Physical
Balanced
63Speed · Below Avg

Goldeen Best Moveset

67 Attack at 63 Speed on a Water pre-evo with AbilitySwift Swim for rain and hidden AbilityLightning Rod for Electric immunity. The moveset is non-functional at these stats. One evolution from Seaking.

SABCDEFFFFEEFEERed, Blue & YellowIRB/YGold, Silver & CrystalIIGS/CRuby, Sapphire & EmeraldIIIRS/EDiamond, Pearl & PlatinumIVDP/PtPEAKBlack & White / B2W2VBW/B2W2X & Y / ORASVIXY/ORASTHE FALLSun & Moon / USUMVIISM/USUMTHE RISESword & Shield / BDSPVIIISS/BDSPCURRENT
Gen I — Red, Blue & YellowF

Goldeen was a niche pick at best in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow), rarely seen in standard play. This marked Goldeen's competitive debut. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 50.

Had a combined Special stat of 50
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 15
Horn Attack
Normal65POPULARCoverage
Lv 1
Peck
Flying35POPULARCoverage
Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Goldeen
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Horn Attack
  • PeckCoverage
Gen II — Gold, Silver & CrystalF

Goldeen was a niche pick at best in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal), rarely seen in standard play. Goldeen maintained its position from the previous generation.

SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Egg
Hydro Pump
Water110POPULARSTAB
HM3
Surf
Water90POPULARSTAB
Lv 38
Waterfall
Water80POPULARSTAB
TM18
Rain Dance
WaterPOPULARSTAB
Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
MiracleberryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Goldeen
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Hydro PumpSTAB
  • SurfSTAB
  • WaterfallUtility
  • Rain DanceSTAB
Gen III — Ruby, Sapphire & EmeraldF

Goldeen was a niche pick at best in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald), rarely seen in standard play. Goldeen maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Swiftswim with Choice Band, favoring a Rash nature.

Received Swift Swim and Water Veil
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Xfer
Megahorn
Bug120POPULARCoverage
HM3
Surf
Water90COMMONSTAB
TM18
Rain Dance
WaterCOMMONSTAB
TM13
Ice Beam
Ice90COMMONCoverage
TM27
Return
NormalRARECoverage
TM10
Hidden Power (Fighting)
Fighting60RARECoverage
TM10
Hidden Power (Ground)
Ground60RARECoverage
Lv 38
Waterfall
Water80RARESTAB
Experimental
Special Sweeper
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
Choice BandPOWER
Best Nature for Goldeen
Rash+SPA
EVs

Special Sweeper Moveset

  • MegahornCoverage
  • SurfSTAB
  • Rain DanceSTAB
  • Ice Beam
Gen IV — Diamond, Pearl & PlatinumE

Goldeen saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). This was Goldeen's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Swiftswim with Damprock, favoring a Adamant nature.

Physical/Special split overhauled move damage

Best Moves

SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 51
Megahorn
Bug120COMMONCoverage
Lv 37
Waterfall
Water80COMMONSTAB
TM18
Rain Dance
WaterCOMMONSTAB
TM6
Toxic
PoisonCOMMONUtility

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Attacker
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
Damp Rock
Best Nature for Goldeen

Goldeen best EVs are Attack and HP

EVs

Physical Attacker Moveset

  • MegahornCoverage
  • WaterfallSTAB
  • Rain DanceSTAB
  • ToxicUtility
Gen V — Black & White / B2W2E

Goldeen saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Goldeen maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Lightningrod with Eviolite, favoring a Jolly nature.

Gained Lightning Rod as hidden abilityHidden Abilities became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TM6
Toxic
PoisonPOPULARUtility
TM18
Rain Dance
WaterPOPULARSTAB
Tutor
Knock Off
Dark65POPULARCoverage
TM17
Protect
NormalPOPULARPriority
Experimental
Wall
Ability
Lightning Rod
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Goldeen
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Wall Moveset

  • ToxicUtility
  • Rain DanceSTAB
  • Knock Off
  • ProtectFAST +4
Gen VI — X & Y / ORASF

Goldeen was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Swiftswim with Rocky Helmet, favoring a Rash nature.

Fairy type added to the gameMega Evolution became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TM55
Scald
Water80POPULARSTAB
TM18
Rain Dance
WaterPOPULARSTAB
Tutor
Drill Run
Ground80POPULARCoverage
TM13
Ice Beam
Ice90POPULARCoverage
Experimental
Special Sweeper
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
Rocky HelmetPUNISH
Best Nature for Goldeen
Rash+SPA
EVs

Special Sweeper Moveset

  • ScaldSTAB
  • Rain DanceSTAB
  • Drill Run
  • Ice Beam
Gen VII — Sun & Moon / USUME

Goldeen saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Goldeen climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Lightningrod with Eviolite, favoring a Jolly nature.

