Bug type
Pokémon.
Underrated offensive type with Dark/Psychic coverage; weak defensively.
Bug stats
What defines the Bug type
Bug is offensive coverage in disguise. It hits Psychic, Dark, and Grass super-effective — three high-volume defensive types. Most great Bug Pokémon are dual-typed with another offensive type: Volcarona (Bug/Fire), Scizor (Bug/Steel), Buzzwole (Bug/Fighting), Heracross (Bug/Fighting), Yanmega (Bug/Flying + Tinted Lens). U-turn is the most-used pivot move in competitive Pokémon — Bug STAB that does damage AND switches the user out. Defensively Bug is mediocre — 3 weaknesses (Fire, Flying, Rock) and 3 resists (Fighting, Grass, Ground).
Best Bug-type Pokémon
Top 12 by Base Stat Total across all generations
Genesect
Buzzwole
Pheromosa
Slither Wing
Volcarona
Golisopod
Centiskorch
Yanmega
Shuckle
Orbeetle
Scyther
Pinsir
Bug offensive analysis
Bug hits Psychic, Dark, Grass super-effective. U-turn (60 BP, switch-out effect) is the most-used move in the meta. Megahorn (120 BP physical Bug) and Bug Buzz (90 BP special Bug) are the high-BP STAB options. Tinted Lens (Yanmega, Venomoth) makes resisted Bug moves hit neutral.
What Bug attacks hit super-effective
What resists Bug attacks
Strongest Bug moves
Top 12 attacking moves by base power (Gen 9)
| Move | Cat | BP | Acc | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Megahorn | physical | 120 | 85 | Using its tough and impressive horn, the user rams into the target with no letup… |
| Bug Buzz | special | 90 | 100 | The user vibrates to generate a damaging sound wave. This may also lower the tar… |
| First Impression | physical | 90 | 100 | Although this move has great power, it works only on the first turn each time th… |
| Pollen Puff | special | 90 | 100 | The user attacks the enemy with a pollen puff that explodes. If the target is an… |
| Leech Life | physical | 80 | 100 | The user drains the target's blood. The user's HP is restored by up to half the … |
| Lunge | physical | 80 | 100 | The user makes a lunge at the target, attacking with full force. This also lower… |
| X-Scissor | physical | 80 | 100 | The user slashes at the target by crossing its scythes, claws, or the like as if… |
| Skitter Smack | physical | 70 | 90 | The user skitters behind the target to attack. This also lowers the target's Sp.… |
| U-turn | physical | 70 | 100 | After making its attack, the user rushes back to switch places with a party Pok�… |
| Bug Bite | physical | 60 | 100 | The user attacks by biting the target. If the target is holding a Berry, the use… |
| Pounce | physical | 50 | 100 | The user attacks by pouncing on the target. This also lowers the target's Speed … |
| Struggle Bug | special | 50 | 100 | The user attacks by struggling against opposing Pok�mon. This also lowers their … |
Bug defensive analysis
Bug resists Fighting, Grass, Ground. Weak to Fire, Flying, Rock — and 4× Rock weakness for Bug/Flying types like Yanmega and Volcarona, making Heavy-Duty Boots mandatory. Bug/Steel (Scizor, Forretress) only takes 4× Fire damage.
Bug's weaknesses, resistances, and immunities
Weak to (2×)
Resists (½×)
Best Bug dual-type combos
Bug / Steel
Examples: Scizor, Forretress, Genesect
Only Fire weakness; Technician Bullet Punch / Spikes
Bug / Fire
Examples: Volcarona
Quiver Dance + 4 immunities to status; signature sweeper
Bug / Fighting
Examples: Heracross, Buzzwole, Pheromosa
Megahorn + Close Combat = best 2-move coverage
Bug / Flying
Examples: Yanmega, Vikavolt
Tinted Lens neutralizes Bug Buzz; Aerial Ace coverage
Bug type history & meta shifts
Bug was a Gen 1 joke (no good Bug moves besides Pin Missile + Twineedle, and Bug-types had awful stats). Gen 2 added Heracross + Scizor. Gen 5 added Volcarona, the most beloved competitive Bug ever. Gen 7 Buzzwole/Pheromosa Ultra Beasts elevated Bug-types to OU staple status. Gen 9 added no major Bug additions.
Vibe in one line
U-turn pivot, Volcarona sweeper, underrated offensive coverage.