Physical
Attacker
45Speed · Slow

Is Machoke Good in Diamond & Pearl Playthrough?

Machoke with AbilityNo Guard means every attack lands, including the opponent's. Handles Byron and Candice well. Even without evolving into Machamp, Machoke holds its own through the late game.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSGGGEGGGEGGEGRoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2MachopCatchMachokeCatchableMayleneGym 3Crasher WakeGym 4FantinaGym 5ByronGym 6MachampEvolveCandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4CynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Strong

Machop resists most of Roark's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowStealth Rock
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowScreechStealth Rock
Easy KO
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Good

Machop has the type edge here and should clean up Gardenia's team.

Easy KO
Cherubi
Lv 19
Grass
Chlorophyll
Grass KnotLeech SeedSafeguardGrowth
You Win
Turtwig
Lv 19
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafWithdrawReflect
Risky
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Maylene
Gym 3
Good

Machoke has the type edge here and should clean up Maylene's team.

Even
Meditite
Lv 27
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionDetectMeditate
You Win
Machoke
Lv 27
Fighting
Guts
Brick BreakLeerForesightRock Tomb
Easy KO
Lucario
Lv 30
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchMetal ClawBone RushForce Palm
Crasher Wake
Gym 4
Good

Machoke has the type edge here and should clean up Crasher Wake's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 27
WaterFlying
Intimidate
BrineBiteDragon RageSwagger
You Win
Quagsire
Lv 27
WaterGround
Damp
SlamMud BombMud SportTail Whip
You Win
Floatzel
Lv 30
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangPursuitSwift
Fantina
Gym 5
Even

Machoke trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.

Even
Drifblim
Lv 32
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Ominous WindGustAstonishMinimize
Even
Gengar
Lv 34
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow ClawPoison JabConfuse RaySpite
Risky
Mismagius
Lv 36
Ghost
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Byron
Gym 6
Good

Machoke has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.

You Win
Bronzor
Lv 36
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Flash CannonExtrasensoryConfuse RayHypnosis
Easy KO
Steelix
Lv 36
SteelGround
Rock Head
Gyro BallDragonbreathIce FangSandstorm
Easy KO
Bastiodon
Lv 39
RockSteel
Sturdy
Flash CannonAncientpowerIron DefenseRest
Candice
Gym 7
Good

Machamp has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.

Easy KO
Snover
Lv 38
GrassIce
Snow Warning
Razor LeafAvalancheIngrainLeer
Easy KO
Sneasel
Lv 38
DarkIce
Inner Focus
Feint AttackSlashTauntAvalanche
Even
Medicham
Lv 40
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Force PalmBulk UpDetectIce Punch
You Win
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
Wood HammerSwaggerGrasswhistleAvalanche
Volkner
Gym 8
Good

Machamp has the type edge here and should clean up Volkner's team.

You Win
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamBrick BreakLight ScreenThunder Wave
Easy KO
Ambipom
Lv 47
Normal
Technician
Shock WaveNasty PlotAgilityBaton Pass
You Win
Octillery
Lv 47
Water
Suction Cups
Charge BeamOctazookaAurora BeamBullet Seed
You Win
Luxray
Lv 49
Electric
Rivalry
Charge BeamThunder WaveThunder FangCrunch
Aaron
Elite Four
Even

Machamp trades roughly evenly with Aaron's team.

Even
Dustox
Lv 53
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ToxicBug BuzzDouble TeamLight Screen
You Win
Beautifly
Lv 53
BugFlying
Swarm
Energy BallBug BuzzPsychicShadow Ball
Risky
Heracross
Lv 54
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
You Win
Vespiquen
Lv 54
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
Even
Drapion
Lv 57
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Good

Machamp has the type edge here and should clean up Bertha's team.

You Win
Quagsire
Lv 55
WaterGround
Damp
DigDouble TeamProtectSandstorm
You Win
Whiscash
Lv 55
WaterGround
Oblivious
FissureAqua TailZen HeadbuttRock Slide
Easy KO
Golem
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeGyro BallBrick BreakSandstorm
Easy KO
Sudowoodo
Lv 56
Rock
Sturdy
EarthquakeSucker PunchHammer ArmSandstorm
You Win
Hippowdon
Lv 59
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchCurse
Flint
Elite Four
Good

Machamp has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.

