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.
This Pokémon lives in gently flowing rivers. It paddles through the water with its long limbs, putting its graceful swimming skills on display.
Old tales tell of Golduck punishing those that defiled its river. The guilty were dragged into the water and taken away.
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
In Sword & Shield, Rillaboom can KO Golduck with Wood Hammer (172-202%). Regieleki's Thunderbolt also KOs at 98-116%.
 Rillaboom Grass | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemAssault Vest NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Golduck View Rillaboom builds →U Turn34-40% Wood Hammer 2x172-202%KO | ||
 Zeraora Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemAir Balloon NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Golduck View Zeraora builds →Drain Punch30-36% | ||
 Regieleki Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTransistor ItemMagnet NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Golduck View Regieleki builds →Volt Switch 2x77-91% Electroweb 2x61-72% Thunderbolt 2x98-116%KO | ||
Sword & Shield 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
Breeding
Breed with Golduck to get Psyduck eggs easily using 152 partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Clear Smog, Confuse Ray, Cross Chop and 4 more.
Sword & Shield Golduck Best Moveset
One guaranteed turn is all Golduck needs. Focus Sash buys it, max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs make it count, and Swiftswim adds something extra. The goal: deal early damage and deal damage with Surf. The remaining moves gives it play beyond just the lead turn.
Best Build
Golduck best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Rain Dance
- Clear Smog
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Utility Moveset
- Protect
- Simple Beam
- Muddy Water
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The natural movepool does the job, but Clear Smog and Confuse Ray from the egg pool give Golduck something extra.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Golduck in Sword & Shield
You're catching Psyduck first, not Golduck. Psyduck appears at solid rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Golduck in Sword & Shield
The path to Golduck starts with Psyduck at Lv. 10-18 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch PsyduckChallenge BeachSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlyIntense SunChallenge BeachShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlyThunderstormChallenge BeachSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlySnowingChallenge BeachShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlyIntense SunChallenge BeachSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlySandstormChallenge BeachShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlySnowingChallenge BeachSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlyRainingChallenge BeachShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlySandstormChallenge BeachSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlyHeavy FogChallenge BeachShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlyRainingChallenge BeachSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlyOvercastChallenge BeachShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlyHeavy FogChallenge BeachSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlyNormal WeatherChallenge BeachShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlyOvercastChallenge BeachSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlySnowstormChallenge BeachShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlyNormal WeatherChallenge BeachShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlySnowstormChallenge BeachSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Water32%EarlyThunderstormBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlyHeavy FogBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlySnowstormBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlySandstormBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlyHeavy FogBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlySandstormBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworld Lv.13-18 Cave16%EarlySnowstorm
Step 2Golduck ✓
Golduck Guide
In Sword & Shield, Swift Swim changes the entire equation for Golduck. The 500 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier. Ice Beam with Focus Sash is the standard set.
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.
In Sword & Shield, run Ice Beam, Surf, Raindance, and Clearsmog on Golduck. Ice Beam is the most common pick at 25% usage. Surf provides reliable STAB damage.
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.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves