Hard-hitting physically but trapped at D-Tier, Primeape struggles in Red & Blue because Fighting types crumble against Gen 1's Psychic dominance.
445HP65Attack105Defense60Speed95Sp.Def60Sp.Atk60
Mankey
Primeape
Weak to
Physical
Pivot
95Speed · Above Avg

Is Primeape Good in Red & Blue Playthrough?

One of the few Fighting-types in Red and Blue, and that alone gives Primeape value. Handles Brock, threatens Giovanni's team, and puts pressure on Lorelei's Lapras. Fast and aggressive but can't take many hits. Play to its speed and don't leave it in on bad matchups.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTTGTETGGGGEEEBrockGym 1MankeyCatchableMistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4PrimeapeEvolveKogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4BlueChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Tough

Brock's typing presses Mankey's defenses.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Avoid
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleScreechBide
Misty
Gym 2
Tough

Misty's typing presses Mankey's defenses.

Even
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleWater Gun
Risky
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
TackleWater GunBubble Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Good

Mankey has the type edge here and should clean up Lt. Surge's team.

You Win
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
TackleScreechSonic Boom
You Win
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Thunder ShockGrowlThunder WaveQuick Attack
Even
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Thunder ShockGrowlThunderbolt
Erika
Gym 4
Tough

Erika's typing presses Mankey's defenses.

Risky
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Razor LeafWrapPoison PowderSleep Powder
You Win
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
ConstrictBind
Risky
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Petal DancePoison PowderMega DrainSleep Powder
Koga
Gym 5
Even

Primeape trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
TackleSmogSludgeSmokescreen
Even
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
DisablePoison GasMinimizeSludge
You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
TackleSmogSludgeSmokescreen
Risky
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludgeToxicSelf Destruct
Sabrina
Gym 6
Tough

Sabrina's team hits Primeape's weaknesses hard.

Avoid
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
DisablePsybeamRecoverPsychic
Risky
Mr Mime
Lv 37
Psychic
Soundproof
ConfusionBarrierLight ScreenDouble Slap
Even
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
Poison PowderLeech LifeStun SporePsybeam
Avoid
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsywaveReflect
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

Primeape has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

Easy KO
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
EmberLeerTake DownAgility
Easy KO
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
Tail WhipStompGrowlFire Spin
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
Tail WhipStompGrowlFire Spin
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
RoarEmberFire BlastTake Down
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

Primeape has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
StompTail WhipFury AttackHorn Drill
You Win
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
GrowlDigSand AttackSlash
Even
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ScratchTail WhipBody SlamPoison Sting
Even
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
TackleHorn AttackPoison StingThrash
You Win
Rhydon
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
StompTail WhipFissureHorn Drill
Lorelei
Elite Four
Good

Primeape has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.

Easy KO
Dewgong
Lv 54
WaterIce
Thick Fat
GrowlAurora BeamRestTake Down
You Win
Cloyster
Lv 53
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SupersonicClampAurora BeamSpike Cannon
Even
Slowbro
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
GrowlWater GunWithdrawAmnesia
You Win
Jynx
Lv 56
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapIce PunchBody SlamThrash
You Win
Lapras
Lv 56
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Body SlamConfuse RayBlizzardHydro Pump
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Primeape has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 53
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowRageSlamHarden
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 55
Fighting
Keen Eye
Ice PunchThunder PunchMega PunchCounter
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 55
Fighting
Limber
Jump KickFocus EnergyHigh Jump KickMega Kick
You Win
Onix
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowRageSlamHarden
Even
Machamp
Lv 58
Fighting
Guts
LeerFocus EnergyFissureSubmission
Agatha
Elite Four
Even

Primeape trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.

Risky
Gengar
Lv 56
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayNight ShadeHypnosisDream Eater
Even
Golbat
Lv 56
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
SupersonicConfuse RayWing AttackHaze
Even
Haunter
Lv 55
GhostPoison
Levitate
Confuse RayNight ShadeHypnosisDream Eater
Even
Arbok
Lv 58
Poison
Intimidate
BiteGlareScreechAcid
Risky
Gengar
Lv 60
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayNight ShadeToxicDream Eater
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Primeape trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
AgilitySlamDragon RageHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
AgilitySlamDragon RageHyper Beam
Even
Aerodactyl
Lv 60
RockFlying
Rock Head
SupersonicBiteTake DownHyper Beam
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 62
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
AgilitySlamBarrierHyper Beam
Blue
Champion
Even

Primeape trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Even
Pidgeot
Lv 61
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
WhirlwindWing AttackSky AttackMirror Move
Avoid
Alakazam
Lv 59
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsychicReflect
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 61
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Tail WhipFury AttackHorn DrillLeer
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 61
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
BarrageHypnosisStomp
Even
Gyarados
Lv 63
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
Even
Charizard
Lv 65
FireFlying
Blaze
RageSlashFire BlastFire Spin

Catch Mankey

Available after Badge 1
Type
Fighting
Tier
E

Catch Mankey on Route 5 (walking, Lv 10-16, common).

