Slow is good when Trick Room is up, and Vespiquen is about as slow as they come. Bug/Flying typing gives it a defined role on the team. Ground moves can't touch it, which offsets the 5 weaknesses somewhat. Part of the Gen 4 roster.
Vespiquen's built to absorb hits, not race for knockouts. Balanced defenses with Defense doing the heavy lifting. And the 1.06M XP medium-slow curve means it won't take forever to bring up, worth 2 Defense and Sp. Def EVs.
It skillfully commands its grubs in battles with its enemies. The grubs are willing to risk their lives to defend Vespiquen.
Vespiquen that give off more pheromones have larger swarms of Combee attendants.
Vespiquen Weakness
VulnerableVespiquen is weak to Rock, Fire, Electric, Ice, and Flying-type moves. Watch out for Rock attacks, those deal 4x damage. On the flip side, it's immune to Ground-type moves entirely.
Vespiquen is what Combee becomes. Breed it for Combee eggs (quick to hatch). A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. The evolution from Combee pushed Vespiquen to 474 total stats. Defense saw the largest single gain at +60.
How to Evolve
This is a pure walling set. Buginiumz provides extra utility so Vespiquen sticks around, and the Careful nature reinforces special wall. The moveset handles sustain while Pressure does work passively.
Best Build
Best Vespiquen Moveset
- Attack Order
- Heal Order
- Toxic
- Aromatherapy
Recommended Teammates
The level-up pool tells the story here. Vespiquen learns Attack Order and Bug Buzz naturally, plus enough variety that TMs feel like bonuses. Poison and Normal coverage and more extends the reach beyond that.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Vespiquen doesn't appear wild. Catch Combee instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it at level 21 to get Vespiquen. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Vespiquen in Sword & Shield
The path to Vespiquen starts with Combee at Lv. 7-48 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch CombeeEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1060%EarlyNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1060%EarlyNormal WeatherEASYRolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlyNormal WeatherEASYRolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlyNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterSnowstormEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandSwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterThunderstormEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandSwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterIntense SunEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterThunderstormEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandSwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterSnowingEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterIntense SunEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandSwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterSandstormEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterSnowingEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandSwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterRainingEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterSandstormEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandSwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterHeavy FogEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterRainingEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandSwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterOvercastEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterHeavy FogEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandSwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterOvercastEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandSwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterSnowstormEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandShieldGrassLv.43-4830%LateWaterAll WeatherEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandSwordGrassLv.43-4830%LateWaterAll Weather
Step 2Vespiquen ✓
Vespiquen works as a trick room with 474 BST behind it. C-Tier on our list — a situational pick that fills a niche. That 102 base Defense does the heavy lifting.
Vespiquen's biggest threats include Golem (Rock), Charizard (Fire), and Raikou (Electric), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Golem is the most dangerous since Rock moves deal 4x damage. Ice and Flying-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. At base 40 Speed, Vespiquen won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Combee evolves into Vespiquen at level 21. Vespiquen is the fully evolved form. It sits at 474 BST in its evolved form.
Pressure is the go-to ability for Vespiquen. It increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one. Its hidden ability Unnerve can work in specific setups.
Vespiquen is leaning toward the physical side (base 80 Attack). Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 40 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. Fits the trick room role.
Vespiquen appears in 13 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.
Debuting in Diamond & Pearl, Vespiquen appears in 13 games across 6 generations. A reliable presence in a solid number of games, typically found through wild encounters.
- 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 IVDPDebut

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 VIIISwSh

Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV

Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A