Utility
Balanced
479Average
84Moderate
ATier

Skuntank's Poison/Dark typing gives it an immunity to Psychic. Only 1 weaknesses on top of that — it has plenty of safe switch-in opportunities. Can go either physical or special depending on the set. Been around since Gen 4.

Skuntank's spread is anchored by HP, with balanced defenses backing it up. Sp. Def is the clear weak point. Worth 2 HP EVs per KO, and the medium-fast 1M XP curve keeps leveling painless.

Base Stats
479Above
HP103
B
Attack93
B
Defense67
C
Sp. Atk71
C
Sp. Def61
C
Speed84
C
Total479
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Skuntank yields +2 HP
HP+2AtkDefSpASpDSpe
Details
Catch60ChallengingMedium Fast1M XP1m / 3'03"38kg / 83.8 lbs168Base XP
Pokedex Entries

In its belly, it reserves stinky fluid that it shoots from its tail during battle. As this Pokémon’s diet varies, so does the stench of its fluid.

Sword

It digs holes in the ground to make its nest. The stench of the fluid it lets fly from the tip of its tail is extremely potent.

Shield

Skuntank Weakness

Excellent

Skuntank's Poison/Dark typing leaves it vulnerable to Ground moves. It shrugs off Psychic-type attacks completely. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. With 103 HP and balanced defenses, Skuntank can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.

4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
1Weak
4Resist
1Immune
Scorei+5
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesAbsorbs on switch
Abilities
StenchHas a 10% chance of making target Pokémon flinch with each hit.
AftermathDamages the attacker for 1/4 its max HP when knocked out by a contact move.
Keen EyeHAPrevents accuracy from being lowered.

Skuntank is the evolved form of Stunky. Breeding produces Stunky eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Stunky gave Skuntank the biggest boost in HP (+40), bringing the total to 479 stats.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Stunky
PoisonDark
Skuntank
PoisonDark
HP
63
103+40
ATK
63
93+30
DEF
47
67+20
SP.ATK
41
71+30
SP.DEF
41
61+20
SPE
74
84+10
BST
329B-Tier
479B-Tier+150
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Physical
Physical
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed with Skuntank to get Stunky eggs easily using 138 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Astonish, Double-Edge, Haze and 3 more.

Egg Groups
Ground
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckrhydonshiftryexploudquagsiremawilenidorinofarfetchdloudred

Air Balloon and Aftermath form the backbone. Skuntank invests max HP and Speed EVs to play its physical attacker role properly, and Jolly nature pushes Speed higher. Defog handles the heavy lifting on offense. Utility options rounds it out.

Best Build

Bulky Support
Ability
Aftermath
Item
Air Balloon
Nature
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Best Skuntank Moveset

  • DefogUtility
  • Poison JabSTAB
  • MementoUtility
  • TauntUtility

You'll want to breed for Astonish and Double-Edge on Skuntank. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Belch and Foul Play, they expand what Skuntank can actually threaten in practice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Feint+2
3010010Normal
Lv 1
Flamethrower
9010015Fire
Lv 1
Poison Gas
9040Poison
Lv 1
Scratch
4010035Normal
Lv 1
Smokescreen
10020Normal
Lv 9
Acid Spray
4010020Poison
Lv 12
Fury Swipes
188015Normal
Lv 15
Focus Energy
30Normal
Lv 18
Bite
6010025Dark
Lv 21
Venoshock
6510010Poison
Lv 24
Screech
8540Normal
Lv 27
Toxic
9010Poison
Lv 30
Sucker Punch+1
701005Dark
Lv 33
Memento
10010Dark
Lv 38
Night Slash
7010015Dark
Lv 43
Belch
1209010Poison
Lv 48
Venom Drench
10020Poison
Lv 53
Explosion
2501005Normal

