greninja-battle-bond #10116
Type Matchups
Weak to (2x damage):
Resistant to (½x damage):
Immune to (0x damage):
greninja-battle-bond
Generation VI · #10116 — Ninja Pokémon
Greninja (Battle Bond Form) represents one of the most unique and mechanically fascinating variations in Pokémon history. Introduced as a special form exclusive to Pokémon with the Battle Bond ability, this iteration of the Water/Dark ninja Pokémon fundamentally transforms the way players interact with their team composition. Unlike the standard Greninja that relies on the Protean ability to shift types strategically, the Battle Bond variant offers a completely different path to power through its signature ability. When a Greninja with Battle Bond defeats an opponent in battle, it undergoes a remarkable transformation that has evolved across game generations. In Generation VII games, this transformation took the form of Ash-Greninja, a special form that bonded the Pokémon with its trainer in a way that mirrored the relationship between Ash and his own Greninja from the animated series. Though this specific form was removed in later generations, the Battle Bond ability itself was redesigned to provide substantial stat boosts that make this variant a formidable competitor in modern battles.
Base Stats
Height
1.5m
Weight
40.0kg
Category
Ninja Pokémon
Gender
Male 87.5% / Female 12.5%
Color
blue
Shape
humanoid
Abilities
Transforms this Pokémon into Ash-Greninja after fainting an opponent. Water Shuriken's power is 20 and always hits three times.
Greninja-battle-bond Biology & Physical Characteristics
The Battle Bond form of Greninja maintains the characteristic physiology of its species while possessing the latent potential for dramatic enhancement through its unique ability. Standing at 1.5 meters tall and weighing 40.0 kilograms, this Water/Dark Pokémon exhibits the bipedal, frog-like anatomy that defines the Froakie line, with the sleek musculature and predatory features that distinguish Greninja from its less evolved forms. The base statistical profile remains identical to standard Greninja—72 HP, 95 Attack, 67 Defense, 103 Special Attack, 71 Special Defense, and an impressive 122 Speed—totaling 530 base stats. However, the transformative potential encoded in its Battle Bond ability grants this form access to significantly elevated statistics upon activation. When triggered after defeating an opponent, the form gains substantial boosts: Attack increases to 145, Special Attack jumps to 153, and Speed reaches 132, elevating the total to 640 base stats. This biological duality allows the Battle Bond Greninja to function as both a perfectly balanced fighter in standard encounters and a powerhouse when momentum shifts in its favor.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Greninja-battle-bond Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
The Battle Bond form of Greninja presents a unique breeding situation that distinguishes it from standard Greninja in a mechanically significant way. While regular Greninja maintain standard gender ratios of approximately 87.5% male and 12.5% female, allowing for normal breeding possibilities within the Water 1 egg group, Battle Bond Greninja are exclusively male. This 100% male gender ratio reflects the special nature of the form and its bond-based mechanics, suggesting that the Battle Bond ability is exclusive to male specimens or that the transformation itself is inherently linked to masculine individuals. Because Battle Bond Greninja display the 100% male ratio, they cannot breed under normal circumstances, placing them in the Undiscovered egg group. This means that trainers cannot obtain Battle Bond Greninja through breeding; instead, these Pokémon must be obtained either through in-game events, special distributions, or by catching standard Greninja and utilizing special mechanics to unlock the Battle Bond form. The egg cycle remains 20 cycles regardless of form, meaning the standard Greninja that might eventually transform into Battle Bond form would still follow normal hatching timelines. This breeding restriction emphasizes the exclusive and special nature of the Battle Bond variant, positioning it as a premium form that rewards trainers who obtain official event distributions rather than producing them through conventional means.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm01
ultra sun ultra moon
tm01
sun moon
tm02
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm03
ruby sapphire
tm03
platinum
tm03
firered leafgreen
tm03
heartgold soulsilver
tm03
diamond pearl
tm03
emerald
tm03
xd
tm03
colosseum
tm04
sword shield
tm05
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm06
yellow
tm06
gold silver
tm06
red blue
tm06
crystal
tm06
emerald
tm06
firered leafgreen
tm06
diamond pearl
+568 more TMs/HMs
greninja-battle-bond's Evolution Chain
Greninja-battle-bond Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Greninja reaches its final form by evolving from Frogadier at level 36, completing the three-stage evolutionary line that begins with Froakie. The evolution into Greninja represents a dramatic transformation from the timid tadpole-like Froakie into a sophisticated and dangerous warrior, with Frogadier serving as the intermediate stage where the species begins to master water manipulation and develop its ninja-like movements. The Battle Bond form specifically represents Greninja at its standard evolutionary stage, but with the exclusive Battle Bond ability that unlocks hidden potential through synchronized victories with its trainer. Beyond standard evolution, Greninja possesses the unique capability to Mega Evolve into Mega Greninja using the Greninjite Mega Stone, introduced in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. This Mega Evolution represents an alternative path to power, though Mega Greninja functions as a distinctly different form from the Battle Bond variant. The distinction between these forms reflects the strategic depth available to Greninja users: trainers must choose between pursuing the momentum-based power scaling of Battle Bond or the immediate raw power and type flexibility of Mega Evolution, creating interesting strategic decision points for competitive players.
Where to Find
Location data not available for this Pokémon in the database.
Greninja-battle-bond Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Battle Bond Greninja exemplifies the ninja-like cunning and honor-bound determination that defines the entire evolutionary line. These Pokémon are known for their exceptional agility and tactical intelligence, moving with the grace and precision of actual shinobi as they engage their opponents. The Pokédex entries describe how Greninja appears and vanishes with a ninja's grace, toying with enemies using swift movements while slicing them with throwing stars of sharpest water—a description that perfectly encapsulates the Battle Bond variant's approach to combat. Unlike standard Greninja, those with the Battle Bond ability demonstrate an even stronger connection to their trainer, with their determination intensifying after each successful battle. This psychological bond manifests in the form's ability to unlock greater strength when momentum is on their side, suggesting that these Pokémon feed on the emotional surge of victory and the trust they share with their trainer. The species has been observed creating throwing stars from compressed water with such precision that these projectiles can split metal in two, a testament to their physical prowess and the potent combination of water manipulation and martial prowess that defines their combat style.
Pokedex Entries
Generation VI
It creates throwing stars out of compressed water. When it spins them and throws them at high speed, these stars can split metal in two.
It appears and vanishes with a ninja’s grace. It toys with its enemies using swift movements, while slicing them with throwing stars of sharpest water.
It creates throwing stars out of compressed water. When it spins them and throws them at high speed, these stars can split metal in two.
It appears and vanishes with a ninja’s grace. It toys with its enemies using swift movements, while slicing them with throwing stars of sharpest water.
Greninja-battle-bond Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Greninja derives from a combination of linguistic and conceptual elements that perfectly capture the Pokémon's essence. The English name blends 'grenadier' (a soldier specializing in hand-thrown grenades) with 'ninja,' reflecting the species' identity as a water-slinging warrior that employs thrown projectiles with devastating precision. The Japanese name, Gekkouga, combines multiple layers of meaning: 'gekko' refers to a gecko or small lizard, while 'ga' can reference the sound of water or relate to 'ga' in Japanese martial arts terminology. This etymology is particularly fitting for the Battle Bond variant, as the transformation concept emphasizes the spiritual and martial elements of the design. Greninja's visual design draws heavy inspiration from traditional ninja aesthetics—the sleek black coloration, the prominent water-shuriken that form around its fingers, and the lithe, acrobatic silhouette all contribute to an image of a stealthy, deadly warrior. The Battle Bond form's design conceptually emphasizes the connection between trainer and Pokémon, with earlier iterations manifesting this through the Ash-Greninja form that emphasized a perfect synchronization between human and Pokémon, creating a hybrid aesthetic that blended human ninja warrior elements with the frog-like physicality of the species.
