Stats & Training
The stat budget goes to damage. Attack and Sp. Atk carry the offense, Defense doesn't even come close. A Dragon Pokemon on a slow 1.25M XP grind, worth 3 Attack EVs per KO.
As a result of its long-held dream of flying, its cellular structure changed, and wings grew out.
As a result of its long-held dream of flying, its cellular structure changed, and wings grew out.
Salamence Weakness
Ice, Rock, and Dragon moves hit Salamence for super-effective damage. Ice hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. The upside? Ground-type moves can't touch it at all. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. With 95 HP and balanced defenses, Salamence can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Ice |
| 2x (Weak) | Rock, Dragon |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Fighting, Bug |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Ninetales Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Ninetales builds →Fire Blast24-28% Flamethrower20-23% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRaindish ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Tentacruel builds →Rapid Spin9-11% Scald13-15% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Bounce ItemRocky Helmet NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Xatu builds →U Turn7-8% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Celebi builds →Psychic36-42% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Salamence View Infernape builds →Close Combat39-47% Overheat31-36% Mach Punch13-16% | ||
Black & White Evolution
End of the line. Salamence caps a three-stage chain that started at Bagon. Breeding produces the base form, and eggs are takes forever to hatch. Sp.Atk grew the most through evolution (+70 over Bagon), and Salamence peaks at 600 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Salamence to get Bagon eggs using 39 partners from the Dragon egg group. Notable egg moves include Defense Curl, Dragon Dance, Dragon Pulse and 7 more.
Black & White Salamence Best Moveset
The game plan is straightforward: click Dragon Dance, then sweep. Choice Scarf and Moxie support the setup turn. EVs go into max Attack and Speed so Salamence hits hard once it's boosted.
Best Build
Salamence best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Dragon Claw
- Dragon Dance
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Need something that threatens multiple types? Salamence's movepool delivers. Coverage across 12 types plus STAB from Draco Meteor and Dragon Rush gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Salamence in Black & White
Salamence doesn't appear wild. Catch Bagon instead, it shows up at decent rates. Evolve it at level 50 to get Salamence. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
Salamence Guide
In Black & White, Intimidate changes the entire equation for Salamence. The 600 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a sweeper. Earthquake with Choice Scarf is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Black & White, but Salamence does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Salamence hits 700 BST.
In Black & White, watch for Cloyster (Ice), Aerodactyl (Rock), and Dragonite (Dragon) when using Salamence. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Cloyster is the most dangerous since Ice moves deal 4x damage.
Intimidate is what you want on Salamence. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Moxie) work on paper but Intimidate is what makes Salamence worth using. With base 100 Speed, Intimidate gives Salamence an edge before opponents can react.
Base 100 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Salamence is a physical attacker with base 135 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Salamence has appeared in 16 titles over 8 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
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 6ORASMega
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