For HeartGold & SoulSilver, we rate Donphan B-Tier: a solid option in HeartGold & SoulSilver for the right team. At 500 BST, it fits the wallbreaker role. Earthquake with Leftovers is the standard set.

What is Donphan weak to?

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Donphan's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Exeggutor (Grass), and Lapras (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.

What is the best ability for Donphan?

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.

What role does Donphan play in battle?

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.

What are the best moves for Donphan?

For HeartGold & SoulSilver, the core moveset is Earthquake, Rapid Spin, Ice Shard, and Stealth Rock. Earthquake leads at 25% usage. Earthquake provides reliable STAB damage.

Donphan - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Wallbreaker

BTier

50Speed · Slow

Stats & Training

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.

Base Stats

High

HP90

Attack120

Defense120

Sp. Atk60

Sp. Def60

Speed50

Total500

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging60 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height1.1 m

Weight120.0 kg

Base XP175

Abilities

SturdyTop Pick

Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.

Sand VeilHANot in game

Increases evasion to 1.25× during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.

EV Yield

HPAtk+1Def+1SpASpDSpe

Attack training target

Pokedex Entries

It has sharp, hard tusks and a rugged hide. Its tackle is strong enough to knock down a house.

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.

Donphan Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Water, Grass, Ice
0.5x (Resist)	Poison, Rock
0x (Immune)	Electric

Type ChartAvg

3Weak

2Resist

1Immune

Score-1

Gen IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Water Grass Ice

½xResist

Poison Rock

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Electric

STAB (5)

Fire Electric Poison Rock Steel

How to Beat Donphan in HeartGold & SoulSilver (Best Counters)

Gyarados WaterFlying	A
Obtain MethodLake Of Rage Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves BlizzardTM14 Aqua TailLv. 35 Ice BeamTM13 SurfHM03 Damage vs Donphan Blizzard 2x 51-61% Aqua Tail 2x 66-78% Ice Beam 2x 43-51% Surf 2x 64-76% View Gyarados builds →
Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 116-137%KO Energy Ball 2x 87-103%KO Vine Whip 2x 28-34% Bullet Seed 2x 16-20% View Carnivine builds →
Tangela Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 26 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 125-148%KO Energy Ball 2x 95-112%KO Vine Whip 2x 19-22% Mega Drain 2x 43-51% View Tangela builds →
Delibird IceFlying	D
Available Moves Moves BlizzardTM14 Ice BeamTM13 AvalancheTM72 Damage vs Donphan Blizzard 2x 84-99% Ice Beam 2x 68-81% Avalanche 2x 25-29% View Delibird builds →
Hoppip GrassFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainLv. 37 Mega DrainLv. 25 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 59-69% Energy Ball 2x 46-54% Giga Drain 2x 38-45% Mega Drain 2x 21-25% View Hoppip builds →

HeartGold & SoulSilver 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

2 Forms

#231Phanpy

Level 25

#232Donphan

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Phanpy

Ground

Donphan

Ground

ATK

120+60

DEF

120+60

SP.ATK

60+20

SP.DEF

60+20

SPE

50+10

BST

330D-Tier

500A-Tier+170

ROLE

Balanced

Wallbreaker

TYPE

Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Donphan to get Phanpy eggs easily using 131 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Body Slam, Counter and 6 more.

Egg Groups

Ground

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

9moves

Breed With (best first)

HeartGold & SoulSilver Donphan Best Moveset

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

Recommended

Hazard Setter

Ability

Sturdy

Item

LeftoversSUSTAIN

Best Nature for Donphan

Impish+DEF

Donphan best EVs are HP and Defense

EVs

Def

SpD

Hazard Setter Moveset

EarthquakeSTAB
Rapid Spin
Ice Shard
Stealth Rock

Recommended Teammates

GyaradosDecent

TyranitarDecent

JirachiDecent

Moves

The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 11 types means almost nothing walls Donphan cleanly, with Earthquake and Earth Power anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Defense Curl

