Bug-Type Pokémon Tier List for Pokémon Legends Z-A

S-Tier

This tier is reserved for the absolute apex predators of the Bug type. Thanks to their game-changing Mega Evolutions, these Pokémon possess overwhelming power and stats that allow them to compete with the strongest threats in the game.

• Mega Scizor: With a fantastic Bug/Steel typing that leaves it with only one weakness (a 4x vulnerability to Fire), Mega Scizor is an exceptional bulky attacker. It boasts a high Attack stat and the Technician ability, which powers up its priority move, Bullet Punch, making it a deadly revenge killer.
• Mega Heracross: This Mega Evolution transforms Heracross into a physical juggernaut with a monstrous Attack stat. Its Skill Link ability guarantees that multi-hit moves always strike the maximum number of times, turning attacks like Pin Missile and Arm Thrust into devastatingly powerful STAB options.
• Mega Pinsir: Upon Mega Evolving, Pinsir gains a Bug/Flying typing and the Aerilate ability, which converts its Normal-type moves into Flying-type attacks and gives them a power boost. This makes it a ferocious physical sweeper with incredible speed and power.
• Mega Beedrill: A quintessential glass cannon. Mega Beedrill has an absurdly high Attack stat and blistering Speed, amplified by its Adaptability ability. It’s designed to strike first and strike hard, often knocking out opponents before they can even react.
• Mega Scolipede: This new Mega Evolution turns the speedy Scolipede into a bulky, hard-hitting brawler. It gains a significant boost to its Attack and defenses, allowing it to take hits and retaliate with powerful Poison and Bug-type moves.

A-Tier

A-Tier Pokémon are top-class combatants that can easily anchor a successful team. They are powerful and reliable, falling just short of the sheer dominance of their S-Tier Mega counterparts.

• Scizor: Even without Mega Evolving, Scizor is a premier Bug-type. Its Bug/Steel typing gives it a wealth of resistances, and its access to Technician-boosted Bullet Punch makes it a constant threat.
• Heracross: A powerful physical attacker with a great Bug/Fighting typing. Its high Attack stat allows it to hit incredibly hard, making it a significant threat to many common defensive Pokémon.
• Pinsir: A pure Bug-type with a great Attack stat and a solid movepool. While it truly shines as a Mega, its base form is still a capable physical attacker that can hold its own in battle.

B-Tier

These Pokémon are solid and dependable choices that perform their roles well. They may have more noticeable flaws or be more specialized than the tiers above but are more than capable in most situations.

• Scolipede & Beedrill: Both are effective in their base forms but are clearly outclassed by their Megas. Scolipede is a fast physical attacker and hazard setter, while Beedrill can be a decent early-to-mid-game attacker before it gets its Mega Stone.
• Vivillon: This Kalos-native butterfly is a solid support Pokémon. With access to moves like Sleep Powder and Hurricane, it can disrupt opponents and deal decent special damage. Its main drawback is its low defensive stats.

C-Tier

This tier includes Pokémon that are either situational or are middle-stage evolutions. They can be useful during a playthrough but will likely struggle against the game’s tougher challenges.

• Scyther: Known more for its evolution into Scizor, Scyther itself is a fast physical attacker with a good movepool. However, its 4x weakness to Rock-type moves and its average stats hold it back.
• Ariados: It has access to the useful move Sticky Web, which lowers the Speed of grounded opponents. Unfortunately, its very low stats make it difficult to use effectively outside of this specific niche role.
• Whirlipede: As the middle stage of the Scolipede line, it is a necessary step to reaching a much more powerful final form but offers little combat value on its own.

D-Tier

This tier is composed of first-stage or cocoon-stage Pokémon that are not viable for serious combat. Their primary purpose is to be trained and evolved into their much more capable later forms.

• Weedle, Kakuna, Spinarak, Venipede, Scatterbug, & Spewpa: These Pokémon are all at the beginning of their evolutionary lines. They are typically found early in the game and serve as training material to be evolved as quickly as possible. They are far too weak to contribute meaningfully in difficult battles.