Physical
Sweeper
100Speed · Fast

Is Salamence Good in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Playthrough?

600 BST Dragon/Flying with AbilityIntimidate and Attack to rival any non-legendary. If you evolve Bagon before the E4, Salamence demolishes everything that isn't Ice or Fairy. Late availability from Route 3 makes the grind long. Worth every bit of it.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEEEEEETEEGGEEGGEIlimaTrial 1HalaKahuna 1ShelgonCatchSalamenceCatchableLanaTrial 2KiaweTrial 3MallowTrial 4OliviaKahuna 2ShelgonEvolveSophoclesTrial 5AcerolaTrial 6NanuKahuna 3MinaTrial 7HapuKahuna 4MolayneE4OliviaE4AcerolaE4KahiliE4KukuiChamp*
Ilima
Trial 1
Even

Bagon trades roughly evenly with Ilima's team.

Even
Gumshoos
Lv 12
Normal
Stakeout
Super FangBiteLeerScary Face
You Win
Yungoos
Lv 10
Normal
Stakeout
LeerTacklePursuitOdor Sleuth
Hala
Kahuna 1
Even

Bagon trades roughly evenly with Hala's team.

Even
Hariyama
Lv 63
Fighting
Thick Fat
Fake OutClose CombatKnock OffHeavy Slam
Even
Machamp
Lv 63
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopThunder PunchIce PunchFire Punch
Even
Bewear
Lv 63
NormalFighting
Fluffy
Hammer ArmBrutal SwingDragon ClawShadow Claw
Even
Poliwrath
Lv 63
WaterFighting
Water AbsorbImmune to Water attacks
WaterfallBrick BreakPoison JabPayback
Even
Crabominable
Lv 63
FightingIce
Iron Fist
Ice HammerClose CombatStone EdgeEarthquake
Lana
Trial 2
Even

Salamence trades roughly evenly with Lana's team.

Even
Lanturn
Lv 60
WaterElectric
Volt AbsorbImmune to Electric attacks
DischargeHydro PumpThunder WaveIcy Wind
Even
Cloyster
Lv 60
WaterIce
Skill Link
Spike CannonIcicle CrashSmart StrikeSpikes
You Win
Araquanid
Lv 60
WaterBug
Water Bubble
LiquidationLeech LifeCrunchFrost Breath
Kiawe
Trial 3
Even

Bagon trades roughly evenly with Kiawe's team.

Even
Alolan Marowak
Lv 22
FireGhost
Intimidate
HexFlame WheelBrick BreakDetect
Risky
Salazzle
Lv 20
PoisonFire
Corrosion
Poison GasVenoshockFlame BurstTorment
Mallow
Trial 4
Even

Bagon trades roughly evenly with Mallow's team.

Even
Lurantis
Lv 24
Grass
Leaf Guard
Low SweepX ScissorSolar BladeSynthesis
Even
Kecleon
Lv 22
Normal
Color Change
Sunny DayAncient PowerDizzy PunchScreech
Olivia
Kahuna 2
Even

Bagon trades roughly evenly with Olivia's team.

Even
Anorith
Lv 27
RockBug
Battle Armor
Bug BiteSmack DownMetal Claw
Even
Lileep
Lv 27
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerBrine
Even
Lycanroc
Lv 28
Rock
Vital Spirit
BiteRock Tomb
Sophocles
Trial 5
Tough

Sophocles's typing presses Shelgon's defenses.

Risky
Togedemaru
Lv 33
ElectricSteel
Iron Barbs
Zing ZapSpiky ShieldIron HeadBounce
Risky
Skarmory
Lv 32
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Stealth RockSteel WingTailwindTorment
Acerola
Trial 6
Even

Shelgon trades roughly evenly with Acerola's team.

Risky
Mimikyu
Lv 35
GhostFairy
Disguise
Shadow ClawPlay RoughLeech LifeSlash
You Win
Banette
Lv 32
Ghost
Insomnia
ScreechWill O WispFeint AttackCurse
Nanu
Kahuna 3
Even

Shelgon trades roughly evenly with Nanu's team.

Even
Sableye
Lv 43
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Power GemShadow BallFake Out
You Win
Krokorok
Lv 43
GroundDark
Intimidate
CrunchAssuranceSwaggerEarthquake
Even
Persian
Lv 44
Normal
Fur Coat
Power GemFake OutDark Pulse
Mina
Trial 7
Good

Salamence has the type edge here and should clean up Mina's team.

Even
Ribombee
Lv 55
BugFairy
Shield Dust
Bug BuzzDraining KissQuiver DanceDazzling Gleam
Easy KO
Pelipper
Lv 52
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
StockpileScaldSpit UpSeed Bomb
Hapu
Kahuna 4
Good

Salamence has the type edge here and should clean up Hapu's team.

You Win
Golurk
Lv 53
GroundGhost
No Guard
Hammer ArmEarthquakeShadow PunchStealth Rock
You Win
Gastrodon
Lv 53
WaterGround
Sticky Hold
Muddy WaterMud BombRecover
You Win
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
Earth PowerDragon Breath
You Win
Mudsdale
Lv 54
Ground
Stamina
Heavy SlamEarthquakeDouble KickPayback
Molayne
Elite Four
Even

Salamence trades roughly evenly with Molayne's team.

Even
Klefki
Lv 56
SteelFairy
Prankster
SpikesThunder WaveFlash CannonReflect
Even
Bisharp
Lv 56
DarkSteel
Defiant
Night SlashIron HeadX ScissorMetal Sound
Even
Magnezone
Lv 56
ElectricSteel
Sturdy
Flash CannonThunderboltTri AttackScreech
Even
Metagross
Lv 56
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
Hammer ArmMeteor MashBullet PunchZen Headbutt
Even
Alolan Dugtrio
Lv 57
GroundSteel
Tangling Hair
EarthquakeIron HeadSucker PunchFissure
Olivia
Elite Four
Even

Salamence trades roughly evenly with Olivia's team.

You Win
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Crush ClawX ScissorRock Blast
Even
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Rock TombEnergy BallStealth Rock
Even
Gigalith
Lv 56
Rock
Sand Stream
Stone EdgeBulldozeIron Head
Risky
Probopass
Lv 56
RockSteel
Sturdy
Earth PowerPower GemThunder WaveSandstorm
Even
Lycanroc
Lv 57
Rock
Keen Eye
CrunchStone EdgeCounterRock Climb
Acerola
Elite Four
Good

Salamence has the type edge here and should clean up Acerola's team.

You Win
Banette
Lv 56
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow ClawFeint AttackInfestationScreech
You Win
Drifblim
Lv 56
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Ominous WindFocus EnergyAmnesiaBaton Pass
Easy KO
Dhelmise
Lv 56
GhostGrass
Steelworker
SlamShadow BallEnergy BallWhirlpool
Even
Froslass
Lv 56
IceGhost
Snow Cloak
BlizzardShadow BallConfuse RayIce Shard
You Win
Palossand
Lv 57
GhostGround
Water Compaction
Shadow BallEarth PowerGiga DrainIron Defense
Kahili
Elite Four
Good

Salamence has the type edge here and should clean up Kahili's team.

You Win
Braviary
Lv 56
NormalFlying
Sheer Force
Crush ClawBrave BirdAir SlashScary Face
You Win
Hawlucha
Lv 56
FightingFlying
Mold Breaker
Flying PressThroat ChopDual ChopPoison Jab
You Win
Mandibuzz
Lv 56
DarkFlying
Big Pecks
Bone RushBrave BirdPunishmentFlatter
You Win
Toucannon
Lv 57
NormalFlying
Skill Link
Bullet SeedRock BlastBeak BlastScreech
Kukui
Champion
Even

Salamence trades roughly evenly with Kukui's team.

Risky
Alolan Ninetales
Lv 68
IceFairy
Snow Cloak
Dazzling GleamBlizzardIce ShardSafeguard
You Win
Braviary
Lv 68
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
Crush ClawBrave BirdWhirlwindTailwind
Even
Magnezone
Lv 68
ElectricSteel
Sturdy
ThunderboltFlash CannonThunder WaveMirror Coat
You Win
Snorlax
Lv 68
Normal
Thick Fat
Body SlamCrunchHeavy SlamHigh Horsepower
Even
Primarina
Lv 68
WaterFairy
Torrent
Sparkling AriaMoonblastAqua JetHyper Voice
Catchable
Available after Badge 1
Type
DragonFlying

Catch Salamence on Route 3 (walking, Lv 9-12). Alternate S.O.S. encounters; UNCOMMON; Called by Bagon.

View Salamence locations

Catch Shelgon
Available after Badge 1
Type
Dragon

Catch Shelgon on Kala'e Bay (walking, Lv 15-18). Alternate S.O.S. encounters; UNCOMMON; Called by Bagon.

View Shelgon locations

Evolve Bagon to Shelgon
Level 30
Type
Dragon

Your Bagon should hit Level 30 before you reach Sophocles, at typical leveling pace.

View Shelgon locations

How to Get Salamence in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon

2 encounter spots for Salamence at moderate rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.

Where To Catch Salamence in USUM

To get Salamence, start by catching Bagon through walking encounters at Lv. 9-18. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Bagon
    Step 1Catch Bagon
    Kala'e Bay
    Lv.15-18Grass
    Rate 10%
    Route 3 - South
    Lv.9-12Grass
    Rate 1%
  2. Shelgon
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Shelgon
    Kala'e Bay
    Lv.15-18Grass
    SOS from Bagon
    or evolve from Bagon (Step 1)
  3. Salamence
    Step 3Salamence
    Route 3 - South
    Lv.9-12Grass
    SOS from Bagon
    or evolve from Shelgon (Step 2)

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 Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
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

Good
4Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
¼xResist
0xImmune

What is Salamence Strong Against

4Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+3
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Salamence

