Is Golbat Good in HeartGold & SoulSilver Playthrough?
Zubat evolves at level 22. Max friendship for Crobat is the priority. Golbat contributes through mid-game with decent Speed, but every battle should be pushing that friendship meter toward the evolution.
Golbat has the type edge here and should clean up Falkner's team.
Golbat resists most of Bugsy's coverage and hits back hard.
Golbat has the type edge here and should clean up Whitney's team.
Golbat has the type edge here and should clean up Morty's team.
Golbat has the type edge here and should clean up Chuck's team.
Jasmine's team hits Golbat's weaknesses hard.
Golbat trades roughly evenly with Pryce's team.
Crobat has the type edge here and should clean up Clair's team.
Brock's team hits Crobat's weaknesses hard.
Crobat has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.
Crobat trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.
Crobat resists most of Erika's coverage and hits back hard.
Crobat has the type edge here and should clean up Janine's team.
Crobat has the type edge here and should clean up Sabrina's team.
Crobat trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.
Crobat has the type edge here and should clean up Blue's team.
Crobat has the type edge here and should clean up Will's team.
Crobat has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.
Crobat has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.
Crobat has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.
Crobat trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.
Catchable
Catch Golbat in Union Cave (walking, Lv 22, uncommon).
Recommended Moves
- STARTING (Lv 22)
- LV 22FlyingWing AttackPower 90Accuracy 100%PP 35
- After Bugsy
- TM15NormalHyper BeamPower 150Accuracy 90%PP 5Goldenrod Department Store
- After Morty
- TM88FlyingPluckPower 90Accuracy 100%PP 20Route 40
- TM30GhostShadow BallPower 80Accuracy 100%PP 15Prize for defeating Morty
- After Chuck
- HM02FlyingFlyPower 135Accuracy 95%PP 15From Chuck's wife outside Cianwood Gym
- After Jasmine
- TM36PoisonSludge BombPower 135Accuracy 100%PP 10Route 43
- After Clair
- TM40FlyingAerial AcePower 90Accuracy 100%PP 20Mt. Mortar
- LV 51FlyingAir SlashPower 113Accuracy 95%PP 20
Catch Zubat
Catch Zubat on Route 32 (walking, Lv 4, rare).
Recommended Moves
- LV 17FlyingWing AttackPower 90Accuracy 100%PP 35
- LV 25FlyingAir CutterPower 83Accuracy 95%PP 25
- After Morty
- TM88FlyingPluckPower 90Accuracy 100%PP 20Route 40
- TM30GhostShadow BallPower 80Accuracy 100%PP 15Prize for defeating Morty
- After Chuck
- HM02FlyingFlyPower 135Accuracy 95%PP 15From Chuck's wife outside Cianwood Gym
- After Jasmine
- TM36PoisonSludge BombPower 135Accuracy 100%PP 10Route 43
- LV 41FlyingAir SlashPower 113Accuracy 95%PP 20
- After Clair
- TM40FlyingAerial AcePower 90Accuracy 100%PP 20Mt. Mortar
Evolve Golbat to Crobat
Golbat evolves into Crobat with high friendship. Friendship is usually high enough before you reach Clair.
Recommended Moves
- STARTING (Lv 34)
- LV 34PoisonCross PoisonPower 105Accuracy 100%PP 20
- LV 34FlyingWing AttackPower 90Accuracy 100%PP 35
- After Bugsy
- TM15NormalHyper BeamPower 150Accuracy 90%PP 5Goldenrod Department Store
- After Morty
- TM88FlyingPluckPower 90Accuracy 100%PP 20Route 40
- After Chuck
- HM02FlyingFlyPower 135Accuracy 95%PP 15From Chuck's wife outside Cianwood Gym
- After Jasmine
- TM36PoisonSludge BombPower 135Accuracy 100%PP 10Route 43
- After Clair
- TM40FlyingAerial AcePower 90Accuracy 100%PP 20Mt. Mortar
- LV 51FlyingAir SlashPower 113Accuracy 95%PP 20
How to Get Golbat in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Golbat fills the deeper cave floors, seventy-two encounters across thirteen locations reaching up to level 51 in the late dungeons. Catch it wild or evolve a Zubat at level 22, then raise its friendship for Crobat down the line.
13 locations to catch Golbat19 locations to catch Zubat
Encountered via tall grass encounters
Encountered via tall grass encounters
Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8Catch Zubat at any of the 19 locations below, then level it up to 22 — it evolves into Golbat.
Badge 1 Badge 2 Badge 3 Badge 4 Badge 5 Badge 6 Badge 7 Badge 8Where To Catch Golbat in HGSS
Zubat is your first catch on the way to Golbat. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 2-51 across 160 total spots in the chain.
