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How to evolve Primeape

Our how to evolve Primeape guide explains how to get the stage three ‘mon Annihilape, and it's a bit different to levels and items.

How to evolve Primeape - Primeape and Annihilape in front of a map of Paldea

How do you evolve Primeape? Before we talk about Primeape’s evolution, we have one question. Who doesn’t love Primeape? The generation one Pokémon has some serious anger issues and packs a heck of a punch, the latter of which serves as a painful reminder that you can’t hug one, no matter how fluffy it looks. Well, for those of you who love Mankey and Primeape, guess what? We’re here to tell you how to evolve Primeape in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yes, the Nintendo Switch game finally introduces a third stage to this evolution line.

We have no problem admitting that Primeape is one of our favorite ‘mon, but should you still need to decide on yours, our Pokédex guide can help you out, as it lists all of the creatures across every generation. Or, if you just need some aid in Paldea, our Pokémon Scarlet and Violet gym leaders, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet legendaries, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet multiplayer articles are a great read.

Here’s how to evolve Primeape.

How to evolve Primeape - Primeape in front of a map of Kanto

Who is Primeape?

Primeape is a fighting Pokémon from Kanto, evolving from Mankey. It looks angry, and that’s because it is. All the time. It just takes the wind blowing past it to send this monkey into a flying rage, and when it throws a tantrum, you’d best run less it throws you. Another word of advice: don’t wake a sleeping Primeape up. It will chase you down and make you regret your actions, but we can understand why it’s mad this time.

Who is Primeape’s evolution?

Primeape evolves into Annihilape, a gen 9 Pokémon that serves as a fighting and ghost Pokémon, offering a different dimension to the OG evolution gen 1 Pokémon evolution line. Annihilape is widely considered to be one of the best creatures in Scarlet and Violet, so knowing how to evolve Primeape is vital if you want to get yourself a serious contender.

How to evolve Primeape - Mankey in front of a map of Kanto

How do I evolve Primeape?

Primeape needs to use rage fist 20 times to evolve. The fighting Pokémon leans rage fist when it reaches level 35, so it takes a fair bit of battling to get yourself an Annihilape, but it’s worth the effort.

Where do I find Primeape in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

Of course, before you can evolve Primeape, you actually need to catch one. As our fighting Pokémon weakness guide indicates, fighting Pokémon such as Primeape are weak to bird Pokémon and flying Pokémon in general, so consider that when you try to catch one. Anyway, Primeape appears from the mid-game onwards in Scarlet and Violet in these areas:

  • All across the East Province
  • Around area one in the North Province

Where can I catch Mankey in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

Mankey are common to come across in the early hours of your adventure in Paldea and is often a good way to get yourself a Primeape, as it evolves into one at level 28.

Mankey is in the following areas in Scarlet and Violet:

  • All across the West Province
  • Around area five in the South Province
  • Around area one in the South Province

How to evolve Primeape - Annihilape in front of a map of Paldea

How do I evolve Primeape in Pokémon Go?

Primeape needs to be your buddy while you beat 30 psychic- or ghost-types in battle to evolve into Annihilape. You don’t need to use Primeape in battle; just make sure that it’s your buddy at the time. If you find yourself in need of a Primeape, you need to give Mankey 50 candy.

There you have it, everything you need to know on how to evolve Primeape. If it’s Rockruff’s evolution, Scyther’s evolution, Murkrow’s evolution, Bisharp’s evolution, Floette’s evolution, or Misdreavus’ evolution that interests you, take a look at our article.