13 Best Bug Type Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here

What are the best bug type Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet? If you want to build the best team, you need Pokemon of all types on board. This includes a strong bug-type Pokemon.

When building the best team, you should consider having the best water-type Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. You should also think about having one of the best grass type Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet.

There are plenty of different Pokemon that you will encounter in the wilds of Paldea. Are you ready to go on the hunt? Here are the best bug-type Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

🚀 Save Up to $1,200 on the Samsung Galaxy S25!

Pre-order now and save big with trade-in and Samsung credit. Limited time only!

*Includes trade-in value + $300 Samsung credit.

Best Bug Types in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

There are plenty of bug-type Pokemon to choose from in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Below are the ones that we think are the best in the game.

  1. Scizor
  2. Heracross
  3. Scyther
  4. Volcarona
  5. Forretress
  6. Vespiquen
  7. Lokix
  8. Frosmoth
  9. Rabsca
  10. Masquerain
  11. Slither Wing
  12. Spidops
  13. Vivillon

Let’s break down what makes each of these Pokemon good.


🎮 Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson 🎙️


Scizor 

Scizor is a powerful Bug/Steel-type Pokemon with high Defense and Attack stats. It has a strong moveset, including Steel Wing, X-Scissor, and Iron Head.

It is a fantastic Pokemon on your squad because it has access to strong moves like Bullet Punch, U-turn, and Pursuit. It also possesses a strong selection of assist moves that can be quite useful in battles, like Roost, Swords Dance, and Defog. This makes Scizor a powerful physical attacker with a solid defense and access to great buffs.


IV Stat
Value
HP70
Attack130
Defense100
Special Attack55
Special Defense80
Speed65

Heracross

Pokemon-Scarlet-and-Violet-Best-Bug-Type-Pokemon-Heracross
Image by VideoGamer

Pokemon Scarlet’s Heracross is a very powerful Pokemon due to its distinct type and move pool. It has several resistances to popular types like Fire, Flying, and Psychic thanks to its Bug/Fighting type. It also has access to a wide range of potent physical and special moves, including Megahorn, Close Combat, and Stone Edge.

Additionally, it has access to Swords Dance, which raises its Attack stat and makes hits even more powerful. Heracross has a unique ability called Guts, which boosts its Attack stat by 50% when it has a status condition. Heracross is an excellent Pokemon for competitive combat overall because of its adaptability and strength.

IV StatValue
HP80
Attack125
Defense75
Special Attack40
Special Defense95
Speed85

Scyther

Scyther is a Bug/Flying-type Pokémon introduced in the first generation of Pokémon games. It evolves into Scizor when leveled up while holding a Metal Coat. It also has the useful move U-turn, which allows it to switch out after dealing damage. 

Scyther is a physical attacker with access to various powerful physical attacks and can disrupt the opponent’s strategy with U-turn. It can also use its good speed and strong attacks to try and set up Sword Dance, which boosts its attack. Scyther is best used as a physical attacker, using its high attack and speed to damage the opponent.

IV StatValue
HP70
Attack110
Defense80
Special Attack55
Special Defense80
Speed105

Volcarona

Pokemon-Scarlet-and-Violet-Best-Bug-Type-Pokemon-Volcarona
Image by VideoGamer

Volcarona is a Fire/Bug-type Pokemon with high Special Attack and Special Defense stats. It has a strong moveset, including Flamethrower, Bug Buzz, and Quiver Dance.

It has a high special attack stat and the ability Flame Body, which has a chance to burn an opponent when a physical attack hits it. Volcarona has a good move pool with a variety of special attacks. 

Its type also gives it some useful resistances and immunities, making it difficult to take down. Volcarona is a powerful special attacker and can be a valuable addition to a team.

IV StatValue
HP85
Attack60
Defense65
Special Attack135
Special Defense105
Speed100

Forretress

Forretress has a high defense stat and the ability Sturdy, which allows it to survive a single hit with 1 HP. It also has the useful move Rapid Spin, which removes entry hazards from the field. 

Forretress is a defensive Pokémon that can take physical hits well and support the team with Rapid Spin. It can also use its good defense and resistance while setting up Spikes, which damage opponents when they switch in. Forretress is best used as a defensive Pokémon, using its high defense and resistance to take physical hits and support the team with Rapid Spin and Spikes.

IV StatValue
HP75
Attack90
Defense140
Special Attack60
Special Defense60
Speed40

Vespiquen

Pokemon-Scarlet-and-Violet-Best-Bug-Type-Pokemon-Vespiquen
Image by VideoGamer

Vespiquen is a Bug/Flying-type Pokemon with high Special Attack and Defense stats. It has a strong moveset, including Bug Buzz, Air Slash, and Power Gem.

Vespiquen is a special tank, meaning it can take special attacks well and heal itself with Roost. It can learn a variety of special attacks and has access to the useful move Defend Order, which boosts its defense and special defense while also restoring some of its HP. 

Vespiquen is best used as a special wall, using its high special defense and healing moves to take special attacks and support the team.

