Free switch-ins on Ghost moves make Heliolisk useful in any team that needs that coverage. Only 2 weaknesses keeps it safe in most matchups. Dry Skin heals from Water moves but takes extra Fire damage. The stat spread leans into special offense.
Everything pushes toward special damage here. Heliolisk's Sp. Atk does the work, Defense pays the price. But you're still getting 2 Sp. Atk and Speed EVs per KO. Moderately hard to find, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
A now-vanished desert culture treasured these Pokémon. Appropriately, when Heliolisk came to the Galar region, treasure came with them.
One Heliolisk basking in the sun with its frill outspread is all it would take to produce enough electricity to power a city.
Heliolisk Weakness
GoodHeliolisk's Electric/Normal typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting and Ground moves. It shrugs off Ghost-type attacks completely. Dry Skin grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Heliolisk's special bulk (base 94 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
Heliolisk evolved from Helioptile's chain using an evolution item. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Helioptile eggs (average hatch time). The evolution from Helioptile pushed Heliolisk to 481 total stats. Sp.Def saw the largest single gain at +51.
How to Evolve
Heliolisk's locked into one move per switch-in with Choice Scarf, trading flexibility for speed patching through item lock. Thunderbolt is the go-to spam option, with Water coverage keeping switch-ins honest.
Best Build
Best Heliolisk Moveset
- Volt Switch
- Hyper Voice
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Heliolisk won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 10 types means it always has an effective option. Giga Impact and Hyper Beam anchor the STAB core.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Heliolisk won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 10 types means it always has an effective option. Giga Impact and Hyper Beam anchor the STAB core.
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Heliolisk won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 10 types means it always has an effective option. Giga Impact and Hyper Beam anchor the STAB core.
The natural movepool does the job, but Agility and Camouflage from the egg pool give Heliolisk something extra. Pair those with Giga Impact and Hyper Beam for STAB and coverage across 8 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
No wild encounters for Heliolisk in Legends: Z-A. Bring Helioptile over from X or Sword, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Heliolisk in Legends: Z-A
Step 1Obtain Helioptile
Step 2Heliolisk ✓
No wild encounters for Heliolisk. The 2-stage line runs through Helioptile, which you can catch at solid rates from the locations below. Evolve through a special method once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Heliolisk in Sword & Shield
The path to Heliolisk starts with Helioptile at Lv. 28-33 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch HelioptileEFFORTLESSGiant's MirrorShieldOverworldLv.28-3040%MidThunderstormEFFORTLESSGiant's MirrorSwordOverworldLv.28-3040%MidThunderstormEFFORTLESSRoute 6ShieldOverworldLv.29-3329%MidRouteAll WeatherEFFORTLESSRoute 6SwordOverworldLv.29-3329%MidRouteAll Weather
Step 2Heliolisk ✓
Heliolisk waits at a fixed spot in this game. Head to Ultra Space Wilds for a one-time encounter. No random spawns or encounter rates involved — it's a set battle at a known location.
How to Obtain Heliolisk in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Step 1Obtain Helioptile
Step 2Heliolisk ✓Ultra Space Wilds - CragUltra MoonInteract with PokemonLv.60PostDistortionUltra Space Wilds - CragUltra SunInteract with PokemonLv.60PostDistortionor evolve from Helioptile (Step 1)
Heliolisk isn't available in the wild in Sun & Moon. Start by transferring Helioptile from X or Sword. The evolution path from Helioptile to Heliolisk is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Heliolisk in Sun & Moon
Step 1Obtain Helioptile
Step 2Heliolisk ✓
Heliolisk looks average on paper at 481 BST. But Dry Skin is why it sees play — build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier sweeper on our tier list.
Helioptile evolves into Heliolisk using a Sun Stone. Heliolisk is the fully evolved form. At 481 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
Heliolisk gets Dry Skin, Sand Veil, and Solar Power. But Dry Skin is the one that matters — it's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that. With base 109 Speed, Dry Skin gives Heliolisk an edge before opponents can react.
Heliolisk is a special attacker with base 109 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 109 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the sweeper role.
Heliolisk appears in 6 games, including X & Y, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, and Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.
Since X & Y, Heliolisk has been obtainable in 6 games. A Generation 6 debut means a shorter history, but Heliolisk has appeared steadily across every generation since.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB

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 VIXYDebut

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