Mid-stage Pokemon like Kirlia rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Gardevoir, which is where the real potential kicks in. Part of the Gen 3 roster. Dragon moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively.
Nothing fancy in Kirlia's spread. It leans special with Sp. Atk out front. And you'll get 2 Sp. Atk EVs per KO for it. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
If its Trainer becomes happy, it overflows with energy, dancing joyously while spinning about.
It has a psychic power that enables it to distort the space around it and see into the future.
Kirlia Weakness
GoodPoison, Ghost, and Steel-type moves hit Kirlia for super-effective damage. The upside? Dragon-type moves can't touch it at all. Not too many gaps in the chart, 3 weaknesses to account for.
Kirlia can evolve into Gardevoir and Gallade. Kirlia sits before the split, so check the evolution methods below to pick your path. So far, Sp.Atk got the biggest boost (+20 from Ralts). The final form adds another 240 stats on top.
How to Evolve
Breed with Kirlia to get Ralts eggs easily using 43 partners from the Indeterminate and Humanshape egg groups. Notable egg moves include Confuse Ray, Destiny Bond, Disable and 5 more.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Don't skip the egg moves. Kirlia picks up Confuse Ray and Destiny Bond only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Future Sight and Dream Eater while coverage across 7 types adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Kirlia doesn't appear wild. Catch Ralts instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it at level 20 to get Kirlia. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Kirlia in Sword & Shield
The path to Kirlia starts with Ralts at Lv. 7-29 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch RaltsEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1060%EarlyHeavy FogEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1060%EarlyHeavy FogEFFORTLESSDappled GroveShieldGrassLv.11-1540%EarlyForestHeavy FogEFFORTLESSDappled GroveSwordGrassLv.11-1540%EarlyForestHeavy FogEASYRolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlyHeavy FogEASYRolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlyHeavy FogEASYDappled GroveShieldOverworldLv.13-1525%EarlyForestHeavy FogEASYDappled GroveSwordOverworldLv.13-1525%EarlyForestHeavy FogEASYFields of HonorSwordOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyHeavy FogEASYFields of HonorShieldOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyHeavy FogEASYFields of HonorSwordGrassLv.13-1815%EarlyHeavy FogEASYFields of HonorShieldGrassLv.13-1815%EarlyHeavy FogMODERATEWest Lake AxewellSwordGrassLv.7-1110%EarlyCaveHeavy FogMODERATEWest Lake AxewellShieldGrassLv.7-1110%EarlyCaveHeavy FogMODERATESouth Lake MilochShieldGrassLv.11-1310%EarlyWaterHeavy FogMODERATESouth Lake MilochSwordGrassLv.11-1310%EarlyWaterHeavy FogCHALLENGINGNorth Lake MilochSwordGrassLv.14-165%EarlyWaterHeavy FogCHALLENGINGNorth Lake MilochShieldGrassLv.14-165%EarlyWaterHeavy FogMODERATESouth Lake MilochShieldOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterHeavy FogMODERATESouth Lake MilochSwordOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterHeavy FogCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-102%EarlyOvercastCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-102%EarlyOvercastCHALLENGINGRolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-102%EarlyOvercastCHALLENGINGRolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-102%EarlyOvercastMODERATEWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2910%MidBuildingHeavy FogMODERATEWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworldLv.26-2910%MidBuildingHeavy FogCHALLENGINGNorth Lake MilochSwordOverworldLv.26-282%MidWaterHeavy FogCHALLENGINGNorth Lake MilochShieldOverworldLv.26-282%MidWaterHeavy Fog
Step 2Kirlia ✓
At 278 BST, Kirlia is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Gardevoir before bringing it to any serious fight.
Synchronize copies burns, paralysis, and poison received onto the Pokémon that inflicted them — that's the one you want on Kirlia. Telepathy is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Trace works too if your team needs something different.
Kirlia is a special attacker with base 65 Sp. Atk. Fragile — can't afford to take many hits, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go.
Kirlia appears in 17 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Since Ruby & Sapphire, Kirlia has been in 17 games. Requiring an item-based evolution to obtain means it's consistently available but requires more effort than simply catching it in the wild.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRSDebut
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 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