Attack and Defense carry most of Donphan's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Moderately hard to find and yields 2 Attack and Defense EVs. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Donphan is covered in tough hide, so even being hit by a car won’t faze this Pokémon. However, it is extremely susceptible to rain.
Donphan is normally a calm Pokémon, but once it is enraged, it will curl its body into a ball and charge at you while rolling.
Donphan is weak to Water, Grass, and Ice. On the flip side, it's immune to Electric-type moves entirely. Donphan's physical bulk (base 120 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Ice |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Rock |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
Torkoal's Eruption hits Donphan for 80-94%.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemCharcoal NatureQuiet Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Torkoal builds →Eruption80-94% Heat Wave50-60% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Clodsire builds →Earthquake15-17% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves View Blissey builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityToxicchain ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Fezandipiti builds →U Turn7-9% Moonblast31-36% Heat Wave20-24% | ||
 Pincurchin Electric | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemTerrain Extender NatureBrave Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Pincurchin builds →Sucker Punch12-14% Liquidation 2x29-34% | ||
Evolved from Phanpy. Donphan is the final form in this two-stage line. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Attack grew the most through evolution (+60 over Phanpy), and Donphan peaks at 500 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Donphan to get Phanpy eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.
Donphan's job is getting Stealth Rock up and staying on the field. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, Sturdy helps it stick around, and max HP and Defense EVs prioritize longevity.
Best Build
Donphan best EVs are HP and Defense
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Ice Shard
- Endeavor
- Earthquake
- Unknown
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Knock Off
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Shard
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Endeavor
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Ice Shard
- Rapid Spin
- Bulldoze
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Knock Off
- Ice Shard
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 11 types means almost nothing walls Donphan cleanly, with Earthquake and High Horsepower anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 10 types means almost nothing walls Donphan cleanly, with Earthquake and High Horsepower anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.
The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 13 types means almost nothing walls Donphan cleanly, with Earthquake and High Horsepower anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.
The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 11 types means almost nothing walls Donphan cleanly, with Earthquake and Bulldoze anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.
moderate rates for Donphan across 14 locations in mid-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Donphan in Scarlet & Violet
The path to Donphan starts with Phanpy at Lv. 11-60 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch PhanpySouth Province (Area Four) - LakeScarletOverworld Lv.11-22 Route24%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - LakeVioletOverworld Lv.11-22 Route24%EarlyAsado Desert - DesertScarletOverworld Lv.11-22 Desert12%EarlyAsado Desert - DesertVioletOverworld Lv.11-22 Desert12%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.11-22 Route12%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.11-22 Route12%EarlyWest Province (Area One) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.11-22 Route12%EarlyWest Province (Area One) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.11-22 Route12%EarlyAsado Desert - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.25-44 Desert12%MidAsado Desert - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.25-44 Desert12%MidThe Great Crater of PaldeaScarletOverworld Lv.25-6012%MidThe Great Crater of PaldeaVioletOverworld Lv.25-6012%MidThe Great Crater of PaldeaScarletOverworld Lv.25-6012%MidThe Great Crater of PaldeaVioletOverworld Lv.25-6012%MidWest Province (Area Two) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.25-44 Route12%MidWest Province (Area Two) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.25-44 Route12%MidWest Province (Area Two) - DesertScarletOverworld Lv.25-44 Route8%MidWest Province (Area Two) - DesertVioletOverworld Lv.25-44 Route8%MidSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.25-44 Route4%MidSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.25-44 Route4%Mid
Step 2Donphan ✓Asado Desert - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.25-44 Desert12%MidAsado Desert - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.25-44 Desert12%MidThe Great Crater of PaldeaVioletOverworld Lv.25-6012%MidThe Great Crater of PaldeaVioletOverworld Lv.25-6012%MidThe Great Crater of PaldeaScarletOverworld Lv.25-6012%MidThe Great Crater of PaldeaScarletOverworld Lv.25-6012%MidWest Province (Area Two) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.25-44 Route12%MidWest Province (Area Two) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.25-44 Route12%MidAsado Desert - DesertScarletOverworld Lv.25-44 Desert8%MidAsado Desert - DesertVioletOverworld Lv.25-44 Desert8%MidWest Province (Area Two) - DesertScarletOverworld Lv.25-44 Route8%MidWest Province (Area Two) - DesertVioletOverworld Lv.25-44 Route8%MidSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainVioletOverworld Lv.25-44 Route4%MidSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainScarletOverworld Lv.25-44 Route4%Midor evolve from Phanpy (Step 1)
You're catching Phanpy first, not Donphan. Phanpy appears at solid rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Donphan in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The path to Donphan starts with Phanpy at Lv. 5-63 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch PhanpyRoute 207Shining PearlGrass Lv.5 Route40%EarlySwarm activeRoute 207Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.5 Route40%EarlySwarm activeBig Bluff CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameBig Bluff CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRocky CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRocky CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-game
Step 2Donphan ✓
Donphan can't be caught in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Transfer Phanpy from Silver, Crystal, or Scarlet and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
We rate Donphan A-Tier: a strong competitive pick. At 500 BST, it fits the wallbreaker role. Base 120 Attack stands out.
Sturdy is the go-to ability for Donphan. It prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Its hidden ability Sand Veil can work in specific setups.
Base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Donphan is a physical attacker with base 120 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a wallbreaker.
Best way to handle Donphan: Status moves (Toxic, Will-O-Wisp) wear it down. Setup sweepers can use it as a boost opportunity. Special attackers bypass its physical bulk.
Available in 16 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Donphan spans 9 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in most mainline games.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves