While most trainers evolve Qwilfish into Overqwil immediately, the unevolved form has a niche with Eviolite boosting its defenses. Only weak to Electric, Ground, and Psychic. Introduced in Gen 2. Sits at a decent but contested Speed tier.
Attack and Defense carry most of Qwilfish's stat budget. Sp. Atk's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 1 Attack EV. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Be cautious if this Pokémon starts sucking in water—it will soon attack by scattering the toxic spikes that grow all over its body.
Experienced fishers say they try to catch Qwilfish in the brief moment that these Pokémon become defenseless just after launching poisonous spikes.
Qwilfish Weakness
GoodQwilfish's Water/Poison typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Ground, and Psychic moves. With 8 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Qwilfish's physical bulk (base 85 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
Qwilfish doesn't evolve by leveling. You'll need an evolution item to push it forward to Overqwil. The evolved forms gain up to 70 total stats over Qwilfish.
How to Evolve
Breed Qwilfish easily with 34 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group.
Flip Turn keeps your team's momentum going. Qwilfish doesn't need to stay in long, Rocky Helmet provides chip damage on every physical hit received and max Attack and Speed EVs make every visit count. Spikes threatens on the way out. Intimidate adds passive value.
Best Build
Best Qwilfish Moveset
- Spikes
- Flip Turn
- Barb Barrage
- Pain Split
Recommended Teammates
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Qwilfish. TMs unlock coverage across 9 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Gunk Shot and Hydro Pump into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Qwilfish. TMs unlock coverage across 7 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Gunk Shot and Hydro Pump into something with actual range.
A solid spread overall. Qwilfish gets Aqua Tail and Sludge Bomb for same-type damage alongside Bug and Dark coverage and more. It won't blow anyone away, but it doesn't leave you stuck either.
You'll want to breed for Acid Spray and Aqua Jet on Qwilfish. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Aqua Tail and Sludge Bomb, they expand what Qwilfish can actually threaten in practice.
Qwilfish appears at decent spawn rates across 34 spots in early-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Best Locations
Qwilfish's encounter pool splits between Scarlet and Violet. You've got 34 walking spots at Lv. 15-40 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.
Qwilfish doesn't appear in Legends: Z-A. Transfer it from Gold, Crystal, or X to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
4 encounter spots for Qwilfish at decent spawn rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Best Locations
You can find Qwilfish through 4 walking encounters at walking. The list is sorted by game progression, so the earliest accessible spots show up first.
moderate rates for Qwilfish across 12 locations in mid-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Best Locations
You can catch Qwilfish through 12 walking and fishing encounters from Lv. 20-63, but availability differs between Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamond. Some spots are exclusive to one version.
Qwilfish is meant to evolve into Overqwil. At 440 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Qwilfish evolves into Overqwil using a Barb Barrage 20 Times In Strong Style. Qwilfish is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Intimidate is what you want on Qwilfish. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Poison Point, Swift Swim) work on paper but Intimidate is what makes Qwilfish worth using.
Base 85 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Qwilfish is a physical attacker with base 95 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Qwilfish appears in 19 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Since debuting in Gold & Silver, Qwilfish has appeared in 19 titles over 8 generations. Along the way, it received a Hisuian form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
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 VIIIPLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A