Bug-type Pokemon are typically regarded as weak, fragile, and small like most bugs are in real life. Bug-type Pokemon enforced this reputation for years with Weedle, Caterpie, and other early route Pokemon. However, their reputation is somewhat misleading, as there are some fantastic Bug-types that many people won't be prepared for when heading into battle.
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Posts By Jacob WhalingThe best Bug-types hit hard, have access to great coverage moves, and often come packaged with great typings and abilities that ensure their quick victory. While Bug-types are weak to Stealth Rock and Fire-type moves, their ability to take down both Psychic and Dark-types with super effective attacks is rare. Here are some of the best Bug-type Pokemon to add to your team.
Updated October 1, 2024, by Andrew Scariati: The strongest Bug-type Pokemon got some new members in the Scarlet & Violet era, with powerful Paradox Pokemon and solid new evolutions joining the fun. However, this time we look back at the Galar region to add some new inclusions to the best Bug-type Pokemon party.
22 Lokix
Type
Standout Stats
Why It's Good
Bug/Dark
Attack
Speed
- Throat Chop
- Sucker Punch
- First Impression
102
92
Lokix has some pretty great base stats to go along with its unusual Bug and Dark dual typing. With a fantastic 102 Attack and solid 92 Speed, Lokix can strike harder and faster than many other two-stage Pokemon. It even has access to powerful level-up STAB (same type attack bonus) moves in the forms of Throat Chop, Sucker Punch, and First Impression.
In addition to those great options, Lokix maintains a decent set of coverage moves via Bounce and Axe Kick that can catch Fighting or Rock-types off-guard. If you're just interested in aesthetics, then Lokix still has you covered; it boasts an appropriate shiny color swap that turns most of its body green while maintaining striking white and orange accents.
21 Scolipede
Type
Standout Stats
Why It's Good
Bug/Poison
Attack
Speed
- Swords Dance
- Poison Jab
- Earthquake
- Speed Boost
100
112
Scolipede, introduced in Generation Five, is a deadly attacker with a decent type combination. This Bug and Poison-type has an impressive Speed stat of 112 that allows it to sweep slower Pokemon very quickly. It also has an Attack stat worth mentioning, which was increased in Generation Six, making its usage even greater.
With both its great Speed and 100 base Attack, it can hit hard, especially given its access to Swords Dance.
It also has access to Poison Jab, Earthquake, and the Speed Boost Hidden Ability, all of which are staples of the competitive scene. It is a bit fragile with only 60 base HP, so make sure to go on the offensive before your opponent targets you with an attack and avoid priority moves coming your way.
20 Araquanid
Type
Standout Stats
Why It's Good
Water/Bug
Special Defense
Defense
- Great wall
- Helpful for doubles
132
92
Araquanid still holds its own in Paldea, as this Water and Bug-type Pokemon maintains its status as a solid tank while gaining an excellent niche in the DLC as a fantastic doubles battle partner.
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PostsWhile there's not much offense to speak of from this strange insect, you'll find plenty of opportunities to protect your teammate while leeching HP from your foes and generally making their lives much more difficult. Although it requires carefully laid plans to excel on its own, this Pokemon would have been an amazing help in the earlier generations.
19 Centiskorch
Type
Standout Stats
Why It's Good
Fire/Bug
Attack
HP
- Unusual typing
115
100
While it's easy to overlook Centiskorch as yet another boring centipede Pokemon, it offers more than meets the eye with an excellent stat breakdown highlighted by 115 Attack with 100 HP. In addition, it's one of the limited number of Pokemon who can Gigantamax, offering this Pokemon a distinction that sets it apart from many of its peers.
Though its weaknesses to common types like Water, Rock, and Flying are difficult to overcome, this Pokemon often goes unnoticed because of its appearance, but its abilities set it apart, especially when you consider its unusual Bug and Fire typing.
18 Galvantula
Type
Standout Stats
Why It's Good
Electric/Bug
Special Attack
Speed
- Bug Buzz
- Thunderbolt
- Electroweb
97
108
Galvantula is a powerful and versatile choice that makes good use of its Electric and Bug dual typing. The unique dual typing removes Electric's only weakness (Ground) as well as Bug's weakness to Flying-types. On top of its typing, Galvantula's stats are solid, highlighted by 108 Speed and 97 Special Attack.
Galvantula's superb Speed will have it zipping past almost everything it goes up against, frequently dictating the battle with its opening attacks. Its high Special Attack stat ensures moves like Bug Buzz, Thunderbolt, and Electroweb will hit hard. Access to speed control via Sticky Web is enough to make Galvantual viable. With its Compound Eyes Ability, moves like Thunder become much more accurate, making them pretty deadly, too.
17 Frosmoth
Type
Standout Stats
Why It's Good
Ice/Bug
Special Attack
Special Defense
- Ice Scales
- Ice Beam
- Bug Buzz
- Hurricane
125
90
Frosmoth is one of the most interesting additions to the cast of Bug-type Pokemon, primarily due to its Hidden Ability, Ice Scales. This ability halves any oncoming damage from Special Attacks, making it especially tanky against Special Attackers. This ability works in tandem with its 90 Special Defense stat that gives this snow-themed moth more staying power than you might expect.
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Posts By Andrew ScariatiTo complement its high Special Defenses, Its Special Attack is very high at a base 125, allowing it to exploit enemy weaknesses with Ice Beam, Bug Buzz, or Hurricane, an excellent coverage option. Frosmoth is more than the sum of its parts as an Ice/Bug-type, especially thanks to Quiver Dance, as after a single boost, it can sweep through teams.
16 Rabsca
Type
Standout Stats
Why It's Good
Psychic/Bug
Special Attack
Special Defense
- Revival Blessing
- Enables creative solutions
115
100
As one of only two Pokemon introduced in Scarlet and Violet with access to Revival Blessing, Rabsca immediately saw competitive play. Revival Blessing is certainly one of the best new moves of the generation, allowing you to bring back a fainted ally with 50 percent of their HP.
Rabsca is more than just a one-trick Bug-type, though, as it can tank a hit or two with its base 100 Special Defense and 85 Defense that pair nicely with a decent 75 HP stat.
On top of its unexpected survivability, Rabsca is more than capable of going on the offensive with a superb 115 Special Attack stat that puts it among the highest tier of Bug-type attackers. It can utilize Bug Buzz or Psychic for a powerful STAB bonus, as it makes great use of its unique dual typing.
15 Yanmega
Type
Standout Stats
Why It's Good
Flying/Bug
Special Attack
Speed
- Speed Boost
- Tinted Lens
116
95
Despite its name, Yanmega does not actually have a Mega Evolution, which would have probably given it a legitimate argument for the best Bug-type ever. Regardless, this dragonfly-inspired Bug/Flying-type is a great addition to many teams.
Yanmega's 116 Special Attack and 95 Speed make this one of the stronger and faster Bug-types around.
Despite a quadruple weakness to Rock-types (and Stealth Rock), Yanmega shines due to its top-tier stats and diverse movepool. Yanmega, like Scolipede, also benefits heavily from the Speed Boost Ability, making it lethally quick. If you want to catch your foes off-guard, it also has access to Tinted Lens, which makes "not very effective" moves do regular damage to the opponent.
14 Accelgor
Type
Standout Stat
Why It's Good
Bug
Speed
- Sludge Bomb
- Energy Ball
- Water Shuriken
- Giga Drain
145
Accelgor is a quintessential speed demon, as its already monstrous base 145 Speed can be doubled by its ability, Unburden.
It's going to be difficult to find opponents faster than Accelgor regardless, but on the off chance that the opponent is faster, using a consumable held item (likely Focus Sash or Heavy-Duty Boots) will activate Unburden, leaving little doubt as to who the faster Pokemon will be.
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 moves, and giving Accelgor an item such as Choice Specs might give it the boost in strength that it needs to finish off your opponent.
13 Ninjask
Type
Standout Stat
Why It's Good
Flying/Bug
Speed
- Speed Boost
- Swords Dance
- Baton Pass
160
This might come as a surprise to some, but Ninjask is one of the single fastest non-legendary Pokemon in the entire franchise. A base Speed stat of 160 is unfathomable in comparison to normal stat distribution, ensuring Ninjask will almost always move first. It also has the Speed Boost ability, which raises its Speed every turn, though perhaps Infiltrator would be the more prudent ability choice.
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Posts By Andrew ScariatiIf you do decide to roll with Speed Boost, then Ninjask can use Baton Pass to function as a support Pokemon, passing off its great Speed boosts and potential Swords Dance to another party member that can hit much harder.
