Is Tepig Good in Black & White Playthrough?
The Fire starter. AbilityBlaze boosts Fire at low HP. Tepig is the most comfortable starter pick. Fire handles Burgh's Bug gym, and Emboar's Fighting addition covers Lenora, Brycen, and contributes against N and Ghetsis. The strongest starter for a first playthrough.
Tepig has the type edge here and should clean up Cilan's team.
Tepig trades roughly evenly with Chili's team.
Tepig trades roughly evenly with Cress's team.
Pignite resists most of Lenora's coverage and hits back hard.
Pignite has the type edge here and should clean up Burgh's team.
Pignite trades roughly evenly with Elesa's team.
Pignite has the type edge here and should clean up Clay's team.
Pignite trades roughly evenly with Skyla's team.
Emboar resists most of Brycen's coverage and hits back hard.
Emboar trades roughly evenly with Drayden's team.
Emboar trades roughly evenly with Shauntal's team.
Emboar resists most of Grimsley's coverage and hits back hard.
Emboar trades roughly evenly with Caitlin's team.
Emboar trades roughly evenly with Marshal's team.
Emboar has the type edge here and should clean up Alder's team.
Tepig is available as a starter at Lv 5.
Your Tepig should hit Level 17 before you reach Lenora, at typical leveling pace.
Your Pignite should hit Level 36 before you reach Brycen, at typical leveling pace.
How to Get Tepig in Black & White
No searching required for Tepig. You receive it at Nuvema Town from an NPC. No wild encounters exist in this game, so just head to the right spot when you're ready and it's yours.
Tepig Weakness
Type-wise, Tepig takes extra damage from Water, Ground, and Rock. It resists 5 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Thick Fat reduces Fire/Ice damage, further improving the defensive spread.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
What is Tepig Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Tepig
 Simipour Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Panpour (Dreamyard Gift) | ||
 Dewott Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Oshawott (Nuvema Town Gift) | ||
 Drilbur Ground | C | |
 Roggenrola Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Roggenrola builds →Rock Blast 2x35-44% Mud-Slap 2x10-13% | ||
Simipour Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Panpour (Dreamyard Gift) | ||
Dewott Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Oshawott (Nuvema Town Gift) | ||
Drilbur Ground | C | |
Roggenrola Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Roggenrola builds →Smack Down 2x61-73% Mud-Slap 2x11-14% | ||
 Tympole Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Tympole builds →Bubble Beam 2x61-73% Mud Shot 2x36-43% | ||
Simipour Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Panpour (Dreamyard Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Simipour builds →Scald 2x114-135%KO Dig 2x76-90% Rock Tomb 2x49-58% | ||
 Cranidos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Cranidos builds →Earthquake 2x113-133%KO Rock Tomb 2x85-101%KO | ||
Drilbur Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Drilbur builds →Earthquake 2x128-150%KO Rock Tomb 2x44-53% | ||
 Tirtouga WaterRock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Tirtouga builds →Earthquake 2x78-93% Rock Tomb 2x60-71% Aqua Jet 2x50-60% | ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Aerodactyl builds →Earthquake 2x99-118%KO Rock Tomb 2x76-90% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x189-223%KO Rock Slide 2x96-113%KO | ||
 Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Rampardos builds →Earthquake 2x149-176%KO Rock Tomb 2x113-133%KO | ||
Simipour Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Panpour (Dreamyard Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Simipour builds →Scald 2x119-140%KO Dig 2x79-93% Rock Tomb 2x50-60% | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Aerodactyl builds →Earthquake 2x101-120%KO Rock Tomb 2x79-93% | ||
Tirtouga WaterRock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Tirtouga builds →Earthquake 2x81-96% Scald 2x76-90% Smack Down 2x62-73% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x191-226%KO Rock Slide 2x97-115%KO | ||
Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Rampardos builds →Earthquake 2x152-180%KO Rock Tomb 2x116-137%KO | ||
 Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x166-196%KO Rock Tomb 2x56-67% | ||
Simipour Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Panpour (Dreamyard Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Simipour builds →Scald 2x118-140%KO Dig 2x78-93% Rock Tomb 2x50-59% | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Aerodactyl builds →Earthquake 2x104-123%KO Rock Tomb 2x80-95% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x186-219%KO Rock Slide 2x93-110%KO | ||
 Samurott Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Oshawott (Nuvema Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Samurott builds →Surf 2x147-173%KO Dig 2x77-92% | ||
Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Rampardos builds →Rock Slide 2x168-197%KO Earthquake 2x147-173%KO Surf 2x66-77% | ||
 Carracosta WaterRock | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tirtouga (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Carracosta builds →Waterfall 2x123-146%KO Rock Slide 2x117-138%KO Earthquake 2x104-123%KO | ||
 Archeops Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Archen (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Archeops builds →Rock Slide 2x144-170%KO Earthquake 2x128-151%KO | ||
Carracosta WaterRock | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tirtouga (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Carracosta builds →Waterfall 2x127-150%KO Rock Slide 2x119-140%KO Earthquake 2x106-125%KO | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x190-224%KO Rock Slide 2x96-113%KO | ||
 Kabutops RockWater | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Kabuto (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Kabutops builds →Waterfall 2x134-157%KO Rock Slide 2x125-148%KO Dig 2x89-105%KO | ||
 Omastar RockWater | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Omanyte (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Omastar builds →Surf 2x158-187%KO Ancient Power 2x100-118%KO Mud Shot 2x61-72% | ||
Samurott Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Oshawott (Nuvema Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Samurott builds →Surf 2x150-177%KO Dig 2x79-93% | ||
Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Rampardos builds →Head Smash 2x347-408%KO Earthquake 2x155-182%KO Surf 2x68-80% | ||
Omastar RockWater | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Omanyte (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Omastar builds →Hydro Pump 2x202-239%KO Ancient Power 2x102-120%KO Mud Shot 2x63-74% | ||
Carracosta WaterRock | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tirtouga (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Carracosta builds →Aqua Tail 2x145-171%KO Stone Edge 2x161-190%KO Earthquake 2x108-127%KO | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x125-148%KO Stone Edge 2x83-99% | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Tyranitar builds →Stone Edge 2x194-228%KO Earthquake 2x129-152%KO Surf 2x91-107%KO | ||
In Black & White, Garchomp can KO Tepig with Earthquake (227-267%). Tyranitar threatens a KO with Crunch (90-106%).
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x227-267%KO Outrage136-160%KO | ||
Tyranitar RockDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChopleberry NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Tepig View Tyranitar builds →Pursuit45-54% Crunch90-106%KO Superpower90-106%KO | ||
Tepig Evolutions
Tepig is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Pignite first, then eventually reaches Emboar. For breeding, average hatch time with a massive partner pool via one egg group. Evolving adds up to 220 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
BW Tepig Best Moveset
Fire pre-evolution with AbilityThick Fat as a hidden ability halving Fire and Ice damage. 63 Attack fires physical Fire TermStab at first-stage levels. The moveset needs Emboar's stats. Two evolutions away.
Best Build
Tepig best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- Flame Charge
- Superpower
- Wild Charge
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
The egg pool carries weight here. Body Slam and Covet aren't available any other way for Tepig, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Overheat and Flare Blitz 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
It can deftly dodge its foe’s attacks while shooting fireballs from its nose. It roasts berries before it eats them.
It blows fire through its nose. When it catches a cold, the fire becomes pitch-black smoke instead.
Tepig Black & White Guide
In Black & White, Tepig does the job early-game if you need a Fire type on your team. Evolve it into Pignite before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Introduced in Black & White, Tepig has appeared in 8 games across 6 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
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 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
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