Stats & Training
Ninjask's all-in on Speed at the expense of Defense. The physical lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 2 Speed EVs and follows a standard growth curve.
Its cry leaves a lasting headache if heard for too long. It moves so quickly that it is almost invisible.
This Pokémon is so quick, it is said to be able to avoid any attack. It loves to feed on tree sap.
Ninjask Weakness
Ninjask's Bug/Flying typing leaves it vulnerable to Rock, Fire, Electric, Ice, and Flying. Rock hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Ground-type attacks completely. At base 160 Speed, Ninjask outspeeds most threats and doesn't need to tank what it can outrun.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Rock |
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Electric, Ice, Flying |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
 Shuckle BugRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Shuckle builds →Rock Throw 4x58-70% Rollout 4x42-50% Rock Blast 4x33-40% | ||
 Roggenrola Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Roggenrola builds →Smack Down 4x135-160%KO Rock Blast 4x75-90% | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Onix builds →Rock Slide 4x143-170%KO Rock Throw 4x102-120%KO Smack Down 4x102-120%KO Rock Blast 4x58-70% | ||
 Dwebble BugRock | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Dwebble builds →Smack Down 4x118-140%KO Rock Blast 4x67-80% | ||
 Rolycoly Rock | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Rolycoly builds →Ancient Power 4x102-120%KO Smack Down 4x93-110%KO Rock Blast 4x50-60% | ||
Shuckle BugRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Shuckle builds →Rock Throw 4x50-60% Rollout 4x36-43% Rock Blast 4x29-34% | ||
Roggenrola Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Roggenrola builds →Smack Down 4x123-146%KO Rock Blast 4x64-77% | ||
Dwebble BugRock | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Dwebble builds →Rock Slide 4x160-189%KO Smack Down 4x109-129%KO Rock Blast 4x57-69% | ||
 Binacle RockWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Binacle builds →Ancient Power 4x94-111%KO Rock Blast 4x50-60% | ||
Rolycoly Rock | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Rolycoly builds →Ancient Power 4x94-111%KO Smack Down 4x87-103%KO Rock Blast 4x50-60% | ||
Shuckle BugRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Shuckle builds →Rock Throw 4x45-54% Rollout 4x32-38% Rock Blast 4x26-31% | ||
 Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Sudowoodo builds →Stone Edge 4x294-346%KO Rock Tomb 4x182-215%KO Rock Throw 4x150-177%KO Rock Blast 4x78-92% | ||
Roggenrola Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Roggenrola builds →Smack Down 4x123-146%KO Rock Blast 4x65-77% | ||
Dwebble BugRock | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Dwebble builds →Rock Slide 4x163-192%KO Smack Down 4x110-131%KO Rock Blast 4x58-69% | ||
Binacle RockWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Binacle builds →Ancient Power 4x91-108%KO Rock Blast 4x51-62% | ||
 Lunatone RockPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Lunatone builds →Stone Edge 4x191-226%KO Rock Slide 4x146-172%KO Rock Throw 4x101-119%KO Rock Blast 4x55-65% | ||
Shuckle BugRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Shuckle builds →Rock Throw 4x45-53% Rollout 4x30-36% Rock Blast 4x25-30% | ||
 Drednaw WaterRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Drednaw builds →Rock Tomb 4x207-244%KO Rock Blast 4x90-107%KO | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Sudowoodo builds →Stone Edge 4x303-356%KO Rock Slide 4x232-273%KO Rock Tomb 4x186-220%KO Rock Throw 4x156-184%KO | ||
 Carkol RockFire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Carkol builds →Ancient Power 4x116-137%KO Incinerate 2x57-68% Flame Charge 2x52-62% Smack Down 4x106-125%KO | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Lunatone builds →Stone Edge 4x197-232%KO Rock Slide 4x149-175%KO Acrobatics 2x37-43% Rock Throw 4x101-119%KO | ||
Shuckle BugRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Shuckle builds →Rock Throw 4x48-57% Rollout 4x28-34% Rock Blast 4x28-34% | ||
Drednaw WaterRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Drednaw builds →Rock Tomb 4x211-249%KO Rock Blast 4x91-108%KO | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Sudowoodo builds →Stone Edge 4x308-362%KO Rock Slide 4x230-272%KO Rock Tomb 4x187-221%KO Rock Throw 4x158-187%KO | ||
Carkol RockFire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Carkol builds →Ancient Power 4x120-142%KO Incinerate 2x59-71% Flame Charge 2x55-65% Smack Down 4x110-130%KO | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Lunatone builds →Stone Edge 4x189-222%KO Rock Slide 4x145-171%KO Acrobatics 2x36-43% Rock Throw 4x97-114%KO | ||
Shuckle BugRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Shuckle builds →Rock Slide 4x61-72% Rock Throw 4x44-52% Rollout 4x30-36% Rock Blast 4x26-31% | ||
 Crustle BugRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Crustle builds →Rock Slide 4x237-279%KO Smack Down 4x158-186%KO Rock Blast 4x83-98% | ||
Drednaw WaterRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Drednaw builds →Rock Tomb 4x202-238%KO Rock Blast 4x88-103%KO | ||
Carkol RockFire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Carkol builds →Ancient Power 4x114-134%KO Incinerate 2x57-67% Flame Charge 2x53-62% Smack Down 4x105-124%KO | ||
Shuckle BugRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Shuckle builds →Rock Slide 4x63-74% Rock Tomb 4x50-60% Rock Throw 4x42-50% Rollout 4x29-35% | ||
 Barbaracle RockWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Barbaracle builds →Rock Slide 4x236-278%KO Ancient Power 4x109-129%KO Rock Tomb 4x189-223%KO Icy Wind 2x33-40% | ||
Crustle BugRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Crustle builds →Rock Slide 4x236-278%KO Rock Tomb 4x189-223%KO Smack Down 4x160-188%KO Rock Blast 4x84-99% | ||
Drednaw WaterRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Drednaw builds →Rock Slide 4x253-298%KO Rock Tomb 4x202-238%KO Rock Blast 4x88-104%KO | ||
Carkol RockFire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Carkol builds →Rock Slide 4x151-179%KO Ancient Power 4x117-139%KO Incinerate 2x59-69% Rock Tomb 4x121-144%KO | ||
Shuckle BugRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Shuckle builds →Rock Slide 4x62-73% Rock Tomb 4x50-60% Rock Throw 4x43-50% Rollout 4x27-32% | ||
 Coalossal RockFire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Coalossal builds →Rock Slide 4x195-229%KO Ancient Power 4x147-174%KO Incinerate 2x73-87% Rock Tomb 4x156-183%KO | ||
Barbaracle RockWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Barbaracle builds →Rock Slide 4x241-284%KO Ancient Power 4x108-128%KO Rock Tomb 4x195-229%KO Icy Wind 2x34-40% | ||
Crustle BugRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Crustle builds →Rock Slide 4x241-284%KO Rock Tomb 4x195-229%KO Smack Down 4x163-192%KO Rock Blast 4x85-101%KO | ||
Drednaw WaterRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Drednaw builds →Rock Slide 4x260-307%KO Rock Tomb 4x210-247%KO Rock Blast 4x89-105%KO | ||
In Sword & Shield, Celesteela threatens a KO with Air Slash (156-184%). Weavile's Ice Shard also KOs at 88-104%.
 Heatran FireSteel | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
 Celesteela Steel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Celesteela builds →Flamethrower 2x125-147%KO Air Slash 2x156-184%KO | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Weavile builds →Knock Off71-84% Ice Shard 2x88-104%KO | ||
 Zeraora Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemAir Balloon NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Zeraora builds →Drain Punch13-15% | ||
 Nihilego RockPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Ninjask View Nihilego builds →Power Gem 4x324-381%KO | ||
Sword & Shield Evolution
Out of 2 evolutions from Nincada, Ninjask comes from the level-up path. The method you use determines which form you end up with. Breed through Nincada to get eggs. Stat-wise, Ninjask comes out 220 points ahead of Shedinja, mostly thanks to a bigger Speed gain. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Ninjask to get Nincada eggs easily using 47 partners from the Bug egg group. Notable egg moves include Bug Bite, Final Gambit, Flail and 2 more.
Sword & Shield Ninjask Best Moveset
You commit to a move every time Ninjask comes in. Choice Band gives raw power at the cost of move flexibility, and Infiltrator adds to that. Max Attack and Speed EVs make sure the locked move actually hurts. The remaining moves covers the rest.
Best Build
Ninjask best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- U Turn
- Leech Life
- Dual Wingbeat
- Night Slash
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Baton Pass
- Protect
- Swords Dance
- Dual Wingbeat
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Swords Dance
- Protect
- Leech Life
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Moves
You'll want to breed for Bug Bite and Final Gambit on Ninjask. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Bug Buzz and X-Scissor, they expand what Ninjask can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Ninjask in Sword & Shield
high spawn rates for Ninjask across 8 locations in mid-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Ninjask in Sword & Shield
The path to Ninjask starts with Nincada at Lv. 7-30 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch NincadaSouth Lake MilochShieldGrass Lv.11-13 Water40%EarlySandstormSouth Lake MilochSwordGrass Lv.11-13 Water40%EarlySandstormWest Lake AxewellSwordGrass Lv.7-11 Cave30%EarlySandstormWest Lake AxewellShieldGrass Lv.7-11 Cave30%EarlySandstormSouth Lake MilochShieldGrass Lv.11-13 Water10%EarlyIntense SunSouth Lake MilochSwordGrass Lv.11-13 Water10%EarlyIntense SunRoute 5SwordGrass Lv.16-18 Route5%MidAll WeatherRoute 5ShieldGrass Lv.16-18 Route5%MidAll Weather
Step 2Ninjask ✓Stony WildernessShieldOverworld Lv.28-3035%MidRainingStony WildernessSwordOverworld Lv.28-3035%MidRainingStony Wilderness - 2ShieldOverworld Lv.28-3035%MidNormal WeatherStony Wilderness - 2SwordOverworld Lv.28-3035%MidNormal WeatherStony WildernessShieldOverworld Lv.28-3030%MidNormal WeatherStony WildernessSwordOverworld Lv.28-3030%MidNormal WeatherStony Wilderness - 2ShieldOverworld Lv.28-3015%MidRainingStony Wilderness - 2SwordOverworld Lv.28-3015%MidRainingor evolve from Nincada (Step 1)
Ninjask Guide
In Sword & Shield, Don't let Ninjask's 456 base stat total fool you. Speed Boost is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier as a pivot. U Turn with Choice Band is the standard set.
In Sword & Shield, watch for Golem (Rock), Charizard (Fire), and Raikou (Electric) when using Ninjask. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. 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. Ninjask's base 160 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
In Sword & Shield, Run Speed Boost on Ninjask. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Ninjask also gets Infiltrator, but they don't compare.
In Sword & Shield, Ninjask fills the pivot role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 90 Attack). Base 160 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's fragile, can't afford to take many hits.
In Sword & Shield, run U Turn, Leechlife, Dualwingbeat, and Nightslash on Ninjask. U Turn is the most common pick at 22% usage. This set covers the pivot role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Ninjask first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 14 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
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 8SwSh
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