Ariados's spread isn't flashy. Attack leads, Speed trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Moderately hard to find and worth 2 Attack EVs, on a fast 800K XP curve.
It attaches silk to its prey and sets it free. Later, it tracks the silk to the prey and its friends.
It attaches silk to its prey and sets it free. Later, it tracks the silk to the prey and its friends.
Ariados is weak to Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock. It resists 5 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. 4 weaknesses is about average, nothing too hard to play around.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Flying, Psychic, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Bug, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting |
Slowbro's Scald hits Ariados for 34-40%. Jolteon's Thunderbolt hits Ariados for 76-90%. Espeon's Psyshock also KOs at 102-120%.
 SlowbroRecovers HP on switch via Regenerator, burns with Scald, threatens with Trick Room WaterPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Ariados View Slowbro builds →Scald34-40% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Ariados View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt76-90% Volt Switch59-69% Shadow Ball45-53% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Bounce ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Ariados View Espeon builds →Psyshock 2x102-120%KO | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySynchronize ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Umbreon builds →
| ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Ariados View Sableye builds →Knock Off22-26% | ||
Ariados is the evolved form of Spinarak. Breeding produces Spinarak eggs, and they're quick to hatch. Evolving from Spinarak gave Ariados the biggest boost in HP (+30), bringing the total to 400 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Ariados to get Spinarak eggs easily using 91 partners from the Bug egg group.
Focus Sash guarantees Ariados survives one hit from full HP. That's enough to get Toxic Spikes up and fire off Sticky Web before going down. Sniper and max HP and Attack EVs maximize first-turn impact.
Best Build
Ariados best EVs are Attack and HP
Physical Tank Moveset
- Sticky Web
- Leech Life
- Poison Jab
- Toxic Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Sticky Web
- Toxic Spikes
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Hazard Setter Moveset
- Sticky Web
- Protect
- Toxic Spikes
- Night Shade
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Sticky Web
- Leech Life
- Poison Jab
- Toxic Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Sticky Web
- Toxic Spikes
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Hazard Setter Moveset
- Sticky Web
- Protect
- Toxic Spikes
- Night Shade
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Sticky Web
- Toxic Spikes
- Toxic Thread
- Fell Stinger
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Sticky Web
- Toxic Spikes
- Megahorn
- Sucker Punch
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Sticky Web
- Sucker Punch
- Lunge
- Attract
Recommended Teammates
Moves
TMs define Ariados's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Sludge Wave and Bug Buzz, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 8 types. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Ariados develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Psychic and Bug Buzz show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Breeding opens up real options for Ariados. Baton Pass and Disable come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Megahorn and Bug Buzz and Grass and Ghost coverage and more.
Breeding opens up real options for Ariados. Baton Pass and Disable come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Megahorn and Sludge Bomb and coverage across 9 types.
Ariados can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Transfer Spinarak from Gold, Crystal, or HeartGold and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
No wild encounters for Ariados in Legends: Z-A. Bring Spinarak over from Gold, Crystal, or HeartGold, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
10 encounter spots for Ariados at decent spawn rates starting from endgame routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Ariados in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Ariados, start by catching Spinarak through walking encounters at Lv. 52-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Obtain Spinarak
Step 2Ariados ✓Route 229Shining PearlGrass Lv.52 Route20%PostNightRoute 229Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.52 Route20%PostNightBogsunk CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 SwampPostPost-gameBogsunk CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 SwampPostPost-gameGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameGrassland CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSwampy CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 SwampPostPost-gameSwampy CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 SwampPostPost-gameor evolve from Spinarak (Step 1)
A solid number of locations for Ariados with decent 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.
Where To Catch Ariados in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
To get Ariados, start by catching Spinarak through walking encounters at Lv. 2-36. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch SpinarakRoute 1 - EastUltra SunGrass Lv.2-3 Route20%EarlyNightRoute 1 - EastUltra MoonGrass Lv.2-3 Route20%EarlyNight
Step 2Ariados ✓Malie GardenUltra MoonGrass Lv.25-28 Forest20%MidNightMalie GardenUltra SunGrass Lv.25-28 Forest20%MidNightRoute 10Ultra MoonGrass Lv.26-29 Route20%MidNightRoute 10Ultra SunGrass Lv.26-29 Route20%MidNightRoute 11Ultra SunGrass Lv.26-29 Route20%MidNightRoute 11Ultra MoonGrass Lv.26-29 Route20%MidNightRoute 17 - WestUltra SunGrass Lv.33-36 Route20%LateNightRoute 17 - WestUltra MoonGrass Lv.33-36 Route20%LateNightUla'ula MeadowUltra SunGrass Lv.33-3620%LateNightUla'ula MeadowUltra MoonGrass Lv.33-3620%LateNightRoute 17 - WestUltra SunGrass Lv.33-36 RouteLateNightSOS from Fearowor evolve from Spinarak (Step 1)
Ariados's biggest threats include Charizard (Fire), Aerodactyl (Flying), and Espeon (Psychic), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Rock-type attackers are also a problem. At base 40 Speed, Ariados won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Spinarak evolves into Ariados at level 22. Ariados is the fully evolved form. It sits at 400 BST in its evolved form.
Ariados can work for a story run. 400 BST is average, but Bug/Poison typing fills a niche depending on your team composition.
Ariados has a 400 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a situational pick that fills a niche. It works best as a trick room.
Swarm is the go-to ability for Ariados. It strengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. Its hidden ability Sniper can work in specific setups. Insomnia is the other option. Pick based on what your team needs.
Ariados first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 17 games across 9 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves