Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Primeape
Say it: PRIME-ape
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Primeape is the Pig Monkey Pokémon — Fighting from Mankey before Annihilape. In Pokémon GO it is a Fighting attacker and candy on the way to Annihilape. Fighting helps against Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice, and Dark; Fairy, Flying, and Psychic hit Fighting hard. Evolve Mankey or catch Primeape from events; push to Annihilape when you want Ghost/Fighting.
Say it: PRIME-ape
Primeape (#057) is a Fighting Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the middle evolution toward Annihilape. Trainers use it as a Fighting attacker with Low Kick / Counter + Close Combat / Low Sweep / Night Slash / Ice Punch, and as candy for Annihilape. Against Primeape, lead with Fairy, Flying, 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
Primeape is a Fighting-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0057. Use the Fighting type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Counter + Close Combat is the Fighting kit. Prefer evolving to Annihilape for modern Ghost/Fighting DPS. Shadow Primeape is the same — evolve after Frustration removal.
Type matchups
- Fighting moves hit Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark, and Steel hard.
When Primeape is your opponent, Flying, Psychic, Fairy hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 207
- Defense
- 138
- Stamina
- 163
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. Mega Rayquaza · beats Flying
Dragon Tail + Dragon Ascent
- 2. Shadow Staraptor · beats Flying
Wing Attack + Brave Bird
- 3. Yveltal · beats Flying
Gust + Oblivion Wing
- 4. Mega Pidgeot · beats Flying
Gust + Brave Bird
- 5. Staraptor · beats Flying
Wing Attack + Brave Bird
- 6. Braviary · beats Flying
Air Slash + Brave Bird
- 7. Honchkrow · beats Flying
Peck + Sky Attack
- 8. Tornadus (Incarnate) · beats Flying
Air Slash + Hurricane
- 9. Moltres · beats Flying
Wing Attack + Sky Attack
- 10. Zapdos · beats Flying
Thunder Shock + Drill Peck
- 11. Unfezant · beats Flying
Air Slash + Sky Attack
- 12. Swellow · beats Flying
Wing Attack + Brave Bird
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Honchkrow · beats Flying
Peck + Sky Attack
- 2. Staraptor · beats Flying
Wing Attack + Brave Bird
- 3. Swellow · beats Flying
Wing Attack + Brave Bird
- 4. Togekiss · beats Flying
Air Slash + Aerial Ace
- 5. Noivern · beats Flying
Air Slash + Hurricane
- 6. Pidgeot · beats Flying
Air Slash + Brave Bird
- 7. Fearow · beats Flying
Peck + Sky Attack
- 8. Dodrio · beats Flying
Feint Attack + Drill Peck
- 9. Crobat · beats Flying
Air Slash + Air Cutter
- 10. Skarmory · beats Flying
Air Slash + Brave Bird
- 11. Pelipper · beats Flying
Wing Attack + Hurricane
- 12. Talonflame · beats Flying
Peck + Brave Bird
Recommended moves
Game Master “moves in GO” lists Primeape’s always-available TM pool. Real late-game investment is often Annihilape.
Fast
- Counter · Standard
Fighting energy / default
- Low Kick · Standard
Fighting alternate
Charged
- Close Combat · Standard
Fighting nuke
- Night Slash · Standard
Dark / bait
- Ice Punch · Standard
Ice coverage
- Low Sweep · Standard
Fighting alternate
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
- low kick
- counter
Charged
- close combat
- low sweep
- night slash
- ice punch
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #236 of 954 · CP 1470
Low Kick + Close Combat
- Ultra League · rank #152 of 747 · CP 2495
Low Kick + Close Combat
- Master League · rank #292 of 1023 · CP 2586
Low Kick + Close Combat
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).
Raid attacker roles
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.