Salamence Evolutions

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

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Bagon
Dragon
Shelgon
Dragon
Salamence
DragonFlying
HP
45
65+20
95+30
ATK
75
95+20
135+40
DEF
60
100+40
80-20
SP.ATK
40
60+20
110+50
SP.DEF
30
50+20
80+30
SPE
50
50
100+50
BST
300D-Tier
420C-Tier+120
600B-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Sweeper
TYPE
Physical
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Moderate

Breed with Salamence to get Bagon eggs using 57 partners from the Dragon egg group. Notable egg moves include Defense Curl, Dragon Dance, Dragon Pulse and 7 more.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
10moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradoscharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticnoivernaltariascraftydragalgehelioliskarbok

USUM Salamence Best Moveset

AbilityIntimidate drops Attack on entry, and Mega Salamence gains AbilityAerilate converting Normal moves to Flying with a power boost from 145 Attack at 120 Speed. MoveDragon Dance boosts further. Without the Mega, 135 Attack at 100 Speed with AbilityMoxie as a hidden ability snowballs on knockouts. The moveset holds A-tier through both Mega and base identities working at the highest offensive level.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Setup Sweeper
Ability
Moxie
Item
Flyiniumz
Best Nature for Salamence
Jolly+SPE

Salamence best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • Dragon DanceSTAB
  • OutrageSTAB
  • Dragon ClawSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Moves List

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

Lv 1
Bite
C6010025Dark
Lv 1
Dragon Tail-6
C909010Dragon
Lv 1
Ember
D4010025Fire
Lv 1
Fire Fang
A659515Fire
Lv 1
Fly
A1359515Flying
Lv 1
Leer
10030Normal
Lv 1
Protect+4
C10Normal
Lv 1
Rage
2010020Normal
Lv 1
Thunder Fang
C659515Electric
Lv 4
Ember
D4010025Fire
Lv 7
Leer
10030Normal
Lv 10
Bite
C6010025Dark
Lv 13
Dragon Breath
C9010020Dragon
Lv 17
Headbutt
C7010015Normal
Lv 21
Focus Energy
D30Normal
Lv 25
Crunch
C8010015Dark
Lv 29
Dragon Claw
A12010015Dragon
Lv 35
Zen Headbutt
C809015Psychic
Lv 42
Scary Face
10010Normal
Lv 49
Flamethrower
C9010015Fire
Lv 63
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
B9020Flying
TM45
Attract
D10015Normal
TM31
Brick Break
C7510015Fighting
TM59
Brutal Swing
6010020Dark
TM78
Bulldoze
C6010020Ground
TM100
Confide
D20Normal
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM02
Dragon Claw
A12010015Dragon
TM82
Dragon Tail-6
C909010Dragon
TM26
Earthquake
B10010010Ground
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM38
Fire Blast
C110855Fire
TM35
Flamethrower
C9010015Fire
TM76
Fly
A1359515Flying
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
B150905Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6
C20Normal
TM80
Rock Slide
C759010Rock
TM39
Rock Tomb
C609515Rock
TM19
Roost
C10Flying
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM65
Shadow Claw
C7010015Ghost
TM88
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM51
Steel Wing
C709025Steel
TM71
Stone Edge
C100805Rock
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM87
Swagger
D8515Normal
TM06
Toxic
C9010Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Defense Curl
D40Normal
Egg
Dragon Dance
B20Dragon
Egg
Dragon Pulse
B12710010Dragon
Egg
Dragon Rage
10010Dragon
Egg
Dragon Rush
1507510Dragon
Egg
Endure+4
C10Normal
Egg
Fire Fang
A659515Fire
Egg
Hydro Pump
C110805Water
Egg
Thrash
B12010010Normal
Egg
Twister
6010020Dragon

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Aqua Tail
C909010Water
Tutor
Defog
C15Flying
Tutor
Draco Meteor
B195905Dragon
Tutor
Dragon Pulse
B12710010Dragon
Tutor
Heat Wave
C959010Fire
Tutor
Hyper Voice
C9010010Normal
Tutor
Iron Tail
C1007515Steel
Tutor
Laser Focus
30Normal
Tutor
Outrage
B18010010Dragon
Tutor
Snore
D5010015Normal
Tutor
Tailwind
C15Flying
Tutor
Zen Headbutt
C809015Psychic

Reminder Moves

Rem
Rem
Iron Defense
C15Steel
Rem
Protect+4
C10Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Legend
HP95
B
Attack135
A
Defense80
C
Sp. Atk110
B
Sp. Def80
C
Speed100
B
Total600
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.5 m
Weight102.6 kg
Base XP300
Abilities
Intimidate
Lowers opponents' Attack one stage upon entering battle.
MoxieHidden Ability
Raises Attack one stage upon KOing a Pokémon.
EV Yield
HPAtk+3DefSpASpDSpe
Strong Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

Overjoyed at finally being able to fly, it flies all over the place and usually doesn’t land until it’s completely exhausted and needs to sleep.

Thanks to its fervent wishes, the cells in its body finally mutated, and at last it has its heart’s desire—wings.

Salamence Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Guide

  • In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Intimidate changes the entire equation for Salamence. The 600 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a sweeper. Earthquake with Flyiniumz is the standard set.

  • In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, 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.

  • In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, 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.

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.

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