You Win
Rapidash
Lv 58
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolarbeamBounceSunny Day
Easy KO
Steelix
Lv 57
SteelGround
Rock Head
Fire FangRock TombScreechSunny Day
Easy KO
Lopunny
Lv 57
Normal
Cute Charm
Fire PunchCharmMirror CoatSunny Day
Even
Drifblim
Lv 58
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Will O WispOminous WindDouble TeamBaton Pass
You Win
Infernape
Lv 61
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunderpunchMach PunchEarthquake
Lucian
Elite Four
Even

Machamp trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.

Even
Mr Mime
Lv 59
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
You Win
Girafarig
Lv 59
NormalPsychic
Inner Focus
PsychicShadow BallDouble HitCrunch
Even
Medicham
Lv 60
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchFire PunchThunderpunchIce Punch
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 60
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Even
Bronzong
Lv 63
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
Cynthia
Champion
Good

Machamp has the type edge here and should clean up Cynthia's team.

Risky
Spiritomb
Lv 61
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindEmbargo
You Win
Gastrodon
Lv 60
WaterGround
Sticky Hold
Muddy WaterEarthquakeStone EdgeSludge Bomb
Risky
Roserade
Lv 60
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombShadow BallExtrasensory
You Win
Milotic
Lv 63
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatAqua Ring
You Win
Lucario
Lv 63
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereDragon PulsePsychicEarthquake
You Win
Garchomp
Lv 66
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeBrick BreakGiga Impact
Catchable
Available after Badge 2
Type
Fighting
Tier
C

Catch Machoke on Mt. Coronet (walking, Lv 37, uncommon).

View Machoke locations

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 37)
    • LV 37FightingSubmission12080%20
    • LV 37FightingVital Throw105100%10
    • LV 37FightingWake-Up Slap105100%10
  • After Roark
    • TM01FightingFocus Punch225100%20
    • TM31FightingBrick Break113100%15
  • After Gardenia
    • TM52FightingFocus Blast18070%5
    • TM26GroundEarthquake100100%10
    • LV 40FightingCross Chop15080%5
Catch Machop
Available after Badge 2
Type
Fighting
Tier
E

Catch Machop on Route 207 (walking, Lv 5-7, common).

View Machop locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Roark
    • TM01FightingFocus Punch225100%20
    • TM31FightingBrick Break113100%15
  • After Gardenia
    • TM52FightingFocus Blast18070%5
    • TM26GroundEarthquake100100%10
    • LV 25FightingVital Throw105100%10
    • LV 31FightingSubmission12080%20
    • LV 34FightingWake-Up Slap105100%10
    • LV 37FightingCross Chop15080%5
Evolve Machoke to Machamp
Trade Trade
Type
Fighting
Tier
S

Most players are ready to trade before reaching Candice.

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 39)
    • LV 39FightingVital Throw105100%10
    • LV 39FightingWake-Up Slap105100%10
  • After Roark
    • TM01FightingFocus Punch225100%20
    • TM31FightingBrick Break113100%15
  • After Gardenia
    • TM52FightingFocus Blast18070%5
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
  • After Crasher Wake
    • TM68NormalGiga Impact15090%5
    • LV 40FightingCross Chop15080%5

How to Get Machoke in Diamond & Pearl

The chain to Machoke requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Machop at decent rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.

