Everything pushes toward special damage here. Moltres's Sp. Atk does the work, Sp. Def pays the price. But you're still getting 3 Sp. Atk EVs per KO. Near-impossible to catch, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.
It is one of the legendary bird Pokémon. Its appearance is said to indicate the coming of spring.
It is one of the legendary bird Pokémon. Its appearance is said to indicate the coming of spring.
Type-wise, Moltres takes extra damage from Rock, Water, and Electric. Watch out for Rock attacks, those deal 4x damage. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. It resists 6 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. With 90 HP and balanced defenses, Moltres can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Rock |
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Electric |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Fighting, Steel, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityEartheater ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves View Orthworm builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Moltres View Corviknight builds →U Turn2-3% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Moltres View Avalugg builds →Rapid Spin9-10% Avalanche15-18% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Moltres View Forretress builds →Rapid Spin6-7% Volt Switch 2x20-24% | ||
 Abomasnow GrassIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySnow Warning ItemLightclay NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Moltres View Abomasnow builds →Blizzard33-39% Giga Drain5-7% | ||
No breeding, no evolution. Moltres is a Fire/Flying legendary with 580 base stat total that you obtain once and build around. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
This is a pure walling set. Heavy-Duty Boots provides hazard immunity on every switch-in so Moltres sticks around, and the Bold nature reinforces physical wall. Roost handles sustain while Flame Body does work passively.
Best Build
Moltres best EVs are HP and Defense
Wall Moveset
- Roost
- Flamethrower
- U Turn
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Support Moveset
- Scorching Sands
- Tailwind
- Roost
- Heat Wave
Recommended Teammates
Special Attacker Moveset
- Fire Blast
- Flamethrower
- Will O Wisp
- Scorching Sands
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Roost
- U Turn
- Tailwind
- Heat Wave
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Roost
- Flamethrower
- U Turn
- Hurricane
Support Moveset
- Roost
- Defog
- Flamethrower
- Scorching Sands
Doubles Utility Moveset
- Scorching Sands
- Heat Wave
- Brave Bird
- Roost
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Roost
- Flamethrower
- U Turn
- Hurricane
Recommended Teammates
Support Moveset
- Roost
- Defog
- Flamethrower
- Scorching Sands
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Utility Moveset
- Scorching Sands
- Heat Wave
- Brave Bird
- Roost
Recommended Teammates
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
Most of Moltres's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Sky Attack and Overheat, but Rock and Normal and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The level-up pool tells the story here. Moltres learns Heat Wave and Hurricane naturally, plus enough variety that TMs feel like bonuses. Rock and Normal coverage and more extends the reach beyond that.
The level-up pool tells the story here. Moltres learns Heat Wave and Hurricane naturally, plus enough variety that TMs feel like bonuses. Rock and Normal coverage and more extends the reach beyond that.
Most of Moltres's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Sky Attack and Fire Blast, but Grass and Normal and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Moltres can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Bring it over from Red, Yellow, or Let's Go Pikachu instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Moltres can't be caught in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Bring it over from Red, Yellow, or Let's Go Pikachu instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Moltres doesn't appear in Sword & Shield. Transfer it from Red, Yellow, or Let's Go Pikachu to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Moltres waits at a fixed spot in this game. Head to Victory Road 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 Moltres in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
Moltres is a Legendary Pokemon rated B-Tier. At 580 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a wallbreaker. That 125 base Sp. Atk does the heavy lifting.
Pressure is the go-to ability for Moltres. It increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one. Its hidden ability Flame Body can work in specific setups.
Moltres is a special attacker with base 125 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 90 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the wallbreaker role.
The core moveset is Roost, Flamethrower, U Turn, and Defog. Roost leads at 23% usage. Flamethrower provides reliable STAB damage.
Since Red & Blue, Moltres has appeared in 20 games. Legendary Pokemon like Moltres are usually found through story events or special post-game areas rather than random encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
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 8SwShGalarian
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