Stats & Training
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 is said that it quietly spends its time deep at the bottom of the sea because its powers are too strong.
It is said to be the guardian of the seas. It is rumored to have been seen on the night of a storm.
Lugia Weakness
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 |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Absol Dark | C | |
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x23-28% Rock Throw 2x19-23% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 2x31-38% Rock Throw 2x27-33% | ||
 Plusle Electric | D | |
 Minun Electric | D | |
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Absol builds →Thunder 2x29-36% Blizzard 2x29-36% Thunderbolt 2x26-31% Ice Beam 2x26-31% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x22-27% Rock Throw 2x19-23% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 2x32-38% Rock Throw 2x26-31% | ||
Plusle Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Plusle builds →Thunder 2x49-58% Thunderbolt 2x42-50% Spark 2x26-31% Charge Beam 2x26-31% | ||
Minun Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Minun builds →Thunder 2x45-54% Thunderbolt 2x38-46% Spark 2x22-27% Charge Beam 2x22-27% | ||
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Absol builds →Thunder 2x28-34% Blizzard 2x28-34% Thunderbolt 2x24-29% Ice Beam 2x24-29% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x21-25% Rock Throw 2x18-22% Payback 2x12-15% | ||
 Magnemite ElectricSteel | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Magnemite builds →Thunder 2x51-60% Thunderbolt 2x42-51% Spark 2x21-25% Charge Beam 2x26-32% | ||
Plusle Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Plusle builds →Thunder 2x47-57% Thunderbolt 2x40-47% Spark 2x23-28% Charge Beam 2x23-28% | ||
Minun Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Minun builds →Thunder 2x42-51% Thunderbolt 2x37-44% Spark 2x21-25% Charge Beam 2x21-25% | ||
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Absol builds →Thunder 2x28-33% Blizzard 2x28-33% Thunderbolt 2x22-26% Ice Beam 2x22-26% | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Graveler builds →Rock Tomb 2x30-36% Rock Throw 2x26-31% Rollout 2x17-21% Rock Blast 2x15-18% | ||
Magnemite ElectricSteel | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Magnemite builds →Thunder 2x48-57% Thunderbolt 2x39-47% Spark 2x17-21% Charge Beam 2x24-28% | ||
Plusle Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Plusle builds →Thunder 2x44-52% Thunderbolt 2x37-44% Spark 2x22-26% Charge Beam 2x22-26% | ||
Minun Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Minun builds →Thunder 2x41-49% Thunderbolt 2x33-39% Spark 2x19-23% Charge Beam 2x19-23% | ||
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Absol builds →Thunder 2x27-32% Blizzard 2x27-32% Thunderbolt 2x22-26% Ice Beam 2x22-26% | ||
 Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 2x41-48% Feint Attack 2x22-26% Rock Tomb 2x33-39% Rock Throw 2x27-32% | ||
Magnemite ElectricSteel | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Magnemite builds →Thunder 2x48-58% Thunderbolt 2x41-48% Spark 2x17-21% Charge Beam 2x23-28% | ||
Plusle Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Plusle builds →Thunder 2x45-53% Thunderbolt 2x37-44% Spark 2x22-25% Charge Beam 2x22-25% | ||
Minun Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Minun builds →Thunder 2x41-48% Thunderbolt 2x33-39% Spark 2x19-23% Charge Beam 2x19-23% | ||
 Electrode Electric | C | |
Obtain MethodTeam Rocket Hq Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Electrode builds →Thunder 2x40-48% Thunderbolt 2x34-40% Spark 2x22-26% Thief 2x13-16% | ||
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Absol builds →Thunder 2x27-32% Blizzard 2x27-32% Thunderbolt 2x21-25% Ice Beam 2x21-25% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 2x40-48% Feint Attack 2x21-25% Rock Tomb 2x32-38% Thief 2x21-25% | ||
Magnemite ElectricSteel | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Magnemite builds →Thunder 2x48-57% Thunderbolt 2x40-48% Spark 2x17-21% Charge Beam 2x24-29% | ||
Plusle Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Plusle builds →Thunder 2x44-52% Thunderbolt 2x36-43% Spark 2x22-26% Charge Beam 2x22-26% | ||
Electrode Electric | C | |
Obtain MethodTeam Rocket Hq Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Electrode builds →Thunder 2x41-49% Thunderbolt 2x35-41% Spark 2x22-27% Thief 2x14-16% | ||
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Absol builds →Thunder 2x27-31% Blizzard 2x27-31% Thunderbolt 2x22-26% Ice Beam 2x22-26% | ||
 Jynx IcePsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Jynx builds →Blizzard 2x55-65% Ice Beam 2x46-55% Shadow Ball 2x27-33% Ice Punch 2x24-29% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 2x39-47% Feint Attack 2x22-26% Rock Tomb 2x33-39% Thief 2x22-26% | ||
Magnemite ElectricSteel | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Magnemite builds →Thunder 2x48-57% Thunderbolt 2x39-47% Discharge 2x36-43% Spark 2x17-20% | ||
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Gengar's Shadow Ball hits Lugia for 67-79%. Zapdos's Thunderbolt hits Lugia for 46-54%. Aerodactyl deals 64-76% with Stone Edge.
 Gengar GhostPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Gengar builds →Shadow Ball 2x67-79% Focus Blast8-10% Explosion33-39% | ||
 Zapdos Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Zapdos builds →Thunderbolt 2x46-54% Heat Wave16-19% | ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Aerodactyl builds →Stone Edge 2x64-76% | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Weavile builds →Ice Shard 2x29-34% Pursuit 2x29-34% | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityOblivious ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Lugia View Mamoswine builds →Ice Shard 2x43-51% Superpower10-12% Stone Edge 2x71-83% | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution
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
HeartGold & SoulSilver Lugia Best Moveset
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Lugia in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Lugia waits at a fixed spot in this game. Head to Whirl Islands for a one-time encounter. No random spawns or encounter rates involved — it's a set battle at a known location.
Best Locations to Catch Lugia in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Lugia Guide
For the HeartGold & SoulSilver meta, 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.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Lugia fills the pivot role. It's a mixed attacker with base 90 Attack and 90 Sp. Atk. Base 110 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's tanky enough to absorb a few hits.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Lugia's hidden ability is Multiscale. Halves damage taken from full HP. Better than the standard options for competitive play.
Game Availability
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