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.
Its long, slim limbs end in broad flippers. They are used for swimming gracefully in lakes.
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.
Evolved from Psyduck. Golduck is the final form in this two-stage line. No compatible partners 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 from the Ground and Water1 egg groups.
Golduck's locked into one move per switch-in with Choice Scarf, trading flexibility for speed patching through item lock. Ice Beam is the go-to spam option, with utility options keeping switch-ins honest.
Best Build
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Leveling does the heavy lifting. Golduck picks up Surf and Hydro Pump along the way, building toward a complete offensive set. TMs add Psychic and Normal coverage and more, but the foundation's already strong by then.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
A handful of locations for Golduck with decent spawn rates across endgame routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Golduck in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
To get Golduck, start by catching Psyduck through walking encounters at Lv. 7-56. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PsyduckEASYRoute 24Let's Go PikachuGrassLv.7-1220%EarlyRouteEASYRoute 24Let's Go EeveeGrassLv.7-1220%EarlyRouteEASYRoute 25Let's Go PikachuGrassLv.9-1420%EarlyRouteEASYRoute 25Let's Go EeveeGrassLv.9-1420%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 6Let's Go EeveeGrassLv.11-1610%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 6Let's Go PikachuGrassLv.11-1610%EarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 4Let's Go EeveeGrassLv.7-125%EarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 4Let's Go PikachuGrassLv.7-125%EarlyRouteEASYRoute 17Let's Go PikachuGrassLv.33-3815%LateRouteEASYRoute 17Let's Go EeveeGrassLv.33-3815%LateRouteCHALLENGINGCerulean Cave - 1FLet's Go EeveeGrassLv.51-565%PostCaveCHALLENGINGCerulean Cave - 1FLet's Go PikachuGrassLv.51-565%PostCaveCHALLENGINGCerulean Cave - B1FLet's Go EeveeGrassLv.51-565%PostCaveCHALLENGINGCerulean Cave - B1FLet's Go PikachuGrassLv.51-565%PostCave
Step 2Golduck ✓EASYCerulean Cave - 1FLet's Go EeveeGrassLv.51-5615%PostCaveEASYCerulean Cave - 1FLet's Go PikachuGrassLv.51-5615%PostCaveEASYCerulean Cave - B1FLet's Go EeveeGrassLv.51-5615%PostCaveEASYCerulean Cave - B1FLet's Go PikachuGrassLv.51-5615%PostCaveor 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