Utility
Pivot
420Average
100Fast
CTier

Linoone is technically a pre-evolution of Galarian Obstagoon, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Ghost moves can't touch it, and only a single type hits it super-effectively. Known as the Rushing Pokemon.

Linoone's spread isn't flashy. Speed leads, Sp. Atk trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Moderately hard to find and worth 2 Speed EVs, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.

Base Stats
420Above
HP78
C
Attack70
C
Defense61
C
Sp. Atk50
D
Sp. Def61
C
Speed100
B
Total420
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Linoone yields +2 Spe
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Details
Catch90Challenging•Medium Fast1M XP•0.5m / 1'08"•32.5kg / 71.7 lbs•147Base XP
Pokedex Entries

It uses its long tongue to taunt opponents. Once the opposition is enraged, this Pokémon hurls itself at the opponent, tackling them forcefully.

Sword

This very aggressive Pokémon will recklessly challenge opponents stronger than itself.

Shield

Linoone Weakness

Good

Linoone is weak to Fighting-type moves. On the flip side, it's immune to Ghost-type moves entirely. Only 1 weakness makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.

4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
Fighting
½xResisti
None
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
Ghost
STABi
No super-effective STAB
1Weak
0Resist
1Immune
Scorei+1
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
PickupPicks up other Pokémon's used and Flung held items. May also pick up an item after battle.
GluttonyMakes the Pokémon eat any held Berry triggered by low HP below 1/2 its max HP.
Quick FeetHAIncreases Speed to 1.5× with a major status ailment.

Linoone is the evolved form of Zigzagoon. Breeding produces Zigzagoon eggs, and they're quick to hatch. Evolving from Zigzagoon gave Linoone the biggest boost in HP (+40), bringing the total to 420 stats.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Zigzagoon
#263Zigzagoon
20
Level 20
Linoone
#264Linoone
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Zigzagoon
Normal
Linoone
Normal
HP
38
78+40
ATK
30
70+40
DEF
41
61+20
SP.ATK
30
50+20
SP.DEF
41
61+20
SPE
60
100+40
BST
240D-Tier
420C-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Pivot
TYPE
Utility
Physical
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed with Linoone to get Zigzagoon eggs easily using 138 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Extreme Speed, Simple Beam, Tickle.

Egg Groups
Ground
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
15 cycles·3,855 steps
Quick~4 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
3moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckrhydonshiftryexploudquagsiremawilenidorinofarfetchdloudred
12 of 138·

Linoone runs a standard physical attacker set. Jolly nature with max Attack and Speed EVs shapes the build, while Sitrus Berry brings a one-time health recovery at low HP. Gluttony supports the kit from the background.

Best Build

Physical Attacker
Ability
Gluttony
Item
Sitrus BerryRECOVERY
Nature
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Best Linoone Moveset

  • Extreme SpeedSTAB
  • Belly DrumSTAB
  • Stomping Tantrum
  • Simple BeamSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Gardevoir
GardevoirGood
Swampert
SwampertGood
Salamence
SalamenceGood

The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 11 types means almost nothing walls Linoone cleanly, with Giga Impact and Hyper Beam anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Baby-Doll Eyes+1
—10030Fairy
Lv 1
Growl
—10040Normal
Lv 1
Pin Missile
259520Bug
Lv 1
Sand Attack
—10015Ground
Lv 1
Slash
7010020Normal
Lv 1
Switcheroo
—10010Dark
Lv 1
Tackle
4010035Normal
Lv 1
Tail Whip
—10030Normal
Lv 9
Covet
6010025Normal
Lv 12
Headbutt
7010015Normal
Lv 15
Hone Claws
——15Dark
Lv 18
Fury Swipes
188015Normal
Lv 23
Rest
——10Psychic
Lv 28
Take Down
908520Normal
Lv 33
Fling
—10010Dark
Lv 38
Flail
—10015Normal
Lv 43
Belly Drum
——10Normal
Lv 48
Double-Edge
12010015Normal

TM Moves

Src
TM31
Attract
—10015Normal
TR06
Blizzard
110705Ice
TR01
Body Slam
8510015Normal
TM29
Charm
—10020Fairy
TM15
Dig
8010010Ground
TR26
Endure+4
——10Normal
TM39
Facade
7010020Normal
TM59
Fling
—10010Dark
TM09
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TR77
Grass Knot
—10020Grass
TR73
Gunk Shot
120805Poison
TM41
Helping Hand+5
——20Normal
TM08
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TR42
Hyper Voice
9010010Normal
TR05
Ice Beam
9010010Ice
TM27
Icy Wind
559515Ice
TR31
Iron Tail
1007515Steel
TM53
Mud Shot
559515Ground
TM07
Pin Missile
259520Bug
TR90
Play Rough
909010Fairy
TM25
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM33
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM21
Rest
——10Psychic
TM79
Retaliate
701005Normal
TM76
Round
6010015Normal
TR59
Seed Bomb
8010015Grass
TR33
Shadow Ball
8010015Ghost
TM65
Shadow Claw
7010015Ghost
TR27
Sleep Talk
——10Normal
TM24
Snore
5010015Normal
TM98
Stomping Tantrum
7510010Ground
TR20
Substitute
——10Normal
TM34
Sunny Day
——5Fire
TR04
Surf
9010015Water
TM40
Swift
60—20Normal
TM84
Tail Slap
258510Normal
TM23
Thief
6010025Dark
TR95
Throat Chop
8010015Dark
TR09
Thunder
1107010Electric
TM14
Thunder Wave
—9020Electric
TR08
Thunderbolt
9010015Electric
TR38
Trick
—10010Psychic
TM36
Whirlpool
358515Water
TR85
Work Up
——30Normal

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Extreme Speed+2
801005Normal
Egg
Simple Beam
—10015Normal
Egg
Tickle
—10020Normal

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Lash Out
751005Dark

Reminder Moves

Src
Rem
Slash
7010020Normal

high spawn rates across 16 locations for Linoone in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.

