If you were looking for the Legendary guide, it has been merged into this one.
Overview
Grinding refers to repeatedly fainting/running from wild Pokemon with a goal, for example hunting a
Legendary or Extremely Rare Pokemon. When grinding in higher-level areas, team composition becomes
more important; to ensure you can 1HKO consistently, deal with elites, and catch wild Pokemon
safely. This guide will cover common grinding locations with ideal team compositions/strategies.
All calculations in this guide assume your Pokemon are level 100, have 252 EVs in the respective
stat, and not using a detrimental nature (e.g. -Speed).
Credit to Qaz (QAZWSX123) for lots of the suggestions here!
(This guide is bring constantly improved. If you have any suggestions, spot mistakes, or want to
contribute, please PM gouldie on discord).
Terminology
Lead The first Pokemon in your party. This Pokemon should be fast enough to outspeed and
strong enough to 1HKO any wild Pokemon.
Elite Killer A Pokemon used for the purpose of fainting wild Elite Pokemon.
Wall A Pokemon with high defensive stats used for the purpose of staying alive while
catching.
1HKO One hit knock out.
Revenge Killer A Pokemon which comes in after one of its teammates has fainted and revenge
kills the opposing Pokemon.
Seafoam Islands
Seafoam Islands is located in Kanto. Articuno can only be encountered
here if your lead Pokemon is alive and holding a Feather of Articuno or
Feather of Articuno (Enhanced). The former drops from wild
Pokemon in the area if your lead is an Ice type (dual types work). The Enhanced version increases
Articuno encounter rate by 20%.
If you have a Synchronize Stone, you can lead with an Illuminate Pokemon such as Starmie for faster encounters.
Moveset: Surf. Item: None required.
Elite Killers
As wild Pokemon are low level, your lead should be able to deal with elites.
Walls
Walls Swinub and Articuno.
Power Plant Basement
Power Plant Basement is located in Kanto. In order to access it,
you must first obtain all Kanto and Johto gym badges. Zapdos can only be encountered here if your
lead Pokemon is alive and holding a Feather of Zapdos or
Feather of Zapdos (Enhanced). The former drops from wild Pokemon
in the area if your lead is an Electric type (dual types work). The Enhanced version increases
Zapdos encounter rate by 20%.
Hyper Beam will 1HKO all wild Pokemon. Electric-type for the feather drops. Compound Eyes ability for increased drop rate and to ensure Hyper Beam cannot miss.
Moveset: Hyper Beam. Item: None required.
Surf will 1HKO all wild Pokemon. Electric-type for the feather drops. Illuminate ability for increased encounter speed.
Moveset: Surf. Item: None required.
Alakazam can be used if you would prefer to lead with a Synchronize Pokemon.
Other Synchronize user such as Gardevoir can also work.
Moveset: Psychic. Item: None required.
Elite Killers
As wild Pokemon are low level, any high level Ground-type should be able to take on all elites. Rhyperior is a great choice because it can also act as a wall for both Zapdos and Electabuzz.
Moveset: Earthquake, Stone Edge. Item: Leftovers.
Walls
Walls both Zapdos and Electabuzz easily. Leftovers for passive regen.
Moveset: N/A. Item: Leftovers.
Walls both Zapdos and Electabuzz easily. Poison Heal/Toxic Orb or Leftovers for passive regen.
Moveset: Roost. Item: Leftovers/Toxic Orb.
Mt. Ember/Mt. Silver
Mt. Ember is located on One Island. You can get there by taking a ferry via
Bill on Cinnabar Island.
Mt. Silver is located west of the Pokemon League Reception Gate.
Moltres can only be encountered in these locations if your lead Pokemon is alive and holding a
Feather of Moltres or
Feather of Moltres (Enhanced). The former drops from wild
Pokemon in the area if your lead is a Fire type (dual types work). The Enhanced version increases
Moltres encounter rate by 20%.
1HKO's everything with a Choice Specs Psychic. Give it Signal Beam if you want to kill Exeggcute, and Hidden Power Fire for Ferroseed.
Stronger Psychic users such as Deoxys also work here.
Moveset: Psychic, Signal Beam, Hidden Power Fire. Item: Choice Specs.
