Salamence has the stats to dominate any format it's allowed in. 135 base Attack stands out, and the rest of the spread doesn't have obvious weak points either. Intimidate adds even more value. Known as the Dragon Pokemon.
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.
Salamence is an unusual Pokémon in that it was able to evolve a body with wings just by constantly wishing to be able to fly.
While basking in the joy of flight generally keeps this Pokémon in high spirits, Salamence turns into an uncontrollable menace if something angers it.
Salamence Weakness
GoodIce, Rock, Dragon, and Fairy-type 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.
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Salamence to get Bagon eggs using 60 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
Best Salamence Moveset
- Dual Wingbeat
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Roost
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 S-Tier as a sweeper.
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.
Salamence appears in 16 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Since debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Salamence has appeared in 16 titles over 7 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRSDebut
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 VIORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A