Deerling Best Moveset
Normal/Grass at 60 Attack and 75 Speed with AbilityChlorophyll doubling Speed under sun and AbilitySap Sipper granting Grass immunity. Pre-evolution stats. The moveset can't compete. Evolve to Sawsbuck for 100 Attack, 95 Speed, and the Chlorophyll sun attacker that functions.
Deerling saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). This was Deerling's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Sapsipper with Leftovers, favoring a Careful nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Deerling best EVs are Sp. Def and Speed
Utility Moveset
- Seed Bomb
- Wild Charge
- Jump Kick
- Leech Seed
Recommended Teammates
Deerling saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Deerling maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Serenegrace with Eviolite, favoring a Hardy nature.
Support Moveset
- Aromatherapy
- Grass Knot
- Facade
- Synthesis
Recommended Teammates
Deerling saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Deerling maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Chlorophyll with Focus Sash, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Facade
- Aromatherapy
- Agility
- Substitute
Recommended Teammates
Deerling saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Deerling maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Serenegrace with Eviolite, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Zen Headbutt
- Play Rough
- Body Slam
- Agility
Recommended Teammates
Deerling Weakness
Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Flying, and Bug moves hit Deerling for super-effective damage. The upside? Ghost-type moves can't touch it at all. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Sap Sipper grants an additional Grass immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Flying, Bug |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass, Ground |
| 0x (Immune) | Ghost |
What is Deerling Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Deerling
Charizard can KO Deerling with Flamethrower (173-203%). Weavile's Ice Shard hits Deerling for 56-66%. Lucario's Close Combat also KOs at 202-238%.
 Charizard Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolarpower ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Charizard builds →Flamethrower 2x173-203%KO Air Slash 2x143-169%KO Scorching Sands22-26% | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Weavile builds →Knock Off45-53% Ice Shard 2x56-66% | ||
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Lucario builds →Extreme Speed45-53% Close Combat 2x202-238%KO Aura Sphere 2x102-120%KO | ||
 Gengar GhostPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityCursedbody ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Gengar builds →Sludge Bomb 2x131-154%KO | ||
 Salamence Dragon | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMoxie ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Salamence builds →Earthquake27-32% | ||
Evolution
Deerling evolves into Sawsbuck. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 140 total stats over Deerling. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Deerling easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
How to Get Deerling
Easy grab on Deerling with high spawn rates across 30 locations in mid-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Where To Catch Deerling in SV
The path to Deerling starts with Deerling at Lv. 16-80 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Deerling ✓North Province (Area One) - MountainLv.16-40OverworldRate 54%Winter FormEast Province (Area One) - GrassLv.16-32OverworldRate 42%Summer FormEast Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.16-32OverworldRate 42%Summer FormWest Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.16-35OverworldRate 42%Select formsWest Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.16-35OverworldRate 42%Select formsSouth Province (Area Five) - GrassLv.16-32OverworldRate 24%Spring FormSouth Province (Area Four) - GrassLv.16-32OverworldRate 24%Spring FormSouth Province (Area One) - GrassLv.16-32OverworldRate 24%Spring FormCasseroya Lake - ForestLv.34-55OverworldRate 20%Select formsWest Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.34-55OverworldRate 20%Select formsNorth Province (Area One) - SnowLv.34-55OverworldRate 12%Winter FormCanyon BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCoastal BiomeLv.50-80OverworldPolar BiomeLv.50-80OverworldSavanna BiomeLv.50-80Overworld
Step 2Catch or Evolve into SawsbuckNorth Province (Area One) - MountainLv.34-55OverworldRate 24%Winter FormCasseroya Lake - ForestLv.34-55OverworldRate 20%Select formsEast Province (Area One) - GrassLv.34-55OverworldRate 20%Summer FormEast Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.34-55OverworldRate 20%Summer FormSouth Province (Area Five) - GrassLv.34-55OverworldRate 20%Spring FormSouth Province (Area Four) - GrassLv.34-55OverworldRate 20%Spring FormSouth Province (Area One) - GrassLv.34-55OverworldRate 20%Spring FormWest Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.34-55OverworldRate 20%Select formsNorth Province (Area One) - SnowLv.34-55OverworldRate 12%Winter FormWest Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.34-55OverworldRate 4%Select formsWest Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.34-55OverworldRate 4%Select formsCanyon BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCoastal BiomeLv.50-80OverworldPolar BiomeLv.50-80OverworldSavanna BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCanyon BiomeLv.62Overworldor evolve from Deerling (Step 1)
Deerling isn't available in the wild in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Start by transferring Deerling from Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, or Scarlet & Violet. The evolution path from Deerling to Deerling is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Deerling in USUM
- Step 1Deerling ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Dark grass · Route 6 · Double grass. 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 · Route 6. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Walking · Route 117 · DexNav chain. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Scarlet & VioletNot TradeableAppears in Scarlet & Violet via Overworld · North Province (Area One) · Winter Form. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Sawsbuck
Deerling isn't available in the wild in Sun & Moon. Start by transferring Deerling from Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, or Scarlet & Violet. The evolution path from Deerling to Deerling is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Deerling in SM
- Step 1Deerling ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave Sawsbuck with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Deerling egg.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Dark grass · Route 6 · Double grass. 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 · Route 6. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Walking · Route 117 · DexNav chain. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Scarlet & VioletNot TradeableAppears in Scarlet & Violet via Overworld · North Province (Area One) · Winter Form. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Evolve into Sawsbuck
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 2 locations. Deerling's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Where To Catch Deerling in ORAS
Step 1Deerling ✓Route 117Lv.14GrassRate 35%DexNav chain
Step 2Evolve into Sawsbuck
Base Stats
Deerling's spread isn't flashy. Speed leads, Sp. Atk trails, 0 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 1 Speed EV, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
This Pokémon will playfully headbutt those it gets along well with. It has antlers hidden under its flower, so the headbutts are a little painful.
Deerling Guide
Deerling does the job early-game if you need a Normal/Grass type on your team. Evolve it into Sawsbuck before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Introduced in Black & White, Deerling has appeared in 7 games across 6 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
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 5BWDebut
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