Under Trick Room, Runerigus's terrible Speed becomes its best asset — it 'outspeeds' nearly everything when turns are reversed. Normal, Electric, and Fighting moves can't touch it, which offsets the 5 weaknesses somewhat. Known as the Grudge Pokemon.
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 Weakness
GoodRunerigus's Ground/Ghost typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Grass, Ice, Ghost, and Dark moves. 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.
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Runerigus to get Yamask eggs easily using 43 partners from the Indeterminate and Mineral egg groups. Notable egg moves include Memento.
Stealth Rock is the priority every time Runerigus comes in. Careful nature and max HP and Sp. Def EVs keep it alive long enough to get layers down, while Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn. Wanderingspirit rounds it out.
Best Build
Best Runerigus Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Poltergeist
- Haze
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 YamaskEFFORTLESSRoute 6SwordOverworldLv.29-3335%MidRouteAll WeatherEFFORTLESSRoute 6ShieldOverworldLv.29-3335%MidRouteAll Weather
Step 2Runerigus ✓
Runerigus has a 483 base stat total and ranks as S-Tier — one of the best competitive options available. 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.
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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.
Runerigus can be found in Legends: Z-A and Sword & Shield.
Introduced in Sword & Shield, Runerigus has appeared in 2 games across 2 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
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 VIIISwShDebut
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A