#0057

Primeape

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

Max CP 2,586 Karate Chop + Close Combat Cloudy
Primeape Pokemon GO sprite

Primeape is a Fighting-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO, originally from the Kanto region (#57, Generation 1). With a max CP of 2,586 and base stats of 207/138/163 (Atk/Def/Sta), Primeape has a total stat product of 508. Primeape's best moveset is Karate Chop and Close Combat.

Primeape is weak to Fairy, Flying, Psychic-type moves. It resists Bug, Dark, Rock-type attacks. Primeape is a 3.0 km buddy Pokemon.

Stats

Max CP
2,586
Lv.40: 2,288 Lv.50: 2,586
Attack 207
Defense 138
Stamina 163
Total 508
Buddy 3.0 km Gen 1 · Kanto 2nd Move: 50,000 Dust · 50 Candy

Rankings

PvP Battle
Great League
A
#31
66.50% Win Rate
Fighting type Karate Chop
Fighting type Close Combat
Ideal IVs 0/14/11
Ultra League
A
#32
66.40% Win Rate
Fighting type Karate Chop
Fighting type Close Combat
Ideal IVs 5/15/15

Moves

Fast Moves

Fighting
Counter STAB
13
DPS
13.0 PWR 9 EN 1.0s DUR 9 EPS Cloudy
Fighting
Low Kick STAB
10
DPS
5.0 PWR 5 EN 0.5s DUR 10 EPS Cloudy
Fighting
Karate Chop STAB Elite
10
DPS
10.0 PWR 13 EN 1.0s DUR 13 EPS Cloudy

Charged Moves

Fighting
Close Combat STAB Buff
42
DPS
105.0 PWR 100 EN 2.5s DUR
Ice
25
DPS
50.0 PWR 33 EN 2.0s DUR
Fighting
Low Sweep STAB
20
DPS
40.0 PWR 33 EN 2.0s DUR
Dark
22.5
DPS
45.0 PWR 33 EN 2.0s DUR
Fighting
Cross Chop STAB Elite
33.3
DPS
50.0 PWR 50 EN 1.5s DUR
Ghost
Rage Fist Elite Buff
33.3
DPS
100.0 PWR 50 EN 3.0s DUR

Best Moveset Analysis

In Great League PvP, Primeape runs Karate Chop and Close Combat, ranked #31 (Tier A) with a 66.50% win rate. In Ultra League PvP, Primeape runs Karate Chop and Close Combat, ranked #32 (Tier A) with a 66.40% win rate. Primeape has access to 3 fast moves and 6 charged moves, giving trainers flexibility depending on the battle format.

Among fast moves, the highest DPS option is Counter (13 DPS), while Karate Chop generates energy the fastest (13 EPS). Note that Cross Chop, Rage Fist are Elite TM moves and cannot be obtained through regular TMs.

Raid Guide

Primeape as Raid Boss

Not Currently in Raids

Primeape is not currently available as a raid boss. When Primeape returns to raids, here are the best counters to defeat it. A 100% IV Primeape from raids would have 1307 CP at level 20, or 1634 CP at level 25 with weather boost.

View full raid guide →

Best Counters to Beat Primeape

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

How to Get Primeape

Primeape evolves from Mankey using 50 Candy.

A Shadow version of Primeape is available from Team GO Rocket. Shadow Primeape 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 Primeape as your buddy earns 1 candy every 3.0 km.

Primeape Catch CP

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

Wild Catch
Level 1–30
56 – 1,977 CP
Wild (Weather Boost)
Level 1–35
56 – 2,141 CP
Raid Catch
Level 20
1,270 – 1,340 CP
Raid (Weather Boost)
Level 25
1,580 – 1,667 CP
Egg Hatch
Level 20
1,270 – 1,340 CP
Research Encounter
Level 15
960 – 1,013 CP
GO Battle League
Level 20
1,270 – 1,340 CP

A 100% IV Primeape from raids or eggs will show 1,307 CP at level 20. If you see this number, don't hesitate — it's a perfect catch!

