Mid-stage Pokemon like Herdier rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Stoutland, which is where the real potential kicks in. Relies on priority moves or Scarf to keep up. Ghost moves can't touch it, and only a single type hits it super-effectively.
Herdier's spread isn't flashy. Attack leads, Sp. Atk trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 2 Attack EVs, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It has black, cape-like fur that is very hard and decreases the amount of damage it receives.
It loyally follows its Trainer’s orders. For ages, they have helped Trainers raise Pokémon.
Herdier Weakness
GoodHerdier's Normal typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting moves. It shrugs off Ghost-type attacks completely. Only 1 weakness makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
Herdier is the middle stage between Lillipup and Stoutland. It's a three-stage line with one more evolution to go. For breeding, quick to hatch with a massive partner pool via one egg group. So far, HP got the biggest boost (+20 from Lillipup). The final form adds another 130 stats on top.
How to Evolve
Breed with Herdier to get Lillipup eggs easily using 180 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Charm, Endure, Fire Fang and 8 more.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 5.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
STAB runs through Giga Impact and Last Resort for the basics, but Herdier's real strength is the 10-type coverage spread. Dark and Fighting hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
high spawn rates for Herdier across 12 locations in mid-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Herdier in Black & White
The path to Herdier starts with Lillipup at Lv. 2-39 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch LillipupEFFORTLESSRoute 1BlackGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyRouteAnyEFFORTLESSRoute 1WhiteGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyRouteAnyEFFORTLESSRoute 2BlackGrassLv.4-7CommonEarlyRouteAnyEFFORTLESSRoute 2WhiteGrassLv.4-7CommonEarlyRouteAnyEASYRoute 3WhiteGrassLv.9UncommonEarlyRouteAnyEASYRoute 3BlackGrassLv.9UncommonEarlyRouteAnyEASYRoute 3WhiteGrassLv.11UncommonEarlyRouteAnyDouble grassEASYRoute 3BlackGrassLv.11UncommonEarlyRouteAnyDouble grass
Step 2Herdier ✓EFFORTLESSCold StorageBlackGrassLv.21-23CommonMidAnyEFFORTLESSCold StorageWhiteGrassLv.21-23CommonMidAnyEFFORTLESSCold StorageBlackGrassLv.25-27CommonMidAnyDouble grassEFFORTLESSCold StorageWhiteGrassLv.25-27CommonMidAnyDouble grassEFFORTLESSP2 LaboratoryWhiteGrassLv.28-31CommonMidBuildingAnyEFFORTLESSP2 LaboratoryBlackGrassLv.28-31CommonMidBuildingAnyEFFORTLESSRoute 1WhiteGrassLv.32-34CommonLateRouteAnyDouble grassEFFORTLESSRoute 1BlackGrassLv.32-34CommonLateRouteAnyDouble grassEFFORTLESSRoute 10WhiteGrassLv.33-34CommonLateRouteAnyEFFORTLESSRoute 10BlackGrassLv.33-34CommonLateRouteAnyEFFORTLESSRoute 10WhiteGrassLv.38-39CommonLateRouteAnyDouble grassEFFORTLESSRoute 10BlackGrassLv.38-39CommonLateRouteAnyDouble grassor evolve from Lillipup (Step 1)
Herdier isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Stoutland to unlock its full potential. At 370 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Watch for Blaziken (Fighting) when using Herdier. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Run Intimidate on Herdier. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Herdier also gets Sand Rush and Scrappy, but they don't compare.
Herdier fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 80 Attack. At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often.
Herdier appears in 7 games, including Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, and X & Y.
Introduced in Black & White, Herdier has appeared in 7 games across 5 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
- 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 VBWDebut
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