Special
Balanced
319Low
65Moderate
DTier

While most trainers evolve Joltik into Galvantula immediately, the unevolved form has a niche with Eviolite boosting its defenses. Only weak to Fire and Rock. Can go either physical or special depending on the set. Introduced in Gen 5.

An unusually even spread gives Joltik flexibility. Speed barely edges ahead. But Attack isn't far off. Common in the wild and follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve. Yields 1 Speed EV.

Base Stats
319Avg
HP50
D
Attack47
D
Defense50
D
Sp. Atk57
D
Sp. Def50
D
Speed65
C
Total319
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Joltik yields +1 Spe
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Details
Catch190EasyMedium Fast1M XP0.1m / 0'04"0.6kg / 1.3 lbs64Base XP
Pokedex Entries

Joltik can be found clinging to other Pokémon. It’s soaking up static electricity because it can’t produce a charge on its own.

Sword

Joltik latch on to other Pokémon and suck out static electricity. They’re often found sticking to Yamper’s hindquarters.

Shield

Joltik Weakness

Avg

Joltik's Bug/Electric typing leaves it vulnerable to Fire and Rock moves. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Just 2 weak spots to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.

4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Scorei0
Stealth Rock25% on switch
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
Compound EyesIncreases moves' accuracy to 1.3×.
UnnervePrevents opposing Pokémon from eating held Berries.
SwarmHAStrengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.

One evolution ahead. Joltik grows into Galvantula through a straightforward two-stage chain. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 153 total stats over Joltik.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Joltik
BugElectric
Galvantula
BugElectric
HP
50
70+20
ATK
47
77+30
DEF
50
60+10
SP.ATK
57
97+40
SP.DEF
50
60+10
SPE
65
108+43
BST
319D-Tier
472B-Tier+153
ROLE
Balanced
Pivot
TYPE
Utility
Special
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed Joltik easily with 47 breeding partners from the Bug egg group. Pass egg moves like Double Team, Infestation, Lunge and 2 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Bug
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
5moves
Breed With (best first)
flygondrapiongolisopodcrustleribombeearaquanidvibravaskorupidwebblecutieflytrapinchdewpider

Volt Switch keeps your team's momentum going. Joltik doesn't need to stay in long, Assault Vest provides a special bulk boost with no status moves allowed and max HP and Attack EVs make every visit count. Thunderbolt threatens on the way out. Compoundeyes adds passive value.

Best Build

Physical Tank
Ability
Compoundeyes
Item
Assault VestBULK
Nature
Hardy
EVs

Best Joltik Moveset

  • ThunderboltSTAB
  • Energy Ball
  • Volt SwitchSTAB
  • Bug BuzzSTAB

You'll want to breed for Double Team and Infestation on Joltik. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Bug Buzz and Thunderbolt, they expand what Joltik can actually threaten in practice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Absorb
2010025Grass
Lv 1
Fury Cutter
409520Bug
Lv 4
Electroweb
559515Electric
Lv 8
Bug Bite
6010020Bug
Lv 12
String Shot
9540Bug
Lv 16
Thunder Wave
9020Electric
Lv 20
Electro Ball
10010Electric
Lv 24
Agility
30Psychic
Lv 28
Sucker Punch+1
701005Dark
Lv 32
Slash
7010020Normal
Lv 37
Discharge
8010015Electric
Lv 40
Screech
8540Normal
Lv 44
Gastro Acid
10010Poison
Lv 48
Bug Buzz
9010010Bug

