Salamence Best Moveset
135 Attack at 100 Speed on Dragon/Flying with AbilityMoxie boosting Attack after every KO. Held ItemHeavy Duty Boots blocks TermEntry Hazards damage. NatureAdamant pushes physical Dragon and Flying TermStab hard. One KO triggers Moxie and the moveset snowballs from there. Tera Flying amplifies the primary TermStab. B-Tier as a fast physical attacker that gets stronger with each KO.
Dragon/Flying with Intimidate and 135 Attack in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Dragon Dance into Earthquake and Rock Slide swept teams. The first non-legendary Dragon to dominate the top tier.
Best Moves
Best Build
Salamence best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Brick Break
- Hidden Power Flying
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Banned from standard play in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Dragon Dance plus Outrage from 135 Attack with Intimidate on switch-in was too dominant for the top tier to handle.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
Returned to the top tier in Gen V (Black & White). Moxie snowballed KOs into more Attack boosts. Dragon Dance once, start sweeping, and Moxie kept the momentum rolling.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Dragon Claw
- Dragon Dance
Recommended Teammates
Mega Salamence with Aerilate was banned from standard play in Gen VI (X & Y). Base Salamence dropped but Dragon Dance sets remained effective in lower formats.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Outrage
Recommended Teammates
Reliable Dragon Dance sweeper in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Z-Moves gave it a nuclear option after one boost. Still adapted to every generation's gimmick.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Dragon Claw
Recommended Teammates
Held steady in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Intimidate pivoting and Dragon Dance sweeping were always useful tools for any team.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Roost
Recommended Teammates
Dropped in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Fairy-types and faster threats finally pushed Salamence below its longtime tier after six gens of top performance.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Dual Wingbeat
- Dragon Claw
Recommended Teammates
Salamence Weakness
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. Salamence's physical bulk (base 130 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Ice |
| 2x (Weak) | Rock, Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Fighting, Bug |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
What is Salamence Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Salamence
Volcanion's Sludge Bomb hits Salamence for 53-63%.
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Volcanion builds →Flamethrower26-31% Sludge Bomb53-63% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemHeatrock NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Torkoal builds →Rapid Spin7-8% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityWaterbubble ItemCustapberry NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Araquanid builds →Liquidation5-6% Surf9-11% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Incineroar builds →Knock Off17-21% Flare Blitz16-19% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemHeatrock NatureTimid Moves View Ninetales builds →
| ||
Evolution
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 (+80 over Bagon), and Salamence peaks at 700 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.
How to Get Salamence
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 SV
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) - MountainLv.16-28OverworldVioletRate 25%East Province (Area One) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%East Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%Glaseado MountainLv.16-38OverworldRate 5%North Province (Area One) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%North Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%North Province (Area Two) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%South Province (Area One) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%South Province (Area Six) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%West Province (Area One) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%West Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%West Province (Area Two) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%East Province (Area Three) - MineLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 2%
Step 2Catch or Evolve ShelgonSouth Province (Area Six) - CaveLv.42-58OverworldVioletRate 3%or evolve from Bagon (Step 1)
Step 3Salamence ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Salamence egg.
1 encounter spots for Salamence at moderate rates starting from endgame routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
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 BDSP
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 - NorthLv.25-26Using PokeRadarShining PearlRate 22%Dazzling CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve ShelgonDazzling CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-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.
Base Stats
The stat budget goes to damage. Attack and Defense carry the offense, Sp. Def doesn't even come close. A Dragon Pokemon on a slow 1.25M XP grind, worth 3 Attack EVs per KO.
It's uncontrollable if enraged. It flies around spouting flames, scorching fields and mountains.
Salamence Guide
We rate Salamence B-Tier: a solid choice for the right team. At 700 BST, it fits the sweeper role. Base 145 Attack stands out.
Salamence can Mega Evolve into Mega Salamence. That's 800 BST, up from 700. 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. Salamence has enough bulk to absorb a hit, but don't push the matchup. Pivot to a teammate that resists.
Aerilate turns the bearer's normal moves into flying moves and strengthens them to 1.3× their power. That's the one you want on Salamence. It's the only ability Salamence has.
Base 120 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Salamence is a physical attacker with base 145 Attack. Defensively? Tanky enough to absorb a few hits. Best used as a sweeper.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Salamence has appeared in 16 titles over 8 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 6, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORASMega
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