiant is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Anger Point works too if your team needs something different.
Primeape fills the attacker role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 105 Attack). Base 95 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.
Primeape has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
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 7SM
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