Bug-type Pokémon are often seen as weak, fragile, and small. This reputation, while wholly untrue, is probably enforced by Bug-type Pokémon like Weedle, Caterpie, and other “Route 1 trash.” But, this reputation should not be taken seriously, as there are some fantastic Bug-types that many people won’t prepare for when heading into battle.
The best of the best Bug-types hit hard, have access to great moves, and often come packaged with incredible abilities that ensure their quick victory. Bug-types are weak to Stealth Rock and Fire moves, which can be troublesome, but their ability to take down Psychic- and Dark-types. Here are some of the best Bug-type Pokémon to add to your team if you’re looking to explore this underrated type.
Updated by Michael Connor Smith on April 13th, 2020: Bug Pokémon have been a staple in the series since Red & Blue, but have also been unfortunately ignored by many players who write them off as “weak” or “not viable”. This may have been the case during the first few generations, but we now have plenty of powerful Bug-types to choose from in the 8th Pokémon generation.
This list was updated to include Pokémon from Sword & Shield, as well as to fill in some of the gaps where powerful Bug-type Pokémon could fit. While they may not be the dominating force in competitive Pokémon, there are plenty of different Bug-types for all types of trainers to battle with.
15 Araquanid
While Bug-type Pokémon are usually more fragile when compared to most other typings, Araquanid has some pretty stellar Special Defense at a base 132, and some decent HP and Defense to go along with it. Its attacking stats may seem like nothing special at first, but it has a hidden trick up its sleeve.
Its signature ability, Water Bubble, doubles the power of any Water-type moves it uses while also reducing Fire damage taken by half and nullifying burns. Its best suited as a support Pokémon with moves like Sticky Web, Magic Coat, or Toxic, but it can throw out a Hydro Pump or Lunge when needed.
14 Ribombee
Ribombee may look like anything but a threatening fighter, but it would be unwise to discount its usefulness. Speed is the only stat that it really has going for it, at a base 124, but this actually allows Ribombee to have some pretty useful support potential.
Aromatherapy, Sticky Web, Stun Spore, U-Turn, Quiver Dance, and Moonblast are going to be its best moves. Status moves are going to be its main priority due to its high speed, but a successful Quiver Dance can set up for a powerful Special Attack when it’s needed.
13 Durant
This small ant introduced in Generation V is pretty decent. Its Steel/Bug combo makes it very resistant to a lot of types, but unfortunately also makes it double-weak to Fire. Part of what makes it a good choice in many situations is its Ability, Hustle.
Hustle makes Durant’s already-high attack stat increase by 50 percent, which is amazing. The downside is that it lowers accuracy by 20 percent. Luckily, Durant can learn Hone Claws, which increases both attack and accuracy by one stage each. Throw in Durant’s great speed stat and you’ve got a heavy hitter on your hands.
12 Scolipede
Scolipede, another Bug-type introduced in Generation V, is a deadly attacker with a pretty decent type combo. This Bug/Poison-type has an impressive speed stat that allows it to sweep many slower Pokémon very quickly. It also has an attack stat worth mentioning, which was increased in Generation VI, making it even better.
With both its great speed and attack, it can hit hard, especially given its access to Swords Dance. It also has access to Venoshock, Infestation, and Speed Boost Hidden Ability, all of which are staples of the competitive scene.
11 Yanmega
Despite its name, Yanmega does not actually have a Mega Evolution, which would be pretty hilarious, actually. Regardless, this dragonfly-inspired Bug/Flying-type is a great addition to your team. This thing is strong, quick, and able to learn some deadly moves. It might be extremely weak to Rock-type moves (and the dreaded Stealth Rock), but it more than makes up for it in other ways.
Yanmega, like Scolipede, benefits heavily from the Speed Boost Ability, making it lethally quick. But, it also has access to Tinted Lens, which makes “not very effective” moves do regular damage to the opponent.
10 Galvantula
An interesting type combination was given to Joltik and its evolution, Galvantula. Both are Electric/Bug, which has some advantages and disadvantages. The combo removes Electric’s only weakness, Ground, and it removes Bug’s weakness to Flying. The combination is great, but so is this Pokémon’s stats.
Galvantula is an extremely fast Pokémon, zipping past almost everything it goes up against. It also has a very good Special Attack stat, meaning it’ll hit hard with moves like Bug Buzz, Thunderbolt, and Electroweb. With its Compound Eyes Ability, moves like Thunder become much more accurate, making them pretty deadly, too.
9 Accelgor
Accelgor is the definition of a pure speed-demon, as its already monstrous base 145 speed can actually be doubled by its ability, Unburden. It’s going to be difficult to find opponents faster than Accelgor, but, on the off chance that the opponent is faster, having a consumable held item will fix that up instantly.
Its Special Attack is decent, but not the greatest, so you’ll have to choose your moves carefully. Sludge Bomb, Energy Ball, Water Shuriken, and Giga Drain are its most potent attacks, and it isn’t unwise to give Accelgor an item such as Choice Specs to give it the boost in strength that it needs.
8 Pinsir
Kind of like an early version of Heracross, Pinsir is one of the original beastly bugs. Pinsir has access to many Fighting-type moves, which make it a fantastic attacker, but it is only a mono Bug-type, removing Fighting’s weaknesses. It has decent attack and speed too, meaning it’ll be a great sweeper, especially with Swords Dance.
Pinsir also received a Mega Evolution, which launched its viability into the stratosphere. Mega Pinsir is lightning-quick and has an insane attack stat, meaning it’ll hit hard and kill anything in its path before a foe can even see it coming.
7 Heracross
It’s honestly hard to choose between Heracross and Pinsir for a ranked list. The two are often considered a pair, with similar moves, uses, and designs. They famously battle in the anime, too. But, Heracross often has a slight edge that puts it on better footing than Pinsir.
Heracross gets the Same-Type Attack Bonus (STAB) with Fighting-moves. This is great, but does make it double-weak to Flying-types, something Pinsir is only semi-weak to in comparison. However, Heracross has access to Megahorn, which is considered one of the best Bug-type moves. Its Mega Evolution is also comparable to or slightly better than Mega Pinsir.
6 Frosmoth
Frosmoth is one of the most interesting additions to the cast of Bug-type Pokémon, primarily due to its Hidden Ability, Ice Scales. This ability halves any oncoming damage from Special Attacks, making it a tank against Special Attackers.
To complement its high Special Defenses, Its Special Attack is very high at a base 125, allowing it to devastate enemy weaknesses with Ice Beam, Bug Buzz, or Hurricane. It may not be a prime choice against physical attackers, but it’s a great counter against certain unsuspecting Pokémon.
5 Ninjask
This might come as a surprise to some, but Ninjask is one of the single fastest non-legendary Pokémon in the entire franchise. A base speed stat of 160 is unfathomable in comparison to normal stat distribution, ensuring Ninjask will basically always move first. It also has the Speed Boost ability, which raises its speed every turn.
Ninjask often uses Baton Pass to function as a supporter Pokémon, passing off its great speed boosts to another Pokémon that can hit much harder. Despite this, Ninjask is actually a solid attacker of its own.
4 Genesect
The first legendary (or mythical, to be more specific) to be featured on this list, Genesect is a hard-hitting Bug-type that actually has the ability to change its move types with certain items. Genesect’s attack and special-attack are both an impressive 120.
Genesect’s Techno Blast move changes types based on which drive its holding, which has wide-reaching uses and benefits. Genesect also only has one weakness, Fire, albeit a double-weakness. Genesect also gets points for its great design, being based on an ancient Pokémon that lived 300 million years ago. Many believe this to be Kabutops.
3 Golisopod
This terrifying, ancient-looking Pokémon doesn’t just look scary, it also has the devastating power to back it up. Its HP, Attack, and Defenses are all extremely high at the cost of its other stats being significantly lower. This turns it into an extremely potent glass-cannon on the right teams.
Since its Speed is so low, you’ll have to find the right situations to get it on the battlefield safely. With attacks like First Impression, Waterfall, Sucker Punch, and Close Combat, Golisopod can KO a lot of Pokémon in a single hit. With its ability Emergency Exit, it’ll retreat from battle when its HP reaches less than half.
2 Volcarona
Few Pokémon evolve at a higher level than Larvesta, which will finally become a Volcarona once it reaches Level 59. The grind is worth it though, as Volcarona is an impressively strong Pokémon with a lot to offer.
Fire/Bug as a combination is very weak to Rock, but Volcarona will usually outspeed Rock-types, which are typically very slow. It can learn Fiery Dance and Quiver Dance, both of which are great moves that raise Volcarona’s stats (Fiery Dance does damage and has a 50 percent chance to raise special attack), and foes will struggle to defend themselves against its immense power.
1 Scizor
To understand how great of a Pokémon Scizor is, consider the fact that its pre-evolution, Scyther, was already considered one of the best Pokémon before Scizor’s introduction (and still is considered one of the best Bug-types). Scizor could only be better than Scyther upon evolution. Now, Scizor also has a Mega Evolution, meaning its status as the best Bug-type might be cemented forever.
Metal Claw, X-Scissor, Bullet Punch, Bug Bite, and more are fantastic moves that Scizor pulls off with its incredibly-good stats, and its Technician ability makes it truly one of the best. Scizor is one of the scariest things for many Pokémon to go up against and is without a doubt the best Bug-type Pokémon.
NEXT: 5 Pokémon Who Evolve At The Lowest Level (&5 at the Highest)
