Yanma Best Moveset
Bug/Flying at 75 Sp. Atk and 95 Speed with AbilitySpeed Boost raising Speed one stage every turn. The moveset gains Speed automatically but the Sp. Atk can't capitalize. Evolve to Yanmega for 116 Sp. Atk and the Speed Boost engine that snowballs through weaker teams.
Bug/Flying pre-evolution in Gen II (Gold & Silver). 75 Sp. Atk and 95 Speed. Before Speed Boost existed as an ability.
Utility Moveset
- Giga Drain
- Wing Attack
- Whirlwind
- Reversal
Recommended Teammates
Speed Boost raised Speed each turn in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). On a pre-evolution with 95 base Speed already. Compoundeyes boosted move accuracy alternatively.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Reversal
- Hypnosis
- Substitute
- Hidden Power Flying
Recommended Teammates
Peaked in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Speed Boost Yanma outsped the entire metagame after one turn. 76 Sp. Atk with Tinted Lens removed resistances. The pre-evolution with a real toolkit.
Best Moves
Best Build
Yanma best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Hypnosis
- U Turn
- Air Slash
- Hidden Power Ice
Recommended Teammates
Yanma saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). This was a decline from C-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Speed Boost with Focus Sash, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Detect
- Air Slash
- Silver Wind
- Supersonic
Recommended Teammates
Yanma saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Yanma maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Speed Boost with Eviolite, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Air Slash
- Signal Beam
- Ancient Power
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Yanma saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Yanma maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Speed Boost with Life Orb, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Bug Buzz
- Air Slash
- Protect
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Yanma saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Yanma maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Speed Boost with Eviolite, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Protect
- Bug Buzz
- Air Slash
- Ancient Power
Recommended Teammates
Yanma Weakness
Rock, Fire, Electric, Ice, and Flying moves hit Yanma for super-effective damage. Rock hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. The upside? Ground-type moves can't touch it at all.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Rock |
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Electric, Ice, Flying |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
What is Yanma Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Yanma
Rhyperior can KO Yanma with Stone Edge (350-412%). Raikou's Thunderbolt also KOs at 186-219%.
 Rhyperior GroundRock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemAssault Vest NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Yanma View Rhyperior builds →Stone Edge 4x350-412%KO | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureModest Moves View Volcarona builds →
| ||
 Raikou Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Yanma View Raikou builds →Scald55-65% Thunderbolt 2x186-219%KO Volt Switch 2x145-170%KO | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Yanma View Weavile builds →Knock Off46-55% Ice Shard 2x58-69% | ||
 Staraptor Normal | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityReckless ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Yanma View Staraptor builds →Close Combat14-17% U Turn17-20% Double Edge86-101%KO | ||
Evolution
Yanma doesn't evolve by leveling. You'll need knowing a specific move to push it forward to Yanmega. The evolved forms gain up to 125 total stats over Yanma. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Yanma easily with 91 breeding partners from the Bug egg group.
How to Get Yanma
Yanma appears at moderate rates across 18 spots in early-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Yanma in SV
Yanma is your first catch on the way to Yanma. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 7-60 across 18 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Yanma ✓Crystal PoolLv.7-60OverworldDayInfernal PassLv.7-60OverworldDayKitakami RoadLv.7-60OverworldDayKitakami WildsLv.7-60OverworldDayMossfell ConfluenceLv.7-60OverworldDayOni MountainLv.7-60OverworldDayParadise BarrensLv.7-60OverworldDayTimeless WoodsLv.7-60OverworldDayWistful FieldsLv.7-60OverworldDay
Step 2Evolve into YanmegaBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Yanmega egg.
decent spawn rates across 4 locations for Yanma in mid-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 Yanma in PLA
The path to Yanma starts with Yanma at Lv. 11-38 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Yanma ✓Gapejaw BogLv.21-24GrassRate 15%Droning MeadowLv.22-24GrassRate 15%Ursa's RingLv.22-24GrassRate 15%Heavenward LookoutLv.35-38GrassRate 15%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into YanmegaDroning MeadowLv.11-36GrassRate 15%Heavenward LookoutLv.35-38GrassRate 15%or evolve from Yanma (Step 1)
No wild encounters for Yanma in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Bring Yanma over from Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Scarlet & Violet, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Yanma in BDSP
Step 1Yanma ✓CARTRIDGE TRADEfrom Legends: ArceusAvailableCatch in Legends: Arceus via Walking · Heavenward Lookout, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Route 35. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Walking · Route 35. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Ruin Valley. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Great Marsh · Post-National Dex. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Walking · Great Marsh. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Walking · Route 35. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Yanmega
Yanma doesn't appear wild. Catch Yanma instead, it shows up in the wild. Evolve it through a special method to get Yanma. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Yanma in USUM
- Step 1Yanma ✓
Step 2Catch or Evolve into YanmegaUltra Space Wilds - CliffLv.60Interact with Pokemonor evolve from Yanma (Step 1)
Base Stats
The stat budget goes to damage. Speed and Sp. Atk carry the offense, Defense doesn't even come close. A Clear Wing Pokemon on a medium-fast 1M XP curve, worth 1 Speed EV per KO.
Its eyes can see 360 degrees without the Pokémon moving its head. It won’t miss prey— even those behind it.
Yanma Guide
Yanma is meant to evolve into Yanmega. At 390 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Watch for Aerodactyl (Rock), Arcanine (Fire), and Jolteon (Electric) when using Yanma. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Aerodactyl 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.
Speed Boost is what you want on Yanma. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Compound Eyes, Frisk) work on paper but Speed Boost is what makes Yanma worth using.
Base 95 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Yanma is a mixed attacker with base 65 Attack and 75 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Fragile, can't afford to take many hits. Best used as a pivot.
You can run Yanma through the first few routes without issues. 390 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Yanmega as fast as you can.
Game Availability
Available in 17 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Yanma spans 9 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through catching or hatching as a base form in most mainline games.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves