15 best Bug-type Pokemon ranked: Genesect, Buzzwole & more
The Pokemon CompanyWhether you think they’re cute or scary, these best Bug-type Pokemon are the ones you need on your team when nothing but a creepy crawly will do.
It’s fair to say that Bug-type Pokemon have a pretty bad reputation in the Pokemon games. As well as being some of the strangest-looking creatures, they don’t tend to be very strong in battle, either.
Surprisingly, there has also never been a Bug-type Legendary Pokemon. There’s the Mythical Genesect and the Ultra Beasts Pheromosa and Buzzwole, but they don’t technically count as Legendary Pokemon.
Despite the fact that we’ve just ripped Bug-type Pokemon to shreds, there are some occasions where they’re exactly what you need, especially against Grass, Dark, and Psychic-type opponents.
We’ve rounded up 15 of the best Bug-type Pokemon right here.
Contents
- What is the best and strongest Bug-type Pokemon?
- 15 best Bug-type Pokemon of all time
- What are the worst Bug-type Pokemon?
What is the best and strongest Bug-type Pokemon?
The award for the strongest Bug-type Pokemon has to go to Genesect. Genesect is great at dealing damage, with 120 going to both its base Attack and Special Attack stats. It also only has one weakness, Fire, but moves from that type are quadrupled in power against Genesect.
15 best Bug-type Pokemon of all time
15. Kleavor
- Debut: Pokemon Legends: Arceus
- Type: Bug/Rock
- Weaknesses: Water, Rock, Steel
The Hisuian evolution of Scyther proves itself to be a powerful opponent with its 135 base Attack stat. Kleavor is known for its signature move, Stone Axe, which sets up Stealth Rock in addition to doing damage. The Pokemon also gains access to X-Scissor and Air Slash.
All of the previously mentioned moves can be powered up by its Sharpness hidden ability.
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. ATK | Sp. DEF | Speed | Total |
| 70 | 135 | 95 | 45 | 70 | 85 | 500 |
14. Slither Wing
- Debut: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
- Type: Bug/Fighting
- Weaknesses: Flying, Fire, Psychic, Fairy
As the Paradox version of Volcarona, Slither Wing adopts a Bug/Fighting dual-type in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. Despite not being able to use Quiver Dance, Slither Wing gains a STAB bonus for moves like Superpower and Close Combat. These moves will be further powered up by the Pokemon’s 135 base Attack stat.
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. ATK | Sp. DEF | Speed | Total |
| 85 | 135 | 79 | 85 | 105 | 81 | 570 |
13. Golisopod
- Debut: Pokemon Sun & Moon
- Type: Bug/Water
- Weaknesses: Flying, Electric, Rock
Golisopod is recognized for its Emergency Exit ability, which switches it out in battle after its HP reaches less than half. While Golisopod stands out with its 140 base Defense and 125 base Attack, it lacks in the Speed department with a mere 40.
Despite its lackluster Speed, Golisopod can use moves like First Impression and Sucker Punch to help it out.
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. ATK | Sp. DEF | Speed | Total |
| 75 | 125 | 140 | 60 | 90 | 40 | 530 |
12. Pinsir
- Debut: Pokemon Red & Blue
- Type: Bug
- Weaknesses: Flying, Fire, Rock
As of the OG Bug-types from Kanto, Pinsir can make a great Physical sweeper with its 125 base Attack stat. Its power can be further improved after using Swords Dance and taking advantage of its Mega Evolution form.
After transforming into Mega Pinsir, the Pokemon’s Attack increases to 155, making it a formidable opponent for anything in its path.
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. ATK | Sp. DEF | Speed | Total |
| 65 | 125 | 100 | 55 | 70 | 85 | 500 |
11. Yanmega
- Debut: Pokemon Platinum
- Type: Bug/Flying
- Weaknesses: Flying, Fire, Rock, Electric, Ice
With a 95 base Speed stat, Yanmega is one of the faster Bug-type Pokemon that can deal damage with its 116 base Special Attack. Yanmega can even increase its Speed even further by having the Speed Boost ability.
The Pokemon’s Tinted Lens ability is also useful in how it can make not very effective moves do normal damage on opponents.
