Summary
- Temtem offers over 100 species and 13 types, with a focus on Melee Temtem for their effectiveness against Earth and Crystal types.
- Saipat, Mushook, Gyalis, Skunch, Magmut, Tutsu, Osukai, Maoala, Seismunch, and Broccolem are top Melee Temtem showcased.
- From Melee-capable Saipat to Earth-Melee Seismunch, players can choose their ideal team to dominate in the Airborne Archipelago.
Pokemon-inspired creature-collection game Temtem has emerged from Early Access some time ago on Steam, being released fully on PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. Temtem plunges players into the MMO world of Airborne Archipelago, where they take on the role of a Temtem tamer. Here, they get to take control of their own adventure, from capturing Temtem in the wild to battling NPC-controlled Dojos to advance in the story. There is an unlimited number of things to keep players busy!

Related
Temtem: Best Team For The Story
Players looking to complete Temtem’s story as efficiently as possible should try the following team compositions.
There are currently over 100 different Temtem species, and 13 different types of Temtem in the game, but Melee Temtem can really pack a punch and are really effective against Earth and Crystal types. Here are the best Melee-type Temtem, and how they can be obtained.
Updated on January 22, 2025, by Mehrdad Khayyat: Melee Temtems usually come with a big focus on the ATK and HP ratings as they benefit from Melee techniques which come in handy a lot against Earth and Crystal Temtems. So, it’s crucial to hunt for Melee Temtems earlier in the game.
Despite having their strengths though, Melee Temtems also have some weaknesses, especially when they are put against Mental or Digital techniques. A Melee vs Melee battle is also not a good idea overall.
10
Saipat
Overall Stat: 476
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Saipat can be found in the following locations:
- Deniz: Gifted Bridges, Sillaro River, Windward Fort, Prasine Coast, Aquamarina Caves, Arissola Dojo, Saipark, See Queen’s Aquarium, Thalassian Cliffs
- Arbury: Loch Aduar, Meadowdale
- Tucma: Xolot Reservoir
- Cipanklu: Rice Fields
Saipat is an angry duck-like Temtem, wielding a clamshell helmet and a red coral sai. Saipat is a decent choice, as it has strong Melee capabilities and Water-type Techniques. At level 38 Saipat unlocks its exclusive Nicho Sai Melee Technique, which does a whopping 135 damage.
Saipat is a common early game wild encounter, being found all over Deniz, the starting island of Temtem with decent spawn rates along the Prasine Coast and Gifted Bridges. Saipat does not evolve into or from any other Temtem.
9
Mushook
Overall Stat: 453
- Mushook can be found in Sewers of Properton, Arbury.
With an intricate character design that is literally a mushroom with pointed legs, Mushook can really hold its own in a Temtem battle. It sports a large blue toadstool cap, and its hands are literally red boxing gloves. Mushook is a well-rounded Temtem with both Melee and Toxic typing that will fare well in any team composition.
At higher levels, Mushook can unlock some Melee-only Techniques like Uppercut and Wastewater that can do decent damage to the opposing team. Mushook can be found solely on the island of Arbury in the Sewers of Properton, with a slight spawn chance of 10-20%. Mushook can also be obtained by leveling up a Mushi 20 times after capturing it until it evolves.
8
Gyalis
Overall Stat: 444
- Gyalis can be found in Mines of Mictlan, Tucma.
Gyalis is a primarily Crystal Temtem, with Melee typing. It has a design extremely similar to a praying mantis in nature, with a crown of crystals orbiting around its head. It is entirely composed of red crystals, almost resembling Scyther from Pokemon.

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10 Best Melee Type Temtem (& Where To Find Them)
Players interested in finding the best Melee-type Temtem can find them here!
Since Gyalis possesses both Crystal and Melee typing, it can significantly benefit from its Techniques, especially as it has the highest base SPD of all Melee Temtem. Gyalis does not evolve from or into any other Temtem. It is extremely rare, with a slim 10% spawn rate in the Mines of Mictlan on Tucma.
7
Skunch
Overall Stat: 457
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Skunch can be found in the following locations:
- Kisiwa: Mawingu Islets, Chini Grotto, Kilima Peaks, Barafu Glacier
- Tucma: Xolot Reservoir, Corrupted Badlands, Aguamarina Caves
- Skunch can also be obtained by evolving a Skail after 17 levels.
Skunch is a squirrel-like Temtem that uses its tail for balance and has brawny fists – perfect for a Melee-type Temtem! Skunch has powerful Melee Techniques, particularly Inner Spirit, unlocked at level 32, which deals a massive 170 damage.
Skunch evolves from Skali after leveling up 17 times and is the final evolution of it. Luckily for players, Skunch is quite a common Temtem and can be found all over the world of Airborne Archipelago. The best examples are on Tucma, at both the Corrupted Badlands and the Xolot Reservoir. Skunch can also be found on Kisiwa in four different locations: Chini Grotto, Kilima Peaks, Mawingu Islets, and Barafu Glacier.
6
Magmut
Overall Stat: 469
- Magmut cannot be found and tamed in the wilderness.
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Players can find and tame a Mosu in the following locations, and then evolve it into Magmut after 15 levels.
- Arbury: Mac Aed’s Crags, Greenglen Forest
Magmut is a Melee and Fire-type Temtem. It evolves from Mosu after leveling up 15 times and is its final evolution. It resembles a large wooly mammoth with curved horns and a flaming orange mane for its firey nature.
Magmut has a high base HP stat, making it a welcome addition to any team. The only way players can get their hands on a Magmut is by evolving a Mosu. Mosu can only be found on Arbury, by Mac Aed’s Crags, or Greenglen Forest.
5
Tutsu
Overall Stat: 461
- Tutsu cannot be found and tamed in the wilderness.
- Players can find and tame a Tuwai, and then evolve it into Tutsu at the Chieftain’s Barrow.
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Tuwai can be found in the following locations:
- Arbury: Chieftain’s Barrow
- Tucma: Sons of Crystal
- Deniz: Dabmis’ Rest
- Kisiwa: Aisha’s Heart
- Cipanku: Digital Kami Shrine
- Omninesia: Altar of the Inner Flame
Tutsu is bold in SPD (84), which is mostly due to its Wind nature, but the creature also features a decent ATK rating of 74. Tutsu is the result of a Tuwai evolution, and that origin helps it to receive half damage against Wind type Temtems as well as Melee and Earth.

