Stats & Training
Everything pushes toward physical damage here. Zangoose's Attack does the work, Defense pays the price. But you're still getting 2 Attack EVs per KO. Moderately hard to find, on a standard growth curve.
Memories of battling its arch-rival SEVIPER are etched into every cell of ZANGOOSE’s body. This POKéMON adroitly dodges attacks with incredible agility.
ZANGOOSE usually stays on all fours, but when angered, it gets up on its hind legs and extends its claws. This POKéMON shares a bitter rivalry with SEVIPER that dates back over generations.
Zangoose Weakness
Zangoose's Normal typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting. It shrugs off Ghost-type attacks completely. Zangoose leans offensive (base 115 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ghost |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
 Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x208-245%KO Brick Break 2x105-124%KO Rock Smash 2x57-67% | ||
 Hariyama Fighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Hariyama builds →Focus Punch 2x201-237%KO Brick Break 2x101-120%KO Vital Throw 2x95-111%KO Rock Smash 2x55-65% | ||
 Blaziken FireFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Torchic (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Blaziken builds →Focus Punch 2x201-237%KO Sky Uppercut 2x115-136%KO Brick Break 2x101-120%KO Rock Smash 2x55-65% | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Breloom builds →Focus Punch 2x215-253%KO Dynamic Punch 2x145-170%KO Sky Uppercut 2x124-146%KO Brick Break 2x108-128%KO | ||
 Medicham FightingPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Medicham builds →Focus Punch 2x117-138%KO High Jump Kick 2x101-120%KO Brick Break 2x60-71% Rock Smash 2x32-39% | ||
 Makuhita Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Makuhita builds →Vital Throw 2x56-68% Arm Thrust 2x16-19% | ||
Makuhita Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Makuhita builds →Vital Throw 2x59-70% Arm Thrust 2x16-21% | ||
 Machop Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Machop builds →Focus Punch 2x141-167%KO Revenge 2x59-70% Karate Chop 2x50-60% Rock Smash 2x42-50% | ||
Makuhita Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Makuhita builds →Focus Punch 2x116-137%KO Vital Throw 2x57-67% Rock Smash 2x33-40% Arm Thrust 2x13-17% | ||
Machop Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Machop builds →Focus Punch 2x144-171%KO Vital Throw 2x69-82% Revenge 2x61-73% Karate Chop 2x51-60% | ||
Makuhita Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Makuhita builds →Focus Punch 2x118-139%KO Vital Throw 2x56-66% Rock Smash 2x35-41% Arm Thrust 2x16-19% | ||
Machop Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Machop builds →Focus Punch 2x146-172%KO Vital Throw 2x70-83% Revenge 2x60-71% Karate Chop 2x50-59% | ||
Makuhita Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Makuhita builds →Focus Punch 2x118-140%KO Vital Throw 2x57-68% Rock Smash 2x35-42% Arm Thrust 2x15-18% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x210-248%KO Brick Break 2x106-125%KO Rock Smash 2x57-68% | ||
Machop Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Machop builds →Focus Punch 2x146-173%KO Cross Chop 2x98-115%KO Submission 2x78-93% Vital Throw 2x70-83% | ||
 Meditite FightingPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Meditite builds →Focus Punch 2x89-105%KO High Jump Kick 2x78-93% Rock Smash 2x25-30% | ||
Makuhita Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Makuhita builds →Focus Punch 2x118-140%KO Vital Throw 2x57-68% Rock Smash 2x33-40% Arm Thrust 2x14-18% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x207-244%KO Brick Break 2x105-123%KO Rock Smash 2x57-67% | ||
Machop Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Machop builds →Focus Punch 2x144-170%KO Cross Chop 2x96-114%KO Submission 2x79-93% Brick Break 2x73-86% | ||
Meditite FightingPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Meditite builds →Focus Punch 2x87-102%KO High Jump Kick 2x77-91% Brick Break 2x45-53% Rock Smash 2x26-30% | ||
Makuhita Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Makuhita builds →Focus Punch 2x116-137%KO Brick Break 2x59-70% Vital Throw 2x55-65% Rock Smash 2x33-40% | ||
In Ruby & Sapphire, Heracross can KO Zangoose with Megahorn (101-118%).
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySwarm ItemSalacberry NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Heracross builds →Megahorn101-118%KO Rock Slide42-49% | ||
Ruby & Sapphire Evolution
Zangoose doesn't evolve, so breeding's where the action is. You'll find a massive partner pool across one egg group, and eggs are average hatch time. It's got 6 egg moves worth looking into. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Zangoose easily with 102 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Counter, Curse, Double Kick and 3 more to offspring.
Ruby & Sapphire Zangoose Best Moveset
Leftovers buys the setup turn. Zangoose clicks Swords Dance, then starts cleaning with Shadow Ball and the remaining moves. Adamant nature with max Attack and Speed EVs makes sure nothing tanks a boosted hit comfortably.
Best Build
Zangoose best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Swords Dance
- Quick Attack
- Brick Break
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Zangoose won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 12 types means it always has an effective option. Strength and Razor Wind anchor the STAB core.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Ruby & Sapphire Zangoose Locations
Zangoose starts showing up in early-game routes at decent spawn rates across 1 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Best Locations to Catch Zangoose in Ruby & Sapphire
Zangoose Guide
In Ruby & Sapphire, Zangoose works as a cannon with 458 BST behind it. C-Tier on our list: a niche pick in Ruby & Sapphire's meta. Shadow Ball with Leftovers is the standard set.
In Ruby & Sapphire, watch for Blaziken (Fighting) when using Zangoose. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Immunity prevents poison. That's the one you want on Zangoose. Toxic Boost is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Zangoose is a physical attacker with base 115 Attack. Speed tells the real story. Base 90 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the cannon role.
For Ruby & Sapphire, Zangoose has answers, but so do you. Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Fighting-type attackers hit hardest.
Game Availability
Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Zangoose appears in 15 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through wild encounters.
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