1HKO's everything except Ferroseed with a 1 HP Flail.
Illuminate can be used to boost encounter speed. However, this ability has the caveat of Beedrillite being unable to drop, according to the current rules on mega stone drops, so you may want to use a different ability.
Stronger Flail users like Diggersby/Slaking also work here.
Note that due to a bug Watchog/Diggersby cannot currently learn Endure, so you'll need to lower its HP another way, such as a friend using False Swipe. Moveset: Endure, Flail. Item: None required.
Elite Killers
Special attacking offensive build will deal with all elites here, healing itself with Oblivion Wing.
Deoxys-Attack 1HKO's with a Choice Specs Psychic. Outspeeds everything provided you don't have a -Speed nature with less than 3 Speed IVs.
Moveset: Psychic. Item: Choice Specs.
1HKO's with a Choice Specs Psychic with a +SpAtk nature and 18+ SpAtk IV. Outspeeds with either a +Speed nature, or neutral nature with 25+ Speed IV.
Moveset: Psychic. Item: Choice Specs.
A Dugtrio with 25+ Speed IVs and 7+ Atk IVs is able to 1HKO everything except Drifloon. Even with max Attack, Rock Slide can miss, and some Drifloons will survive, so it is recommended to run from them.
Arena Trap can be used to boost encounter speed. However, this ability has the caveat of Houndoomite being unable to drop, according to the current rules on mega stone drops, so you may want to use a different ability.
Deoxys-Attack 1HKO's everything except Magneton with a Choice Specs Psychic. Depending on the type, Hidden Power can be used to 1HKO Magneton, otherwise it's best to run. Outspeeds provided you don't have a -Speed nature with less than 3 Speed IVs.
Moveset: Psychic, Hidden Power Fire/Ground/Fighting. Item: Choice Specs.
1HKO's everything except Magneton with a Choice Specs Psychic with a +SpA nature and 18+ IV. Depending on the type, Hidden Power can be used to 1HKO Magneton, otherwise it's best to run. Outspeeds with either a +Speed nature, or neutral nature with 25+ Speed IV.
Moveset: Psychic, Hidden Power Fire/Ground/Fighting. Item: Choice Specs.
A Dugtrio with 25+ Speed IVs and 7+ Attack IVs is able to outspeed and 1HKO everything here. Earthquake for Electrode, Reversal for everything else. Does not require an item.
Arena Trap can be used to boost encounter speed. However, this ability has the caveat of Manectite being unable to drop, according to the current rules on mega stone drops, so you may want to use a different ability.
Moveset: Thunderbolt, Flash Cannon, Metal Sound. Item: Choice Specs/Electric Gem.
Walls
Walls Suicune and all ERs. False Swipe can be useful for catching.
Hoenn Routes (Latias/Latios)
Each day, the Lati twins spawn on a random Hoenn route. The route changes daily at 0:00 UTC. In
order to encounter them, you first need to obtain an Eon Ticket, a reward for
defeating the Hoenn Elite 4.
The ticket, when used, will also reveal the locations of the twins on that given day. The possible
locations are: Hoenn Safari Zone, or any route from 101 - 130, excluding route 107, 108, and 109.
A Soul Shard (Enhanced) can be used here to boost Latios/Latias
encounter rate by 20%.
Outspeeds all wild Pokemon easily. On most routes, you will need a Choice Specs in order to 1HKO all wild Pokemon. Use Psychic primarily, with an alternate move for Dark-types, such as Dazzling Gleam.
Outspeeds all wild Pokemon easily. On most routes, you will need a Choice Specs in order to 1HKO all wild Pokemon.
Moveset: Psychic, Surf. Item: Choice Specs.
On most routes, Flail users such as Watchog, Diggersby and Slaking will work. However, some routes have Surskit who knows Aqua Jet.
In Hoenn Safari Zone, use Grass Knot/Seed Bomb (Watchog), Earthquake (Diggersby) or Reversal (Slaking) for Golem. You may need a Choice Band (or Choice Specs for Grass Knot) to 1KHO it.
Note that due to a bug Diggersby and Watchog cannot currently learn Endure, so you'll need to lower its HP another way.
