Milotic Best Moveset
125 Sp. Def at 100 Sp. Atk on Water with AbilityMarvel Scale boosting Defense 50% under status. AbilityCompetitive boosts Sp. Atk when a stat drops, punishing Intimidate and Defog. Held ItemLeftovers with NatureModest runs bulky special Water TermStab. The moveset absorbs special damage and retaliates with real power. Tera Fairy adds Dragon immunity.
Marvel Scale boosted Defense by 50% when statused in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Rest triggered the boost, and 125 Sp. Def made Milotic nearly unkillable on both sides while asleep.
Best Moves
Best Build
Milotic best EVs are HP and Defense
Wall Moveset
- Recover
- Surf
- Toxic
- Refresh
Recommended Teammates
Same Rest plus Marvel Scale formula in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). One of the best defensive Water-types thanks to an ability that made it bulkier when statused.
Wall Moveset
- Recover
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Haze
Recommended Teammates
Competitive raised Sp. Atk whenever any stat was lowered in Gen V (Black & White). Intimidate users boosted Milotic's offense just by switching in. Clever ability design.
Wall Moveset
- Recover
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Competitive punished Defog in Gen VI (X & Y), which lowered evasion and triggered a free Sp. Atk boost. Four gens of consistent A-Tier performance.
Wall Moveset
- Scald
- Recover
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Dropped in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Toxapex did the bulky Water job with Regenerator and better defensive typing. The direct comparison was unflattering.
Wall Moveset
- Recover
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Same Toxapex competition in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Competitive was useful but situational compared to Regenerator's constant value.
Wall Moveset
- Scald
- Recover
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Fell further in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Three gens of decline as better bulky Water options kept emerging and outclassing it.
Special Tank Moveset
- Scald
- Recover
- Ice Beam
- Haze
Recommended Teammates
Milotic Weakness
Type-wise, Milotic takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. The Water typing picks up 4 resistances to work with. Milotic's special bulk (base 125 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
What is Milotic Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Milotic
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Milotic View Moltres builds →Flamethrower8-10% U Turn14-17% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemHeatrock NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Milotic View Torkoal builds →Rapid Spin9-11% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Milotic View Incineroar builds →Knock Off22-26% Flare Blitz20-24% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Milotic View Pelipper builds →Hurricane16-19% U Turn9-11% | ||
Evolution
Milotic is what Feebas becomes. Breed it for Feebas eggs (average hatch time). Plenty of partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolution from Feebas pushed Milotic to 540 total stats. Sp.Atk saw the largest single gain at +90. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Milotic
Can't catch Milotic directly. Start with Feebas at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve through a special method. The 2-stage line from Feebas to Milotic is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Milotic in SV
To get Milotic, start by catching Feebas through walking encounters at Lv. 3-60. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch FeebasCrystal PoolLv.3-60OverworldOni MountainLv.3-60Overworld
Step 2Milotic ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Milotic egg.
No wild encounters for Milotic in Legends: Z-A. Bring Feebas over from Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, or Sword & Shield, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Milotic in LZA
- Step 1Obtain FeebasLATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Old rod · Route 119 · Random spawn (6 tiles). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Old rod · Route 119 · Random spawn (6 tiles). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Good rod · Mt. Coronet · Random spawn (4 tiles). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Old rod · Mt. Coronet · Random spawn (4 tiles). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Super rod · Route 1 · Shaking spot. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Super rod · Route 1. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Milotic ✓
Milotic isn't available in the wild in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Start by transferring Feebas from Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, or Sword & Shield. The evolution path from Feebas to Milotic is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Milotic in BDSP
Step 1Obtain FeebasCARTRIDGE TRADEfrom Sword & ShieldAvailableCatch in Sword & Shield via Surfing · Roaring-Sea Caves · Raining, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Old rod · Route 119 · Random spawn (6 tiles). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Old rod · Route 119 · Random spawn (6 tiles). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Good rod · Mt. Coronet · Random spawn (4 tiles). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Old rod · Mt. Coronet · Random spawn (4 tiles). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Super rod · Route 1 · Shaking spot. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Super rod · Route 1. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Milotic ✓
You're catching Feebas first, not Milotic. Feebas appears but it's a rare spawn in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Milotic in SwSh
The path to Milotic starts with Feebas at Lv. 37-65 via surfing and fishing encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch FeebasRoute 2 - High LevelLv.37-40Super RodRate 1%Roaring-Sea CavesLv.60-65Surfing on waterRate 1%RainingRoaring-Sea CavesLv.60-65Surfing on waterRate 1%SnowstormRoaring-Sea CavesLv.60-65Surfing on waterRate 1%ThunderstormRoaring-Sea CavesLv.60-65Surfing on waterRate 1%Heavy FogRoaring-Sea CavesLv.60-65Surfing on waterRate 1%Intense SunRoaring-Sea CavesLv.60-65Surfing on waterRate 1%OvercastRoaring-Sea CavesLv.60-65Surfing on waterRate 1%SnowingRoaring-Sea CavesLv.60-65Surfing on waterRate 1%Normal Weather
Step 2Milotic ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Milotic egg.
Base Stats
Milotic's built to absorb hits, not race for knockouts. Special bulk with Sp. Def doing the heavy lifting. And the standard growth curve means it won't take forever to bring up, worth 2 Sp. Def EVs.
Milotic has provided inspiration to many artists. It has even been referred to as the most beautiful Pokémon of all.
Milotic Guide
Milotic works as a support with 540 BST behind it. B-Tier on our list: a solid choice for the right team. That 125 base Sp. Def does the heavy lifting.
Marvel Scale is the go-to ability for Milotic. It increases Defense to 1.5× with a major status ailment. Its hidden ability Cute Charm can work in specific setups. Competitive is the other option. Pick based on what your team needs.
Milotic is a mixed attacker with base 60 Attack and 100 Sp. Atk. Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 81 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the support role.
The core moveset is Scald, Recover, Ice Beam, and Haze. Scald leads at 0% usage. Scald provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Milotic appears in 16 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through wild encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
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 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
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