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 its fine dust all over when it is attacked. It is a nocturnal Pokémon.
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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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 47 partners from the Bug egg group.
The special wall spread is where Dustox earns its spot. Black Sludge for Poison-type passive recovery, Calm nature for the right lean, and Roost handles sustain. Shielddust does the rest without needing a move slot.
Best Build
Best Dustox Moveset
- Toxic
- Bug Buzz
- Roost
- Light Screen
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
Finding Dustox at moderate rates takes patience. 2 spots are available in mid-game routes, but the rate difference between them matters. Lock in the top one from the sorted list below.
Where To Catch Dustox in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Wurmple is your first catch on the way to Dustox. You'll find headbutt and walking encounters from Lv. 2-36 across 36 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch WurmpleLEGENDARYPallet TownHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-10LimitedEarlyCityPost-gameLEGENDARYPallet TownSoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-10LimitedEarlyCityPost-gameLEGENDARYPewter CitySoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-10LimitedEarlyCityPost-gameLEGENDARYPewter CityHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-10LimitedEarlyCityPost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 1SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-10LimitedEarlyRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 1HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-10LimitedEarlyRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 2 - NorthHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-10LimitedEarlyRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 2 - NorthSoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-10LimitedEarlyRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 2 - SouthHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-10LimitedEarlyRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 2 - SouthSoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-10LimitedEarlyRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 3SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-10LimitedEarlyRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 3HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-10LimitedEarlyRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYViridian CitySoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-10LimitedEarlyCityPost-gameLEGENDARYViridian CityHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-10LimitedEarlyCityPost-gameEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSoulSilverGrassLv.24-36UncommonMidFacilityPost-game (Thu, Sat)EASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestHeartGoldGrassLv.24-36UncommonMidFacilityPost-game (Thu, Sat)LEGENDARYFuchsia CityHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidCityPost-gameLEGENDARYFuchsia CitySoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidCityPost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 12SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 12HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 13SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 13HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 14SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 14HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 15HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 15SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 18HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 18SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 21HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 21SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 22SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidRoutePost-gameLEGENDARYRoute 22HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-30LimitedMidRoutePost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve CascoonEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSoulSilverGrassLv.25-32UncommonMidFacilityPost-game (Sat)EASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestHeartGoldGrassLv.25-32UncommonMidFacilityPost-game (Sat)or evolve from Wurmple (Step 1)
Step 3Dustox ✓CHALLENGINGNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSoulSilverGrassLv.25-32RareMidFacilityPost-game (Thu)CHALLENGINGNational Park - Bug Catching ContestHeartGoldGrassLv.25-32RareMidFacilityPost-game (Thu)or evolve from Cascoon (Step 2)
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 leaning toward the physical side (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