As a Bug/Poison-type, Dustox fills a straightforward role. Only weak to Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock. Known as the Poison Moth Pokémon. Known as the Poison Moth Pokemon. Can go either physical or special depending on the set.
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.
It is a nocturnal POKéMON that flies from fields and mountains to the attraction of streetlights at night. It looses highly toxic powder from its wings.
Dustox Weakness
AvgFire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock-type moves hit Dustox for super-effective damage. The Bug/Poison typing picks up 4 resistances to work with.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Dustox to get Wurmple eggs easily using 37 partners from the Bug egg group.
The special wall spread is where Dustox earns its spot. Nothing for extra utility, Calm nature for the right lean, and Moonlight handles sustain. Shielddust does the rest without needing a move slot.
Best Build
Best Dustox Moveset
- Toxic
- Moonlight
- Thief
- Sunny Day
Recommended Teammates
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Dustox's Psychic and Flying coverage and more all comes from technical machines, built on top of Sludge Bomb and Silver Wind for same-type damage. Hyper Beam and Psychic are the payoff moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Dustox doesn't appear wild. Catch Wurmple instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it at level 10 to get Dustox. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Dustox in Emerald
The path to Dustox starts with Wurmple at Lv. 2-6 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch WurmpleEFFORTLESSRoute 101GrassLv.2-3CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 102GrassLv.3-4CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSPetalburg WoodsGrassLv.5-6CommonEarlyForestEASYRoute 104GrassLv.4-5UncommonEarlyRoute
Step 2Catch or Evolve CascoonEASYPetalburg WoodsGrassLv.5UncommonEarlyForestor evolve from Wurmple (Step 1)
Step 3Dustox ✓
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.
Dustox is a physical attacker with base 50 Attack. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — at base 65 Speed, it won't be moving first often. Fits the support role.
Dustox appears in 14 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Dustox appears in 14 games across 7 generations. A reliable presence in a solid number of games, typically found through wild encounters.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRSDebut
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