TM Moves

Src
TM58
Assurance
6010010Dark
TM31
Attract
10015Normal
TR32
Crunch
8010015Dark
TR58
Dark Pulse
8010015Dark
TM15
Dig
8010010Ground
TR26
Endure+4
10Normal
TM39
Facade
7010020Normal
TR15
Fire Blast
110855Fire
TM13
Fire Spin
358515Fire
TR02
Flamethrower
9010015Fire
TR13
Focus Energy
30Normal
TR81
Foul Play
9510015Dark
TM09
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TM77
Hex
6510010Ghost
TM08
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TR31
Iron Tail
1007515Steel
TR68
Nasty Plot
20Dark
TM57
Payback
5010010Dark
TR90
Play Rough
909010Fairy
TR57
Poison Jab
8010020Poison
TM25
Protect+4
10Normal
TM33
Rain Dance
5Water
TM21
Rest
10Psychic
TM76
Round
6010015Normal
TM26
Scary Face
10010Normal
TM16
Screech
8540Normal
TR33
Shadow Ball
8010015Ghost
TM65
Shadow Claw
7010015Ghost
TR27
Sleep Talk
10Normal
TR22
Sludge Bomb
9010010Poison
TM85
Snarl
559515Dark
TM24
Snore
5010015Normal
TR20
Substitute
10Normal
TM34
Sunny Day
5Fire
TM40
Swift
6020Normal
TM84
Tail Slap
258510Normal
TR37
Taunt
10020Dark
TM23
Thief
6010025Dark
TR95
Throat Chop
8010015Dark
TR91
Venom Drench
10020Poison
TM74
Venoshock
6510010Poison

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Astonish
3010015Ghost
Egg
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Egg
Haze
30Ice
Egg
Leer
10030Normal
Egg
Slash
7010020Normal
Egg
Smog
307020Poison

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Burning Jealousy
701005Fire
Tutor
Corrosive Gas
10040Poison
Tutor
Lash Out
751005Dark

high spawn rates across 4 locations for Skuntank in late-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.

