From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
The Bug type (Japanese: むしタイプ Bug type) is one of the eighteen types. Notable Trainers who specialize in Bug-type Pokémon are Bugsy of Azalea Town, Aaron of the Sinnoh Elite Four, Burgh of Castelia City, Viola of Santalune City, and Team Skull Boss Guzma. Prior to changes in Generation IV, all damaging Bug-type moves were physical, but they may now also be special depending on the attack.
Statistical averages
Overall
Fully evolved
Battle properties
Generation I
| Offensive
|
|
Defensive
|
| Power
|
Types
|
|
Power
|
Types
|
| 2×
|
|
½×
|
|
| ½×
|
|
2×
|
|
| 0×
|
None
|
0×
|
None
|
Generations II to V
| Offensive
|
|
Defensive
|
| Power
|
Types
|
|
Power
|
Types
|
| 2×
|
|
½×
|
|
| ½×
|
|
2×
|
|
| 0×
|
None
|
0×
|
None
|
Generation VI onwards
| Offensive
|
|
Defensive
|
| Power
|
Types
|
|
Power
|
Types
|
| 2×
|
|
½×
|
|
| ½×
|
|
2×
|
|
| 0×
|
None
|
0×
|
None
|
Characteristics
Defense
Defensively, Bug types often struggle because of their typically low Defense and weaknesses to Fire, Flying, and Rock, all of which are commonly employed offensively. Even their resistances to Ground and Fighting, the two types with the most offensive coverage, are of little use since many Pokémon of both types can learn Rock moves.
However, dual-type Bug/Flying and Bug/Poison Pokémon have an outstanding double resistance to Fighting, which can make up for their low Defense. They also have a double resistance to common Grass moves and can greatly pressure Pokémon of that type. The Bug type is perhaps most effective when paired with Steel, as those two types cover each other against everything but Fire.
Offense
In strictly damage-dealing terms, Bug is one of the worst offensive types. Statistically, the Bug type is the weakest among the types as it has the lowest average base stat total among all Pokémon and among fully evolved Pokémon. Furthermore, many fully-evolved Bug-type Pokémon have a base stat total below 400. Although they are super effective against Psychic, Dark, and Grass types, Bug types are unable to deal a lot of damage to many other types, as seven types (Fire, Flying, Fighting, Poison, Ghost, Steel, and Fairy) resist Bug-type moves. Many Grass types such as Venusaur have a dual type that eliminates their weakness to Bug, and most pure Grass types have well above average defensive stats, making low-powered Bug type moves almost useless against them.
In Generation I, Bug type can also deal super-effective damage to Poison, though this is reversed as of Generation II. The Bug type does pair effectively with Water and Ice, but their advantage over Psychic types is compromised by the relatively common typing of Bug/Poison types in Generation I, as well as Psychic types with Bug-resistant secondary types.
However, although lacking in stats, Bug-types are by no means ineffectual. Bug-types learn many powerful status moves such as Tail Glow and Quiver Dance, as well as frequently having access to moves of other types like Sleep Powder. Although their base power may be lacking, almost every offensive Bug-type move has an additional effect that hinders the opponent or helps the user.
Contest properties
In Contests, Bug-type moves do not favor any one Contest category.
Pokémon
As of Generation VI, there are 66 Bug-type Pokémon or 9.2% of all Pokémon, making it the 6th most common type.
