Transfer-only in Ruby & Sapphire. Cute Charm is the ability, but importing Cleffa just for B-Tier Clefable is rarely worth it.
Ability 1Cute CharmAbility 1Has a 30% chance of infatuating attacking Pokémon on contact.
218HP50Attack25Defense28Speed15Sp.Def55Sp.Atk45
Cleffa
Clefairy
Clefable
Weak to
Physical
Support
15Speed · Very Slow

Is Cleffa Good in Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

Not native to Hoenn. Breed from Clefairy or trade. Baby Pokemon requiring friendship then Moon Stone. Two evolution gates for a Normal-type that RS's native roster already covers. AbilityCute Charm doesn't justify the effort.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadBTTETETEETETTRoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8CleffaTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Bad

Roxanne's Pokemon outpace and outclass Cleffa here.

Avoid
Geodude
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Avoid
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
TackleHardenRock ThrowRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Tough

Brawly's team hits Cleffa's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Machop
Lv 17
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopSeismic TossBulk Up
Even
Makuhita
Lv 18
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustKnock OffSand AttackBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Tough

Wattson's typing presses Cleffa's defenses.

Risky
Magnemite
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomThunder ShockThunder Wave
Risky
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSelf DestructSparkSonic Boom
Risky
Magneton
Lv 23
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomShock WaveThunder Wave
Flannery
Gym 4
Even

Cleffa trades roughly evenly with Flannery's team.

Even
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
FlamethrowerRock SlideLight ScreenSunny Day
Risky
Torkoal
Lv 28
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatBody SlamFlailAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Tough

Norman's team hits Cleffa's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Slaking
Lv 28
Normal
Truant
EncoreFacadeYawnFeint Attack
Risky
Vigoroth
Lv 30
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFeint AttackFacadeEncore
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Cleffa trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

Even
Swellow
Lv 31
NormalFlying
Guts
Quick AttackAerial AceDouble TeamEndeavor
You Win
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Risky
Skarmory
Lv 32
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Risky
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Tough

Tate & Liza's typing presses Cleffa's defenses.

Risky
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Risky
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Wallace
Gym 8
Even

Cleffa trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

You Win
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
You Win
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
Even
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Even
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Even
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Sidney
Elite Four
Even

Cleffa trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

Risky
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
Even
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
You Win
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Even
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
Risky
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Tough

Phoebe's typing presses Cleffa's defenses.

Risky
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
Risky
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
Avoid
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Cleffa trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

Even
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
Even
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
Even
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
Risky
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Tough

Drake's typing presses Cleffa's defenses.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
Risky
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
Risky
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
Risky
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
Risky
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Steven
Champion
Tough

Steven's typing presses Cleffa's defenses.

Risky
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
Even
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
Risky
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
Risky
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
Risky
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Avoid
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
Normal
Tier
F

Cleffa cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.

View Cleffa locations

How to Get Cleffa in Ruby & Sapphire

Cleffa does not appear in Ruby or Sapphire, and the Clefairy line is trade-only here anyway. Bring a Cleffa or a Clefairy over to add this one.

How to Obtain Cleffa in RS

  1. Cleffa
    Step 1Cleffa ✓
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Crystal
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Crystal via Gift · Route 34 · Hatch Odd Egg (random). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Mt. Coronet. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Platinum via Walking · Mt. Coronet. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Sun & Moon via Walking · Mount Hokulani. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon via Walking · Mount Hokulani. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl via Walking · Mt. Coronet. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Clefairy
    Step 2Evolve into Clefairy
  3. Clefable
    Step 3Evolve into Clefable

How to Get Shiny Cleffa in Ruby & Sapphire

Cleffa hatches from no Hoenn egg, so breed one in another game and trade the shiny baby over. See every game where Shiny Cleffa can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Cleffa in Ruby & SapphireNormal
Shiny Cleffa in Ruby & Sapphire Shiny
Color ShiftPinktoGreen
Shiny TierD Tier Shiny

Shiny Cleffa Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Cleffa Weakness

Fighting 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.

Cleffa Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fighting
0x (Immune)Ghost
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Cleffa Weak Against

Good
1Weak
0Resist
1Immune
Score+1
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
½xResist
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Cleffa Strong Against

0Strong
2Resisted
1Immune
Score-3
2xStrong
None
½xResisted
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Cleffa

Hariyama
Hariyama
Fighting
B
Heracross
Heracross
BugFighting
A
Breloom
Breloom
GrassFighting
B
Blaziken
Blaziken
FireFighting
B
Machoke
Machoke
Fighting
C

Cleffa Evolutions

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

3 Forms
Cleffa
#173Cleffa
Transfer Only
Clefairy
#035Clefairy
Transfer Only
Transfer Only
Clefable
#036Clefable
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Cleffa
Normal
Clefairy
Normal
Clefable
Normal
HP
50
70+20
95+25
ATK
25
45+20
70+25
DEF
28
48+20
73+25
SP.ATK
45
60+15
95+35
SP.DEF
55
65+10
90+25
SPE
15
35+20
60+25
BST
218F-Tier
323E-Tier+105
483B-Tier+160
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Special
Utility
Special

Breeding

Unavailable
Undiscovered egg group

RS Cleffa Best Moveset

Baby pre-evolution three stages from Clefable's deep movepool. AbilityCute Charm occasionally infatuates on contact but nothing functions at these stats.

Best Build

Experimental
Screens Setter
Ability
Cute Charm
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Cleffa
HardyNEUTRAL

Cleffa best EVs are Sp. Atk and Sp. Def

EVs

Screens Setter Moveset

  • Soft BoiledSTAB
  • WishRecovery
  • Thunder Wave
  • Light Screen

Moves List

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

Lv 1
Charm
D—10020Normal
Lv 1
Pound
D6010035Normal
Lv 4
Encore
C—1005Normal
Lv 8
Sing
——5515Normal
Lv 13
Sweet Kiss
——7510Normal

TM Moves

All 25 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
D6010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42D10510020Normal
TM38
Fire BlastLilycove Department Storebadge 5
D120855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510015Fire
HM05
FlashGranite Cavebadge 1
——7020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—9010015Normal
TM23
Iron TailMeteor Fallsnot until badge 8
D1007515Steel
TM16
Light ScreenLilycove Department Storebadge 5
A——30Psychic
TM17C——10Normal
TM29
PsychicMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
D9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM33A——20Psychic
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM20D——25Normal
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—10510020Normal
TM30
Shadow BallMt. Pyrebadge 5
D8010015Ghost
TM34D60—20Electric
TM22
Solar BeamSafari Zonebadge 5
D12010010Grass
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
A—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulsePrize for defeating Wallacenot until badge 8
D6010020Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Amnesia
D——20Psychic
Egg
Belly Drum
C——10Normal
Egg
Metronome
A——10Normal
Egg
Mimic
D——10Normal
Egg
Present
D—9015Normal
Egg
Splash
D——40Normal
Egg
Substitute
C——10Normal
Egg
Wish
B——10Normal

Tutor Moves

Cleffa can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP50
D
Attack25
F
Defense28
F
Sp. Atk45
D
Sp. Def55
D
Speed15
F
Total218
Details
Catch Rate
Moderate150 / 255
Growth Rate
Fast800,000 XP
Height0.3 m
Weight3.0 kg
Base XP44
Abilities
Cute Charm
Has a 30% chance of infatuating attacking Pokémon on contact.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpD+1Spe
Special Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

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.

Pokemon Ruby / Pokemon Sapphire

Cleffa Ruby & Sapphire Guide

  • Cleffa isn't catchable in Ruby & Sapphire. Obtain one in FireRed or LeafGreen, then trade it to Ruby & Sapphire.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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