Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Prinplup
Say it: PRI-npl-up
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Prinplup is the Penguin Pokémon — Water middle stage between Piplup and Empoleon. In Pokémon GO it is usually candy on the way to Empoleon — not a finished raid attacker. Water helps against Fire, Ground, and Rock; Grass and Electric hit Water hard. Evolve Piplup up the line. Hydro Cannon from Piplup Community Day belongs on Empoleon.
Say it: PRI-npl-up
Prinplup (#394) is a Water Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the middle evolution of Piplup. Trainers almost never power Prinplup for raids; the value is candy and IVs for Empoleon. Against Prinplup, lead with Grass or Electric. 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
Prinplup is a Water-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0394. Use the Water 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 Prinplup. Keep high-IV copies for Empoleon. Shadow Prinplup is the same — evolve toward Shadow Empoleon.
Type matchups
- Water moves hit Fire, Ground, and Rock hard.
When Prinplup is your opponent, Electric, Grass hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 150
- Defense
- 139
- Stamina
- 162
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. Zekrom · beats Electric
Charge Beam + Fusion Bolt
- 2. Shadow Zekrom · beats Electric
Charge Beam + Fusion Bolt
- 3. Shadow Raikou · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 4. Xurkitree · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Discharge
- 5. Therian Thundurus · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Thunderbolt
- 6. Mega Manectric · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 7. Raikou · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 8. Electivire · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 9. Shadow Electabuzz · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Thunder Punch
- 10. Zapdos · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Thunderbolt
- 11. Magnezone · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
- 12. Luxray · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Electivire · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 2. Luxray · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
- 3. Manectric · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 4. Jolteon · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Thunderbolt
- 5. Ampharos · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Zap Cannon
- 6. Zebstrika · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
- 7. Galvantula · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Discharge
- 8. Eelektross · beats Electric
Spark + Thunderbolt
- 9. Heliolisk · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Thunderbolt
- 10. Stunfisk · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Discharge
- 11. Raichu · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 12. Magneton · beats Electric
Spark + Discharge
Recommended moves
Prinplup’s Game Master pool is temporary. Real investment is Empoleon — evolve before serious TMs and power-ups.
Fast
- Bubble · Standard
Water energy
- Metal Claw · Standard
Steel damage
Charged
- Hydro Pump · Standard
Water nuke
- Bubble Beam · Standard
Water alternate
- Icy Wind · Standard
Ice / debuff
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
- bubble
- metal claw
Charged
- bubble beam
- hydro pump
- icy wind
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #304 of 954 · CP 1494
Metal Claw + Hydro Pump
- Ultra League · rank #569 of 747 · CP 1923
Metal Claw + Hydro Pump
- Master League · rank #597 of 1023 · CP 1923
Metal Claw + Hydro Pump
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.