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.
When it swims at full speed using its long, webbed limbs, its forehead somehow begins to glow.
It appears by waterways at dusk. It may use telekinetic powers if its forehead glows mysteriously.
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, Encore and 9 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
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Golduck won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 10 types means it always has an effective option. Hydro Pump and Surf anchor the STAB core.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 34 locations. Golduck's one of the easier catches on the list. Two different catch methods are in play here. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Where To Catch Golduck in HeartGold & SoulSilver
To get Golduck, start by catching Psyduck through walking, surfing, and more encounters at Lv. 5-51. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PsyduckEASYIlex ForestSoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyForestEASYIlex ForestHeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyForestEASYRoute 35SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 35HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 6SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 6HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.5-10CommonEarlyRouteEASYSeafoam Islands - B4FSoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B4FHeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSSeafoam Islands - 1FSoulSilverGrassLv.28-29CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSSeafoam Islands - 1FHeartGoldGrassLv.28-29CommonMidWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B1FSoulSilverGrassLv.26-28UncommonMidWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B1FHeartGoldGrassLv.26-28UncommonMidWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B2FSoulSilverGrassLv.27-30UncommonMidWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B2FHeartGoldGrassLv.27-30UncommonMidWaterEASYCerulean Cave - 1FSoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.35-40CommonLateCaveEASYCerulean Cave - 1FHeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.35-40CommonLateCaveEASYCerulean Cave - B1FHeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.35-40CommonLateCaveEASYCerulean Cave - B1FSoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.35-40CommonLateCaveEASYSeafoam Islands - B3FSoulSilverGrassLv.31-32UncommonLateWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B3FHeartGoldGrassLv.31-32UncommonLateWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B4FSoulSilverGrassLv.34UncommonLateWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B4FHeartGoldGrassLv.34UncommonLateWater- Step 2Golduck ✓MODERATERoute 35SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10-20UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 35HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10-20UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 6SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 6HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteHARDIlex ForestHeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10-20RareEarlyForestHARDIlex ForestSoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10-20RareEarlyForestEASYSeafoam Islands - 1FSoulSilverGrassLv.32UncommonLateWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - 1FHeartGoldGrassLv.32UncommonLateWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B1FSoulSilverGrassLv.32-34UncommonLateWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B1FHeartGoldGrassLv.32-34UncommonLateWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B2FSoulSilverGrassLv.33-35UncommonLateWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B2FHeartGoldGrassLv.33-35UncommonLateWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B3FHeartGoldGrassLv.34-36UncommonLateWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B3FSoulSilverGrassLv.34-36UncommonLateWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B4FHeartGoldGrassLv.37-38UncommonLateWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B4FSoulSilverGrassLv.37-38UncommonLateWaterMODERATECerulean Cave - 1FHeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.40UncommonLateCaveMODERATECerulean Cave - 1FSoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.40UncommonLateCaveMODERATECerulean Cave - B1FHeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.40UncommonLateCaveMODERATECerulean Cave - B1FSoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.40UncommonLateCaveEFFORTLESSMt. Silver - 3FSoulSilverGrassLv.48CommonPostCaveEFFORTLESSMt. Silver - 3FHeartGoldGrassLv.48CommonPostCaveEFFORTLESSMt. Silver - Upper mountainsideSoulSilverGrassLv.48CommonPostCaveMorning/dayEFFORTLESSMt. Silver - Upper mountainsideHeartGoldGrassLv.48CommonPostCaveMorning/dayEASYMt. Silver - 1F Central ChamberHeartGoldGrassLv.48UncommonPostCaveEASYMt. Silver - 1F Central ChamberSoulSilverGrassLv.48UncommonPostCaveEASYMt. Silver - 1F Upper ChamberHeartGoldGrassLv.48UncommonPostCaveEASYMt. Silver - 1F Upper ChamberSoulSilverGrassLv.48UncommonPostCaveEASYMt. Silver - 2FHeartGoldGrassLv.48UncommonPostCaveEASYMt. Silver - 2FSoulSilverGrassLv.48UncommonPostCaveEASYMt. Silver - Upper mountainsideSoulSilverGrassLv.48UncommonPostCaveNightEASYMt. Silver - Upper mountainsideHeartGoldGrassLv.48UncommonPostCaveNightCHALLENGINGMt. Silver - Lower mountainsideSoulSilverGrassLv.51RarePostCaveCHALLENGINGMt. Silver - Lower mountainsideHeartGoldGrassLv.51RarePostCaveor 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 special attacker with base 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