#0023

Ekans

Best moveset, PvP rankings, counters & stats for Pokemon GO.

Max CP 1,048 Acid + Gunk Shot Cloudy
Ekans Pokemon GO sprite

Ekans is a Poison-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO, originally from the Kanto region (#23, Generation 1). With a max CP of 1,048 and base stats of 110/97/111 (Atk/Def/Sta), Ekans has a total stat product of 318.

Ekans is weak to Ground, Psychic-type moves. It resists Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Grass, Poison-type attacks. Ekans is a 3.0 km buddy Pokemon.

Stats

Max CP
1,048
Lv.40: 927 Lv.50: 1,048
Attack 110
Defense 97
Stamina 111
Total 318
Buddy 3.0 km Gen 1 · Kanto 2nd Move: 50,000 Dust · 50 Candy

Moves

Fast Moves

Poison
Acid STAB
11
DPS
11.0 PWR 10 EN 1.0s DUR 10 EPS Cloudy
Poison
8
DPS
4.0 PWR 6 EN 0.5s DUR 12 EPS Cloudy

Charged Moves

Poison
Poison Fang STAB Buff
20
DPS
30.0 PWR 33 EN 1.5s DUR
Poison
34
DPS
85.0 PWR 50 EN 2.5s DUR
Normal
Wrap Buff
20
DPS
60.0 PWR 33 EN 3.0s DUR
Poison
Gunk Shot STAB Elite
43.3
DPS
130.0 PWR 100 EN 3.0s DUR

Best Moveset Analysis

Among fast moves, the highest DPS option is Acid (11 DPS), while Poison Sting generates energy the fastest (12 EPS). Note that Gunk Shot is an Elite TM move and cannot be obtained through regular TMs.

Evolution

Raid Guide

Ekans as Raid Boss

Not Currently in Raids

Ekans is not currently available as a raid boss. When Ekans returns to raids, here are the best counters to defeat it. A 100% IV Ekans from raids would have 529 CP at level 20, or 662 CP at level 25 with weather boost.

View full raid guide →

Best Counters to Beat Ekans

Ekans is weak to Ground, Psychic-type moves, so counters with these move types will deal the most damage.

How to Get Ekans

Ekans can be encountered in the wild in Pokemon GO.

A Shadow version of Ekans is available from Team GO Rocket. Shadow Ekans knows Frustration as its charged move, which can be removed with a Charged TM. Purifying costs 3,000 Stardust and 3 Candy, and the purified form learns Return. Walking Ekans as your buddy earns 1 candy every 3.0 km.

Ekans Catch CP

These are the possible CP values when encountering Ekans in different scenarios. The range shows minimum (lowest IV floor) to maximum (100% perfect IV).

Wild Catch
Level 1–30
20 – 801 CP
Wild (Weather Boost)
Level 1–35
20 – 867 CP
Raid Catch
Level 20
499 – 543 CP
Raid (Weather Boost)
Level 25
621 – 675 CP
Egg Hatch
Level 20
499 – 543 CP
Research Encounter
Level 15
377 – 410 CP
GO Battle League
Level 20
499 – 543 CP

A 100% IV Ekans from raids or eggs will show 529 CP at level 20. If you see this number, don't hesitate — it's a perfect catch!

Trainer Tips

Ekans is a Poison-type Pokemon with a stat total of 318. With its bulk spread of 97 Defense and 111 Stamina, Ekans has solid survivability in battles.

Watch out for Ground, Psychic-type moves when using Ekans. These types deal super effective damage that can cut into Ekans's performance.

Ekans's moves get a damage boost in Cloudy weather. Take advantage of weather conditions to maximize your DPS in raids and gym battles.

Unlocking a second charged move costs 50,000 Stardust and 50 Candy. With 4 charged moves available, a second move gives Ekans much better coverage in PvP battles.

Should I Invest in Ekans?

Power-Up Costs

Level 20 → 40 (Standard)
135,000 Stardust
15 Candy
Level 40 → 50 (XL Candy)
0 Stardust
0 XL Candy
Total (20 → 50)
135,000 Stardust

Verdict

Collector's Pick
Ekans is a Poison-type Pokemon with base stats of 110/97/111 (Atk/Def/Sta) and a max CP of 1,048. While it doesn't currently rank among the top raid attackers or PvP contenders, every Pokemon has its place in a trainer's collection. Ekans may shine during specific events, in limited-format cups, or when new moves are added in future updates. For now, hold onto a good IV specimen but save your Stardust and Candy for more impactful investments unless you're a dedicated fan of this Pokemon.

Shadow vs Regular: Shadow Ekans deals 20% more damage but takes ~20% more. For raids, Shadow is generally the better investment. For PvP, evaluate matchups carefully — the bulk loss can be significant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best moveset for Ekans in Pokemon GO?
Ekans has multiple viable movesets depending on the battle format. The ideal moveset varies based on whether you are using Ekans for raids, gym battles, or PvP — check the moves section above for a full breakdown of each move's DPS, energy cost, and coverage.
What are Ekans's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?
Ekans is weak to Ground, Psychic-type moves. On the other hand, Ekans resists Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Grass, Poison-type attacks, so avoid using those types against it. To counter Ekans effectively in raids and gyms, build a team using its weakest type matchups and pick attackers that have STAB moves of those types.
What is Ekans's max CP in Pokemon GO?
Ekans's maximum CP is 1,048 at level 50 (with XL Candy), or 927 at level 40. Reaching level 50 requires XL Candy, which is only available to trainers level 31 and above — earning XL Candy involves catching, hatching, transferring, and walking Pokemon. Ekans's CP is calculated from its base stats: 110 Attack, 97 Defense, and 111 Stamina. Powering up from level 40 to 50 requires a significant investment of XL Candy and Stardust, so plan your resources carefully. A 100% IV Ekans caught from raids or eggs (level 20) will have 529 CP, or 662 CP with weather boost (level 25).
What CP is a 100% IV Ekans?
A perfect 15/15/15 IV Ekans has the following CP at key levels: 397 CP at level 15 (research encounters), 529 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches), 662 CP at level 25 (weather-boosted raids), and 1,048 CP at level 50 fully powered up. If you catch a perfect IV Ekans, it is worth investing Stardust and Candy to power it up, especially if Ekans ranks well in raids or PvP. A 100% IV (also called a "hundo") is the rarest IV combination, so tag and favorite it to make sure you don't accidentally transfer it.
Is Shadow Ekans better than regular?
Shadow Ekans deals 20% more damage than its regular counterpart but also takes 20% more damage. For raids, Shadow Ekans is generally better due to the higher DPS output. For PvP, it depends on the matchup — the extra damage taken can be a significant drawback in extended battles where survivability matters. Shadow Ekans comes with Frustration, which should be replaced with a Charged TM before powering up.
How to get Ekans in Pokemon GO?
Ekans can be found in the wild, though it may be rare depending on your biome and current events. Ekans can also be obtained through trading with other trainers.
Can Ekans be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Shiny Ekans's availability depends on whether Niantic has released its shiny form. Not all Pokemon have their shiny forms available yet. Check the current events page and Community Day announcements for any updates on shiny Ekans availability and boosted shiny rates during special events.

Max CP per Level

L1 13 CP
L5 125 CP
L10 265 CP
L15 397 CP
L20 529 CP
L25 662 CP
L30 795 CP
L35 861 CP
L40 927 CP
L50 1,048 CP

Pokedex Info

Pokedex Number #23
Generation Gen 1
Region Kanto
Height 2.00 m
Weight 6.90 kg
Buddy Distance 3.0 km
Tradable Yes
2nd Charged Move 50,000 Dust / 50 Candy
Shadow Move Frustration
Purified Move Return
Purification Cost 3,000 Dust / 3 Candy