Purrloin Best Moveset
Low power across the board at 50/50 mixed offenses. Dark moves fire on 66 Speed cooldowns without threatening. The moveset is one evolution from Liepard's 88 Attack at 106 Speed, where the cooldown rate finally matches real damage output.
Purrloin saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). This was Purrloin's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Prankster with Darkgem, favoring a Adamant nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Purrloin best EVs are Attack and Defense
Bulky Support Moveset
- Fake Out
- Sucker Punch
- Protect
- Assist
Recommended Teammates
Purrloin was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran limber with Eviolite, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Foul Play
- Dark Pulse
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball
Purrloin saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Purrloin climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Prankster with Eviolite, favoring a Impish nature.
Wall Moveset
- Taunt
- Thunder Wave
- Pursuit
- Fake Out
Recommended Teammates
Purrloin saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Purrloin maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Prankster with Nothing, favoring a Brave nature.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Copycat
Recommended Teammates
Purrloin Weakness
Fighting, Bug, and Fairy moves hit Purrloin for super-effective damage. The upside? Psychic-type moves can't touch it at all. Not too many gaps in the chart, 3 weaknesses to account for.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting, Bug, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Ghost, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
What is Purrloin Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Purrloin
Lucario can KO Purrloin with Close Combat (227-267%). Genesect threatens a KO with U-turn (119-141%). Mimikyu's Play Rough also KOs at 115-135%.
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Purrloin View Lucario builds →Extreme Speed50-59% Close Combat 2x227-267%KO Aura Sphere 2x113-134%KO | ||
 Genesect BugSteel | B | |
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Purrloin View Genesect builds →U Turn 2x119-141%KO Extreme Speed45-53% | ||
 Mimikyu GhostFairy | B | |
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Purrloin View Mimikyu builds →Play Rough 2x115-135%KO Shadow Sneak13-15% | ||
Evolution
Purrloin is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Liepard. Check the evolution method below. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs take an average time to hatch. The evolved forms gain up to 165 total stats over Purrloin. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Purrloin easily with 278 breeding partners from the Field egg group.
Shiny Purrloin
Purrloin swaps its purple fur for a cool blue, and the little thief cat looks like it operates under moonlight now. The change is subtle enough to stay classy but obvious enough that you won't second-guess whether it's shiny. Dark-types tend to get good shinies, and Purrloin keeps the streak alive.
Shiny Purrloin Odds & Hunting Methods
8 of 8 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 methodologyHow to Get Purrloin
A sly Dark cat, Purrloin slinks between the buildings of Lumiose, this light-fingered kitten popping up across several Wild Zones from level 14 to level 23.
Where To Catch Purrloin in LZA
Purrloin is where the line starts, caught through walking encounters at Lv. 14-23. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 2Catch or Evolve into Liepardor evolve from Purrloin (Step 1)
Easy grab on Purrloin with high spawn rates across 32 locations in early-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Where To Catch Purrloin in SwSh
The line opens with Purrloin at Lv. 4-40 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Purrloin ✓West Lake AxewellLv.8-14OverworldRate 60%Heavy FogDappled GroveLv.13-15OverworldRate 60%Heavy FogEast Lake AxewellLv.8-12CaveRate 45%Heavy FogWatchtower RuinsLv.11-14FloorRate 30%Heavy FogDappled GroveLv.11-15GrassRate 20%Heavy FogWest Lake AxewellLv.8-14OverworldRate 15%SandstormRoute 2Lv.4-6GrassRate 10%All WeatherWest Lake AxewellLv.8-14OverworldRate 10%OvercastWest Lake AxewellLv.8-14OverworldRate 5%Normal WeatherWest Lake AxewellLv.8-14OverworldRate 5%SnowingWest Lake AxewellLv.8-14OverworldRate 5%Intense SunNorth Lake MilochLv.26-28OverworldRate 35%OvercastNorth Lake MilochLv.26-28OverworldRate 30%RainingNorth Lake MilochLv.26-28OverworldRate 25%SnowingMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 20%SnowstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 20%Normal WeatherMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 20%OvercastMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 20%Heavy FogMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 20%RainingMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 20%SandstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 20%SnowingMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 20%Intense SunMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 20%ThunderstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 20%SnowstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 20%Normal WeatherMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 20%OvercastMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 20%Heavy FogMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 20%RainingMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 20%SandstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 20%SnowingMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 20%ThunderstormWatchtower RuinsLv.26-29OverworldRate 15%SnowstormWatchtower RuinsLv.26-29OverworldRate 15%SandstormNorth Lake MilochLv.26-28OverworldRate 10%Heavy FogNorth Lake MilochLv.26-28OverworldRate 10%ThunderstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 10%Intense SunNorth Lake MilochLv.26-28OverworldRate 5%SnowstormWatchtower RuinsLv.26-29OverworldRate 5%Heavy FogWatchtower RuinsLv.26-29OverworldRate 5%RainingWatchtower RuinsLv.26-29OverworldRate 5%ThunderstormRoute 2 - High LevelLv.37-40GrassRate 30%All Weather- Step 2Catch or Evolve into LiepardGiant's SeatLv.30-35GrassRate 15%Heavy FogBridge FieldLv.26-28GrassRate 10%Normal WeatherGiant's CapLv.28-30OverworldRate 10%Normal WeatherRoute 7Lv.28-40GrassRate 10%SnowstormAxew's EyeLv.35-40GrassRate 30%Heavy FogRoute 9 - in Outer SpikemuthLv.40-44GrassRate 25%All WeatherRoute 7Lv.37-41OverworldRate 15%All WeatherRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%Normal WeatherRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%OvercastRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%Heavy FogRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%RainingRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%SandstormRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%SnowingRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%Intense SunRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%Thunderstormor evolve from Purrloin (Step 1)
Want the exact numbers? Work out your catch odds in Sword & Shield for Purrloin.
No wild encounters for Purrloin in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. It can be transferred in from Black & White or Black 2 & White 2.
How to Obtain Purrloin in USUM
Step 1Purrloin ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Walking · Dreamyard. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Walking · Route 19. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Sword & ShieldNot TradeableAppears in Sword & Shield via Overworld · Dappled Grove · Heavy Fog. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Liepard
Purrloin can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer one in from Black & White or Black 2 & White 2.
How to Obtain Purrloin in SM
- Step 1Purrloin ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Walking · Dreamyard. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Walking · Route 19. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Sword & ShieldNot TradeableAppears in Sword & Shield via Overworld · Dappled Grove · Heavy Fog. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Evolve into Liepard
Base Stats
Nothing fancy in Purrloin's spread. It leans mixed with Speed out front. And you'll get 1 Speed EV per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It steals things from people just to amuse itself with their frustration. A rivalry exists between this Pokémon and Nickit.
Purrloin Guide
For a casual playthrough, Purrloin works as a placeholder. Dark coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Liepard. That's where the stats start mattering.
Game Availability
Since Black & White, Purrloin has been obtainable in 8 games. A Generation 5 debut means a shorter history, but Purrloin has appeared steadily across every generation since.
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
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Where to go next after Purrloin.
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