Everything pushes toward mixed damage here. Azelf's Attack does the work, Defense pays the price. But you're still getting 3 Attack and Sp. Atk EVs per KO. Near-impossible to catch, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.
The dreaded Being of Willpower. Legends tell of this Pokémon manipulating the will of its adversaries and turning them into puppets of its own.
Type-wise, Azelf takes extra damage from Bug, Ghost, and Dark. Levitate grants an additional Ground immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Azelf leans offensive (base 125 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Bug, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fighting, Psychic |
Hippowdon's Earthquake hits Azelf for 55-65%. Pelipper deals 66-78% with Hurricane.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Azelf View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake55-65% | ||
 Pelipper Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Azelf View Pelipper builds →Hurricane66-78% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Azelf View Clodsire builds →Earthquake40-47% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Azelf View Quagsire builds →Earthquake44-52% | ||
No breeding, no evolution. Azelf is a Psychic legendary with 580 base stat total that you obtain once and build around. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
The Sash lets Azelf ignore defensive shortcomings for one turn. Use that turn to get Stealth Rock up, and Levitate squeezes extra value from the position. Max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs push damage output.
Best Build
Azelf best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Stallbreaker Moveset
- Explosion
- Stealth Rock
- Flamethrower
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Support Moveset
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock
- Explosion
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Explosion
- Psychic
- Knock Off
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
Physical Stallbreaker Moveset
- Explosion
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Support Moveset
- Explosion
- Unknown
- Stealth Rock
- Zen Headbutt
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Psychic
- Flamethrower
- U Turn
- Energy Ball
Recommended Teammates
Physical Stallbreaker Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Explosion
- Thunder Wave
Doubles Physical Stallbreaker Moveset
- Unknown
- Explosion
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Psychic
- Flamethrower
- U Turn
- Energy Ball
Recommended Teammates
Physical Stallbreaker Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Explosion
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Stallbreaker Moveset
- Unknown
- Explosion
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Hard to wall, honestly. Azelf threatens 13 types beyond its own STAB, with Normal and Flying standing out. Pair that with Future Sight and Psychic and switchins need to think twice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The offense anchors on Psychic and Extrasensory, with coverage across 10 types adding reach. It's a workable movepool for Azelf that handles most situations. Self-Destruct and Energy Ball give it enough punch where it matters.
Hard to wall, honestly. Azelf threatens 11 types beyond its own STAB, with Normal and Electric standing out. Pair that with Future Sight and Dream Eater and switchins need to think twice.
Hard to wall, honestly. Azelf threatens 12 types beyond its own STAB, with Normal and Flying standing out. Pair that with Future Sight and Psychic and switchins need to think twice.
No wild encounters for Azelf in Scarlet & Violet. It's available in Diamond, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Azelf is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also found in:
You'll find Azelf at Lake Valor as a set encounter. It's always there at that location, so come prepared for the battle. The location details below cover exact positioning.
Best Locations to Catch Azelf in Legends: Arceus
No wild encounters for Azelf in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. It's available in Diamond, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Azelf is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Special encounter in:
Then trade to Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl.
Also found in:
Azelf doesn't appear in Sword & Shield. Transfer it from Diamond, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Azelf is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Special encounter in:
Then trade to Sword & Shield.
Also found in:
Azelf is a Legendary Pokemon rated B-Tier. At 580 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a sweeper. That 125 base Attack does the heavy lifting.
Azelf gets Levitate. But Levitate is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that. With base 115 Speed, Levitate gives Azelf an edge before opponents can react.
Azelf is a mixed attacker with base 125 Attack and 125 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 115 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the sweeper role.
Best way to handle Azelf: Priority moves (Mach Punch, Aqua Jet, Ice Shard) bypass its speed. Bulky walls that resist its STAB also shut it down.
Since Diamond & Pearl, Azelf has appeared in 13 games. Legendary Pokemon like Azelf are usually found through story events or special post-game areas rather than random encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DPDebut
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