Prinplup Best Moveset
Water at 81 Sp. Atk and 50 Speed. AbilityCompetitive boosts Sp. Atk when a stat drops. Held ItemEviolite adds bulk. The moveset has decent special output building toward Empoleon. One evolution from Water/Steel TermStab at 111 Sp. Atk with a typing that resists 10 types.
Prinplup sat at D-Tier in Gen IV. This was Prinplup's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Torrent with Leftovers, favoring a Modest nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Prinplup best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Surf
- Agility
- Grass Knot
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Prinplup saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). This was a decline from D-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Torrent with Eviolite, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Tank Moveset
- Hydro Pump
- Scald
- Grass Knot
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Prinplup saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Prinplup maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Torrent with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Scald
- Defog
Recommended Teammates
Prinplup saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Prinplup maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Torrent with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Scald
- Defog
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Prinplup saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Prinplup maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Competitive with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Roost
- Ice Beam
- Whirlpool
- Psych Up
Recommended Teammates
Prinplup Weakness
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 |
What is Prinplup Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Prinplup
Rotom's Thunderbolt hits Prinplup for 67-79%.
 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 ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Prinplup View Rotom builds →Volt Switch 2x53-62% Shadow Ball30-35% Thunderbolt 2x67-79% | ||
Evolution
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
How to Get Prinplup
You're catching Piplup first, not Prinplup. Piplup appears at moderate rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 3-stage chain with evolution methods between each stage.
decent spawn rates across 1 locations for Prinplup in late-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 PLA
The path to Prinplup starts with Piplup at Lv. 40-47 via walking encounters. 3 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Can't catch Prinplup directly. Start with Piplup at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 36. The 3-stage chain from Piplup to Prinplup is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Prinplup in BDSP
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.
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.
Base Stats
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.
Prinplup Guide
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.
You can run Prinplup through the first few routes without issues. 405 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Empoleon as fast as you can.
Game Availability
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 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves