Dustox's built to absorb hits, not race for knockouts. Special bulk with Sp. Def doing the heavy lifting. And the medium-fast 1M XP curve means it won't take forever to bring up, worth 3 Sp. Def EVs.
Tends to be drawn to bonfires on dark nights. Difficult to chase away from settlements because of the way it scatters highly toxic scales.
Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock moves hit Dustox for super-effective damage. The Bug/Poison typing picks up 5 resistances to work with.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Flying, Psychic, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Bug, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting |
Metagross can KO Dustox with Psychic Fangs (242-285%). Rhyperior threatens a KO with Stone Edge (195-230%). Cinderace deals 36-43% with Sucker Punch.
 Metagross SteelPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityClearbody ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Dustox View Metagross builds →Earthquake95-111%KO Bullet Punch57-67% Psychic Fangs 2x242-285%KO | ||
 Rhyperior GroundRock | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Dustox View Rhyperior builds →Earthquake98-115%KO Stone Edge 2x195-230%KO | ||
 Cinderace Fire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLibero ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Dustox View Cinderace builds →U Turn18-21% Sucker Punch36-43% | ||
 Braviary Normal | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDefiant ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Dustox View Braviary builds →U Turn19-22% Close Combat16-19% | ||
 Delphox FirePsychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemDelphoxite NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Dustox View Delphox builds →Flamethrower 2x112-132%KO Psyshock 2x100-118%KO | ||
You get Dustox from Wurmple at level 10. It's one of 2 possible evolutions in this branching family, each requiring its own method. Breed through Wurmple to get eggs. The evolution from Wurmple pushed Dustox to 385 total stats. Sp.Def saw the largest single gain at +60. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Dustox to get Wurmple eggs easily using 91 partners from the Bug egg group.
Quiver Dance is the main STAB option after a Quiver Dance boost. Focus Sash gives Dustox a guaranteed survive from full HP to survive the setup turn, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs make the boosted hits count. The remaining moves catches resists.
Best Build
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Utility Moveset
- Psychic
- Bug Buzz
- Tailwind
- Poison Powder
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Venoshock
- Moonlight
- Harden
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Quiver Dance
- Roost
- Iron Defense
- Bug Buzz
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Venoshock
- Moonlight
- Harden
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Quiver Dance
- Roost
- Iron Defense
- Bug Buzz
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The offense anchors on Bug Buzz and Sludge Bomb, with Psychic and Normal coverage and more adding reach. It's a workable movepool for Dustox that handles most situations. Bug Buzz and Energy Ball give it enough punch where it matters.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The level-up pool tells the story here. Dustox learns Bug Buzz and Energy Ball naturally, plus enough variety that TMs feel like bonuses. Flying and Normal coverage and more extends the reach beyond that.
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Dustox's coverage across 8 types all comes from technical machines, built on top of Bug Buzz and Sludge Bomb for same-type damage. Bug Buzz and Energy Ball are the payoff moves.
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Dustox's coverage across 7 types all comes from technical machines, built on top of Bug Buzz and Sludge Bomb for same-type damage. Bug Buzz and Energy Ball are the payoff moves.
Dustox starts showing up in mid-game routes at decent spawn rates across 4 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Dustox in Legends: Arceus
Wurmple is your first catch on the way to Dustox. You'll find walking encounters from walking across 9 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch WurmpleFloaro GardensGrass ForestUncommonHorseshoe PlainsGrassUncommonThe HeartwoodGrassUncommon
Step 2Catch or Evolve CascoonFloaro GardensGrass ForestUncommonNightThe HeartwoodGrassUncommonNightor evolve from Wurmple (Step 1)
Step 3Dustox ✓Floaro GardensGrass ForestUncommonNightGrueling GroveGrass ForestUncommonNightThe HeartwoodGrassUncommonNightVeilstone CapeGrassUncommonNightor evolve from Cascoon (Step 2)
Dustox starts showing up in early-game routes at moderate rates across 2 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Dustox in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Wurmple is your first catch on the way to Dustox. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 10-51 across 19 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch WurmpleEterna ForestBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.10-11 Forest30%EarlyMorning/dayEterna ForestShining PearlGrass Lv.10-11 Forest30%EarlyMorning/dayEterna ForestBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.10 Forest20%EarlyNightEterna ForestShining PearlGrass Lv.10 Forest20%EarlyNightGrassland CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidSunlit CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMid
Step 2Catch or Evolve CascoonEterna ForestGrass Lv.10 Forest20%EarlyGrassland CaveGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidRiverbank CaveGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidStill-Water CavernGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidSunlit CavernGrass Lv.16-20 CaveMidor evolve from Wurmple (Step 1)
Step 3Dustox ✓Eterna ForestGrass Lv.12 Forest2%EarlyRoute 230Grass Lv.51 Route10%Postor evolve from Cascoon (Step 2)
No wild encounters for Dustox in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Bring Wurmple over from Ruby, Emerald, or Diamond, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
Dustox can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Wurmple from Ruby, Emerald, or Diamond and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Dustox has niche appeal at best. 385 base stats means you're fighting uphill by mid-game. There are better Bug/Poison Pokemon available.
Dustox works as a support with 385 BST behind it. D-Tier on our list: outclassed by better options in most formats.
Shield Dust protects against incoming moves' extra effects. That's the one you want on Dustox. Compound Eyes is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Dustox appears in 14 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in a solid number of games, typically found through wild encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves