Sp. Atk and Sp. Def carry most of Prinplup's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 2 Sp. Atk EVs. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It swims gracefully through the frigid sea and sings with a voice like the roaring tide. It has powerful, sturdy wings and dignity to match.
Type-wise, Prinplup takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Just 2 weak spots to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
Magnezone threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (104-123%).
 Sinistcha GrassGhost | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityHospitality ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Prinplup View Sinistcha builds →Shadow Ball22-26% | ||
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityAnalytic ItemChoice Specs NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Prinplup View Magnezone builds →Flash Cannon23-27% Volt Switch 2x81-96% Thunderbolt 2x104-123%KO | ||
 Kartana GrassSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Prinplup View Kartana builds →Knock Off20-23% | ||
 Rotom ElectricGhost | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Prinplup View Rotom builds →Volt Switch 2x41-48% Shadow Ball23-27% Thunderbolt 2x51-61% | ||
Partway through Piplup's chain. Prinplup still has another evolution ahead before reaching Empoleon. For breeding, average hatch time with a massive partner pool via two egg groups. Sp.Atk has grown the most so far (+20), but there's still another 125 stats to gain in the final evolution. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Prinplup to get Piplup eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups.
The physical wall spread is where Prinplup earns its spot. Eviolite for a bulk boost that only works before full evolution, Bold nature for the right lean, and Roost handles sustain. Competitive does the rest without needing a move slot.
Best Build
Prinplup best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Wall Moveset
- Roost
- Ice Beam
- Whirlpool
- Psych Up
Recommended Teammates
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 7.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Hard to wall, honestly. Prinplup threatens 10 types beyond its own STAB, with Normal and Flying standing out. Pair that with Hydro Pump and Surf and switchins need to think twice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Not a lot to pick from. Prinplup gets Liquidation and Water Pulse for same-type damage, and Normal and Flying coverage and more rounds things out. You're building around what's available rather than choosing from a deep bench.
Hard to wall, honestly. Prinplup threatens 10 types beyond its own STAB, with Steel and Normal standing out. Pair that with Hydro Pump and Surf and switchins need to think twice.
Hard to wall, honestly. Prinplup threatens 11 types beyond its own STAB, with Steel and Normal standing out. Pair that with Hydro Pump and Surf and switchins need to think twice.
Prinplup isn't available in the wild in Scarlet & Violet. Start by transferring Piplup from Diamond, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus. The evolution path from Piplup to Prinplup is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Prinplup in Scarlet & Violet
Step 1Obtain Piplup
Step 2Prinplup ✓
decent spawn rates across 1 locations for Prinplup in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Prinplup in Legends: Arceus
Step 1Catch PiplupSpring PathGrass RouteUncommon
Step 2Prinplup ✓Spring PathGrass RouteUncommonor evolve from Piplup (Step 1)
Can't catch Prinplup directly. Start with Piplup at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 16. The 2-stage line from Piplup to Prinplup is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Prinplup in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Prinplup, start by catching Piplup through walking encounters at Lv. 58-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PiplupFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-game
Step 2Prinplup ✓
Prinplup starts showing up in late-game routes at moderate rates across 2 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Prinplup in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Step 1Obtain Piplup
Step 2Prinplup ✓Route 16Ultra MoonGrass Lv.35 RouteLateIsland Scan (Tuesday)Route 16Ultra SunGrass Lv.35 RouteLateIsland Scan (Tuesday)or evolve from Piplup (Step 1)
Prinplup is meant to evolve into Empoleon. At 405 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Torrent is the go-to ability for Prinplup. It strengthens water moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. Its hidden ability Competitive can work in specific setups.
Base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Prinplup is a special attacker with base 81 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Available in 12 titles since its debut in Diamond & Pearl, Prinplup spans 7 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through catching or hatching as a base form in a solid number of games.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves