Wailord Best Moveset
170 base HP is enormous on paper but low defenses mean Wailord takes nearly as much damage as anything else. Six generations of lower-tier play. AbilityWater Veil prevents burns, and this moveset runs Held ItemLeftovers with NatureTimid and special Water moves, relying on the HP pool to outlast one or two hits.
170 HP was the highest in the game in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). 45 Defense and 45 Sp. Def meant none of it mattered. Water Spout hit hard at full HP.
Best Moves
Best Build
Wailord best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Self Destruct
- Ice Beam
- Water Spout
- Hydro Pump
Recommended Teammates
Water Spout from 170 HP at full health in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Lose any HP and the move weakened. A one-shot balloon.
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Water Spout
- Ice Beam
- Self Destruct
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Stealth Rock plus priority chipped Wailord in Gen V (Black & White), weakening Water Spout. The strategy required full HP that never survived switching in.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Scald
- Substitute
- Aqua Ring
- Water Spout
Recommended Teammates
170 HP on 45/45 defenses was less real bulk than 80/80/80 Pokemon in Gen VI (X & Y). The HP stat was a lie wrapped in a whale.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Water Spout
- Ice Beam
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
Recommended Teammates
Self-Destruct existed but 90 Attack didn't justify sacrificing 170 HP in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Everything about the stat spread fought itself.
Special Tank Moveset
- Water Spout
- Ice Beam
- Scald
- Heavy Slam
Recommended Teammates
Six gens of the same design problem in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Massive HP, no defenses, decent offense, and 60 Speed. A beached whale in every metagame.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Whirlpool
- Substitute
- Aqua Ring
- Dive
Recommended Teammates
Wailord Weakness
Electric and Grass moves hit Wailord for super-effective damage. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. With 170 HP and balanced defenses, Wailord can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
What is Wailord Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Wailord
Raikou threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (93-110%).
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Wailord View Gliscor builds →Earthquake22-25% Knock Off14-17% | ||
 Raikou Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Wailord View Raikou builds →Scald14-16% Thunderbolt 2x93-110%KO Volt Switch 2x73-85% | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemLoaded Dice NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Wailord View Breloom builds →Mach Punch21-24% Bullet Seed 2x26-31% | ||
Evolution
Wailord is the evolved form of Wailmer. Breeding produces Wailmer eggs, and they're takes forever to hatch. Evolving from Wailmer gave Wailord the biggest boost in HP (+40), bringing the total to 500 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Wailord
Wailord can't be caught in Winds & Waves. Transfer Wailmer from Ruby & Sapphire and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Wailord in WW
Step 1Obtain WailmerLATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Super rod · Slateport City. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.- Step 2Wailord ✓
moderate rates across 4 encounter spots for Wailord. That's the kind of hunt where you pick one location and settle in. Sort by Best below to see where the odds are highest.
Where To Catch Wailord in BDSP
The path to Wailord starts with Wailmer at Lv. 30-55 via fishing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch WailmerRoute 223Lv.30-40Super RodRate 30%Route 230Lv.30-40Super RodRate 30%
Step 2Wailord ✓Route 223Lv.35-55Super RodRate 5%Route 230Lv.35-55Super RodRate 5%or evolve from Wailmer (Step 1)
moderate rates across 2 encounter spots for Wailord. That's the kind of hunt where you pick one location and settle in. Sort by Best below to see where the odds are highest.