- Step 1Catch ZubatSlowpoke Well - B1FLv.5-8CaveRate 85%Mt. Mortar - 1F EntranceLv.13-15CaveRate 60%Mt. Mortar - B1FLv.15-17CaveRate 60%Mt. Moon - 1FLv.6-8CaveSoulSilverRate 50%Mt. Moon - 2FLv.6-8CaveSoulSilverRate 50%Route 33Lv.4-8GrassRate 40%NightRoute 42Lv.14-16GrassSoulSilverRate 40%NightSafari Zone - MountainLv.15-17FloorRate 40%NightDark Cave - WestLv.2-4CaveRate 39%Route 3Lv.5GrassRate 30%NightRoute 4Lv.5GrassRate 30%NightMt. Moon - 1FLv.6CaveHeartGoldRate 30%Mt. Moon - 2FLv.6CaveHeartGoldRate 30%Route 42Lv.14-16GrassHeartGoldRate 30%NightSafari Zone - SavannahLv.15-17FloorRate 30%NightSafari Zone - Rocky BeachLv.15-17FloorRate 30%NightIlex ForestLv.5-6GrassRate 25%NightUnion Cave - 1FLv.5-7CaveRate 25%Union Cave - B1FLv.7-9CaveRate 25%Rock Tunnel - 1FLv.8CaveRate 10%Rock Tunnel - B1FLv.10CaveRate 10%Burned Tower - 1FLv.14FloorRate 10%Route 32Lv.4GrassRate 5%Morning/nightRoute 33Lv.4GrassRate 5%MorningIlex ForestLv.5GrassRate 5%Morning/dayMt. Mortar - 1F BackLv.14CaveRate 5%Burned Tower - B1FLv.15FloorRate 5%Slowpoke Well - B2FLv.19-23CaveRate 80%Union Cave - B2FLv.22CaveRate 30%Tohjo FallsLv.22GrassRate 30%Dark Cave - EastLv.23CaveRate 30%Whirl Islands - 1FLv.23GrassRate 30%Whirl Islands - B1FLv.23GrassRate 30%Whirl Islands - B2FLv.23GrassRate 30%Whirl Islands - B3FLv.24GrassRate 30%Seafoam Islands - 1FLv.26-28GrassRate 30%Ice Path - 1FLv.22CaveHeartGoldRate 25%Morning/nightIce Path - B1FLv.22CaveHeartGoldRate 25%Morning/nightIce Path - B2FLv.23CaveHeartGoldRate 25%Morning/nightIce Path - B3FLv.23CaveHeartGoldRate 25%Morning/nightIce Path - 1FLv.22CaveHeartGoldRate 20%DayIce Path - B1FLv.22CaveHeartGoldRate 20%DayIce Path - B2FLv.23CaveHeartGoldRate 20%DayIce Path - B3FLv.23CaveHeartGoldRate 20%DaySeafoam Islands - B1FLv.28-29GrassRate 10%Seafoam Islands - B2FLv.29-30GrassRate 10%Cliff Cave - 1FLv.18CaveRate 5%NightIce Path - 1FLv.22CaveSoulSilverRate 5%Morning/nightIce Path - B1FLv.22CaveSoulSilverRate 5%Morning/nightIce Path - B2FLv.23CaveSoulSilverRate 5%Morning/nightIce Path - B3FLv.23CaveSoulSilverRate 5%Morning/nightSeafoam Islands - B3FLv.31-32GrassRate 10%
- Step 2Golbat ✓Safari Zone - MountainLv.15-17FloorRate 30%NightIce Path - 1FLv.22CaveRate 30%Ice Path - B1FLv.22CaveRate 30%Ice Path - B2FLv.23CaveRate 30%Ice Path - B3FLv.23CaveRate 30%Seafoam Islands - 1FLv.30-32GrassRate 30%Cliff Cave - 1FLv.20-22CaveRate 24%NightCliff Cave - 1FLv.22CaveRate 20%Morning/dayUnion Cave - B2FLv.22CaveRate 20%Tohjo FallsLv.22GrassRate 20%Safari Zone - SavannahLv.17FloorRate 10%NightDark Cave - EastLv.23CaveRate 5%Slowpoke Well - B2FLv.23CaveRate 5%Whirl Islands - 1FLv.23GrassRate 5%Whirl Islands - B1FLv.23GrassRate 5%Whirl Islands - B2FLv.23GrassRate 5%Whirl Islands - B3FLv.24GrassRate 5%Mt. Mortar - 2FLv.30CaveRate 5%Cerulean Cave - 1FLv.38-39CaveRate 50%NightSeafoam Islands - B1FLv.32-34GrassRate 30%Victory Road - 1FLv.32CaveRate 30%Victory Road - 2FLv.32CaveRate 30%Victory Road - 3FLv.32CaveRate 30%Seafoam Islands - B2FLv.33-35GrassRate 30%Seafoam Islands - B3FLv.34-36GrassRate 30%Seafoam Islands - B4FLv.38-40GrassRate 30%Cerulean Cave - 2FLv.41-42CaveRate 20%NightCerulean Cave - 1FLv.38CaveRate 10%Morning/dayCerulean Cave - 2FLv.41CaveRate 10%Morning/dayMt. Silver - 1FLv.45CaveRate 5%Mt. Silver - Lower mountainsideLv.48-51CaveRate 40%Cerulean Cave - B1FLv.47CaveRate 10%Mt. Silver - 1F Central ChamberLv.48CaveRate 5%Mt. Silver - 1F Upper ChamberLv.48CaveRate 5%Mt. Silver - 2FLv.48CaveRate 5%Mt. Silver - 3FLv.48CaveRate 5%Mt. Silver - Upper mountainsideLv.48CaveRate 5%or evolve from Zubat (Step 1)
- Step 3Evolve into Crobat
Want the exact numbers? Work out your catch odds in HeartGold & SoulSilver for Golbat.
