Lugia's spread favors special bulk over offense. Sp. Def leads the defensive side, Attack eats the cost. Yields 3 Sp. Def EVs per defeat. Slow 1.25M XP grind to level.
It sleeps in a deep-sea trench. If it flaps its wings, it is said to cause a 40-day storm.
It sleeps in a deep-sea trench. If it flaps its wings, it is said to cause a 40-day storm.
Electric, Ice, Rock, Ghost, and Dark moves hit Lugia for super-effective damage. The upside? Ground-type moves can't touch it at all. Lugia's overall bulk (106/130/154) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ice, Rock, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Psychic |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
 | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityProtosynthesis ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Great Tusk builds →Rapid Spin8-10% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemAssault Vest NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Cyclizar builds →Rapid Spin7-8% U Turn6-8% Knock Off 2x12-14% Draco Meteor20-24% | ||
 Pelipper Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Pelipper builds →Hurricane24-28% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityShielddust ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Ribombee builds →Moonblast21-25% | ||
| B | |
Recommended Build AbilityShielddust ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Ribombee builds →Moonblast21-25% | ||
A Psychic/Flying-type legendary, Lugia doesn't evolve or breed. At 680 total stats, it's meant to stand on its own. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
The physical wall spread is where Lugia earns its spot. Leftovers for passive recovery each turn, Bold nature for the right lean, and Recover handles sustain. Multiscale does the rest without needing a move slot.
Best Build
Lugia best EVs are HP and Defense
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Recover
- Psychic Noise
- Whirlwind
- Substitute
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Aeroblast
- Recover
- Psychic
- Calm Mind
Recommended Teammates
Bulky Support Moveset
- Aeroblast
- Recover
- Calm Mind
- Ice Beam
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Aeroblast
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 7.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Coverage runs deep. Lugia can hit 10 types beyond STAB, including Rock and Normal. The offense anchors on Sky Attack and Future Sight while TMs handle everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Coverage runs deep. Lugia can hit 11 types beyond STAB, including Rock and Dragon. The offense anchors on Sky Attack and Future Sight while TMs handle everything else.
Coverage runs deep. Lugia can hit 10 types beyond STAB, including Rock and Dragon. The offense anchors on Sky Attack and Future Sight while TMs handle everything else.
Coverage runs deep. Lugia can hit 13 types beyond STAB, including Normal and Dragon. The offense anchors on Sky Attack and Future Sight while TMs handle everything else.
No wild encounters for Lugia in Scarlet & Violet. It's available in Gold, Crystal, or Ultra Moon and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
No wild encounters for Lugia in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. It's available in Gold, Crystal, or Ultra Moon and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
No wild encounters for Lugia in Sword & Shield. It's available in Gold, Crystal, or Ultra Moon and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Lugia is a fixed encounter, not a random spawn. Walk up to it, interact, and the battle starts immediately. Head to Ultra Space Wilds when your team is ready for the fight.
Best Locations to Catch Lugia in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
At 680 BST, Lugia is built different. We rank it S-Tier. As a Legendary Pokemon, the raw stats back up the reputation. Best used as a pivot.
Watch for Raikou (Electric), Lapras (Ice), and Tyranitar (Rock) when using Lugia. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Ghost and Dark-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. Lugia has enough bulk to absorb a hit, but don't push the matchup. Pivot to a teammate that resists.
Run Multiscale on Lugia. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Lugia also gets Pressure, but they don't compare.
Lugia fills the pivot role. It's a special attacker with base 90 Sp. Atk. Base 110 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's tanky enough to absorb a few hits.
Lugia's hidden ability is Multiscale. Halves damage taken from full HP. Better than the standard options for competitive play.
Lugia has appeared in 17 games since Gold & Silver, spanning 9 generations. As a Legendary, it's typically a one-per-save encounter tied to the story or post-game content.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves