Dewgong Best Moveset
Water/Ice at 90 HP with AbilityThick Fat halving Fire and Ice damage, which patches two of the four weaknesses. 70 Sp. Atk at 70 Speed behind dual TermStab covers Ground, Dragon, Grass, and Flying. The moveset tanks neutral hits and fires back slowly. Low offensive ceiling, but the defensive profile finds niches.
Water/Ice coverage looked good in Gen I (Red & Blue). 70 Special handled both STAB types, but 90 HP and 80 Defense couldn't carry a Pokemon this slow.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Surf
- Rest
- Headbutt
- Aurora Beam
Recommended Teammates
The Special split gave Dewgong 70 Sp. Atk and 95 Sp. Def in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Bulkier on the special side now, but even weaker offensively.
Support Moveset
- Toxic
- Surf
- Rest
- Blizzard
Recommended Teammates
Thick Fat neutralized Fire and Ice weaknesses in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Dewgong walled special attacks of those types, but 70 Sp. Atk had no way to threaten back.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Encore
- Surf
- Body Slam
- Fake Out
Recommended Teammates
Four gens at the same tier in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Stealth Rock didn't hurt much with just a Rock weakness, but the format demanded offense Dewgong couldn't provide.
Wall Moveset
- Rest
- Ice Beam
- Rain Dance
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Dropped in Gen V (Black & White). Faster, stronger Water-types pushed Dewgong out. Thick Fat utility alone couldn't justify a teamslot with 70/70 offensive stats.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Drill Run
- Signal Beam
Recommended Teammates
Power creep left Dewgong behind in Gen VI (X & Y). The bulk was there, the offenses weren't. Every generation made 70 Sp. Atk less competitive.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Surf
- Rest
- Rain Dance
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Same decline in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Walrein and other bulky Water/Ice types did everything Dewgong wanted to do from higher stats.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Encore
- Blizzard
Recommended Teammates
Returned in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet) after missing Gen VIII. Nothing changed except the metagame got faster and more offensive. Dewgong hadn't.
Pivot Moveset
- Perish Song
- Protect
- Whirlpool
- Flip Turn
Recommended Teammates
Dewgong Weakness
Dewgong's Water/Ice typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Grass, Fighting, and Rock. Thick Fat reduces Fire/Ice damage, further improving the defensive spread.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass, Fighting, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Ice |
What is Dewgong Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Dewgong
Rillaboom can KO Dewgong with Wood Hammer (173-204%). Regieleki's Volt Switch hits Dewgong for 52-62%. Urshifu's Close Combat also KOs at 163-191%.
 Rillaboom Grass | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Dewgong View Rillaboom builds →Knock Off31-37% U Turn34-40% Wood Hammer 2x173-204%KO | ||
 Regieleki Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTransistor ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Dewgong View Regieleki builds →Volt Switch 2x52-62% Rapid Spin9-11% Rapid Spin9-11% Volt Switch 2x52-62% | ||
 Urshifu FightingDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnseenfist ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Dewgong View Urshifu builds →Close Combat 2x163-191%KO Close Combat 2x163-191%KO | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Dewgong View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off49-58% Stone Edge 2x152-179%KO | ||
Evolution
Dewgong is the evolved form of Seel. Breeding produces Seel eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Seel gave Dewgong the biggest boost in HP (+25), bringing the total to 475 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Dewgong
Dewgong appears at moderate rates across 2 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 Dewgong in SV
Seel is your first catch on the way to Dewgong. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 50-80 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch SeelPolar BiomeLv.50-80OverworldPolar BiomeLv.66Overworld
Step 2Dewgong ✓Polar BiomeLv.50-80Overworldor evolve from Seel (Step 1)
A handful of locations for Dewgong with moderate 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 Dewgong in BDSP
To get Dewgong, start by catching Seel through walking and surfing encounters at Lv. 35-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch SeelRoute 226Lv.35-45Surfing on waterBrilliant DiamondRate 30%Route 230Lv.35-45Surfing on waterBrilliant DiamondRate 30%Fountainspring CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameGlacial CavernLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameIcy CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameWhiteout CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-game
Step 2Dewgong ✓Route 226Lv.40-55Surfing on waterBrilliant DiamondRate 5%Route 230Lv.40-55Surfing on waterBrilliant DiamondRate 5%Fountainspring CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameGlacial CavernLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameIcy CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameWhiteout CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameor evolve from Seel (Step 1)
moderate rates across 6 locations for Dewgong in late-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Dewgong in LGPE
The path to Dewgong starts with Seel at Lv. 39-44 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch SeelSeafoam Islands - Area 1Lv.39-44GrassRate 20%Seafoam Islands - Area 2Lv.39-44GrassRate 20%Seafoam Islands - Area 3Lv.39-44GrassRate 15%
Step 2Dewgong ✓Seafoam Islands - Area 3Lv.39-44GrassRate 10%Seafoam Islands - Area 1Lv.39-44GrassRate 5%Seafoam Islands - Area 2Lv.39-44GrassRate 5%or evolve from Seel (Step 1)
Can't catch Dewgong directly. Start with Seel at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 34. The 2-stage line from Seel to Dewgong is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Dewgong in USUM
Seel is your first catch on the way to Dewgong. You'll find gift and surfing encounters from Lv. 15-55 across 8 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch SeelSeaward CaveLv.15-18Surfing on waterRate 30%Poké Pelago - Ula'ula Island reachedLv.21-27Gift from NPCPoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedLv.37-43Gift from NPCPoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedLv.49-55Gift from NPC
Step 2Dewgong ✓
Base Stats
Dewgong's spread favors balanced defenses over offense. Sp. Def leads the defensive side, Attack eats the cost. Yields 2 Sp. Def EVs per defeat. Medium-fast 1M XP curve to level.
In snow, the pure white coat covering its body obscures it from predators.
Dewgong Guide
Don't let Dewgong's 475 base stat total fool you. Thick Fat is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier.
Run Thick Fat on Dewgong. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Dewgong also gets Hydration and Ice Body, but they don't compare.
Dewgong fills the balanced role. It's a mixed attacker with base 70 Attack and 70 Sp. Atk. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Run Perishsong, Protect, Whirlpool, and Flip Turn on Dewgong. Perishsong is the most common pick at 0% usage. Whirlpool provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Dewgong has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 19 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
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 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