Cleffa Best Moveset
Fairy baby at 45 Sp. Atk and 15 Speed with AbilityMagic Guard blocking indirect damage. The typing is excellent defensively, but the stats are baby-level. The moveset can set Stealth Rock and nothing else useful. Evolve through to Clefable for S-Tier dominance with Magic Guard or AbilityUnaware.
Cleffa was a niche pick at best in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal), rarely seen in standard play. This marked Cleffa's competitive debut.
Utility Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Petal Dance
Recommended Teammates
Cleffa was a niche pick at best in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald), rarely seen in standard play. Cleffa maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Cutecharm with Leftovers, favoring a Hardy nature.
Screens Setter Moveset
- Soft Boiled
- Wish
- Thunder Wave
- Light Screen
Recommended Teammates
Cleffa was a niche pick at best in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum), rarely seen in standard play. Cleffa maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Cutecharm with Choice Scarf, favoring a Calm nature.
Support Moveset
- Thunder Wave
- Magic Coat
- Trick
- Aromatherapy
Recommended Teammates
Cleffa was a niche pick at best in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2), rarely seen in standard play. Cleffa maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Cutecharm with Nothing, favoring a Hardy nature.
Screens Setter Moveset
- Reflect
- Sing
- Magical Leaf
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
Cleffa was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. Cleffa maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Magic Guard with Sitrus Berry, favoring a Calm nature.
Wall Moveset
- Recycle
- Wish
- Toxic
- Metronome
Recommended Teammates
Cleffa saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). This was Cleffa's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Magic Guard with Focus Sash, favoring a Adamant nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Cleffa best EVs are HP and Speed
Bulky Support Moveset
- Stored Power
- Thunder Wave
- Endeavor
- Counter
Recommended Teammates
Cleffa saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Cleffa maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Magic Guard with Focus Sash, favoring a Hardy nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Endeavor
- Body Slam
- Protect
- Aromatherapy
Recommended Teammates
Cleffa saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Cleffa maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Magic Guard with Throat Spray, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Tank Moveset
- Calm Mind
- Flamethrower
- Psychic
- Alluring Voice
Recommended Teammates
Cleffa Weakness
Poison and Steel moves hit Cleffa for super-effective damage. The upside? Dragon-type moves can't touch it at all. Cleffa's special bulk (base 55 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Poison, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fighting, Bug, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Dragon |
What is Cleffa Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Cleffa
Salazzle's Flamethrower hits Cleffa for 70-82%.
 Salazzle PoisonFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityCorrosion ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Cleffa View Salazzle builds →Flamethrower70-82% | ||
 Ferrothorn GrassSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
Evolution
Cleffa starts the chain as a baby form and evolves into Clefairy by leveling up. To get more eggs, breed the evolved versions. The evolved forms gain up to 265 total stats over Cleffa. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
How to Get Cleffa
Cleffa starts showing up in early-game routes at moderate rates across 10 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Cleffa in SV
Cleffa is your first catch on the way to Cleffa. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 3-60 across 20 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Cleffa ✓Crystal PoolLv.3-60OverworldNightInfernal PassLv.3-60OverworldNightKitakami HallLv.3-60OverworldNightOni MountainLv.3-60OverworldNightRevelers RoadLv.3-60OverworldNight
Step 2Catch or Evolve into ClefairyCrystal PoolLv.5-60OverworldNightInfernal PassLv.5-60OverworldNightKitakami HallLv.5-60OverworldNightOni MountainLv.5-60OverworldNightRevelers RoadLv.5-60OverworldNightor evolve from Cleffa (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into ClefableBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Clefable egg.
Cleffa appears at moderate rates across 1 spots in endgame routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Cleffa in LZA
Cleffa is your first catch on the way to Cleffa. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 48-64 across 4 total spots in the chain.
- Step 1Cleffa ✓Wild Zone 19Lv.49-50OverworldLegends: Z-A
- Step 2Catch or Evolve into ClefairyWild Zone 19Lv.48-50OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 19Lv.58-60OverworldLegends: Z-Aor evolve from Cleffa (Step 1)
- Step 3Catch or Evolve into ClefableWild Zone 20Lv.63-64OverworldLegends: Z-Aor evolve from Clefairy (Step 2)
A few locations for Cleffa with decent spawn rates across late-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Cleffa in PLA
To get Cleffa, start by catching Cleffa through walking encounters at Lv. 43-46. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Cleffa ✓Fabled SpringLv.43-46GrassRate 15%
Step 3Catch or Evolve into ClefableFabled SpringLv.43-46GrassRate 15%or evolve from Clefairy (Step 2)
Cleffa's scattered across 8 spots in early-game routes with decent spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Where To Catch Cleffa in BDSP
Cleffa is your first catch on the way to Cleffa. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 12-42 across 28 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Cleffa ✓Mt. Coronet - Route 211 EntranceLv.12CaveRate 25%MorningMt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceLv.14CaveRate 25%MorningMt. Coronet - Route 211 EntranceLv.12CaveRate 5%Mt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceLv.14CaveRate 5%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into ClefairyMt. Coronet - B1FLv.30-32CaveRate 15%Mt. Coronet - Route 216 EntranceLv.30-32CaveRate 15%Mt. Coronet - 2FLv.36-38CaveRate 15%Mt. Coronet - 3FLv.36-38CaveRate 15%Mt. Coronet - 4FLv.38-40CaveRate 15%Mt. Coronet - 5FLv.38-40CaveRate 15%Mt. Coronet - Top CaveLv.38-40CaveRate 15%Mt. Coronet - 6FLv.40-42CaveRate 15%Mt. Coronet - 7FLv.40-42CaveRate 15%Mt. Coronet - SummitLv.38-39CaveRate 5%or evolve from Cleffa (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into Clefable
Base Stats
Nothing fancy in Cleffa's spread. It leans mixed with Sp. Def out front. And you'll get 1 Sp. Def EV per KO for it. Follows a fast 800K XP curve.
According to local rumors, Cleffa are often seen in places where shooting stars have fallen.
Cleffa Guide
Cleffa isn't catchable in . Catch one in Legends: Z-A, then trade it to .
For a casual playthrough, Cleffa works as a placeholder. Fairy coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Clefairy. That's where the stats start mattering.
Game Availability
Debuting in Gold & Silver, Cleffa appears in 19 games across 9 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.
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