Where To Catch Wailord in SwSh
The path to Wailord starts with Wailmer at Lv. 39-65 via surfing, fishing, and more encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch WailmerRoute 9 - in Circhester Bay) (SurfingLv.39-43OverworldRate 40%All WeatherRoute 9 - in Circhester BayLv.39-43Super RodRate 34%Honeycalm IslandLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%SandstormHoneycalm IslandLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%OvercastHoneycalm IslandLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%Normal WeatherHoneycalm IslandLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%RainingHoneycalm IslandLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%Intense SunHoneycalm IslandLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%SnowstormHoneycalm IslandLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%Heavy FogHoneycalm IslandLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%SnowingHoneycalm SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%SnowstormHoneycalm SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%Heavy FogHoneycalm SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%OvercastHoneycalm SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%SnowingHoneycalm SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%SandstormHoneycalm SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%Normal WeatherHoneycalm SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%RainingHoneycalm SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%Intense SunHoneycalm IslandLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 16%ThunderstormHoneycalm SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 16%ThunderstormFrigid SeaLv.60-65Surfing on waterSwordRate 45%Normal WeatherFrigid SeaLv.60-65Surfing on waterSwordRate 45%RainingFrigid SeaLv.60-65Surfing on waterSwordRate 45%Heavy FogFrigid SeaLv.60-65Surfing on waterSwordRate 45%OvercastFrigid SeaLv.60-65Surfing on waterShieldRate 37%Heavy FogFrigid SeaLv.60-65Surfing on waterShieldRate 37%OvercastFrigid SeaLv.60-65Surfing on waterShieldRate 37%Normal WeatherFrigid SeaLv.60-65Surfing on waterShieldRate 37%RainingFrigid SeaLv.60-65Surfing on waterSwordRate 35%ThunderstormFrigid SeaLv.60-65Surfing on waterSwordRate 29%SnowstormFrigid SeaLv.60-65Surfing on waterSwordRate 29%SnowingFrigid SeaLv.60-65Surfing on waterShieldRate 27%ThunderstormFrigid SeaLv.60-65Surfing on waterShieldRate 22%SnowstormFrigid SeaLv.60-65Surfing on waterShieldRate 22%SnowingFrigid SeaLv.60-65Super RodRate 20%
Step 2Wailord ✓Route 9 - in Circhester BayLv.39-43Super RodRate 5%or evolve from Wailmer (Step 1)
Wailord appears at moderate rates across 14 spots in early-game fishing spots. 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 Wailord in USUM
Wailmer is your first catch on the way to Wailord. You'll find fishing and surfing encounters from Lv. 10-49 across 28 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch WailmerAncient Poni PathLv.10-44Super RodRate 40%Poni Breaker CoastLv.10-44Super RodRate 40%Seafolk VillageLv.10-44Super RodRate 40%Ancient Poni PathLv.10-49Super RodRate 30%Shaking spotPoni Breaker CoastLv.10-49Super RodRate 30%Shaking spotSeafolk VillageLv.10-49Super RodRate 25%Shaking spotPoni Breaker CoastLv.41-44Surfing on waterRate 70%Shaking spot
Step 2Wailord ✓Ancient Poni PathLv.10-44Super RodSOS from WailmerAncient Poni PathLv.10-49Super RodSOS from WailmerPoni Breaker CoastLv.10-44Super RodSOS from WailmerPoni Breaker CoastLv.10-49Super RodSOS from WailmerSeafolk VillageLv.10-49Super RodSOS from WailmerSeafolk VillageLv.10-44Super RodSOS from WailmerPoni Breaker CoastLv.41-44Surfing on waterRate 10%Shaking spotor evolve from Wailmer (Step 1)
Base Stats
Wailord's spread is anchored by HP, with balanced defenses backing it up. Defense is the clear weak point. Worth 2 HP EVs per KO, and the standard growth curve keeps leveling painless.
It’s the biggest of all Pokémon. It can dive to a depth of almost 10,000 feet on only one breath.
Wailord Guide
Wailord has a 500 base stat total and ranks as B-Tier: a solid choice for the right team. It works best as a support. Base 170 HP is where it shines.
Water Veil prevents burns. That's the one you want on Wailord. Pressure is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Oblivious works too if your team needs something different.
Wailord fills the support role. It's a special attacker with base 90 Sp. Atk. At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Run Ice Beam, Waterspout, Toxic, and Rest on Wailord. Ice Beam is the most common pick at 0% usage. This set covers the support role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Wailord first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 15 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves