Claydol Best Moveset
Dropped from A-tier as 105/120 defenses with AbilityLevitate for Ground immunity on Ground/Psychic typing couldn't keep up with the format's offensive growth. MoveStealth Rock support and MoveRapid Spin for hazard removal give the moveset utility. D-tier because 70/70 offenses at 75 Speed provide no offensive pressure.
Ground/Psychic with Levitate in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Immune to Ground, Rapid Spin, Stealth Rock setting, and decent bulk. The utility Swiss army knife.
Best Moves
Best Build
Claydol best EVs are HP and Attack
Physical Tank Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Explosion
- Psychic
Recommended Teammates
Same Levitate plus Rapid Spin formula in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Set rocks and spun away opposing hazards on the same slot. Excellent defensive utility.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Explosion
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Three gens of consistent utility in Gen V (Black & White). Claydol didn't hit hard but it spun, set rocks, and walled what it needed to wall.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Defog started replacing Rapid Spin in Gen VI (X & Y). Claydol's main advantage of spinning while setting rocks was less valuable when Defog did removal better.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Fell further in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Other rock setters and Defog users were bulkier or faster. 60/60 offenses couldn't threaten anything meaningful.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Earth Power
- Rapid Spin
- Psychic
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Same decline in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). The utility niche that sustained three gens of relevance had been filled by better Pokemon everywhere.
Wall Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Claydol Weakness
Claydol is weak to Water, Grass, Ice, Bug, Ghost, and Dark. On the flip side, it's immune to Electric-type moves entirely. The Ground/Psychic typing picks up 4 resistances to work with. Levitate grants an additional Ground immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Claydol's overall bulk (60/105/120) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Ice, Bug, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fighting, Poison, Psychic, Rock |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
What is Claydol Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Claydol
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Claydol View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn 2x21-25% Scald 2x16-19% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemTerrain Extender NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Claydol View Tapu Koko builds →Dazzling Gleam19-22% U Turn 2x31-36% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityStatic ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Claydol View Zapdos builds →Hurricane26-30% Heat Wave22-26% | ||
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves View Landorus-Therian builds →
| ||
Evolution
Claydol is what Baltoy becomes. Breed it for Baltoy eggs (average hatch time). No compatible partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolution from Baltoy pushed Claydol to 500 total stats. Defense saw the largest single gain at +50. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Claydol is genderless — breed with Ditto to produce Baltoy eggs. Part of the Mineral egg group.
Ditto onlyHow to Get Claydol
Claydol doesn't appear wild. Catch Baltoy instead, it shows up at decent rates. Evolve it at level 36 to get Claydol. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Claydol in BDSP
To get Claydol, start by catching Baltoy through walking and special encounters at Lv. 14-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch BaltoyRoute 206Lv.14-16Using PokeRadarRate 22%Big Bluff CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameDazzling CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRocky CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Claydol ✓
high spawn rates across 38 locations for Claydol in late-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Claydol in SwSh
The path to Claydol starts with Baltoy at Lv. 7-65 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch BaltoyRolling FieldsLv.7-10OverworldRate 60%SandstormEast Lake AxewellLv.10-15OverworldRate 60%SandstormDappled GroveLv.13-15OverworldRate 60%Intense SunDappled GroveLv.13-15OverworldRate 60%SandstormRolling FieldsLv.7-10GrassShieldRate 40%Intense SunRolling FieldsLv.7-9GrassSwordRate 40%Intense SunDappled GroveLv.11-15GrassRate 40%SandstormSouth Lake MilochLv.11-13GrassRate 40%Intense SunRolling FieldsLv.7-10GrassShieldRate 35%SandstormRolling FieldsLv.7-9GrassSwordRate 35%SandstormWest Lake AxewellLv.7-11CaveRate 30%Intense SunEast Lake AxewellLv.8-12CaveRate 30%SandstormNorth Lake MilochLv.14-16GrassRate 30%SandstormRolling Fields - 2Lv.7-10OverworldRate 25%SandstormWest Lake AxewellLv.7-11CaveRate 20%SandstormSouth Lake MilochLv.11-13GrassRate 20%SandstormNorth Lake MilochLv.14-16GrassRate 20%Intense SunGiant's CapLv.26-28GrassRate 30%Intense SunHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 25%Intense SunBridge FieldLv.27-29OverworldRate 10%SandstormBridge FieldLv.27-29OverworldRate 10%Intense SunStony WildernessLv.28-30OverworldSwordRate 10%Heavy FogStony WildernessLv.28-30OverworldSwordRate 10%SnowingStony WildernessLv.28-30OverworldRate 10%OvercastStony WildernessLv.28-30OverworldRate 10%SandstormStony WildernessLv.28-30OverworldSwordRate 10%ThunderstormStony WildernessLv.28-30OverworldRate 10%Normal WeatherStony WildernessLv.28-30OverworldRate 10%Intense SunStony WildernessLv.28-30OverworldSwordRate 10%RainingStony WildernessLv.28-30OverworldSwordRate 10%SnowstormAxew's EyeLv.35-40GrassRate 40%Sandstorm
Step 2Claydol ✓Axew's EyeLv.36-40OverworldRate 25%Heavy FogAxew's EyeLv.36-40OverworldRate 5%SandstormLake of OutrageLv.50-52GrassRate 35%Heavy FogThree-Point PassLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%OvercastThree-Point PassLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%SnowingThree-Point PassLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%Normal WeatherThree-Point PassLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%RainingThree-Point PassLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%ThunderstormThree-Point PassLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%SnowstormThree-Point PassLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%Heavy FogThree-Point PassLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%Intense SunGiant's FootLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%Normal WeatherGiant's FootLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%RainingGiant's FootLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%ThunderstormGiant's FootLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%SnowstormGiant's FootLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%Heavy FogGiant's FootLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%Intense SunGiant's FootLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%OvercastGiant's FootLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%Snowingor evolve from Baltoy (Step 1)
No wild encounters for Claydol. The 2-stage line runs through Baltoy, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 36 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Claydol in USUM
Step 1Catch BaltoyHaina DesertLv.32-35GrassUltra MoonSOS from Dugtrio (Alolan Dugtrio)
Step 2Claydol ✓
Claydol can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Baltoy from Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, or Sword & Shield and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Claydol in SM
Step 1Obtain BaltoyBREEDINGAvailableLeave Claydol with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Baltoy egg.CARTRIDGE TRADEAvailableCatch in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon via Walking · Haina Desert · Alternate S.O.S. encounters, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Walking · Route 111. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Route 111. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Pokeradar · Route 206. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Pokeradar · Route 206. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Walking · Route 3 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Walking · Relic Castle. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.- Step 2Claydol ✓
Base Stats
Claydol's built to absorb hits, not race for knockouts. Balanced defenses with Sp. Def doing the heavy lifting. And the medium-fast 1M XP curve means it won't take forever to bring up, worth 2 Sp. Def EVs.
An ancient clay figurine was exposed to a mysterious ray of light, and it came to life as a Pokémon.
Claydol Guide
Claydol looks average on paper at 500 BST. But Levitate is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier on our tier list.
Claydol gets Levitate. But Levitate is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Claydol is a mixed attacker with base 70 Attack and 70 Sp. Atk. Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 75 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.
The core moveset is Earthpower, Rapid Spin, Stealth Rock, and Reflect. Earthpower leads at 0% usage. This set covers the balanced role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Claydol appears in 14 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in a solid number of games, typically found through wild encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
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