Related
9 Best Crystal Type Temtem (& Where To Find Them)
Players can find some great Crystal-type Temtems, assuming they know where to look!
Tutsu features Contemplation as an exclusive trait that grants it ATK and SPD once per battle when resting. This Temtem also benefits from the Tag Team trait, which decreases the damage received from all Techniques by 15% if the allies are the same type as Tutsu.
4
Osukai
Overall Stat: 454
- Osukai can be found in Aisha’s Hearth, Kisiwa.
Osukai is a massive insect-like bipedal Temtem, with four arms and a muscular build. It currently has the highest base ATK stat of all Temtem in the game. Osukai is a dual typing Earth and Melee Temtem.
Despite being found in the wild, players cannot catch an Osukai unless they use a TemcardX. If players have some TemCardX at their disposal, they can find Osukai on Kisiwa by Aisha’s Hearth. The only other way to obtain Osukai is by evolving an Osukan, which can be found on Kisiwa at Kilima Peaks with a 20-35% spawn chance.
3
Maoala
Overall Stat: 460
- Maoala can be found in Meadowdale, Arbury.
While it was said earlier that a Melee vs Melee battle is usually not a good idea, it does have exceptions too. Next to Towly, Maoala is the strongest Melee Temtem against Temtems of the same type. Maoala receives only 25% of the damage dealt to it from a Melee Temtem, which is quite impressive.
The creature itself comes with a strong ATK rating (80) and above-average scores for HP and STA. Maoala is the result of no evolution and it cannot be evolved either. The creature features Hypnotist and Haka traits, with the latter being exclusive. Hypnotist is a once-per-battle skill that applies Asleep to opponents. Haka, on the other hand, grants a one-time ATK and SPATK to Maoala’s allies in the battle once
2
Seismunch
Overall Stat: 454
- Seismunch cannot be found and tamed in the wilderness.
- Players can find and tame a Smazee from Greenglen Forest in Arbury, and then evolve it into Baboong after 29 levels.
- Then, they should evolve Baboong into Seismunch after 23 levels.
Monkeying around? Seismunch is a firetruck red Temtem most closely resembling a monkey, as with its prior evolutions. Seismunch has good base SPD and ATK stats, great for getting up close and personal with the opponents. Seismunch is a Melee and Earth hybrid Temtem, allowing for it to unlock a wide range of Earth and Melee Techniques. It even has its own signature Earth Technique, called Seismunch’s Wreck, which can synergize with another Melee Temtem to do 120 damage.
Seismunch cannot be found in the wild; the only way players can obtain one is by evolving a Baboong. Seismunch is the final stage of a three-part evolutionary line, which starts at Smazee. Smazee is one of the three starter Temtem at the beginning of the game, which is the best method of getting a Smazee.
1
Broccolem
Overall Stat: 478
- Broccolem can be found in Chieftain’s Barrow, Arbury, but it requires a TemCardX to be acquired.
- An easier way to get Broccolem is to find a Broccoblin from Greenglen Forest in Arbury, and then evolve it into a Broccorc.
- Broccorc can then be evolved into Broccolem.
Broccolem originates from both Nature and Melee types. The creature doesn’t have a single top stat, but it comes with above-average ratings for HP, ATK, SPATK, and SPDEF. Broccolem receives half-damage when put against Temtems of Nature, Melee, Electric, Water, and Earth types.
When it comes to traits, Broccolem offers Strong Liver and Camouflage. The former helps Broccolem to negate any damage take from Toxic Techniques. The latter, which is exclusive to this creature, grants it Evading effect for 2 turns after being hit by Physical Techniques.

- Released
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September 6, 2022
- OpenCritic Rating
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Strong