Thundurus's built around mixed offense. Sp. Atk leads the charge, Defense pays for it. Near-impossible to catch, worth 3 Attack EVs. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
Quick as a flash, it materializes out of nowhere. It pulverizes foes into nothingness with showers of devastatingly powerful lightning bolts launched from the string of orbs on its tail.
Type-wise, Thundurus takes extra damage from Ice and Rock. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. It resists 5 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. With 79 HP and balanced defenses, Thundurus can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ice, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting, Flying, Bug, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Thundurus View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn23-27% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemRocky Helmet NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Thundurus View Cobalion builds →Volt Switch19-22% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Thundurus View Moltres builds →Flamethrower47-56% U Turn10-12% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Thundurus View Corviknight builds →U Turn10-12% | ||
No breeding, no evolution. Thundurus is a Electric/Flying legendary with 580 base stat total that you obtain once and build around. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Nothing fancy here. Thundurus builds around Covert Cloak for secondary effect immunity, Timid nature for the right stat lean, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs. Prankster does its job quietly.
Best Build
Thundurus best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Doubles Special Stallbreaker Moveset
- Thunder Wave
- Taunt
- Wildbolt Storm
- Electroweb
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Thunder Wave
- Knock Off
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Thunder Wave
- Wildbolt Storm
- Taunt
- Eerie Impulse
Recommended Teammates
Special Stallbreaker Moveset
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Taunt
- Eerie Impulse
- Sludge Bomb
- Foul Play
Recommended Teammates
Special Stallbreaker Moveset
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Taunt
- Volt Switch
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Stallbreaker Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Thunder Wave
- Taunt
- Hidden Power Ice
Recommended Teammates
Support Moveset
- Thunder Wave
- Defog
- Hidden Power Ice
- Thunderbolt
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Hard to wall, honestly. Thundurus threatens 10 types beyond its own STAB, with Ghost and Dark standing out. Pair that with Thunder and Wildbolt Storm and switchins need to think twice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Thundurus's movepool balances level-up moves with TM options. Consistent STAB comes from Thunder and Wildbolt Storm, and coverage across 7 types keeps opponents from switching in for free. No major gaps here.
TMs define Thundurus's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Thunder and Fly, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 9 types. That's where the options open up.
Hard to wall, honestly. Thundurus threatens 11 types beyond its own STAB, with Ghost and Fighting standing out. Pair that with Thunder and Fly and switchins need to think twice.
Thundurus doesn't appear in Scarlet & Violet. Transfer it from White, Ultra Moon, or Legends: Arceus to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Thundurus is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also found in:
Thundurus waits at a fixed spot in this game. Head to Coastlands Camp for a one-time encounter. No random spawns or encounter rates involved — it's a set battle at a known location.
Best Locations to Catch Thundurus in Legends: Arceus
No wild encounters for Thundurus in Sword & Shield. It's available in White, Ultra Moon, or Legends: Arceus and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Thundurus is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Special encounter in:
Then trade to Sword & Shield.
Also found in:
You'll find Thundurus at Ultra Space Wilds as a set encounter. It's always there at that location, so come prepared for the battle. The location details below cover exact positioning.
Best Locations to Catch Thundurus in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Thundurus is a Legendary Pokemon rated A-Tier. At 580 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a sweeper. Base 125 Sp. Atk is where it shines.
Run Prankster on Thundurus. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Thundurus also gets Defiant, but they don't compare. With base 111 Speed, Prankster gives Thundurus an edge before opponents can react.
Thundurus fills the sweeper role. It's a special attacker with base 125 Sp. Atk. Base 111 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Best way to handle Thundurus: Priority moves (Mach Punch, Aqua Jet, Ice Shard) bypass its speed. Bulky walls that resist its STAB also shut it down.
Thundurus has appeared in 9 games since Black & White, spanning 6 generations. As a Legendary, it's typically a one-per-save encounter tied to the story or post-game content.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
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