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 scatters horribly toxic dust when it senses danger. They tend to gather in the glow of streetlamps at night.
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
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 isn't available in the wild in FireRed & LeafGreen. Start by transferring Wurmple from Ruby, Emerald, or Diamond. The evolution path from Wurmple to Dustox is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Dustox in FireRed & LeafGreen
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
