Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl: Best Bug-Type Pokemon

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl revisit the original Diamond and Pearl's Sinnoh region and the Generation 4 Pokemon that reside there. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl give players many Pokemon to choose from when building the team that will eventually lead them to become the Sinnoh region's champion. Both new and old players will be on the hunt for powerful Pokemon to add to their team as they play through the remakes.

There are so many Pokemon of different typings to choose from that players can easily become overwhelmed. Each Pokemon type has its perks, often in their weaknesses and resistances. While Bug-type Pokemon may not be the strongest of the elemental types, they have their benefits — for example, those below can dominate in battle when used correctly.

10 Masquerain

Masquerain is a Bug/Flying-type Pokemon. Its dual-typing both benefits and hinders Masquerain, with an immunity to Ground-type damage but a 4x weakness to Rock-type moves. Its stats aren't too special aside from its high Special Attack stat, which allows Masquerain to really pack a punch when it needs to.

Masquerain evolves from Surskit, which can rarely be caught in the wild at Lake Verity. It also can be found in the Grand Underground once players have obtained the National Dex. Surskit will evolve into Masquerain once it reaches level 22.

Masquerain's Stats:

HP: 70
Attack: 60
Special Attack: 100
Defense: 62
Special Defense: 82
Speed: 80
Total: 545

9 Ninjask

Ninjask is a Bug/Flying-type Pokemon. Like Masquerain, it has a 4x weakness to Rock-type damage, and a regular weakness to Flying, Fire, Electric, and Ice-type damage. Ninjask has an incredibly high Speed stat, which allows it to outpace almost every opponent in battle.

Ninjask evolves from Nincada, which can be found in the Grand Underground once players have obtained the National Dex, or in Eterna Forest using the Poke Radar. Nincada will evolve into Ninjask at level 22.

Ninjask's Stats:

HP: 61
Attack: 90
Special Attack: 50
Defense: 45
Special Defense: 50
Speed: 160
Total: 456

8 Forretress

Forretress is a Bug/Steel-type Pokemon. This combination is one of the better dual-typings in the game, as it has only one 4x weakness and many resistances. Forretress has a 4X weakness to damage taken from Fire-type moves, but resists Normal, Bug, Steel, Psychic, Ice, Dragon, Fairy, and Grass-type moves. It also has an immunity to Poison-type damage. Forretress also has its defense locked down.

Forretress evolves from Pineco, which can be found in the Grand Underground once players have obtained the National Dex. Pineco evolves into Forretress at level 31.

Forretress' Stats:

HP: 75
Attack: 90
Special Attack: 60
Defense: 140
Special Defense: 60
Speed: 40
Total: 465

7 Vespiquen

Vespiquen is a defense-heavy Pokemon. Its high Defense and Special Defense allow it to take hits in battle decently well. Vespiquen does have a 4x damage weakness to Rock-type attacks due to its dual-typing of Bug/Flying, but also receives an immunity to Ground-type damage.

Vespiquen evolves from Combee, which can be found in the Grand Underground. Players can also find Combee by interacting with Honey Trees that are scattered around the Sinnoh region. Combee will evolve into Vespiquen at level 21, but only if it is a female.

Vespiquen's Stats:

HP: 70
Attack: 80
Special Attack: 80
Defense: 102
Special Defense: 102
Speed: 40
Total: 474

6 Armaldo

Armaldo is a Rock/Bug Pokemon, which means it has few weaknesses (Steel, Water, and Rock-type damage) which makes it a great asset in battle. It also has nice Attack and Defense stats.

Armaldo evolves from Anorith, a fossil Pokemon. To obtain Anorith, players will have to find the Claw Fossil in the Grand Underground, which can be found after players have obtained the National Dex. Players can then take the fossil to the Mining Museum to get Anorith. Anorith will evolve into Armaldo at level 40. This is a high-level evolution, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's Exp. Share mechanic allows players to to quickly level up their Pokemon.

Armaldo's Stats:

HP: 75
Attack: 125
Special Attack: 70
Defense: 100
Special Defense: 80
Speed: 45
Total: 495

5 Heracross

Heracross is a Bug/Fighting-type Pokemon, which gives it an unfortunate 4x weakness to Flying-type moves. However, Heracross has a high Attack stat that allows it to deal heavy blows to opposing Pokemon. It also has a strong move pool, with hard-hitting moves like Close Combat and Megahorn at its disposal.

Heracross does not evolve or have any pre-evolutions. It can be found and caught by interacting with Honey Trees that are scattered all around the Sinnoh region.

Heracross' Stats:

HP: 80
Attack: 125
Special Attack: 40
Defense: 75
Special Defense: 95
Speed: 85
Total: 500

4 Pinsir (Shining Pearl Exclusive)

Pinsir is a sole Bug-type Pokemon and thus no doubled weaknesses or resistances. It is weak to Flying, Rock, and Fire-type damage, though if players can manage to avoid these typings in battle, Pinsir is a strong choice for a Bug-type. Pinsir has great Attack and Defense stats, making it a well-rounded choice.

Pinsir does not evolve or have any pre-evolutions. It can be found in the wild on Route 229 or in the Grand Underground, but is only available to players playing Pokemon Shining Pearl.

Pinsir's Stats:

HP: 65
Attack: 125
Special Attack: 55
Defense: 100
Special Defense: 70
Speed: 85
Total: 500

3 Scizor (Brilliant Diamond Exclusive)

Scizor is the Bug/Steel-type "Pincer Pokemon," with an outstanding Attack stat. This makes it a real threat to opponents in battle, and paired with its great move pool of strong Bug and Steel-type moves like Iron Head and X-Scissor, Scizor is a force to be reckoned with.

Scizor is a Pokemon Brilliant Diamond exclusive. Scyther, Scizor's pre-evolution, can be found in the Grand Underground and on Route 229. Scyther will evolve into Scizor when it is traded while holding aMetal Coat.

Scizor's Stats:

HP: 70
Attack: 130
Special Attack: 55
Defense: 100
Special Defense: 80
Speed: 65
Total: 500

2 Shuckle

Shuckle is not very useful to trainers looking to fill their team with powerful Pokemon. However, its appeal mostly lies in its ridiculously massive Defense and Special Defense. While these stats allow it to take quite a few hits, that's mostly where Shuckle's usefulness ends. With very low Attack and Special Attack, there aren't many opponents that Shuckle could easily take down. However, it's great for players to rotate into battle if they need to stall while healing up their team's hard-hitters.

Shuckle does not have a pre-evolution and does not evolve. It is a stand-alone Pokemon that can be found in the Grand Underground once players have obtained the National Dex.

Shuckle's Stats:

HP: 20
Attack: 10
Special Attack: 10
Defense: 230
Special Defense: 230
Speed: 5
Total: 505

1 Yanmega

Yanmega is a Bug/Flying-type Pokemon, which gives it a weakness to Rock-type damage and an immunity to Ground-type damage. Yanmega's highlight is its Special Attack stat, which allows it to use powerful moves like Bug Buzz and Air Slash to great effect.

Yanmega evolves from Yanma, which can be found in Great Marsh and can be caught by walking in tall grass. Yanma will evolve into Yanmega once it has learned the move Ancient Power.