Golbat Best Moveset
90 Speed brings cooldowns down to a competitive rate, and 80 Attack makes Poison and Flying physical hits land with purpose. 75/70/75 defenses keep Golbat fighting between recharges. The moveset works here, but Crobat's 130 Speed pushes cooldown rates even lower.
Poison/Flying was bad typing in Gen I (Red & Blue). Golbat had decent Speed but no worthwhile STAB moves and poor stats everywhere else.
Utility Moveset
- Confuse Ray
- Mega Drain
- Toxic
- Wing Attack
Recommended Teammates
Crobat evolved from it, taking the spotlight immediately. Golbat was outclassed by its own evolution from the moment Gen II (Gold & Silver) started.
Support Moveset
- Wing Attack
- Whirlwind
- Toxic
- Giga Drain
Recommended Teammates
No Eviolite existed yet, so using Golbat over Crobat made no sense. Inner Focus wasn't a useful ability.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power Ground
- Aerial Ace
- Quick Attack
Recommended Teammates
Same story in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Crobat was strictly better in every way that mattered.
Wall Moveset
- Taunt
- Air Slash
- Roost
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Eviolite arrived in Gen V (Black & White) and gave Golbat actual bulk worth talking about. Suddenly it could wall physical attackers that Crobat couldn't survive against.
Wall Moveset
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- Confuse Ray
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Eviolite + Roost + Toxic made Golbat a surprisingly effective stall option in Gen VI (X & Y). Poison/Flying resisted Fighting, Fairy, Bug, and Grass.
Best Moves
Best Build
Golbat best EVs are Attack and Speed
Support Moveset
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- Defog
- Poison Fang
Recommended Teammates
Infiltrator let it bypass Substitutes, which was nice. But the metagame in Gen VII (Sun & Moon) had bigger threats and better walls.
Wall Moveset
- Roost
- Toxic
- Defog
- Haze
Recommended Teammates
Golbat saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). This was a decline from C-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Infiltrator with Eviolite, favoring a Jolly nature.
Wall Moveset
- Defog
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Golbat Weakness
Type-wise, Golbat takes extra damage from Electric, Ice, Psychic, and Rock. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. It resists 5 types, giving it decent defensive coverage.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ice, Psychic, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
What is Golbat Weak Against
ExcellentBest Pokemon Against Golbat
Kyurem's Draco Meteor hits Golbat for 62-73%. Alakazam threatens a KO with Psychic (88-104%). Tyranitar's Stone Edge also KOs at 115-135%.
 Kyurem DragonIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLoaded Dice NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Golbat View Kyurem builds →Icicle Spear 2x14-16% Draco Meteor62-73% | ||
 Alakazam Psychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Golbat View Alakazam builds →Psychic 2x88-104%KO Shadow Ball26-31% Dazzling Gleam13-15% | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Golbat View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off37-44% Stone Edge 2x115-135%KO | ||
 Rotom ElectricGhost | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Golbat View Rotom builds →Volt Switch 2x70-83% Shadow Ball40-47% Thunderbolt 2x91-107%KO | ||
Evolution
Golbat is the middle stage between Zubat and Crobat. It's a three-stage line with one more evolution to go. For breeding, quick to hatch with plenty of partners via one egg group. HP has grown the most so far (+35), but there's still another 80 stats to gain in the final evolution. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Golbat to get Zubat eggs easily using 73 partners from the Flying egg group.
How to Get Golbat
Golbat can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Zubat from Red & Blue, Yellow, or Gold & Silver and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Golbat in LZA
Step 1Obtain ZubatLATER APPEARANCEfrom Red & BlueNot TradeableAppears in Red & Blue via Walking · Mt. Moon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom YellowNot TradeableAppears in Yellow via Walking · Mt. Moon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Slowpoke Well. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.- Step 2Golbat ✓
Step 3Evolve into Crobat
decent spawn rates across 7 locations for Golbat in early-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Golbat in PLA
The path to Golbat starts with Zubat at Lv. 7-54 via walking encounters. 3 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch ZubatDeertrack PathLv.7-10GrassRate 15%NightNature’s PantryLv.9-13GrassRate 15%NightOreburrow TunnelLv.13-16CaveRate 15%NightThe HeartwoodLv.13-16GrassRate 15%NightCloudpool RidgeLv.17-21GrassRate 15%NightBolderoll SlopeLv.18-21GrassRate 15%NightDiamond HeathLv.18-21GrassRate 15%Night
Step 2Golbat ✓Oreburrow TunnelLv.13-28CaveRate 15%NightSnowpoint TempleLv.18-54CaveRate 15%NightBolderoll SlopeLv.23-26GrassRate 15%NightDiamond HeathLv.23-26GrassRate 15%NightCloudpool RidgeLv.25-28GrassRate 15%NightHeavenward LookoutLv.35-38GrassRate 15%NightWayward CaveLv.40-42CaveRate 15%Nightor evolve from Zubat (Step 1)
Step 3Catch or Evolve into CrobatWayward CaveLv.20-42CaveRate 15%Icebound FallsLv.26-50GrassRate 15%or evolve from Golbat (Step 2)
high spawn rates in mid-game routes across 98 locations. Golbat's one of the easier catches on the list. Two different catch methods are in play here. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Where To Catch Golbat in BDSP
To get Golbat, start by catching Zubat through walking and surfing encounters at Lv. 4-66. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch ZubatRavaged PathLv.4-6GrassRate 78%Oreburgh Gate - B1FLv.8-10GrassRate 60%Wayward Cave - 1FLv.14-16CaveRate 45%Wayward Cave - B1FLv.15-17CaveRate 35%Oreburgh Gate - 1FLv.6GrassRate 20%Oreburgh Mine - 1FLv.7CaveRate 20%Oreburgh Mine - B1FLv.8CaveRate 20%Mt. Coronet - Route 211 EntranceLv.12-13CaveRate 20%Mt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceLv.14-15CaveRate 20%Route 204 - SouthLv.4GrassRate 10%NightRoute 203Lv.5GrassRate 10%NightRoute 204 - NorthLv.6GrassRate 10%NightRoute 207Lv.6GrassRate 10%NightRoute 211 - WestLv.12GrassRate 10%NightMt. Coronet - Route 211 EntranceLv.13CaveRate 10%MorningMt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceLv.15CaveRate 10%MorningRoute 206Lv.15GrassRate 10%NightMt. Coronet - 4FLv.20-40Surfing on waterRate 90%Mt. Coronet - B1FLv.20-40Surfing on waterRate 90%Mt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceLv.20-40Surfing on waterRate 90%Oreburgh Gate - B1FLv.20-30Surfing on waterRate 60%Ravaged PathLv.20-30Surfing on waterRate 60%Lost Tower - 1FLv.16-18FloorRate 50%Morning/dayLost Tower - 2FLv.17-19FloorRate 50%Morning/dayLost Tower - 3FLv.18-20FloorRate 49%Morning/dayLost Tower - 4FLv.19-21FloorRate 45%Morning/dayLost Tower - 1FLv.16-18FloorRate 40%NightLost Tower - 2FLv.17-19FloorRate 40%NightLost Tower - 5FLv.20-21FloorRate 40%Morning/dayLost Tower - 3FLv.18-20FloorRate 39%NightLost Tower - 4FLv.19-21FloorRate 35%NightLost Tower - 5FLv.20-21FloorRate 30%NightRoute 208Lv.16GrassRate 20%NightBogsunk CavernLv.16-20GrassGrassland CaveLv.16-20CaveRoute 209Lv.16GrassRate 10%NightSpacious CaveLv.16-20CaveSunlit CavernLv.16-20CaveSwampy CaveLv.16-20GrassRoute 211 - EastLv.26GrassRate 10%NightIron Island - 1FLv.30GrassRate 10%Route 216Lv.33GrassRate 10%NightAcuity LakefrontLv.35GrassRate 10%NightRoute 217Lv.35GrassRate 10%Night
