Machamp is one of the signature fighting-type Pokemon. This buff beast packs a punch and looks it too. It's been around since the beginning of Pokemon and has been scaring trainers upon being released to the battlefield its entire existence.
About Machamp
| First appearance in anime | In the Original Series episode ‘The Battle Of The Badge’ |
| First appearance in game | Red and Blue |
| Region | Kanto |
| Evolution | Machop-->Machoke --> Machamp |
| 1st Evo level | 28 |
| 2nd Evo requirement | Trade |
| Pokedex Entry | It quickly swings its four arms to rock its opponents with ceaseless punches and chops from all angles. With four arms that react more quickly than it can think, it can execute many punches at once. |
Machamp’s Base Stats
| HP | 90 |
| Attack | 130 |
| Defense | 80 |
| Sp. Attack | 65 |
| Ap. Defense | 85 |
| Speed | 55 |
Appearance of Machamp
Machamp is an incredibly humanoid Pokemon. At a glance, it would be easy to mistake it for just a very muscular human were it not for its extra set of arms and blue-grey skin tone. It also has a beak-looking mouth and feet with only two toes but these details are harder to notice.
Behavior of Machamp
Machamp is frequently shown to be obscenely strong, able to lift anything, push anything, and punch anything it wants. It is also associated with martial arts frequently as, similar to humans, these Pokemon can study forms of martial arts and it’s said that Machamp has the capability of not only learning every form of martial arts but mastering them all at once.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Machamp is a pure fighting type so all you need to remember is your type chart. Machamp is strong against the rock, bug, and dark type moves and takes half damage from them. It takes double damage from its fighting-type weaknesses though, being weak to flying, psychic, and fairy-type moves.
1st Edition Pokemon Cards: Machamp
1st Edition Pokemon cards are very rare and highly valued and this is no different for 1st Edition Machamp. 1st Edition Machamp is one of the more expensive cards, valued on average at $2,500! This 1st Edition Machamp card features a shiny holographic background behind the art of Machamp. It also has a Pokemon Power exclusive to 1st Edition Machamp; ‘Strikes Back.’
Shiny Machamp
Shiny Machamp is an interesting shiny design. Shiny Machamp’s grey-blue skin is turned a deep green color. The belt of a Shiny Machamp is also slightly more green than its non-shiny version. Due to its coloring and incredibly muscular, human-like appearance, it's often joked that Shiny Machamp looks like the popular superhero the Hulk.
Mega Machamp
When Mega Evolution was first introduced, many generations one Pokemon received new forms. Many expected Mega Machamp to join the roster alongside its counterpart which already had a mega form, Alakazam. Mega Machamp has still not been created, however. There are numerous fan designs of Mega Machamp and the most popular ones seem to give the Pokemon even more arms than before and sometimes even wings!
Gmax Machamp
Few Pokemon received a Gmax redesign but Machamp was one of them, resulting in the gargantuan Gmax Machamp. Gmax Machamp looks similar to its original design however its legs are even slimmer and its shoulders even stockier. Gmax Machamp also has glowing fists and vein-looking patterns on its forearms. Gmax Machamp also seems to have decided to put on some less revealing pants for its gigantamax form.
Best Moveset for Machamp
Wallbreaker: Machamp has an incredibly high attack stat, and combined with learning strong STAB moves like Close Combat, it can be used to destroy tanky Pokemon as tanks tend to have typing that is weak to fighting type moves.
| Close Combat | Knock Off |
| Facade | Bullet Punch |
Assault Vest: Machamp may be strong but one high power psychic or fairy type move and it can be done for. This makes it a perfect candidate for the Assault Vest, an item that boosts a special attack but forces the user to only select damaging moves. This makes it perfect for a super offensive, super tanky Machamp set.
| Close Combat | Ice Punch/Thunder Punch |
| Knock Off | Bullet Punch |
How to Catch Machamp in Pokemon Go
Machamp forgoes its trade requirement in Pokemon Go but also leaves behind its evolution exclusivity. You can obtain a Machamp by evolving a Machoke with 100 Machop candy but, unlike most mainline games, Machamp can be found in the wild. In areas like stadiums and recreational areas alongside other fighting types.
Video Guide
Trivia
Being in a three-stage evolution line, evolving from trading, and having the opposing type, Machamp is seen as a counterpart to Alakazam and its evolutionary line.
Another counterpart to Machamp added later is Conkeldurr, as they share similarities in their evolution lines as well as focus on physical attacking stats.
During the development of the first games, Machamp was called Ju-Doh, an abstraction of judo, a martial arts fighting style.
Conclusion
Machamp has a long and storied history of being the most intimidating Pokemon around and while nowadays it may look a little goofy next to designs like Eternatus striking fear into our mortal hearts, Machamp is still worth fearing. It's a powerful Pokemon and it's popular to be used as well. When your opponent has this martial arts master on their team you should be careful and if you have it, you should feel lucky you don’t have to be the one fighting it.
