Swift Swim in rain makes Ludicolo dangerously fast at A-Tier in Emerald. Water/Grass defensive coverage rounds out one of Gen 3's best rain sweepers.
Ability 1Swift SwimAbility 1Doubles Speed during rain.Ability 2Rain DishAbility 2Heals for 1/16 max HP after each turn during rain.
480HP80Attack70Defense70Speed70Sp.Def100Sp.Atk90
Lotad
Lombre
Ludicolo
Weak to
Special
Balanced
70Speed · Below Avg

Is Ludicolo Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Both Lotad and Seedot are available in Emerald without version locks, and Ludicolo is the better endgame pick. Water/Grass with AbilitySwift Swim handles Juan and Wallace through Grass while being Water-type itself. The Grass advantage against the Water Champion makes Ludicolo one of Emerald's strongest final-stretch options.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGGEEGEGSGGGEELotadCatchRoxanneGym 1LombreEvolveBrawlyGym 2LudicoloEvolveWattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8SidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Good

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

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Even
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

Lombre has the type edge here and should clean up Brawly's team.

You Win
Machop
Lv 16
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopLow KickSeismic TossBulk Up
Even
Meditite
Lv 16
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Focus PunchLight ScreenReflectBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 19
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustVital ThrowReversalBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSparkSelf DestructShock Wave
You Win
Electrike
Lv 20
Electric
Static
Shock WaveLeerQuick AttackHowl
Risky
Magneton
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicShock WaveThunder WaveSonic Boom
Even
Manectric
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveShock WaveHowl
Flannery
Gym 4
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Flannery's team.

You Win
Numel
Lv 24
FireGround
Oblivious
OverheatTake DownMagnitudeSunny Day
Even
Slugma
Lv 24
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
Risky
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Good

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

You Win
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
You Win
Vigoroth
Lv 27
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFacadeEncoreFeint Attack
You Win
Linoone
Lv 29
Normal
Pickup
SlashBelly DrumFacadeHeadbutt
Even
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
CounterYawnFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

You Win
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
You Win
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
Even
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Even
Skarmory
Lv 31
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Even
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Good

Ludicolo has the type edge here and should clean up Tate & Liza's team.

You Win
Claydol
Lv 41
GroundPsychic
Levitate
EarthquakeAncient PowerPsychicLight Screen
Even
Xatu
Lv 41
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
PsychicSunny DayConfuse RayCalm Mind
You Win
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Easy KO
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Juan
Gym 8
Strong

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

Easy KO
Luvdisc
Lv 41
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Easy KO
Whiscash
Lv 41
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
Easy KO
Sealeo
Lv 43
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Easy KO
Crawdaunt
Lv 43
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
Water PulseCrabhammerTauntLeer
Even
Kingdra
Lv 46
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
Water PulseDouble TeamIce BeamRest
Sidney
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarDouble EdgeSand AttackCrunch
Even
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
TormentDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
You Win
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
You Win
Crawdaunt
Lv 48
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
SurfSwords DanceStrengthFacade
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceRock SlideSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
You Win
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
You Win
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Good

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

Easy KO
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamHailIce Ball
You Win
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchIcy WindIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDouble EdgeHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallExplosionHailIce Beam
You Win
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamIce BeamSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectDouble Edge
Even
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Double EdgeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Even
Kingdra
Lv 53
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenDragon DanceSurfBody Slam
Easy KO
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
Even
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

You Win
Wailord
Lv 57
Water
Water Veil
Rain DanceWater SpoutDouble EdgeBlizzard
Risky
Tentacruel
Lv 55
WaterPoison
Clear Body
ToxicHydro PumpSludge BombIce Beam
Even
Ludicolo
Lv 56
WaterGrass
Swift Swim
Giga DrainSurfLeech SeedDouble Team
Easy KO
Whiscash
Lv 56
WaterGround
Oblivious
EarthquakeSurfAmnesiaHyper Beam
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon DanceEarthquakeHyper BeamSurf
Even
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverSurfIce BeamToxic

Catch Lotad

Available before Badge 1
Type
WaterGrass
Tier
F

Catch Lotad on Route 102 (walking, Lv 3-4, uncommon).

View Lotad locations

Evolve Lotad to Lombre

Level 14
Type
WaterGrass
Tier
E

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

View Lombre locations

Recommended Moves

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 Abandoned Ship.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Ludicolo in Emerald

A Water Stone on a Lombre is the only way to Ludicolo, which never spawns wild in Emerald. The carefree dancer caps the Lotad line, so the choice is really about when you commit the stone to it.

Catch Lotad or Lombre at any of these 2 spots to eventually evolve into Ludicolo.

Encountered via tall grass encounters

  1. 1
    Catch Lotad
  2. 2
    Evolve Lombreat Lv.14
  3. 3
    Evolve LudicoloUse Water Stone
Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3

How to Obtain Ludicolo in E

To get Ludicolo, start by catching Lotad through walking encounters at Lv. 3-16. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Lombre
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Lombre
    or evolve from Lotad (Step 1)
  2. Ludicolo
    Step 3Ludicolo ✓
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Lotad egg.

How to Get Shiny Ludicolo in Emerald

Ludicolo forms through evolution alone, so hunt a shiny Lombre in the grass on Route 114, then hand that sparkling one a Water Stone to finish the line. Compare Shiny Ludicolo odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Ludicolo in EmeraldNormal
Shiny Ludicolo in Emerald Shiny
Color ShiftGreentoBlue
Shiny TierA Tier Shiny

Shiny Ludicolo Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Emerald Shiny Ludicolo Calculator

2 Methods
Shiny Odds

Both methods here share the same odds, about 1 in 8,192 on each try. Pick whichever fits how you play.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Emerald

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

Breeding: Hatch eggs of this line; each egg rolls at the base shiny rate (no Masuda before Gen IV).

