Greninja Guide: Builds and Best Items | Pokemon UNITE

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Pokemon UNITE - Greninja Guide Builds Best Items and Moveset

The best guide on how to play Greninja in Pokemon UNITE for Nintendo Switch and Mobile. Check here for the best builds, Held and Battle items, movesets, as well as the latest nerfs, buffs, counters, and more!

Greninja Latest Nerfs & Buffs (10/27)

Version 1.7.1.9 Balance Patch Notes

Greninja Move Changes (October 27)
Water Shuriken Image
Water Shuriken
• Fixed the number of shurikens to 4.
• Damage increased.
Water Shuriken+:
• Fixed the number of shurikens to 5.
• Damage increased.
Double Team Image
Double Team
• Damage increased.

Stat Updates

1.2.1.3 Attack and max HP decreased.

Standard Attack

1.3.1.2 Boosted attack bugfix
1.1.1.4 Basic Attack: Bug Fixes

Smokescreen

1.2.1.3 Fixed a bug causing the Smokescreen+ effect to trigger even before the move is upgraded.
1.1.1.6 Attack damage boost after using decreased from about 1.75x to about 1.2x (-75%). Increased the cooldown period from 11 seconds to 13 seconds (+18%).
1.5.1.6 Fixed bug(s) causing one or more effects not to trigger.

Surf

1.5.1.6 Damage dealt to opposing Pokemon decreased from 1625 to 1402 (-14%).

Water Shuriken

1.3.1.2 Cooldown lengthened from 5s to 6s. (+1s) Bugfix: opposing Pokemon movement speed decrease.
1.2.1.3 Fixed a bug affecting the decrease to opposing Pokemon's movement speed.
1.1.1.6 Cooldown period decreased from 7 seconds to 5 seconds (-29%). Damage per hit increased from 755 to 890 (+18%).
1.7.1.9 Fixed the number of shurikens to 4. Damage increased. Water Shuriken+: Fixed the number of shurikens to 5. Damage increased.

Double Team

1.3.1.2 Damage to opposing Pokemon decreased.
1.2.1.3 Improvement the movement of the illusory copies.
1.1.1.6 Cooldown period decreased from 11 seconds to 9 seconds (-18%).
1.7.1.9 Damage increased.

Torrent

1.2.1.3 Attack increase buff weakened.

Water Burst Shuriken

1.3.1.2 Bugfix: opposing Pokemon movement speed decreased. Cooldown increased from around 164s to around 166s. (+2s)
1.2.1.3 Adjusted the move to allow it to trigger more quickly.
1.5.1.2 UNITE Move Cooldown Reduced from 163s to 134s (-18%).

Greninja Basic Info

Greninja
Greninja.jpg
Tier Rating: S Rank Icon

Role: Attacker
Attack Type: Ranged
Damage Type: Physical
Difficulty: Expert
Cost:
"Greninja is a Pokémon that uses smokescreens and illusory copies of itself to hide."

Pokemon Unite Tier List

Greninja Best Lanes

Top Icon.pngTop Jungle Icon.pngJungle Bot Icon.pngBottom
4 Stars.png
5 Stars.png
3 Stars.png

Tips & Strategies for Every Lane

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths Weaknesses
✔︎ Speedster-like mobility and stealth for superb Jungling.
✔︎ High Standard Attack damage for both melee and ranged attacks.
✔︎ Moveset can disrupt enemy aiming and vision.
✖︎ High skill ceiling with many skill-shot accuracy based moves.
✖︎ Very Fragile.
✖︎ Takes a long time to reach power spike.

Best Builds for Greninja

Greninja Builds
-

The Best Build for Greninja is the one with the gold crown!

Assassin Build

Assassin Build
Pokemon UNITE - Best Build Icon
Moveset Held Items
Battle Item
Item Effects
(at Level 30)
Recommended Lane
Attack: +33
Critical-Hit Rate: +6%
Critical-Hit Damage: +12%
Attack Speed: +7.50%
Pokemon UNITE - Jungle Recommendation Yes Jungle
Emblem Color Combination Target Emblem Stats
Positive Stats:
Attack
Critical-Hit Rate
Free Negative Stats:
Sp. Atk
Defense
Sp. Def
Note:
The emblem color and stats here are suggestions only. The builds are still viable even without the suggested emblems.

Assassin Build Explanation

Build Explanation
This build utilizes the instant knockout and cooldown reset mechanics from Surf to take out targets one by one and the stealth from Smokescreen to allow Greninja to sneak up on enemies. It's best used in the jungle to give Greninja an early level advantage.
· Muscle Band improves Greninja's attacks by dealing HP-based bonus damage. It also synergizes well with the Pokemon's melee attacks.
· Scope Lens makes Greninja's attacks deadlier by increasing its critical-hit rate and damage.
· Attack Weight provides Greninja a massive damage boost for both its attacks and moves, especially when fully stacked.
· However, Razor Claw can be a replacement for Attack Weight, giving a straightforward damage item without the need for stacking. · X Speed gives Greninja extra mobility for offensive and defensive uses.
· However, Eject Button can also work for a similar purpose.
· The build's Boost Emblem loadout should consist of 6 Brown Emblems for maximum damage and 4 White Emblems for additional HP.
· Equip Emblems that improve Attack or Critical-Hit Rate to maximize Greninja's attack damage.
· Sp. Atk. Sp. Def., and Defense can be freely traded for the other stats.

