Mixed
Attacker
50Speed · Slow

Is Piloswine Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Piloswine handles Lance's Dragon team through Ice and provides Ground coverage for the E4. AbilityOblivious prevents attraction. Available postgame in FRLG. The typing is perfect for the endgame that's already over by the time Piloswine arrives.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGTGEEEEGTEEEEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8PiloswineCatchableLoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Good

Swinub has the type edge here and should clean up Brock's team.

You Win
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
You Win
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Tough

Misty's team hits Swinub's weaknesses hard.

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

Swinub 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
Even

Swinub trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.

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

Swinub trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

Risky
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
Risky
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Risky
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Swinub trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
Even
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
Even
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Even

Swinub trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.

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

Swinub has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.

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

Lorelei's team hits Piloswine's weaknesses hard.

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

Piloswine trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.

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

Piloswine trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.

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

Piloswine trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

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

Piloswine trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.

Risky
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
Arcanine
Lv 73
Fire
Intimidate
Extreme SpeedOverheatAerial AceIron Tail
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 73
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Giga DrainPsychicSleep PowderLight Screen
Risky
Blastoise
Lv 75
Water
Torrent
Hydro PumpIce BeamEarthquakeRain Dance
Catchable
Post-game only
Type
IceGround
Tier
C

Catch Piloswine on Icefall Cave (walking, Lv 23-31, common).

View Piloswine locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM28GroundDig120100%10
    • LV 28NormalTake Down9085%20
  • After Erika
    • TM13IceIce Beam135100%10
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • HM04NormalStrength80100%15
    • TM06PoisonToxic90%10
  • After Giovanni
    • TM26GroundEarthquake150100%10
    • LV 56IceBlizzard16570%5
  • Post-Game
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

How to Get Piloswine in FireRed & LeafGreen

If you want Piloswine directly without leveling, its two walking encounters appear in both versions at common rarity. Skips the need to grind a Swinub to level 33.

Wild Piloswine may be holding when caught:

Aspear Berry (50% chance) When held by a Pokemon, it will be used in battle for defrosting.
Never Melt Ice (5% chance) An item to be held by a Pokemon. A piece of ice that repels heat and boosts ICE-type moves.

1 location to catch Piloswine

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 8
Post-Game

Where To Catch Piloswine in FRLG

Swinub is your first catch on the way to Piloswine. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 23-31 across 4 total spots in the chain.

  1. Piloswine
    Step 2Piloswine
    or evolve from Swinub (Step 1)

Piloswine Weakness

Fire, Water, Grass, Fighting, and Steel moves hit Piloswine for super-effective damage. The upside? Electric-type moves can't touch it at all. Thick Fat reduces Fire/Ice damage, further improving the defensive spread.

Piloswine Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fire, Water, Grass, Fighting, Steel
0.5x (Resist)Poison
0x (Immune)Electric
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 Piloswine Weak Against

Fragile
5Weak
1Resist
1Immune
Score-6
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Piloswine Strong Against

9Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+9
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Piloswine

Piloswine Evolutions

Piloswine is what Swinub becomes. Breed it for Swinub eggs (average hatch time). A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolution from Swinub pushed Piloswine to 450 total stats. HP saw the largest single gain at +50. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Swinub
IceGround
Piloswine
IceGround
HP
50
100+50
ATK
50
100+50
DEF
40
80+40
SP.ATK
30
60+30
SP.DEF
30
60+30
SPE
50
50
BST
250D-Tier
450C-Tier+200
ROLE
Balanced
Attacker
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Piloswine to get Swinub eggs easily using 102 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Bite, Body Slam and 5 more.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
8moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosrhydondewgongarbokquagsirenidorinofarfetchdflaaffy

FRLG Piloswine Best Moveset

100 Attack and 100 HP with Ice/Ground typing providing unique coverage. AbilityOblivious blocks attraction. MoveEarthquake for Ground TermStab from the physical side and MoveIce Beam for Ice from 60 Sp. Atk (weak). The moveset has physical Ground power but Ice coverage suffers from the wrong stat.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Oblivious
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Piloswine

Piloswine best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • Ice BeamSTAB
  • ToxicUtility
  • ProtectFAST +4

Moves List

Without breeding, Piloswine misses out on Ancient Power and Bite. That's 8 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Blizzard and Earthquake, with Normal and Fighting coverage and more rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Endure+4
C10Normal
Lv 1
Horn Attack
6510025Normal
Lv 1
Odor Sleuth
10040Normal
Lv 1
Powder Snow
6010025Ice
Lv 10
Powder Snow
6010025Ice
Lv 19
Endure+4
C10Normal
Lv 28
Take Down
C908520Normal
Lv 33
Fury Attack
158520Normal
Lv 42
Mist
30Ice
Lv 56
Blizzard
A180705Ice
Lv 70
Amnesia
D20Psychic

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
A180705Ice
TM28
Dig
B9010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
B15010010Ground
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM07
Hail
10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
B14210010Ice
TM16
Light Screen
C30Psychic
TM17
Protect+4
A10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM33
Reflect
C20Psychic
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6
C20Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
D2010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
D609510Rock
TM37
Sandstorm
D10Rock
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM06
Toxic
B8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Ancient Power
A601005Rock
Egg
Bite
C6010025Dark
Egg
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Egg
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Egg
Icicle Spear
3710030Ice
Egg
Mud Shot
D829515Ground
Egg
Rock Slide
A759010Rock
Egg
Take Down
C908520Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Rock Slide
A759010Rock
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal

Reminder Moves

Rem
Rem
Tackle
D3510035Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP100
B
Attack100
B
Defense80
C
Sp. Atk60
C
Sp. Def60
C
Speed50
D
Total450
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging75 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.1 m
Weight55.8 kg
Base XP158
Abilities
Oblivious
Prevents infatuation and protects against captivate.
Snow Cloak
Increases evasion to 1.25× during hail. Protects against hail damage.
EV Yield
HP+1Atk+1DefSpASpDSpe
HP training target
Pokedex Entry

If it charges at an enemy, the hairs on its back stand up straight. It is very sensitive to sound.

Because the long hair all over its body obscures its sight, it just keeps charging repeatedly.

Piloswine FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Piloswine can be caught in the wild at Icefall Cave in Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen.

Game Availability

Debuting in Gold & Silver, Piloswine appears in 18 games across 9 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.

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