If Azelf goes down before it attacks, it contributed nothing. If it doesn't, something on the other side is going down. Levitate gives it a Ground immunity, which helps. It comfortably outruns most offensive threats. Only weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark.
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.
This Pokémon is said to have endowed humans with the determination needed to face any of life’s difficulties.
Azelf Weakness
VulnerableType-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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
No breeding, no evolution. Azelf is a Psychic legendary with 580 base stat total that you obtain once and build around.
How to Evolve
Click U-turn, bring in a teammate, repeat. Azelf's pivot game is backed by Focus Sash for a guaranteed survive from full HP and max HP and Speed EVs. Levitate works in the background while Normal coverage covers bad matchups.
Best Build
Best Azelf Moveset
- Explosion
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Azelf can't be caught in HeartGold & SoulSilver. Bring it over from Diamond, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Azelf is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Special encounter in:
Then trade to HeartGold & SoulSilver.
Also found in:
Azelf is a Legendary Pokemon rated B-Tier on our tier list. At 580 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a sweeper. That 125 base Attack does the heavy lifting.
Azelf doesn't evolve. As a Legendary Pokemon, it stands on its own without an evolutionary line. It's a Psychic type with 580 BST.
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 — base 125 Attack and 125 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 115 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the sweeper role.
Azelf appears in 13 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.
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.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB

Red & Blue - Gen IIGS

Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS

Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG

FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS

HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDPDebut

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