Assassin Build Damage Test

Items
(Level 30)
Standard Attack
(@ Lvl 15)
Boosted Attack
(@ Lvl 15)
Standard Attack
(w/ Critical-Hit)
(@ Lvl 15)
Boosted Attack
(w/ Critical-Hit)
(@ Lvl 15)
Muscle Band
+
Scope Lens
+
Attack Weight
(6 Stacks)
925
1038
1980
2364

Since the build relies bringing down a target's HP low enough for Surf to instantly knock it out, equipping items that enhances Greninja's attacks is the ideal item combination.

As the results show, Muscle Band, Scope Lens, and a fully-stacked Attack Weight will yield the best outcome. Although the item combination did not generate the highest Standard and Boosted Attack damage, its result is only slightly lower than the highest score but produced the best critical-hit results.

For alternatives, it will ultimately depend on whether a player prefers better Standard Attacks or better critical-hits.

For a build with better Standard Attacks, replacing Scope Lens with Razor Claw would be the best option. On the other hand, for a build with better critical-hits, replacing Attack Weight with Razor Claw would be the best choice.

These damage tests are conducted using the Training Dummy in Practice Mode. The results are taken from the Total Damage data.

Note:
The numbers in bold are the highest result for a specific test.
Items
(Level 30)
Standard Attack
(@ Lvl 15)
Boosted Attack
(@ Lvl 15)
Standard Attack
(w/ Critical-Hit)
(@ Lvl 15)
Boosted Attack
(w/ Critical-Hit)
(@ Lvl 15)
Muscle Band
+
Scope Lens
+
Attack Weight
(6 Stacks)
925
1038
1980
2364
Muscle Band
+
Scope Lens
+
Razor Claw
850
(1115
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
948
(1213
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
1765
(2030
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
1973
(2238
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
Muscle Band
+
Razor Claw
+
Attack Weight
(6 Stacks)
940
(1250
w/ Razor Claw
Effect)
1056
(1453
w/ Razor Claw
Effect)
1520
(1830
w/ Razor Claw
Effect)
1752
(2062
w/ Razor Claw
Effect)
Scope Lens
+
Razor Claw
+
Attack Weight
(6 Stacks)
565
(867
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
678
(980
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
1620
(1922
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
1860
(2162
w/ Razor Claw Effect)

The tests above does not use any Emblems yet so it will scale higher if equipped.

Ranged Build

Ranged Build
Moveset Held Items
Battle Item
Item Effects
(at Level 30)
Recommended Lane
Attack: +33
Defense: +30
Sp. Def: +30
Attack Speed: +7.50%
Pokemon UNITE - Top Lane Recommendation Yes Top Lane
Pokemon UNITE - Jungle Recommendation Yes Jungle
Pokemon UNITE - Bot Lane Recommendation Yes Bot Lane
Emblem Color Combination Target Emblem Stats
Positive Stats:
Attack
Critical-Hit Rate
Free Negative Stats:
Sp. Atk
Defense
Sp. Def
Note:
The emblem color and stats here are suggestions only. The builds are still viable even without the suggested emblems.

Ranged Build Explanation

Build Explanation
This build is centered on dealing damage and sustaining HP using Water Shuriken and utilizing the illusion mechanic from Double Team. It can be used in any lane, preferably the bottom lane.
· Muscle Band improves Greninja's attacks by dealing HP-based bonus damage.
· Attack Weight provides Greninja a massive damage boost for both its attacks and moves, especially when fully stacked.
· Focus Band improves Greninja's durability and gives it more healing on top of Water Shuriken.
· However, Razor Claw can be a replacement for Attack Weight, giving a straightforward damage item without the need for stacking.
· Buddy Barrier is a great alternative for Focus Band, giving Greninja a large amount of HP. It also pairs well with Waterburst Shuriken.
· Eject Button gives Greninja more mobility on top of Double Team. It can also be used during Water Shuriken for creative plays.
· The build's Boost Emblem loadout should consist of 6 Brown Emblems for more damage and 4 White Emblems for additional HP.
· Equip Emblems that improve Attack or Critical-Hit Rate to maximize Greninja's attack and move damage.
· Sp. Atk. Sp. Def., and Defense can be freely traded for the other stats.

