What separates Golduck from the pack is Swift Swim — it doubles its Speed in rain. Combine that with Water typing and it sits at a decent but contested Speed tier. Can go either physical or special depending on the set.
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.
A Pokémon that lives in lakes. It swims faster than any human swimming champion.
The flippers of its well-developed limbs give it shocking speed. It is the best swimmer among Pokémon.
Golduck Weakness
GoodGolduck's Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric and Grass moves. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. With 80 HP and balanced defenses, Golduck can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Golduck to get Psyduck eggs easily using 131 partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Confuse Ray, Cross Chop, Foresight and 8 more.
Damp isn't flashy, but it matters. Combined with Life Orb for extra damage on every hit for a health trade and max HP and Attack EVs, Golduck fills the setup attacker slot reliably. Hardy nature finishes the spread.
Best Build
Best Golduck Moveset
- Surf
- Calm Mind
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power Grass
Recommended Teammates
The natural movepool does the job, but Confuse Ray and Cross Chop from the egg pool give Golduck something extra. Pair those with Hydro Pump and Surf for STAB and coverage across 9 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
Golduck's scattered across 46 spots in mid-game water routes 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 Golduck in Diamond & Pearl
To get Golduck, start by catching Psyduck through surfing and walking encounters at Lv. 5-55. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PsyduckEFFORTLESSOreburgh Gate - B1FPearlGrassLv.8-10CommonEarlyEFFORTLESSOreburgh Gate - B1FDiamondGrassLv.8-10CommonEarlyCHALLENGINGRavaged PathPearlGrassLv.5RareEarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRavaged PathDiamondGrassLv.5RareEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 208PearlGrassLv.16-18CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 208DiamondGrassLv.16-18CommonMidRouteEASYCelestic TownPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidCityEASYCelestic TownDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidCityEASYEterna CityDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidCityEASYEterna CityPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidCityEASYLake AcuityPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidWaterEASYLake AcuityDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidWaterEASYLake ValorPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidWaterEASYLake ValorDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidWaterEASYLake VerityPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidWaterEASYLake VerityDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidWaterEASYOreburgh Gate - B1FPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidEASYOreburgh Gate - B1FDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidEASYRavaged PathPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRavaged PathDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 203DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 203PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 204 - NorthPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 204 - NorthDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 204 - SouthPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 204 - SouthDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 205 - NorthPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 205 - NorthDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 208PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 208DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 209PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 209DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 210 - NorthPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 210 - NorthDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 214PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 214DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYTwinleaf TownPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidCityEASYTwinleaf TownDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidCityEASYRoute 210 - NorthPearlGrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteEASYRoute 210 - NorthDiamondGrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteHARDGreat Marsh - Area 1PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidFacilityCHALLENGINGGreat Marsh - Area 1PearlGrassLv.20-22RareMidFacilityHARDGreat Marsh - Area 1DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidFacilityCHALLENGINGGreat Marsh - Area 1DiamondGrassLv.20-22RareMidFacilityHARDGreat Marsh - Area 2PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidFacilityCHALLENGINGGreat Marsh - Area 2PearlGrassLv.20-22RareMidFacilityHARDGreat Marsh - Area 2DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidFacilityCHALLENGINGGreat Marsh - Area 2DiamondGrassLv.20-22RareMidFacilityHARDGreat Marsh - Area 3PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidFacilityCHALLENGINGGreat Marsh - Area 3PearlGrassLv.20-22RareMidFacilityHARDGreat Marsh - Area 3DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidFacilityCHALLENGINGGreat Marsh - Area 3DiamondGrassLv.20-22RareMidFacilityHARDGreat Marsh - Area 4PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidFacilityCHALLENGINGGreat Marsh - Area 4PearlGrassLv.20-22RareMidFacilityHARDGreat Marsh - Area 4DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidFacilityCHALLENGINGGreat Marsh - Area 4DiamondGrassLv.20-22RareMidFacilityHARDGreat Marsh - Area 6DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidFacilityCHALLENGINGGreat Marsh - Area 6PearlGrassLv.20-22RareMidFacilityCHALLENGINGGreat Marsh - Area 6DiamondGrassLv.20-22RareMidFacilityHARDGreat Marsh - Area 6PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidFacilityEFFORTLESSLake AcuityPearlGrassLv.34-36CommonLateWaterMorning/dayEFFORTLESSLake AcuityDiamondGrassLv.34-36CommonLateWaterMorning/dayEASYLake AcuityPearlGrassLv.34-36UncommonLateWaterNightEASYLake AcuityDiamondGrassLv.34-36UncommonLateWaterNightEASYLake ValorPearlGrassLv.35-36UncommonLateWaterEASYLake ValorDiamondGrassLv.35-36UncommonLateWater- Step 2Golduck ✓MODERATECelestic TownDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidCityMODERATECelestic TownPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidCityMODERATEEterna CityDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidCityMODERATEEterna CityPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidCityEASYGreat Marsh - Daily PokemonPearlGrassLv.20-26UncommonMidFacilityBefore post-gameEASYGreat Marsh - Daily PokemonDiamondGrassLv.20-26UncommonMidFacilityBefore post-gameMODERATELake AcuityPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidWaterMODERATELake AcuityDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidWaterMODERATELake ValorPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidWaterMODERATELake ValorDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidWaterMODERATELake VerityPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidWaterMODERATELake VerityDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidWaterMODERATERoute 203PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 203DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 204 - NorthPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 204 - NorthDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 204 - SouthDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 204 - SouthPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 205 - NorthPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 205 - NorthDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 208PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 208DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 209PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 209DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 210 - NorthPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 210 - NorthDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 212 - NorthPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 212 - NorthDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 214PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 214DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidRouteMODERATETwinleaf TownDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidCityMODERATETwinleaf TownPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidCityHARDOreburgh Gate - B1FPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidHARDOreburgh Gate - B1FDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidHARDRavaged PathPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRavaged PathDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteEASYResort AreaPearlSurfing on waterLv.40-55CommonLateFacilityEASYResort AreaDiamondSurfing on waterLv.40-55CommonLateFacilityEASYRoute 225PearlSurfing on waterLv.40-55CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 225DiamondSurfing on waterLv.40-55CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 226PearlGrassLv.51-53UncommonPostRouteEASYRoute 226DiamondGrassLv.51-53UncommonPostRouteEASYRoute 230PearlGrassLv.52UncommonPostRouteEASYRoute 230DiamondGrassLv.52UncommonPostRouteEASYSendoff SpringDiamondGrassLv.53-54UncommonPostEASYSendoff SpringPearlGrassLv.53-54UncommonPostor 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.
Psyduck evolves into Golduck at level 33. Golduck is the fully evolved form. At 500 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
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 mixed attacker — base 82 Attack and 95 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Golduck appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
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.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A