Primeape Best Moveset
105 Attack at 95 Speed on Fighting with AbilityDefiant punishing Intimidate and Defog. Held ItemEviolite adds real bulk since Annihilape exists as the evolution. The moveset functions in lower tiers with Fighting TermStab, but the true path leads to Annihilape's Ghost/Fighting and 115 Attack.
Fighting-type with 105 Attack sounded good, but Gen I (Red & Blue) was dominated by Psychic-types that destroyed it. Submission's recoil made every trade painful.
Utility Moveset
- Rock Slide
- Submission
- Hyper Beam
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
Cross Chop was an upgrade over Submission, and 95 Speed let Primeape outrun a big chunk of the metagame in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Still frail, but it could hit and run.
Utility Moveset
- Cross Chop
- Rock Slide
- Body Slam
- Meditate
Recommended Teammates
Choice Band gave Primeape the power it lacked in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Cross Chop and Rock Slide coverage from a fast Fighting-type was a solid offensive package.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Cross Chop
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Aerial Ace
Recommended Teammates
Close Combat replaced Cross Chop as the go-to Fighting STAB in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). More power, perfect accuracy. Combined with U-turn for momentum, Primeape hit hard and got out.
Best Moves
Best Build
Primeape best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch
- Rock Slide
- Thunder Punch
Recommended Teammates
Defiant punished Intimidate users by boosting Attack, but Gen V's (Black & White) power level was too high. Primeape was fast but couldn't take a hit.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Vacuum Wave
- Brick Break
- Endeavor
- Ice Punch
Recommended Teammates
Same Defiant niche in Gen VI (X & Y). It worked as an anti-Intimidate lead, but that role alone couldn't justify the slot against Mega Evolutions and Fairy-types.
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Close Combat
- Gunk Shot
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Z-Moves gave it one big nuke per game in Gen VII (Sun & Moon), but after using it Primeape had nothing left. Too fragile for a format that demanded staying power.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Close Combat
- Gunk Shot
- U Turn
- Stone Edge
Recommended Teammates
Annihilape arrived in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet) and made Primeape obsolete. Why use it when its evolution had vastly better stats and Ghost typing on top?
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Rage Fist
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Primeape Weakness
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 |
What is Primeape Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Primeape
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityVesselofruin ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Ting-Lu builds →Earthquake29-34% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn13-15% Scald10-11% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Blissey builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Clodsire builds →Earthquake21-25% | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureSassy Moves View Slowking-Galar builds →
| ||
Evolution
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.
How to Get Primeape
moderate rates for Primeape across 20 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 SV
The path to Primeape starts with Mankey at Lv. 5-60 via walking encounters. 3 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch MankeySouth Province (Area Five) - GrassLv.15-19OverworldRate 36%West Province (Area One) - GrassLv.15-19OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area Five) - MountainLv.15-19OverworldRate 12%West Province (Area One) - MountainLv.15-19OverworldRate 12%Apple HillsLv.5-60OverworldDayKitakami RoadLv.5-60OverworldDayKitakami WildsLv.5-60OverworldDayOni MountainLv.5-60OverworldDayParadise BarrensLv.5-60OverworldDayTimeless WoodsLv.5-60OverworldDayWistful FieldsLv.5-60OverworldDay
Step 2Primeape ✓Kitakami WildsLv.28-60OverworldDayTimeless WoodsLv.28-60OverworldDayNorth Province (Area One) - Bamboo ForestLv.28-47OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area One) - ForestLv.28-47OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestLv.28-47OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.28-47OverworldRate 8%West Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.28-47OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area One) - RockyLv.28-47OverworldRate 4%North Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.28-47OverworldRate 4%West Province (Area Three) - RockyLv.28-47OverworldRate 4%or evolve from Mankey (Step 1)
Step 3Catch or Evolve into AnnihilapeKitakami WildsLv.36-60OverworldNightTimeless WoodsLv.36-60OverworldNightor evolve from Primeape (Step 2)
Primeape can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Mankey from Red & Blue, Yellow, or Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Primeape in LZA
- Step 1Obtain MankeyLATER APPEARANCEfrom Red & BlueNot TradeableAppears in Red & Blue via Walking · Route 8. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom YellowNot TradeableAppears in Yellow via Walking · Route 23. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Route 9. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Route 22. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Pokeradar · Route 225. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Pokeradar · Route 225. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Primeape ✓
- Step 3Evolve into Annihilape
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 BDSP
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 225Lv.22Using PokeRadarRate 2%Route 226Lv.22Using PokeRadarRate 2%Grassland CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Primeape ✓Route 225Lv.51-52Using PokeRadarRate 20%Route 226Lv.51-53Using PokeRadarRate 20%Grassland CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CavePost-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 LGPE
Step 1Catch MankeyRoute 3Lv.3-8GrassLet's Go PikachuRate 20%Route 4Lv.7-12GrassLet's Go PikachuRate 20%
Step 2Primeape ✓
Base Stats
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.
Primeape Guide
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.
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 pivot role. It's a physical attacker with base 105 Attack. Base 95 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.
Primeape does the job early-game if you need a Fighting type on your team. Evolve it into Annihilape before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
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 1RBDebut
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 5BW
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