Ranged Build Damage and Healing Test

Items
(Level 30)
Standard Attack
(@ Lvl 15)
Standard Attack
(w/ Critical-Hit)
(@ Lvl 15)
Water Shuriken
Damage
(Total)
(@ Lvl 15)
Healing
(Per Hit)
(@ Lvl 15)
Muscle Band
+
Attack Weight
(6 Stacks)
925
1490
5420
179

Since the build is centered on Water Shuriken and ranged attacks, equipping items that increase the move's effectiveness and Greninja's ranged attacks is the ideal item combination. Focus Band is a staple item for the build, giving Greninja more sustain and durability.

As the results show, a Muscle Band and a fully-stacked Attack Weight will yield the best outcome for the build. Although the item combination did average in the critical-hit tests, it did score the highest in terms of Standard and Boosted Attacks, and Water Shuriken damage and healing.

For alternatives, replacing Attack Weight with Razor Claw would be the best option. The item combination produced the second best score in all tests and still deals a high amount of damage output.

However, should critical-hit become a factor, replacing Attack Weight with Scope Lens instead is the ideal choice.

The damage tests are conducted using the Training Dummy in Practice Mode. The results are taken from the Total Damage data.

The healing test results are taken from the green floating text above the Pokemon.

Items
(Level 30)
Standard Attack
(@ Lvl 15)
Boosted Attack
(@ Lvl 15)
Standard Attack
(w/ Critical-Hit)
(@ Lvl 15)
Boosted Attack
(w/ Critical-Hit)
(@ Lvl 15)
Muscle Band
+
Scope Lens
835
930
1723
1924
Muscle Band
+
Razor Claw
850
(1115
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
948
(1213
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
1340
(1605
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
1536
(1801
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
Muscle Band
+
Attack Weight
(6 Stacks)
925
1038
1490
1716
Razor Claw
+
Attack Weight
(6 Stacks)
565
(1605
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
678
(980
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
1130
(1605
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
1356
(1658
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
Scope Lens
+
Attack Weight
(6 Stacks)
550
660
1578
1811
Scope Lens
+
Razor Claw
475
(732
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
570
(827
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
1363
(1620
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
1564
(1821
w/ Razor Claw Effect)
Items
(Level 30)
Water Shuriken
Damage
(Total)
(@ Lvl 15)
Water Shuriken
Healing
(Per Hit)
(@ Lvl 15)
Muscle Band
+
Scope Lens
4815 160
Muscle Band
+
Razor Claw
4915 163
Muscle Band
+
Attack Weight
(6 Stacks)
5420 179
Razor Claw
+
Attack Weight
(6 Stacks)
5420 179
Scope Lens
+
Attack Weight
(6 Stacks)
5320 176
Scope Lens
+
Razor Claw
4815 160

The tests above does not use any Emblems yet so it will scale higher if equipped.

Greninja Best Items & Moveset

Best Held Items

Item Explanation
Attack Weight.pngAttack Weight Attack Weight provides a large damage boost for Greninja's attacks and moves. It can also improve Water Shuriken's healing.
Buddy Barrier.pngBuddy Barrier Buddy Barrier provides a decent boost to Greninja's HP. It encourages Greninja to use its Unite Move due to the shield it gives, allowing it to deal damage and prolong fights.
Focus Band.pngFocus Band Focus Band increases Greninja's static defenses and is an effective survivability tool during fights.
Scope Lens.pngScope Lens Scope Lens improves Greninja's attack damage via critical-hits. It works well with Surf since critical-hits allow Greninja to quickly shred through an enemy's HP before executing it with the move.
Muscle Band.pngMuscle Band Muscle Band is a must-have item for Greninja, increasing its attack damage and attack speed. It's benefitial for Greninja since each attack reduces Water Shuriken's cooldown after using it.
Razor Claw.pngRazor Claw Razor Claw works well with Greninja's ranged and melee attack mechanics.

List of Held Items

Best Battle Items

Item Explanation
Full Heal.pngFull Heal Full Heal ensures Greninja's survivability through immunity, allowing it to ignore most disables in the game.
Eject Button.pngEject Button Eject Button gives Greninja more mobility, adding to its illusiveness. It's useful in various situations, such as escaping enemies or chasing them.
X Speed.pngX Speed X Speed functions similarly to Eject Button but with the bonus of gaining immunity from slows for a duration.

List of Battle Items

Best Moveset

Move Explanation
Water Shuriken ImageWater Shuriken Water Shuriken allows Greninja to burst down enemies in quick succession. It also gives it more sustainability because of the additional heal from each shuriken hit.
Double Team ImageDouble Team Double Team can confuse opponents while providing a quick escape from dangerous situations, as well as a great dash move that can deal incidental damage from the illusions it generates.

The combination of Water Shuriken and Double Team has a nice little interaction. The illusions generated from Double Team mimics Greninja's actions, including moves. Using Water Shuriken means your illusions also throws Water Shurikens, allowing you to deal incidental damage.

Greninja's effectiveness lies on how well you've mastered the Pokemon, not necessarily on which moveset you chose. Any move combination will do as long as you know how they work.

