Competitive Information for Primeape [Sun/Moon]
Fighting
Abilities:
If this Pokemon (not its substitute) takes a critical hit, its Attack is raised 12 stages.
This Pokemon's Attack is raised by 2 for each of its stats that is lowered by a foe.
This Pokemon cannot fall asleep. Gaining this Ability while asleep cures it.
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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Primeape? These builds are optimized for Sun/Moon Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sun/Moon metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
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Meet Primeape, a top-notch Pokémon ready to dominate with its Fighting typing! Primeape is a common Pokémon to see in the SM metagame. It is weak to Fairy, Flying, and Psychic-typed attacks. Want to master Primeape's movesets? Dive into our detailed strategies below!
Item: Choice Scarf / Adrenaline Orb
Ability: Defiant
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Close Combat
- Gunk Shot
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
Primeape makes an a wonderful Physical Sweeper in single battles. This moveset is tailored to crush rivals using intense physical power. Choice Scarf will increase Primeape's speed by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Defiant, Primeape's attack is raised by 2 for each of its stats that is lowered by a foe. With a Adrenaline Orb equipped to it, raises Primeape's speed by 1 stage if it gets affected by intimidate then the Adrenaline Orb gets consumed.
◆ Gunk Shot is a physical 120-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Stone Edge is a physical 100-base power Rock-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ U-turn is a physical 70-base power Bug-type move (Primeape switches out after damaging the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kaa39
Item: Fightinium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Defiant
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 76 Hp / 252 Atk / 180 Spe
Moveset:
- Close Combat / Brick Break
- Outrage
- Night Slash / Double-Edge
- Earthquake
Primeape excels as an interesting Physical Sweeper during single battles. This moveset was constructed to overwhelm foes with overwhelming physical attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Primeape from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Defiant, Primeape's attack is raised by 2 for each of its stats that is lowered by a foe. Night Slash was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Fightinium Z equipped to it, if Primeape has a fighting move, this item allows it to use a fighting z-move.
◆ Brick Break is a physical STAB-boosted 75-base power Fighting-type move (destroys screens, unless the target is immune).
◆ Outrage is a physical 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Primeape afterwards).
◆ Night Slash is a physical 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kba39
Item: Expert Belt
Ability: Vital Spirit
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
EVs: 250 Hp / 250 Atk / 10 SpD
Moveset:
- Seed Bomb / Fire Punch
- Close Combat
- Bulk Up
- Encore / Substitute
Primeape excels as a notable Physical Tank during single battles. This build is crafted to take a decent amount of physical hits while dealing some decent damage. Expert Belt boosts the damage of Primeape's super effective moves by 20%. With Vital Spirit, Primeape cannot fall asleep. Gaining this ability while asleep cures it.
◆ Fire Punch is a physical 75-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
◆ Close Combat is a physical STAB-boosted 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Primeape's defense and special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Bulk Up is a status move (raises your Primeape's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Encore is a status move (target repeats its last move for its next 3 turns).
◆ Substitute is a status move (Primeape takes 1/4 its max hp to put in a substitute).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kca39
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Primeape? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sun/Moon Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the Sun/Moon metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Charizard-Mega-XVaporeonGolemJynxPinsir-MegaRotom-WashPinsirCharizardTaurosSwellow
Item: Fightinium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Defiant
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 76 Hp / 252 Atk / 180 Spe
Moveset:
- Close Combat / Brick Break
- Earthquake / Bulldoze
- Rock Slide
- Night Slash / Double-Edge
Taking on double battles? Primeape is a stunning Physical Sweeper. This moveset is designed to overwhelm foes with lethal physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Primeape from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Defiant, Primeape's attack is raised by 2 for each of its stats that is lowered by a foe. Night Slash was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Fightinium Z equipped to it, if Primeape has a fighting move, this item allows it to use a fighting z-move.
◆ Brick Break is a physical STAB-boosted 75-base power Fighting-type move (destroys screens, unless the target is immune).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
◆ Bulldoze is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (100% chance lower adjacent Pokemon speed by 1 stage).
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Night Slash is a physical 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/laa39
Movepool
Want to know what moves Primeape can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sun/Moon generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Primeape.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Primeape can perform in Sun/Moon. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive SM Move and Ability Combos for Primeape
- Moves: Swagger + Psych up
- Moves: Swagger + Screech
- Moves: Rain dance + Thunder
- Moves: Endure + Reversal
- Moves: Endure + Endeavor
- Moves: Swagger + Punishment
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Substitute + Reversal
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Assurance + Item: Rocky Helmet
- Move: Fling + Item: King's Rock
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Move: Endeavor + Item: Focus Sash
- Move: Acrobatics + Item: Red Card
- Move: Acrobatics + Item: Flying Gem
- Item: Blunder Policy + Move: Dynamic Punch
- Moves with Priority: Bide, Detect, Endure, Helping Hand, Protect, Vacuum Wave
- Moves that Break Screens: Brick Break
- Moves that inflict status: Toxic
Moves that boost Primeape's stats
- Bulk Up
- Curse
- Defense Curl
- Hone Claws
- Meditate
- Power-Up Punch
- Rage
- Skull Bash
- Work Up
Most notable and possible best moves for Primeape
- Close Combat
- Earthquake
- Gunk Shot
- Hidden Power
- Ice Punch
- Protect
- Rest
- Stone Edge
- Taunt
- Toxic
- U-turn
Common Effort Values for Primeape in Sun and Moon
- Jolly Nature ( 0/252/4/0/0/252/ )
- Jolly Nature ( 0/252/0/0/4/252/ )
- Optimize Primeape's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Sun and Moon
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.
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Here are the best movesets for Primeape. Top rated Primeape Sun/Moon movesets. You can find Primeape builds Sun/Moon. Primeape movesets Sun/Moon are listed here. VGC Primeape Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Primeape in Sun/Moon along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution