The stat budget goes to damage. Attack and Sp. Atk carry the offense, Defense doesn't even come close. A Dragon Pokemon on a slow 1.25M XP grind, worth 3 Attack EVs per KO.
It flies around on its wings, which have grown in at last. In its happiness, it gushes hot flames, burning up everything it passes over.
It becomes uncontrollable if it is enraged. It destroys everything with shredding claws and fire.
Ice, Rock, Dragon, and Fairy moves hit Salamence for super-effective damage. Ice hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. The upside? Ground-type moves can't touch it at all. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Ice |
| 2x (Weak) | Rock, Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Fighting, Bug |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
 | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemSafetygoggles NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Incineroar builds →Knock Off29-34% Flare Blitz27-31% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Volcanion builds →Flamethrower29-34% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves View Clodsire builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterbubble ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Araquanid builds →Liquidation18-22% | ||
 Ninetales Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemHeatrock NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Ninetales builds →Heat Wave21-24% | ||
End of the line. Salamence caps a three-stage chain that started at Bagon. Breeding produces the base form, and eggs are takes forever to hatch. Sp.Atk grew the most through evolution (+70 over Bagon), and Salamence peaks at 600 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Salamence to get Bagon eggs using 72 partners from the Dragon egg group.
The game plan is straightforward: click Dragon Dance, then sweep. Heavy-Duty Boots and Intimidate support the setup turn. EVs go into max Attack and Speed so Salamence hits hard once it's boosted.
Best Build
Salamence best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Dual Wingbeat
- Outrage
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Dual Wingbeat
- Roost
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dual Wingbeat
- Tailwind
- Dragon Claw
- Dragon Dance
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Tailwind
- Protect
- Draco Meteor
- Dual Wingbeat
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Dual Wingbeat
- Outrage
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Dual Wingbeat
- Roost
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dual Wingbeat
- Tailwind
- Dragon Claw
- Dragon Dance
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Tailwind
- Protect
- Draco Meteor
- Dual Wingbeat
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dual Wingbeat
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Roost
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Draco Meteor
- Protect
- Air Slash
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dual Wingbeat
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Roost
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Draco Meteor
- Protect
- Air Slash
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Need something that threatens multiple types? Salamence's movepool delivers. Coverage across 11 types plus STAB from Draco Meteor and Outrage gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Need something that threatens multiple types? Salamence's movepool delivers. Coverage across 11 types plus STAB from Draco Meteor and Outrage gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Need something that threatens multiple types? Salamence's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Draco Meteor and Outrage gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Need something that threatens multiple types? Salamence's movepool delivers. Coverage across 11 types plus STAB from Outrage and Hurricane gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Salamence doesn't appear wild. Catch Bagon instead, it shows up at decent rates. Evolve it at level 50 to get Salamence. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Salamence in Scarlet & Violet
Bagon is your first catch on the way to Salamence. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 16-58 across 15 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch BagonSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainOverworld Lv.16-28 Route25%MidEast Province (Area One) - CaveOverworld Lv.16-38 Route5%MidEast Province (Area Three) - CaveOverworld Lv.16-38 Route5%MidGlaseado MountainOverworld Lv.16-38 Cave5%MidGlaseado MountainOverworld Lv.16-38 Cave5%MidNorth Province (Area One) - CaveOverworld Lv.16-38 Route5%MidNorth Province (Area Three) - CaveOverworld Lv.16-38 Route5%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - CaveOverworld Lv.16-38 Route5%MidSouth Province (Area One) - CaveOverworld Lv.16-38 Route5%MidSouth Province (Area Six) - CaveOverworld Lv.16-38 Route5%MidWest Province (Area One) - CaveOverworld Lv.16-38 Route5%MidWest Province (Area Three) - CaveOverworld Lv.16-38 Route5%MidWest Province (Area Two) - CaveOverworld Lv.16-38 Route5%MidEast Province (Area Three) - MineOverworld Lv.16-38 Route2%Mid
Step 2Catch or Evolve ShelgonSouth Province (Area Six) - CaveOverworld Lv.42-58 Route3%Lateor evolve from Bagon (Step 1)
Step 3Salamence ✓
Salamence can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Bagon from Ruby, Emerald, or Violet and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Salamence in Legends: Z-A
- Step 3Salamence ✓
Can't catch Salamence directly. Start with Bagon at decent rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 50. The 3-stage chain from Bagon to Salamence is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Salamence in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Salamence, start by catching Bagon through walking and special encounters at Lv. 25-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch BagonRoute 210 - NorthUsing PokeRadar Lv.25-26 Route22%MidDazzling CaveGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSpacious CaveGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStargleam CavernGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve ShelgonDazzling CaveGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSpacious CaveGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStargleam CavernGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameor evolve from Bagon (Step 1)
Step 3Salamence ✓
Salamence doesn't appear wild. Catch Bagon instead, it shows up at moderate rates. Evolve it at level 50 to get Salamence. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
Intimidate changes the entire equation for Salamence. The 600 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a sweeper.
Salamence can Mega Evolve into Mega Salamence. That's 700 BST, up from 600. The stat redistribution often changes its best role. Mega Stone required, one per battle.
Watch for Cloyster (Ice), Aerodactyl (Rock), and Dragonite (Dragon) when using Salamence. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Cloyster is the most dangerous since Ice moves deal 4x damage. Fairy-type attackers are also a problem.
Intimidate is what you want on Salamence. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Moxie) work on paper but Intimidate is what makes Salamence worth using. With base 100 Speed, Intimidate gives Salamence an edge before opponents can react.
Base 100 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Salamence is a physical attacker with base 135 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.
Since debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Salamence has appeared in 16 titles over 8 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
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 6ORASMega
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