Almost nobody uses Barboach in battle. It exists to evolve into Whiscash, which is a completely different story. Get it there and you won't regret it. Known as the Whiskers Pokemon. Been around since Gen 3.
Barboach's stats barely vary. 0 sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 1 HP EV, medium-fast 1M XP curve to max.
Its two whiskers provide a sensitive radar. Even in muddy waters, it can detect its prey’s location.
It probes muddy riverbeds with its two long whiskers. A slimy film protects its body.
Barboach Weakness
GoodBarboach's Water/Ground typing leaves it vulnerable to Grass moves. Grass hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Electric-type attacks completely. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage.
Barboach evolves into Whiscash. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 180 total stats over Barboach.
How to Evolve
Breed Barboach easily with 34 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group.
Earthquake is the main STAB option after a Dragon Dance boost. Eviolite gives Barboach a bulk boost that only works before full evolution to survive the setup turn, and a spread EV build EVs make the boosted hits count. Double STAB catches resists.
Best Build
Best Barboach Moveset
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Liquidation
- Waterfall
Recommended Teammates
Without TMs, Barboach's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Normal and Psychic coverage and more on top of Hydro Pump and Earthquake for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Barboach's options are limited here. You've got Aqua Tail and Earth Power for STAB damage, but there isn't much beyond Water and Ground hitting power. TMs help fill gaps, though the kit stays tight.
You'll want to breed for Dragon Dance and Earth Power on Barboach. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Hydro Pump and Earthquake, they expand what Barboach can actually threaten in practice.
You'll want to breed for Flail and Spark on Barboach. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Hydro Pump and Earthquake, they expand what Barboach can actually threaten in practice.
Easy grab on Barboach with high spawn rates across 22 locations in mid-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations
Which version you're playing matters for Barboach. 22 walking spots at Lv. 16-34 spread across Violet and Scarlet, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.
decent spawn rates across 3 locations for Barboach in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Best Locations
3 walking spots from walking for Barboach. Sorted by game progression with rates on each row, so you can compare without scrolling through everything.
Barboach's scattered across 46 spots in early-game fishing spots with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Best Locations
fishing and walking encounters for Barboach across 46 spots at Lv. 10-29. The catch is that Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl don't share every location, so compare what's available in your version.
high spawn rates in early-game water routes across 84 locations. Barboach's one of the easier catches on the list. Multiple catch methods are available, so check which ones match your setup. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations
You can catch Barboach through 84 surfing, fishing, and more encounters from Lv. 7-65, but availability differs between Shield and Sword. Some spots are exclusive to one version.
Barboach isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Whiscash to unlock its full potential. At 288 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Barboach evolves into Whiscash at level 30. Barboach is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Oblivious prevents infatuation and protects against captivate — that's the one you want on Barboach. Hydration is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Anticipation works too if your team needs something different.
Barboach fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 48 Attack. At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Barboach appears in 16 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Barboach first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 16 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A