———40Normal

Lv 1

Fire Fang

C659515Fire

Lv 1

Flail

——10015Normal

Lv 1

Growl

——10040Normal

Lv 1

Horn Attack

—6510025Normal

Lv 1

Thunder Fang

C659515Electric

Lv 6

Rapid Spin

S5010040Normal

Lv 10

Knock Off

B6510020Dark

Lv 15

Rollout

—309020Rock

Lv 19

Magnitude

——10030Ground

Lv 24

Slam

—807520Normal

Lv 25

Fury Attack

D158520Normal

Lv 31

Assurance

—5010010Dark

Lv 39

Scary Face

D—9010Normal

Lv 46

Earthquake

S10010010Ground

Lv 54

Giga Impact

B150905Normal

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM26

Earthquake

S10010010Ground

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM42

Facade

C7010020Normal

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM68

Giga Impact

B150905Normal

TM74

Gyro Ball

D—1005Steel

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM15

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TM23

Iron Tail

C1007515Steel

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM84

Poison Jab

C8010020Poison

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM05

Roar-6

C——20Normal

TM69

Rock Polish

C——20Rock

TM80

Rock Slide

C759010Rock

HM06

Rock Smash

D4010015Fighting

TM39

Rock Tomb

C609510Rock

TM37

Sandstorm

———10Rock

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM76

Stealth Rock

A——20Rock

TM71

Stone Edge

C100805Rock

HM04

Strength

C8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM06

Toxic

C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg

Ancient Power

D601005Rock

Egg

Body Slam

C8510015Normal

Egg

Counter-5

D—10020Fighting

Egg

Endeavor

D—1005Normal

Egg

Fissure

——305Ground

Egg

Focus Energy

———30Normal

Egg

Head Smash

B150805Rock

Egg

Ice Shard+1

S4010030Ice

Egg

Snore

D4010015Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Ancient Power

D601005Rock

Tutor

Block

———5Normal

Tutor

Bounce

C85855Flying

Tutor

Earth Power

C9010010Ground

Tutor

Endeavor

D—1005Normal

Tutor

Gunk Shot

C120705Poison

Tutor

Headbutt

C7010015Normal

Tutor

Iron Defense

D——15Steel

Tutor

Knock Off

B6510020Dark

Tutor

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Tutor

Rollout

—309020Rock

Tutor

Seed Bomb

C8010015Grass

Tutor

Snore

D4010015Normal

Tutor

Superpower

B1201005Fighting

Reminder Moves

Rem

Charm

——10020Normal

Rem

Double-Edge

B12010015Normal

Rem

Endure+4

———10Normal

Rem

Last Resort

B1301005Normal

Rem

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

Rem

Odor Sleuth

———40Normal

Rem

Tackle

—3510035Normal

Rem

Take Down

—908520Normal

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

How to Get Donphan in HeartGold & SoulSilver

high spawn rates for Donphan across 10 locations in late-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 HeartGold & SoulSilver

The path to Donphan starts with Phanpy at Lv. 20-50 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

Step 1Catch Phanpy
Route 45
Grass Lv.20 Route
UncommonMid
Mt. Silver - 1F
Grass Lv.43 Cave
UncommonLate
Mt. Silver - 1F Central Chamber
Grass Lv.46 Cave
UncommonPost
Mt. Silver - 2F
Grass Lv.46 Cave
UncommonPost
Mt. Silver - Lower mountainside
Grass Lv.48 Cave
UncommonPost
Train until Level 25
Step 2Donphan ✓
Mt. Silver - 1F
Grass Lv.44 Cave
CommonLate
Victory Road - 1F
Grass Lv.33 Cave
UncommonLate
Route 28
Grass Lv.40 Route
UncommonLate
Mt. Silver - Base
Grass Lv.42 Cave
UncommonLate
Mt. Silver - 1F Central Chamber
Grass Lv.47-48 Cave
UncommonPost
Mt. Silver - 1F Upper Chamber
Grass Lv.47-48 Cave
UncommonPost
Mt. Silver - 3F
Grass Lv.47 Cave
UncommonPost
Mt. Silver - Upper mountainside
Grass Lv.47 Cave
UncommonPost
Mt. Silver - 2F
Grass Lv.48-50 Cave
UncommonPost
Mt. Silver - Lower mountainside
Grass Lv.50 Cave
UncommonPost
or evolve from Phanpy (Step 1)

Donphan Guide

For HeartGold & SoulSilver, we rate Donphan B-Tier: a solid option in HeartGold & SoulSilver for the right team. At 500 BST, it fits the wallbreaker role. Earthquake with Leftovers is the standard set.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Donphan's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Exeggutor (Grass), and Lapras (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.
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.
For HeartGold & SoulSilver, the core moveset is Earthquake, Rapid Spin, Ice Shard, and Stealth Rock. Earthquake leads at 25% 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

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Want to tell us more?

What was most useful?

About:

What could be improved?

About:

Thanks for your feedback

Buizel Water	C
Available Move Moves Water GunLv. 6 Damage vs Donphan Water Gun 2x 41-49% View Buizel builds →
Whiscash WaterGround	C
Upcoming Move Moves Water GunLv. 10 Learns Water Gun at Level 10 View Whiscash builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Donphan Razor Leaf 2x 32-41% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Donphan Vine Whip 2x 32-41% View Bellsprout builds →
Totodile Water	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves Water GunLv. 6 Damage vs Donphan Water Gun 2x 32-41% View Totodile builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Vine Whip 2x 34-41% Bullet Seed 2x 20-25% View Carnivine builds →
Hoppip GrassFlying	D
TM Move Moves Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Bullet Seed 2x 12-15% View Hoppip builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Donphan Bullet Seed 2x 17-20% Absorb 2x 20-25% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 6 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Razor Leaf 2x 25-31% Bullet Seed 2x 17-20% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Vine Whip 2x 25-31% Bullet Seed 2x 17-20% View Bellsprout builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 119-142%KO Energy Ball 2x 92-108%KO Vine Whip 2x 31-38% Bullet Seed 2x 21-25% View Carnivine builds →
Hoppip GrassFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 67-79% Energy Ball 2x 49-58% Bullet Seed 2x 14-17% View Hoppip builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 106-125%KO Energy Ball 2x 81-96% Bullet Seed 2x 14-17% Absorb 2x 21-25% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 78-92% Energy Ball 2x 60-71% Magical Leaf 2x 42-50% Razor Leaf 2x 24-29% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 99-117%KO Energy Ball 2x 78-92% Vine Whip 2x 28-33% Bullet Seed 2x 17-21% View Bellsprout builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 120-141%KO Energy Ball 2x 91-107%KO Vine Whip 2x 32-38% Bullet Seed 2x 20-24% View Carnivine builds →
Hoppip GrassFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 25 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 64-76% Energy Ball 2x 49-59% Mega Drain 2x 23-28% Bullet Seed 2x 11-14% View Hoppip builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 21 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 105-124%KO Energy Ball 2x 78-93% Mega Drain 2x 38-45% Bullet Seed 2x 14-17% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 78-93% Energy Ball 2x 61-72% Magical Leaf 2x 40-48% Razor Leaf 2x 23-28% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 99-117%KO Energy Ball 2x 76-90% Vine Whip 2x 25-31% Bullet Seed 2x 17-21% View Bellsprout builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 115-136%KO Energy Ball 2x 86-102%KO Vine Whip 2x 28-34% Bullet Seed 2x 16-20% View Carnivine builds →
Hoppip GrassFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 25 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 59-71% Energy Ball 2x 45-54% Mega Drain 2x 21-25% Bullet Seed 2x 9-11% View Hoppip builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 21 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 101-119%KO Energy Ball 2x 76-91% Mega Drain 2x 36-42% Bullet Seed 2x 11-14% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 72-85% Energy Ball 2x 55-65% Magical Leaf 2x 38-45% Razor Leaf 2x 21-25% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Donphan Solar Beam 2x 96-113%KO Energy Ball 2x 72-85% Vine Whip 2x 24-28% Bullet Seed 2x 14-17% View Bellsprout builds →

MetagrossOutspeeds, walls physical sets SteelPsychic	S
Recommended Build AbilityClearbody ItemLum Berry NatureAdamant Moves Meteor Mash Earthquake Explosion Stealth Rock Damage vs Donphan Earthquake 21-24% Explosion 51-60% View Metagross builds →
FlygonImmune to Ground via Levitate, outspeeds GroundDragon	A
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves EarthquakeSTAB OutrageSTAB U Turn Thunder Punch Damage vs Donphan Earthquake 23-27% Outrage 27-32% U Turn 11-13% View Flygon builds →
AerodactylImmune to Ground, outspeeds RockFlying	B
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves Earthquake Stealth Rock TauntUtility Stone Edge Damage vs Donphan Earthquake 16-18% Stone Edge 12-14% View Aerodactyl builds →
BlisseyCures status via Natural Cure, outspeeds, walls special sets Normal	B
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves Soft Boiled Seismic Toss Thunder Wave Stealth Rock View Blissey builds →
MagnetonSturdy guarantees survival, outspeeds ElectricSteel	C
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemChoice Scarf NatureNaive Moves ThunderboltSTAB Flash Cannon Thunder Wave Explosion Damage vs Donphan Flash Cannon 49-57% Explosion 20-23% View Magneton builds →