You've probably been staring at that "Evolve" button on your Primeape and wondering why it’s not working. It’s frustrating. You have the Candy. You have the Stardust. Yet, there’s this weird prompt about a challenge that feels more like a chore than a game mechanic. Honestly, the way to Pokemon GO evolve Primeape into Annihilape is one of the most specific and slightly annoying evolution methods Niantic has introduced in recent years. It isn’t just about hitting a level or using an item; it’s about a grind that requires a bit of strategy and a lot of patience.
Annihilape is a beast. It’s a Ghost/Fighting-type powerhouse that has absolutely shaken up the GO Battle League and Raid metas. But getting there? That’s where most players get stuck. You can’t just throw a Sinnoh Stone at it and call it a day.
The Specific Trick to Pokemon GO Evolve Primeape
Let’s get the mechanics out of the way first. To turn that angry pig-monkey into the "Rage Monkey" Pokemon, you have to set Primeape as your Buddy. Don't forget this. If it isn't walking with you, none of your progress counts, and you’ll just be wasting your time in battles.
Once it’s your Buddy, you need to defeat 30 Ghost-type or Psychic-type Pokemon.
You don't have to win the entire battle. You just need to knock out those specific types. It sounds simple until you realize that finding 30 Ghost or Psychic types in the wild can take forever if there isn't an event running. But here is the secret: it doesn't have to be wild encounters. You can do this through Team GO Rocket grunts, Raid bosses, or even friendly battles with a friend.
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Why the Ghost and Psychic Requirement?
It’s actually a cool nod to the main series games, specifically Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. In those games, Primeape evolves after using the move Rage Fist 20 times. Since Rage Fist is a Ghost-type move, Niantic translated that "spiritual" requirement into defeating Ghost and Psychic types in GO. It fits the lore. Primeape gets so angry that it literally transcends its physical form and becomes a ghost. It’s metal. It’s weird. It’s exactly why people love this evolutionary line.
Faster Ways to Hit That 30-Kill Count
If you're trying to Pokemon GO evolve Primeape by just waiting for spawns, you’re going to be at it for weeks. Nobody has time for that.
The absolute fastest way to cheese this is to ask a friend to help you. Open a PvP battle with a friend. Have them pick three low-CP Ghost or Psychic types—think 10 CP Gastly or Abra. You smash through them in seconds. Do this ten times, and you’re done. It takes maybe fifteen minutes.
If you're a solo player, look for the "Decipher this!" or "Ke...ke...ke...ke...ke..." Team GO Rocket Grunts. These guys carry Psychic and Ghost types respectively. Even better, if a Tier 1 Raid features a Psychic type like Espurr or a Ghost like Misdreavus, you can farm those. But really, the friend method is the gold standard for efficiency.
Is Annihilape Actually Worth the Hassle?
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: It depends on what you do in the game. In the Great League and Ultra League, Annihilape is a top-tier threat. Its typing is incredibly unique. Being a Fighting type that isn't weak to Psychic moves—and actually resists them—is a massive advantage. Plus, it has access to Counter, which is arguably the best Fast Move in the game, alongside Shadow Ball and Night Slash.
- Counter provides insane pressure.
- Shadow Ball is the nuke.
- Night Slash offers bait potential and that sweet, sweet chance for an attack buff.
In Master League, it holds its own, but you really need those Level 50 XL candies to make it viable against the legendary titans. If you're a casual player who just likes filling the Pokedex, the visual design alone makes the evolution worth it. It looks like a Primeape that finally snapped, and the grey, wispy fur is a great aesthetic departure from the standard Fighting-type look.
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Common Mistakes People Make
I see this all the time on Reddit and Discord. Someone complains that their tally is stuck at 12/30. Nine times out of ten, they swapped their Buddy. Maybe they saw a Larvitar and wanted to get some candies, or they’re working on a different "Best Buddy" ribbon.
If Primeape isn't your active Buddy, the counter stays frozen.
Another mistake? Thinking you need to land the finishing blow with Primeape itself. You don't. Primeape just needs to be "witnessing" the carnage from your Buddy slot. You can use a Mewtwo or a Tyranitar to sweep the opponent's team; as long as Primeape is your Buddy, you get the credit.
The Evolution Button Bug
Sometimes, even after you hit 30/30, the "Evolve" button stays greyed out or just spins. This is a classic Pokemon GO visual glitch. Usually, a quick restart of the app fixes it. If it doesn't, try swapping Primeape out of your Buddy slot and then putting it back in. That usually forces the game to refresh the state of the evolution requirements.
It’s also worth noting that you need 100 Mankey Candies. If you’ve been spending them on powering up your Primeape before evolving, you might find yourself short. Always keep a reserve.
Strategy for the Current Meta
If you are planning to use Annihilape for PVP, pay attention to your IVs. For Great and Ultra League, you actually want low Attack and high Defense/HP. A "perfect" 15/15/15 is actually worse for those leagues because it hits the CP cap at a lower level. You want that bulk. However, if you're lucky enough to have a 100% IV (Hundo) Mankey, save it for the Master League or just for the bragging rights.
Actionable Steps to Get Your Annihilape Today
- Check your Candy: Ensure you have at least 100 Mankey Candy. If you're short, use some Rare Candies or set a Mankey/Primeape as your buddy to walk it out (though you'll need it as your buddy for the challenge anyway).
- Make Primeape your Buddy: Go to your profile, click your current buddy, and swap in the Primeape you want to evolve.
- Find a sparring partner: Text a friend or use a second device if you have one. Have them set a team of three low-CP Psychic or Ghost types.
- Battle 10 times: Use any Pokemon you want to win.
- Verify the count: Check the Primeape’s page. The progress bar under the "Evolve" button should be full.
- Evolve and TM: Once you have Annihilape, use your TMs to get Counter as the Fast Move. For Charged Moves, Shadow Ball and Night Slash are the standard "meta" build, but Close Combat can be a spicy nuke if you're feeling aggressive.
Getting Annihilape isn't about skill; it's about knowing the shortcut. Once you bypass the slow grind of hunting wild ghosts, you'll have one of the most versatile fighters in the game ready for your next set of battles.