Where To Catch Machoke in DP

To get Machoke, start by catching Machop through walking encounters at Lv. 5-58. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Machop
    Step 1Catch Machop
    Mt. Coronet - Route 207 Entrance
    Lv.15-16Cave
    Rate 25%
    Route 207
    Lv.5-7Grass
    Rate 10%
    Mt. Coronet - Route 211 Entrance
    Lv.13Cave
    Rate 10%
    Morning
    Mt. Coronet - Route 211 Entrance
    Lv.13Cave
    Rate 10%
    Route 208
    Lv.16-17Grass
    Rate 20%
    Day
    Route 208
    Lv.16-17Grass
    Rate 20%
    Morning
    Route 210 - North
    Lv.25-26Grass
    Rate 20%
    Day
    Route 210 - North
    Lv.25-26Grass
    Rate 20%
    Morning
    Route 208
    Lv.16-17Grass
    Rate 10%
    Night
    Route 210 - North
    Lv.26Grass
    Rate 10%
    Night
  2. Machoke
    Step 2Machoke
    Route 211 - East
    Lv.27-28Grass
    Rate 20%
    Day
    Route 211 - East
    Lv.27-28Grass
    Rate 20%
    Morning
    Route 210 - North
    Lv.26Grass
    Rate 10%
    Route 211 - East
    Lv.27Grass
    Rate 10%
    Night
    Victory Road - 1F
    Lv.44-46Cave
    Rate 25%
    Victory Road - B1F
    Lv.44-46Cave
    Rate 25%
    Route 216
    Lv.33-34Grass
    Rate 20%
    Day
    Route 216
    Lv.33-34Grass
    Rate 20%
    Morning
    Acuity Lakefront
    Lv.35-36Grass
    Rate 20%
    Morning
    Acuity Lakefront
    Lv.35-36Grass
    Rate 20%
    Day
    Route 217
    Lv.35-36Grass
    Rate 20%
    Morning
    Route 217
    Lv.35-36Grass
    Rate 20%
    Day
    Mt. Coronet
    Lv.39-40Cave
    Rate 20%
    Day
    Mt. Coronet
    Lv.39-40Cave
    Rate 20%
    Morning
    Mt. Coronet - B1F
    Lv.31Cave
    Rate 10%
    Mt. Coronet - Route 216 Entrance
    Lv.31Cave
    Rate 10%
    Route 216
    Lv.34Grass
    Rate 10%
    Night
    Acuity Lakefront
    Lv.35-36Grass
    Rate 10%
    Night
    Route 217
    Lv.36Grass
    Rate 10%
    Night
    Mt. Coronet - 2F
    Lv.37Cave
    Rate 10%
    Mt. Coronet - 3F
    Lv.37Cave
    Rate 10%
    Mt. Coronet - 4F
    Lv.39Cave
    Rate 10%
    Mt. Coronet - 5F
    Lv.39Cave
    Rate 10%
    Mt. Coronet - Summit
    Lv.39-40Cave
    Rate 10%
    Mt. Coronet
    Lv.40Cave
    Rate 10%
    Night
    Mt. Coronet - Top Cave
    Lv.40Cave
    Rate 10%
    Mt. Coronet - 6F
    Lv.41Cave
    Rate 10%
    Mt. Coronet - 7F
    Lv.41Cave
    Rate 10%
    Victory Road - Nat Dex Area
    Lv.50-52Cave
    Rate 25%
    Victory Road - Nat Dex Area B1F
    Lv.50-52Cave
    Rate 25%
    Victory Road - Nat Dex Exit Area
    Lv.50-52Cave
    Rate 25%
    Route 226
    Lv.53Grass
    Rate 10%
    Stark Mountain - Entrance
    Lv.56Cave
    Rate 10%
    Stark Mountain - Interior
    Lv.58Cave
    Rate 10%
    Route 225
    Lv.51Grass
    Rate 5%
    or evolve from Machop (Step 1)
  3. Machamp
    Step 3Evolve into Machamp
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Machamp egg.

Machoke Weakness

Machoke's Fighting typing leaves it vulnerable to Flying and Psychic. Few weaknesses and 3 resistances make the typing clean. Just 2 weak spots to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.

Machoke Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Flying, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)Bug, Rock, Dark
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Machoke Weak Against

Avg
2Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Machoke Strong Against

5Strong
4Resisted
1Immune
Score0

Best Pokemon Against Machoke

Machoke Evolutions

Sitting between Machop and Machamp, Machoke is part of a chain that requires a trade. Not your typical level-up setup. So far, Sp.Def got the biggest boost (+25 from Machop). The final form adds another 100 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Machop
Fighting
Machoke
Fighting
Machamp
Fighting
HP
70
80+10
90+10
ATK
80
100+20
130+30
DEF
50
70+20
80+10
SP.ATK
35
50+15
65+15
SP.DEF
35
60+25
85+25
SPE
35
45+10
55+10
BST
305D-Tier
405C-Tier+100
505B-Tier+100
ROLE
Trick Room
Attacker
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Physical
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Easy

Breed with Machoke to get Machop eggs easily using 39 partners from the Humanshape egg group. Notable egg moves include Bullet Punch, Close Combat, Counter and 9 more.

Egg Groups
Gender
75.0%25.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
12moves
Breed With (best first)
gardevoirinfernapegalladelopunnycacturnevolbeatillumisemonfernospindabunearycacneachimchar

DP Machoke Best Moveset

Every attack lands thanks to AbilityNo Guard, including MoveDynamic Punch with its guaranteed confusion on hit. 100 Attack behind a never-miss 100-power move is dangerous, and the moveset runs that combo plus physical coverage. Still, Machamp does it all better.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
No Guard
Item
Focus SashSURVIVAL
Best Nature for Machoke

Machoke best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • Dynamic PunchSTAB
  • PaybackCoverage
  • Ice Punch
  • Bullet Punch

Moves List

You'll want to breed for Bullet Punch and Close Combat on Machoke. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Focus Punch and Focus Blast, they expand what Machoke can actually threaten in practice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Focus Energy
30Normal
Lv 1
Leer
10030Normal
Lv 1
Low Kick
D10020Fighting
Lv 7
Focus Energy
30Normal
Lv 10
Karate Chop
7510025Fighting
Lv 13
Foresight
D40Normal
Lv 19
Seismic Toss
D10020Fighting
Lv 22
Revenge-4
9010010Fighting
Lv 25
Vital Throw-1
10510Fighting
Lv 32
Submission
1208025Fighting
Lv 36
Wake-Up Slap
9010010Fighting
Lv 40
Cross Chop
B150805Fighting
Lv 44
Scary Face
D9010Normal
Lv 51
Dynamic Punch
B150505Fighting

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM31
Brick Break
C11210015Fighting
TM08
Bulk Up
C20Fighting
TM78
Captivate
10020Normal
TM28
Dig
C8010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
C10010010Ground
TM58
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM38
Fire Blast
D120855Fire
TM35
Flamethrower
D9510015Fire
TM56
Fling
D10010Dark
TM52
Focus Blast
C180705Fighting
TM01
Focus Punch-3
B22510020Fighting
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
D6010015Normal
TM83
Natural Gift
D10015Normal
TM66
Payback
B5010010Dark
TM84
Poison Jab
C8010020Poison
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
HM08
Rock Climb
908520Normal
TM80
Rock Slide
A759010Rock
HM06
Rock Smash
C6010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
D609510Rock
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
HM04
Strength
C8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
A10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM46
Thief
C6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Bullet Punch+1
A4010030Steel
Egg
Close Combat
B1801005Fighting
Egg
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Egg
Encore
C1005Normal
Egg
Fire Punch
C7510015Fire
Egg
Ice Punch
B7510015Ice
Egg
Light Screen
C30Psychic
Egg
Meditate
40Psychic
Egg
Rock Slide
A759010Rock
Egg
Rolling Kick
908515Fighting
Egg
Smelling Salts
7010010Normal
Egg
Thunder Punch
C7510015Electric

Tutor Moves

Machoke can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen
Gen 3
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Gen 3
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Gen 3
Mega Kick
C120755Normal
Gen 3
Mega Punch
808520Normal
Gen 3
Metronome
D10Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
10Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP80
C
Attack100
B
Defense70
C
Sp. Atk50
D
Sp. Def60
C
Speed45
D
Total405
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging90 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.5 m
Weight70.5 kg
Base XP142
Abilities
Guts
Increases Attack to 1.5× with a major status ailment.
No Guard
Ensures all moves used by and against the Pokémon hit.
EV Yield
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

MACHOKE’s boundless power is very dangerous, so it wears a belt that suppresses its energy.

It can lift a dump truck with one hand. Using that power, it helps people with heavy jobs.

Machoke Diamond & Pearl Guide

  • Machoke is meant to evolve into Machamp. At 405 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.

  • In Diamond & Pearl, watch for Aerodactyl (Flying) and Alakazam (Psychic) when using Machoke. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • No. Machoke only evolves into Machamp through a real trade. There is no in-game alternative in Diamond & Pearl. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Machoke to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required.

  • Guts increases Attack to 1.5× with a major status ailment. That's the one you want on Machoke. No Guard works too if your team needs something different.

  • Base 45 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Machoke is a physical attacker with base 100 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as an attacker.

Game Availability

One of the original 151, Machoke has appeared in 21 games — nearly every mainline game. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.

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