Pokemon Go Gen 3: Bug-Types Revealed

A whole new set of Pokemon are coming to Pokemon Go. While we’re still probably a few months away from the release of “Gen 3” Pokemon, it’s never too early to start looking at some of the new Pokemon and see how they might impact the game. We’re going to take a look at all of the Pokemon that will be included in Pokemon Go‘s next wave of releases based on their types.

Today, we’re going to look at Bug-Type Pokemon. Bug-Type Pokemon have a bad reputation because they’re super-common and usually underwhelming in battle. While the next generation of Pokemon won’t add too many useful Bug-Types to Pokemon Go, there are a couple of intriguing choices that could be useful in the game. Here’s a look at the Bug-Type Pokemon coming to Pokemon Go:

Wurmple, Silcoon, Cascoon, Beautifly, Dustox

Wurmple is Gen 3’s “common” Bug-Type Pokemon, similar to Caterpie, Weedle, and Ledyba in their respective generations. Unlike those Pokemon, Wurmple actually has a divergent evolution line. Wurmple will evolve into either Silcoon or Cascoon, which then evolve into Beautifly (a Bug/Flying-Type hybrid) or Dustox (a Bug/Poison-Type Pokemon.)

In the main games, Wurmple evolves into either Silcoon or Cascoon based on its personality value, a stat that’s not in Pokemon Go. Since personality value also determines gender, Shininess, and other attributes in the game, it’s likely Pokemon Go will simply make Wurmple’s evolution a random process. Neither Dustox nor Beautifly are particularly powerful Pokemon, so don’t expect either of them to do much in Pokemon Go. 

Surskit and Masquerain

Surskit is a Bug/Water-Type Pokemon meant to mimic a water strider bug. It evolves into the Bug/Flying-Type Pokemon Masquerain, which looks more like a mix between a moth and a damselfly. While Surskit has a unique type combination in Pokemon Go, it’s too weak to really make a difference in gyms or raids.

Masquerain has a moderately high Attack stat, but has mediocre Defense and Stamina, so don’t expect it to make much of an impact either. It is a little bit stronger than Pokemon like Butterfree or Ledian, so its moveset could let it have a little bit of usefulness as a gym attacker…although even that’s doubtful.

Nincada, Ninjask, Shedinja

Nincada has one of the weirdest evolutions in the Pokemon franchise. Nincada evolves into Ninjask, a Bug/Flying-Type Pokemon with a strong Attack Stat, but worthless Defense and Stamina stats. However, in the main games, Nincada also “evolves” into Shedinja when there’s an empty spot in a player’s party.

Basically, Shedinja is Nincada’s reanimated husk that it discarded when it evolved into Ninjask. It’s a Bug/Ghost dual-type Pokemon that only has 1 HP…no matter what level it is. However, Shedinja has a special ability that makes it immune to any attack except for those that its naturally weak against. But since it’s weak against five different types of attacks (Fire, Rock, Flying, Ghost, and Dark), it’s not very useful in battle.

Nincada and its evolution could be a tricky Pokemon for Pokemon Go to implement, so don’t be surprised if it’s not immediately available in the game.  

Volbeat and Illumise

Volbeat and Illumise are both Bug-Type Pokemon created to compliment each other in the game. Volbeat is an all male Pokemon, while Illumise can only be female. Both Pokemon are firefly-like Pokemon with special moves meant to take advantage of their ability to glow. Volbeat can use Tail Glow and Signal Beam and both Pokemon can use the move Moonlight too. Both can also use Helping Hand in the main Pokemon games, a move meant to be used in the main Pokemon series. 

Like most other Bug-Type Pokemon, neither Volbeat or Ilumise are expected to make an impact in Pokemon Go. Both have terrible stats and aren’t suited for either attacking or defending gyms. 

Anorith and Armaldo

One Bug-Type Pokemon coming to Pokemon Go that could be useful in the game is Armaldo, the final evolution of the ancient Pokemon Anorith. Armaldo has the same Attack strength as Rhydon, which will make it tied for the second most powerful Rock-Type Pokemon in Pokemon Go.

Although Armaldo doesn’t have the Defense or Stamina stats like Rhydon, it could still be very useful as an attacker, especially if it has a strong Bug-Type move in its moveset. Armaldo also doesn’t have a weakness against Fire-Type Pokemon, which could give it some additional use in gyms.