Step 2Golbat ✓Iron Island - B1F Left CaveLv.30-31GrassRate 20%Iron Island - B1F Right CaveLv.30-31GrassRate 20%Iron Island - B2F Right CaveLv.30-31GrassRate 20%Mt. Coronet - 4FLv.20-40Surfing on waterRate 10%Mt. Coronet - B1FLv.20-40Surfing on waterRate 10%Mt. Coronet - Route 207 EntranceLv.20-40Surfing on waterRate 10%Lost Tower - 5FLv.21-23FloorRate 10%Bogsunk CavernLv.25-29GrassRequires StrengthGrassland CaveLv.25-29CaveRequires StrengthSpacious CaveLv.25-29CaveRequires StrengthSunlit CavernLv.25-29CaveRequires StrengthSwampy CaveLv.25-29GrassRequires StrengthLost Tower - 4FLv.20-21FloorRate 5%Oreburgh Gate - B1FLv.20-40Surfing on waterRate 5%Ravaged PathLv.20-40Surfing on waterRate 5%Lost Tower - 3FLv.19FloorRate 1%Victory Road - B1FLv.35-50Surfing on waterRate 100%Victory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FLv.40-55Surfing on waterRate 90%Turnback Cave - Section 1Lv.45-46CaveRate 30%Iron Island - B2F Left CaveLv.31-32GrassRate 20%Iron Island - B3FLv.31-32GrassRate 20%Mt. Coronet - B1FLv.31-32CaveRate 20%Mt. Coronet - Route 216 EntranceLv.31-32CaveRate 20%Victory Road - 1FLv.44-46CaveRate 20%Victory Road - B1FLv.44-46CaveRate 20%Victory Road - 2FLv.45-47CaveRate 20%Iron Island - 1FLv.31GrassRate 10%Mt. Coronet - 2FLv.37CaveRate 10%Mt. Coronet - 3FLv.37CaveRate 10%Mt. Coronet - 4FLv.39CaveRate 10%Mt. Coronet - 5FLv.39CaveRate 10%Mt. Coronet - SummitLv.39CaveRate 10%NightMt. Coronet - Top CaveLv.39CaveRate 10%Mt. Coronet - 6FLv.41CaveRate 10%Mt. Coronet - 7FLv.41CaveRate 10%Snowpoint Temple - 1FLv.50-52CaveRate 35%Snowpoint Temple - B1FLv.52-54CaveRate 35%Snowpoint Temple - B2FLv.52-54CaveRate 35%Snowpoint Temple - B3FLv.52-54CaveRate 35%Snowpoint Temple - B4FLv.54-56CaveRate 35%Snowpoint Temple - B5FLv.54-56CaveRate 35%Turnback Cave - Section 2Lv.55-56CaveRate 30%Turnback Cave - Section 3Lv.65-66CaveRate 30%Victory Road - Nat Dex AreaLv.50-52CaveRate 20%Victory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FLv.50-52CaveRate 20%Route 227Lv.54GrassRate 10%NightStark Mountain - EntranceLv.54CaveRate 10%Stark Mountain - OutsideLv.54CaveRate 10%NightStark Mountain - InteriorLv.56CaveRate 10%or evolve from Zubat (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into Crobat
No wild encounters for Golbat. The 3-stage chain runs through Zubat, which you can catch at solid rates from the locations below. Evolve with high friendship once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Golbat in SwSh
Zubat is your first catch on the way to Golbat. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 60-65 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch ZubatRoaring-Sea CavesLv.60-65OverworldRate 40%All WeatherTunnel to the TopLv.60-65OverworldRate 40%All WeatherLakeside CaveLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%All Weather
Step 2Golbat ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave Crobat with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Golbat egg.
Step 3Evolve into Crobat
Base Stats
Golbat's stats barely vary. 2 sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 2 Speed EVs, medium-fast 1M XP curve to max.
It loves to drink other creatures’ blood. It’s said that if it finds others of its kind going hungry, it sometimes shares the blood it’s gathered.
Golbat Guide
Golbat isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Crobat to unlock its full potential. At 455 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Inner Focus is the go-to ability for Golbat. It prevents flinching. Its hidden ability Infiltrator can work in specific setups.
Golbat fills the support role. It's a physical attacker with base 80 Attack. Base 90 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Golbat does the job early-game if you need a Poison/Flying type on your team. Evolve it into Crobat before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Golbat has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 21 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves