Meowth Best Moveset
Normal at 45 Attack and 90 Speed. AbilityTechnician boosts weak moves but 45 Attack behind it means the boosted damage still doesn't threaten anything. The moveset is a pre-evolution placeholder. Evolve to Persian for 70 Attack, 115 Speed, and Technician that produces real output.
Meowth saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This was Meowth's competitive peak. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 40.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Body Slam
- Slash
- Rage
- Bite
Recommended Teammates
Meowth saw minimal competitive use in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal). Meowth maintained its position from the previous generation.
Utility Moveset
- Return
- Shadow Ball
- Bubble Beam
- Thunderbolt
Recommended Teammates
Meowth saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Meowth maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Pickup with Silkscarf, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Double Edge
- Fake Out
- Hidden Power Grass
Recommended Teammates
Meowth saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Meowth maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Technician with Focus Sash, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Fake Out
- Bite
- Aerial Ace
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Meowth saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Meowth maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Technician with Normalgem, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Fake Out
- Covet
- Aerial Ace
- Bite
Recommended Teammates
Meowth saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Meowth maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Pickup with Nomelberry, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Iron Tail
- Shadow Claw
- Thunderbolt
- Double Edge
Recommended Teammates
Meowth saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Meowth maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Technician with Life Orb, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- Knock Off
- Foul Play
- Feint
Recommended Teammates
Meowth saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Meowth maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Technician with Normalgem, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Play Rough
- Slash
- Aerial Ace
Recommended Teammates
Meowth saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Meowth maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Technician with Focus Sash, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Fake Out
- Endeavor
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Meowth Weakness
Meowth is weak to Fighting. On the flip side, it's immune to Ghost-type moves entirely. Just 1 weak spot to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ghost |
What is Meowth Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Meowth
Machamp can KO Meowth with Close Combat (433-510%). Mienfoo threatens a KO with High Jump Kick (234-276%). Mudbray deals 72-86% with Earthquake.
 Machamp Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNoguard ItemFlame Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Meowth View Machamp builds →Bullet Punch48-57% Close Combat 2x433-510%KO Stone Edge120-142%KO | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemEviolite NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Meowth View Mienfoo builds →Knock Off59-69% U Turn63-75% High Jump Kick 2x234-276%KO | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityStamina ItemEviolite NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Meowth View Mudbray builds →Earthquake72-86% | ||
D | ||
Recommended Build AbilityOvercoat ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves View Vullaby builds →
| ||
Evolution
One evolution ahead. Meowth grows into Persian through a straightforward two-stage chain. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs take an average time to hatch. Perrserker comes only from Galarian Meowth. Evolving adds up to 150 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Meowth easily with 278 breeding partners from the Field egg group.
Shiny Meowth
Meowth gets a barely lighter coat with maybe a greenish tint if you have perfect vision and an expensive display. For a Pokemon with this much personality, the shiny has none. Alolan and Galarian forms at least try harder.
Shiny Meowth Odds & Hunting Methods
20 of 20 VerifiedHow do we research these odds?
We check every game where a shiny is possible, then rank each one by the best method available in that game, so the row at the top is the fastest route overall.
Odds marked verified are cross-checked against multiple independent sources before we publish them. Where a rate is not yet confirmed we mark the row pending rather than guess a number.
Read our full methodologyHow to Get Meowth
High spawn rates in early-game routes across 7 locations. Meowth is one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Where To Catch Meowth in SV
The line opens with Meowth at Lv. 14-32 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Meowth ✓East Province (Area Three) - Near TownLv.14-32OverworldRate 36%West Province (Area Three) - Near TownLv.14-32OverworldRate 36%West Province (Area Two) - Near TownLv.14-32OverworldRate 36%East Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.14-32OverworldRate 18%West Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.14-32OverworldRate 18%West Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.14-32OverworldRate 18%East Province (Area Three) - MineLv.14-32OverworldRate 9%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into PersianWest Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.28-47OverworldRate 12%West Province (Area Three) - Near TownLv.28-47OverworldRate 12%or evolve from Meowth (Step 1)
To plan your throws, open the Scarlet & Violet catch rate calculator with Meowth preloaded.
That coin-loving Normal cat Meowth pads out into Lumiose's Wild Zones in plain sight, prowling the districts and turning up from level 16 as far as level 38.
Where To Catch Meowth in LZA
The line opens with Meowth at Lv. 16-54 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
- Step 2Catch or Evolve into PersianHyperspace Lumiose - Normal 3-StarLv.28-30GrassLegends: Z-AHyperspace Lumiose - Dark 4-StarLv.39-41GrassLegends: Z-Aor evolve from Meowth (Step 1)
1 encounter spot for Meowth starting from mid-game routes. The list below shows each one, so start with the spot nearest your current route.
Where To Catch Meowth in BDSP
- Step 1Meowth ✓Trophy Garden - Daily PokemonLv.16-18Grass
- Step 2Evolve into Persian
To plan your throws, open the Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl catch rate calculator with Meowth preloaded.
Meowth is scattered across 2 spots in early-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Where To Catch Meowth in SwSh
The line opens with Meowth at Lv. 13-16 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
- Step 1Meowth ✓Route 4Lv.13-15GrassRate 35%All WeatherRoute 4Lv.14-16OverworldRate 23%All Weather
- Step 2Evolve into PersianBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Meowth egg.
To plan your throws, open the Sword & Shield catch rate calculator with Meowth preloaded.
Base Stats
Speed and Attack carry most of Meowth's stat budget. Defense's the obvious dump stat. Easy to catch and yields 1 Speed EV. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
All it does is sleep during the daytime. At night, it patrols its territory with its eyes aglow.
Meowth Event Distributions
Meowth has seen a few separate Mystery Gift events rather than a steady stream of them.
Ecco Meowth del Team Rocket!Jul 2013BlackWhiteBlack 2White 2Not shiny
This is a Dummy CardDiamondPearlNot shiny
Pokemon Center Meowth GiftHeartGoldSoulSilverDiamondPearlPlatinumNot shiny
Wow! It's a Meowth!XYOmega RubyAlpha SapphireNot shiny
Gigantamax Meowth GiftSwordShieldNot shiny
Hidden Ability Meowth GiftSwordShieldNot shiny
Meowth Guide
You can run Meowth through the first few routes without issues. 290 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Persian as fast as you can.
Meowth has 2 regional forms: Alolan and Galarian. Each one changes the typing and stat distribution. Added Alolan in Gen 7 and Galarian in Gen 8.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Meowth has appeared in 21 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received an Alolan form in Generation 7 and Gigantamax and Galarian forms in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7Let's Go
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShGigantamaxGalarian
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves
Explore
Where to go next after Meowth.
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