As an Electric-type, Ampharos fills a straightforward role. Only weak to Ground. Known as the Light Pokémon. Introduced in Gen 2. Relies on priority moves or Scarf to keep up.
Sp. Atk and HP carry most of Ampharos's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 3 Sp. Atk EVs. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
The bright light on its tail can be seen far away. It has been treasured since ancient times as a beacon.
When it gets dark, the light from its bright, shiny tail can be seen from far away on the ocean’s surface.
Ampharos Weakness
GoodGround-type moves hit Ampharos for super-effective damage. Few weaknesses and 3 resistances make the typing clean. With 90 HP and balanced defenses, Ampharos can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
End of the line. Ampharos caps a three-stage chain that started at Mareep. Breeding produces the base form, and eggs are average hatch time. Sp.Atk grew the most through evolution (+50 over Mareep), and Ampharos peaks at 510 total stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Ampharos to get Mareep eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground and Monster egg groups.
The build revolves around Volt Switch for safe pivoting. Static and Power Herb support Ampharos's hit-and-run approach, with max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs making sure each pivot actually threatens. The remaining moves adds versatility.
Best Build
Best Ampharos Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Meteor Beam
- Volt Switch
Recommended Teammates
Need something that threatens multiple types? Ampharos's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Zap Cannon and Thunder gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Need something that threatens multiple types? Ampharos's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Zap Cannon and Thunder gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Without breeding, Ampharos misses out on After You and Agility. That's 10 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Zap Cannon and Thunder, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.
Without breeding, Ampharos misses out on After You and Agility. That's 12 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Zap Cannon and Thunder, with coverage across 9 types rounding things out.
Ampharos sits at low spawn rates across 18 spots in late-game routes. Pick one from the sorted list and commit to it. Jumping between areas wastes more time than waiting in the right location.
Where To Catch Ampharos in Scarlet & Violet
To get Ampharos, start by catching Mareep through walking encounters at Lv. 9-60. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch MareepEFFORTLESSSouth Province (Area Two) - GrassVioletOverworldLv.9-1930%EarlyRouteEFFORTLESSSouth Province (Area Two) - GrassScarletOverworldLv.9-1930%EarlyRouteEASYSouth Province (Area Two) - Olive GroveVioletOverworldLv.9-1915%EarlyRouteEASYSouth Province (Area Two) - Olive GroveScarletOverworldLv.9-1915%EarlyRouteHARDEast Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDEast Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDGlaseado MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateCaveHARDGlaseado MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateCaveHARDGlaseado MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateCaveHARDGlaseado MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateCaveHARDNorth Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDNorth Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Four) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Four) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Two) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Two) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDWest Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDWest Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRoute
Step 2Catch or Evolve FlaaffyMODERATEWest Province (Area Two) - GrassScarletOverworldLv.22-299%MidRouteMODERATEWest Province (Area Two) - GrassVioletOverworldLv.22-299%MidRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Six) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.37-406%LateRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Six) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.37-406%LateRouteor evolve from Mareep (Step 1)
Step 3Ampharos ✓HARDEast Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDEast Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDGlaseado MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateCaveHARDGlaseado MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateCaveHARDGlaseado MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateCaveHARDGlaseado MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateCaveHARDNorth Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDNorth Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Four) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Four) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Two) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Two) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDWest Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteHARDWest Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworldLv.42-601%LateRouteor evolve from Flaaffy (Step 2)
Ampharos can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Mareep from Gold, Emerald, or Scarlet and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Ampharos in Legends: Z-A
- Step 3Ampharos ✓
You're catching Mareep first, not Ampharos. Mareep appears at decent rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 3-stage chain with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Ampharos in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Ampharos, start by catching Mareep through walking and special encounters at Lv. 7-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch MareepCHALLENGINGValley WindworksShining PearlUsing PokeRadarLv.7-922%EarlyPower-plantCHALLENGINGValley WindworksBrilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadarLv.7-922%EarlyPower-plantGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameGrassland CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameWhiteout CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameWhiteout CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve FlaaffyCHALLENGINGRoute 222Brilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadarLv.41-4222%LateRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 222Shining PearlUsing PokeRadarLv.41-4222%LateRouteGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameGrassland CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameWhiteout CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameWhiteout CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameor evolve from Mareep (Step 1)
Step 3Ampharos ✓
You're catching Mareep first, not Ampharos. Mareep appears at solid rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 3-stage chain with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Ampharos in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
The path to Ampharos starts with Mareep at Lv. 12-55 via gift and walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch MareepEFFORTLESSPaniola RanchUltra SunGrassLv.12-1530%EarlyFacilityEFFORTLESSPaniola RanchUltra MoonGrassLv.12-1530%EarlyFacility
Step 2Catch or Evolve FlaaffyMODERATEPoké Pelago - Ula'ula Island reachedUltra SunGift from NPCLv.21-273%MidMODERATEPoké Pelago - Ula'ula Island reachedUltra MoonGift from NPCLv.21-273%MidMODERATEPoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedUltra MoonGift from NPCLv.37-433%LateMODERATEPoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedUltra SunGift from NPCLv.37-433%LateMODERATEPoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedUltra MoonGift from NPCLv.49-552%PostMODERATEPoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedUltra SunGift from NPCLv.49-552%Postor evolve from Mareep (Step 1)
Step 3Ampharos ✓
We rate Ampharos C-Tier — a situational pick that fills a niche. At 510 BST, it fits the wallbreaker role. Base 115 Sp. Atk stands out.
Watch for Rhydon (Ground) when using Ampharos. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Static has a 30% chance of paralyzing attacking Pokémon on contact — that's the one you want on Ampharos. Plus is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
At base 55 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Ampharos is a special attacker with base 115 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a wallbreaker.
Ampharos appears in 17 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Since debuting in Gold & Silver, Ampharos has appeared in 17 titles over 8 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
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 VIORASMega
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