Yanmega Best Moveset
AbilitySpeed Boost raises Speed every turn, and AbilityTinted Lens doubles resisted damage for complete coverage. Held ItemThroat Spray boosts Sp. Atk after using a sound move, and NatureModest at 116 Sp. Atk pushes Bug and Flying TermStab hard. The moveset gains Speed automatically and hits through resistances. B-Tier because both abilities transform how the moveset functions.
Bug/Flying with Tinted Lens in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Resisted moves dealt neutral damage. Good coverage but stuck between tiers from the start. Too strong below, too weak above.
Best Moves
Best Build
Yanmega best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Air Slash
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power Ground
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Speed Boost gave free +1 Speed each turn in Gen V (Black & White). Protect once, outspeed the format, sweep. Settled into a stable role below the top.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Bug Buzz
- Air Slash
- Giga Drain
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Between tiers again in Gen VI (X & Y). Too strong for the level below but Stealth Rock chipped 25% on every switch. Bug/Flying hated hazards.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Air Slash
- Bug Buzz
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power Ice
Recommended Teammates
Speed Boost was powerful enough to dominate lower formats in Gen VII (Sun & Moon) but not enough to survive the top tier's power level. Three gens of the same pattern.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Air Slash
- Bug Buzz
- Ancient Power
- Psychic
Recommended Teammates
Returned in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet) and landed between tiers again. Speed Boost was always one tier too strong and one tier too weak. The ultimate tweener.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Bug Buzz
- Air Slash
- Protect
- Giga Drain
Recommended Teammates
Yanmega Weakness
Rock, Fire, Electric, Ice, and Flying moves hit Yanmega 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. Yanmega's physical bulk (base 86 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| 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 Yanmega Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Yanmega
Lokix's Knock Off hits Yanmega for 36-42%.
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilityProtosynthesis ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Yanmega View Great Tusk builds →Rapid Spin20-24% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityTintedlens ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Yanmega View Lokix builds →U Turn19-23% Knock Off36-42% | ||
Recommended Build AbilityMagician ItemAssault Vest NatureQuiet Moves View Hoopa-Unbound builds →
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Recommended Build AbilitySharpness ItemAssault Vest NatureJolly Moves View Samurott-Hisui builds →
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Recommended Build AbilityNeutralizinggas ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves View Weezing-Galar builds →
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Evolution
Getting Yanmega requires knowing a specific move, not just grinding levels. The chain starts at Yanma. Breed this form to get Yanma eggs (average hatch time). Defense grew the most through evolution (+41 over Yanma), and Yanmega peaks at 515 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Yanmega to get Yanma eggs easily using 91 partners from the Bug egg group.
How to Get Yanmega
Can't catch Yanmega directly. Start with Yanma at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve through a special method. The 2-stage line from Yanma to Yanmega is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Yanmega in SV
Yanma is your first catch on the way to Yanmega. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 7-60 across 18 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch YanmaCrystal 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 2Yanmega ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Yanmega egg.
decent spawn rates across 2 locations for Yanmega in early-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 Yanmega in PLA
The path to Yanmega starts with Yanma at Lv. 11-38 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch YanmaGapejaw BogLv.21-24GrassRate 15%Droning MeadowLv.22-24GrassRate 15%Ursa's RingLv.22-24GrassRate 15%Heavenward LookoutLv.35-38GrassRate 15%
Step 2Yanmega ✓Droning MeadowLv.11-36GrassRate 15%Heavenward LookoutLv.35-38GrassRate 15%or evolve from Yanma (Step 1)
Yanmega can't be caught in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Transfer Yanma from Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Scarlet & Violet and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Yanmega in BDSP
Step 1Obtain YanmaCARTRIDGE 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 2Yanmega ✓
You'll find Yanmega 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.
How to Obtain Yanmega in USUM
Step 1Obtain Yanma- Step 2Yanmega ✓Ultra Space Wilds - CliffLv.60Interact with Pokemonor evolve from Yanma (Step 1)
Base Stats
The stat budget goes to damage. Sp. Atk and Speed carry the offense, Sp. Def doesn't even come close. An Ogre Darner Pokemon on a medium-fast 1M XP curve, worth 2 Attack EVs per KO.
Extremely violent. When hunting, it wastes none of its energy, aiming only for prey’s most vulnerable spots. Any who manage to tame this Pokémon must be of incredible bravery.
Yanmega Guide
Speed Boost changes the entire equation for Yanmega. The 515 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a wallbreaker.
Watch for Aerodactyl (Rock), Arcanine (Fire), and Manectric (Electric) when using Yanmega. 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 Yanmega. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Tinted Lens, Frisk) work on paper but Speed Boost is what makes Yanmega worth using.
Base 95 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Yanmega is a special attacker with base 116 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a wallbreaker.
Run Bugbuzz, Air Slash, Protect, and Giga Drain on Yanmega. Bugbuzz is the most common pick at 0% usage. This set covers the wallbreaker role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Available in 12 titles since its debut in Diamond & Pearl, Yanmega spans 7 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in a solid number of games.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DPDebut
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