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.
Herdier is a very smart and friendly Pokémon. So much so that there’s a theory that Herdier was the first Pokémon to partner with people.
The black fur that covers this Pokémon’s body is dense and springy. Even sharp fangs bounce right off.
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.
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 138 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include After You, Covet, Howl and 3 more.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
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STAB runs through Giga Impact and Last Resort for the basics, but Herdier's real strength is the 11-type coverage spread. Dark and Fairy hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
You're catching Lillipup first, not Herdier. Lillipup 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 Herdier in Sword & Shield
The path to Herdier starts with Lillipup at Lv. 10-21 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch LillipupEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldOverworldLv.10-1556%EarlyNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldOverworldLv.10-1556%EarlySnowstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldOverworldLv.10-1556%EarlySnowingEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldOverworldLv.10-1556%EarlyHeavy FogEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordOverworldLv.13-1856%EarlySnowingEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordOverworldLv.13-1856%EarlyHeavy FogEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordOverworldLv.13-1856%EarlyNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordOverworldLv.13-1856%EarlySnowstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldOverworldLv.10-1536%EarlyOvercastEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldOverworldLv.10-1536%EarlyThunderstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldOverworldLv.10-1536%EarlyIntense SunEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldOverworldLv.10-1536%EarlySandstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldOverworldLv.10-1536%EarlyRainingEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordOverworldLv.13-1836%EarlySandstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordOverworldLv.13-1836%EarlyRainingEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordOverworldLv.13-1836%EarlyOvercastEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordOverworldLv.13-1836%EarlyThunderstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordOverworldLv.13-1836%EarlyIntense SunEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2160%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2160%MidSnowstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2160%MidHeavy FogEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2160%MidNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2160%MidSnowstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2160%MidSnowingEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2160%MidHeavy FogEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2160%MidSnowingEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2145%MidRainingEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2145%MidOvercastEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2145%MidThunderstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2145%MidIntense SunEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2145%MidSandstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2145%MidThunderstormEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2145%MidRainingEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2145%MidIntense SunEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2145%MidOvercastEFFORTLESSTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2145%MidSandstorm
Step 2Herdier ✓
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