Trainer Tips

Primeape is a Fighting-type Pokemon with a stat total of 508. With its high Attack stat (207), Primeape is best suited for offensive roles in both raids and PvP.

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

Primeape'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 6 charged moves available, a second move gives Primeape much better coverage in PvP battles.

Should I Invest in Primeape?

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

Recommended for PvP
Primeape doesn't stand out as a raid attacker but has a place in PvP, ranked #31 (Tier A) in Great League with a 66.50% overall win rate. With base stats of 207/138/163 and a max CP of 2,586, its stat distribution is more offense-oriented. Run Karate Chop with Close Combat for best results. Worth investing in a second charged move to expand coverage and improve matchups across the board.

Shadow vs Regular: Shadow Primeape 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 Primeape in Pokemon GO?
Primeape's best moveset is Karate Chop (fast) and Close Combat (charged). This combination maximizes damage output thanks to STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), strong energy generation from the fast move, and high DPE (damage per energy) on the charged move.
What are Primeape's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?
Primeape is weak to Fairy, Flying, Psychic-type moves. On the other hand, Primeape resists Bug, Dark, Rock-type attacks, so avoid using those types against it. To counter Primeape 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 Primeape's max CP in Pokemon GO?
Primeape's maximum CP is 2,586 at level 50 (with XL Candy), or 2,288 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. Primeape's CP is calculated from its base stats: 207 Attack, 138 Defense, and 163 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 Primeape caught from raids or eggs (level 20) will have 1,307 CP, or 1,634 CP with weather boost (level 25).
Is Primeape good for PvP in Pokemon GO?
Primeape is ranked #31 (Tier A) in Great League with a 66.50% overall win rate. The recommended moveset is Karate Chop and Close Combat. The ideal IV spread for Great League is 0/14/11 — for CP-capped leagues like Great League and Ultra League, lower Attack IVs with higher Defense and Stamina allow Primeape to reach a higher level within the CP cap, gaining more total stat product. Primeape is ranked #32 (Tier A) in Ultra League with a 66.40% overall win rate. The recommended moveset is Karate Chop and Close Combat. The ideal IV spread for Ultra League is 5/15/15 — for CP-capped leagues like Great League and Ultra League, lower Attack IVs with higher Defense and Stamina allow Primeape to reach a higher level within the CP cap, gaining more total stat product. When deciding which league to prioritize, consider where Primeape has its best ranking and win rate. Unlocking a second charged move (costing 50,000 Stardust and 50 Candy) is highly recommended for PvP, as it gives Primeape better coverage and the ability to bait shields more effectively.
What CP is a 100% IV Primeape?
A perfect 15/15/15 IV Primeape has the following CP at key levels: 980 CP at level 15 (research encounters), 1,307 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches), 1,634 CP at level 25 (weather-boosted raids), and 2,586 CP at level 50 fully powered up. If you catch a perfect IV Primeape, it is worth investing Stardust and Candy to power it up, especially if Primeape 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 Primeape better than regular?
Shadow Primeape deals 20% more damage than its regular counterpart but also takes 20% more damage. For raids, Shadow Primeape 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 Primeape comes with Frustration, which should be replaced with a Charged TM before powering up.
How to get Primeape in Pokemon GO?
Primeape is obtained by evolving its pre-evolution (Mankey with 50 Candy). Primeape can also be obtained through trading with other trainers.
Can Primeape be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Shiny Primeape'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 Primeape availability and boosted shiny rates during special events.

Max CP per Level

L1 32 CP
L5 308 CP
L10 653 CP
L15 980 CP
L20 1,307 CP
L25 1,634 CP
L30 1,961 CP
L35 2,124 CP
L40 2,288 CP
L50 2,586 CP

Pokedex Info

Pokedex Number #57
Generation Gen 1
Region Kanto
Height 1.00 m
Weight 32.00 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