How To Evolve Primeape Pokemon GO - Get Annihilape Guide 2026

Annihilape is a powerful Fighting/Ghost-type Pokemon that evolves from Primeape in Pokemon GO. This guide covers everything you need to know about evolving Primeape into Annihilape, including getting the exclusive Rage Fist move and completing evolution requirements in 2026.

Quick Answer: To evolve Primeape into Annihilape, it must know the move Rage Fist, then you need to complete a special buddy task and use 100 candies.

Evolution Requirements

Evolving Primeape into Annihilape requires meeting specific conditions:

What You Need

  1. Primeape with Rage Fist - The exclusive Charged Move (see below for how to get it)
  2. Set Primeape as Your Buddy - Must be your active buddy Pokemon
  3. Complete Evolution Task - Defeat 30 Psychic-type or Ghost-type Pokemon
  4. 100 Mankey Candy - Required for the evolution

How to Get Rage Fist

Rage Fist is an exclusive Charged Move that was introduced during Mankey Community Day. Here’s how to get it:

Method 1: Community Day Evolution (Best Option)

Community Day Hours

During Mankey Community Day events (typically 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM local time):

  • Evolve Mankey into Primeape during event hours to get Rage Fist
  • Evolve Primeape into Annihilape during event hours to get Rage Fist
  • Both evolutions will automatically learn Rage Fist if done during the event window
  • Mankey Community Day originally occurred on November 10, 2024

Method 2: Elite Charged TM

If you missed Community Day, you can still get Rage Fist:

  • Use an Elite Charged TM on Primeape or Annihilape
  • Elite Charged TMs are rare - obtain them from:
    • GO Battle League end-of-season rewards (Rank 19+)
    • Special Research rewards
    • Community Day boxes in the shop
    • Pokemon GO Tour events

Method 3: Special Events

Niantic occasionally brings back Community Day moves during special events:

  • December Community Day - Year-end recap event with all previous CD moves
  • GO Battle Week: Final Strike - Featured Rage Fist availability (May 2025)
  • Pokemon GO Tour - Annual events sometimes include past Community Day moves

Important: Always check the move summary before evolving. Primeape must have Rage Fist BEFORE you can see the evolution task to get Annihilape.

Step-by-Step Evolution Guide

Complete Evolution Process

  1. Get Primeape with Rage Fist
    • Catch/evolve during Community Day, or
    • Use Elite Charged TM on existing Primeape
  2. Make Primeape Your Buddy
    • Tap your Trainer profile icon
    • Select your current buddy and choose “Swap Buddies”
    • Choose your Rage Fist Primeape
  3. Complete the Evolution Task
    • Defeat 30 Psychic-type Pokemon, OR
    • Defeat 30 Ghost-type Pokemon
    • Can be done through raids, gym battles, wild encounters, or GO Battle League
    • Primeape must be your buddy during these battles (doesn’t have to participate)
  4. Check Evolution Requirements
    • Open Primeape’s page
    • The Evolve button should show Annihilape’s silhouette
    • You should see the task progress (30/30 completed)
  5. Evolve with 100 Candies
    • Tap the Evolve button
    • Use 100 Mankey Candy to complete the evolution
    • Your Annihilape will keep Rage Fist!

Tips for Completing the Evolution Task

Here are the best ways to defeat 30 Psychic or Ghost-type Pokemon efficiently:

Fastest Methods:

  • Raid Battles: Each raid counts as defeating multiple Pokemon of that type (if the raid boss is Psychic or Ghost)
    • Look for Psychic-type raids: Mewtwo, Deoxys, Lugia, Latios, Latias
    • Look for Ghost-type raids: Giratina, Darkrai, Origin Forme Giratina
    • Even 1-star raids count!
  • GO Battle League: Face teams with Psychic or Ghost-types
    • Common Ghost-types: Sableye, Trevenant, Drifblim, Froslass
    • Common Psychic-types: Medicham, Cresselia, Deoxys Defense
    • Each defeated Pokemon counts toward your total
  • Gym Battles: Challenge gyms with Psychic or Ghost defenders
    • Common gym defenders: Metagross, Gardevoir, Gengar
    • Can battle the same gym multiple times
  • Wild Encounters: Catch and defeat wild Psychic/Ghost Pokemon
    • Ghost-types: Gastly, Haunter, Shuppet, Duskull, Misdreavus
    • Psychic-types: Abra, Drowzee, Ralts, Natu, Spoink
    • Check your local spawns and nests

Pro Tip: During events featuring Psychic or Ghost-types, you can complete this task much faster. Team GO Rocket Grunts with Psychic or Ghost-types also count!

