Mixed
Support
85Speed · Above Avg

Is Articuno Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Seafoam Islands legendary. AbilityPressure doubles PP consumption, wearing opponents down faster. Ice/Flying gives Dragon coverage against Lance. Available before the E4 at level 50, ready for the final stretch. The Ice handles Lance cleanly. The Flying weakness to Rock is the cost.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSGGSGGGSEGGGGBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6ArticunoCatchableBlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Strong

Articuno resists most of Brock's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Good

Articuno has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.

You Win
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
You Win
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Good

Articuno has the type edge here and should clean up Lt. Surge's team.

You Win
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
You Win
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Even
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Strong

Articuno resists most of Erika's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Easy KO
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Easy KO
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Good

Articuno has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Good

Articuno has the type edge here and should clean up Sabrina's team.

You Win
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
Easy KO
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

Articuno has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

You Win
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
You Win
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Even
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Strong

Articuno resists most of Giovanni's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Easy KO
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
Easy KO
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Easy KO
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Even

Articuno trades roughly evenly with Lorelei's team.

Even
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
Even
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
Even
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
Even
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
Even
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water AbsorbImmune to Water attacks
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Articuno has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
You Win
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
Easy KO
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
You Win
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

Articuno has the type edge here and should clean up Agatha's team.

You Win
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
Even
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
Even
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
Even
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Good

Articuno has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
Easy KO
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
Easy KO
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
Even
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
You Win
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Good

Articuno has the type edge here and should clean up Terry's team.

You Win
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
Even
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
You Win
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
Even
Gyarados
Lv 73
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hydro PumpDragon DanceEarthquakeHyper Beam
Even
Arcanine
Lv 73
Fire
Intimidate
Extreme SpeedOverheatAerial AceIron Tail
You Win
Venusaur
Lv 75
GrassPoison
Overgrow
Solar BeamSludge BombEarthquakeSunny Day
Catchable
Available after Badge 6
Type
IceFlying
Tier
A

Catch Articuno on Seafoam Islands (interact, Lv 50, limited). Seafoam Islands B4F. Static encounter deep inside the Seafoam Islands at B4F

View Articuno locations

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 50)
    • LV 50IceIce Beam135100%10
  • After Lt. Surge
    • HM02FlyingFly13595%15
  • After Erika
    • TM40FlyingAerial Ace90100%20
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • TM43NormalSecret Power70100%20
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
    • LV 73IceBlizzard16570%5
  • Post-Game
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

How to Get Articuno in FireRed & LeafGreen

Level 50 deep inside Seafoam Islands, both versions. Catch rate of 3, so bring Ultra Balls and a sleep move. One chance, no respawn.

1 location to catch Articuno

Badge 6

Articuno Weakness

Articuno is weak to Rock, Fire, Electric, and Steel. Watch out for Rock attacks, those deal 4x damage. On the flip side, it's immune to Ground-type moves entirely. Articuno's special bulk (base 125 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Articuno Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Rock
2x (Weak)Fire, Electric, Steel
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Bug
0x (Immune)Ground
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Articuno Weak Against

Vulnerable
4Weak
2Resist
1Immune
Score-5
4xCritical
½xResist
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Articuno Strong Against

6Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+5
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Articuno

Articuno Evolutions

Articuno is strong overall with 580 total stats as a Ice/Flying legendary. Can't breed it, so you're locked to whatever you catch or receive. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Articuno
#144Articuno
Does not evolve

Breeding

Unavailable
Undiscovered egg group

FRLG Articuno Best Moveset

125 Sp. Def with 95 Sp. Atk and AbilityPressure doubling opponent PP usage. Ice/Flying fires MoveIce Beam for Ice TermStab from the special side. The moveset absorbs special attacks while stalling PP with Pressure, and MoveRest sustains. 4x Rock weakness from TermEntry Hazards is the critical vulnerability.

Best Build

Experimental
Wall
Ability
Pressure
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Articuno
Calm+SPD

Articuno best EVs are HP and Sp. Def

EVs

Wall Moveset

  • Ice BeamSTAB
  • Heal Bell
  • RestRecovery
  • RoarSLOW -6Utility

Moves List

TMs define Articuno's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Blizzard and Ice Beam, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it Normal and Fighting coverage and more. That's where the options open up.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Gust
D6010035Flying
Lv 1
Powder Snow
6010025Ice
Lv 13
Mist
30Ice
Lv 25
Agility
C30Psychic
Lv 37
Mind Reader
1005Normal
Lv 49
Ice Beam
B14210010Ice
Lv 61
Reflect
C20Psychic
Lv 73
Blizzard
C180705Ice
Lv 85
Sheer Cold
305Ice

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
C9020Flying
TM14
Blizzard
C180705Ice
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
HM02
Fly
C1059515Flying
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM07
Hail
10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
B14210010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
A10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM33
Reflect
C20Psychic
TM44
Rest
B10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6
B20Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
D2010015Fighting
TM37
Sandstorm
D10Rock
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM47
Steel Wing
D709025Steel
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM06
Toxic
A8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
D6010020Water

Egg Moves

Articuno doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Pseudo
HP90
B
Attack85
C
Defense100
B
Sp. Atk95
B
Sp. Def125
A
Speed85
C
Total580
Details
Catch Rate
Legendary3 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.7 m
Weight55.4 kg
Base XP290
Abilities
Pressure
Increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpD+3Spe
Strong Special Defense training target
Pokedex Entry

One of the legendary bird POKéMON. With its long tail trailing behind, its flying form is magnificent.

A legendary bird POKéMON that is said to appear to doomed people who are lost in icy mountains.

Articuno FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Articuno is a static encounter at Seafoam Islands in FireRed & LeafGreen. Articuno appears at level 50. Prerequisite: Seafoam Islands B4F. Save before the encounter. These one-shot Pokemon don't respawn if you knock them out or run out of Poke Balls.

Game Availability

Articuno has appeared in 20 games since Red & Blue, spanning 10 generations. As a Legendary, it's typically a one-per-save encounter tied to the story or post-game content.

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