As a Bug/Poison-type, Dustox fills a straightforward role. Only weak to Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock. Known as the Poison Moth Pokémon. Known as the Poison Moth Pokemon. Can go either physical or special depending on the set.
Dustox's built to absorb hits, not race for knockouts. Special bulk with Sp. Def doing the heavy lifting. And the medium-fast 1M XP curve means it won't take forever to bring up, worth 3 Sp. Def EVs.
Tends to be drawn to bonfires on dark nights. Difficult to chase away from settlements because of the way it scatters highly toxic scales.
Dustox Weakness
AvgFire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock-type moves hit Dustox for super-effective damage. The Bug/Poison typing picks up 5 resistances to work with.
You get Dustox from Wurmple at level 10. It's one of 2 possible evolutions in this branching family, each requiring its own method. Breed through Wurmple to get eggs. The evolution from Wurmple pushed Dustox to 385 total stats. Sp.Def saw the largest single gain at +60.
How to Evolve
Breed with Dustox to get Wurmple eggs easily using 91 partners from the Bug egg group.
Quiver Dance is the main STAB option after a Quiver Dance boost. Focus Sash gives Dustox a guaranteed survive from full HP to survive the setup turn, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs make the boosted hits count. The remaining moves catches resists.
Best Build
Best Dustox Moveset
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Sludge Bomb
- Energy Ball
Recommended Teammates
The offense anchors on Bug Buzz and Sludge Bomb, with Psychic and Normal coverage and more adding reach. It's a workable movepool for Dustox that handles most situations. Bug Buzz and Energy Ball give it enough punch where it matters.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The level-up pool tells the story here. Dustox learns Bug Buzz and Energy Ball naturally, plus enough variety that TMs feel like bonuses. Flying and Normal coverage and more extends the reach beyond that.
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Dustox's coverage across 8 types all comes from technical machines, built on top of Bug Buzz and Sludge Bomb for same-type damage. Bug Buzz and Energy Ball are the payoff moves.
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Dustox's coverage across 7 types all comes from technical machines, built on top of Bug Buzz and Sludge Bomb for same-type damage. Bug Buzz and Energy Ball are the payoff moves.
Dustox starts showing up in mid-game routes at decent spawn rates across 4 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Dustox in Legends: Arceus
Wurmple is your first catch on the way to Dustox. You'll find walking encounters from walking across 9 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch WurmpleEASYFloaro GardensGrassUncommonForestEASYHorseshoe PlainsGrassUncommonEASYThe HeartwoodGrassUncommon
Step 2Catch or Evolve CascoonEASYFloaro GardensGrassUncommonForestNightEASYThe HeartwoodGrassUncommonNightor evolve from Wurmple (Step 1)
Step 3Dustox ✓EASYFloaro GardensGrassUncommonForestNightEASYGrueling GroveGrassUncommonForestNightEASYThe HeartwoodGrassUncommonNightEASYVeilstone CapeGrassUncommonNightor evolve from Cascoon (Step 2)
Dustox starts showing up in early-game routes at moderate rates across 2 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Dustox in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Wurmple is your first catch on the way to Dustox. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 10-51 across 19 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch WurmpleEFFORTLESSEterna ForestBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.10-1130%EarlyForestMorning/dayEFFORTLESSEterna ForestShining PearlGrassLv.10-1130%EarlyForestMorning/dayEASYEterna ForestBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.1020%EarlyForestNightEASYEterna ForestShining PearlGrassLv.1020%EarlyForestNightGrassland CaveShining PearlGrassLv.16-20MidCaveGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.16-20MidCaveRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrassLv.16-20MidCaveRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.16-20MidCaveStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrassLv.16-20MidCaveStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.16-20MidCaveSunlit CavernShining PearlGrassLv.16-20MidCaveSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.16-20MidCave
Step 2Catch or Evolve CascoonEASYEterna ForestGrassLv.1020%EarlyForestGrassland CaveGrassLv.16-20MidCaveRiverbank CaveGrassLv.16-20MidCaveStill-Water CavernGrassLv.16-20MidCaveSunlit CavernGrassLv.16-20MidCaveor evolve from Wurmple (Step 1)
Step 3Dustox ✓HARDEterna ForestGrassLv.122%EarlyForestMODERATERoute 230GrassLv.5110%PostRouteor evolve from Cascoon (Step 2)
No wild encounters for Dustox in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Bring Wurmple over from Ruby, Emerald, or Diamond, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
Dustox can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Wurmple from Ruby, Emerald, or Diamond and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Dustox works as a support with 385 BST behind it. D-Tier on our list — outclassed by better options in most formats.
Shield Dust protects against incoming moves' extra effects — that's the one you want on Dustox. Compound Eyes is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Dustox is leaning toward the physical side (base 50 Attack). Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — at base 65 Speed, it won't be moving first often. Fits the support role.
Dustox appears in 14 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Dustox appears in 14 games across 7 generations. A reliable presence in a solid number of games, typically found through wild encounters.
- 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