Maractus Best Moveset
Grass typing with AbilityStorm Drain from the hidden slot absorbing Water for free Sp. Atk boosts. 106 Sp. Atk and 86 Attack give the moveset some offense from both sides, but 60 Speed is slow. E-tier because the Grass-only coverage has too many resists across the format.
Storm Drain absorbed Water moves in Gen V (Black & White). 106 Sp. Atk was decent, but 60 Speed on pure Grass had no real niche.
Best Moves
Best Build
Maractus best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Wall Moveset
- Giga Drain
- Spikes
- Sucker Punch
- Synthesis
Recommended Teammates
Better Grass-types existed at every tier in Gen VI (X & Y). Maractus was the cactus nobody picked.
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Spiky Shield
- Giga Drain
- Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Spiky Shield blocked attacks in Gen VII (Sun & Moon), but Maractus couldn't abuse the stalling. 461 BST spread too thin.
Special Tank Moveset
- Giga Drain
- Leech Seed
- Sunny Day
- Solar Beam
Recommended Teammates
Four gens as the forgotten Grass-type in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Storm Drain was niche immunity on a body with no identity.
Wall Moveset
- Hyper Voice
- Knock Off
- Cotton Guard
- Giga Drain
Recommended Teammates
Maractus Weakness
Maractus is weak to Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and Bug. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Water Absorb grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass, Ground |
What is Maractus Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Maractus
Arcanine threatens a KO with Flare Blitz (138-162%). Staraptor deals 73-86% with Double-Edge.
A | ||
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Maractus View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn7-8% Scald5-6% | ||
 Arcanine Fire | B | |
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Maractus View Arcanine builds →Extreme Speed31-36% Flare Blitz 2x138-162%KO | ||
 Staraptor Normal | B | |
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Maractus View Staraptor builds →Close Combat49-57% U Turn 2x57-67% Double Edge73-86% | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureModest Moves View Volcarona builds →
| ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Maractus View Lapras builds →Surf24-28% Thunderbolt16-19% | ||
 Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Maractus View Nidoking builds →Ice Beam 2x75-88% Flamethrower 2x75-88% | ||
Evolution
No evolution chain to worry about here. Maractus is a standalone Pokemon with plenty of partners for breeding through one egg group. Its eggs take an average time to hatch. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Maractus easily with 89 breeding partners from the Grass egg group.
Shiny Maractus
Swapping the red flowers for pink ones while lightening the green body gives Maractus a softer desert-bloom look. It's a pleasant change that fits the cactus theme well. B tier feels right.
Shiny Maractus Evolution
Does Not EvolveShiny Maractus Odds & Hunting Methods
7 of 7 VerifiedHow do we research these odds?
We check every game where a shiny is possible, then rank each one by the best method available in that game, so the row at the top is the fastest route overall.
Odds marked verified are cross-checked against multiple independent sources before we publish them. Where a rate is not yet confirmed we mark the row pending rather than guess a number.
Read our full methodologyMaractus Locations
A handful of locations for Maractus with high spawn rates across mid-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Best Locations to Catch Maractus in Sword & Shield
You can find Maractus through 6 walking encounters at Lv. 27-33. The list is sorted by game progression, so the earliest accessible spots show up first.
No wild encounters for Maractus in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. It can be transferred in from Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, or Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire.
Maractus is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also Obtainable In:
Pokemon transfers only go forward through generations, never backward. Direct cross-gen trades aren't supported.
Maractus can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer one in from Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, or Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire.
Maractus is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also Obtainable In:
Pokemon transfers only go forward through generations, never backward. Direct cross-gen trades aren't supported.
Maractus lives only on the drifting Mirage islands you reach by Soaring, an uncommon sight in their grass at level 36 to 38.
Best Locations to Catch Maractus in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Base Stats
Sp. Atk and Attack carry most of Maractus's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Easy to catch and yields 2 Sp. Atk EVs. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Once each year, this Pokémon scatters its seeds. They’re jam-packed with nutrients, making them a precious food source out in the desert.
Maractus Guide
Storm Drain is the hidden ability. It redirects single-target water moves to this Pokémon where possible. Worth hunting for if you want Maractus to compete at a higher level.
Maractus plays as a attacker. Not the fastest, so pick your spots carefully.
Maractus pairs best with Oricorio, Ampharos Mega, and Vivillon. Oricorio has Decent synergy and covers what Maractus can't handle on its own.
Modest is the go-to nature for Maractus. That's +Sp. Atk / -Attack. Pair it with 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD EVs. Fits the attacker role.
Game Availability
Maractus joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 7 titles so far. With 5 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BWDebut
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 7Let's Go
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
Explore
Where to go next after Maractus.
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