Thundurus's Electric/Flying typing gives it an immunity to Ground. Only 2 weaknesses on top of that — it has plenty of safe switch-in opportunities. Prankster adds more value on top. It clears the crowded base-100 Speed benchmark. Known as the Bolt Strike Pokemon.
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.
Thundurus Weakness
ExcellentType-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.
No breeding, no evolution. Thundurus is a Electric/Flying legendary with 580 base stat total that you obtain once and build around.
How to Evolve
Nothing fancy here. Thundurus builds around Leftovers for passive recovery each turn, Calm nature for the right stat lean, and max HP and Sp. Def EVs. Prankster does its job quietly.
Best Build
Best Thundurus Moveset
- Taunt
- Eerie Impulse
- Sludge Bomb
- Foul Play
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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:
Thundurus is a Legendary Pokemon rated B-Tier on our tier list. At 580 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a sweeper. Base 125 Sp. Atk is where it shines.
Thundurus doesn't evolve. As a Legendary Pokemon, it stands on its own without an evolutionary line. It's a Electric/Flying type with 580 BST.
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.
Thundurus appears in 9 games, including Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, and X & Y.
Thundurus has appeared in 9 games since Black & White, spanning 5 generations. As a Legendary, it's typically a one-per-save encounter tied to the story or post-game content.
- 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 VBWDebut
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 VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A