As the list of Pokemon grows, and the number of Pokemon types with it, keeping up with how each type interacts with one another can be challenging. While type interactions are the same between mainline installments like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and Pokemon GO, their strengths and weaknesses are utilized differently, especially when it comes to which Pokemon you want to use to be the very best. The good news is we’re here to help with our handy Pokemon-type guides focusing on strengths, weaknesses, and counters. In this guide we’re going to take a look at the Bug-type specifically.
If you’re looking for a complete Pokemon type chart, we have that as well, just head to the link below!
More Pokemon:
- Pokemon Steel Type Guide - Weaknesses, Strengths, Counters
- Pokemon Fairy Type Guide - Best Moves, Trainers, How Many Are There?
- Pokemon Resistance Chart - Damage Type Resistance Table (2023)
Pokemon Bug Type Weaknesses & Counters
Bug type Pokemon have three weaknesses: Fire, Flying, and Rock. You’ll want to use one of these if you’re trying to deal with any Bug-type Pokemon.
That means you’ll want to use strong Pokemon of those types.
- Fire: The most effective Fire-type picks to combat the Bug-type will be Flareon, Chandelure, Volcarona, Skeledirge, Ceruledge, or Iron Moth. Both Charizard and Talonflame will punish Bug-types effectively as well, as they’re both dual-type, covering Fire and Flying.
- Flying: If you want to go toe-to-toe with Bug-types with Flying-type Pokemon, you have a few options. Flying-types with high Attack and Special Attack stats like Dragonite, Staraptor, Braviary, Toucannon, or Flamigo will eat Bug-types for lunch. If you want to double up on Bug’s weakness to both Flying and Rock, Minior has both types covered.
- Rock: Finally, the Rock-type offers plenty of options to squash Bug-types, including Golem, Rampardos, Rhyperior, Lycanroc, Kleavor, and more. Tyranitar may sound like a good choice against Bug-types, but the Dark half of its Rock/Dark typing makes it susceptible to being taken out by Bug-type moves.
Pokemon Bug Type Strengths
If you’re the one on the attack, is Bug-type Pokemon have a lot of strengths, though you’ll have to watch out for the seven types that resist Bug-types: Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Flying, Ghost, Poison, and Steel.
Bug-type moves do double damage to any Dark, Grass, and Psychic Pokemon
These strengths make Bug-type Pokemon an excellent counter to plenty of foes:
- Dark: Tyranitar, Weavile, Mabostiff, Roaring Moon, etc.
- Grass: Alolan Exeggutor, Sceptile, Leafeon, Sawsbuck, Tsareena, etc.
- Psychic: Reuniclus, Bruxish, Wyrdeer, Farigraf, Iron Boulder
Want your Bug-type Pokemon to do even more damage against your opponent? There are several Pokemon that take 4x damage from Bug-type attacks thanks to their dual-typing: Exeggutor, Shiftry, Cacturne, Malamar, Zarude, Calyrex, Meowscarada, Brute Bonnet, Wo-Chien, and Iron Leaves.
Best Bug Type Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet
The best Bug-type Pokemon you can use in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet depends on how you judge them. If you’re doing comparing highest Attack/Special Attack base stats, the top five are:
- Vikavolt (145 base Special Attack)
- Volcarona (135 base Special Attack)
- Kleavor (135 Base Attack)
- Slither Wing (135 base Attack)
- Scizor (130 base Attack)
Best Bug Type Pokemon in Pokemon GO
The best Bug type creatures in Pokemon GO depend on how you judge them. If you’re doing a straight up maximum CP comparison the top five are:
- Volcarona (4,106)
- Buzzwole (3,912)
- Genesect (3,791)
- Golisopod (3,575)
- Kleavor (3,557)
The judgments change a bit when you’re actually battling, however. Mega Pinsir is by far the best Bug-type attacker in Pokemon GO, as long as it’s equipped with Bug Bite and X-Scissor. Other strong Bug-type fighters are Mega Scizor, Volcarona, Mega Beedrill, Pheromosa, and Shadow Pinsir.
We know that in Pokemon there is no singular right answer for every situation, do you have your own recommendations? Let your fellow trainers know in the comments below.
