Mid-stage Pokemon like Dottler rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Orbeetle, which is where the real potential kicks in. Can go either physical or special depending on the set. One of the newer additions from Gen 8.
Dottler's spread isn't flashy. Sp. Def leads, Speed trails, 2 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 2 Sp. Def EVs, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It barely moves, but it’s still alive. Hiding in its shell without food or water seems to have awakened its psychic powers.
As it grows inside its shell, it uses its psychic abilities to monitor the outside world and prepare for evolution.
Dottler Weakness
FragileFire, Flying, Bug, Rock, Ghost, and Dark-type moves hit Dottler for super-effective damage. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage.
Dottler is the middle stage between Blipbug and Orbeetle. It's a three-stage line with one more evolution to go. For breeding, quick to hatch with a decent partner pool via one egg group. So far, Defense got the biggest boost (+60 from Blipbug). The final form adds another 170 stats on top.
How to Evolve
Breed with Dottler to get Blipbug eggs easily using 47 partners from the Bug egg group. Notable egg moves include Infestation, Recover, Sticky Web and 1 more.
Still unevolved, still relevant. Dottler's Eviolite bulk with max HP and Defense EVs creates a defensive profile that punches above its stage. Swarm adds passive value. Allyswitch gives it offensive presence.
Best Build
Best Dottler Moveset
- Ally Switch
- Body Press
- Reflect
- Light Screen
Recommended Teammates
Don't skip the egg moves. Dottler picks up Infestation and Recover only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Future Sight and Bug Buzz while Fighting and Grass coverage and more adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Dottler is available from mid-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 46 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Where To Catch Dottler in Sword & Shield
Blipbug is your first catch on the way to Dottler. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 2-48 across 160 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch BlipbugEFFORTLESSRoute 2ShieldGrassLv.4-640%EarlyRouteAll WeatherEFFORTLESSRoute 2SwordGrassLv.4-640%EarlyRouteAll WeatherEFFORTLESSRoute 1ShieldGrassLv.2-530%EarlyRouteAll WeatherEFFORTLESSRoute 1SwordGrassLv.2-530%EarlyRouteAll WeatherEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterSnowstormEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterSandstormEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterSnowstormEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterSandstormEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterRainingEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterRainingEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterHeavy FogEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterThunderstormEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterHeavy FogEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterThunderstormEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterOvercastEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterIntense SunEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterOvercastEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterIntense SunEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterSnowingEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyWaterSnowingEFFORTLESSFields of HonorShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyHeavy FogEFFORTLESSFields of HonorShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyThunderstormEFFORTLESSFields of HonorSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyHeavy FogEFFORTLESSFields of HonorSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyThunderstormEFFORTLESSFields of HonorShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyOvercastEFFORTLESSFields of HonorShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyIntense SunEFFORTLESSFields of HonorSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyOvercastEFFORTLESSFields of HonorSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyIntense SunEFFORTLESSFields of HonorShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSFields of HonorShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlySnowingEFFORTLESSFields of HonorSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSFields of HonorSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlySnowingEFFORTLESSFields of HonorShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlySnowstormEFFORTLESSFields of HonorShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlySandstormEFFORTLESSFields of HonorSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlySnowstormEFFORTLESSFields of HonorSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlySandstormEFFORTLESSFields of HonorShieldGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyRainingEFFORTLESSFields of HonorSwordGrassLv.13-1830%EarlyRainingEASYSlumbering Weald - Low LevelShieldOverworldLv.2-320%EarlyForestAll WeatherEASYSlumbering Weald - Low LevelSwordOverworldLv.2-320%EarlyForestAll WeatherMODERATESlumbering WealdShieldGrassLv.2-310%EarlyForestAll WeatherMODERATESlumbering WealdSwordGrassLv.2-310%EarlyForestAll WeatherEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2SwordOverworldLv.28-3035%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2ShieldOverworldLv.28-3035%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 3ShieldOverworldLv.29-3235%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 3SwordOverworldLv.29-3235%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2130%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2130%MidSnowingEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2130%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2130%MidSnowingEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2130%MidSnowstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2130%MidSandstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2130%MidSnowstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2130%MidSandstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2130%MidRainingEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2130%MidRainingEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2130%MidHeavy FogEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2130%MidThunderstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2130%MidHeavy FogEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2130%MidThunderstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2130%MidOvercastEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2130%MidIntense SunEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2130%MidOvercastEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2130%MidIntense SunEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteIntense SunEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteOvercastEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteIntense SunEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteSnowingEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteSnowingEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteSnowstormEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteSandstormEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteSnowstormEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteSandstormEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteRainingEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteRainingEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteHeavy FogEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteThunderstormEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteHeavy FogEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteThunderstormEFFORTLESSChallenge RoadShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidRouteOvercastEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidSnowingEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidSnowingEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidSnowstormEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidSandstormEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidSnowstormEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidSandstormEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidRainingEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidRainingEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidHeavy FogEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidThunderstormEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidHeavy FogEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidThunderstormEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidOvercastEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonShieldGrassLv.19-2430%MidIntense SunEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidOvercastEFFORTLESSLoop LagoonSwordGrassLv.19-2430%MidIntense SunEFFORTLESSRoute 2 - High LevelSwordOverworldLv.40-4330%LateRouteAll WeatherEFFORTLESSRoute 2 - High LevelShieldOverworldLv.40-4330%LateRouteAll WeatherEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandShieldGrassLv.43-4830%LateWaterAll WeatherEFFORTLESSHoneycalm IslandSwordGrassLv.43-4830%LateWaterAll WeatherEFFORTLESSInsular SeaShieldGrassLv.43-4830%LateWaterAll WeatherEFFORTLESSInsular SeaSwordGrassLv.43-4830%LateWaterAll WeatherEFFORTLESSStepping-Stone SeaShieldGrassLv.43-4830%LateWaterAll WeatherEFFORTLESSStepping-Stone SeaSwordGrassLv.43-4830%LateWaterAll WeatherEFFORTLESSWorkout SeaShieldGrassLv.43-4830%LateWaterAll WeatherEFFORTLESSWorkout SeaSwordGrassLv.43-4830%LateWaterAll WeatherMODERATERoute 2 - High LevelShieldGrassLv.37-4010%LateRouteAll WeatherMODERATERoute 2 - High LevelSwordGrassLv.37-4010%LateRouteAll Weather
Step 2Dottler ✓EFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2ShieldOverworldLv.28-3050%MidThunderstormEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2SwordOverworldLv.28-3050%MidThunderstormEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2ShieldOverworldLv.28-3050%MidOvercastEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2SwordOverworldLv.28-3050%MidOvercastEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2ShieldOverworldLv.28-3050%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2SwordOverworldLv.28-3050%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2ShieldOverworldLv.28-3050%MidRainingEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2SwordOverworldLv.28-3050%MidRainingEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2SwordOverworldLv.28-3035%MidHeavy FogEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2ShieldOverworldLv.28-3035%MidIntense SunEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2SwordOverworldLv.28-3035%MidIntense SunEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2ShieldOverworldLv.28-3035%MidSnowingEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2SwordOverworldLv.28-3035%MidSnowingEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2ShieldOverworldLv.28-3035%MidSnowstormEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2ShieldOverworldLv.28-3035%MidSandstormEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2SwordOverworldLv.28-3035%MidSnowstormEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2SwordOverworldLv.28-3035%MidSandstormEFFORTLESSGiant's Cap - 2ShieldOverworldLv.28-3035%MidHeavy FogEFFORTLESSGiant's CapShieldGrassLv.26-2830%MidHeavy FogEFFORTLESSGiant's CapSwordGrassLv.26-2830%MidHeavy FogEFFORTLESSStony WildernessShieldGrassLv.26-2830%MidHeavy FogEFFORTLESSStony WildernessSwordGrassLv.26-2830%MidHeavy FogEFFORTLESSGiant's CapShieldGrassLv.27-2930%MidOvercastEFFORTLESSGiant's CapSwordGrassLv.27-2930%MidOvercastEFFORTLESSGiant's CapShieldGrassLv.27-2930%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSGiant's CapSwordGrassLv.27-2930%MidNormal WeatherEASYRoute 5ShieldGrassLv.16-1826%MidRouteAll WeatherEASYRoute 5SwordGrassLv.16-1826%MidRouteAll WeatherEASYGiant's CapShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidRainingEASYGiant's CapSwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidRainingEASYGiant's MirrorShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidSandstormEASYGiant's MirrorSwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidSandstormEASYGiant's MirrorShieldGrassLv.27-2920%MidNormal WeatherEASYGiant's MirrorSwordGrassLv.27-2920%MidNormal WeatherMODERATEGiant's CapShieldGrassLv.26-2810%MidSnowstormMODERATEGiant's CapShieldGrassLv.26-2810%MidSandstormMODERATEGiant's CapSwordGrassLv.26-2810%MidSnowstormMODERATEGiant's CapSwordGrassLv.26-2810%MidSandstormMODERATEGiant's CapShieldGrassLv.26-2810%MidThunderstormMODERATEGiant's CapSwordGrassLv.26-2810%MidThunderstormMODERATEGiant's CapShieldGrassLv.26-2810%MidSnowingMODERATEGiant's CapSwordGrassLv.26-2810%MidSnowingMODERATEGiant's MirrorShieldGrassLv.26-2810%MidRainingMODERATEGiant's MirrorSwordGrassLv.26-2810%MidRainingMODERATEGiant's MirrorShieldGrassLv.27-2910%MidOvercastMODERATEGiant's MirrorSwordGrassLv.27-2910%MidOvercastor evolve from Blipbug (Step 1)
Dottler isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Orbeetle to unlock its full potential. At 335 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Watch for Infernape (Fire), Braviary (Flying), and Genesect (Bug) when using Dottler. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Rock, Ghost, and Dark-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. At base 30 Speed, Dottler won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Swarm strengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less — that's the one you want on Dottler. Telepathy is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Compound Eyes works too if your team needs something different.
Dottler fills the balanced role. It's leaning toward the special side (base 50 Sp. Atk). Base 30 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Dottler can be found in Sword & Shield.
Introduced in Sword & Shield, Dottler has appeared in 1 games across 2 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
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 VIIISwShDebut
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A