Base Stats
Abilities
Type Matchups
View full type chart →Damage multipliers vs. fighting typing. Ability-based immunities (e.g. Levitate) are not included.
Evolution Line
Battle & Lore Hub
Battle Strategy
Pancham excels as a physical wallbreaker in Little Cup by utilizing Iron Fist to boost its contact moves. It functions best as a pivot that punishes switch-ins with a powerful Knock Off or a boosted Drain Punch for sustain.
Best Used In
Pancham is most effective in the Little Cup (LC) metagame as a bulky attacker or a pivot. It thrives in Gen 6-8 LC formats where its access to Knock Off and Parting Shot provides immense team utility.
Strengths
- ›High base 70 Attack for its tier
- ›Access to the Iron Fist ability for damage boosts
- ›Excellent utility movepool including Knock Off and Parting Shot
- ›Solid physical bulk when equipped with Eviolite
Weaknesses
- ›Low Base 43 Speed makes it easy to revenge kill
- ›Vulnerable to common Fairy, Flying, and Psychic priority
- ›Special bulk is lackluster without heavy investment
- ›Relies heavily on Eviolite to survive neutral hits
Competitive Tips
- ›Equip Eviolite to maximize its survivability as a slow pivot.
- ›Use Parting Shot to safely switch out while lowering the opponent's offensive stats.
- ›Run Gunk Shot specifically to lure and OHKO Fairy-type checks like Cottonee.
- ›Select Iron Fist over Mold Breaker if utilizing the Elemental Punches or Drain Punch.
- ›STAB Drain Punch provides essential recovery to offset its lack of passive healing.
Recommended Teammates
Mareanie
Resists Fairy and Flying moves while setting Toxic Spikes to help Pancham sweep.
Ferroseed
Provides entry hazard support and a resistance to Psychic-type attacks.
Alolan Vulpix
Sets Aurora Veil to double Pancham's bulk, allowing it to setup Swords Dance safely.
Ponyta
Checks the Bug and Fairy types that threaten Pancham and appreciates Parting Shot support.
Gligar
Formas a strong core by handling Poison and Flying threats while sharing pivoting duties with U-turn.
Game History
Introduced in Generation VI (Pokemon X and Y), Pancham served as a showcase for the new 'evolution by party member' mechanic. It has remained a staple of the LC tier throughout subsequent generations, prized for its role as a Dark-type-adjacent utility fighter.
Trivia
- ◆It is the only Pokemon that requires a specific type (Dark) to be in the party to evolve.
- ◆Its design is based on a juvenile giant panda and 'banchō' Japanese delinquent subculture.
- ◆Pancham's leaf is its trademark; it tries to look intimidating but often fails due to its cute appearance.
- ◆In the anime, Serena's Pancham is notable for wearing sunglasses and pursuing a career in Pokemon Showcases.
- ◆Despite being a Fighting-type, it learns many Dark-type moves because its evolved form, Pangoro, gains the Dark typing.
- ◆Its Pokedex entries often mention that it looks up to Pangoro as a role model to learn how to hunt and fight.
Moves · 91 total
Level-Up
11 movesTM / HM
64 movesEgg Moves
6 movesMove Tutor
10 movesWhere to find· 10 games
X
2 spots- •Friend Safari Fighting
- •Kalos Route 5
Y
2 spots- •Friend Safari Fighting
- •Kalos Route 5
Omega Ruby
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Alpha Sapphire
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Sun
4 spots- •Alola Route 10
- •Alola Route 11
- •Alola Route 17 Northeast
- •Alola Route 17 West
Moon
4 spots- •Alola Route 10
- •Alola Route 11
- •Alola Route 17 Northeast
- •Alola Route 17 West
Ultra Sun
2 spots- •Alola Route 10
- •Alola Route 11
Ultra Moon
2 spots- •Alola Route 10
- •Alola Route 11
Sword
4 spots- •East Lake Axewell
- •Galar Route 3 East
- •Rolling Fields Area 2
- •West Lake Axewell
Shield
4 spots- •East Lake Axewell
- •Galar Route 3 East
- •Rolling Fields Area 2
- •West Lake Axewell