While most trainers evolve Primeape into Annihilape immediately, the unevolved form has a niche with Eviolite boosting its defenses. Only weak to Flying and Psychic. Sits at a decent but contested Speed tier. Known as the Pig Monkey Pokemon.
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 will beat up anyone who makes it mad, even if it has to chase them until the end of the world.
Primeape Weakness
AvgFlying and Psychic-type moves hit Primeape for super-effective damage. Its Fighting typing keeps the defensive matchups simple. Primeape leans offensive (base 105 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Primeape to get Mankey eggs easily using 66 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Beat Up, Counter, Foresight and 3 more.
The recommended build leans into Primeape's strengths as an attacker. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, and flexible EVs EVs back that up. An ability rounds out the package.
Best Build
Best Primeape Moveset
- Cross Chop
- Rock Slide
- Body Slam
- Meditate
Recommended Teammates
Don't skip the egg moves. Primeape picks up Beat Up and Counter only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Cross Chop and Dynamic Punch while coverage across 8 types adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Primeape can't be caught in Crystal. 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.
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) and Alakazam (Psychic) when using Primeape. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
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.
Primeape fills the pivot role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 105 Attack). Base 95 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many.
Primeape appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Primeape has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 9 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
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