IV StatValue
HP70
Attack80
Defense102
Special Attack80
Special Defense102
Speed40

Lokix

Lokix, is a newly added Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet. It is the only Bug and Dark-type Pokémon. Lokix has excellent speed and attack but poor special defense and normal defense. 

The Dark-Type cancels out two of Bug’s weaknesses and makes it immune to Psychic.

It also has the ability Run Away which enables Lokix to escape wild Pokémon combat without fail, regardless of whether the enemy’s Pokémon has performed a move like Mean Look or Bind. 

IV StatValue
HP71
Attack102
Defense78
Special Attack52
Special Defense55
Speed92

Frosmoth

Frosmoth is a Bug/Ice-type Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. It evolves from Snom when leveled up while knowing the move Powder Snow. Frosmoth has a high special attack stat and the ability Snow Warning, which summons hail when it enters the battle. 

It has the useful move Quiver Dance, which boosts its special attack, special defense, and speed. Frosmoth is a special attacker with access to a variety of powerful special attacks and the ability to disrupt the opponent’s strategy with Snow Warning and hail. 

Frosmoth can also use Quiver Dance to boost its stats and try to set up as a sweeper. Frosmoth is best used as a special attacker, using its high special attack and speed to deal damage to the opponent.

IV StatValue
HP70
Attack65
Defense60
Special Attack125
Special Defense90
Speed65

Rabsca

Rabsca is a new Pokémon introduced in Scarlet and Violet that combines the Bug and Psychic types. Rabsca is one of the few Pokémon that can use Revival Blessing to resurrect a fainted Pokémon in your party. This is an excellent move to have in competitive play, and it also learns a variety of other moves.

The attack also affects the opponent if they use Synchronize to burn, paralyze, or poison Rabsca. Although self-inflicted status states are not transmitted to others. Additionally, Run Away is another ability that enables Rabsca to escape wild Pokémon combat without fail, regardless of the enemy Pokémon making a move.

IV StatValue
HP75
Attack50
Defense85
Special Attack115
Special Defense100
Speed45

Masquerain

Masquerain is a Bug/Flying-type Pokemon with high Special Attack and Speed stats. It has a good moveset, including Bug Buzz, Air Slash, and Hydro Pump.

Masquerain has a high special attack stat and the ability Intimidate, which lowers the opponent’s attack stat when it enters the battle. Masquerain has the ability to disrupt the opponent’s strategy with Intimidate. 

It can use Quiver Dance to boost its stats and try to set up as a sweeper. Masquerain is best used as a special attacker, using its high special attack and speed to deal damage to the opponent.

IV StatValue
HP70
Attack60
Defense62
Special Attack100
Special Defense82
Speed80

Slither Wing

Slither Wing is a powerhouse with a high strength attack. This bug and fighting-type Pokemon can hit hard and take a few hits as long as they aren’t physical. Slither Wing comes with the Photosynthesis ability that increases this Pokemon’s highest stat (most likely strength) by 30%. If that stat happens to be speed, it gets a 50% boost.

Unfortunately, this Pokemon is also only available in Pokemon Scarlet since it is the past variant of Volcarona. You can get it in Pokemon Violet if you trade with a friend.

IV StatValue
HP85
Attack135
Defense79
Special Attack85
Special Defense105
Speed81

Spidops

Pokemon-Scarlet-and-Violet-Best-Bug-Type-Pokemon-Spidops
Image by VideoGamer

Spidops doesn’t have the best stats when compared to other Pokemon in the game. That is okay because it learns a wide variety of moves. This Pokemon even learns moves that you would think wouldn’t be possible. For instance, despite being a bug-type, Spidops can learn water, fire, dark, and ghost-type moves, making it a well-rounded Pokemon to have on your team for a variety of situations.

IV StatValue
HP60
Attack79
Defense92
Special Attack52
Special Defense86
Speed35

Vivillon

Vivillon is a bug and flying-type Pokemon that has some nice abilities. This Pokemon gets the Shield Dust and Compound Eyes abilities. These make it so the opponent’s moves don’t get additional effects and Vivillon gets a boost to its accuracy.

If you want a Pokemon that can hit consistently then Vivillon is a good choice. This Pokemon, like Spidops, doesn’t have the greatest stats but it is good with special attacks.

IV StatValue
HP80
Attack52
Defense50
Special Attack90
Special Defense50
Speed89

Now that you know the best bug-type Pokemon, you should check out the best normal-type Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet. Round out your team with one of the best dragon-type Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Best Bug Type Pokemon – FAQ

What are the best bug-type Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet?

We think that the following bug-type Pokemon are the best in Scarlet and Violet:

  1. Scizor
  2. Heracross
  3. Scyther
  4. Volcarona
  5. Forretress
  6. Vespiquen
  7. Lokix
  8. Frosmoth
  9. Rabsca
  10. Masquerain
  11. Slither Wing
  12. Spidops
  13. Vivillon

How many bug-type Pokemon are in Scarlet and Violet?

There are roughly 40 bug-type Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet.

About the Author

Aden Carter

Aden Carter is a guides writer for VideoGamer with a focus on action RPGs and adventure games. When he isn't busy writing, he is spinning tales with his friends at the local game shop.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

  • Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
  • Genre(s): RPG
7 VideoGamer