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 is a common sight around fishing ports. It is known to rescue people and carry off prey.
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 Aqua Tail, they expand what Floatzel can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Floatzel starts showing up in mid-game routes at high spawn rates across 13 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Floatzel in Platinum
Buizel is your first catch on the way to Floatzel. You'll find walking and surfing encounters from Lv. 9-55 across 17 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch BuizelEFFORTLESSValley WindworksGrassLv.9-11CommonEarlyPower-plantEASYRoute 205 - SouthGrassLv.10-11UncommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 213GrassLv.23-25CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 212 - SouthGrassLv.23-25UncommonMidRoute
Step 2Floatzel ✓EFFORTLESSFuego IronworksGrassLv.29-31CommonMidPower-plantEFFORTLESSRoute 218GrassLv.29-31CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 221GrassLv.29-31CommonMidRouteEASYVictory Road - B1FSurfing on waterLv.30-50CommonMidCaveEASYVictory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FSurfing on waterLv.35-55CommonLateCaveEFFORTLESSRoute 222GrassLv.38-41CommonLateRouteNightEFFORTLESSVictory Road - B1FGrassLv.42-44CommonLateCaveEASYRoute 222GrassLv.40UncommonLateRouteMorning/dayEFFORTLESSVictory Road - Nat Dex AreaGrassLv.47-49CommonPostCaveEFFORTLESSVictory Road - Nat Dex Exit AreaGrassLv.47-49CommonPostCaveEFFORTLESSRoute 230GrassLv.48-50CommonPostRouteEFFORTLESSVictory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FGrassLv.48-50CommonPostCaveEASYRoute 224GrassLv.50UncommonPostRouteor 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