Horsea Best Moveset
Water at 70 Sp. Atk and 60 Speed with AbilitySwift Swim doubling Speed under rain. The Sp. Atk isn't enough to threaten at competitive level even with rain active. The moveset is pre-evolution filler. Evolve through to Kingdra for Dragon/Water TermStab at 95 Sp. Atk and Swift Swim that competes.
Horsea was a niche pick at best in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow), rarely seen in standard play. This marked Horsea's competitive debut. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 70.
Utility Moveset
- Hydro Pump
- Blizzard
- Surf
- Surf
Horsea was a niche pick at best in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal), rarely seen in standard play. Horsea maintained its position from the previous generation.
Utility Moveset
- Surf
- Hydro Pump
- Waterfall
- Octazooka
Horsea was a niche pick at best in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald), rarely seen in standard play. Horsea maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Swiftswim with Petayaberry, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Rain Dance
- Hydro Pump
- Substitute
Recommended Teammates
Horsea saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). This was Horsea's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Swiftswim with Life Orb, favoring a Timid nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Horsea best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Utility Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Rain Dance
- Signal Beam
Recommended Teammates
Horsea saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Horsea maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Swiftswim with Life Orb, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Rain Dance
- Hidden Power Grass
- Hydro Pump
Recommended Teammates
Horsea was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Swiftswim with Nothing, favoring a Rash nature.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Hydro Pump
- Rain Dance
- Dive
- Hidden Power Electric
Recommended Teammates
Horsea saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Horsea climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Sniper with Scopelens, favoring a Modest nature.
Utility Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Dragon Pulse
- Hydro Pump
- Flash Cannon
Horsea saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Horsea maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sniper with Scopelens, favoring a Timid nature.
Utility Moveset
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Focus Energy
- Flash Cannon
Recommended Teammates
Horsea was a niche pick at best in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Swiftswim with Life Orb, favoring a Modest nature.
Utility Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Weather Ball
- Tera Blast
- Flip Turn
Recommended Teammates
Horsea Weakness
Horsea is weak to Electric and Grass. The Water typing picks up 4 resistances to work with. Horsea's physical bulk (base 70 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
What is Horsea Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Horsea
Jolteon can KO Horsea with Thunderbolt (439-516%). Mienfoo's High Jump Kick hits Horsea for 78-92%. Venusaur's Giga Drain also KOs at 299-351%.
 Jolteon Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Horsea View Jolteon builds →Volt Switch 2x341-401%KO Thunderbolt 2x439-516%KO Shadow Ball129-153%KO | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemEviolite NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Horsea View Mienfoo builds →Knock Off39-46% U Turn42-50% High Jump Kick78-92% | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemLife Orb NatureNaive Moves
Damage vs Horsea View Venusaur builds →Giga Drain 2x299-351%KO Sludge Bomb179-210%KO | ||
D | ||
Recommended Build AbilityOvercoat ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves View Vullaby builds →
| ||
Evolution
Horsea kicks off a three-stage evolution line through Seadra all the way to Kingdra. For breeding, average hatch time with plenty of partners via two egg groups. Evolving adds up to 245 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Horsea
Horsea's 3-stage chain starts with Horsea, which appears in the wild in the locations below. Level through 3 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.
Where To Catch Horsea in SV
Horsea is your first catch on the way to Horsea. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 50-80 across 14 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Horsea ✓Canyon BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCoastal BiomeLv.50-80OverworldPolar BiomeLv.50-80OverworldPolar BiomeLv.68Overworld
Step 2Catch or Evolve into SeadraCanyon BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCoastal BiomeLv.50-80OverworldPolar BiomeLv.50-80Overworldor evolve from Horsea (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into KingdraBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Kingdra egg.
The chain to Horsea requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Horsea in the wild and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
Where To Catch Horsea in BDSP
To get Horsea, start by catching Horsea through walking and fishing encounters at Lv. 10-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Horsea ✓Route 226Lv.10-25Good RodRate 35%Fountainspring CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRiverbank CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStill-Water CavernLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 3Evolve into Kingdra
The chain to Horsea requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Horsea in the wild and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
Where To Catch Horsea in SwSh
To get Horsea, start by catching Horsea through surfing encounters at Lv. 40-45. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Horsea ✓Insular SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%RainingInsular SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%SnowstormInsular SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%Intense SunInsular SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%Heavy FogInsular SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%SnowingInsular SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%OvercastInsular SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%SandstormInsular SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 20%Normal WeatherInsular SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 16%Thunderstorm
Step 3Evolve into Kingdra
A trade step sits in Horsea's 3-stage chain from Horsea. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Horsea shows up in the wild, so the starting catch is the easy part.
Where To Catch Horsea in LGPE
The path to Horsea starts with Horsea at Lv. 13-38 via surfing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Horsea ✓Route 11Lv.13-18Surfing on waterRate 30%Route 12Lv.31-36Surfing on waterRate 30%Route 13Lv.33-38Surfing on waterRate 30%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into SeadraRoute 11Lv.13-18Surfing on waterRate 5%Route 12Lv.31-36Surfing on waterRate 5%Route 13Lv.33-38Surfing on waterRate 5%or evolve from Horsea (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into Kingdra
Base Stats
Nothing fancy in Horsea's spread. It leans special with Defense out front. And you'll get 1 Sp. Atk EV per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Horsea makes its home in oceans with gentle currents. If this Pokémon is under attack, it spits out pitch-black ink and escapes.
Horsea Guide
For a casual playthrough, Horsea works as a placeholder. Water coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Seadra. That's where the stats start mattering.
Game Availability
Present since Red & Blue, Horsea appears in 20 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Horsea have the longest track record of availability in the series.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves