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Donphan

Best Donphan build

Ground B Pokédex entry →

Generated from the game rules and this Pokémon's move pool: a solid default for a 30-minute run. Swap moves to match the cards you are offered.

Moves (4 slots)

SlotMoveKindWhyEvolves into
1Core (starting move) Mud Shot Ground Burst Splashes mud around and slows foes. Earth Powerneeds Power · +6 projectiles, ×1.6 damage and +1 pierce
2Crowd clear Spikes Ground Mines Scatters spikes that burst when stepped on. Fissureneeds Power · ×1.8 damage, +2 mines and a bigger blast
3Close defense Bulldoze Ground Aura Shakes the ground: damages and slows everything nearby. Earthquakeneeds Power · ×1.8 damage and 35% more radius
4Flex / damage Bonemerang Ground Boomerang A bone that flies out and back, hitting hard. Bone Rushneeds Power · ×1.8 damage, +1 boomerang and more range

How to play the run

  1. Level Mud Shot first. It is your only attack at the start. Push it to level 5 with upgrade cards.
  2. Take Power once (+10% damage with every move.) so a golden card turns Mud Shot into Earth Power (+6 projectiles, ×1.6 damage and +1 pierce).
  3. Add Spikes for the hordes. Only your active move fires, so switch to it (1–4, Q/E or tap) when you are surrounded.
  4. Enter every rift you can. Beating the legendary gives a bond: fuse Mud Shot with Spikes so both fire together from one slot.
  5. Hold Life Orb: +30% damage, but each attack costs a little HP. Held items drop from chests and bosses; you keep one at a time.
  6. Before minute 30, stack damage and defense: the Judgment of Arceus sends ever-stronger legendaries until you fall.

Level-up card priority

  1. Power — +10% damage with every move.evolution
  2. Reflexes — -8% cooldown on every move.
  3. Vigor — +20 max HP (and heals it).

Items

Life Orb — +30% damage, but each attack costs a little HP.

Alternative: Choice Band — +40% damage, but you can't switch moves.

Permanent upgrades first

  1. Repertoire (Start with 2 moves, 1,500 coins to max)
  2. Strength (+4% damage, 5,050 coins to max)
  3. Reflexes (-3% cooldown, 3,340 coins to max)
  4. Critical Hit (+3% critical chance (x1.5 damage), 6,300 coins to max)

Best weather

Sandstorm: Rock, Ground and Steel are boosted; the rest suffer.

Super effective against

FireElectricPoisonRockSteel

Best rift arenas for this build

Arenas whose legendaries take the most damage from these move types.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Donphan build in PokéSurvivor?

Mud Shot, Spikes, Bulldoze, Bonemerang, holding Life Orb. Take Power so the moves can evolve at max level.

What item should Donphan hold?

Life Orb (+30% damage, but each attack costs a little hp.) If you find Choice Band first, it is a good alternative.

How do Donphan's moves evolve?

Mud Shot → Earth Power (needs Power); Spikes → Fissure (needs Power); Bulldoze → Earthquake (needs Power); Bonemerang → Bone Rush (needs Power).

Game data from PokéSurvivor · Last updated