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.
Even fast-swimming fish Pokémon can be disabled by Golduck. It brings them to a standstill and seizes them.
A professional swimmer, it can continue swimming for two days straight by waving its long tail skillfully.
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. Notable egg moves include Clear Smog, Confuse Ray, Cross Chop and 12 more.
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
Best Golduck Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Soak
- Aqua Jet
Recommended Teammates
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Golduck won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 11 types means it always has an effective option. Hydro Pump and Aqua Tail anchor the STAB core.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
A handful of locations for Golduck with decent spawn rates across late-game 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 Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
To get Golduck, start by catching Psyduck through walking and surfing encounters at Lv. 6-61. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PsyduckEFFORTLESSSandy CaveUltra MoonGrassLv.6-930%EarlyDesertEFFORTLESSSandy CaveUltra SunGrassLv.6-930%EarlyDesertEFFORTLESSSeaward CaveUltra MoonGrassLv.9-1230%EarlyCaveEFFORTLESSSeaward CaveUltra SunGrassLv.9-1230%EarlyCaveMODERATEBrooklet Hill - NorthUltra MoonSurfing on waterLv.14-1720%EarlyEASYBrooklet Hill - NorthUltra MoonGrassLv.14-1720%EarlyMODERATEBrooklet Hill - NorthUltra SunSurfing on waterLv.14-1720%EarlyEASYBrooklet Hill - NorthUltra SunGrassLv.14-1720%EarlyEASYBrooklet Hill - SouthUltra SunGrassLv.14-1720%EarlyMODERATEBrooklet Hill - SouthUltra MoonSurfing on waterLv.14-1720%EarlyEASYBrooklet Hill - SouthUltra MoonGrassLv.14-1720%EarlyMODERATEBrooklet Hill - SouthUltra SunSurfing on waterLv.14-1720%EarlyMODERATETen Carat Hill - InsideUltra MoonGrassLv.11-1410%EarlyMODERATETen Carat Hill - InsideUltra SunGrassLv.11-1410%EarlyHARDSeaward CaveUltra MoonSurfing on waterLv.15-185%EarlyCaveHARDSeaward CaveUltra SunSurfing on waterLv.15-185%EarlyCaveMODERATEMalie GardenUltra MoonGrassLv.25-2810%MidForestMODERATEMalie GardenUltra SunGrassLv.25-2810%MidForest
Step 2Golduck ✓MODERATEVast Poni Canyon - Northwest (Hidden Area)Ultra MoonSurfing on waterLv.42-4520%LateMODERATEVast Poni Canyon - Northwest (Hidden Area)Ultra SunSurfing on waterLv.42-4520%LateMODERATEPoni GauntletUltra MoonGrassLv.58-6110%PostMODERATEPoni GauntletUltra SunGrassLv.58-6110%Postor 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