Which Moveset Do You Think is Best for Greninja?

Surf & Smokescreen 47
Votes
Surf & Double Team 20
Votes
Water Shuriken & Smokescreen 7
Votes
Water Shuriken & Double Team 140
Votes

Let us know why in the comments!

Previous Poll Result

Surf & Smokescreen 70
Votes
Surf & Double Team 48
Votes
Water Shuriken & Smokescreen 10
Votes
Water Shuriken & Double Team 159
Votes

How to Play Greninja

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Be Aware of Your Positioning

Positioning is everything when it comes to using Greninja effectively. Keeping aware of Greninja's position in relation to the opponents will help set up smoother KOs, and snowball the game in your teams favor.

Farm Safely Until Level 7

Greninja reaches its peak offensive potential at Level 7 when it learns Surf or Water Shuriken. Avoid engaging in team fights early on to focus on farming Wild Pokemon.

Take the Jungle for Safer and Faster Farm

The most efficient and safest way to get levels is by taking the jungler role. Greninja has enough mobility and damage to clear the jungle camps quickly.

Be Elusive

One of Greninja's moveset gives it its trademark elusiveness, allowing you to make clever plays. Although both moves are Dash moves, each has their use in specific scenarios.

Confuse Enemies with Double Team

The illusions created from Double Team mimics your actions in the game. If you use Surf or Water Shuriken, the illusions will do the same. Use this unique mechanic to confuse enemies and force them to guess the real one. Remember that the illusions also deal small damage when they attack.

Double Team: Greninja Move Effect and Cooldown

Utilize the Stealth and Vision Obstruction from Smokescreen

Using Smokescreen turns Greninja invisible for a while and obstructs the vision of opponents who are caught inside it. Both effects are useful for surprising your targets or getting close to them.

Smokescreen: Greninja Move Effect and Cooldown

Avoid Hindrances

You gain the Unstoppable status effect for a short duration when you use Double Team or Smokescreen, allowing you to become immune to hindrances for that time window. With proper timing, you can completely avoid certain moves like Flare Blitz with this mechanic.

Switch Between Ranged and Melee Attacks

By default, Greninja is a ranged Pokemon, but if it attacks at close range, it performs melee attacks. Both attacks have special effects that give Greninja some flexibility. Switching between ranged and melee attacks is an important mechanic to utilize Greninja.

Use Ranged Attacks to Reduce Move Cooldowns

Greninja's ranged attacks reduce the cooldown of Bubble, Water Shuriken, or Surf. Use ranged attacks if your moves are still on cooldown to hasten the process and to chip away your targets' HP from a safe distance.

Use Melee Attacks to Finish Off Targets

Greninja's melee attacks deal increased damage the lower the target's HP is, allowing you to burst them down quickly. Use Double Team, Smokescreen, or Waterburst Shuriken to get close to your targets, then keep hitting them with melee attacks until they get knocked out.

Moreover, melee attacks are great for setting up Surf and triggering its cooldown reset.

Utilize Torrent

Your passive ability, Torrent, increases your Attack and movement speed when your HP is at half or below. You can turn things around even at low HP, but you have to be extremely cautious as you might just end up getting knocked down. You have to know when to continue fighting and when to retreat.

Torrent: Greninja Ability Effect and Cooldown

Set the Tempo

As the team's carry, you'll be setting the tempo of the game depending on how active you are in the map. You need to be the one making plays for your team to allow for smoother transitions between each phase of the game.

Hunt Targets

Greninja excels in a 1v1 fights since due to its damage and trickery. Roam around the map and hunt targets if you can to give your team space and time to reach their power spikes.

Secure Objectives

You should also focus on securing objectives like Regieleki for your team, whether it's taking them on your own or stealing them from enemies. You can use Surf and/or Waterburst Shuriken to steal or secure objectives.

Steal Farm from the Enemy

If you're not hunting targets or securing objectives, you should be stealing farm from your enemy, particularly in their jungle. Use Surf or Water Shuriken to farm wild Pokemon as fast as possible. If things go awry, use Smokescreen or Double Team to quickly escape.

Progression and Leveling Guide

Top or Bottom Guide

Level Objectives
1 - 7 • Secure as many wild Pokemon as you can to level up quickly
• If you're at the bottom lane, prioritize securing Audinos for more exp.
• Play safe until you reach level 7 and have both of your primary moves
8 - 9 • Help your allies secure Regieleki and/or Regice, Registeel, or Regirock, using Surf to deal the finishing blow, if you're going for that build
• Reach level 9 and get Waterburst Shuriken
10+ • Keep farming wild Pokemon, securing objectives, and pushing lanes to level up as much as you can
• Make sure you have Waterburst Shuriken when Rayquaza spawns
• Try to win a teamfight and secure Rayquaza or take it down quickly with your team
• Use your Unite Move to steal Rayquaza from the enemy if they're attempting to defeat it

