Mixed
Balanced
85Speed · Above Avg

Stats & Training

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
DampPopular
Prevents self destruct, explosion, and aftermath from working while the Pokémon is in battle.
Cloud NinePopular
Negates all effects of weather, but does not prevent the weather itself.
Swift SwimHANot in game
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 Weakness

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
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None
How to Beat Golduck in HeartGold & SoulSilver (Best Counters)
C
Available Moves
Moves
  • Solar BeamTM22
  • Energy BallTM53
  • Vine WhipLv. 11
  • Bullet SeedTM09
Damage vs Golduck
Solar Beam 2x
98-117%KO
Energy Ball 2x
75-88%
Vine Whip 2x
42-50%
Bullet Seed 2x
26-31%
View Carnivine builds →

HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution

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 131 partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Confuse Ray, Cross Chop, Encore and 9 more.

Egg Groups
GroundWater1
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
12moves
Breed With (best first)
raichuazumarillpikachunidokingampharosblastoiseferaligatrkingdraswampertrhydonslowbroslowking

HeartGold & SoulSilver Golduck Best Moveset

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

Experimental
Physical Tank
Ability
Damp
Item
Life OrbPOWER
Best Nature for Golduck
HardyNEUTRAL

Golduck best EVs are HP and Attack

EVs

Physical Tank Moveset

  • SurfSTAB
  • Calm Mind
  • Ice Beam
  • Hidden Power Grass

Moves

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

Lv 1
Aqua Jet+1
D4010020Water
Lv 1
Scratch
4010035Normal
Lv 1
Tail Whip
10030Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 1
Water Sport
15Water
Lv 5
Tail Whip
10030Normal
Lv 9
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 14
Disable
8020Normal
Lv 18
Confusion
D5010025Psychic
Lv 22
Water Pulse
B6010020Water
Lv 27
Fury Swipes
188015Normal
Lv 31
Screech
8540Normal
Lv 37
Psych Up
10Normal
Lv 44
Zen Headbutt
D809015Psychic
Lv 50
Amnesia
20Psychic
Lv 56
Hydro Pump
A120805Water

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
D6020Flying
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
C120705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
C7510015Fighting
TM55
Brine
C6510010Water
TM04
Calm Mind
A20Psychic
TM78
Captivate
10020Normal
TM28
Dig
C8010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM58
Endure+4
10Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM70
Flash
D10020Normal
TM56
Fling
10010Dark
TM52
Focus Blast
C120705Fighting
TM01
Focus Punch-3
B15010020Fighting
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
C150905Normal
TM07
Hail
D10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
A9510010Ice
TM23
Iron Tail
C1007515Steel
TM83
Natural Gift
D10015Normal
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM77
Psych Up
10Normal
TM29
Psychic
C9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
HM08
Rock Climb
908520Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
B4010015Fighting
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM65
Shadow Claw
D7010015Ghost
TM82
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
HM04
Strength
B8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
HM03
Surf
S9510015Water
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
B6010020Water
HM07
Waterfall
C8010015Water
HM05
Whirlpool
D358515Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Confuse Ray
D10010Ghost
Egg
Cross Chop
C100805Fighting
Egg
Encore
C1005Normal
Egg
Foresight
D40Normal
Egg
Future Sight
C12010010Psychic
Egg
Hypnosis
D7020Psychic
Egg
Light Screen
C30Psychic
Egg
Mud Bomb
658510Ground
Egg
Psybeam
C6510020Psychic
Egg
Psychic
C9010010Psychic
Egg
Refresh
D20Normal
Egg
Yawn
D10Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Aqua Tail
C909010Water
Tutor
Dive
C8010010Water
Tutor
Fury Cutter
109520Bug
Tutor
Headbutt
D7010015Normal
Tutor
Ice Punch
C7510015Ice
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Low Kick
D10020Fighting
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Role Play
10Psychic
Tutor
Signal Beam
C7510015Bug
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal
Tutor
Swift
6020Normal
Tutor
Worry Seed
10010Grass
Tutor
Zen Headbutt
D809015Psychic

Transfer Moves

Gen
Gen 3
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Gen 3
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Gen 3
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Gen 3
Dynamic Punch
D100505Fighting
Gen 3
Mega Kick
120755Normal
Gen 3
Mega Punch
808520Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
10Normal
Gen 3
Seismic Toss
D10020Fighting

How to Get Golduck in HeartGold & SoulSilver

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.

