What separates Floatzel from the pack is Swift Swim — it doubles its Speed in rain. Combine that with Water typing and it comfortably outruns most offensive threats. Known as the Sea Weasel Pokemon. Can go either physical or special depending on the set.
Everything pushes toward mixed damage here. Floatzel's Speed does the work, Sp. Def pays the price. But you're still getting 2 Speed EVs per KO. Moderately hard to find, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It floats using its well-developed flotation sac. It assists in the rescues of drowning people.
Its flotation sac developed as a result of pursuing aquatic prey. Floatzel carries people as if it were a rubber raft.
Floatzel Weakness
GoodFloatzel's Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric and Grass moves. The Water typing picks up 4 resistances to work with. At base 115 Speed, Floatzel outspeeds most threats and doesn't need to tank what it can outrun.
Floatzel is what Buizel becomes. Breed it for Buizel eggs (average hatch time). No compatible partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolution from Buizel pushed Floatzel to 495 total stats. Attack saw the largest single gain at +40.
How to Evolve
Breed with Floatzel to get Buizel eggs easily from the Ground and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Aqua Ring, Aqua Tail, Baton Pass and 8 more.
Life Orb and Waterveil form the backbone. Floatzel invests max Attack and Speed EVs to play its physical attacker role properly, and Adamant nature pushes Attack higher. Aqua Jet handles the heavy lifting on offense. Dark coverage rounds it out.
Best Build
Best Floatzel Moveset
- Aqua Jet
- Ice Punch
- Crunch
- Brick Break
Recommended Teammates
You'll want to breed for Aqua Ring and Aqua Tail on Floatzel. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Hydro Pump and Aqua Tail, they expand what Floatzel can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Floatzel appears at high spawn rates across 22 spots in mid-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Floatzel in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Buizel is your first catch on the way to Floatzel. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 7-54 across 38 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch BuizelEFFORTLESSValley WindworksBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.7-935%EarlyPower-plantEFFORTLESSValley WindworksShining PearlGrassLv.7-935%EarlyPower-plantEFFORTLESSRoute 205 - SouthShining PearlGrassLv.8-1035%EarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 205 - SouthBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.8-1035%EarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 205 - NorthShining PearlGrassLv.10-1235%EarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 205 - NorthBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.10-1235%EarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 213Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.20-2130%MidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 213Shining PearlGrassLv.20-2130%MidRouteFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.16-20MidCaveFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrassLv.16-20MidCaveRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.16-20MidCaveRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrassLv.16-20MidCaveStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.16-20MidCaveStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrassLv.16-20MidCaveCHALLENGINGRoute 224Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.234%MidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 224Shining PearlGrassLv.234%MidRoute
Step 2Floatzel ✓EFFORTLESSRoute 218Shining PearlGrassLv.28-3035%MidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 218Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.28-3035%MidRouteEASYRoute 221Shining PearlGrassLv.28-3025%MidRouteEASYRoute 221Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.28-3025%MidRouteEASYFuego IronworksShining PearlGrassLv.29-3025%MidPower-plantEASYFuego IronworksBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.29-3025%MidPower-plantMODERATERoute 213Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.2210%MidRouteMODERATERoute 213Shining PearlGrassLv.2210%MidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 222Shining PearlGrassLv.40-4235%LateRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 222Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.40-4235%LateRouteNightEFFORTLESSVictory Road - B1FShining PearlGrassLv.44-4530%LateCaveEFFORTLESSVictory Road - B1FBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.44-4530%LateCaveEASYRoute 222Shining PearlGrassLv.40-4225%LateRouteMorning/dayEASYRoute 222Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.40-4225%LateRouteMorning/dayEFFORTLESSVictory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FShining PearlGrassLv.50-5130%PostCaveEFFORTLESSVictory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.50-5130%PostCaveEFFORTLESSRoute 224Shining PearlGrassLv.53-5430%PostRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 224Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.53-5430%PostRouteNightEASYRoute 224Shining PearlGrassLv.5320%PostRouteMorning/dayEASYRoute 224Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.5320%PostRouteMorning/dayMODERATERoute 230Shining PearlGrassLv.50-5213%PostRouteMODERATERoute 230Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.50-5213%PostRouteor evolve from Buizel (Step 1)
Floatzel looks average on paper at 495 BST. But Swift Swim is why it sees play — build around that and it pulls its weight. B-Tier sweeper on our tier list.
Buizel evolves into Floatzel at level 26. Floatzel is the fully evolved form. At 495 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
Floatzel gets Swift Swim and Water Veil. But Swift Swim is the one that matters — it's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that. With base 115 Speed, Swift Swim gives Floatzel an edge before opponents can react.
Floatzel is a physical attacker with base 105 Attack. But the speed tells the real story — base 115 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the sweeper role.
Floatzel appears in 12 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.
Debuting in Diamond & Pearl, Floatzel appears in 12 games across 6 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 IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDPDebut
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