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. ATK | Sp. DEF | Speed | Total |
| 86 | 76 | 86 | 116 | 56 | 95 | 515 |
10. Beedrill
- Debut: Pokemon Red & Blue
- Type: Bug/Poison
- Weaknesses: Flying, Fire, Psychic, Rock
Beedrill is the Poison Bee Pokemon, which many fans will remember from the OG days of Pokemon Red & Blue. While regular Beedrill by itself may be pretty lackluster, its ability to Mega Evolve is where things really start to become interesting.
Mega Beedrill gets a huge 150 Attack stat, while its Speed stat rises from 75 to 145, which means it will almost always go first and deal massive damage when it does. It also gets the Adaptability trait, which means STAB moves like Poison Jab become even more powerful.
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. ATK | Sp. DEF | Speed | Total |
| 65 | 90 | 40 | 45 | 80 | 75 | 395 |
9. Shedinja
- Debut: Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire
- Type: Bug/Ghost
- Weaknesses: Flying, Fire, Ghost, Rock, Dark
Shedinja has one of the most unique setups in the entire Pokedex. With only one point of HP, Shedinja faints very easily, but its Wonder Guard ability makes it a beast.
Opponents can only hurt Shedinja with super-effective moves or environmental/status effects. If played correctly, Shedinja can even survive high-tier Pokemon battles.
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. ATK | Sp. DEF | Speed | Total |
| 1 | 90 | 45 | 30 | 30 | 40 | 236 |
8. Araquanid
- Debut: Pokemon Sun & Moon
- Type: Water/Bug
- Weaknesses: Flying, Electric, Rock
Araquanid is one of those Pokemon that doesn’t look great on paper, but in reality, it can be a powerful addition to your team – largely thanks to the ability Water Bubble, which negates its low 70 Attack and 50 Special Attack stats by doubling the damage of Water-type attacks.
So what about defense? Not a problem; with 132 Special Defense and 92 Defense, it’s surprisingly bulky for a Bug-type. The big drawback is 42 Speed, which means it will pretty much always be attacked first – but with such good bulk, that might not be a problem.
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. ATK | Sp. DEF | Speed | Total |
| 68 | 70 | 92 | 50 | 132 | 42 | 454 |
7. Galvantula
- Debut: Pokemon Black & White
- Type: Bug/Electric
- Weaknesses: Fire, Rock
Joltik’s evolution Galvantula is the definition of a glass cannon, with just 60 Defense, 60 Special Defense, and 70 HP. But with a zippy 108 Speed and 97 Special Attack, it has the ability to outspeed most opponents and hit them where it hurts with some great moves.
The ability Compound Eyes increases its accuracy, which means the risky Thunder is far more likely to land for some huge STAB damage. Being a Bug/Electric-type also means it only has two weaknesses, making Galvantula a lot more appealing than it initially seems.
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. ATK | Sp. DEF | Speed | Total |
| 70 | 77 | 60 | 97 | 60 | 108 | 472 |
6. Heracross
- Debut: Pokemon Gold & Silver
- Type: Bug/Fighting
- Weaknesses: Flying, Psychic, Fire, Fairy
Heracross is another longtime fan-favorite Bug-type Pokemon, having debuted back in Gold & Silver. It’s made regular appearances since then, with its 125 Attack stat often wreaking havoc and the Moxie ability raising that Attack even higher when knocking out enemies.
If Mega-Evolving is a possibility in your game, then Heracross can become the strongest Bug-type Pokemon of all time in terms of raw power, with a monstrous 185 Attack stat. Take advantage of this with big STAB moves, and your opponents won’t know what’s hit them.
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. ATK | Sp. DEF | Speed | Total |
| 80 | 125 | 75 | 40 | 95 | 85 | 500 |
5. Volcarona
- Debut: Pokemon Black & White
- Type: Bug/Fire
- Weaknesses: Flying, Water, Rock
Known as the Sun Pokemon in the Pokedex, Volcarona is a fearsome Bug/Fire-type creature from the Unova region that’s gained a reputation as a Special stat beast with 125 Special Attack and 105 Special Defense – both of which can be boosted further with Quiver Dance.
