Special
Balanced
308Low
50Slow
DTier

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.

Base Stats
308Avg
HP40
D
Attack45
D
Defense45
D
Sp. Atk74
C
Sp. Def54
D
Speed50
D
Total308
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Sinistea yields +1 SpA
HPAtkDefSpA+1SpDSpe
Details
Catch120ModerateMedium Fast1M XP0.1m / 0'04"0.2kg / 0.4 lbs62Base XP
Pokedex Entries

This Pokémon is said to have been born when a lonely spirit possessed a cold, leftover cup of tea.

Sword

The teacup in which this Pokémon makes its home is a famous piece of antique tableware. Many forgeries are in circulation.

Shield

Sinistea Weakness

Excellent

Type-wise, Sinistea takes extra damage from Ghost and Dark. Normal and Fighting moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity.

4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
½xResisti
¼xResisti
None
STAB (2)i
2Weak
2Resist
2Immune
Scorei+4
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
Weak ArmorRaises Speed and lowers Defense by one stage each upon being hit by a physical move.
Cursed BodyHAHas a 30% chance of Disabling any move that hits the Pokémon.

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

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Sinistea
Ghost
HP
40
60+20
ATK
45
65+20
DEF
45
65+20
SP.ATK
74
134+60
SP.DEF
54
114+60
SPE
50
70+20
BST
308D-Tier
508B-Tier+200
ROLE
Balanced
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Special
Special
Breeding
Moderate

Breed Sinistea with 43 breeding partners from the Indeterminate and Mineral egg groups.

Egg Groups
IndeterminateMineral
Gender
GenderlessDittoDitto only
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Breed With (best first)
gardevoirgalladepolteageistavaluggalcremieglaliefroslasscrustleferrothorngastrodonstunfisktrevenant

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

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

Lv 1
Astonish
3010015Ghost
Lv 1
Withdraw
40Water
Lv 6
Aromatic Mist
20Fairy
Lv 12
Mega Drain
4010015Grass
Lv 18
Protect+4
10Normal
Lv 24
Sucker Punch+1
701005Dark
Lv 30
Aromatherapy
5Grass
Lv 36
Giga Drain
7510010Grass
Lv 42
Nasty Plot
20Dark
Lv 48
Shadow Ball
8010015Ghost
Lv 54
Memento
10010Dark
Lv 60
Shell Smash
15Normal

TM Moves

Src
TR83
Ally Switch+2
15Psychic
TR29
Baton Pass
40Normal
TR58
Dark Pulse
8010015Dark
TR26
Endure+4
10Normal
TM39
Facade
7010020Normal
TR81
Foul Play
9510015Dark
TM28
Giga Drain
7510010Grass
TM77
Hex
6510010Ghost
TM44
Imprison
10Psychic
TR14
Metronome
10Normal
TR68
Nasty Plot
20Dark
TM57
Payback
5010010Dark
TM86
Phantom Force
9010010Ghost
TM25
Protect+4
10Normal
TR11
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TR25
Psyshock
8010010Psychic
TM21
Rest
10Psychic
TM76
Round
6010015Normal
TR33
Shadow Ball
8010015Ghost
TR27
Sleep Talk
10Normal
TM24
Snore
5010015Normal
TR82
Stored Power
2010010Psychic
TR20
Substitute
10Normal
TR38
Trick
10010Psychic
TM38
Will-O-Wisp
8515Fire
TM71
Wonder Room
10Psychic

Egg Moves

Sinistea doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Poltergeist
110905Ghost

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.

Glimwood Tangle
ShieldGrassLv.34-3610%LateForestAll Weather
MODERATE
Glimwood Tangle
ShieldOverworldLv.34-3610%LateForestThunderstorm
MODERATE
Glimwood Tangle
SwordGrassLv.34-3610%LateForestAll Weather
MODERATE
Glimwood Tangle
ShieldOverworldLv.34-3610%LateForestIntense Sun
MODERATE
Glimwood Tangle
ShieldOverworldLv.34-3610%LateForestSnowing
MODERATE
Glimwood Tangle
ShieldOverworldLv.34-3610%LateForestSandstorm
MODERATE
Glimwood Tangle
ShieldOverworldLv.34-3610%LateForestRaining
MODERATE
Glimwood Tangle
ShieldOverworldLv.34-3710%LateForestHeavy Fog
MODERATE
Glimwood Tangle
ShieldOverworldLv.34-3610%LateForestOvercast
MODERATE
Glimwood Tangle
ShieldOverworldLv.34-3610%LateForestNormal Weather
MODERATE
Glimwood Tangle
ShieldOverworldLv.34-3610%LateForestSnowstorm
MODERATE
Glimwood Tangle
SwordOverworldLv.34-3610%LateForestAll Weather
MODERATE
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworldLv.60-6521%PostSnowstorm
EASY
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworldLv.60-6521%PostSnowstorm
EASY
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworldLv.60-6521%PostHeavy Fog
EASY
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworldLv.60-6521%PostHeavy Fog
EASY
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostOvercast
EASY
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostThunderstorm
EASY
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostOvercast
EASY
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostThunderstorm
EASY
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostNormal Weather
EASY
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostIntense Sun
EASY
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostNormal Weather
EASY
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostIntense Sun
EASY
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostSnowing
EASY
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostSnowing
EASY
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostRaining
EASY
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostNormal Weather
EASY
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostRaining
EASY
Old Cemetery
SwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostNormal Weather
EASY
Old Cemetery
SwordGrassLv.60-6518%PostSnowing
EASY
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrassLv.60-6518%PostRaining
EASY
Old Cemetery
SwordGrassLv.60-6518%PostRaining
EASY
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrassLv.60-6518%PostHeavy Fog
EASY
Old Cemetery
SwordGrassLv.60-6518%PostHeavy Fog
EASY
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrassLv.60-6518%PostOvercast
EASY
Old Cemetery
SwordGrassLv.60-6518%PostOvercast
EASY
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrassLv.60-6518%PostIntense Sun
EASY
Old Cemetery
SwordGrassLv.60-6518%PostIntense Sun
EASY
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrassLv.60-6518%PostSnowstorm
EASY
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrassLv.60-6518%PostSnowing
EASY
Old Cemetery
SwordGrassLv.60-6518%PostSnowstorm
EASY
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrassLv.60-6514%PostThunderstorm
MODERATE
Old Cemetery
SwordGrassLv.60-6514%PostThunderstorm
MODERATE
  • At 308 BST, Sinistea is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Polteageist before bringing it to any serious fight.

  • Sinistea's biggest threats include Dusknoir (Ghost) and Weavile (Dark), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • 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 IYYellow box art
    Yellow
  • Gen IRB
    Red & Blue box artRed & Blue box art
    Red & Blue
  • Gen IIGS
    Gold & Silver box artGold & Silver box art
    Gold & Silver
  • Gen IICCrystal box art
    Crystal
  • Gen IIIRS
    Ruby & Sapphire box artRuby & Sapphire box art
    Ruby & Sapphire
  • Gen IIIFRLG
    FireRed & LeafGreen box artFireRed & LeafGreen box art
    FireRed & LeafGreen
  • Gen IIIEEmerald box art
    Emerald
  • Gen IVPtPlatinum box art
    Platinum
  • Gen IVHGSS
    HeartGold & SoulSilver box artHeartGold & SoulSilver box art
    HeartGold & SoulSilver
  • Gen IVDP
    Diamond & Pearl box artDiamond & Pearl box art
    Diamond & Pearl
  • Gen VBW
    Black & White box artBlack & White box art
    Black & White
  • Gen VB2W2
    Black 2 & White 2 box artBlack 2 & White 2 box art
    Black 2 & White 2
  • Gen VIXY
    X & Y box artX & Y box art
    X & Y
  • Gen VIORAS
    Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire box artOmega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire box art
    Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
  • Gen VIIUSUM
    Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon box artUltra Sun & Ultra Moon box art
    Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
  • Gen VIISM
    Sun & Moon box artSun & Moon box art
    Sun & Moon
  • Gen VIILGPE
    Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee box artLet's Go Pikachu & Eevee box art
    Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
  • Gen VIIISwSh
    Debut
    Sword & Shield box artSword & Shield box art
    Sword & Shield
  • Gen VIIIPLALegends: Arceus box art
    Legends: Arceus
  • Gen VIIIBDSP
    Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl box artBrilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl box art
    Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
  • Gen IXSV
    Scarlet & Violet box artScarlet & Violet box art
    Scarlet & Violet
  • Gen IXLZALegends: Z-A box art
    Legends: Z-A