Pure Bug-type Pokémon
Half Bug-type Pokémon
Primary Bug-type Pokémon
Secondary Bug-type Pokémon
Moves
| Gen
|
Move
|
Category
|
Contest
|
Power
|
Accuracy
|
PP
|
Range
|
Description
|
| IV
|
Attack Order
|
Physical
|
Clever
|
09090
|
100100%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
The user calls out its underlings to pummel the target. Critical hits land more easily.
|
| IV
|
Bug Bite
|
Physical
|
Cute
|
06060
|
100100%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The user bites the target. If the target is holding a Berry, the user eats it and gains its effect.
|
| IV
|
Bug Buzz
|
Special
|
Beautiful
|
09090
|
100100%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
The user generates a damaging sound wave by vibration. This may also lower the target's Sp. Def stat.
|
| IV
|
Defend Order
|
Status
|
Clever
|
000—
|
000—%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
The user calls out its underlings to shield its body, raising its Defense and Sp. Def stats.
|
| VI
|
Fell Stinger
|
Physical
|
Cool
|
05050
|
100100%
|
2525 (max 40)
|
|
When the user knocks out a target with this move, the user's Attack stat rises drastically.
|
| VII
|
First Impression
|
Physical
|
|
09090
|
100100%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
Although this move has great power, it only works the first turn the user is in battle.
|
| II
|
Fury Cutter
|
Physical
|
Cool
|
04040
|
09595%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The target is slashed with scythes or claws. This attack becomes more powerful if it hits in succession.
|
| IV
|
Heal Order
|
Status
|
Clever
|
000—
|
000—%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
The user calls out its underlings to heal it. The user regains up to half of its max HP.
|
| VI
|
Infestation
|
Special
|
Cute
|
02020
|
100100%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The target is infested and attacked for four to five turns. The target can't flee during this time.
|
| I
|
Leech Life
|
Physical
|
Clever
|
08080
|
100100%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
The user drains the target's blood. The user's HP is restored by half the damage taken by the target.
|
| VII
|
Lunge
|
Physical
|
|
08080
|
100100%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
The user makes a lunge at the target, attacking with full force. This also lowers the target's Attack stat.
|
| II
|
Megahorn
|
Physical
|
Cool
|
120120
|
08585%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
Using its tough and impressive horn, the user rams into the target with no letup.
|
| I
|
Pin Missile
|
Physical
|
Cool
|
02525
|
09595%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
Sharp spikes are shot at the target in rapid succession. They hit two to five times in a row.
|
| VII
|
Pollen Puff
|
Special
|
|
09090
|
100100%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
The user attacks the enemy with a pollen puff that explodes. If the target is an ally, it gives the ally a pollen puff that restores its HP instead.
|
| VI
|
Powder
|
Status
|
Clever
|
000—
|
100100%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The user covers the target in a combustible powder. If the target uses a Fire-type move, the powder explodes and damages the target.
|
| V
|
Quiver Dance
|
Status
|
Beautiful
|
000—
|
000—%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The user lightly performs a beautiful, mystic dance. This boosts the user's Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed stats.
|
| V
|
Rage Powder
|
Status
|
Clever
|
000—
|
000—%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The user scatters a cloud of irritating powder to draw attention to itself. Opponents aim only at the user.
|
| VII
|
Savage Spin-Out
|
Physical
|
|
000—
|
000—%
|
011 (max 1)
|
|
The user binds the target with full force with threads of silk that the user spits using its Z-Power. The power varies, depending on the original move.
|
| VII
|
Savage Spin-Out
|
Special
|
|
000—
|
000—%
|
011 (max 1)
|
|
The user binds the target with full force with threads of silk that the user spits using its Z-Power. The power varies, depending on the original move.
|
| III
|
Signal Beam
|
Special
|
Beautiful
|
07575
|
100100%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
The user attacks with a sinister beam of light. This may also confuse the target.
|
| III
|
Silver Wind
|
Special
|
Beautiful
|
06060
|
100100%
|
055 (max 8)
|
|
The target is attacked with powdery scales blown by the wind. This may also raise all the user's stats.
|
| II
|
Spider Web
|
Status
|
Clever
|
000—
|
000—%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
The user ensnares the target with thin, gooey silk so it can't flee from battle.
|
| V
|
Steamroller
|
Physical
|
Tough
|
06565
|
100100%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The user crushes its target by rolling over the target with its rolled-up body. This may also make the target flinch.
