This PokeBonk guide walks you through your first runs of the free browser survivor game. You pick a Pokemon from your League, it fires its moves on its own, and you move, jump and slide to stay alive while hundreds of wild Pokemon close in. Experience gems level you up, each level offers upgrade cards, and the run ends when you clear the map or faint.
Between runs you spend Stardust in the Lab, unlock items and catch new Pokemon for your League. Read how to play PokeBonk for the controls and PokeBonk starters to choose your first Pokemon.
How a PokeBonk run works
A standard run takes place on one map. Viridian Forest is open from the start; it has three zones and a fourth stage, the shrine. In each zone you find the guardian's altar, wake the guardian with E and beat it to open a portal to the next zone. After the zone 3 guardian a portal leads to the shrine, where Mew waits. Beat it and step into the portal to win the map.
You can stay in a zone as long as you like, but after 10 minutes the final swarm begins and enemies get stronger every minute. Most players farm experience and chests for a few minutes, then go for the guardian.
Level-up cards, moves and vitamins
Each level offers three cards (four with the Lab's Fourth option). A card can level up a move you have, add a new move, or raise a vitamin such as Protein (physical damage) or Calcium (special damage). Moves go up to level 8 and vitamins to level 10. Your League Pokemon offers its own kit moves at player levels 2, 4 and 7; you hold three moves until you buy the 4th move slot in the Lab.
Refresh, Skip and Banish change the cards on offer; their keys are F, X and Z, and the Lab adds more uses. Banish a card you will never want so it stops coming back. PokeBonk tips lists the picks that keep early runs alive.
Chests, Meowth and items
PokeDollars drop from enemies. Spend them on Poke Ball chests: each paid Poke Ball lets you pick one of three items, and each one costs more than the last. Great Balls from altars and guardians are free. Meowth also visits with a shop of four offers. There are 102 items, from Oran Berry to Dawn Stone; the PokeBonk items list has them all.
Catching Pokemon for your League
New League Pokemon come from challenges. Pikachu, for example, asks you to defeat 10,000 Pokemon while it is raining; once done, a wild Pikachu can appear in a later run, and you weaken it and throw a Poke Ball. PokeBonk unlock guide lists all 76 challenges. Alphas are different: giant Pokemon you catch with a Friend Ball to fight beside you for one run (PokeBonk Alpha Pokemon).
After the run: Stardust and the Lab
Runs, daily and weekly tasks, quests and shinies pay Stardust. Spend it in the Lab on permanent upgrades such as Training (+4% damage per level) and Stamina (+8 max HP per level), on the 4th move slot (1,500 Stardust) and on item unlocks. PokeBonk Lab upgrades has every price, and PokeBonk Stardust shows where Stardust comes from.
PokeBonk guide: what to aim for next
- Clear Viridian Forest on Normal to open Rocky Desert and Hard difficulty.
- Finish daily tasks for 60, 100, and 160 Stardust and a streak bonus.
- Catch a shiny: the first one of each Pokemon pays 120 Stardust (PokeBonk shiny).
- Try PokeBonk Survival mode once you can last 10 minutes.
- Check the tier list before you spend effort on a new League Pokemon.
PokeBonk guide FAQ
Is PokeBonk free?
Yes. It is a free, non-profit fan game that runs in the browser at pokebonk.com, with no download and nothing to buy.
How long is a PokeBonk run?
A full standard run with three zones and the shrine usually takes 15 to 30 minutes; the medal times start at 17:30 for Champion on Normal.
What should I do first in PokeBonk?
Pick a starter, clear Viridian Forest on Normal, and spend your first Stardust on Training and Stamina in the Lab.
Does PokeBonk save my progress?
Yes. Progress is tied to your account, guest or registered. Since version 0.5.7 a run is saved even if the browser closes or the connection drops.