Electric moves don't affect Donphan at all — that's the advantage of Ground typing. It relies on priority moves or Scarf to keep up. Known as the Armor Pokemon. Built to hit on the physical side.
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’s favorite attack is curling its body into a ball, then charging at its foe while rolling at high speed. Once it starts rolling, this Pokémon can’t stop very easily.
If Donphan were to tackle with its hard body, even a house could be destroyed. Using its massive strength, the Pokémon helps clear rock and mud slides that block mountain trails.
Donphan Weakness
AvgDonphan is weak to Water, Grass, and Ice-type moves. 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.
Evolved from Phanpy. Donphan is the final form in this two-stage line. No compatible partners 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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Donphan to get Phanpy eggs easily from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Body Slam, Counter and 9 more.
Donphan runs a standard defensive wall set. Impish nature with max HP and Defense EVs shapes the build, while Leftovers brings passive recovery each turn. Sturdy supports the kit from the background.
Best Build
Best Donphan Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Shard
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 12 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
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
Donphan appears at high spawn rates across 10 spots in mid-game 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 Donphan in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Phanpy is your first catch on the way to Donphan. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 28-38 across 10 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Obtain Phanpy
Step 2Donphan ✓MODERATESafari Zone - Area 2Omega RubyGrassLv.28-3010%MidFacilityMODERATESafari Zone - Area 2Alpha SapphireGrassLv.28-3010%MidFacilityEFFORTLESSMirage Spots - Area 17Alpha SapphireGrassLv.36-3830%LateEFFORTLESSMirage Spots - Area 17Omega RubyGrassLv.36-3830%LateEFFORTLESSMirage Spots - Area 18Alpha SapphireGrassLv.36-3830%LateEFFORTLESSMirage Spots - Area 18Omega RubyGrassLv.36-3830%LateEFFORTLESSMirage Spots - Area 19Omega RubyGrassLv.36-3830%LateEFFORTLESSMirage Spots - Area 19Alpha SapphireGrassLv.36-3830%LateEFFORTLESSMirage Spots - Area 20Omega RubyGrassLv.36-3830%LateEFFORTLESSMirage Spots - Area 20Alpha SapphireGrassLv.36-3830%Lateor evolve from Phanpy (Step 1)
We rate Donphan A-Tier — a strong competitive pick. At 500 BST, it fits the wallbreaker role. Base 120 Attack stands out.
Phanpy evolves into Donphan at level 25. Donphan is the fully evolved form. At 500 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
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.
Donphan appears in 16 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Available in 16 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Donphan spans 8 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in most mainline games.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A