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When it comes to Pokemon, Bug-types rake in the lowest average base stats. Despite this, they're nowhere near useless and can prove to be decent battlers when equipped with the right items and moveset. Pokemon Sun/Moon introduced Grubbin, an average-looking bug Pokemon that's part of a three-stage evolution line. Now that part 1 of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet's expansion pass is out, the Grubbin-line is now compatible with Gen 9.
Trainers can catch their own Grubbin in Kitakami, a new region unlocked via Scarlet/Violet's Teal Mask. Fully-evolved Vikavolt has amazing Special Attack, but is that enough to earn it a spot on the team? Before trainers start rearranging their team, they should first learn how to catch the Grubbin-line and understand their strengths and weaknesses.
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Where to Find Grubbin (& Charjabug)
Players that have purchased the expansion pass will gain access to Kitakami after they have started the Treasure Hunt in Scarlet/Violet's base game. They'll receive a call from Professor Jacq telling them to return to Naranja/Uva Academy's Entrance Hall to meet a teacher from Blueberry Academy. Doing so unlocks the Kitakami Pokedex and, of course, the Kitakami region itself. There are 200 entries in the Kitakami Dex, and the Grubbin-line are a part of that bundle.
Fortunately, Grubbin is one of the more-common species in Kitakami. In fact, Grubbin can be found on Kitakami Road, which is the area that trainers will spawn at during their first visit. There are plenty of Grubbin and even Charjabug on the hill west of Kitakami Road, but trainers will need Koraidon/Miraidon's climb ability to reach them. Otherwise, they'll need to go through Apple Hills.
They'll also spawn in Wistful Fields (near the lake where trainers can battle/catch Munkidori) and Timeless Woods (where trainers can get the Blood Moon Ursaluna). If trainers are going to Timeless Woods, they'll want to have their Pokemon team level 50 or higher, as Timeless Woods' Pokemon levels do not scale below 50 regardless of the player's progress in the main story.
The Grubbin and Charjabug outside Timeless Woods will be around level 20 if trainers have not completed "The Way Home" main quest. If they have, then the Bug-types levels will be scaled to the 60s. Trainers can use a Net Ball to catch it if a Quick Ball fails on the first turn. Net Balls have a higher catch rate when used on a Water or Bug-type Pokemon.
Those who are struggling to find Grubbin and Charjabug can instead inspect the Tera Crystals in Kitakami. Grubbin will appear as a 1-star Tera Raid, while Charjabug appears in 3-star Tera Raids. While 1-star Raids are available as soon as trainers embark on their Treasure Hunt, 3-star Tera Raids unlock after obtaining three Gym Badges.
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How to Evolve Grubbin & How to Evolve Charjabug into Vikavolt
Grubbin evolves into Charjabug when it reaches level 20. The Grubbin caught in the postgame will be way beyond their evolve level, so just level it up one more time to trigger the evolution. Grubbins below level 20 can grow quickly by using them in Auto-Battles.
In their debut game, Vikavolt could only be obtained by leveling up Charjabug in an area with a strong magnetic field. Since this doesn't exist in Paldea/Kitakami, the evolution method is different. In Scarlet/Violet, Charjabug evolves into Vikavolt when exposed to a Thunder Stone.
These evolutionary stones can be picked up around Paldea, but a more surefire way of getting them is to buy one at Delibird Presents for 3000 poke dollars or League Points (LP). However, they only appear at the store if trainers have three gym badges. Furthermore, there are only three Delibird Presents in Paldea. They're located in Mesagoza, Cascarrafa, and Levincia.
Where to Find Vikavolt in the Wild (Where to Catch Vikavolt)
Those that don't want to evolve Charjabug or can't find a Thunder Stone can catch a Grass Tera-type Vikvaolt in the Kitakami Wilds. Specifically, this Vikavolt is located on the hills south of the Timeless Woods (refer to the orange flag on the above image). Since it's a Terastallized Pokemon, trainers need to break its Tera Form before they can throw the Poke Ball.
Te Terastallized Vikavolt is a Grass-type, so it still retains its weakness to Fire-type moves, and it's also susceptible to Flying-type moves, something regular (i.e, Bug/Electric-type) Vikavolt are not. Like the Grubbins and Charjabugs, Vikavolt's level can be level 41 (before completing "The Way Home") or level 75 (postgame).
Finally, Vikavolt appears in 5-star Tera Raids. These unlock after completing "The Way Home" main quest. Meaning they can't be obtainable via Raids until trainers have officially started the postgame.
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Is Vikavolt Good? (Stats, Nature, etc)
Looking at Vikavolt's base stats, it doesn't seem like a poor Pokemon. It has a great base Special Attack and decent Defense. However, its Speed leaves much to the imagination. Here's what trainers are looking at in terms of Vikavolt's stats and type effectiveness:
HP: | 77 |
|---|---|
Attack: | 70 |
Special Attack: | 145 |
Defense: | 90 |
Special Defense: | 75 |
Speed: | 45 |
Total: | 500 |
Super effective against: | Water, Dark, Psychic, Grass, Flying |
|---|---|
Weaknesses: | Fire, Rock |
Immunities: | * Ground |
Resistances: | Steel, Fighting, Electric, Grass |
* Vikavolt has an immunity to Ground-types thanks to its Levitate Ability. However, if the opposing Pokemon uses a move like Gravity or has the Ability Moldbreaker, then it will be able to hit Vikavolt with Ground-type attacks.
Its Special Attack and low Attack means the best nature for Vikavolt to have is Modest (+Sp. Attk, -Attk). Trainers that want it to have an extra growth spurt in its Speed can try running a Timid (+Spd, -Attk) Nature instead, but keep in mind that Vikavolt's Speed is its worse stat. Thus, even a tiny boost may not do much, and Vikavolt may need to be holding a speed-increasing item to strike before the opponent.
Vikavolt learns most physical moves upon leveling up/remembering, but trainers will want to focus more on its special moves:
- Thunderbolt is a great move for it to have. It has 100% accuracy and deals 90 damage.
- Bug Buzz is another one to consider since it has a 10% chance of lowering the target's special defense. Like Thunderbolt, it also has 100% accuracy and 90 power.
- Through TMs, trainers can teach it Energy Ball. This is a Grass-type move, which can pair well with the Grass-type Terastallized Vikavolt in the Kitakami Wilds. However, Energy Ball has the same attack power and accuracy as previously-mentioned Thunderbolt and Bug Buzz. It also has a 10% chance of lowering the enemy's Special Defense. Energy Ball will give Vikavolt coverage against Ground and Rock-type Pokemon.
- Volt Switch will allow Vikavolt to switch out with another Pokemon in battle. Thus, it's usually a must-have for competitive battling. However, trainers can swap it out for a status move (ex: Agility) or even a type-coverage move like Mud Shot.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.