How to Get Shiny Golbat in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Golbat haunts the Seafoam Islands and Victory Road, though a shiny hatches faster from Masuda breeding. Compare Shiny Golbat odds across every game
HeartGold & SoulSilver Shiny Golbat Calculator
2 MethodsThe best route is Masuda Method, about 1 in 1,639 on each try.
Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.
Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.
How many you have done, or plan to do.
| Chance | Encounters | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 10%lucky few | 173-- | -- |
| 25%one in four | 472-- | -- |
| 50%coin flip | 1,136-- | -- |
| 90%very likely | 3,773-- | -- |
Time assumes -- at your pace and does not change your shiny odds.
How is this calculated?
Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.
chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N, where p = 1 / odds per try
Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.
The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.
These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.
Curious how fast a hunt could go? Work out your HeartGold & SoulSilver shiny odds for Golbat.
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 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ice, Psychic, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
What is Golbat Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Golbat
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | A | |
 Gardevoir Psychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golbat View Gardevoir builds →Psychic 2x104-122%KO Thunderbolt 2x72-85% | ||
 Glaceon Ice | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Goldenrod City Gift) | ||
 Raikou Electric | B | |
 Ampharos Electric | C | |
 Jynx IcePsychic | C | |
 Manectric Electric | C | |
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golbat View Lapras builds →Ice Beam 2x79-94% Thunderbolt 2x53-62% | ||
 Kadabra Psychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golbat View Kadabra builds →Psychic 2x99-118%KO Charge Beam 2x38-45% | ||
 Luxray Electric | C | |
 Mamoswine IceGround | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golbat View Mamoswine builds →Ice Fang 2x82-96% Rock Tomb 2x42-50% | ||
 Bronzong SteelPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golbat View Bronzong builds →Extrasensory 2x63-74% Rock Tomb 2x31-37% Charge Beam 2x27-32% | ||
 Mr. Mime Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golbat View Mr. Mime builds →Psychic 2x86-101%KO Thunderbolt 2x59-70% | ||
 Electrode Electric | B | |
Obtain MethodTeam Rocket Hq Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Golbat View Electrode builds →Thunderbolt 2x75-89% Rollout 2x14-16% | ||
Golbat Evolutions
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 a decent partner pool 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 31 partners from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Brave Bird, Curse, Feint Attack and 7 more.
HGSS Golbat Best Moveset
Poison/Flying with 90 Speed and decent bulk at 75 HP and 70 Defense. The moveset resists Grass, Fighting, and Bug while outrunning slower targets. AbilityInner Focus prevents flinching. Evolve to Crobat for the full package.
Best Build
Golbat best EVs are HP and Defense
Wall Moveset
- Taunt
- Air Slash
- Roost
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
The egg pool carries weight here. Brave Bird and Curse aren't available any other way for Golbat, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Brave Bird and Fly for solid options.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
25 of 26 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
However hard its victim’s hide may be, it punctures with sharp fangs and gorges itself with blood.
It can drink more than 10 ounces of blood at once. If it has too much, it gets heavy and flies clumsily.
Golbat HeartGold & SoulSilver Guide
- How do I catch Golbat in the HeartGold & SoulSilver Safari Zone?
See the Locations section above for where to find Golbat in HeartGold & SoulSilver.
Safari rules: You can only use Safari Balls. No battling. Two tactical items shift the catch/flee trade-off:
- Throw bait to keep Golbat from fleeing (flee rate cut to 1/4) but it becomes harder to catch (catch factor halved).
- Throw a rock to make Golbat easier to catch (catch factor doubled) but it flees twice as often.
- Each effect lasts 2-6 random turns; throwing one cancels the other.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Golbat plays as a support. Speed is middling, so pick your spots carefully.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Careful is the go-to nature for Golbat. That's +Sp. Def / -Sp. Atk. Pair it with 252 HP / 176 Def / 76 SpD / 4 Spe EVs. Fits the support role.
Game Availability
Golbat has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 21 titles across all 9 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 7Let's Go
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
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