Special
Balanced
85Speed · Above Avg

An unusually even spread gives Golduck flexibility. Sp. Atk barely edges ahead. But Defense isn't far off. Moderately hard to find and follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve. Yields 2 Sp. Atk EVs.

Base Stats
High
HP80
C
Attack82
C
Defense78
C
Sp. Atk95
B
Sp. Def80
C
Speed85
C
Total500
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging75 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.7 m
Weight76.6 kg
Base XP175
Abilities
Damp
Prevents self destruct, explosion, and aftermath from working while the Pokémon is in battle.
Cloud NineTop Pick
Negates all effects of weather, but does not prevent the weather itself.
Swift SwimHANiche
Doubles Speed during rain.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+2SpDSpe
Special Attack training target
Pokedex Entries

When it swims at full speed using its long, webbed limbs, its forehead somehow begins to glow.

Golduck's Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric and Grass. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. With 80 HP and balanced defenses, Golduck can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.

Golduck Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Type ChartGood
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None
How to Beat Golduck (Best Counters)

Torkoal's Eruption hits Golduck for 40-47%.

Torkoal
TorkoalWalls physical sets
Fire
A
Recommended Build
AbilityDrought
ItemCharcoal
NatureQuiet
Moves
  • EruptionSTAB
  • ProtectPriority
  • Heat Wave
  • Earth Power
Damage vs Golduck
Eruption
40-47%
Heat Wave
26-30%
View Torkoal builds →

Evolved from Psyduck. Golduck is the final form in this two-stage line. A massive partner pool for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. HP grew the most through evolution (+30 over Psyduck), and Golduck peaks at 500 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Psyduck
Water
Golduck
Water
HP
50
80+30
ATK
52
82+30
DEF
48
78+30
SP.ATK
65
95+30
SP.DEF
50
80+30
SPE
55
85+30
BST
320D-Tier
500C-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Golduck to get Psyduck eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups.

Egg Groups
GroundWater1
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Breed With (best first)
raichuazumarillpikachunidokingampharosblastoiseferaligatrkingdraswampertrhydonslowbroslowking

Cloudnine isn't flashy, but it matters. Combined with Wateriumz for extra utility and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs, Golduck fills the special attacker slot reliably. Timid nature finishes the spread.

Best Build

All 21 games
Experimental
Ability
Cloud Nine
Item
Assault VestBULK
Best Nature for Golduck
Modest+SPA

Golduck best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • Ice Beam
  • Flip TurnSTAB
  • Hydro PumpSTAB
  • Nasty Plot

Moves

All 21 games

Level-up moves are just the starting point for Golduck. TMs unlock coverage across 9 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Hydro Pump and Aqua Tail into something with actual range.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Aqua Jet+1
D4010020Water
Lv 1
Confusion
D5010025Psychic
Lv 1
Scratch
4010035Normal
Lv 1
Tail Whip
D10030Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
D4010025Water
Lv 9
Fury Swipes
D188015Normal
Lv 12
Water Pulse
C6010020Water
Lv 15
Disable
B10020Normal
Lv 18
Zen Headbutt
D809015Psychic
Lv 21
Screech
C8540Normal
Lv 24
Aqua Tail
C909010Water
Lv 27
Soak
C10020Water
Lv 30
Psych Up
C10Normal
Lv 36
Amnesia
C20Psychic
Lv 40
Hydro Pump
A110805Water
Lv 45
Wonder Room
10Psychic

TM Moves

TM
TM128
Amnesia
C20Psychic
TM143
Blizzard
C110705Ice
TM66
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
TM58
Brick Break
C7510015Fighting
TM129
Calm Mind
B20Psychic
TM22
Chilling Water
A5010020Water
TM17
Confuse Ray
C10010Ghost
TM55
Dig
C8010010Ground
TM204
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
TM122
Encore
B1005Normal
TM205
Endeavor
D1005Normal
TM47
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM25
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM43
Fling
D10010Dark
TM196
Flip Turn
A6010020Water
TM158
Focus Blast
B120705Fighting
TM192
Focus Punch-3
B15010020Fighting
TM217
Future Sight
C12010010Psychic
TM152
Giga Impact
C150905Normal
TM81
Grass Knot
A10020Grass
TM174
Haze
C30Ice
TM130
Helping Hand+5
A20Normal
TM142
Hydro Pump
A110805Water
TM163
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TM135
Ice Beam
S9010010Ice
TM69
Ice Punch
C7510015Ice
TM34
Icy Wind
A559515Ice
TM181
Knock Off
B6510020Dark
TM75
Light Screen
C30Psychic
TM110
Liquidation
C8510010Water
TM12
Low Kick
D10020Fighting
TM39
Low Sweep
D6510020Fighting
TM80
Metronome
C10Normal
TM35
Mud Shot
D559515Ground
TM209
Muddy Water
S908510Water
TM140
Nasty Plot
S20Dark
TM101
Power Gem
A8010020Rock
TM07
Protect+4
S10Normal
TM16
Psybeam
6510020Psychic
TM203
Psych Up
C10Normal
TM120
Psychic
B9010010Psychic
TM228
Psychic Noise
C7510010Psychic
TM54
Psyshock
A8010010Psychic
TM50
Rain Dance
B5Water
TM85
Rest
C5Psychic
TM61
Shadow Claw
D7010015Ghost
TM98
Skill Swap
A10Psychic
TM70
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM103
Substitute
C10Normal
TM123
Surf
S9010015Water
TM32
Swift
D6020Normal
TM01
Take Down
C908520Normal
TM87
Taunt
A10020Dark
TM171
Tera Blast
B8010010Normal
TM18
Thief
D6010025Dark
TM20
Trailblaze
D5010020Grass
TM184
Vacuum Wave+1
B4010030Fighting
TM11
Water Pulse
C6010020Water
TM77
Waterfall
C8010015Water
TM208
Whirlpool
D358515Water
TM59
Zen Headbutt
D809015Psychic

