Swift Swim doubles its Speed in rain, adding real value on top of Ludicolo's already solid stats. Water/Grass typing means only weak to Poison, Flying, and Bug. Known as the Carefree Pokemon. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets.
Nothing fancy in Ludicolo's spread. It leans mixed with Sp. Def out front. And you'll get 3 Sp. Def EVs per KO for it. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
The rhythm of bright, festive music activates Ludicolo’s cells, making it more powerful.
If it hears festive music, it begins moving in rhythm in order to amplify its power.
Ludicolo Weakness
AvgLudicolo is weak to Poison, Flying, and Bug-type moves. Ludicolo's special bulk (base 100 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
Ludicolo evolved from Lotad's chain using an evolution item. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Lotad eggs (quick to hatch). The evolution from Lotad pushed Ludicolo to 480 total stats. Sp.Atk saw the largest single gain at +50.
How to Evolve
Breed with Ludicolo to get Lotad eggs easily using 50 partners from the Plant and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Counter, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf and 4 more.
Ludicolo runs a standard attacker set. Hardy nature with max Defense and Speed EVs shapes the build, while Leftovers brings passive recovery each turn. Swiftswim supports the kit from the background.
Best Build
Best Ludicolo Moveset
- Giga Drain
- Rain Dance
- Ice Beam
- Scald
Recommended Teammates
Breeding opens up real options for Ludicolo. Counter and Leech Seed come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Leaf Storm and Solar Beam and coverage across 9 types.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Can't catch Ludicolo directly. Start with Lotad at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve through a special method. The 3-stage chain from Lotad to Ludicolo is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Ludicolo in Sword & Shield
The path to Ludicolo starts with Lotad at Lv. 4-40 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch LotadEFFORTLESSWest Lake AxewellOverworldLv.8-1460%EarlyCaveOvercastEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsGrassLv.7-1040%EarlyRainingEFFORTLESSDappled GroveGrassLv.11-1540%EarlyForestNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSDappled GroveGrassLv.11-1535%EarlyForestHeavy FogEASYRoute 2GrassLv.4-620%EarlyRouteAll WeatherEASYDappled GroveGrassLv.11-1520%EarlyForestOvercastEASYDappled GroveGrassLv.11-1520%EarlyForestThunderstormEASYDappled GroveGrassLv.11-1520%EarlyForestRainingEASYRoute 2 - High LevelGrassLv.37-4020%LateRouteAll Weather
Step 2Catch or Evolve LombreMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-1510%EarlyForestIntense SunMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-1510%EarlyForestOvercastMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-155%EarlyForestNormal WeatherMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-155%EarlyForestSnowstormMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-155%EarlyForestThunderstormMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-155%EarlyForestSnowingMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-155%EarlyForestSandstormMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-155%EarlyForestRainingMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-155%EarlyForestHeavy FogMODERATESouth Lake MilochOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterOvercastMODERATESouth Lake MilochOverworldLv.14-155%EarlyWaterNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSGiant's CapGrassLv.27-2940%MidNormal WeatherEASYRoute 5GrassLv.16-1820%MidRouteAll WeatherEASYGiant's SeatGrassLv.30-3515%MidWaterRainingEFFORTLESSGiant's SeatOverworldLv.33-3860%LateWaterRainingEASYGiant's SeatOverworldLv.33-3825%LateWaterNormal Weatheror evolve from Lotad (Step 1)- Step 3Ludicolo ✓
Ludicolo looks average on paper at 480 BST. But Swift Swim is why it sees play — build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier on our tier list.
Ludicolo gets Swift Swim, Rain Dish, and Own Tempo. But Swift Swim is the one that matters — it's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Ludicolo is a special attacker with base 90 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 70 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many.
Ludicolo appears in 15 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Since Ruby & Sapphire, Ludicolo has been in 15 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