Mid-stage Pokemon like Rufflet rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Braviary, which is where the real potential kicks in. Relies on priority moves or Scarf to keep up. Ground and Ghost moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively.
Rufflet's spread isn't flashy. Attack leads, Sp. Atk trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 1 Attack EV, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.
They pick fights indiscriminately. They grow stronger and more powerful each time they faint or are injured.
With its sharp claws, this Pokémon pierces its prey, and then it pecks at them. Although it also consumes berries, it’s a carnivore at heart.
Rufflet Weakness
GoodRufflet's Normal/Flying typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Ice, and Rock moves. It shrugs off Ground and Ghost-type attacks completely.
Rufflet evolves into Braviary. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 160 total stats over Rufflet.
How to Evolve
Breed Rufflet with 73 breeding partners from the Flying egg group.
Prediction matters here. Choice Scarf means Rufflet can't change moves after clicking, but the payoff is speed patching through item lock. Max Attack and Speed EVs with Hustle back that up. The remaining moves prevents free switches.
Best Build
Best Rufflet Moveset
- Close Combat
- Brave Bird
- Double Edge
- Zen Headbutt
Recommended Teammates
Without TMs, Rufflet's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Fighting and Fire coverage and more on top of Thrash and Brave Bird for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Rufflet's movepool balances level-up moves with TM options. Consistent STAB comes from Double-Edge and Brave Bird, and Dragon and Ghost coverage and more keeps opponents from switching in for free. No major gaps here.
Without TMs, Rufflet's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 8 types on top of Thrash and Brave Bird for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Rufflet develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Brave Bird and Thrash show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Rufflet appears at high spawn rates across 24 spots in mid-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
Rufflet's encounter pool splits between Scarlet and Violet. You've got 24 walking spots at Lv. 21-58 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.
Rufflet starts showing up in mid-game routes at decent spawn rates across 1 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Best Locations
decent spawn rates in mid-game routes across 20 locations. Rufflet's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations
Rufflet won't take long. 20 walking spots from Lv. 19-41 with solid rates across most of them. The top locations at each game stage are listed first.
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 1 locations. Rufflet's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations
Rufflet isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Braviary to unlock its full potential. At 350 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Rufflet can evolve into Braviary and Hisuian Braviary depending on the method. Rufflet is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.
Run Sheer Force on Rufflet. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Rufflet also gets Keen Eye and Hustle, but they don't compare.
Rufflet fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 83 Attack. At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often.
Rufflet appears in 9 games, including Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, and X & Y.
Introduced in Black & White, Rufflet has appeared in 9 games across 5 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
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 VBWDebut
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