View Mankey locations

Evolve Mankey to Primeape

Level 28
Type
Fighting
Tier
E

Mankey evolves into Primeape at Level 28. Your Mankey should hit Level 28 before you reach Koga, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Primeape in Red & Blue

Mankey reaches level 28 and becomes Primeape, the only way to get one since no wild Primeape exists. Red catches the base; Blue must import a Mankey first.

Red Exclusive: Trade with Blue for Persian. See every Red & Blue version exclusive

Catch Mankey at any of these 4 spots to eventually evolve into Primeape.

Encountered via tall grass encounters

  1. 1
    Catch Mankey
  2. 2
    Evolve Primeapeat Lv.28
Badge 2
Badge 3

How to Obtain Primeape in RB

The path to Primeape starts with Mankey at Lv. 10-20 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Primeape
    Step 2Primeape ✓

Primeape Weakness

Flying and Psychic 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.

Primeape Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Flying, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)Bug, Rock
Gen I Type Chart
  • Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
  • Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
  • Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split

What is Primeape Weak Against

Avg
2Weak
2Resist
0Immune
Score-2
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Primeape Strong Against

3Strong
4Resisted
1Immune
Score-2
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Primeape

Hypno
Hypno
Psychic
C
Kadabra
Kadabra
Psychic
B
Golbat
Golbat
PoisonFlying
C
Butterfree
Butterfree
BugFlying
C
Spearow
Spearow
NormalFlying
C

Primeape Evolutions

You get Primeape from Mankey at level 28. This Fighting type hits 445 total but remains in the Undiscovered group. Evolving from Mankey gave Primeape the biggest boost in HP (+25), bringing the total to 445 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Mankey
Fighting
Primeape
Fighting
HP
40
65+25
ATK
80
105+25
DEF
35
60+25
SP.ATK
35
60+25
SP.DEF
45
70+25
SPE
70
95+25
BST
305E-Tier
455E-Tier+150
ROLE
Balanced
Attacker
TYPE
Physical
Physical
Breeding not available · Introduced in Gen 2

RB Primeape Best Moveset

105 Attack and 95 Speed, fast enough to outrun key threats. MoveBody Slam and MoveEarthquake often do more useful damage than Fighting TermStab since Psychic-types dominate the top. Hits hard physically but avoids the type matchups that shut Fighting down.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Primeape
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Rock Slide
  • SubmissionSTAB
  • Hyper Beam
  • Body Slam

Moves List

Without TMs, Primeape's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Normal and Ground coverage and more on top of Submission and Karate Chop for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Fury Swipes
—188015Normal
Lv 1
Karate Chop
C5010025Normal
Lv 1
Leer
——10030Normal
Lv 1
Scratch
—4010035Normal
Lv 15
Karate Chop
C5010025Normal
Lv 21
Fury Swipes
—188015Normal
Lv 27
Focus Energy
———30Normal
Lv 37
Seismic Toss
A—10020Fighting
Lv 46
Thrash
—12010020Normal

TM Moves

All 25 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM34D——10Normal
TM08
Body SlamS.S. Annebadge 2
A8510015Normal
TM18
Counter-5Celadon Department Storebadge 3
A—10020Fighting
TM32
Double TeamSafari Zonebadge 3
———15Normal
TM10
Double-EdgeRocket Hideoutbadge 3
B12010015Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
B150905Normal
TM05
Mega KickCeladon Department Storebadge 3
C120755Normal
TM01
Mega PunchMt. Moonbadge 1
C808520Normal
TM35
MetronomePokémon Labbadge 6
D——10Normal
TM31
MimicSaffron Citybadge 5
D——10Normal
TM16
Pay DayRoute 12badge 5
D4010020Normal
TM20
RageRoute 15badge 3
D2010020Normal
TM44
RestS.S. Annebadge 2
C——10Psychic
TM48B759010Rock
TM19
Seismic TossRoute 25badge 1
A—10020Fighting
TM40
Skull BashSafari Zonebadge 4
B10010010Normal
HM04
StrengthFuchsia Citybadge 4
—8010015Normal
TM17
SubmissionCeladon Department Storebadge 3
B1208025Fighting
TM50
SubstituteRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM39
SwiftRoute 12 Gate 2Fbadge 2
D60—20Normal
TM09
Take DownSilph Co.badge 3
C908520Normal
TM25
ThunderKanto Power Plantbadge 5
D1107010Electric
TM24D9510015Electric
TM06C—9010Poison

Tutor Moves

Primeape can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP65
C
Attack105
B
Defense60
C
Sp. Atk60
C
Sp. Def60
C
Speed95
B
Total445
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging75 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.0 m
Weight32.0 kg
Base XP159
EV Yield
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

Always furious and tenacious to boot. It will not abandon chasing its quarry until it is caught.

Pokemon Red / Pokemon Blue

Primeape Red & Blue Guide

  • In Red & Blue, Primeape has 445 BST, so weigh it against what your team already covers.

  • In Red & Blue, use Primeape as a pivot. Physical side carries the damage. Speed is middling, Submission is the primary attack.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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