Volcarona has some great moves to choose from, two useful abilities in Flame Body and Swarm, and It’s also one of the few Bug-type Pokemon that’s not weak to Fire-type attacks (although it does have a double weakness to Rock, so watch out for that).
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. ATK | Sp. DEF | Speed | Total |
| 85 | 60 | 65 | 135 | 105 | 100 | 550 |
4. Scizor
- Debut: Pokemon Gold & Silver
- Type: Bug/Steel
- Weaknesses: Fire
Scizor is an iconic Pokemon that remains popular after more than two decades since it debuted in Gold & Silver. Its brilliant Bug/Steel Typing gives it a whopping eight resistances and one immunity, with only one weakness to worry about (although it is admittedly a big one: Fire).
Its defenses are pretty good, and its 130 Attack stat means it can easily take out opponents. Scizor also has the ability Technician, which boosts the power of moves with less than 60 Power (like Bullet Punch and Metal Claw) by 50%, which can be absolutely lethal.
That’s not to mention Mega Scizor, which gets a healthy boost in Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed to become easily one of the all-time best Bug-type Pokemon.
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. ATK | Sp. DEF | Speed | Total |
| 70 | 130 | 100 | 55 | 80 | 65 | 500 |
3. Buzzwole
- Debut: Pokemon Sun & Moon
- Type: Bug/Fighting
- Weaknesses: Flying, Fire, Psychic, Fairy
Buzzwole is a dual Bug/Fighting-type that clearly spends way too long in the gym. This creature first appeared out of an Ultra Wormhole in the Alola region and quickly established itself as one of the best Bug-type Pokemon of all time.
As its design suggests, Buzzwole is an absolute tank when it comes to Physical stats. Its massive 139 Defense and 107 HP give it huge staying power. Combined with a 139 Attack stat, it can not only withstand Physical pressure but also dish it out in spades.
Buzzwole does fall short when it comes to Special stats—with only 53 Special Attack and 53 Special Defense—but in a Physical-leaning scenario, this buff bug can be unstoppable.
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. ATK | Sp. DEF | Speed | Total |
| 107 | 139 | 139 | 53 | 53 | 79 | 570 |
2. Pheromosa
- Debut: Pokemon Sun & Moon
- Type: Bug/Fighting
- Weaknesses: Flying, Fire, Psychic, Fairy
Blending the aesthetics of a supermodel and a cockroach, Pheromosa looks ready to work the runway or infest your basement. Strange appearances aside, though, this Ultra Beast is absolutely devastating. It has 137 Attack, 137 Special Attack, and 151 Speed, which means it almost always hits first—and hard.
It has access to some brilliant STAB moves like Bug Buzz and High Jump Kick, as well as plenty of coverage options. The main drawback here is that it has a laughable 37 Defense and 37 Special Defense, but as long as you’re aware of its glass cannon status, it can be an incredible teammate.
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. ATK | Sp. DEF | Speed | Total |
| 71 | 137 | 37 | 137 | 37 | 151 | 570 |
1. Genesect
- Debut: Pokemon Black & White
- Type: Bug/Steel
- Weaknesses: Fire
With the absence of any Bug-type Legendaries, the Mythical Genesect takes the top spot on our list – and there are plenty of reasons to love this ancient robot bug monster (yes, that’s what we’re calling it from now on).
Genesect’s stats are very nicely spread out, with the standouts being 120 Attack and 120 Special Attack, which allow it to deal both Physical and Special damage. It does have a relatively low 71 HP, but we can ignore that when everything else looks so good.
Being a Bug/Steel-type also leaves it with just one weakness – Fire – and eight resistances, including Dragon, Fairy, Steel, and Ice. Combine all of that with Techno Blast, a powerful signature move that can change type depending on the Drive it holds, and Genesect is a huge threat.
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. ATK | Sp. DEF | Speed | Total |
| 71 | 120 | 95 | 120 | 95 | 99 | 600 |
What are the worst Bug-type Pokemon?
Caterpie and Wurmple are among the worst Bug-type Pokemon in the history of the franchise. They simply can’t do much in battle, and their evolutions aren’t too formidable either.
That’s it for our best Bug-type Pokemon list! While you’re here, check out some other guides below:
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