As a baby Pokemon, Cleffa is mostly a stepping stone. It eventually becomes Clefable, and that's where you want to end up. The Star Shape Pokémon — cute, but not battle-ready. Ghost moves can't touch it, and only a single type hits it super-effectively.
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.
On nights with many shooting stars, CLEFFA can be seen dancing in a ring. They dance through the night and stop only at the break of day, when these POKéMON quench their thirst with the morning dew.
Cleffa Weakness
GoodFighting-type moves hit Cleffa for super-effective damage. The upside? Ghost-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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
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.
How to Evolve
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 3.
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Without breeding, Cleffa misses out on Amnesia and Belly Drum. That's 8 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Facade and Secret Power, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
At 218 BST, Cleffa is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Clefairy before bringing it to any serious fight.
Watch for Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Cleffa. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. At base 15 Speed, Cleffa won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Cleffa evolves into Clefairy by leveling up. Cleffa is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.
Cleffa gets Magic Guard, Cute Charm, and Friend Guard. But Magic Guard is the one that matters — it's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Cleffa is a physical attacker with base 25 Attack. Fragile — can't afford to take many hits, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 15 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go.
Cleffa appears in 19 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Debuting in Gold & Silver, Cleffa appears in 19 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
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