Altaria Best Moveset
Dragon/Flying at 105 Sp. Def with AbilityNatural Cure clearing status every switch. Held ItemHeavy Duty Boots blocks TermEntry Hazards damage. NatureModest at 70 Sp. Atk fires Dragon and Flying TermStab between defensive pivots. The moveset is a special answer that heals status passively. C-Tier for the sustained durability and Natural Cure utility.
Dragon/Flying with Natural Cure healed status on switch in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Dragon Dance into Earthquake and Dragon Claw could sweep once counters were gone.
Best Moves
Best Build
Altaria best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Wall Moveset
- Rest
- Perish Song
- Fire Blast
- Heal Bell
Recommended Teammates
Same Dragon Dance formula in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Roost for recovery, Natural Cure kept it free of Toxic. Consistent if not spectacular.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Roost
Recommended Teammates
Power creep hit in Gen V (Black & White). 70 Attack was too low to sweep even after Dragon Dance. Stronger Dragon-types eclipsed it completely.
Wall Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Roost
- Dragon Claw
- Outrage
Recommended Teammates
Mega Altaria became Dragon/Fairy with Pixilate in Gen VI (X & Y) and was incredible. Base Altaria without the Mega Stone was completely irrelevant.
Support Moveset
- Roost
- Haze
- Heal Bell
- Dazzling Gleam
Recommended Teammates
Mega Altaria was decent but base form dropped to the bottom in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Dragon/Flying with 70 offenses had no competitive niche.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Draco Meteor
- Dragon Dance
Recommended Teammates
No Mega form in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Just a fluffy Dragon with stats too low to compete in any format.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Feather Dance
- Cotton Guard
- Twister
- Fire Spin
Recommended Teammates
Found a small niche in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Cotton Guard plus Roost gave it a physical walling set in lower tiers.
Special Tank Moveset
- Roost
- Defog
- Dragon Dance
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Altaria Weakness
Type-wise, Altaria takes extra damage from Ice, Rock, Dragon, and Fairy. Watch out for Ice attacks, those deal 4x damage. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Ice |
| 2x (Weak) | Rock, Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Fighting, Bug |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
What is Altaria Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Altaria
Rillaboom's Knock Off hits Altaria for 43-51%.
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Altaria View Rillaboom builds →Knock Off43-51% U Turn23-27% Wood Hammer20-23% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityLibero ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Altaria View Cinderace builds →U Turn13-16% Sucker Punch27-32% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Altaria View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn7-8% Scald4-4% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Altaria View Corviknight builds →U Turn9-10% | ||
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves View Landorus-Therian builds →
| ||
Evolution
Evolved from Swablu. Altaria is the final form in this two-stage line. Plenty of partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. HP grew the most through evolution (+30 over Swablu), and Altaria peaks at 490 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Altaria
Altaria starts showing up in late-game routes at moderate rates across 46 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Altaria in SV
Swablu is your first catch on the way to Altaria. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 18-80 across 92 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch SwabluEast Province (Area One) - MountainLv.18-32OverworldRate 42%Glaseado MountainLv.18-32OverworldRate 42%North Province (Area One) - MountainLv.18-32OverworldRate 42%South Province (Area Five) - MountainLv.18-32OverworldRate 42%South Province (Area Four) - MountainLv.18-32OverworldRate 42%South Province (Area Six) - MountainLv.18-32OverworldRate 42%South Province (Area Two) - MountainLv.18-32OverworldRate 42%West Province (Area One) - MountainLv.18-32OverworldRate 42%The Great Crater of PaldeaLv.40-60OverworldRate 12%Casseroya Lake - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%East Province (Area Three) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%Glaseado MountainLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area One) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area Two) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Five) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Four) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area One) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Six) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%Tagtree Thicket - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%West Province (Area Three) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%Canyon BiomeLv.50-80Overworld
Step 2Altaria ✓The Great Crater of PaldeaLv.40-60OverworldRate 12%Casseroya Lake - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%East Province (Area One) - MountainLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%East Province (Area Three) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%Glaseado MountainLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area One) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area One) - MountainLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area Two) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Five) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Five) - MountainLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Four) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Four) - MountainLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area One) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Six) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Six) - MountainLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Two) - MountainLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%Tagtree Thicket - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%West Province (Area One) - MountainLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%West Province (Area Three) - LakeLv.40-56OverworldRate 8%Canyon BiomeLv.50-80Overworldor evolve from Swablu (Step 1)
A few locations for Altaria with moderate rates across endgame 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.
Where To Catch Altaria in LZA
To get Altaria, start by catching Swablu through walking encounters at Lv. 17-65. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
- Step 1Catch SwabluWild Zone 6Lv.17-19OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 18Lv.44-45OverworldLegends: Z-A
- Step 2Altaria ✓Wild Zone 18Lv.46-47OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 20Lv.64-65OverworldLegends: Z-Aor evolve from Swablu (Step 1)
Can't catch Altaria directly. Start with Swablu at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 35. The 2-stage line from Swablu to Altaria is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Altaria in BDSP
Swablu is your first catch on the way to Altaria. You'll find walking and special encounters from Lv. 16-63 across 12 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch SwabluFountainspring CaveLv.16-63CaveRate 30%Unique encounterRoute 211 - EastLv.27-28Using PokeRadarRate 22%Glacial CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameIcy CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameWhiteout CaveLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Altaria ✓
No wild encounters for Altaria. The 2-stage line runs through Swablu, which you can catch at decent rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 35 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Altaria in SwSh
The path to Altaria starts with Swablu at Lv. 60-65 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch SwabluFrostpoint FieldLv.60-65CaveRate 25%OvercastFrostpoint FieldLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%OvercastGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%OvercastSlippery SlopeLv.60-65GrassRate 20%OvercastBallimere LakeLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%OvercastFrigid SeaLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%OvercastGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%OvercastGiant's FootLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%OvercastSlippery SlopeLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%OvercastThree-Point PassLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%OvercastPath to the PeakLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%Overcast
Step 2Altaria ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Altaria egg.
Base Stats
Bulk defines Altaria's stat line. Sp. Def and Defense anchor the defensive side, but Attack can't keep up offensively. Tough to catch and worth 2 Sp. Def EVs.
If it bonds with a person, it will gently envelop the friend with its soft wings, then hum.
Altaria Guide
Natural Cure changes the entire equation for Altaria. The 490 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a support.
Altaria can Mega Evolve into Mega Altaria. That's 590 BST, up from 490. The stat redistribution often changes its best role. Mega Stone required, one per battle.
Altaria's biggest threats include Cloyster (Ice), Aerodactyl (Rock), and Salamence (Dragon), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Cloyster is the most dangerous since Ice moves deal 4x damage. Fairy-type attackers are also a problem.
Natural Cure is what you want on Altaria. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Cloud Nine) work on paper but Natural Cure is what makes Altaria worth using.
Base 80 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Altaria is a mixed attacker with base 70 Attack and 70 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a support.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Altaria has appeared in 16 titles over 8 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 6, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
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 6ORASMega
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