Dusclops Best Moveset
Held ItemEviolite on 130/130 balanced defenses creates one of the bulkiest walls in the format since Dusknoir exists. AbilityPressure forces opponents to burn double PP. Ghost typing means only Dark and Ghost hit super-effectively. The moveset absorbs damage from both sides and supports through MoveWill-O-Wisp and MovePain Split. Zero offensive threat keeps it from higher tiers.
Eviolite didn't exist yet in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire), but Dusclops had 130/130 defenses before evolving. Will-O-Wisp and Shadow Ball from a tanky Ghost. Between tiers.
Best Moves
Best Build
Dusclops best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Wall Moveset
- Will O Wisp
- Pain Split
- Shadow Ball
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Dusknoir evolved from it in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Without Eviolite, the pre-evolution was just worse. Every stat Dusknoir had was higher.
Wall Moveset
- Pain Split
- Will O Wisp
- Seismic Toss
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Eviolite arrived in Gen V (Black & White) and flipped the script. Dusclops with Eviolite hit 195/195 effective defenses. Bulkier than its own evolution. The Eviolite poster child.
Wall Moveset
- Will O Wisp
- Pain Split
- Night Shade
- Trick Room
Recommended Teammates
Dusclops saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). This was a decline from A-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Pressure with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Will O Wisp
- Night Shade
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Recommended Teammates
Dropped in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Knock Off removed Eviolite and turned Dusclops into a paperweight. Dark coverage was everywhere, and the one item it needed was always at risk.
Wall Moveset
- Will O Wisp
- Pain Split
- Curse
- Haze
Recommended Teammates
Dusclops saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Dusclops maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Pressure with Eviolite, favoring a Calm nature.
Wall Moveset
- Will O Wisp
- Pain Split
- Spite
- Confuse Ray
Recommended Teammates
Dusclops saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Dusclops maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Pressure with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Will O Wisp
- Pain Split
- Night Shade
- Curse
Recommended Teammates
Dusclops Weakness
Dusclops is weak to Ghost and Dark. On the flip side, it's immune to Normal and Fighting-type moves entirely. Dusclops's overall bulk (40/130/130) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Normal, Fighting |
What is Dusclops Weak Against
ExcellentBest Pokemon Against Dusclops
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Dusclops View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn5-6% Scald6-7% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityQuarkdrive ItemBooster Energy NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Dusclops View Iron Treads builds →Earthquake14-17% Knock Off 2x18-22% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Dusclops View Corviknight builds →U Turn3-4% | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySnow Warning ItemLightclay NatureTimid Moves View Ninetales-Alola builds →
| ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureSassy Moves View Slowking-Galar builds →
| ||
Evolution
Dusclops connects Duskull to Dusknoir in this chain. At least one evolution here needs a trade. Defense has grown the most so far (+40), but there's still another 70 stats to gain in the final evolution. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Dusclops to get Duskull eggs easily using 63 partners from the Indeterminate egg group.
How to Get Dusclops
The chain to Dusclops requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Duskull at moderate rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
Where To Catch Dusclops in SV
To get Dusclops, start by catching Duskull through walking encounters at Lv. 7-60. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch DuskullChilling WaterheadLv.7-60OverworldNightCrystal PoolLv.7-60OverworldNightFellhorn GorgeLv.7-60OverworldNightInfernal PassLv.7-60OverworldNightKitakami WildsLv.7-60OverworldNightOni MountainLv.7-60OverworldNightTimeless WoodsLv.7-60OverworldNight
Step 2Dusclops ✓Kitakami WildsLv.37-60OverworldNightRevelers RoadLv.37-60OverworldNightTimeless WoodsLv.37-60OverworldNightor evolve from Duskull (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into DusknoirBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Dusknoir egg.
Winds & Waves is still unreleased. Whether Dusclops will appear as a wild encounter is unconfirmed. It's catchable in Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, or Sword & Shield in other titles.
How to Obtain Dusclops in WW
Step 1Obtain DuskullLATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Walking · Mt. Pyre. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Mt. Pyre. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Pokeradar · Route 224. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Walking · Lost Tower. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Walking · Mt. Pyre. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Sword & ShieldNot TradeableAppears in Sword & Shield via Overworld · Watchtower Ruins · Overcast. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.- Step 2Dusclops ✓
Step 3Evolve into Dusknoir
A trade step sits in Dusclops's 3-stage chain from Duskull. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Duskull shows up at decent rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
Where To Catch Dusclops in PLA
The path to Dusclops starts with Duskull at Lv. 10-62 via walking encounters. 3 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch DuskullDeadwood HauntLv.29-32GrassRate 15%NightAvalanche SlopesLv.33-52GrassRate 15%NightArena's ApproachLv.45-55GrassRate 15%Night
Step 2Dusclops ✓Deadwood HauntLv.37-40GrassRate 15%NightArena's ApproachLv.45-55GrassRate 15%NightAvalanche SlopesLv.50-62GrassRate 15%Nightor evolve from Duskull (Step 1)
Step 3Catch or Evolve into DusknoirDeadwood HauntLv.10-40GrassRate 15%Nightor evolve from Dusclops (Step 2)
The chain to Dusclops requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Duskull at moderate rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
Where To Catch Dusclops in BDSP
To get Dusclops, start by catching Duskull through walking and special encounters at Lv. 23-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch DuskullRoute 224Lv.23Using PokeRadarRate 2%Dazzling CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Dusclops ✓Route 224Lv.52-54Using PokeRadarRate 20%Dazzling CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameor evolve from Duskull (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into Dusknoir
Base Stats
The stat bars tell the story: Defense carries everything and Speed's dead weight. But this Beckon Pokemon still yields 2 Defense and Sp. Def EVs per fight on a fast 800K XP curve.
There are rumors that peeking inside its bandage-wrapped body will cause one to get pulled in through the gaps between the bandages, never to return. I’ve been too scared to verify.
Dusclops Guide
At 455 BST, Dusclops is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Dusknoir before bringing it to any serious fight.
Dusclops evolves into Dusknoir via trade. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Dusclops to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required. The Reaper Cloth must be held during the trade. Bring one over from a sibling Gen 3 game if needed.
Pressure is the go-to ability for Dusclops. It increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one. Its hidden ability Frisk can work in specific setups.
Dusclops is a special attacker with base 60 Sp. Atk. Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 25 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go.
Game Availability
Since Ruby & Sapphire, Dusclops has been in 17 games. Requiring a trade evolution to obtain means it's consistently available but requires more effort than simply catching it in the wild.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
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