Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Ekans
Say it: ECK-ins
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Ekans is the Snake Pokémon — Poison before Arbok. In Pokémon GO it is usually candy on the way to Arbok — not a finished raid attacker. Poison helps against Fairy and Grass; Ground and Psychic hit Poison hard. Catch Ekans from the wild, eggs, or Rocket, then evolve. Gunk Shot from Ekans Community Day belongs on Arbok.
Say it: ECK-ins
Ekans (#023) is a Poison Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the pre-evolution of Arbok. Trainers almost never power Ekans for raids; the value is candy and IVs for Arbok (and Gunk Shot). Against Ekans, lead with Ground or Psychic. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Ekans is a Poison-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0023. Use the Poison type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Do not sink Stardust into Ekans. Keep high-IV copies for Arbok. Shadow Ekans is the same — evolve toward Shadow Arbok.
Type matchups
- Poison moves hit Grass and Fairy hard.
When Ekans is your opponent, Ground, Psychic hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 110
- Defense
- 97
- Stamina
- 111
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Primal Groudon · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Precipice Blades
- 2. Shadow Excadrill · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Drill Run
- 3. Landorus (Therian) · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earthquake
- 4. Excadrill · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Drill Run
- 5. Garchomp · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earthquake
- 6. Shadow Mamoswine · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + High Horsepower
- 7. Rhyperior · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earthquake
- 8. Groudon · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Precipice Blades
- 9. Krookodile · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earthquake
- 10. Golurk · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earth Power
- 11. Flygon · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earthquake
- 12. Donphan · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earthquake
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Rhyperior · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earthquake
- 2. Donphan · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earthquake
- 3. Flygon · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earthquake
- 4. Golem · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earthquake
- 5. Sandslash · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earthquake
- 6. Hippowdon · beats Ground
Sand Tomb + Earth Power
- 7. Seismitoad · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earth Power
- 8. Quagsire · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earthquake
- 9. Gastrodon · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Earth Power
- 10. Camerupt · beats Ground
Rock Throw + Earth Power
- 11. Dugtrio · beats Ground
Mud Shot + Earthquake
- 12. Marowak · beats Ground
Mud-Slap + Bone Club
Recommended moves
Ekans’s Game Master pool is temporary. Real investment is Arbok — evolve before serious TMs and power-ups.
Fast
- Poison Sting · Standard
Poison energy
- Acid · Standard
Poison alternate
Charged
- Sludge Bomb · Standard
Poison nuke
- Poison Fang · Standard
Poison / PvP
- Wrap · Standard
Normal filler
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- poison sting
- acid
Charged
- wrap
- poison fang
- sludge bomb
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #805 of 954 · CP 1048
Poison Sting + Sludge Bomb
- Master League · rank #740 of 1023 · CP 1048
Poison Sting + Sludge Bomb
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.