How to Evolve Primeape into Annihilape in Scarlet & Violet

Primeape does not evolve into Annihilape simply by reaching a certain level. In Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, you need to use its Ghost-type move Rage Fist 20 times, then level up Primeape once. Here is a reliable way to do it, including what to check when the evolution does not trigger.

Primeape to Annihilape: the quick checklist

Get a Primeape, either by catching one or evolving Mankey at level 28.
Teach Primeape Rage Fist, learned at level 35.
Use Rage Fist in battle at least 20 times with that Primeape.
After those uses, level up Primeape once through a battle or an experience item.
Accept the evolution to obtain Annihilape, a Fighting/Ghost-type Pokémon.

This is the method for the Nintendo Switch games Scarlet and Violet, not the evolution requirement in Pokémon GO. The steps are corroborated by Nintendo Life’s Scarlet/Violet guide and Nintendo Insider’s walkthrough.

Step 1: Get Primeape and learn Rage Fist

Already have Primeape? You can skip straight to the move. Otherwise, catch Mankey in Paldea and evolve it at level 28. Wild Primeape can also be found around West Province (Area Three), near Medali, so you do not necessarily need to train Mankey from scratch.

Primeape learns Rage Fist at level 35. If your Primeape is already above that level but does not know the move, open its Summary, go to the move-management screen, and choose to remember a move. You do not need to catch another Primeape just because you missed the original learning prompt.

Rage Fist is a Ghost-type attack. It is not a special evolution stone, held item, or trade requirement. The evolution checks your Primeape’s use of the move in battle.

Step 2: Use Rage Fist 20 times

Put Primeape into normal battles and select Rage Fist repeatedly. The uses can be spread across multiple battles: there is no need to find one opponent that survives all 20 attacks. You also do not need to defeat 20 different Pokémon.

The move normally has 10 PP, so one full PP bar is not enough. After ten uses, restore its PP with an Ether or at a Pokémon Center and continue. You do not need to avoid healing between battles; claims that Pokémon Center visits always reset the evolution counter are inconsistent with documented walkthroughs.

A simple counting method is to note ten completed uses, restore PP, and count another ten. If you lose track, perform a few extra valid uses before leveling up. You can choose lower-level wild opponents to make the process less stressful, but avoid relying on an attack that is prevented before it executes.

Does Rage Fist have to knock out an opponent?

No. The requirement concerns using the move, not earning 20 knockouts. However, a turn in which Primeape is prevented from acting should not be treated as a successful use. If your count is uncertain, continue until you are confident you have executed the attack at least 20 times.

Step 3: Level up once after the move uses

Using Rage Fist for the twentieth time does not instantly start the evolution animation. Primeape must gain a level afterward. Battle normally, use Exp. Candy, or give it a Rare Candy. If you use a candy before meeting the move requirement, it will not substitute for the missing Rage Fist uses.

This is the most common point of confusion: players finish the move-count requirement and wait for an evolution that will only be checked when Primeape next levels up.

Why isn’t my Primeape evolving?

You have not leveled up yet: gain one level after completing the Rage Fist uses.
The move was never learned: check Primeape’s moves and use Remember Moves if necessary.
You counted attempts instead of executed attacks: perform several more successful Rage Fist actions.
You counted another Pokémon’s uses: use Rage Fist with the specific Primeape you intend to evolve.
You are following Pokémon GO instructions: the mobile game’s buddy-based evolution rules are different; this guide is for Scarlet and Violet.

Do not confuse Rage Fist’s battle damage mechanic with the evolution counter. Its damage can become stronger when the user is hit, but evolving Primeape is about the number of times it uses the move, followed by a level-up. You do not need to be hit 20 times.

What do you get from evolving Primeape?

Annihilape adds Ghost typing to Primeape’s Fighting typing, changing its resistances, immunities, and offensive options. Its design and Pokédex lore build on Primeape’s long-running association with intense anger. See the official Annihilape Pokédex entry for its species information and descriptions.

For a regular playthrough, Annihilape is appealing because its Fighting/Ghost combination gives it a different role from the original Mankey line. That does not make it automatically the best choice for every team: its usefulness still depends on moves, opposing types, and how you build the rest of your party.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use an Ether or heal at a Pokémon Center?

Yes. Restoring PP lets you reach the required 20 Rage Fist uses. You do not need to perform all 20 in one uninterrupted battle.

Is there a minimum level for Annihilape?

Primeape naturally learns Rage Fist at level 35, and it must level up after 20 uses. That makes level 36 the straightforward evolution point for a normally trained Primeape that learns the move on time. A higher-level Primeape can still evolve after remembering the move and meeting the same requirement.

Can I use the Pokémon GO method in Scarlet and Violet?

No. Pokémon GO has its own evolution tasks. Follow the Rage Fist method only for Scarlet and Violet.

Bottom line

Remember the sequence: learn Rage Fist → use it 20 times → level up once. Keep count, restore PP when needed, and do not mistake a missed level-up for a broken evolution.

Sources

Unofficial fan guide. Featured illustration is original editorial artwork, not official Pokémon imagery.