Physical
Balanced
320Low
63Moderate
DTier

Goldeen is technically a pre-evolution of Seaking, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Swift Swim doubles its Speed in rain, adding extra value. Only weak to Electric and Grass. Known as the Goldfish Pokemon.

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
320Avg
HP45
D
Attack67
C
Defense60
C
Sp. Atk35
F
Sp. Def50
D
Speed63
C
Total320
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Goldeen yields +1 Atk
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Details
Catch225EasyMedium Fast1M XP0.6m / 2'00"15kg / 33.1 lbs64Base XP
Pokedex Entries

Though it appears very elegant when swimming with fins unfurled, it can jab powerfully with its horn.

Black 2 / White 2

Goldeen Weakness

Good

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.

Gen V Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCriticali
None
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
2Weak
4Resist
1Immune
Scorei0
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
Swift SwimDoubles Speed during rain.
Water VeilPrevents burns.
Lightning RodHARedirects single-target electric moves to this Pokémon where possible. Absorbs Electric moves, raising Special Attack one stage.
Lightning Rod grants Electric immunity

One evolution ahead. Goldeen grows into Seaking through a straightforward two-stage chain. No compatible partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 130 stat points total.

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 from the Water2 egg group. Pass egg moves like Aqua Tail, Body Slam, Haze and 8 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Water2
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
11moves

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 5.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Breeding's the move. Aqua Tail and Body Slam give Goldeen options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 8 types already covers a decent range on top of Hydro Pump and Surf. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Peck
3510035Flying
Lv 1
Tail Whip
10030Normal
Lv 1
Water Sport
15Water
Lv 7
Supersonic
5520Normal
Lv 11
Horn Attack
6510025Normal
Lv 17
Water Pulse
6010020Water
Lv 21
Flail
10015Normal
Lv 27
Aqua Ring
20Water
Lv 31
Fury Attack
158520Normal
Lv 37
Waterfall
8010015Water
Lv 41
Horn Drill
305Normal
Lv 47
Agility
30Psychic
Lv 51
Soak
10020Water
Lv 57
Megahorn
1208510Bug

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
120705Ice
HM06
Dive
8010010Water
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
10020Normal
TM07
Hail
10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
9510010Ice
TM84
Poison Jab
8010020Poison
TM17
Protect+4
10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
5Water
TM44
Rest
10Psychic
TM27
Return
10020Normal
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM55
Scald
8010015Water
TM90
Substitute
10Normal
HM03
Surf
9510015Water
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM06
Toxic
9010Poison
HM05
Waterfall
8010015Water

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Aqua Tail
909010Water
Egg
Body Slam
8510015Normal
Egg
Haze
30Ice
Egg
Hydro Pump
120805Water
Egg
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Egg
Mud Sport
15Ground
Egg
Mud-Slap
2010010Ground
Egg
Psybeam
6510020Psychic
Egg
Signal Beam
7510015Bug
Egg
Skull Bash
10010010Normal
Egg
Sleep Talk
10Normal

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Aqua Tail
909010Water
Tutor
Bounce
85855Flying
Tutor
Drill Run
809510Ground
Tutor
Icy Wind
559515Ice
Tutor
Knock Off
6510020Dark
Tutor
Signal Beam
7510015Bug
Tutor
Sleep Talk
10Normal
Tutor
Snore
4010015Normal

Transfer Moves

Src
Gen 4
Captivate
10020Normal
Gen 3
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Gen 4
Endure+4
10Normal
Gen 4
Fury Cutter
209520Bug
Gen 3
Mimic
10Normal
Gen 4
Natural Gift
10015Normal
Gen 4
Secret Power
7010020Normal
Gen 4
Swift
6020Normal
Gen 4
Whirlpool
358515Water

Goldeen starts showing up in late-game fishing spots at high spawn rates across 32 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.

Best Locations

Goldeen is a fishing-only catch in this game. 32 spots at Lv. 35-70 using Super Rod, so bring the right rod and check the rates on each location.

Pinwheel Forest - inside
White 2Super RodLv.35-60CommonLateForestAnyShaking spot
EASY
Pinwheel Forest - inside
Black 2Super RodLv.35-60CommonLateForestAnyShaking spot
EASY
Abundant Shrine
Black 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateRuinsAnyShaking spot
EASY
Abundant Shrine
Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRuinsAny
EASY
Abundant Shrine
White 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateRuinsAnyShaking spot
EASY
Abundant Shrine
White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRuinsAny
EASY
Aspertia City
White 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateCityAnyShaking spot
EASY
Aspertia City
White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCityAny
EASY
Aspertia City
Black 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateCityAnyShaking spot
EASY
Aspertia City
Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCityAny
EASY
Pinwheel Forest - inside
White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateForestAny
EASY
Pinwheel Forest - inside
Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateForestAny
EASY
Route 11
White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Route 11
Black 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 11
Black 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Route 11
White 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 14
Black 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 14
Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Route 14
White 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 14
White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Route 22
Black 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 22
Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Route 22
White 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 22
White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Route 3
White 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 3
White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Route 3
Black 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 3
Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Striaton City
White 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateCityAnyShaking spot
EASY
Striaton City
White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCityAny
EASY
Striaton City
Black 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateCityAnyShaking spot
EASY
Striaton City
Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateCityAny
EASY
  • Goldeen is meant to evolve into Seaking. At 320 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.

  • Goldeen's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric) and Exeggutor (Grass), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Goldeen evolves into Seaking at level 33. Goldeen is the base form of this evolutionary line.

  • Swift Swim is what you want on Goldeen. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Water Veil, Lightning Rod) work on paper but Swift Swim is what makes Goldeen worth using.

  • At base 63 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Goldeen is a physical attacker with base 67 Attack. Defensively? Fragile — can't afford to take many hits.

  • Goldeen appears in 19 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.

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.