Special
Balanced
500High
85Moderate
CTier

What separates Golduck from the pack is Swift Swim — it doubles its Speed in rain. Combine that with Water typing and it sits at a decent but contested Speed tier. Can go either physical or special depending on the set.

An unusually even spread gives Golduck flexibility. Sp. Atk barely edges ahead. But Defense isn't far off. Moderately hard to find and follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve. Yields 2 Sp. Atk EVs.

Base Stats
500High
HP80
C
Attack82
C
Defense78
C
Sp. Atk95
B
Sp. Def80
C
Speed85
C
Total500
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Golduck yields +2 SpA
HPAtkDefSpA+2SpDSpe
Details
Catch75Challenging•Medium Fast1M XP•1.7m / 5'07"•76.6kg / 168.9 lbs•175Base XP
Pokedex Entries

When it swims at full speed using its long, webbed limbs, its forehead somehow begins to glow.

Scarlet

It swims gracefully along on the quiet, slow-moving rivers and lakes of which it is so fond.

Violet

Golduck Weakness

Good

Golduck's Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric and Grass moves. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. With 80 HP and balanced defenses, Golduck can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.

4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
ElectricGrass
½xResisti
FireWaterIceSteel
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
STAB (3)i
FireGroundRock
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Scorei0
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
DampPrevents self destruct, explosion, and aftermath from working while the Pokémon is in battle.
Cloud NineNegates all effects of weather, but does not prevent the weather itself.
Swift SwimHADoubles Speed during rain.

Evolved from Psyduck. Golduck is the final form in this two-stage line. A massive partner pool for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. HP grew the most through evolution (+30 over Psyduck), and Golduck peaks at 500 total stats.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Psyduck
#054Psyduck
33
Level 33
Golduck
#055Golduck
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Psyduck
Water
Golduck
Water
HP
50
80+30
ATK
52
82+30
DEF
48
78+30
SP.ATK
65
95+30
SP.DEF
50
80+30
SPE
55
85+30
BST
320D-Tier
500C-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Mixed
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed with Golduck to get Psyduck eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups.

Egg Groups
GroundWater1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Breed With (best first)
raichuazumarillpikachunidokinggolduckampharosblastoiseferaligatrkingdraswampertrhydonslowbro
12 of 278·

Cloudnine isn't flashy, but it matters. Combined with Wateriumz for extra utility and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs, Golduck fills the special attacker slot reliably. Timid nature finishes the spread.

Best Build

Special Attacker
Ability
Cloudnine
Item
Wateriumz
Nature
Timid+SPE
EVs

Best Golduck Moveset

  • Skill Swap
  • Simple Beam
  • Hydro PumpSTAB
  • Psych Up

Recommended Teammates

Ditto
DittoDecent
Arbok
ArbokDecent
Parasect
ParasectDecent
All 21 games

Level-up moves are just the starting point for Golduck. TMs unlock coverage across 9 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Hydro Pump and Aqua Tail into something with actual range.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Aqua Jet+1
4010020Water
Lv 1
Confusion
5010025Psychic
Lv 1
Scratch
4010035Normal
Lv 1
Tail Whip
—10030Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 9
Fury Swipes
188015Normal
Lv 12
Water Pulse
6010020Water
Lv 15
Disable
—10020Normal
Lv 18
Zen Headbutt
809015Psychic
Lv 21
Screech
—8540Normal
Lv 24
Aqua Tail
909010Water
Lv 27
Soak
—10020Water
Lv 30
Psych Up
——10Normal
Lv 36
Amnesia
——20Psychic
Lv 40
Hydro Pump
110805Water
Lv 45
Wonder Room
——10Psychic

TM Moves

Src
TM128
Amnesia
——20Psychic
TM143
Blizzard
110705Ice
TM66
Body Slam
8510015Normal
TM58
Brick Break
7510015Fighting
TM129
Calm Mind
——20Psychic
TM22
Chilling Water
5010020Water
TM17
Confuse Ray
—10010Ghost
TM55
Dig
8010010Ground
TM204
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
TM122
Encore
—1005Normal
TM205
Endeavor
—1005Normal
TM47
Endure+4
——10Normal
TM25
Facade
7010020Normal
TM43
Fling
—10010Dark
TM196
Flip Turn
6010020Water
TM158
Focus Blast
120705Fighting
TM192
Focus Punch-3
15010020Fighting
TM217
Future Sight
12010010Psychic
TM152
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TM81
Grass Knot
—10020Grass
TM174
Haze
——30Ice
TM130
Helping Hand+5
——20Normal
TM142
Hydro Pump
110805Water
TM163
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM135
Ice Beam
9010010Ice
TM69
Ice Punch
7510015Ice
TM34
Icy Wind
559515Ice
TM181
Knock Off
6510020Dark
TM75
Light Screen
——30Psychic
TM110
Liquidation
8510010Water
TM12
Low Kick
—10020Fighting
TM39
Low Sweep
6510020Fighting
TM80
Metronome
——10Normal
TM35
Mud Shot
559515Ground
TM209
Muddy Water
908510Water
TM140
Nasty Plot
——20Dark
TM101
Power Gem
8010020Rock
TM07
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM16
Psybeam
6510020Psychic
TM203
Psych Up
——10Normal
TM120
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TM228
Psychic Noise
7510010Psychic
TM54
Psyshock
8010010Psychic
TM50
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM85
Rest
——5Psychic
TM61
Shadow Claw
7010015Ghost
TM98
Skill Swap
——10Psychic
TM70
Sleep Talk
——10Normal
TM103
Substitute
——10Normal
TM123
Surf
9010015Water
TM32
Swift
60—20Normal
TM01
Take Down
908520Normal
TM87
Taunt
—10020Dark
TM171
Tera Blast
8010010Normal
TM18
Thief
6010025Dark
TM20
Trailblaze
5010020Grass
TM184
Vacuum Wave+1
4010030Fighting
TM11
Water Pulse
6010020Water
TM77
Waterfall
8010015Water
TM208
Whirlpool
358515Water
TM59
Zen Headbutt
809015Psychic

