Utility
Balanced
415Average
45Very Slow
DTier

Dunsparce is technically a pre-evolution of Dudunsparce, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Ghost moves can't touch it, and only a single type hits it super-effectively. A longtime staple going back to Gen 2.

The stat line revolves around HP. Percentage recovery gets extra mileage here. Attack backs it up, though Speed doesn't pull its weight. Worth 1 HP EV on a medium-fast 1M XP curve to max out.

Base Stats
415Above
HP100
B
Attack70
C
Defense70
C
Sp. Atk65
C
Sp. Def65
C
Speed45
D
Total415
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Dunsparce yields +1 HP
HP+1AtkDefSpASpDSpe
Details
Catch190EasyMedium Fast1M XP1.5m / 4'11"14kg / 30.9 lbs145Base XP
Pokedex Entries

When spotted, this Pokémon escapes backward by furiously boring into the ground with its tail.

Heart Gold

If spotted, it escapes by burrowing with its tail. It can float just slightly using its wings.

Soul Silver

Dunsparce Weakness

Good

Type-wise, Dunsparce takes extra damage from Fighting. Ghost moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. With 100 HP and balanced defenses, Dunsparce can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.

Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
½xResisti
None
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
STABi
No super-effective STAB
1Weak
0Resist
1Immune
Scorei+1
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
Serene GraceDoubles the chance of moves' extra effects occurring.
Run AwayEnsures success fleeing from wild battles.
RattledHARaises Speed one stage upon being hit by a dark, ghost, or bug move.

To get Dudunsparce from Dunsparce, you need knowing a specific move. The evolution method matters here. Evolving adds up to 105 stat points total.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Dunsparce
#206Dunsparce
Does not evolve
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed Dunsparce easily with 131 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Agility, Ancient Power, Astonish and 8 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Ground
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
11moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosrhydondewgongarbokquagsirenidorinofarfetchdflaaffy

This is a pure walling set. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn so Dunsparce sticks around, and the Impish nature reinforces physical wall. Roost handles sustain while Serenegrace does work passively.

Best Build

Support
Ability
Serenegrace
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Nature
Impish+DEF
EVs

Best Dunsparce Moveset

  • HeadbuttSTAB
  • Rock Slide
  • RoostRecovery
  • Thunder Wave

Stall teams hate this. Dunsparce can spread damage across 13 types, with Rock and Dark punishing common defensive pivots. STAB from Last Resort and Double-Edge keeps the pressure honest on everything else.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Rage
2010020Normal
Lv 5
Defense Curl
40Normal
Lv 9
Yawn
10Normal
Lv 13
Glare
7530Normal
Lv 17
Rollout
309020Rock
Lv 21
Spite
10010Ghost
Lv 25
Pursuit
4010020Dark
Lv 29
Screech
8540Normal
Lv 33
Roost
10Flying
Lv 37
Take Down
908520Normal
Lv 41
Ancient Power
601005Rock
Lv 45
Dig
8010010Ground
Lv 49
Endeavor
1005Normal
Lv 53
Flail
10015Normal

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
120705Ice
TM04
Calm Mind
20Psychic
TM78
Captivate
10020Normal
TM57
Charge Beam
509010Electric
TM28
Dig
8010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM85
Dream Eater
10010015Psychic
TM26
Earthquake
10010010Ground
TM58
Endure+4
10Normal
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM38
Fire Blast
120855Fire
TM35
Flamethrower
9510015Fire
TM21
Frustration
10020Normal
TM74
Gyro Ball
1005Steel
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
9510010Ice
TM23
Iron Tail
1007515Steel
TM83
Natural Gift
10015Normal
TM84
Poison Jab
8010020Poison
TM17
Protect+4
10Normal
TM77
Psych Up
10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
5Water
TM44
Rest
10Psychic
TM27
Return
10020Normal
TM80
Rock Slide
759010Rock
HM06
Rock Smash
4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
609510Rock
TM51
Roost
10Flying
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM30
Shadow Ball
8010015Ghost
TM34
Shock Wave
6020Electric
TM82
Sleep Talk
10Normal
TM22
Solar Beam
12010010Grass
TM76
Stealth Rock
20Rock
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
5Fire
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM46
Thief
6010025Dark
TM25
Thunder
1207010Electric
TM73
Thunder Wave
10020Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
9510015Electric
TM06
Toxic
8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
6010020Water

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Agility
30Psychic
Egg
Ancient Power
601005Rock
Egg
Astonish
3010015Ghost
Egg
Bide+1
10Normal
Egg
Bite
6010025Dark
Egg
Curse
10Ghost
Egg
Headbutt
7010015Normal
Egg
Magic Coat+4
15Psychic
Egg
Rock Slide
759010Rock
Egg
Snore
4010015Normal
Egg
Trump Card
5Normal

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Ancient Power
601005Rock
Tutor
Aqua Tail
909010Water
Tutor
Endeavor
1005Normal
Tutor
Headbutt
7010015Normal
Tutor
Last Resort
1301005Normal
Tutor
Magic Coat+4
15Psychic
Tutor
Mud-Slap
2010010Ground
Tutor
Pain Split
20Normal
Tutor
Rollout
309020Rock
Tutor
Snore
4010015Normal
Tutor
Spite
10010Ghost
Tutor
Zen Headbutt
809015Psychic

Transfer Moves

Src
Gen 3
Body Slam
8510015Normal
Gen 3
Counter-5
10020Fighting
Gen 3
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
10Normal

Dunsparce's scattered across 6 spots in early-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.

Best Locations

Dunsparce appears in 6 walking and rock smash locations at Lv. 2-8 across HeartGold and SoulSilver. Not all encounters show up in every version, so check which ones match your game.

Dark Cave - West
HeartGoldGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyCaveSwarm active
EFFORTLESS
Dark Cave - West
SoulSilverGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyCaveSwarm active
EFFORTLESS
Dark Cave - West
SoulSilverSmashing rocksLv.4-8CommonEarlyCave
EASY
Dark Cave - West
HeartGoldSmashing rocksLv.4-8CommonEarlyCave
EASY
Dark Cave - West
HeartGoldGrassLv.4RareEarlyCave
CHALLENGING
Dark Cave - West
SoulSilverGrassLv.4RareEarlyCave
CHALLENGING
  • At 415 BST, Dunsparce is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Dudunsparce before bringing it to any serious fight.

  • Dunsparce's biggest threats include Machamp (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Dunsparce evolves into Dudunsparce after learning Hyper Drill. Dunsparce is the base form of this evolutionary line.

  • Serene Grace is the go-to ability for Dunsparce. It doubles the chance of moves' extra effects occurring. Its hidden ability Rattled can work in specific setups. Run Away is the other option — pick based on what your team needs.

  • Dunsparce is leaning toward the physical side (base 70 Attack). Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 45 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go.

  • Dunsparce appears in 17 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.

Debuting in Gold & Silver, Dunsparce appears in 17 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.