Sinistea is technically a pre-evolution of Polteageist, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Normal and Fighting moves can't touch it, and only 2 types hit it super-effectively. Known as the Black Tea Pokemon.
Nothing fancy in Sinistea's spread. It leans special with Sp. Atk out front. And you'll get 1 Sp. Atk EV per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
The soul of someone who died alone possessed some leftover tea. This Pokémon appears in hotels and houses.
Sinistea gets into your body when you drink it, and then it steals your vitality from within. It also tastes awful.
Sinistea Weakness
ExcellentType-wise, Sinistea takes extra damage from Ghost and Dark. Normal and Fighting moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity.
To get Polteageist from Sinistea, you need an evolution item. The evolution method matters here. Evolving adds up to 200 stat points total.
How to Evolve
Breed Sinistea with 63 breeding partners from the Indeterminate and Mineral egg groups.
Ditto only
Sinistea runs Nasty Plot to boost before sweeping. Weakarmor and Timid nature shape the build, with a spread EV build EVs to capitalize after one turn of setup, plus the remaining moves to back it up.
Best Build
Best Sinistea Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Tera Blast
- Nasty Plot
- Stored Power
Recommended Teammates
Most of Sinistea's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Poltergeist and Phantom Force, but Grass and Dark and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Most of Sinistea's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Poltergeist and Phantom Force, but Grass and Dark and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
high spawn rates across 6 locations for Sinistea in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Best Locations
Sinistea appears in 6 walking locations at Lv. 28-44 across Violet and Scarlet. Not all encounters show up in every version, so check which ones match your game.
decent spawn rates for Sinistea across 44 locations in late-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Best Locations
Which version you're playing matters for Sinistea. 44 walking spots at Lv. 34-65 spread across Shield and Sword, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.
At 308 BST, Sinistea is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Polteageist before bringing it to any serious fight.
Sinistea evolves into Polteageist using a Cracked Pot. Sinistea is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Weak Armor is the go-to ability for Sinistea. It raises Speed and lowers Defense by one stage each upon being hit by a physical move. Its hidden ability Cursed Body can work in specific setups.
Sinistea is a special attacker with base 74 Sp. Atk. Fragile — can't afford to take many hits, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go.
Sinistea can be found in Scarlet & Violet and Sword & Shield.
Since Sword & Shield, Sinistea has been obtainable in 2 games. A Generation 8 debut means a shorter history, but Sinistea has appeared steadily across every generation since.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
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 VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwShDebut
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A