Stats & Training
Primeape's built around physical offense. Attack leads the charge, Defense pays for it. Moderately hard to find, worth 2 Attack EVs. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
If approached while asleep, it may awaken and angrily give chase in a groggy state of semi-sleep.
It becomes wildly furious if it even senses someone looking at it. It chases anyone that meets its glare.
Primeape Weakness
Flying and Psychic moves hit Primeape for super-effective damage. Its Fighting typing keeps the defensive matchups simple. Primeape leans offensive (base 105 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Flying, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug, Rock, Dark |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Scyther Bug | C | |
 Golbat Poison | D | |
 Chatot Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Chatot builds →Chatter 2x71-84% Peck 2x37-44% | ||
 Beautifly Bug | D | |
 Farfetch'd Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Farfetch'd builds →Aerial Ace 2x71-84% Air Cutter 2x47-56% Peck 2x44-52% | ||
Scyther Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Scyther builds →Wing Attack 2x81-97% Aerial Ace 2x81-97% | ||
 Yanma Bug | C | |
Golbat Poison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Golbat builds →Fly 2x93-110%KO Wing Attack 2x64-77% Air Cutter 2x48-57% Aerial Ace 2x64-77% | ||
Chatot Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Chatot builds →Fly 2x79-93% Chatter 2x68-80% Pluck 2x53-63% Aerial Ace 2x53-63% | ||
Beautifly Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Beautifly builds →Aerial Ace 2x59-70% Gust 2x44-53% | ||
Scyther Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Scyther builds →Wing Attack 2x80-95% Aerial Ace 2x80-95% | ||
Yanma Bug | C | |
Golbat Poison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Golbat builds →Fly 2x93-110%KO Wing Attack 2x62-74% Air Cutter 2x50-59% Aerial Ace 2x62-74% | ||
Chatot Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Chatot builds →Fly 2x80-95% Chatter 2x70-83% Pluck 2x55-65% Aerial Ace 2x55-65% | ||
Beautifly Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Beautifly builds →Aerial Ace 2x57-68% Gust 2x48-56% | ||
Scyther Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Scyther builds →Wing Attack 2x78-92% Aerial Ace 2x78-92% | ||
 Girafarig NormalPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Girafarig builds →Psybeam 2x64-77% Confusion 2x52-61% | ||
 Noctowl Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Noctowl builds →Sky Attack 2x98-116%KO Fly 2x64-77% Air Slash 2x72-86% Pluck 2x44-52% | ||
Golbat Poison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Golbat builds →Fly 2x91-107%KO Wing Attack 2x62-73% Air Cutter 2x46-55% Aerial Ace 2x62-73% | ||
Chatot Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Chatot builds →Fly 2x78-92% Chatter 2x67-80% Pluck 2x52-61% Aerial Ace 2x52-61% | ||
 Skarmory Steel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Skarmory builds →Fly 2x94-111%KO Air Slash 2x45-53% Air Cutter 2x35-42% Aerial Ace 2x62-74% | ||
Scyther Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Scyther builds →Wing Attack 2x80-95% Aerial Ace 2x80-95% | ||
Girafarig NormalPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Girafarig builds →Psychic 2x91-108%KO Psybeam 2x67-79% Confusion 2x51-61% | ||
Noctowl Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Noctowl builds →Sky Attack 2x103-121%KO Fly 2x67-79% Zen Headbutt 2x39-47% Air Slash 2x74-87% | ||
Golbat Poison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Golbat builds →Fly 2x94-111%KO Wing Attack 2x62-74% Air Cutter 2x49-58% Aerial Ace 2x62-74% | ||
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Dragonite can KO Primeape with Outrage (160-188%). Azelf threatens a KO with Explosion (121-143%). Alakazam's Psychic also KOs at 149-176%.
 Dragonite Dragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Dragonite builds →Extreme Speed71-84% Outrage160-188%KO | ||
 Azelf Psychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Azelf builds →Explosion121-143%KO U Turn17-20% | ||
 Alakazam Psychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySynchronize ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Primeape View Alakazam builds →Psychic 2x149-176%KO Focus Blast66-78% Shadow Ball44-52% | ||
 Salamence Dragon | C | |
Flying is super effective against PrimeapeView Salamence → | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution
Primeape is partway through a three-stage line between Mankey and Annihilape. The chain involves an evolution item, so it's not a straightforward grind. So far, HP got the biggest boost (+25 from Mankey). The final form adds another 80 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Primeape to get Mankey eggs easily using 131 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Beat Up, Close Combat, Counter and 7 more.
HeartGold & SoulSilver Primeape Best Moveset
The recommended build leans into Primeape's strengths as a physical attacker. Expert Belt provides a super-effective damage boost without item lock, and max Attack and Speed EVs back that up. Vitalspirit rounds out the package.
Best Build
Primeape best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch
- Rock Slide
- Thunder Punch
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Coverage runs deep. Primeape can hit 13 types beyond STAB, including Dark and Normal. The offense anchors on Focus Punch and Close Combat while TMs handle everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Primeape in HeartGold & SoulSilver
decent spawn rates across 3 locations for Primeape 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 Primeape in HeartGold & SoulSilver
The path to Primeape starts with Mankey at Lv. 13-39 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch MankeyRoute 9Grass Lv.13 RouteCommonEarlyRoute 42Grass Lv.15 RouteCommonEarly
Step 2Primeape ✓Route 9Grass Lv.15 RouteRareEarlyCerulean Cave - 1FGrass Lv.38-39 CaveUncommonLateMorning/dayCerulean Cave - 1FGrass Lv.39 CaveRareLateNightor evolve from Mankey (Step 1)
Primeape Guide
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Primeape isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Annihilape to unlock its full potential. At 455 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, watch for Aerodactyl (Flying) and Alakazam (Psychic) when using Primeape. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Mankey evolves into Primeape at level 28. Primeape evolves into Annihilape using a Rage Fist 20 Times. Primeape is a middle-stage evolution in the Mankey line.
Vital Spirit prevents sleep. That's the one you want on Primeape. Defiant is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Anger Point works too if your team needs something different.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Primeape fills the attacker role. It's a physical attacker with base 105 Attack. Base 95 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.
Game Availability
Primeape has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
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 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