Egg Moves

Golduck doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Golduck can't learn any Tutor moves
All 21 games

Golduck appears at moderate rates across 60 spots in late-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.

Where To Catch Golduck in Scarlet & Violet

Psyduck is your first catch on the way to Golduck. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 5-56 across 122 total spots in the chain.

  1. Psyduck
    Step 1Catch Psyduck
    Asado Desert - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyDesert
    EASY
    Asado Desert - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyDesert
    EASY
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyWater
    EASY
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyWater
    EASY
    Casseroya Lake - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyWater
    EASY
    Casseroya Lake - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyWater
    EASY
    East Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    East Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    East Province (Area Three) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    East Province (Area Three) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    East Province (Area Three) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    East Province (Area Three) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    East Province (Area Two) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    East Province (Area Two) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyCave
    EASY
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyCave
    EASY
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyCave
    EASY
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyCave
    EASY
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyCave
    EASY
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyCave
    EASY
    North Province (Area One) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    North Province (Area One) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    North Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    North Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    North Province (Area Three) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    North Province (Area Three) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    North Province (Area Two) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    North Province (Area Two) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Paldean Sea - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyWater
    EASY
    South Paldean Sea - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyWater
    EASY
    South Province (Area Five) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area Five) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area Five) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area Five) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area Four) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area Four) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area Four) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area Four) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area One) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area One) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area Six) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area Six) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area Six) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area Six) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area Two) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area Two) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    Tagtree Thicket - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyForest
    EASY
    Tagtree Thicket - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyForest
    EASY
    Tagtree Thicket - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyForest
    EASY
    Tagtree Thicket - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyForest
    EASY
    West Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    West Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    West Province (Area Three) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    West Province (Area Three) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    West Province (Area Three) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    West Province (Area Three) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    West Province (Area Two) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    West Province (Area Two) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.5-3718%EarlyRoute
    EASY
    South Province (Area Five) - Swamp
    ScarletOverworldLv.5-379%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Five) - Swamp
    VioletOverworldLv.5-379%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
  2. Golduck
    Step 2Golduck ✓
    Asado Desert - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateDesert
    MODERATE
    Asado Desert - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateDesert
    MODERATE
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateWater
    MODERATE
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateWater
    MODERATE
    Casseroya Lake - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateWater
    MODERATE
    Casseroya Lake - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateWater
    MODERATE
    East Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    East Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    East Province (Area Three) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    East Province (Area Three) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    East Province (Area Three) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    East Province (Area Three) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    East Province (Area Two) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    East Province (Area Two) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateCave
    MODERATE
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateCave
    MODERATE
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateCave
    MODERATE
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateCave
    MODERATE
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateCave
    MODERATE
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateCave
    MODERATE
    North Province (Area One) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    North Province (Area One) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    North Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    North Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    North Province (Area Three) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    North Province (Area Three) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    North Province (Area Two) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    North Province (Area Two) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Paldean Sea - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateWater
    MODERATE
    South Paldean Sea - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateWater
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Five) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Five) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Five) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Five) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Four) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Four) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Four) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Four) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area One) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area One) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Six) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Six) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Six) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Six) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Two) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    South Province (Area Two) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    Tagtree Thicket - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateForest
    MODERATE
    Tagtree Thicket - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateForest
    MODERATE
    Tagtree Thicket - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateForest
    MODERATE
    Tagtree Thicket - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateForest
    MODERATE
    West Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    West Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    West Province (Area Three) - Lake
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    West Province (Area Three) - Lake
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    West Province (Area Three) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    West Province (Area Three) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    West Province (Area Two) - River
    ScarletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    West Province (Area Two) - River
    VioletOverworldLv.33-568%LateRoute
    MODERATE
    or evolve from Psyduck (Step 1)

  • Swift Swim changes the entire equation for Golduck. The 500 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier.

  • Watch for Raikou (Electric) and Venusaur (Grass) when using Golduck. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Psyduck evolves into Golduck at level 33. Golduck is the fully evolved form. At 500 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.

  • Swift Swim is what you want on Golduck. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Damp, Cloud Nine) work on paper but Swift Swim is what makes Golduck worth using.

  • Base 85 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Golduck is a special attacker with base 95 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.

  • Golduck appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.

One of the original 151, Golduck has appeared in 21 games — nearly every mainline game. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.