Jungle Guide

Level Objectives
1 - 5 • Learn Substitute first to get to Xatu quickly and defeat it
• Clear the first wave of jungle camps to reach level 5 and get Smokescreen or Double Team
• Help the top lane first by securing Altaria and Swablus, and, if possible, getting kills and scoring points
6 - 9 • Clear the second wave of jungle camps to reach at least level 7
• Help the bottom lane by securing Altaria and Swablus, getting kills, and scoring points
• If there's still time, try to reach level 9 and get Waterburst Shuriken before or when Regice, Registeel, or Regirock spawns
• Help your team secure Regice, Registeel, or Regirock
10+ • Keep farming wild Pokemon, securing objectives, and pushing lanes to level up as much as you can
• Make sure you have Waterburst Shuriken when Rayquaza spawns
• Try to win a teamfight and secure Rayquaza or take it down quickly with your team
• Use your Unite Move to steal Rayquaza from the enemy if they're attempting to defeat it

Greninja Combos

Early Pressure Combo

Early Pressure
Substitute IconBubble Icon
Pokemon UNITE - Greninja Substitute Block Combo
This is Greninja's early game combo great for maintaining distance while chipping away at the opponent's health. Start by using Substitute and disengaging from the fight. Then, use the cover provided by the substitute doll to attack with Bubble at a safe distance.

Double Team Combos

This set of combos takes advantage of the illusions generated by Double Team to deal extra damage. Since the illusions will imitate Greninja's actions, you will be able to duplicate your moves when you use them. The combos are great for bursting down single targets.

Hyper Surf Combo

Hyper Surf Combo
Double Team IconSurf IconStandard Attack Icon

Pokemon UNITE - Greninja Hyper Surf Combo
Start with Double Team to close the distance on an opponent, then follow it up with a Surf. It's best to use this combo to finish off low health opponents in order to get the refresh for the Surf move.

Three-Point Shuriken Combo

Three-Point Shuriken Combo
Waterburst Shuriken IconDouble Team IconWater Shuriken Icon
Pokemon UNITE - Greninja Three-Point Shuriken Combo
Use Double Team to create illusions around the target. Then, use Water Shuriken, aiming at the target. You can add a few attacks afterwards to reduce Water Shuriken's cooldown.

Ultimate Combos

This set of combos uses Waterburst Shuriken to engage the fight and bring the target's HP low enough for your other moves to finish the combo.

Ultimate Double Team Burst Combo

Ultimate Double Team Burst Combo
Waterburst Shuriken IconDouble Team IconSurf Icon or Water Shuriken IconStandard Attack Icon ~
Pokemon UNITE - Greninja Ultimate Double Team Burst Combo
Start by engaging the target with Waterburst Shuriken. Then, activate Double Team to surround the target. Quickly activate either Surf or Water Shuriken to deal the finishing strikes.

Ultimate Shadow Strikes Burst Combo

Ultimate Shadow Strikes Burst Combo
Waterburst Shuriken IconSmokescreen IconSurf Icon or Water Shuriken IconStandard Attack Icon ~
Pokemon UNITE - Greninja Ultimate Shadow Strikes Burst Combo
Start by engaging the target with Waterburst Shuriken. Then, activate Surf disrupt the target's vision. Quickly activate either Surf or Water Shuriken to deal the finishing strikes.

Matchups & Counters for Greninja

Greninja Matchups

Hard Counter
BlastoiseEspeonGreedentMamoswineSnorlaxTrevenantTyranitarWigglytuffZeraora
Fair Matchup
AbsolAegislashCinderaceCrustleDragapultDragoniteGarchompGengarLucarioMachampMewPikachuScizorSlowbroTalonflameTsareenaUrshifuVenusaurZacianZoroark
Good Matchup
Alolan NinetalesAzumarillBlisseyBuzzwoleChandelureCharizardClefableComfeyCramorantDecidueyeDelphoxDodrioDuraludonEldegossGardevoirGlaceonGoodraHoopaLaprasMr. MimeSableyeSylveonUmbreon
Matchup Notes
Hard CounterHard Counter Even MatchupEven Matchup Easy MatchupEasy Matchup
1. The chart is based on our own experience playing Greninja.
2. Pokemon within each tier are unordered
3. Any Pokemon not shown here are still under investigation.

Hard Counter With Crowd Control

Greninja relies on its high mobility moves to maneuver around opponents to get quick hits and, eventually, take them down with a Surf or Water Shuriken. Because of its low endurance, Greninja's lethality drastically falls if it is unable to move or its combos are disrupted.

Best Counters

Pokemon Explanation
Blastoise ImageBlastoise Rating: ★★★★★
• Has innately high durability which will be hard to take down, especially when in a Rapid Spin: Blastoise Move Effect and Cooldown.
Surf or Hydro Pump can disrupt Greninja's combos.
Zeraora ImageZeraora Rating: ★★★★
• Can easily get into position and burst down Greninja with its Wild Charge and Spark combo.
• Can disrupt illusions and invisibility with Discharge.
Wigglytuff ImageWigglytuff Rating: ★★★★
Sing shuts down Greninja while also giving Wigglytuff increased movement speed to close the distance.
Double Slap or Dazzling Gleam easily pressures Greninja's HP.
Espeon ImageEspeon Rating: ★★★
• One shot of Psyshock depletes most of Greninja's HP.

Even Matchups for Greninja

Greninja makes up for its lack of endurance by relying on ninja tactics to make it hard for opponents to target it. Aside from being great dash moves, Double Team and Smokescreen give Greninja the edge it needs for facing even a Pokemon that is stronger than it.

Distract and Outskill

All-Rounder Pokemon
Aegislash Image Dragonite Image Garchomp Image Machamp Image Scizor Image Tsareena Image Urshifu Image Zacian Image
How to Beat
• If you get caught in their combos, disengage with Double Team or Smokescreen.
• Take advantage of Greninja's ranged Standard Attacks to chip away at their HP from afar. When their moves are on cooldown, get close and transition to dealing increased damage with melee attacks.
• Start the brawl with a Waterburst Shuriken to increase the chances of winning.

Outmaneuver and Bait

Pokemon with High Damage Output
Absol Image Cinderace Image Dragapult Image Gengar Image Lucario Image Zoroark Image
How to Beat
• These Pokemon have the ability to deal burst damage which can easily take down Greninja. You will have to rely on your dash moves to get good positioning and dodge their initial burst damage. Once their moves are on cooldown, proceed to burst them down with a Water Shuriken or Surf.
• Use Double Team to make them use up their move on an illusion.
• Get the first strike during these encounters and eventually come out on top.

Anticipate Crowd Control

Pokemon with High Crowd Control
Crustle Image Slowbro Image
How to Beat
• Save Greninja's burst damage after an opposing Pokemon exhausts their crowd control abilities.
• Steer clear from any disables by maintaining the distance with either Double Team or Smokescreen.

Aim for a Quick Knockdown

Burst Damage Pokemon
Mew Image Pikachu Image Venusaur Image
How to Beat

• These Pokemon are easy targets, but can easily pressure Greninja if they manage to activate their moves. The best way to fight them is to catch them off guard so that they won't have time to respond with their moves. Do this by hiding in the Tall Grass and jumping out with Smokescreen as you bombard them with attacks. Alternatively, use Double Team to increase the chances of them missing their attacks.

Easy Matchups

These matchups are generally easy for Greninja to face, provided that you have mastered Greninja's high skill requirement. Proper positioning and aim are still required to win a fight against these Pokemon.

Punish Low Mobility Opponents

Attacker Pokemon
Alolan Ninetales Image Chandelure Image Cramorant Image Decidueye Image Delphox Image Duraludon Image Gardevoir Image Glaceon Image Sylveon Image
How to Beat
• These Pokemon have little to no mobility, which can easily be exploited by a highly mobile Pokemon like Greninja. Surround them with illusions using Double Team or cut off their sight with Smokescreen. Once you get close enough to them, dealing increased damage with melee attacks will be enough to pressure them to play defensively.

Can't Handle Greninja's Agility and Damage

Durable but Can Still Get Shredded
Azumarill Image Buzzwole Image Blissey Image Charizard Image Goodra Image Lapras Image Mr. Mime Image Umbreon Image
How to Beat
• Recover back lost HP by consistently attacking with Water Shuriken or Surf and reduce their cooldown by using ranged standard attacks.
• Disrupt their vision by circling them with a Smokescreen.

Easy Targets

Fragile Pokemon
Clefable Image Dodrio Image Comfey Image Eldegoss Image Hoopa Image Sableye Image
How to Beat
• Burst these Pokemon down with Greninja's attacks with minimal effort.

Best Teammates for Greninja

Pokemon Explanation
Alolan Ninetales ImageAlolan Ninetales
Gardevoir ImageGardevoir
Aggressive Stallers
These Pokemon have powerful burst attacks that are capable of disrupting enemies. When partnered up with these Pokemon, Greninja can easily take down enemies and push lanes.
Blissey ImageBlissey
Mr. Mime ImageMr. Mime
Sustain and Buffs
These Pokemon have means of stunning and shutting down targets with their moves. They also provide healing opportunities and buffs for Greninja so it can stand its ground and fight longer during clashes.
Crustle ImageCrustle
Snorlax ImageSnorlax
Tanky Disablers
These Pokemon can lead the charge, soak up damage, and help Greninja setup its attacks thanks to their disabling moves. This way, Greninja can easily dominate lanes and take enemy camps to stall the enemy's level progression.
Absol ImageAbsol
Zoroark ImageZoroark
High Burst Damagers
These Pokemon help contribute damage through pinning down enemies with combos and burst attacks. While it's still recommended to go with either a Defender or Supporter ally, Speedsters are a huge help when trying to dominate lanes as early as possible.
Machamp ImageMachamp
Tsareena ImageTsareena
Hard-hitting Initiators
These Pokemon are very dependable allies as they have means to buff or sustain themselves. Whether it's securing objectives or pushing lanes, Machamp and Tsareena are built to initiate clashes, stun enemies, and create openings for their teammates.

