Stats & Training
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.
The stress of its two proud wings becoming misshapen and stuck together because of strong energy makes it go on a rampage.
It puts its forelegs inside its shell to streamline itself for flight. Salamence flies at high speeds over all kinds of topographical features.
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Ice |
| 2x (Weak) | Rock, Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Fighting, Bug |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
Primarina WaterFairy | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Primarina builds →Moonblast 2x94-111%KO Icy Wind 4x74-87% Disarming Voice 2x40-48% | ||
Jynx IcePsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Jynx builds →Blizzard 4x201-236%KO Ice Punch 4x75-88% Avalanche 4x60-71% Frost Breath 4x111-131%KO | ||
Lycanroc Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Lycanroc builds →Stone Edge 2x91-108%KO Rock Slide 2x69-81% Rock Tomb 2x55-65% Rock Throw 2x46-55% | ||
Delibird Ice | D | |
Obtain MethodSeaward Cave Surfing | ||
Floette Fairy | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Floette builds →Moonblast 2x61-72% Fairy Wind 2x26-32% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemBlack Sludge NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Toxapex builds →Scald9-11% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemBlack Sludge NatureSassy Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Amoonguss builds →Giga Drain6-8% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Pelipper builds →Hurricane58-68% Scald21-25% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves View Chansey builds →
| ||
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon 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 (+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 57 partners from the Dragon egg group. Notable egg moves include Defense Curl, Dragon Dance, Dragon Pulse and 7 more.
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Salamence Best Moveset
The game plan is straightforward: click Dragon Dance, then sweep. Flyiniumz and Moxie 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
- Outrage
- Dragon Claw
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Need something that threatens multiple types? Salamence's movepool delivers. Coverage across 12 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
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
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 Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
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.
Step 1Catch BagonKala'e BayUltra MoonGrass Lv.15-18 Water10%EarlyKala'e BayUltra SunGrass Lv.15-18 Water10%EarlyRoute 3 - SouthUltra MoonGrass Lv.9-12 Route1%EarlyRoute 3 - SouthUltra SunGrass Lv.9-12 Route1%Early
Step 2Catch or Evolve ShelgonKala'e BayUltra SunGrass Lv.15-18 WaterEarlySOS from BagonKala'e BayUltra MoonGrass Lv.15-18 WaterEarlySOS from Bagonor evolve from Bagon (Step 1)
Step 3Salamence ✓Route 3 - SouthUltra SunGrass Lv.9-12 RouteEarlySOS from BagonRoute 3 - SouthUltra MoonGrass Lv.9-12 RouteEarlySOS from Bagonor evolve from Shelgon (Step 2)
Salamence 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 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
