Bayleef Best Moveset
Grass at 63 Sp. Atk and 80/80 balanced defenses with 60 Speed. Held ItemEviolite gives real bulk since Meganium exists, but the offensive output is zero. The moveset is defensive filler between evolutions. Get to Meganium for 83 Sp. Atk and 100/100 defenses that function as a Grass support option.
Bayleef saw minimal competitive use in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal). This was Bayleef's competitive peak.
Best Moves
Best Build
Support Moveset
- Body Slam
- Giga Drain
- Leech Seed
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Bayleef saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Bayleef maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Overgrow with Leftovers, favoring a Hardy nature.
Screens Setter Moveset
- Leech Seed
- Giga Drain
- Reflect
- Hidden Power Grass
Recommended Teammates
Bayleef saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Bayleef maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Overgrow with Leftovers, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Synthesis
- Leech Seed
- Swords Dance
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Bayleef saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Bayleef maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Overgrow with Eviolite, favoring a Calm nature.
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Aromatherapy
- Hidden Power Fire
- Leech Seed
Recommended Teammates
Bayleef was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Overgrow with Leftovers, favoring a Hardy nature.
Wall Moveset
- Giga Drain
- Aromatherapy
- Leech Seed
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Bayleef saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Bayleef climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Overgrow with Eviolite, favoring a Calm nature.
Wall Moveset
- Leech Seed
- Synthesis
- Toxic
- Giga Drain
Recommended Teammates
Bayleef was a niche pick at best in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Overgrow with Eviolite, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Tank Moveset
- Giga Drain
- Ancient Power
- Energy Ball
- Aromatherapy
Recommended Teammates
Bayleef Weakness
Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and Bug moves hit Bayleef for super-effective damage. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass, Ground |
What is Bayleef Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Bayleef
Scizor can KO Bayleef with U-turn (94-111%).
 Scizor BugSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Bayleef View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch27-32% Knock Off29-34% U Turn 2x94-111%KO Close Combat53-63% | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureModest Moves View Volcarona builds →
| ||
 Weavile DarkIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Bayleef View Weavile builds →Knock Off25-30% Ice Shard 2x31-37% | ||
 Gengar GhostPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityCursedbody ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Bayleef View Gengar builds →Shadow Ball32-38% Sludge Bomb 2x74-87% | ||
 Salamence Dragon | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMoxie ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Bayleef View Salamence builds →Earthquake15-18% | ||
Evolution
Bayleef is the middle stage between Chikorita and Meganium. It's a three-stage line with one more evolution to go. For breeding, average hatch time with plenty of partners via two egg groups. So far, HP got the biggest boost (+15 from Chikorita). The final form adds another 120 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Bayleef
You're catching Chikorita first, not Bayleef. Chikorita appears at moderate rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 3-stage chain with evolution methods between each stage.
No wild encounters for Bayleef. The 3-stage chain runs through Chikorita, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 32 once you've got the levels.
No wild encounters for Bayleef. The 3-stage chain runs through Chikorita, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 32 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Bayleef in BDSP
To get Bayleef, start by catching Chikorita through walking encounters at Lv. 58-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Bayleef isn't available in the wild in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Start by transferring Chikorita from Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Legends: Z-A. The evolution path from Chikorita to Bayleef is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Bayleef in USUM
Step 1Obtain ChikoritaCARTRIDGE TRADEfrom Sun & MoonAvailableCatch in Sun & Moon via Walking · Route 2 · Island Scan; Friday, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Gift · New Bark Town. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Gift · New Bark Town · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Gift · Littleroot Town · Gift from Professor Birch (complete Hoenn Pokédex). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Gift · New Bark Town · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Gift · Route 101 · Post-Elite Four. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl via Walking · Grassland Cave · After National Dex obtained. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.- Step 2Bayleef ✓
Step 3Evolve into Meganium
Base Stats
Bayleef's stats barely vary. 2 sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 2 Defense and Sp. Def EVs, 1.06M XP medium-slow curve to max.
The buds that ring its neck give off a spicy aroma that perks people up.
Bayleef Guide
Bayleef isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Meganium to unlock its full potential. At 405 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Overgrow strengthens grass moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. That's the one you want on Bayleef. Leaf Guard is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Bayleef fills the balanced role. It's a mixed attacker with base 62 Attack and 63 Sp. Atk. At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Bayleef does the job early-game if you need a Grass type on your team. Evolve it into Meganium before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Bayleef first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 17 games across 9 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves