Under Trick Room, Ariados's terrible Speed becomes its best asset — it 'outspeeds' nearly everything when turns are reversed. Only weak to Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock. Known as the Long Leg Pokemon. Built to hit on the physical side.
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 spins string not only from its rear but also from its mouth. It’s hard to tell which end is which.
A single strand of a special string is endlessly spun out of its rear. The string leads back to its nest.
Ariados Weakness
AvgAriados is weak to Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock-type moves. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. 4 weaknesses is about average, nothing too hard to play around.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Ariados to get Spinarak eggs easily using 47 partners from the Bug egg group. Notable egg moves include Baton Pass, Disable, Poison Jab and 5 more.
Ariados runs a standard attacker set. Hardy nature with max HP and Attack EVs shapes the build, while Leftovers brings passive recovery each turn. Insomnia supports the kit from the background.
Best Build
Best Ariados Moveset
- Sucker Punch
- Shadow Sneak
- Spider Web
- Poison Jab
Recommended Teammates
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 Sludge Bomb and Leech Life and coverage across 7 types.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
moderate rates across 3 encounter spots for Ariados. That's the kind of hunt where you pick one location and settle in. Two different catch methods are in play here. Sort by Best below to see where the odds are highest.
Where To Catch Ariados in HeartGold & SoulSilver
The path to Ariados starts with Spinarak at Lv. 2-32 via headbutt and walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch SpinarakEFFORTLESSRoute 30GrassLv.2CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 31GrassLv.3CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 2 - NorthGrassLv.3-4CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 2 - SouthGrassLv.3-4CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 37GrassLv.13-15CommonEarlyRouteNightMODERATESafari Zone GateHeadbutting treesLv.15-18UncommonEarlyFacilityCHALLENGINGRoute 2 - NorthGrassLv.10RareEarlyRouteMorningCHALLENGINGRoute 2 - SouthGrassLv.10RareEarlyRouteMorningLEGENDARYCherrygrove CityHeadbutting treesLv.3-7LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYNew Bark TownHeadbutting treesLv.3-7LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYRoute 29Headbutting treesLv.3-7LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 30Headbutting treesLv.3-7LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 31Headbutting treesLv.3-7LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 36Headbutting treesLv.3-7LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYPallet TownHeadbutting treesLv.3-7LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYRoute 1Headbutting treesLv.3-7LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 2 - NorthHeadbutting treesLv.3-7LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 2 - SouthHeadbutting treesLv.3-7LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 22Headbutting treesLv.3-7LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYViridian CityHeadbutting treesLv.3-7LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYViridian ForestHeadbutting treesLv.3-7LimitedEarlyForestLEGENDARYEcruteak CityHeadbutting treesLv.11-19LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYNational ParkHeadbutting treesLv.11-19LimitedEarlyFacilityLEGENDARYRoute 34Headbutting treesLv.11-19LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 35Headbutting treesLv.11-19LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 37Headbutting treesLv.11-19LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 38Headbutting treesLv.11-19LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 39Headbutting treesLv.11-19LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 47Headbutting treesLv.11-19LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 48Headbutting treesLv.11-19LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYFuchsia CityHeadbutting treesLv.21-27LimitedMidCityLEGENDARYRoute 12Headbutting treesLv.21-27LimitedMidRouteLEGENDARYRoute 13Headbutting treesLv.21-27LimitedMidRouteLEGENDARYRoute 14Headbutting treesLv.21-27LimitedMidRouteLEGENDARYRoute 15Headbutting treesLv.21-27LimitedMidRouteLEGENDARYRoute 18Headbutting treesLv.21-27LimitedMidRouteLEGENDARYRoute 21Headbutting treesLv.21-27LimitedMidRouteLEGENDARYRoute 26Headbutting treesLv.31-32LimitedLateRouteLEGENDARYRoute 27Headbutting treesLv.31-32LimitedLateRoute
Step 2Ariados ✓CHALLENGINGRoute 2 - NorthGrassLv.7RareEarlyRouteNightCHALLENGINGRoute 2 - SouthGrassLv.7RareEarlyRouteNightLEGENDARYViridian ForestHeadbutting treesLv.5-7LimitedEarlyForestor evolve from Spinarak (Step 1)
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.
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.
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 fills the trick room role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 90 Attack). Base 40 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Ariados appears in 17 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Ariados first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 17 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
- 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 VIORAS
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