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 8,192Full Odds
Chance By Now50.0%at 5,678 encountersAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few864----
25%one in four2,357----
50%coin flip5,678----
90%very likely18,862----
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 Emerald shiny odds for Ludicolo.

Ludicolo Weakness

Ludicolo is weak to Poison, Flying, and Bug. Ludicolo's special bulk (base 100 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Ludicolo Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Poison, Flying, Bug
0.5x (Resist)Ground, Steel
0.25x (Resist)Water
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Ludicolo Weak Against

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

What is Ludicolo Strong Against

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

Best Pokemon Against Ludicolo

Rayquaza
Rayquaza
DragonFlying
S
Heracross
Heracross
BugFighting
A
Altaria
Altaria
DragonFlying
C
Lugia
Lugia
PsychicFlying
S
Salamence
Salamence
DragonFlying
S

Ludicolo Evolutions

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. 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
220F-Tier
340E-Tier+120
480A-Tier+140
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Utility
Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Ludicolo to get Lotad eggs easily using 35 partners from the Grass and Water 1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Flail, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf and 3 more.

Egg Groups
GrassWater 1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
15 cycles·3,855 steps
Quick~4 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
azumarillvenusaurmeganiumblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertshiftryslowbroslowkingoctillery

E Ludicolo Best Moveset

Rain teams in Emerald want Ludicolo as a special attacker because AbilitySwift Swim doubles its Speed while Water TermStab gets the rain boost simultaneously. The moveset runs special Water and Grass moves that cover each other's weaknesses, with 90 Sp. Atk hitting hard enough under rain.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Attacker
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Ludicolo
Modest+SPA

Ludicolo best EVs are Sp. Atk and HP

EVs

Special Attacker Moveset

  • Rain DanceSTAB
  • Ice Beam
  • SurfSTAB
  • Leech SeedSTAB

Moves List

Breeding opens up real options for Ludicolo. Flail and Leech Seed come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Solar Beam and Hydro Pump and coverage across 8 types.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Absorb
D3010020Grass
Lv 1
Astonish
D3010015Ghost
Lv 1
Growl
D—10040Normal
Lv 1
Nature Power
———20Normal

TM Moves

All 29 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14C120705Ice
TM31
Brick BreakSootopolis Citynot until badge 7
D7510015Fighting
TM09
Bullet SeedRoute 104
D1510030Grass
HM08C9010010Water
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42D7010020Normal
HM05——7020Normal
TM01
Focus Punch-3Route 115badge 5
C15010020Fighting
TM21
FrustrationPacifidlog Townbadge 5
D—10020Normal
TM19
Giga DrainRoute 123badge 5
A1121005Grass
TM07
HailShoal Cavebadge 6
———10Ice
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamLilycove Department Storebadge 5
B150905Normal
TM13
Ice BeamMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
B9510010Ice
TM17C——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
B——5Water
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
HM06D2010015Fighting
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
TM22
Solar BeamSafari Zonebadge 5
B18010010Grass
HM04—8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM46
ThiefSlateport Citybadge 1
D6010025Dark
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulsePrize for defeating Juannot until badge 8
C9010020Water
HM07
WaterfallGiven by Wallace in Sootopolis Citynot until badge 7
C12010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Flail
D—10015Normal
Egg
Leech Seed
B—9010Grass
Egg
Razor Leaf
D829525Grass
Egg
Sweet Scent
——10020Normal
Egg
Synthesis
D——5Grass
Egg
Water Gun
D6010025Water

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
Tutor
Counter-5
D—10020Fighting
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Dynamic Punch
D100505Fighting
Tutor
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Tutor
Fire Punch
D7510015Fire
Tutor
Ice Punch
D7510015Ice
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Mega Kick
C120755Normal
Tutor
Mega Punch
—808520Normal
Tutor
Metronome
D——10Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D——10Normal
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Seismic Toss
D—10020Fighting
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D——10Normal
Tutor
Snore
—4010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C——10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D—9015Normal
Tutor
Swords Dance
C——30Normal
Tutor
Thunder Punch
D7510015Electric

Reminder Moves

Rem
Rem
Fake Out+3
D4010010Normal
Rem
Fury Swipes
D188015Normal
Rem
Hydro Pump
A180805Water
Rem
Mega Drain
D6010010Grass
Rem
Mist
———30Ice
Rem
Rain Dance
B——5Water
Rem
Thief
D6010025Dark
Rem
Uproar
—9010010Normal
Rem
Water Sport
———15Water

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP80
C
Attack70
C
Defense70
C
Sp. Atk90
B
Sp. Def100
B
Speed70
C
Total480
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.5 m
Weight55.0 kg
Base XP216
Abilities
Swift Swim
Doubles Speed during rain.
Rain Dish
Heals for 1/16 max HP after each turn during rain.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpD+3Spe
Strong Special Defense training target
Pokedex Entry

When it hears festive music, all the cells in its body become stimulated, and it begins moving in rhythm. It does not quail even when it faces a tough opponent.

Pokemon Emerald

Ludicolo Emerald Guide

  • In Emerald, Ludicolo plays as a balanced. Speed is middling, so pick your spots carefully. Surf is the primary attack.

  • In Emerald, Ludicolo pairs best with Kingdra, Dugtrio, and Zapdos. Kingdra has Decent synergy and covers what Ludicolo can't handle on its own.

  • In Emerald, Modest is the go-to nature for Ludicolo. That's +Sp. Atk / -Attack. Pair it with 152 HP / 252 SpA / 104 Spe EVs. Fits the balanced role.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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