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 is always outrageously furious. If it gives chase, it will tenaciously track the target no matter how far.
Always furious and tenacious to boot. It will not abandon chasing its quarry until it catches up.
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
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 102 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Beat Up, Counter, Foresight and 5 more.
The recommended build leans into Primeape's strengths as a physical attacker. Scopelens provides extra utility, and max Attack and Speed EVs back that up. Vitalspirit rounds out the package.
Best Build
Best Primeape Moveset
- Cross Chop
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Aerial Ace
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 Focus Punch and Cross Chop while coverage across 8 types adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
decent spawn rates for Primeape across 6 locations in late-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 FireRed & LeafGreen
The path to Primeape starts with Mankey at Lv. 2-61 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch MankeyEFFORTLESSRoute 22LeafGreenGrassLv.2-5CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 22FireRedGrassLv.2-5CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 3LeafGreenGrassLv.7UncommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 3FireRedGrassLv.7UncommonEarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 4LeafGreenGrassLv.10-12RareEarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 4FireRedGrassLv.10-12RareEarlyRouteEASYRock Tunnel - 1FFireRedGrassLv.16-17UncommonMidCaveEASYRock Tunnel - 1FLeafGreenGrassLv.16-17UncommonMidCaveEASYRock Tunnel - B1FFireRedGrassLv.16-17UncommonMidCaveEASYRock Tunnel - B1FLeafGreenGrassLv.16-17UncommonMidCaveEFFORTLESSRoute 23LeafGreenGrassLv.32-34CommonLateRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 23FireRedGrassLv.32-34CommonLateRoute
Step 2Primeape ✓EASYVictory Road - 2FLeafGreenGrassLv.42UncommonLateCaveEASYVictory Road - 2FFireRedGrassLv.42UncommonLateCaveCHALLENGINGRoute 23FireRedGrassLv.42RareLateRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 23LeafGreenGrassLv.42RareLateRouteEASYCerulean Cave - 1FFireRedGrassLv.52-61UncommonPostCaveEASYCerulean Cave - 1FLeafGreenGrassLv.52-61UncommonPostCaveor evolve from Mankey (Step 1)
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.
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 a physical attacker with 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