  1. Psyduck
    Step 1Catch Psyduck
    Ilex Forest
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Forest
    90%Early
    Ilex Forest
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Forest
    90%Early
    Route 35
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Route
    90%Early
    Route 35
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Route
    90%Early
    Route 6
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.5-10 Route
    CommonEarly
    Route 6
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.5-10 Route
    CommonEarly
    Seafoam Islands - B4F
    SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Water
    30%Mid
    Seafoam Islands - B4F
    HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Water
    30%Mid
    Seafoam Islands - 1F
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.28-29 Water
    CommonMid
    Seafoam Islands - 1F
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.28-29 Water
    CommonMid
    Seafoam Islands - B1F
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.26-28 Water
    UncommonMid
    Seafoam Islands - B1F
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.26-28 Water
    UncommonMid
    Seafoam Islands - B2F
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.27-30 Water
    UncommonMid
    Seafoam Islands - B2F
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.27-30 Water
    UncommonMid
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.35-40 Cave
    90%Late
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.35-40 Cave
    90%Late
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.35-40 Cave
    90%Late
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.35-40 Cave
    90%Late
    Seafoam Islands - B3F
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.31-32 Water
    UncommonLate
    Seafoam Islands - B3F
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.31-32 Water
    UncommonLate
    Seafoam Islands - B4F
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.34 Water
    UncommonLate
    Seafoam Islands - B4F
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.34 Water
    UncommonLate
  2. Golduck
    Step 2Golduck
    Route 6
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10 Route
    UncommonEarly
    Route 6
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10 Route
    UncommonEarly
    Ilex Forest
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-20 Forest
    10%Early
    Ilex Forest
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-20 Forest
    10%Early
    Route 35
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-20 Route
    10%Early
    Route 35
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-20 Route
    10%Early
    Seafoam Islands - 1F
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.32 Water
    UncommonLate
    Seafoam Islands - 1F
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.32 Water
    UncommonLate
    Seafoam Islands - B1F
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.32-34 Water
    UncommonLate
    Seafoam Islands - B1F
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.32-34 Water
    UncommonLate
    Seafoam Islands - B2F
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.33-35 Water
    UncommonLate
    Seafoam Islands - B2F
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.33-35 Water
    UncommonLate
    Seafoam Islands - B3F
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.34-36 Water
    UncommonLate
    Seafoam Islands - B3F
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.34-36 Water
    UncommonLate
    Seafoam Islands - B4F
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.37-38 Water
    UncommonLate
    Seafoam Islands - B4F
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.37-38 Water
    UncommonLate
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.40 Cave
    10%Late
    Cerulean Cave - 1F
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.40 Cave
    10%Late
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.40 Cave
    10%Late
    Cerulean Cave - B1F
    SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.40 Cave
    10%Late
    Mt. Silver - 3F
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.48 Cave
    CommonPost
    Mt. Silver - 3F
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.48 Cave
    CommonPost
    Mt. Silver - Upper mountainside
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.48 Cave
    CommonPost
    Morning/day
    Mt. Silver - Upper mountainside
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.48 Cave
    CommonPost
    Morning/day
    Mt. Silver - 1F Central Chamber
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.48 Cave
    UncommonPost
    Mt. Silver - 1F Central Chamber
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.48 Cave
    UncommonPost
    Mt. Silver - 1F Upper Chamber
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.48 Cave
    UncommonPost
    Mt. Silver - 1F Upper Chamber
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.48 Cave
    UncommonPost
    Mt. Silver - 2F
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.48 Cave
    UncommonPost
    Mt. Silver - 2F
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.48 Cave
    UncommonPost
    Mt. Silver - Upper mountainside
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.48 Cave
    UncommonPost
    Night
    Mt. Silver - Upper mountainside
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.48 Cave
    UncommonPost
    Night
    Mt. Silver - Lower mountainside
    SoulSilverGrass Lv.51 Cave
    RarePost
    Mt. Silver - Lower mountainside
    HeartGoldGrass Lv.51 Cave
    RarePost
    or evolve from Psyduck (Step 1)

Golduck Guide

  • In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Swift Swim changes the entire equation for Golduck. The 500 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier. Surf with Life Orb is the standard set.

  • In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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 mixed attacker with base 82 Attack and 95 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.

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

Game Availability

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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