Looking for teammates to synergize with you? Head over to our Friend Request Board to find other trainers to join you in your grind or just to hang out with!

Friend Request Board

Greninja Moves

Move Slot 1 (R)

Bubble ImageBubble
(Lv. 1 or 3)
Move Type: Ranged
Damage Type: Physical
Cooldown: 9s
Total Damage: 748
Attacks with spray of bubbles, decreasing the movement speed of opposing Pokemon for a short time when it hits.
Surf ImageSurf
(Lv. 7)
Upgrade Lv. 11
Move Type: Melee
Damage Type: Physical
Cooldown: 9s
Total Damage: 894 / 1402
Has the user ride a wave, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon and restoring the user's HP. If this move knocks out an opposing Pokemon its cooldown is reset. This move deals increased damage to opposing Pokemon with low HP. Upgrade: Increases the amount of HP restored.
Water Shuriken ImageWater Shuriken
(Lv. 7)
Upgrade Lv. 11
Move Type: Ranged
Damage Type: Physical
Cooldown: 6s
Total Damage: 2316 (Hit:579 x4, Heal: 3% of Max HP) / 4715 (Hit:943 x5)
Throws shurikens made of water in quick succession. Decreases the movement speed of opposing Pokemon for a short time and restores the user's HP when it hits. Also increases the user's movement speed while using this move. Upgrade: Increases the number of attacks for this move.

Move Slot 2 (ZR)

Substitute ImageSubstitute
(Lv. 1 or 3)
Move Type: Dash
Damage Type: Status
Cooldown: 8s
Leaves behind the Substitute doll for the user while it's moving forward
Smokescreen ImageSmokescreen
(Lv. 5)
Upgrade Lv. 13
Move Type: Dash
Damage Type: Status
Cooldown: 13s
Creates a smokescreen and has the user roll away from its current location. Immediately afterward, the user begins sneaking and has its movement speed increased for a short time. This also makes its next basic attack a boosted attack. Upgrade: Increases Attack for a short time when the user stops sneaking.
Double Team ImageDouble Team
(Lv. 5)
Upgrade Lv. 13
Move Type: Dash
Damage Type: Physical
Cooldown: 9s
Total Damage: 292 (from clone auto-attacks) / 1700 (from clone auto-attacks)
Quickly moves the user away from the current position, creating illusory copies of them to aid in battle. Upgrade: Reduces this move's cooldown

Unite Moves (ZL)

Waterburst Shuriken ImageWaterburst Shuriken
(Lv. 9)
Move Type: Area
Damage Type: Physical
Cooldown: 134s
Total Damage: 2100 / 3240
Has the user throw a giant water shuriken toward the designated area, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon in the area of effect and decreasing their movement speed for a short time when this Unite Move hits. The water shuriken then immediately explodes, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon in the area of effect once again and throwing them. Once this Unite Move ends, the user may jump in a designated direction.
After using Waterburst Shuriken, the Pokemon gains the following buff(s) for a few seconds:

Shield granted. Movement Speed and Standard Attack Speed increased for a short time.

Standard Attack

Standard Attack Image Standard Attack At long range, reduces the cooldown Bubble, Water Shuriken, or Surf when it hits. At close range, deals increased damage the lower the opposing Pokemon's remaining HP is. Becomes a boosted attack every third attack. As a boosted attack at long range, deals increased damage to opposing Pokemon and decreases their movement speed for a short time. As a boosted attack at close range, deals more damage

Ability (Passive)

Torrent ImageTorrent All Evolution Stages
When the Pokemon is at half HP or less, its Attack and movement speed are increased.

Greninja Stats & Evolutions

Greninja Evolutions

1st Evolution 2nd Evolution Final Evolution
Froakie.pngFroakie
(Lv. 1)
Froakie.pngFrogadier
(Lv. 5)
Froakie.pngGreninja
(Lv. 7)

Greninja Stats

Level HP Defense Special Defense Attack Damage
1 3000 50 30 146
2 3031 53 32 151
3 3068 56 34 156
4 3112 60 36 162
5 3273 75 45 186
6 3337 81 49 195
7 3629 108 65 238
8 3721 117 70 252
9 3832 127 76 268
10 3965 139 83 287
11 4125 154 92 310
12 4316 172 103 338
13 4546 193 116 372
14 4821 219 131 412
15 5152 250 149 460

Attack Damage is the damage of the Basic Attack as tested against the Training Dummy.

