While most trainers evolve Swablu into Altaria immediately, the unevolved form has a niche with Eviolite boosting its defenses. Ground and Ghost moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively. Known as the Cotton Bird Pokemon.
Swablu's spread isn't flashy. Sp. Def leads, Attack trails, 0 stats clear the bar. Easy to catch and worth 1 Sp. Def EV, on a standard growth curve.
It constantly grooms its cotton-like wings. It takes a shower to clean itself if it becomes dirty.
It can’t relax if it or its surroundings are not clean. It wipes off dirt with its wings.
Swablu Weakness
GoodElectric, Ice, and Rock-type moves hit Swablu for super-effective damage. The upside? Ground and Ghost-type moves can't touch it at all.
Swablu evolves into Altaria. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. Plenty of partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 180 total stats over Swablu.
How to Evolve
Breed Swablu easily with 72 breeding partners from the Dragon and Flying egg groups.
Natural Cure and Eviolite give Swablu staying power beyond its evolution stage. Careful nature boosts Sp. Def, a spread EV build EVs set the spread, and the pre-evolution bulk actually works here.
Best Build
Best Swablu Moveset
- Cotton Guard
- Tailwind
- Brave Bird
- Perish Song
Recommended Teammates
Without TMs, Swablu's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Fairy and Dragon coverage and more on top of Brave Bird and Hurricane for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Swablu develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Take Down and Moonblast show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Without breeding, Swablu misses out on Agility and Astonish. That's 9 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Take Down and Fly, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.
Without breeding, Swablu misses out on Astonish and Defog. That's 7 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Take Down and Fly, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.
Swablu is available from mid-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 44 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations
44 walking encounters at Lv. 18-60 for Swablu across Scarlet and Violet. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
Swablu doesn't appear in Legends: Z-A. Transfer it from Ruby, Emerald, or Sword to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
high spawn rates in mid-game routes across 20 locations. Swablu's one of the easier catches on the list. Two different catch methods are in play here. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations
You can catch Swablu through 20 walking and special encounters from Lv. 16-63, but availability differs between Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Some spots are exclusive to one version.
Swablu starts showing up in endgame routes at decent spawn rates across 22 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Best Locations
Before you go hunting for Swablu, check which of the 22 spots belong to your version. Sword and Shield each have different walking encounters at Lv. 60-65.
Swablu isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Altaria to unlock its full potential. At 310 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Swablu evolves into Altaria at level 35. Swablu is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Run Natural Cure on Swablu. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Swablu also gets Cloud Nine, but they don't compare.
Swablu fills the support role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 40 Attack). Base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go.
Swablu appears in 16 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Swablu 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