Bug

Best Bug attackers

Every Bug-type raid attacker ranked by DPS and total damage output, with the moveset that gets there.

Super effective vs DarkGrassPsychic
Top DPS
20.5
Mega Sceptile
Top TDO
369
Fury Cutter + Frenzy Plant
Ranked
30
Updated

Editor's notes

Bug offense, where it matters and what to build.

Bug type in Pokemon GO

Bug-type Pokemon GO has historically been an underdog type, but several elite Bug attackers — Mega Heracross, Genesect, Volcarona, and Pinsir — have pushed Bug into the top tier of multi-type DPS. Bug moves are super-effective against Grass, Psychic, and Dark, making Bug the universal counter to Mewtwo, Hydreigon, Yveltal, and Tangrowth. Bug is also one of the cheapest types to grind raids in, since Mega Beedrill (Bug/Poison) and Mega Heracross have low Mega Energy requirements. Signature Bug moves include Megahorn, X-Scissor, Bug Buzz, Fury Cutter, Lunge, and Pin Missile. Bug types are weak to Fire, Flying, and Rock, making them fragile in raids if the boss has those moves.

Top Bug attackers explained

The top Bug attackers are Mega Heracross, Mega Beedrill, Genesect (in its Burn/Chill/Douse/Shock drives), Volcarona, and Mega Pinsir. Mega Heracross (Bug/Fighting) has the highest Bug DPS in the game and doubles as a top Fighting attacker. Mega Beedrill is the cheapest Bug Mega Energy cost. Genesect with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor is the top non-Mega Bug attacker. Volcarona (Bug/Fire) brings dual-type flexibility but its Fire weakness limits raid usability. Shadow Pinsir, Shadow Scizor, and Shadow Volcarona round out the Shadow tier. Vikavolt, Escavalier, and Frosmoth are budget options.

Bug in GO Battle League

Bug types are PvP fixtures in specialty cups. Scizor (Bug/Steel) with Fury Cutter and Night Slash is a Great League legend that has held its top-50 usage rank for years. Forretress (Bug/Steel), Galvantula (Bug/Electric), Beedrill, and Yanmega flex into core teams. In Ultra League, Drapion (Poison/Dark) and Vikavolt see niche play. In Master League, Bug is rare due to fragility, but Genesect and Mega Heracross flex against Tyranitar, Mewtwo, and Yveltal cores. Frosmoth (Ice/Bug), Mothim, Beautifly, and Dustox (Bug/Poison) appear in Little Cup formats.

When to field Bug attackers

Bug attackers shine against Grass (Tangrowth, Kartana, Mega Sceptile), Psychic (Mewtwo, Cresselia, Mega Mewtwo Y), and Dark (Hydreigon, Yveltal, Tyranitar). They are 1.6× weak to Fire, Flying, and Rock — and Bug/Grass duals like Parasect take 4× damage from Fire and Flying. Rainy weather boosts Bug by 1.2× alongside Water and Electric. Avoid Bug attackers against Mega Charizard Y, Reshiram, Mega Pidgeot, Mega Rayquaza, Tyranitar, and Rhyperior. Bug is the most cost-efficient counter to Mewtwo raids, since a budget Genesect team often outperforms expensive Ghost attackers due to faster TTW (time to win).

Community Day picks & notable investments

Bug Community Days have included Caterpie → Butterfree, Weedle → Beedrill with Drill Run, Pinsir, Wurmple → Beautifly/Dustox, Combee → Vespiquen, Sewaddle → Leavanny, Karrablast → Escavalier, and Joltik → Galvantula. Genesect debuted as a Special Research / paid event Pokemon with multiple Drive variants (Burn, Chill, Douse, Shock) that swap Genesect’s second typing dynamically. Volcarona arrived in 2025 as a top-tier Bug/Fire attacker. Mega Heracross was originally region-locked but went global in 2023. Mega Beedrill remains the most farmable Bug Mega thanks to its Forest Cup-tier energy cost.

FAQ

What is the #1 ranked Bug-type attacker right now?
Based on our DPS simulations, Mega Sceptile currently ranks first among Bug-type attackers in Pokemon GO, followed by Mega Sceptile, Shadow Metagross, Mega Heracross. The full tier list above shows every viable Bug attacker with its optimal moveset, DPS, TDO, and eDPS values.
Which raid bosses should I use Bug attackers against?
Bug-type attacks deal super-effective damage to Dark, Grass, Psychic-type Pokemon, so use Bug attackers when those types appear in 5-Star, Mega, Elite, or Primal raids. Always weather-check the boss before launching the raid to maximize damage with the appropriate weather boost.
What is the best Bug-type attacker in Pokemon GO?
Mega Heracross is the strongest Bug attacker in the game thanks to its dual Bug/Fighting typing. Genesect is the best non-Mega Bug attacker, and Mega Beedrill is the most accessible Mega thanks to its low Energy cost. Shadow Pinsir is a top Shadow option for trainers who farmed during Take Over events.
Why is Bug good against Mewtwo?
Bug-type moves deal 1.6× damage to Psychic types, including Mewtwo. Combined with Mewtwo’s low Defense stat, a team of Mega Heracross and Genesect can clear Mewtwo raids in record time. Bug is also super-effective against Dark (Hydreigon, Yveltal) and Grass (Tangrowth, Kartana), giving it three valuable raid targets.
What are Bug types weak to?
Bug types take 1.6× damage from Fire, Flying, and Rock moves. Bug/Grass duals like Parasect take 4× from Fire and Flying. Bug/Steel duals like Scizor take 4× from Fire only. Plan around the dual-type weaknesses when fielding Bug attackers in raids.
Is Genesect worth powering up?
Yes. Genesect with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor is the best non-Mega Bug attacker in the game and a top-tier counter to Mewtwo, Hydreigon, Yveltal, Tangrowth, and Mega Mewtwo Y raids. Its Drive variants (Burn, Chill, Douse, Shock) provide secondary typings that flex into multiple raid scenarios.

Explore more

Bug Pokedex Every Bug-type Pokemon with stats and moves Raid bosses Counters for every boss in rotation All attacking types Best attackers for the other 17 types