Greninja In-Game Stat Listings

Offense Endurance Mobility Scoring Support
4 Stars.png 2 Stars.png 3 Stars.png 3 Stars.png 0.5 Stars.png

Greninja Skins (Holowear)

Holowear
GreninjaHero StyleHero Style
Zirco Trading:
Aeos Gems 1050
GreninjaFashionable StyleFashionable Style
Zirco Trading:
Aeos Gems 350 / Holowear Ticket 18
GreninjaTheater StyleTheater Style
GreninjaWanderer StyleWanderer Style
Zirco Trading:
Aeos Gems 2199
GreninjaPractice StylePractice Style
Zirco Trading:
Aeos Gems 1050
GreninjaCostume Party StyleCostume Party Style
Zirco Trading:
Aeos Gems 2199

All Pokemon Skins (Holowear)

Greninja Character Spotlight

Pokemon UNITE Related Guides

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List of All Pokemon

All Pokemon Guides and Builds

Best Build for Each Pokemon

Pokemon Roster
Pokemon UNITE - AbsolAbsol Pokemon UNITE - Aegislash IconAegislash Pokemon UNITE - Alolan NinetalesAlolan Ninetales Pokemon UNITE - Azumarill IconAzumarill
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Pokemon UNITE - EldegossEldegoss Pokemon UNITE - Espeon IconEspeon Pokemon UNITE - GarchompGarchomp Pokemon UNITE - GardevoirGardevoir
Pokemon UNITE - GengarGengar Pokemon UNITE - Glaceon IconGlaceon Pokemon UNITE - Goodra IconGoodra Pokemon UNITE - GreedentGreedent
Pokemon UNITE - GreninjaGreninja Pokemon UNITE - Hoopa IconHoopa Pokemon UNITE - Lapras IconLapras Pokemon UNITE - LucarioLucario
Pokemon UNITE - MachampMachamp Pokemon UNITE - MamoswineMamoswine Pokemon UNITE - Mew IconMew Pokemon UNITE - Mr. MimeMr. Mime
Pokemon UNITE - PikachuPikachu Pokemon UNITE - Sableye IconSableye Pokemon UNITE - Scizor IconScizor Pokemon UNITE - SlowbroSlowbro
Pokemon UNITE - SnorlaxSnorlax Pokemon UNITE - SylveonSylveon Pokemon UNITE - TalonflameTalonflame Pokemon UNITE - Trevenant IconTrevenant
Pokemon UNITE - Tsareena IconTsareena Pokemon UNITE - Tyranitar IconTyranitar Pokemon UNITE - Umbreon IconUmbreon Pokemon UNITE - Urshifu IconUrshifu
Pokemon UNITE - WigglytuffWigglytuff Pokemon UNITE - VenusaurVenusaur Pokemon UNITE - ZacianZacian Pokemon UNITE - ZeraoraZeraora
Pokemon UNITE - ZoroarkZoroark - - -

Upcoming Pokemon

Upcoming Pokemon
Pokemon UNITE - Leafeon IconLeafeon
June 08, 2023
Pokemon UNITE - Inteleon IconInteleon
July 2023

Top 5 Master Rank Picks & Win Rate

All data is based on Season 11 Master Rank Top 100.
Last Updated: May 16, 2023
Pokemon Tier Most Played % Average Win %
Pokemon UNITE - ZacianZacian SS Tier 29% 75%
Pokemon UNITE - Lapras IconLapras S Tier 11% 76%
Pokemon UNITE - Comfey IconComfey SS Tier 11% 74%
Pokemon UNITE - ZoroarkZoroark S Tier 9% 72%
Pokemon UNITE - Dodrio Speedster IconDodrio SS Tier 7% 76%

Top Picked Pokemon Per Role

Attacker All-
Rounder
Supporter Defender Speedster
Pokemon UNITE - GardevoirGardevoir Pokemon UNITE - ZacianZacian Pokemon UNITE - Comfey IconComfey Pokemon UNITE - Lapras IconLapras Pokemon UNITE - ZoroarkZoroark

Master Rank: Top Ranked Win Rates

Pokemon by Role

All Pokemon Roles
Attacker IconAttackers All-Rounder IconAll-Rounders Defender IconDefenders
Speedster IconSpeedsters Supporter IconSupporters

Pokemon by Characteristics

Attack Type
Pokemon UNITE - Melee Type Partial BannerMelee Pokemon Pokemon UNITE - Ranged Type Partial BannerRanged Pokemon
Pokemon UNITE - Physical Type Partial BannerPhysical Pokemon Pokemon UNITE - Special Type Partial BannerSpecial Pokemon
Stat Rankings
Pokemon UNITE - HP Ranking Partial BannerHP Ranking Pokemon UNITE - Defense Ranking Partial BannerDefense Ranking
Pokemon UNITE - Special Defense Ranking Partial BannerSp. Def. Ranking Pokemon UNITE - Basic Attack Ranking Partial BannerBasic Attack Ranking

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