Runerigus's all-in on Defense at the expense of Speed. The physical lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 2 Defense EVs and follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
A powerful curse was woven into an ancient painting. After absorbing the spirit of a Yamask, the painting began to move.
Never touch its shadowlike body, or you’ll be shown the horrific memories behind the picture carved into it.
Runerigus's Ground/Ghost typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Grass, Ice, Ghost, and Dark. It shrugs off Normal, Electric, and Fighting-type attacks completely. Runerigus's physical bulk (base 145 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Ice, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug, Rock |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Poison |
| 0x (Immune) | Normal, Electric, Fighting |
Lokix deals 37-44% with Sucker Punch.
 Dondozo Water | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves View Dondozo builds →
| ||
 Annihilape FightingGhost | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityDefiant ItemSitrus Berry NatureJolly Moves View Annihilape builds →
| ||
 Lokix BugDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTintedlens ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Runerigus View Lokix builds →Knock Off 2x35-41% U Turn9-11% Sucker Punch 2x37-44% | ||
 Toedscool GroundGrass | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMyceliummight ItemEviolite NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Runerigus View Toedscool builds →Knock Off 2x8-9% Giga Drain 2x31-37% | ||
 Swampert WaterGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Runerigus View Swampert builds →Earthquake28-33% Flip Turn 2x34-40% Knock Off 2x24-29% | ||
Runerigus is the evolved form of Yamask. Breeding produces Yamask eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Yamask gave Runerigus the biggest boost in Attack (+65), bringing the total to 483 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Runerigus to get Yamask eggs easily using 63 partners from the Indeterminate and Mineral egg groups.
Stealth Rock is the priority every time Runerigus comes in. Impish nature and max HP and Defense EVs keep it alive long enough to get layers down, while Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn. Wanderingspirit rounds it out.
Best Build
Runerigus best EVs are HP and Defense
Wall Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Body Press
- Will O Wisp
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Trick Room
- Protect
- Poltergeist
- Earthquake
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Body Press
- Poltergeist
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Poltergeist
- Haze
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Earthquake
- Trick Room
- Rock Slide
- Poltergeist
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Without TMs, Runerigus's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 8 types on top of Earthquake and Phantom Force for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Without TMs, Runerigus's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 7 types on top of Poltergeist and Earthquake for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Runerigus isn't available in the wild in Legends: Z-A. Start by transferring Yamask from Black, Black 2, or Sword. The evolution path from Yamask to Runerigus is covered in the steps below.
Runerigus doesn't appear wild. Catch Yamask instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it through a special method to get Runerigus. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Runerigus in Sword & Shield
Step 1Catch YamaskRoute 6SwordOverworld Lv.29-33 Route35%MidAll WeatherRoute 6ShieldOverworld Lv.29-33 Route35%MidAll Weather
Step 2Runerigus ✓
Runerigus has a 483 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a situational pick that fills a niche. It works best as a trick room. Base 145 Defense is where it shines.
Watch for Milotic (Water), Kartana (Grass), and Kyurem (Ice) when using Runerigus. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Ghost and Dark-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. At base 30 Speed, Runerigus won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Wandering Spirit swaps abilities with opponents on contact. That's the one you want on Runerigus. It's the only ability Runerigus has.
Runerigus fills the trick room role. It's a physical attacker with base 95 Attack. Base 30 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's tanky enough to absorb a few hits.
Run Stealth Rock, Bodypress, Will O Wisp, and Earthquake on Runerigus. Stealth Rock is the most common pick at 21% usage. Earthquake provides reliable STAB damage.
Introduced in Sword & Shield, Runerigus has appeared in 2 games across 3 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
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 4DP
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 8SwShDebut
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