Deoxys-Attack will outspeed and 1HKO the majority of wild Pokemon with a Choice Specs. Wild Golbat can reach 391 Spe, so ideally you want a +SpA nature with as much SpA and Spe as possible.
Teleport from Exploud.
Moveset: Psychic, Water Pulse, Energy Ball, Teleport. Item: Choice Specs.
Although Alakazam can't kill reliably here, it is fast enough for Teleport grinding or as a revenge killer should your lead Deoxys faint.
The minimum speed stat for this is 392, easily attainable with a Choice Scarf.
Moveset: Psychic, Energy Ball, Hidden Power Ground/Water, Teleport. Item: Choice Scarf.
Elite Killers
Able to take on elite Explouds and act as a revenge killer for lead Deoxys.
Deals with most elites reasonably well (except for Magcargo) using Leech Seed, Knock Off followed by Power Whip and Protect to outheal.
A specially defensive build will work better against Golbat and Exploud, whereas a physically defensive build will work better against Golem and Sandslash.
Moveset: Leech Seed, Knock Off, Power Whip, Protect. Item: Leftovers.
Walls
Walls Deino.
A physically defensive build (Bold, HP and Def EVs) can wall Regi provided you don't get crit - Strength Sap until Slow Start fades, then Ingrain and Sleep Powder, and finally finish dropping Regi's Def with Strength Sap.
Deoxys-Attack will outspeed and 1HKO the majority of wild Pokemon with a Choice Specs. You should be a +SpA nature with as much SpA and Speed as possible. You won't 1HKO every wild Pokemon, and some Tentacruel will even outspeed you, so bring a revenge killer.
Can also function as a revenge-killer; ideally a +Speed nature to be faster than any Tentacruel that might outspeed your lead.
Works similar to Deoxys, but slower and weaker. It won't net as many 1HKO's, and will be outsped more often. A +Speed nature along with high SpA/Speed IVs are required.
Bring lots of potions or a Portable PC.
Can also function as a revenge killer for lead Deoxys.
Moveset: Thunderbolt. Item: Choice Specs.
Elite Killers
A specially defensive build can take on most elites, either on its own or setting up and then switching to something stronger.
Faraway Island consists of 12 islands. Each day, Mew spawns on one of
the twelve islands, chosen randomly. Changes daily at 0:00 UTC.
In order to access the islands, you must first defeat the Johto Elite 4, and have an
Old Sea Map in your inventory. After that, talk to any
Sailor to be taken to the islands.
Watchog is the ideal lead here as it can outspeed and 1HKO all wild Pokemon, and learn Mean Look + Endeavor to catch Abra.
You will need a Naughty/Lonely nature and the following stats: 293 Attack (29+ IV with full EVs), 159 Special Attack (31 IV with 12 EVs), and 240 Speed (18+ IV with full EVs).
Alternatively, Adamant with Seed Bomb can work, but you will need a Choice Band to 1HKO Golem, making Abra a little harder to catch due to no Endeavor.
The items are only required for Golem on island 11 and 12, other islands can run itemless.
Note that due to a bug Watchog cannot currently learn Endure, so you'll need to lower its HP another way, such as a friend using False Swipe.
Moveset: Flail, Grass Knot/Seed Bomb, Endeavor, Mean Look. Item: Normal Gem/Choice Band.
Slaking will outspeed and 1HKO all wild Pokemon with the combination of Flail and Reversal (at 1HP).
Diggersby will outspeed and 1HKO all wild Pokemon with the combination of Flail (at 1 HP) and Earthquake. Inside the caves, to 1HKO Golem, you will either need a Choice Band or a +Attack nature with 28+ Attack IV.
Note that due to a bug Diggersby cannot currently learn Endure, so you'll need to lower its HP another way.
Moveset: Flail, Earthquake. Item: Choice Band (inside caves only).
Elite Killers
Great for all islands, but will die to elite Golem on islands 11 and 12.
Moveset: Dark Pulse, Oblivion Wing. Item: Choice Specs.
Matches up well against all elites on all islands. Preferably physically defensive for Golem/Sandslash.