About Annihilape

Annihilape is a unique Fighting/Ghost dual-type Pokemon with impressive stats:

Annihilape Stats & Info

  • Type: Fighting/Ghost (unique typing)
  • Best Moveset: Counter (Fast), Rage Fist (Charged), Shadow Ball or Ice Punch (Charged)
  • Max CP: 3000+ (Great League cap: 1500, Ultra League cap: 2500)
  • Weaknesses: Psychic, Flying, Ghost, Fairy
  • Resistances: Bug, Rock, Poison, Normal (immune to Normal and Fighting when defending)

Annihilape in PvP

Annihilape with Rage Fist is a meta-defining Pokemon in Pokemon GO PvP:

Great League Performance:

  • Rating: Top tier (#2-3 ranked)
  • Strengths: Fast charge moves, excellent coverage, unique typing
  • Rage Fist: 50 base power, only 35 energy, guarantees +1 Attack boost
  • Best Matchups: Defeats most Normal, Fighting, Steel, and Rock-types
  • Weak Against: Azumarill, Trevenant, Sableye, Medicham

Ultra League Performance:

  • Rating: Top tier (#3-5 ranked)
  • Strengths: Same advantages as Great League but with higher stats
  • Best Matchups: Registeel, Cobalion, Umbreon, Obstagoon
  • Recommended Second Move: Shadow Ball or Ice Punch for coverage

Master League Performance:

  • Rating: Not recommended (CP too low)
  • Better Options: Legendary Pokemon dominate this league

PvP Tip: Shadow Primeape/Annihilape with Rage Fist are even more powerful! If you have Shadow Mankey from Team GO Rocket, purify it or keep it shadow for maximum damage output.

Annihilape in Raids & PvE

While Annihilape is primarily a PvP specialist, it has some PvE uses:

  • Fighting-type Attacker: Decent against Normal, Steel, Rock, Dark, Ice-types
  • Not Top Tier: Other Fighting-types like Lucario, Machamp, and Conkeldurr are better for raids
  • Ghost-type Alternative: Shadow Ball gives Ghost-type coverage but isn’t optimal
  • Best Use: Gym battles and rocket battles where its unique typing shines

Should You Use an Elite TM?

Deciding whether to use an Elite Charged TM depends on your resources:

Elite TM Considerations

Use Elite TM If:

  • You’re serious about PvP and want top-tier Pokemon
  • You have multiple Elite TMs saved
  • You have a high IV or shadow Primeape ready
  • You missed Community Day and can’t wait for future events

Wait for Events If:

  • You’re low on Elite TMs (they’re very rare)
  • You’re not focused on PvP battles
  • December Community Day is coming soon (typically features all CD moves)
  • You can participate in GO Battle Week or similar events

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Primeape keep Rage Fist when evolved?

Yes! If Primeape knows Rage Fist before evolution, Annihilape will keep Rage Fist after evolving.

Can I complete the task without Rage Fist?

No. The evolution task only appears if Primeape knows Rage Fist. You must get Rage Fist first.

Do Team GO Rocket battles count for the evolution task?

Yes! Defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts or Leaders with Psychic or Ghost-type Pokemon counts toward your 30 defeats.

Can I change my buddy while completing the task?

You can swap buddies, but progress only counts when Primeape is your active buddy. Keep it as your buddy until you complete all 30 defeats.

Is Shadow Annihilape worth it?

Yes! Shadow Annihilape with Rage Fist is even more powerful in PvP due to the Shadow damage boost. However, it requires purifying Shadow Mankey or keeping it Shadow through all evolutions.

Pro Tip: During GO Battle Week events, evolution requirements are sometimes reduced from 30 to 20 defeats. Watch for announcements to save time!

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