Transfer-only in Ruby & Sapphire. Meowth gains Pickup, but Persian at B-Tier needs importing from FRLG or Colosseum.
Ability 1PickupAbility 1Picks up other Pokémon's used and Flung held items. May also pick up an item after battle.
290HP40Attack45Defense35Speed90Sp.Def40Sp.Atk40
Meowth
Persian
Weak to
Physical
Balanced
90Speed · Above Avg

Is Meowth Good in Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

Not native to Hoenn. AbilityPickup on Meowth generates random items after battles, same role as Zigzagoon locally. Trading for a Meowth when Zigzagoon does the same thing from Route 101 doesn't make sense.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTETETETEETEETRoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8MeowthTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Tough

Roxanne's typing presses Meowth's defenses.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
TackleHardenRock ThrowRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Even

Meowth trades roughly evenly with Brawly's team.

Even
Machop
Lv 17
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopSeismic TossBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 18
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustKnock OffSand AttackBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Tough

Wattson's typing presses Meowth's defenses.

Risky
Magnemite
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomThunder ShockThunder Wave
Risky
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSelf DestructSparkSonic Boom
Avoid
Magneton
Lv 23
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomShock WaveThunder Wave
Flannery
Gym 4
Even

Meowth trades roughly evenly with Flannery's team.

Even
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
FlamethrowerRock SlideLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Torkoal
Lv 28
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatBody SlamFlailAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Tough

Norman's team hits Meowth's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Slaking
Lv 28
Normal
Truant
EncoreFacadeYawnFeint Attack
Risky
Vigoroth
Lv 30
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFeint AttackFacadeEncore
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Meowth trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

Even
Swellow
Lv 31
NormalFlying
Guts
Quick AttackAerial AceDouble TeamEndeavor
Easy KO
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Risky
Skarmory
Lv 32
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Risky
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Tough

Tate & Liza's typing presses Meowth's defenses.

Risky
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Risky
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Wallace
Gym 8
Even

Meowth trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

You Win
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Risky
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Even
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Even
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Sidney
Elite Four
Even

Meowth trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

Even
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
Even
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
You Win
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Even
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
Risky
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Tough

Phoebe's typing presses Meowth's defenses.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
Risky
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
Risky
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Meowth trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

Even
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
Even
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Even

Meowth trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
Even
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
Risky
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
Risky
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
Risky
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Steven
Champion
Tough

Steven's typing presses Meowth's defenses.

Risky
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
Even
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
Risky
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
Risky
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
Risky
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Risky
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
Normal
Tier
E

Meowth cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.

View Meowth locations

How to Get Meowth in Ruby & Sapphire

Hoenn skips Meowth entirely; Skitty and Zigzagoon cover the early Normal slots instead. To get a Meowth you trade one in from another game.

How to Obtain Meowth in RS

  1. Meowth
    Step 1Meowth ✓
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    from Emerald
    Available
    Catch in Emerald via In-game trade · Battle Frontier · Trade for (give Skitty), then trade to the current game via link cable.
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Route 7, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Red & Blue via Walking · Route 7. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Route 38. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Crystal
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Crystal via Walking · Route 39. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Persian
    Step 2Evolve into Persian

How to Get Shiny Meowth in Ruby & Sapphire

With Meowth absent from Hoenn, prowl Kindle Road in FireRed or LeafGreen for a shiny and trade it back. See every game where Shiny Meowth can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Meowth in Ruby & SapphireNormal
Shiny Meowth in Ruby & Sapphire Shiny
Color ShiftYellowtoBrown
Shiny TierD Tier Shiny

Shiny Meowth Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

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.

Meowth Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fighting
0x (Immune)Ghost
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 Meowth Weak Against

Good
1Weak
0Resist
1Immune
Score+1
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
½xResist
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Meowth Strong Against

0Strong
2Resisted
1Immune
Score-3
2xStrong
None
½xResisted
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Meowth

Hariyama
Hariyama
Fighting
B
Breloom
Breloom
GrassFighting
B
Heracross
Heracross
BugFighting
A
Blaziken
Blaziken
FireFighting
B
Machoke
Machoke
Fighting
C

Meowth Evolutions

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. Evolving adds up to 150 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Meowth
#052Meowth
28
Transfer Only
Persian
#053Persian
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Meowth
Normal
Persian
Normal
HP
40
65+25
ATK
45
70+25
DEF
35
60+25
SP.ATK
40
65+25
SP.DEF
40
65+25
SPE
90
115+25
BST
290E-Tier
440B-Tier+150
ROLE
Balanced
Pivot
TYPE
Utility
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Meowth easily with 102 breeding partners from the Field egg group. Pass egg moves like Amnesia, Assist, Charm and 3 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Field
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosrhydondewgongarbokquagsirenidorinofarfetchdflaaffy

RS Meowth Best Moveset

Low Attack limits MoveReturn to small damage. AbilityPickup provides no competitive benefit. Persian at the next stage offers Limber paralysis immunity and better Speed.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Pickup
Item
Silk Scarf
Best Nature for Meowth
Jolly+SPE

Meowth best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • Shadow Ball
  • Double EdgeSTAB
  • Fake OutSTAB
  • Hidden Power Grass

Moves List

Egg moves make a real difference. Meowth gets Amnesia and Assist exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 7 types rounds out the picture alongside Slash and Facade.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
D—10040Normal
Lv 1
Scratch
D6010035Normal
Lv 11
Bite
D6010025Dark
Lv 20
Pay Day
—6010020Normal
Lv 28
Feint Attack
—60—20Dark
Lv 35
Screech
D—8540Normal
Lv 41
Fury Swipes
D278015Normal
Lv 46
Slash
D10510020Normal
Lv 50
Fake Out+3
S6010010Normal

TM Moves

25 of 26 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40D60—20Flying
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
HM01D759530Normal
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
D6010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42D10510020Normal
HM05
FlashGranite Cavebadge 1
——7020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—9010015Normal
TM23
Iron TailMeteor Fallsnot until badge 8
D1007515Steel
TM17C——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—10510020Normal
TM30
Shadow BallMt. Pyrebadge 5
S8010015Ghost
TM34D60—20Electric
TM49
Snatch+4S.S. Tidal
———10Dark
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM46
ThiefSlateport Citybadge 1
D6010025Dark
TM25D1207010Electric
TM24
ThunderboltMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510015Electric
TM41
TormentSlateport Citybadge 1
D—10015Dark
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulsePrize for defeating Wallacenot until badge 8
D6010020Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Amnesia
D——20Psychic
Egg
Assist
D——20Normal
Egg
Charm
D—10020Normal
Egg
Hypnosis
C—6020Psychic
Egg
Psych Up
D——10Normal
Egg
Spite
——10010Ghost

Tutor Moves

Meowth can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP40
D
Attack45
D
Defense35
F
Sp. Atk40
D
Sp. Def40
D
Speed90
B
Total290
Details
Catch Rate
Guaranteed255 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.4 m
Weight4.2 kg
Base XP58
Abilities
Pickup
Picks up other Pokémon's used and Flung held items. May also pick up an item after battle.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Speed training source
Pokedex Entry

MEOWTH withdraws its sharp claws into its paws to slinkily sneak about without making any incriminating footsteps. For some reason, this POKéMON loves shiny coins that glitter with light.

Pokemon Ruby / Pokemon Sapphire

Meowth Ruby & Sapphire Guide

  • No. Meowth isn't catchable in Ruby & Sapphire. Catch one in Emerald, FireRed, or LeafGreen, then trade it over.

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.

Explore

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