Physically defensive build can wall Scyther, Skorupi, Hippowdon, Onix, Steelix.
Moveset: Iron Defense, Double Team, Roost. Item: Leftovers.
Walls Tropius, Foongus, Heracross, Swablu and Chikorita.
Sinnoh Routes (Uxie/Mesprit/Azelf)
Each day, the Lake trio legendaries spawn on a random Sinnoh route. The route changes daily at 0:00
UTC. In order to encounter them, you first need to obtain a Lunar Ticket, a
reward for defeating the Sinnoh Elite 4.
The ticket, when used, will also reveal the locations of the trio on that given day. The possible
locations are: Sinnoh Safari Zone, Eterna Forest, Old Chateau, Deep Sinnoh Victory Road B2, or any
route from 201 - 230, excluding route 219, 220, and 223. Some of these routes are located within the
Battle Zone, an area where you cannot run and the wild Pokemon have their stats boosted by 1.5x.
A Deoxys-Attack can 1HKO all wild Pokemon outside the Battle Zone and, with a Choice Specs and +SpA nature, the majority of wild Pokemon inside the Battle Zone.
Psyshock for Noctowl, Thunderbolt for Pelipper, Energy Ball for Gastrodon, Dark Pulse for Drowzee. Psychic everything else.
Moveset: Psychic, Psyshock, Thunderbolt, Energy Ball/Dark Pulse. Item: Choice Specs.
Able to 1HKO all wild Pokemon outside the Battle Zone. Illuminate ability for increased encounter speed.
Moveset: Surf, Psychic, Psyshock, Energy Ball. Item: Choice Specs.
Able to 1HKO all wild Pokemon outside the Battle Zone.
Able to grind in most routes outside the Battle Zone. Powerful and bulky enough to deal with many elites too.
Taunt is for the ERs with self-damaging moves: Golett, Spiritomb, and Litwick.
Moveset: Dark Pulse, Oblivion Wing, Taunt, Roost. Item: Choice Specs (optional, depends on route).
Flail users such as Watchog, Diggersby and Slaking can grind in most areas outside the Battle Zone. Be aware of routes with Ghost types or Surskit (it knows Aqua Jet).
Note that due to a bug Watchog/Diggersby cannot currently learn Endure.
Moveset: Endure, Flail. Item: Choice Band (optional, depends on route).
Elite Killers
Deals with many elites across Sinnoh.
Taunt is for the ERs with self-damaging moves: Golett, Spiritomb, and Litwick.
Moveset: Dark Pulse, Oblivion Wing, Psychic, Taunt. Item: Choice Specs.
Deals with the common Bug, Poison and Flying types.
Moveset: Swords Dance, Earthquake, Stone Edge, Crunch. Item: Choice Band/Leftovers.
Walls
A physically defensive Gyarados with Intimidate walls Uxie, Mesprit and many ERs.
Taunt can be used to wall the following ERs with self-damaging moves: Golett, Spiritomb and Litwick.
A specially defensive build with the Damp ability can wall Azelf if played correctly. Azelf can boost with Nasty Plot, so you will need to Paralyze it, and keep its Special Attack low using Confide. Paralysis will allow you to outspeed Azelf (provided you are not using a -Spe nature) and therefore avoid Extrasensory flinches. Flash can also help to reduce the chance of it hitting you.
Politoed, Swampert and Quagsire (all using Damp) can also work, but less bulk and the lack of Thunder Wave makes it more risky.
This build can also wall Uxie, Mesprit and a number of ERs.
Deoxys-Attack is by far the best lead here, and will 1HKO the majority of wild Pokemon with a Choice Specs.
Minimum speed stat to outspeed everything is 356, easily attainable if you aren't -Spe.
Teleport from Magnemite.
Moveset: Psychic, Water Pulse, Energy Ball, Teleport. Item: Choice Specs.
There are multiple ways Alakazam can be used here.
It can be used as a teleporter, in which case it will need a +Speed nature and 16+ Speed IVs.
It can be used as a lead attacker, but a +SpA nature would get outsped by some Golbat, and a +Speed nature will fail to net many 1HKO's. For reference, even a +SpA 31 IV Alakazam will fail to kill ~3% of Magcargo and ~20% of Sandslash (the exact number depends on the sync you use). A common strategy here is to use a +Speed nature, only kill Golems, and teleport from the rest.
