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.
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 11 more.
Life Orb and Swiftswim form the backbone. Floatzel invests max Attack and Speed EVs to play its physical attacker role properly, and Adamant nature pushes Attack higher. Waterfall handles the heavy lifting on offense. Utility options rounds it out.
Best Build
Best Floatzel Moveset
- Ice Punch
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Soak
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
Transfer Moves
Floatzel starts showing up in mid-game water routes at high spawn rates across 28 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 X & Y
Buizel is your first catch on the way to Floatzel. You'll find surfing and walking encounters from Lv. 29-59 across 28 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Obtain Buizel
Step 2Floatzel ✓EASYVictory Road - Cave 1XGrassLv.29UncommonMidCaveHorde battleEASYVictory Road - Cave 1YGrassLv.29UncommonMidCaveHorde battleEASYVictory Road - Cave 4XGrassLv.29UncommonMidCaveHorde battleEASYVictory Road - Cave 4YGrassLv.29UncommonMidCaveHorde battleEASYRoute 15YSurfing on waterLv.34-36CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 15XSurfing on waterLv.34-36CommonLateRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 16YGrassLv.35-36CommonLateRouteYellow FlowerEFFORTLESSRoute 16XGrassLv.35-36CommonLateRouteYellow FlowerEASYFrost Cavern - 2FXSurfing on waterLv.38-40CommonLateIceEASYFrost Cavern - 2FYSurfing on waterLv.38-40CommonLateIceEASYFrost Cavern - OutsideYSurfing on waterLv.38-40CommonLateIceEASYFrost Cavern - OutsideXSurfing on waterLv.38-40CommonLateIceEASYRoute 21YSurfing on waterLv.50-52CommonPostRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 21YGrassLv.50-52CommonPostRoutePurple flowersEASYRoute 21XSurfing on waterLv.50-52CommonPostRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 21XGrassLv.50-52CommonPostRoutePurple flowersEASYCouriway TownXSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCityEASYCouriway TownYSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCityEASYRoute 16YSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostRouteEASYRoute 16XSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostRouteEASYVictory Road - Cave 1XSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCaveEASYVictory Road - Cave 1YSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCaveEASYVictory Road - Cave 4YSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCaveEASYVictory Road - Cave 4XSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCaveEASYVictory Road - Outside Section 3YSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCaveEASYVictory Road - Outside Section 3XSurfing on waterLv.57-59CommonPostCaveCHALLENGINGRoute 21YGrassLv.52RarePostRouteRed FlowerCHALLENGINGRoute 21XGrassLv.52RarePostRouteRed Floweror 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