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.
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
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. 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 138 partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Clear Smog, Confuse Ray, Cross Chop and 4 more.
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
Best Golduck Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Rain Dance
- Clear Smog
Recommended Teammates
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
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 PsyduckEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterIntense SunEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterThunderstormEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterSnowingEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterIntense SunEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterSandstormEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterSnowingEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterRainingEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterSandstormEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterHeavy FogEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterRainingEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterOvercastEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterHeavy FogEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterOvercastEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterSnowstormEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachShieldOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterSnowstormEFFORTLESSChallenge BeachSwordOverworldLv.10-1532%EarlyWaterThunderstormEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveHeavy FogEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveSnowstormEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveSandstormEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveHeavy FogEASYBrawlers' CaveShieldOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveSandstormEASYBrawlers' CaveSwordOverworldLv.13-1816%EarlyCaveSnowstorm- Step 2Golduck ✓
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