TM Moves

Src
TR12
Agility
30Psychic
TM31
Attract
10015Normal
TM52
Bounce
85855Flying
TR61
Bug Buzz
9010010Bug
TM73
Cross Poison
7010020Poison
TR80
Electro Ball
10010Electric
TM82
Electroweb
559515Electric
TR26
Endure+4
10Normal
TR65
Energy Ball
9010010Grass
TM39
Facade
7010020Normal
TM28
Giga Drain
7510010Grass
TR18
Leech Life
8010010Bug
TM17
Light Screen
30Psychic
TM07
Pin Missile
259520Bug
TR57
Poison Jab
8010020Poison
TM25
Protect+4
10Normal
TM33
Rain Dance
5Water
TM21
Rest
10Psychic
TM76
Round
6010015Normal
TM16
Screech
8540Normal
TR27
Sleep Talk
10Normal
TM24
Snore
5010015Normal
TM62
Speed Swap
10Psychic
TR20
Substitute
10Normal
TM40
Swift
6020Normal
TM23
Thief
6010025Dark
TM14
Thunder Wave
9020Electric
TR08
Thunderbolt
9010015Electric
TM80
Volt Switch
7010020Electric
TR86
Wild Charge
9010015Electric
TR60
X-Scissor
8010015Bug

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Double Team
15Normal
Egg
Infestation
2010020Bug
Egg
Lunge
8010015Bug
Egg
Poison Sting
1510035Poison
Egg
Struggle Bug
5010020Bug

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Rising Voltage
7010020Electric
Tutor
Skitter Smack
709010Bug

high spawn rates in early-game routes across 22 locations. Joltik's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.

Best Locations

You can catch Joltik through 22 walking encounters from Lv. 7-30, but availability differs between Shield and Sword. Some spots are exclusive to one version.

East Lake Axewell
ShieldGrassLv.8-1245%EarlyCaveThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
East Lake Axewell
SwordGrassLv.8-1245%EarlyCaveThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
Rolling Fields
SwordGrassLv.7-940%EarlyThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
Rolling Fields
ShieldGrassLv.7-1040%EarlyThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
Dappled Grove
SwordGrassLv.11-1540%EarlyForestThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
Dappled Grove
ShieldGrassLv.11-1540%EarlyForestThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
South Lake Miloch
SwordGrassLv.11-1330%EarlyWaterThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
South Lake Miloch
ShieldGrassLv.11-1330%EarlyWaterThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
North Lake Miloch
SwordGrassLv.14-1630%EarlyWaterThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
North Lake Miloch
ShieldGrassLv.14-1630%EarlyWaterThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
West Lake Axewell
SwordGrassLv.7-1110%EarlyCaveThunderstorm
MODERATE
West Lake Axewell
ShieldGrassLv.7-1110%EarlyCaveThunderstorm
MODERATE
Route 4
SwordGrassLv.13-1510%EarlyRouteAll Weather
MODERATE
Route 4
ShieldGrassLv.13-1510%EarlyRouteAll Weather
MODERATE
South Lake Miloch
SwordOverworldLv.14-1610%EarlyWaterThunderstorm
MODERATE
South Lake Miloch
ShieldOverworldLv.14-1610%EarlyWaterThunderstorm
MODERATE
Giant's Cap
SwordGrassLv.26-2840%MidThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
Giant's Cap
ShieldGrassLv.26-2840%MidThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
Giant's Mirror
SwordOverworldLv.28-3035%MidThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
Giant's Mirror
ShieldOverworldLv.28-3035%MidThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
Giant's Mirror
SwordGrassLv.26-2830%MidThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
Giant's Mirror
ShieldGrassLv.26-2830%MidThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
  • Joltik is meant to evolve into Galvantula. At 319 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.

  • Watch for Charizard (Fire) and Aerodactyl (Rock) when using Joltik. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Joltik evolves into Galvantula at level 36. Joltik is the base form of this evolutionary line.

  • Compound Eyes increases moves' accuracy to 1.3× — that's the one you want on Joltik. Swarm is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Unnerve works too if your team needs something different.

  • At base 65 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Joltik is a special attacker with base 57 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Fragile — can't afford to take many hits.

  • Joltik appears in 8 games, including Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, and X & Y.

Joltik joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 8 titles so far. With 5 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.