Z-Moves became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 32
Waterfall
Water80COMMONSTAB
Tutor
Knock Off
Dark65COMMONCoverage
Tutor
Drill Run
Ground80COMMONCoverage
Lv 45
Megahorn
Bug120COMMONCoverage
Lv 29
Agility
PsychicRARESetup
TM84
Poison Jab
Poison80RARECoverage
Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Lightning Rod
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Goldeen
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • WaterfallSTAB
  • Knock Off
  • Drill Run
  • MegahornCoverage
Gen VIII — Sword & Shield / BDSPE

Goldeen saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Goldeen maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Swiftswim with Choice Scarf, favoring a Rash nature.

Gigantamax became availableDynamax became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TR87
Drill Run
Ground80POPULARCoverage
TR84
Scald
Water80COMMONSTAB
TR57
Poison Jab
Poison80COMMONCoverage
Lv 45
Megahorn
Bug120COMMONCoverage
TM33
Rain Dance
WaterCOMMONSTAB
Lv 35
Waterfall
Water80COMMONSTAB
TR5
Ice Beam
Ice90COMMONCoverage
Experimental
Special Revenge Killer
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
Choice ScarfSPEED
Best Nature for Goldeen
Rash+SPA
EVs

Special Revenge Killer Moveset

  • Drill Run
  • ScaldSTAB
  • Poison Jab
  • MegahornCoverage

Recommended Teammates

Goldeen Weakness

Type-wise, Goldeen takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Lightning Rod grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.

Goldeen Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel

What is Goldeen Weak Against

Good
2Weak
4Resist
1Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Goldeen Strong Against

3Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score0
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Goldeen

Kartana's Knock Off hits Goldeen for 60-71%. Rotom threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (232-273%).

Evolution

One evolution ahead. Goldeen grows into Seaking through a straightforward two-stage chain. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 130 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Goldeen
Water
Seaking
Water
HP
45
80+35
ATK
67
92+25
DEF
60
65+5
SP.ATK
35
65+30
SP.DEF
50
80+30
SPE
63
68+5
BST
320D-Tier
450C-Tier+130
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Goldeen easily with 34 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosoctillerymalamarmagikarpremoraidinkaywailordrelicanthalomomolapalafinwailmerfinizen

How to Get Goldeen

All 19 games

Goldeen's scattered across 24 spots in early-game fishing spots with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.

Where To Catch Goldeen in BDSP

The path to Goldeen starts with Goldeen at Lv. 10-50 via fishing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Goldeen
    Step 1Goldeen
    Lake Acuity
    Lv.10-25Good Rod
    Rate 35%
    Lake Valor
    Lv.10-25Good Rod
    Rate 35%
    Lake Verity
    Lv.10-25Good Rod
    Rate 35%
    Resort Area
    Lv.10-25Good Rod
    Rate 35%
    Route 203
    Lv.10-25Good Rod
    Rate 35%
    Route 204 - North
    Lv.10-25Good Rod
    Rate 35%
    Route 204 - South
    Lv.10-25Good Rod
    Rate 35%
    Route 209
    Lv.10-25Good Rod
    Rate 35%
    Route 212 - North
    Lv.10-25Good Rod
    Rate 35%
    Route 214
    Lv.10-25Good Rod
    Rate 35%
    Sendoff Spring
    Lv.10-25Good Rod
    Rate 35%
    Twinleaf Town
    Lv.10-25Good Rod
    Rate 35%
  2. Seaking
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Seaking
    Lake Acuity
    Lv.20-50Super Rod
    Rate 35%
    Lake Valor
    Lv.20-50Super Rod
    Rate 35%
    Lake Verity
    Lv.20-50Super Rod
    Rate 35%
    Resort Area
    Lv.20-50Super Rod
    Rate 35%
    Route 203
    Lv.20-50Super Rod
    Rate 35%
    Route 204 - North
    Lv.20-50Super Rod
    Rate 35%
    Route 204 - South
    Lv.20-50Super Rod
    Rate 35%
    Route 209
    Lv.20-50Super Rod
    Rate 35%
    Route 212 - North
    Lv.20-50Super Rod
    Rate 35%
    Route 214
    Lv.20-50Super Rod
    Rate 35%
    Sendoff Spring
    Lv.20-50Super Rod
    Rate 35%
    Twinleaf Town
    Lv.20-50Super Rod
    Rate 35%
    or evolve from Goldeen (Step 1)

Base Stats

Attack and Speed carry most of Goldeen's stat budget. Sp. Atk's the obvious dump stat. Easy to catch and yields 1 Attack EV. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.

Base Stats
Avg
HP45
D
Attack67
C
Defense60
C
Sp. Atk35
F
Sp. Def50
D
Speed63
C
Total320
Details
Catch Rate
Easy225 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.6 m
Weight15.0 kg
Base XP64
Abilities
Swift Swim
Doubles Speed during rain.
Water Veil
Prevents burns.
Lightning RodHidden Ability
Redirects single-target electric moves to this Pokémon where possible. Absorbs Electric moves, raising Special Attack one stage.
Lightning Rod grants Electric immunity
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

Its dorsal, pectoral, and tail fins wave elegantly in water. That is why it is known as the Water Dancer.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Goldeen Guide

  • You can run Goldeen through the first few routes without issues. 320 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Seaking as fast as you can.

Game Availability

One of the original 151, Goldeen has appeared in 19 games — most mainline games. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.

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