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. Dragon moves can't touch it, and only 2 types hit 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.
According to local rumors, Cleffa are often seen in places where shooting stars have fallen.
Because of its unusual, starlike silhouette, people believe that it came here on a meteor.
Cleffa Weakness
GoodPoison and Steel-type 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.
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 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Without breeding, Cleffa misses out on Aromatherapy and Heal Pulse. That's 5 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Play Rough and Draining Kiss, with coverage across 9 types rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Cleffa doesn't appear in Sword & Shield. Transfer it from Crystal, Diamond, or Legends: Arceus to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Cleffa is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Catch in the wild in:
Then trade to Sword & Shield.
Also found in:
At 218 BST, Cleffa is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Clefairy before bringing it to any serious fight.
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 special attacker with base 45 Sp. Atk. 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