Donphan Best Moveset
120 Attack and 120 Defense at 90 HP on Ground TermStab with AbilitySturdy guaranteeing one hit from full. Held ItemHeavy Duty Boots blocks TermEntry Hazards damage. NatureAdamant pushes the physical output further. The moveset sets Stealth Rock, clears hazards with Rapid Spin, and hits hard physically. A-Tier as a physically bulky Ground-type that supports the team.
120 Attack and 120 Defense on a Ground-type in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Earthquake hit hard, and Rapid Spin gave it hazard removal on a physically bulky body.
Utility Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Rest
- Ancient Power
Recommended Teammates
Choice Band Earthquake from 120 Attack was terrifying in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Donphan could take physical hits while spinning away hazards.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Hidden Power Rock
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Stealth Rock setter with Rapid Spin on one Pokemon in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). That combination saved team slots and was highly valued.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Shard
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Sturdy guaranteed surviving one hit at full HP in Gen V (Black & White). Ice Shard provided priority against Flying and Dragon-types. A complete physical utility package.
Best Moves
Best Build
Donphan best EVs are HP and Defense
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Shard
Recommended Teammates
Same toolkit in Gen VI (X & Y). Stealth Rock, Rapid Spin, Ice Shard, Earthquake. Five gens of relevance built on pure utility value.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Shard
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Defog replaced Rapid Spin on most teams in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Landorus-Therian did the defensive Ground job better. Donphan's niche was shrinking.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Shard
Recommended Teammates
Bounced back in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Reliable hazard control and physical bulk still had competitive value when the format called for it.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Donphan Weakness
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 |
What is Donphan Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Donphan
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Glimmora builds →Power Gem17-20% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Clodsire builds →Earthquake13-15% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemHeatrock NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Torkoal builds →Rapid Spin7-8% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off27-32% Stone Edge20-24% | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureSassy Moves View Slowking-Galar builds →
| ||
Evolution
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.
How to Get Donphan
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 SV
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) - LakeLv.11-22OverworldRate 24%Asado Desert - DesertLv.11-22OverworldRate 12%South Province (Area Four) - MountainLv.11-22OverworldRate 12%West Province (Area One) - MountainLv.11-22OverworldRate 12%Asado Desert - GrassLv.25-44OverworldRate 12%The Great Crater of PaldeaLv.25-60OverworldRate 12%West Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.25-44OverworldRate 12%West Province (Area Two) - DesertLv.25-44OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Six) - MountainLv.25-44OverworldRate 4%
Step 2Donphan ✓Asado Desert - GrassLv.25-44OverworldRate 12%The Great Crater of PaldeaLv.25-60OverworldRate 12%West Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.25-44OverworldRate 12%Asado Desert - DesertLv.25-44OverworldRate 8%West Province (Area Two) - DesertLv.25-44OverworldRate 8%South Province (Area Six) - MountainLv.25-44OverworldRate 4%or 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 BDSP
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 207Lv.5GrassRate 40%Swarm activeBig Bluff CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameRocky CaveLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Donphan ✓
Donphan can't be caught in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Transfer Phanpy from Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Scarlet & Violet and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Donphan in USUM
Step 1Obtain PhanpyLATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Route 45. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Walking · Route 45. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Walking · Safari Zone. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Safari Zone · Safari Zone: 500 entry fee, 30 Safari Balls. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Sevault Canyon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Route 207 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.- Step 2Donphan ✓
Donphan can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Phanpy from Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Scarlet & Violet and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Donphan in SM
- Step 1Obtain PhanpyBREEDINGAvailableLeave Donphan with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Phanpy egg.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Route 45. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Walking · Route 45. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Walking · Safari Zone. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Safari Zone · Safari Zone: 500 entry fee, 30 Safari Balls. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Sevault Canyon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Route 207 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Donphan ✓
Base Stats
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 Guide
We rate Donphan B-Tier: a solid choice for the right team. 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.
The core moveset is Rapid Spin, Earthquake, Ice Shard, and Stealth Rock. Rapid Spin leads at 0% usage. Earthquake provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
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 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
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