Lotad transfers through Pal Park to Platinum. Swift Swim doubles Speed in rain, and A-Tier Ludicolo with Rain Dish or Swift Swim is the Water/Grass rain dancer.
Ability 1Swift SwimAbility 1Doubles Speed during rain.Ability 2Rain DishAbility 2Heals for 1/16 max HP after each turn during rain.
220HP40Attack30Defense30Speed30Sp.Def50Sp.Atk40
Lotad
Lombre
Ludicolo
Weak to
Special
Balanced
30Speed · Very Slow

Is Lotad Good in Platinum Playthrough?

Routes 205 and 212 with Sapphire in the DS slot. Water/Grass with AbilitySwift Swim for rain. Ludicolo at Water Stone is the goal. Dual Slot requirement limits who can access this.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGTEEGGGEESEEGGGELotadCatchRoarkGym 1LombreEvolveGardeniaGym 2LudicoloEvolveFantinaGym 3MayleneGym 4Crasher WakeGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4JupiterBossMarsBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Good

Lotad has the type edge here and should clean up Roark's team.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
You Win
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
Even
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Tough

Gardenia's team hits Lombre's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Turtwig
Lv 20
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafSunny DayReflect
Risky
Cherrim
Lv 20
Grass
Flower Gift
Grass KnotLeech SeedMagical LeafSafeguard
Avoid
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Fantina
Gym 3
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.

You Win
Duskull
Lv 24
Ghost
Levitate
Will O WispPursuitShadow SneakFuture Sight
Risky
Haunter
Lv 24
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow ClawSucker PunchHypnosisConfuse Ray
Even
Mismagius
Lv 26
Ghost
Levitate
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Maylene
Gym 4
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Maylene's team.

You Win
Meditite
Lv 28
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionRock TombFake Out
You Win
Machoke
Lv 29
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopRock TombStrengthFocus Energy
Risky
Lucario
Lv 32
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 5
Good

Ludicolo has the type edge here and should clean up Crasher Wake's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 33
WaterFlying
Intimidate
WaterfallBrineBiteTwister
Easy KO
Quagsire
Lv 34
WaterGround
Damp
Mud ShotRock TombWater PulseYawn
You Win
Floatzel
Lv 37
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangCrunchAqua Jet
Byron
Gym 6
Good

Ludicolo has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.

Even
Magneton
Lv 37
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Flash CannonThunderboltTri AttackMetal Sound
Easy KO
Steelix
Lv 38
SteelGround
Rock Head
Flash CannonIce FangEarthquakeSandstorm
Easy KO
Bastiodon
Lv 41
RockSteel
Sturdy
Metal BurstStone EdgeIron DefenseTaunt
Candice
Gym 7
Good

Ludicolo has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.

Easy KO
Sneasel
Lv 40
DarkIce
Inner Focus
SlashAerial AceFeint AttackIce Shard
Easy KO
Piloswine
Lv 40
IceGround
Oblivious
AvalancheStone EdgeEarthquakeHail
Even
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerWater PulseFocus Blast
Even
Froslass
Lv 44
IceGhost
Snow Cloak
BlizzardDouble TeamShadow BallPsychic
Volkner
Gym 8
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.

Even
Jolteon
Lv 46
Electric
Volt AbsorbImmune to Electric attacks
Thunder WaveCharge BeamIron TailQuick Attack
Even
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamFocus BlastSignal BeamQuick Attack
Even
Luxray
Lv 48
Electric
Rivalry
Ice FangThunder FangCrunchFire Fang
Risky
Electivire
Lv 50
Electric
Motor DriveImmune to Electric attacks
Thunder PunchFire PunchQuick AttackGiga Impact
Aaron
Elite Four
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Aaron's team.

Risky
Yanmega
Lv 49
BugFlying
Speed Boost
Air SlashBug BuzzU TurnDouble Team
Even
Scizor
Lv 49
BugSteel
Swarm
Iron HeadX ScissorNight SlashQuick Attack
Even
Vespiquen
Lv 50
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
Risky
Heracross
Lv 51
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
Risky
Drapion
Lv 53
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Strong

Ludicolo resists most of Bertha's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Whiscash
Lv 50
WaterGround
Oblivious
Earth PowerAqua TailZen HeadbuttSandstorm
Easy KO
Gliscor
Lv 53
GroundFlying
Hyper Cutter
EarthquakeIce FangFire FangThunder Fang
Easy KO
Hippowdon
Lv 52
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchYawn
Easy KO
Golem
Lv 52
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeFire PunchThunder PunchSandstorm
Easy KO
Rhyperior
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
EarthquakeRock WreckerMegahornAvalanche
Flint
Elite Four
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.

Even
Houndoom
Lv 52
DarkFire
Early Bird
FlamethrowerSludge BombDark PulseSunny Day
Even
Flareon
Lv 55
Fire
Flash FireImmune to Fire attacks
OverheatGiga ImpactQuick AttackWill O Wisp
Even
Rapidash
Lv 53
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
Even
Infernape
Lv 55
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
Even
Magmortar
Lv 57
Fire
Flame Body
FlamethrowerThunderboltSolar BeamHyper Beam
Lucian
Elite Four
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.

You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 53
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
Even
Espeon
Lv 55
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallQuick AttackSignal Beam
You Win
Bronzong
Lv 54
SteelPsychic
Levitate
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 56
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Even
Gallade
Lv 59
PsychicFighting
Steadfast
Drain PunchPsycho CutLeaf BladeStone Edge
Jupiter
Commander
Good

Ludicolo has the type edge here and should clean up Jupiter's team.

You Win
Zubat
Lv 21
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
You Win
Skuntank
Lv 23
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Mars
Commander
Good

Ludicolo has the type edge here and should clean up Mars's team.

You Win
Golbat
Lv 38
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
You Win
Purugly
Lv 40
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Saturn
Commander
Good

Ludicolo has the type edge here and should clean up Saturn's team.

Even
Golbat
Lv 42
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBitePoison FangConfuse Ray
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 42
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
You Win
Toxicroak
Lv 44
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorFeint Attack
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

You Win
Spiritomb
Lv 58
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindShadow Ball
Risky
Roserade
Lv 58
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombToxicExtrasensory
Even
Togekiss
Lv 60
NormalFlying
Hustle
Air SlashAura SphereWater PulseShock Wave
Even
Lucario
Lv 60
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereExtreme SpeedShadow BallStone Edge
You Win
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatDragon Pulse
You Win
Garchomp
Lv 62
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeFlamethrowerGiga Impact

Catchable

Available before Badge 1
Type
WaterGrass
Tier
E

Catch Lotad on Route 203 (walking, Lv 6, rare). Pokémon Sapphire in GBA slot.

View Lotad locations

Evolve Lotad to Lombre

Level 14
Type
WaterGrass
Tier
D

Lotad evolves into Lombre at Level 14. Your Lotad should hit Level 14 before you reach Gardenia, at typical leveling pace.

View Lombre locations

Recommended Moves

    • LV 25WaterBubble BeamPower 98Accuracy 100%PP 20
  • After Fantina
  • After Maylene
    • TUTORWaterDivePower 120Accuracy 100%PP 10Route 212
  • After Crasher Wake
    • LV 45WaterHydro PumpPower 180Accuracy 80%PP 5
  • After Volkner
  • Post-Game
    • TM53GrassEnergy BallPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 10Route 226
    • TUTORGrassSeed BombPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 15Survival Area
    • TM42NormalFacadePower 70Accuracy 100%PP 20Survival Area

Evolve Lombre to Ludicolo

Use Water Stone
Type
WaterGrass
Tier
A

Lombre evolves into Ludicolo with a Water Stone. You can pick up the Water Stone in Route 213. 2 other locations are also available.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Lotad in Platinum

Lotad is gated behind the dual-slot trick: insert a Pokemon Sapphire game and it spawns rarely across a few early routes. Skip that cartridge and Lotad is locked out of Platinum completely.

4 locations to catch Lotad

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5

Where To Catch Lotad in Pt

Lotad is where the line starts, caught through walking encounters at Lv. 5-26. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Ludicolo
    Step 3Evolve into Ludicolo
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Lotad egg.

Want the exact numbers? Work out your catch odds in Platinum for Lotad.

How to Get Shiny Lotad in Platinum

Lotad floats through the grass on Route 203 and Route 204, so chain it to 40 for a shiny. Compare Shiny Lotad odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Lotad in PlatinumNormal
Shiny Lotad in Platinum Shiny
Color ShiftGreentoBlue
Shiny TierA Tier Shiny

Shiny Lotad Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Platinum Shiny Lotad Calculator

3 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is PokeRadar Chain at full boosts, about 1 in 200 on each try. Tune it below.

Step 1 · Encounter Method3 in Platinum

PokeRadar Chain: Chain shaking-grass patches without breaking the combo. The rate peaks at a chain of 40.

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Step 2 · Boost Your Oddstap to add
00

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 200PokeRadar Chain
Chance By Now50.2%at 139 encountersAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few22----
25%one in four58----
50%coin flip139----
90%very likely460----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Curious how fast a hunt could go? Work out your Platinum shiny odds for Lotad.

Lotad Weakness

Type-wise, Lotad takes extra damage from Poison, Flying, and Bug. 3 weaknesses is about average, nothing too hard to play around.

Lotad Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Poison, Flying, Bug
0.5x (Resist)Ground, Steel
0.25x (Resist)Water
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Lotad Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Score-2
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
0xImmune
None

What is Lotad Strong Against

4Strong
2Resisted
0Immune
Score+2
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Lotad

Noctowl
Noctowl
NormalFlying
C
Aerodactyl
Aerodactyl
RockFlying
B
Heracross
Heracross
BugFighting
B
Mothim
Mothim
BugFlying
C
Seviper
Seviper
Poison
C

Lotad Evolutions

Lotad is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Lombre first, then eventually reaches Ludicolo. For breeding, quick to hatch with a decent partner pool via two egg groups. Evolving adds up to 260 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Lotad
#270Lotad
14
Level 14
Lombre
#271Lombre
Water Stone
Water Stone
Ludicolo
#272Ludicolo
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Lotad
WaterGrass
Lombre
WaterGrass
Ludicolo
WaterGrass
HP
40
60+20
80+20
ATK
30
50+20
70+20
DEF
30
50+20
70+20
SP.ATK
40
60+20
90+30
SP.DEF
50
70+20
100+30
SPE
30
50+20
70+20
BST
220E-Tier
340D-Tier+120
480A-Tier+140
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Utility
Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Lotad easily with 45 breeding partners from the Grass and Water 1 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Flail, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf and 4 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
GrassWater 1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
15 cycles·3,855 steps
Quick~4 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
7moves
Breed With (best first)
azumarillvenusaurmeganiumtorterraroseradeblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertludicoloshiftry

Pt Lotad Best Moveset

Rain fixes everything: AbilitySwift Swim doubles Speed and AbilityRain Dish heals every turn. The moveset has Water/Grass attacks at 30-50 stats that can't work without rain support. Ludicolo is the rain destination.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Lotad
Modest+SPA

Lotad best EVs are Sp. Atk and Sp. Def

EVs

Utility Moveset

  • SurfSTAB
  • Giga DrainSTAB
  • Ice Beam
  • Rain DanceSTAB

Moves List

Breeding's the move. Flail and Leech Seed give Lotad options it can't learn any other way, and Ghost and Normal coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Solar Beam and Energy Ball. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Astonish
—3010015Ghost
Lv 3
Growl
D—10040Normal
Lv 5
Absorb
D3010025Grass
Lv 7
Nature Power
———20Normal
Lv 11
Mist
———30Ice
Lv 15
Natural Gift
D—10015Normal
Lv 19
Mega Drain
—6010015Grass
Lv 25
Bubble Beam
—9710020Water
Lv 31
Zen Headbutt
D809015Psychic
Lv 37
Rain Dance
B——5Water
Lv 45
Energy Ball
B12010010Grass

TM Moves

29 of 31 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractAmity Squarebadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14
BlizzardLake Acuitybadge 3
D120705Ice
TM09
Bullet SeedRoute 204badge 1
D1510030Grass
TM78
CaptivateRoute 204badge 2
——10020Normal
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM53
Energy BallRoute 226
B12010010Grass
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
D7010020Normal
TM70D—10020Normal
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM19
Giga DrainRoute 209badge 5
B9010010Grass
TM86D—10020Grass
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D6010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamRoute 216badge 3
B9510010Ice
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 3
D—10015Normal
TM17C——10Normal
TM44C——10Psychic
TM27D—10020Normal
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM22C18010010Grass
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
HM03B14210015Water
TM87
SwaggerPokémon Mansionbadge 4
——9015Normal
TM75
Swords DanceVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
C——30Normal
TM46
ThiefEterna Citybadge 2
D6010025Dark
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 4
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulseRavaged Pathbadge 5
D9010020Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Flail
D—10015Normal
Egg
Leech Seed
A—9010Grass
Egg
Razor Leaf
—829525Grass
Egg
Sweet Scent
——10020Normal
Egg
Synthesis
C——5Grass
Egg
Tickle
——10020Normal
Egg
Water Gun
—6010025Water

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Seed Bomb
D12010015Grass
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal
Tutor
Synthesis
C——5Grass
Tutor
Uproar
—9010010Normal
Tutor
Zen Headbutt
D809015Psychic

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP40
D
Attack30
F
Defense30
F
Sp. Atk40
D
Sp. Def50
D
Speed30
F
Total220
Details
Catch Rate
Guaranteed255 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height0.5 m
Weight2.6 kg
Base XP44
Abilities
Swift Swim
Doubles Speed during rain.
Rain Dish
Heals for 1/16 max HP after each turn during rain.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpD+1Spe
Special Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

It looks like an aquatic plant and serves as a ferry to Pokémon that can’t swim.

Pokemon Platinum

Lotad Platinum Guide

  • In Platinum, Lotad does the job early-game if you need a Water/Grass type on your team. Evolve it into Lombre before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.

Game Availability

Lotad first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 15 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.

Explore

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