Moveset: Psychic, Energy Ball, Hidden Power (Ground), Teleport. Item: Choice Specs.
Elite Killers
A physically defensive build can deal with most elites here. Will struggle with Golbat.
Ability options are either Damp to stop Shiny Golem exploding, or Unaware to prevent Sandslash setting up.
Any level 100 Alakazam with a Choice Scarf can outspeed and Teleport grind here.
Moveset: Teleport. Item: Choice Scarf.
Deoxys-Attack is the most efficient lead to use here. With a +Speed nature, 16+ Speed IVs and Hidden Power Fire, it can 1HKO the vast majority of encounters.
Parasect will occasionally survive, so bring as high SpA IV as you can.
Hidden Power Fire for Parasect, Psychic for everything else.
Moveset: Psychic, Hidden Power Fire. Item: Choice Specs.
The next best option after Deoxys. Yveltal with a +Atk nature and Flying Gem can 1HKO the vast majority of encounters here.
Gengar will occasionally survive, so bring as high Attack IV as you can.
Sucker Punch for Gengar, Acrobatics for everything else.
Deoxys-Attack can comfortably outspeed and 1HKO all encounters here.
You could drop the Choice Specs, but you won't 1HKO every Lombre.
Psyshock for Lombre, Energy Ball for Palpitoad, Thunderbolt everything else.
Moveset: Psyshock, Energy Ball, Thunderbolt. Item: Choice Specs.
Must be +SpA nature with 21+ SpA IVs to 1HKO Lombre.
Psyshock for Lombre, Psychic for Kingler, Energy Ball for Palpitoad, Shock Wave everything else.
Moveset: Psyshock, Psychic, Energy Ball, Shock Wave. Item: Choice Specs.
Must be +SpA nature with 31 SpA IVs to 1HKO Lombre.
You could drop the Choice Specs, but you won't 1HKO every Lombre.
Psyshock for Lombre, Psychic for Kingler, Energy Ball for Palpitoad, Thunderbolt everything else.
Moveset: Psyshock, Psychic, Energy Ball, Thunderbolt. Item: Choice Specs.
Must be +Atk nature with 25+ Speed IVs and 4+ Atk IVs. 1HKO's everything with Endure and Flail at 1 HP.
Moveset: Endure, Flail. Item: Choice Band.
Elite Killers
Good coverage for all elites here. Use Analytic ability with HP and SpA EVs. If you don't have Hidden Power Grass, you may need an alternative such as Ferrothorn for the (rare) elite Palpitoad.
Moveset: Thunderbolt, Hidden Power Grass, Metal Sound. Item: Choice Specs.
Preferably specially defensive. Only real threat is Hurricane from an elite Pelipper.
Moveset: Leech Seed, Power Whip, Confide, Thunder Wave. Item: Leftovers.
Walls
Walls Articuno, Swampert and Blastoise.
Note: Only walls Articuno because legendary movesets are currently bugged and wild Articuno does not have Hurricane. Use at your own risk.
Walls Articuno and, if physically bulky, Empoleon too.
Deoxys-Attack with any nature (except -SpA) can kill here without an item. If you're not using a +SpA nature, you will need 5+ SpA IV in order to 1HKO all Gyarados.
Moveset: Psyshock, Energy Ball, Thunderbolt. Item: None required.
Both +SpA or +Spe can kill reliably here with Choice Specs. If you're running +SpA, you will need 10+ Spe IV in order to outspeed all Tentacruels.
+SpA with a good SpA IV can kill decently without Choice Specs.
Moveset: Psyshock, Energy Ball, Thunderbolt. Item: Choice Specs.
A +Atk nature with 4+ Atk IV and 30+ Spe IV will outspeed and 1HKO all wild Pokemon with Flail at 1 HP.
Moveset: Endure, Flail. Item: Choice Band.
Elite Killers
A specially defensive build works best. Can deal with elites on its own, or set up Leech Seed (and optionally Worry Seed for Tentacruel) before bringing in Magnezone.