Stats & Training
Grimmsnarl's spread isn't flashy. Attack leads, Speed trails, 3 stats clear the bar. Tough to catch and worth 3 Attack EVs, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
This Pokémon has complete control over its hair. Grimmsnarl normally keeps its hair wrapped around its body to support its muscles.
It lives deep within the forest. Even after evolving into this splendid form, it hasn’t given up on its petty misdeeds and pranks.
Grimmsnarl Weakness
Poison, Steel, and Fairy moves hit Grimmsnarl for super-effective damage. The upside? Psychic and Dragon-type moves can't touch it at all. With 95 HP and balanced defenses, Grimmsnarl can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Poison, Steel, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Ghost |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic, Dragon |
 Bisharp DarkSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grimmsnarl View Bisharp builds →Iron Head 2x93-109%KO Flash Cannon 2x46-55% Poison Jab 2x62-73% Metal Claw 2x58-69% | ||
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grimmsnarl View Lucario builds →Meteor Mash 2x93-109%KO Poison Jab 2x55-65% Flash Cannon 2x78-92% Metal Claw 2x52-62% | ||
 Tinkaton FairySteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grimmsnarl View Tinkaton builds →Play Rough 2x69-81% Flash Cannon 2x52-62% Metal Claw 2x39-46% Draining Kiss 2x33-39% | ||
 Skuntank PoisonDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grimmsnarl View Skuntank builds →Belch 2x78-92% Poison Jab 2x72-85% Venoshock 2x43-51% Poison Tail 2x46-55% | ||
 Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grimmsnarl View Toxicroak builds →Belch 2x90-106%KO Sludge Bomb 2x69-81% Poison Jab 2x81-95% Venoshock 2x49-58% | ||
In Scarlet & Violet, Hoopa's Focus Blast hits Grimmsnarl for 40-47%.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemAssault Vest NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Grimmsnarl View Cyclizar builds →Rapid Spin13-15% U Turn12-14% Knock Off3-3% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagician ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Grimmsnarl View Hoopa builds →Shadow Ball20-24% Focus Blast40-47% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityInfiltrator ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Grimmsnarl View Dragapult builds →U Turn15-18% Shadow Ball23-27% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Grimmsnarl View Sableye builds →Knock Off4-5% | ||
| C | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Grimmsnarl View Sableye builds →Knock Off4-5% | ||
Scarlet & Violet Evolution
Grimmsnarl is the final form in a three-stage chain from Impidimp through Morgrem. Breeding this form produces Impidimp eggs (average hatch time). Evolving from Impidimp gave Grimmsnarl the biggest boost in Attack (+75), bringing the total to 510 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Grimmsnarl to get Impidimp eggs using 50 partners from the Fairy and Humanshape egg groups. Notable egg moves include Parting Shot.
Scarlet & Violet Grimmsnarl Best Moveset
Start with HP-heavy investment EVs. Impish nature gives Grimmsnarl the right physical wall lean, Lightclay adds extra utility, and Prankster works in the background. Spiritbreak is the main damage option.
Best Build
Grimmsnarl best EVs are HP and Defense
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Spirit Break
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Spirit Break
- Parting Shot
- Sucker Punch
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Pivot Moveset
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Spirit Break
- Parting Shot
Recommended Teammates
Pivot Moveset
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Parting Shot
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Need something that threatens multiple types? Grimmsnarl's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Foul Play and Play Rough gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Grimmsnarl in Scarlet & Violet
You're catching Impidimp first, not Grimmsnarl. Impidimp appears at decent rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 3-stage chain with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Grimmsnarl in Scarlet & Violet
To get Grimmsnarl, start by catching Impidimp through walking encounters at Lv. 16-42. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch ImpidimpTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.16-36 Forest20%MidTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.16-36 Forest20%Mid
Step 2Catch or Evolve MorgremTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.32-42 Forest6%LateTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.32-42 Forest6%Lateor evolve from Impidimp (Step 1)
Step 3Grimmsnarl ✓
Grimmsnarl Guide
In Scarlet & Violet, Don't let Grimmsnarl's 510 base stat total fool you. Prankster is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier as a wallbreaker. Spiritbreak with Lightclay is the standard set.
In Scarlet & Violet, watch for Roserade (Poison), Ferrothorn (Steel), and Clefable (Fairy) when using Grimmsnarl. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.
In Scarlet & Violet, Run Prankster on Grimmsnarl. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Grimmsnarl also gets Frisk and Pickpocket, but they don't compare.
In Scarlet & Violet, Grimmsnarl fills the wallbreaker role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 120 Attack). At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
In Scarlet & Violet, run Spiritbreak, Reflect, Light Screen, and Thunder Wave on Grimmsnarl. Spiritbreak is the most common pick at 22% usage. This set covers the wallbreaker role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Grimmsnarl first appeared in Sword & Shield and spans 2 games across 3 generations. It later gained a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
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 5BW
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 8SwShDebutGigantamax
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