Where To Catch Skuntank in Sword & Shield

The path to Skuntank starts with Stunky at Lv. 10-52 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Stunky
    Step 1Catch Stunky
    North Lake Miloch
    SwordGrassLv.14-1640%EarlyWaterOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    North Lake Miloch
    SwordGrassLv.14-1640%EarlyWaterNormal Weather
    EFFORTLESS
    North Lake Miloch
    ShieldGrassLv.14-1640%EarlyWaterOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    North Lake Miloch
    ShieldGrassLv.14-1640%EarlyWaterNormal Weather
    EFFORTLESS
    Dappled Grove
    ShieldGrassLv.11-1535%EarlyForestOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    Dappled Grove
    SwordGrassLv.11-1535%EarlyForestOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    South Lake Miloch - 2
    ShieldOverworldLv.14-1635%EarlyWaterOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    South Lake Miloch - 2
    SwordOverworldLv.14-1635%EarlyWaterThunderstorm
    EFFORTLESS
    South Lake Miloch - 2
    SwordOverworldLv.14-1635%EarlyWaterOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    South Lake Miloch - 2
    ShieldOverworldLv.14-1635%EarlyWaterThunderstorm
    EFFORTLESS
    North Lake Miloch
    ShieldGrassLv.14-1630%EarlyWaterIntense Sun
    EFFORTLESS
    North Lake Miloch
    SwordGrassLv.14-1630%EarlyWaterIntense Sun
    EFFORTLESS
    South Lake Miloch
    SwordOverworldLv.14-1625%EarlyWaterOvercast
    EASY
    South Lake Miloch
    SwordOverworldLv.14-1625%EarlyWaterNormal Weather
    EASY
    South Lake Miloch
    ShieldOverworldLv.14-1625%EarlyWaterOvercast
    EASY
    South Lake Miloch
    ShieldOverworldLv.14-1525%EarlyWaterNormal Weather
    EASY
    South Lake Miloch - 2
    SwordOverworldLv.14-1625%EarlyWaterRaining
    EASY
    South Lake Miloch - 2
    ShieldOverworldLv.14-1625%EarlyWaterRaining
    EASY
    North Lake Miloch
    SwordGrassLv.14-1620%EarlyWaterSnowing
    EASY
    North Lake Miloch
    SwordGrassLv.14-1620%EarlyWaterSandstorm
    EASY
    North Lake Miloch
    ShieldGrassLv.14-1620%EarlyWaterThunderstorm
    EASY
    North Lake Miloch
    SwordGrassLv.14-1620%EarlyWaterRaining
    EASY
    North Lake Miloch
    SwordGrassLv.14-1620%EarlyWaterHeavy Fog
    EASY
    North Lake Miloch
    ShieldGrassLv.14-1620%EarlyWaterSnowing
    EASY
    North Lake Miloch
    ShieldGrassLv.14-1620%EarlyWaterSandstorm
    EASY
    North Lake Miloch
    ShieldGrassLv.14-1620%EarlyWaterRaining
    EASY
    North Lake Miloch
    SwordGrassLv.14-1520%EarlyWaterSnowstorm
    EASY
    North Lake Miloch
    ShieldGrassLv.14-1620%EarlyWaterHeavy Fog
    EASY
    North Lake Miloch
    SwordGrassLv.14-1620%EarlyWaterThunderstorm
    EASY
    North Lake Miloch
    ShieldGrassLv.14-1620%EarlyWaterSnowstorm
    EASY
    South Lake Miloch - 2
    ShieldOverworldLv.14-1615%EarlyWaterNormal Weather
    EASY
    South Lake Miloch - 2
    SwordOverworldLv.14-1615%EarlyWaterNormal Weather
    EASY
    Route 3
    SwordOverworldLv.10-1410%EarlyRouteAll Weather
    MODERATE
    Route 3
    ShieldOverworldLv.10-1410%EarlyRouteAll Weather
    MODERATE
    South Lake Miloch
    ShieldOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterIntense Sun
    MODERATE
    South Lake Miloch
    ShieldOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterSandstorm
    MODERATE
    South Lake Miloch
    SwordOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterIntense Sun
    MODERATE
    South Lake Miloch
    SwordOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterSandstorm
    MODERATE
    North Lake Miloch
    SwordOverworldLv.26-2860%MidWaterIntense Sun
    EFFORTLESS
    North Lake Miloch
    ShieldOverworldLv.26-2860%MidWaterIntense Sun
    EFFORTLESS
    North Lake Miloch
    SwordOverworldLv.26-2855%MidWaterOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    North Lake Miloch
    ShieldOverworldLv.26-2855%MidWaterOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    North Lake Miloch
    ShieldOverworldLv.26-2850%MidWaterNormal Weather
    EFFORTLESS
    North Lake Miloch
    SwordOverworldLv.26-2850%MidWaterNormal Weather
    EFFORTLESS
    North Lake Miloch
    SwordOverworldLv.26-2828%MidWaterHeavy Fog
    EASY
    North Lake Miloch
    ShieldOverworldLv.26-2828%MidWaterHeavy Fog
    EASY
    North Lake Miloch
    SwordOverworldLv.26-2825%MidWaterSandstorm
    EASY
    North Lake Miloch
    ShieldOverworldLv.26-2825%MidWaterSandstorm
    EASY
    Giant's Cap
    ShieldGrassLv.27-2910%MidNormal Weather
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap
    SwordGrassLv.27-2910%MidNormal Weather
    MODERATE
  2. Skuntank
    Step 2Skuntank
    Dusty Bowl
    ShieldGrassLv.40-4540%LateOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    Dusty Bowl
    SwordGrassLv.40-4540%LateOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    Lake of Outrage
    SwordGrassLv.50-5233%PostWaterOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    Lake of Outrage
    ShieldGrassLv.50-5230%PostWaterOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    or evolve from Stunky (Step 1)
  • Skuntank has a 479 base stat total and ranks as A-Tier — a strong competitive pick. It works best as a balanced. Base 103 HP is where it shines.

  • Watch for Garchomp (Ground) when using Skuntank. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Stunky evolves into Skuntank at level 34. Skuntank is the fully evolved form. It sits at 479 BST in its evolved form.

  • Stench has a 10% chance of making target Pokémon flinch with each hit — that's the one you want on Skuntank. Keen Eye is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Aftermath works too if your team needs something different.

  • Skuntank fills the balanced role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 93 Attack). Base 84 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.

  • Skuntank appears in 13 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.

Skuntank first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 13 games across 6 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.