Where To Catch Linoone in Sword & Shield

The path to Linoone starts with Zigzagoon at Lv. 5-65 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Zigzagoon
    Step 1Catch Zigzagoon
    Route 3
    ShieldOverworldLv.10-1438%EarlyRouteAll Weather
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 3
    SwordOverworldLv.10-1438%EarlyRouteAll Weather
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 2
    ShieldOverworldLv.5-72%EarlyRouteAll Weather
    CHALLENGING
    Route 2
    SwordOverworldLv.5-72%EarlyRouteAll Weather
    CHALLENGING
    Bridge Field
    SwordOverworldLv.27-2935%MidOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    Bridge Field
    ShieldOverworldLv.27-2935%MidSnowing
    EFFORTLESS
    Bridge Field
    SwordOverworldLv.27-2935%MidSnowing
    EFFORTLESS
    Bridge Field
    ShieldOverworldLv.27-2935%MidOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    Stony Wilderness
    ShieldOverworldLv.28-3035%MidNormal Weather
    EFFORTLESS
    Stony Wilderness
    SwordOverworldLv.28-3035%MidNormal Weather
    EFFORTLESS
    Bridge Field
    ShieldOverworldLv.27-2934%MidNormal Weather
    EFFORTLESS
    Bridge Field
    SwordOverworldLv.27-2934%MidNormal Weather
    EFFORTLESS
    Bridge Field
    SwordOverworldLv.27-2933%MidRaining
    EFFORTLESS
    Bridge Field
    ShieldOverworldLv.27-2933%MidRaining
    EFFORTLESS
    Bridge Field
    ShieldOverworldLv.27-2930%MidThunderstorm
    EFFORTLESS
    Bridge Field
    SwordOverworldLv.27-2930%MidThunderstorm
    EFFORTLESS
    Stony Wilderness
    SwordOverworldLv.28-3030%MidSnowing
    EFFORTLESS
    Stony Wilderness
    SwordOverworldLv.28-3030%MidSandstorm
    EFFORTLESS
    Stony Wilderness
    ShieldOverworldLv.28-3030%MidIntense Sun
    EFFORTLESS
    Stony Wilderness
    ShieldOverworldLv.28-3030%MidSnowing
    EFFORTLESS
    Stony Wilderness
    ShieldOverworldLv.28-3030%MidSandstorm
    EFFORTLESS
    Stony Wilderness
    SwordOverworldLv.28-3030%MidIntense Sun
    EFFORTLESS
    Bridge Field
    SwordOverworldLv.27-2925%MidSandstorm
    EASY
    Bridge Field
    ShieldOverworldLv.27-2925%MidSandstorm
    EASY
    Stony Wilderness
    ShieldOverworldLv.28-3015%MidOvercast
    EASY
    Stony Wilderness
    SwordOverworldLv.28-3015%MidOvercast
    EASY
    Bridge Field
    ShieldOverworldLv.27-2910%MidSnowstorm
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    SwordOverworldLv.27-2910%MidHeavy Fog
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    SwordOverworldLv.27-2910%MidSnowstorm
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    ShieldOverworldLv.27-2910%MidHeavy Fog
    MODERATE
    Stony Wilderness
    SwordOverworldLv.28-3010%MidRaining
    MODERATE
    Stony Wilderness
    ShieldOverworldLv.28-3010%MidSnowstorm
    MODERATE
    Stony Wilderness
    SwordOverworldLv.28-3010%MidHeavy Fog
    MODERATE
    Stony Wilderness
    SwordOverworldLv.28-3010%MidSnowstorm
    MODERATE
    Stony Wilderness
    ShieldOverworldLv.28-3010%MidRaining
    MODERATE
    Stony Wilderness
    ShieldOverworldLv.28-3010%MidHeavy Fog
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    SwordOverworldLv.29-3210%MidSandstorm
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    ShieldOverworldLv.29-3210%MidNormal Weather
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    SwordOverworldLv.29-3210%MidRaining
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    SwordOverworldLv.29-3210%MidNormal Weather
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    ShieldOverworldLv.29-3210%MidSandstorm
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    ShieldOverworldLv.29-3210%MidRaining
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    ShieldOverworldLv.27-295%MidIntense Sun
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    SwordOverworldLv.27-295%MidIntense Sun
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    ShieldOverworldLv.28-325%MidHeavy Fog
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    SwordOverworldLv.29-325%MidIntense Sun
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    SwordOverworldLv.29-325%MidSnowing
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    ShieldOverworldLv.29-325%MidOvercast
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    SwordOverworldLv.29-325%MidHeavy Fog
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    SwordOverworldLv.29-325%MidOvercast
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    ShieldOverworldLv.29-325%MidThunderstorm
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    ShieldOverworldLv.29-325%MidIntense Sun
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    ShieldOverworldLv.29-325%MidSnowing
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap - 3
    SwordOverworldLv.29-325%MidThunderstorm
    MODERATE
    Route 2 - High Level
    ShieldOverworldLv.40-4350%LateRouteAll Weather
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 2 - High Level
    SwordOverworldLv.40-4350%LateRouteAll Weather
    EFFORTLESS
  2. Linoone
    Step 2Linoone ✓
    Giant's Cap
    ShieldOverworldLv.28-3040%MidOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    Giant's Cap
    SwordOverworldLv.28-3040%MidOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    Giant's Cap
    SwordOverworldLv.28-3035%MidNormal Weather
    EFFORTLESS
    Giant's Cap
    ShieldOverworldLv.28-3035%MidNormal Weather
    EFFORTLESS
    Giant's Cap
    SwordOverworldLv.28-3010%MidSnowstorm
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap
    ShieldOverworldLv.28-3010%MidSnowing
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap
    SwordOverworldLv.28-3010%MidSnowing
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap
    ShieldOverworldLv.28-3010%MidSnowstorm
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap
    ShieldOverworldLv.28-305%MidRaining
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap
    ShieldOverworldLv.28-305%MidHeavy Fog
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap
    SwordOverworldLv.28-305%MidRaining
    MODERATE
    Giant's Cap
    SwordOverworldLv.28-305%MidHeavy Fog
    MODERATE
    Ballimere Lake
    ShieldOverworldLv.60-6515%PostWaterOvercast
    EASY
    Ballimere Lake
    SwordOverworldLv.60-6515%PostWaterOvercast
    EASY
    Giant's Bed
    ShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostOvercast
    MODERATE
    Giant's Bed
    SwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostOvercast
    MODERATE
    or evolve from Zigzagoon (Step 1)

  • Linoone isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Galarian Linoone to unlock its full potential. At 420 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.

  • Linoone's biggest threats include Machamp (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. Linoone's base 100 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.

  • Zigzagoon evolves into Linoone at level 20. Linoone evolves into Galarian Obstagoon at level 35. Linoone is a middle-stage evolution in the Zigzagoon line.

  • Pickup is the go-to ability for Linoone. It picks up other Pokémon's used and Flung held items. Its hidden ability Quick Feet can work in specific setups. Gluttony is the other option — pick based on what your team needs.

  • Linoone fills the pivot role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 70 Attack). Base 100 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.

  • Linoone appears in 14 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.

Linoone first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and spans 14 games across 7 generations. It later gained a Galarian form in Generation 8, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.