|
| VI
|
Sticky Web
|
Status
|
Tough
|
000—
|
000—%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The user weaves a sticky net around the opposing team, which lowers their Speed stat upon switching into battle.
|
| I
|
String Shot
|
Status
|
Clever
|
000—
|
09595%
|
4040 (max 64)
|
|
The opposing Pokémon are bound with silk blown from the user's mouth that harshly lowers the Speed stat.
|
| V
|
Struggle Bug
|
Special
|
Cute
|
05050
|
100100%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
While resisting, the user attacks the opposing Pokémon. This lowers the Sp. Atk stat of those hit.
|
| III
|
Tail Glow
|
Status
|
Beautiful
|
000—
|
000—%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The user stares at flashing lights to focus its mind, drastically raising its Sp. Atk stat.
|
| I
|
Twineedle
|
Physical
|
Cool
|
02525
|
100100%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The user damages the target twice in succession by jabbing it with two spikes. This may also poison the target.
|
| IV
|
U-turn
|
Physical
|
Cute
|
07070
|
100100%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
After making its attack, the user rushes back to switch places with a party Pokémon in waiting.
|
| IV
|
X-Scissor
|
Physical
|
Cool
|
08080
|
100100%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
The user slashes at the target by crossing its scythes or claws as if they were a pair of scissors.
|
| All details are accurate to Generation VII games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual move's page. Target data assumes user is in the lower left.
|
Abilities
Interacting with the Bug type
A Pokémon with Color Change, Protean, Imposter, Multitype, or RKS System will become a Bug-type Pokémon if (respectively) it is hit with a Bug-type move, uses a Bug-type move, is sent out against a Bug-type opponent, is holding an Insect Plate, or is holding a Bug Memory.
| Gen
|
Ability
|
Description
|
| V
|
Rattled
|
Raises Speed one stage upon being hit by a Dark, Ghost, or Bug move.
|
| III
|
Swarm
|
Powers up Bug-type moves when the Pokémon is in trouble.
|
| All details are accurate to Generation VI games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual Ability's page.
|
Exclusive Abilities
Only Bug-type Pokémon can have these Abilities. This does not include signature Abilities.
| Gen
|
Ability
|
Description
|
| III
|
Compound Eyes
|
Boosts the Pokémon's accuracy.
|
| III
|
Swarm
|
Powers up Bug-type moves when the Pokémon is in trouble.
|
| III
|
Shield Dust
|
Blocks the additional effects of attacks taken.
|
| All details are accurate to Generation VI games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual Ability's page.
|
Trivia
- Generation V introduced the most Bug-type Pokémon of any Generation, with 18, and Generation VI introduced the fewest Bug-type Pokémon, with three.
- Generation IV introduced the most Bug-type moves of any Generation, with seven, and Generations II and III introduced the fewest Bug-type moves, with three.
- The Flying type is one of the two types most commonly paired with the Bug type, with the other type being Poison. However, there are a number of Bug types, despite being able to fly, that are not Flying types, nor have the Ability Levitate, such as Beedrill and Venomoth.
- Despite this, the only Bug-type Pokémon that can learn the move Fly, Volcarona and Genesect, are not Flying types.
- Until Pokémon Platinum, several Bug-type Pokémon (Shuckle, Kricketot, Burmy, Wormadam, and Combee) were unable to learn any Bug-type moves naturally. Each of them is now able to learn Bug Bite by level up.
- In Generation I, the Bug type is super effective against Poison-type Pokémon, while the Poison type is super effective against Bug-type Pokémon. As such, this was the only case when two different types were super-effective against each other.
- The Bug type was the most common 4× weakness in Generation I, with 11 Pokémon doubly weak to it, mainly due to Poison type having a weakness to it at the time.
- No Pokémon gains the Bug type upon evolving that did not already have it. It shares this distinction with the Normal type.
- Of all Pokémon that evolve at or above a certain level, all of the 10 earliest-evolving Pokémon are of the Bug type.
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