Bug-type Pokémon can be used for competitive battles in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl to best Psychic, Grass, and Dark-type Pokémon. Although the number of competitive species is limited, Bug-type Pokémon are great options for competitive play nonetheless.
Bug-type Pokémon typically suffer from having weaknesses to commonly seen Pokémon in the competitive arena, such as Fire, Rock, and Flying-type users. However, there are a few Bug-type Pokémon that are exceptional choices to add to more competitive teams when used correctly. The best Bug-type Pokémon also have a variety of type combinations that add to their strengths and resistances in Pokémon BDSP.
The best Bug-type Pokémon that players can use competitively in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are Forretress, Heracross, Ninjask, and Scizor. Heracross is the only Pokémon among these four that players can catch in both versions of the remakes. By slathering the Honey item on a Honey Tree and waiting six hours, players have a chance to find a Heracross on the tree when they return. Unfortunately, there are a number of Pokémon that can be found by using Honey, so it takes some time to find a Heracross in the first place. Forretress and Ninjask are both available in the Grand Underground after players acquire the National Dex in Pokémon BDSP. These two Bug-types, however, have to be evolved from Pineco and Nincada, respectively. Scizor can only be acquired after trading Scyther, a Brilliant Diamond exclusive, while it's holding a Metal Coat.
Pokémon BDSP: Best Bug-Type Pokémon Moves, Items, & Stats
Bug-type Pokémon, Forretress, Heracross, Ninjask, and Scizor all have limited usability in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. This means that opponents will typically expect certain movesets and strategies when using any of these four Pokémon, which can play towards any trainer's advantage. By knowing how opponents will counter these four Pokémon, players can intentionally set traps and safely switch in and out any of these Bug-types can force opponents into difficult positions.
Scizor is also part of the best competitive team in Pokémon BDSP, and is a powerful offensive option with its Technician ability and Bullet Punch priority move. Forretress can make use of its high Defense stat to set up Toxic Spikes, which will badly poison opponents upon switch-in. Heracross has the Guts ability, giving it a 50% increase to its Attack stat when it becomes burned by its Flame Orb. Ninjask's Speed Boost ability passively increases its Speed stat at the end of each turn, nearly guaranteeing that it can outspeed all opponents who aren't using a priority move like Extremespeed.
Forretress
The best Forretress stats and items in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl include:
- Ability: Sturdy
- Nature: Relaxed
- Moves: Toxic Spikes / Rapid Spin / Payback / Gyro Ball
- Held Item: Leftovers, can be found throughout Sinnoh
- EV Stat Spread: 252 HP; 112 Attack; 144 Defense
Heracross
The best Heracross stats and items in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl include:
- Ability: Guts
- Nature: Jolly
- Moves: Swords Dance / Close Combat / Megahorn / Facade
- Held Item: Flame Orb, can be purchased at the Pokémon BDSP Battle Park
- EV Stat Spread: 4 HP; 252 Attack; 252 Speed
Ninjask
The best Nijask stats and items in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl include:
- Ability: Speed Boost
- Nature: Adamant
- Moves: X-Scissor / Swords Dance / Night Slash / Dig
- Held Item: Focus Sash or Life Orb, can be purchased at the Pokémon BDSP Battle Park
- EV Stat Spread: 184 HP; 252 Attack; 4 Defense; 68 Speed
Scizor
The best Scizor stats and items in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl include:
- Ability: Technician
- Nature: Adamant
- Moves: Bullet Punch / Swords Dance / Aerial Ace / U-Turn
- Held Item: Life Orb, can be purchased at the Pokémon BDSP Battle Park
- EV Stat Spread: 252 Attack; 4 Special Defense; 252 Speed
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl is available now on Nintendo Switch.