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. It can double as 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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
Floatzel is what Buizel becomes. Breed it for Buizel eggs (average hatch time). A massive partner pool 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 using 131 partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Baton Pass, Double Slap, Fury Cutter and 5 more.
Life Orb and Swiftswim form the backbone. Floatzel invests max Attack and Speed EVs to play its physical attacker role properly, and Jolly nature pushes Speed higher. Waterfall handles the heavy lifting on offense. Dark coverage rounds it out.
Best Build
Best Floatzel Moveset
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Ice Punch
- Crunch
Recommended Teammates
You'll want to breed for Baton Pass and Double Slap on Floatzel. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Surf and Waterfall, they expand what Floatzel can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
20 encounter spots for Floatzel at high spawn rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Floatzel in Diamond & Pearl
To get Floatzel, start by catching Buizel through walking encounters at Lv. 7-54. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch BuizelEFFORTLESSValley WindworksPearlGrassLv.7-9CommonEarlyPower-plantEFFORTLESSValley WindworksDiamondGrassLv.7-9CommonEarlyPower-plantEFFORTLESSRoute 205 - SouthDiamondGrassLv.8-10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 205 - SouthPearlGrassLv.8-10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 205 - NorthDiamondGrassLv.10-12CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 205 - NorthPearlGrassLv.10-12CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 213PearlGrassLv.20-21CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 213DiamondGrassLv.20-21CommonMidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 224PearlGrassLv.23RareMidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 224DiamondGrassLv.23RareMidRoute
Step 2Floatzel ✓EFFORTLESSRoute 218DiamondGrassLv.28-30CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 218PearlGrassLv.28-30CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 221DiamondGrassLv.28-30CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 221PearlGrassLv.28-30CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSFuego IronworksDiamondGrassLv.29-30CommonMidPower-plantEFFORTLESSFuego IronworksPearlGrassLv.29-30CommonMidPower-plantEASYRoute 213DiamondGrassLv.22UncommonMidRouteEASYRoute 213PearlGrassLv.22UncommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 222DiamondGrassLv.40-42CommonLateRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 222PearlGrassLv.40-42CommonLateRouteEFFORTLESSVictory Road - B1FDiamondGrassLv.44-45CommonLateCaveEFFORTLESSVictory Road - B1FPearlGrassLv.44-45CommonLateCaveEFFORTLESSVictory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FDiamondGrassLv.50-51CommonPostCaveEFFORTLESSVictory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FPearlGrassLv.50-51CommonPostCaveEFFORTLESSRoute 224DiamondGrassLv.53-54CommonPostRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 224PearlGrassLv.53-54CommonPostRouteNightEASYRoute 230DiamondGrassLv.50-52UncommonPostRouteEASYRoute 230PearlGrassLv.50-52UncommonPostRouteEASYRoute 224DiamondGrassLv.53UncommonPostRouteMorning/dayEASYRoute 224PearlGrassLv.53UncommonPostRouteMorning/dayor 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. C-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