Learnable Moves
Greninja-battle-bond can learn 63 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| acrobatics | flying | Physical | 55 | 100 | 15 |
| aerial ace | flying | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| blizzard | ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| bounce | flying | Physical | 85 | 85 | 5 |
| brutal swing | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| bubble | water | Special | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| dark pulse | dark | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| echoed voice | normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| extrasensory | psychic | Special | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| feint attack | dark | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| fling | dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| giga impact | normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| grass knot | grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| growl | normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| gunk shot | poison | Physical | 120 | 80 | 5 |
| haze | ice | Status | — | — | 30 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hydro cannon | water | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| hydro pump | water | Special | 110 | 80 | 5 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| ice beam | ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| ice punch | ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| icy wind | ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| lick | ghost | Physical | 30 | 100 | 30 |
| low kick | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| mat block | fighting | Status | — | — | 10 |
| night slash | dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| pound | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| quick attack | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| rock slide | rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| rock tomb | rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| role play | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| scald | water | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| shadow sneak | ghost | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| smack down | rock | Physical | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| smokescreen | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| snatch | dark | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| spikes | ground | Status | — | — | 20 |
| spite | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| surf | water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| taunt | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| u turn | bug | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| water pledge | water | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| water pulse | water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| water shuriken | water | Special | 15 | 100 | 20 |
| waterfall | water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| work up | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
Greninja-battle-bond Competitive Battle Guide
Greninja with the Battle Bond ability has established itself as a legitimate competitive threat, though its metagame viability differs substantially from its Protean counterpart. The signature ability transforms the Pokémon into a momentum-based sweeper that becomes exponentially more dangerous as battles progress, with attack increasing from 95 to 145, special attack rising from 103 to 153, and speed jumping from 122 to 132 after each opponent defeated. This creates a snowball effect where a single confirmed kill can turn a seemingly close match into a dominant position. The base 122 speed stat ensures that Battle Bond Greninja outspeeds most relevant threats before transformation, while the special attack stat of 103 provides solid coverage with moves like Hydro Pump, Dark Pulse, and Water Shuriken. The signature ability also modifies Water Shuriken to possess a power of 20 with guaranteed three-hit accuracy, though this move's relatively low power becomes less relevant after Battle Bond activation boosts the special attack stat to 153. Competitive teams utilizing Battle Bond Greninja typically structure around providing it with favorable matchups early in the battle to secure a kill and activate the transformation, after which it becomes significantly more difficult to manage. The Water/Dark typing provides excellent coverage, resisting common offensive types like Water, Dark, and Ghost while leaving it vulnerable to Electric and Grass-type moves. However, the speed stat and high special attack allow it to threaten most Electric-type threats before they can respond, making strategic team building essential for maximizing its potential.
Commonly Asked Questions About Greninja-battle-bond
What type is Greninja-battle-bond?
Greninja-battle-bond is a water and dark type Pokemon.
What does Greninja-battle-bond evolve into?
Greninja-battle-bond does not evolve into any other Pokemon. It is the final form in its evolution line.
What are Greninja-battle-bond's weaknesses?
Greninja-battle-bond is weak to grass, electric, fighting, bug and fairy type moves.
Greninja-battle-bond Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Greninja, particularly through its association with Ash's team in the Pokémon animated series, has become one of the most beloved and iconic Pokémon of the modern era, with the Battle Bond form serving as a direct extension of that cultural significance. The introduction of Ash-Greninja in Pokémon Sun and Moon represented a watershed moment in the franchise, creating a tangible mechanical representation of the bond between trainer and Pokémon that resonated deeply with longtime fans of the series. This form appeared prominently in the animated series, where Ash's Greninja developed a special connection with its trainer that manifested in the transformation, creating some of the most memorable battles in recent anime history. The concept of the Battle Bond form itself—a power that increases with each victory—speaks to universal themes of momentum, trust, and the synergy between human and creature that form the core philosophy of the Pokémon franchise. Beyond the anime, the competitive community embraced Battle Bond Greninja as a unique and strategically interesting form that required different team building approaches than more conventional threats. The form's presence in the competitive landscape has generated significant discussion about balance and design philosophy, with many players appreciating the distinction it offers from Mega Evolution and other transformation mechanics. In fan communities, Battle Bond Greninja has maintained strong cultural cache, inspiring artwork, discussion, and nostalgia for the Generation VII era when the form was most prominent.
Where to Find Greninja-battle-bond in Every Pokémon Game
Battle Bond Greninja availability varies significantly depending on the game generation and platform. In Pokémon Sun and Moon, where the form was prominently featured, trainers could obtain a special event Greninja with the Battle Bond ability that could transform into Ash-Greninja, distributed through mystery gift systems during the games' active support period. This event distribution was exclusive and time-limited, making the form a collectible prize for trainers who participated during the appropriate window. In subsequent games, particularly Pokémon Sword and Shield's Expansion Pass content and later titles, Battle Bond Greninja has appeared through various distribution events, though availability has become more limited as the franchise moved forward. The removal of the Ash-Greninja form in Generation IX altered the form's mechanical function while maintaining the Battle Bond ability itself, redesigning it to provide stat boosts rather than a transformation, though this primarily applies to newer game entries. Standard Greninja can be found in various Kalos-associated areas and remains available in most modern Pokémon games through the National Pokédex, but transforming a standard Greninja into the Battle Bond variant specifically requires either obtaining an event distribution or using mechanics that allow form changes. Trainers seeking Battle Bond Greninja should monitor official Pokémon news sources for event announcements, as availability is tied to limited-time distributions rather than normal wild encounters. The Pokédex number remains 658 across all games and forms, and the species has consistent presence in regional Pokédexes that include the Kalos region or maintain compatibility with earlier generations.