While most trainers evolve Primeape into Annihilape immediately, the unevolved form has a niche with Eviolite boosting its defenses. Only weak to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy. 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 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.
Primeape Weakness
AvgFlying, Psychic, and Fairy-type moves hit Primeape for super-effective damage. Primeape leans offensive (base 105 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
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 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
Best Primeape Moveset
- Rage Fist
- Drain Punch
- Bulk Up
- Taunt
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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.
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 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