Egg Moves

Golduck doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Golduck can't learn any Tutor moves
All 21 games

Golduck appears at moderate rates across 60 spots in late-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.

Where To Catch Golduck in Scarlet & Violet

Psyduck is your first catch on the way to Golduck. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 5-56 across 122 total spots in the chain.

  1. Psyduck
    Step 1Catch Psyduck
    Asado Desert - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Desert
    18%Early
    Asado Desert - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Desert
    18%Early
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Water
    18%Early
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Water
    18%Early
    Casseroya Lake - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Water
    18%Early
    Casseroya Lake - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Water
    18%Early
    East Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    East Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    East Province (Area Three) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    East Province (Area Three) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    East Province (Area Three) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    East Province (Area Three) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    East Province (Area Two) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    East Province (Area Two) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Cave
    18%Early
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Cave
    18%Early
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Cave
    18%Early
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Cave
    18%Early
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Cave
    18%Early
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Cave
    18%Early
    North Province (Area One) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    North Province (Area One) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    North Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    North Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    North Province (Area Three) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    North Province (Area Three) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    North Province (Area Two) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    North Province (Area Two) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Paldean Sea - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Water
    18%Early
    South Paldean Sea - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Water
    18%Early
    South Province (Area Five) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area Five) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area Five) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area Five) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area Four) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area Four) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area Four) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area Four) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area One) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area One) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area Six) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area Six) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area Six) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area Six) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area Two) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area Two) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    Tagtree Thicket - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Forest
    18%Early
    Tagtree Thicket - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Forest
    18%Early
    Tagtree Thicket - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Forest
    18%Early
    Tagtree Thicket - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Forest
    18%Early
    West Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    West Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    West Province (Area Three) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    West Province (Area Three) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    West Province (Area Three) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    West Province (Area Three) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    West Province (Area Two) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    West Province (Area Two) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    18%Early
    South Province (Area Five) - Swamp
    ScarletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    9%Early
    South Province (Area Five) - Swamp
    VioletOverworld Lv.5-37 Route
    9%Early
  2. Golduck
    Step 2Golduck
    Asado Desert - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Desert
    8%Late
    Asado Desert - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Desert
    8%Late
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Water
    8%Late
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Water
    8%Late
    Casseroya Lake - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Water
    8%Late
    Casseroya Lake - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Water
    8%Late
    East Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    East Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    East Province (Area Three) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    East Province (Area Three) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    East Province (Area Three) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    East Province (Area Three) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    East Province (Area Two) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    East Province (Area Two) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Cave
    8%Late
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Cave
    8%Late
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Cave
    8%Late
    Glaseado Mountain
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Cave
    8%Late
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Cave
    8%Late
    Glaseado Mountain
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Cave
    8%Late
    North Province (Area One) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    North Province (Area One) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    North Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    North Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    North Province (Area Three) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    North Province (Area Three) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    North Province (Area Two) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    North Province (Area Two) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Paldean Sea - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Water
    8%Late
    South Paldean Sea - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Water
    8%Late
    South Province (Area Five) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area Five) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area Five) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area Five) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area Four) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area Four) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area Four) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area Four) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area One) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area One) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area Six) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area Six) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area Six) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area Six) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area Two) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    South Province (Area Two) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    Tagtree Thicket - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Forest
    8%Late
    Tagtree Thicket - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Forest
    8%Late
    Tagtree Thicket - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Forest
    8%Late
    Tagtree Thicket - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Forest
    8%Late
    West Province (Area One) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    West Province (Area One) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    West Province (Area Three) - Lake
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    West Province (Area Three) - Lake
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    West Province (Area Three) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    West Province (Area Three) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    West Province (Area Two) - River
    ScarletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    West Province (Area Two) - River
    VioletOverworld Lv.33-56 Route
    8%Late
    or evolve from Psyduck (Step 1)
  • Swift Swim changes the entire equation for Golduck. The 500 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier.

  • Watch for Raikou (Electric) and Venusaur (Grass) when using Golduck. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Swift Swim is what you want on Golduck. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Damp, Cloud Nine) work on paper but Swift Swim is what makes Golduck worth using.

  • Base 85 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Golduck is a special attacker with base 95 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.

  • Golduck's hidden ability is Swift Swim. Doubles Speed during rain. Better than the standard options for competitive play.

One of the original 151, Golduck has appeared in 21 games — nearly every mainline game. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.

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