Is Primarina Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?
Primarina imported into Galar is excellent. Water/Fairy handles Kabu, Piers, Raihan, and Leon's Haxorus and Dragapult. 126 Special Attack is the highest among starter Pokemon. Transfer-only, but the typing is perfect for Galar's gym circuit. One of the best possible imports.
Milo's team hits Popplio's weaknesses hard.
Nessa's typing presses Popplio's defenses.
Popplio has the type edge here and should clean up Kabu's team.
Primarina resists most of Bea's coverage and hits back hard.
Primarina has the type edge here and should clean up Opal's team.
Primarina resists most of Gordie's coverage and hits back hard.
Primarina has the type edge here and should clean up Piers's team.
Primarina has the type edge here and should clean up Raihan's team.
Primarina has the type edge here and should clean up Bede's team.
Primarina has the type edge here and should clean up Leon's team.
Primarina cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four. Alternatively, transfer the pre-evolution and level it up to Lv 34.
How to Get Primarina in Sword & Shield
Primarina can't be caught in Sword & Shield. Transfer Popplio from Sun & Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, or Scarlet & Violet and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Primarina in SwSh
Step 1Obtain PopplioBREEDINGAvailableLeave Brionne with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Popplio egg.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Sun & MoonNot TradeableAppears in Sun & Moon via Gift · Iki Town · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon via Gift · Route 1 · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Scarlet & VioletNot TradeableAppears in Scarlet & Violet via Overworld · Coastal Biome. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Brionne
Step 3Primarina ✓
Primarina Weakness
Type-wise, Primarina takes extra damage from Electric, Grass, and Poison. Dragon moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Primarina's special bulk (base 116 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass, Poison |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Fighting, Bug, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Dragon |
What is Primarina Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Primarina
 Roselia GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x85-101%KO Poison Sting 2x15-18% | ||
 Raichu Electric | C | |
 Jolteon Electric | B | |
 Oddish GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Oddish builds →Solar Beam 2x71-84% Acid 2x25-31% | ||
 Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Roselia GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x80-95% Poison Sting 2x13-15% | ||
 Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Vikavolt builds →Thunderbolt 2x80-95% Solar Beam 2x71-84% | ||
 Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x71-84% Acid 2x25-30% | ||
Raichu Electric | C | |
 Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Roselia GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x77-92% Poison Sting 2x14-17% | ||
Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Vikavolt builds →Thunderbolt 2x77-92% Solar Beam 2x69-82% | ||
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x69-82% Acid 2x25-31% | ||
Raichu Electric | C | |
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Roselia GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x80-95% Venoshock 2x45-53% | ||
Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Vikavolt builds →Thunderbolt 2x80-95% Solar Beam 2x71-84% | ||
 Toxtricity ElectricPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Toxtricity builds →Belch 2x89-105%KO Discharge 2x60-71% | ||
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x69-82% Venoshock 2x39-47% | ||
Raichu Electric | C | |
Roselia GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x80-95% Venoshock 2x44-53% | ||
Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Vikavolt builds →Thunderbolt 2x83-98% Solar Beam 2x72-85% | ||
Toxtricity ElectricPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Toxtricity builds →Belch 2x89-105%KO Discharge 2x59-70% | ||
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x70-83% Venoshock 2x40-48% | ||
Raichu Electric | C | |
 Ferrothorn GrassSteel | A | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Ferrothorn builds →Power Whip 2x102-120%KO | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x77-91% Venoshock 2x42-50% | ||
Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Vikavolt builds →Thunderbolt 2x79-93% Solar Beam 2x69-82% | ||
Toxtricity ElectricPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Toxtricity builds →Belch 2x85-100%KO Discharge 2x58-68% | ||
 Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Ferrothorn GrassSteel | A | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Ferrothorn builds →Power Whip 2x105-124%KO | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x78-91% Venoshock 2x42-50% | ||
Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Vikavolt builds →Thunderbolt 2x79-93% Solar Beam 2x70-83% | ||
Toxtricity ElectricPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Toxtricity builds →Belch 2x85-100%KO Discharge 2x57-67% | ||
Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
 Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Roserade builds →Petal Dance 2x94-111%KO Venoshock 2x51-60% | ||
 Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Vileplume builds →Petal Dance 2x85-101%KO Venoshock 2x48-56% | ||
Ferrothorn GrassSteel | A | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Ferrothorn builds →Power Whip 2x107-127%KO | ||
Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Vikavolt builds →Thunderbolt 2x80-95% Solar Beam 2x72-85% | ||
Toxtricity ElectricPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Toxtricity builds →Belch 2x87-103%KO Discharge 2x60-70% | ||
 Eternatus PoisonDragon | S | |
Obtain MethodEnergy Plant Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Eternatus builds →Solar Beam 2x71-84% Venoshock 2x58-69% | ||
 Exeggutor GrassPsychic | C | |
Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Roserade builds →Petal Dance 2x93-110%KO Venoshock 2x51-61% | ||
 Lilligant Grass | C | |
 Leafeon Grass | B | |
Eternatus PoisonDragon | S | |
Obtain MethodEnergy Plant Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Eternatus builds →Solar Beam 2x71-84% Venoshock 2x58-69% | ||
Exeggutor GrassPsychic | C | |
Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Roserade builds →Petal Dance 2x93-110%KO Venoshock 2x51-61% | ||
Lilligant Grass | C | |
Leafeon Grass | B | |
Eternatus PoisonDragon | S | |
Obtain MethodEnergy Plant Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Eternatus builds →Solar Beam 2x71-84% Venoshock 2x58-69% | ||
Exeggutor GrassPsychic | C | |
Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Roserade builds →Petal Dance 2x93-110%KO Venoshock 2x51-61% | ||
Lilligant Grass | C | |
Leafeon Grass | B | |
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Rillaboom builds →Knock Off20-24% U Turn21-25% | ||
 Kartana GrassSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Kartana builds →Knock Off16-19% | ||
 Nidoking PoisonGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Nidoking builds →Ice Beam8-9% Flamethrower8-9% | ||
 Rotom ElectricGhost | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemStickybarb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Primarina View Rotom builds →Hex14-17% | ||
Primarina Evolutions
End of the line. Primarina caps a three-stage chain that started at Popplio. Breeding produces the base form, and eggs are quick to hatch. Sp.Atk grew the most through evolution (+60 over Popplio), and Primarina peaks at 530 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Primarina to get Popplio eggs easily using 152 partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Aqua Ring, Life Dew, Perish Song.
SwSh Primarina Best Moveset
126 Sp. Atk and 116 Sp. Def with Water/Fairy TermStab give the moveset devastating special offense plus special bulk. AbilityLiquid Voice from the hidden slot converts sound moves into Water attacks that bypass substitutes. A-tier because the power and Fairy typing handle Dragon, Dark, and Fighting threats effectively.
Best Build
Primarina best EVs are HP and Sp. Atk
Special Tank Moveset
- Moonblast
- Energy Ball
- Scald
- Psychic
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
The egg pool carries weight here. Aqua Ring and Life Dew aren't available any other way for Primarina, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Hydro Pump and Misty Explosion for solid options.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
With its mouth, it makes sonic waves that sound like beautiful singing. It uses the sonic waves to control its water balloons.
For Primarina, every battle’s a stage. Its singing and the dancing of its balloons will mesmerize the audience.
Primarina Sword & Shield Guide
For Sword & Shield, we rate Primarina B-Tier: a solid option in Sword & Shield for the right team. At 530 BST, it fits the wallbreaker role. Moonblast with Assault Vest is the standard set.
Torrent is the go-to ability for Primarina. It strengthens water moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. Its hidden ability Liquid Voice can work in specific setups.
At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Primarina is a mixed attacker with base 74 Attack and 126 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a wallbreaker.
For Sword & Shield, the core moveset is Moonblast, Energy Ball, Scald, and Psychic. Moonblast leads at 0% usage. Moonblast provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Primarina joined the series in Sun & Moon and has been available in 4 titles so far. With 4 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SMDebut
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves