Stats & Training
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.
Moltres Weakness
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 |
 Greninja WaterDark | A | |
Water is super effective against MoltresView Greninja → | ||
 Tapu Koko ElectricFairy | A | |
Electric is super effective against MoltresView Tapu Koko → | ||
 Terrakion RockFighting | B | |
Rock deals 4x damage to MoltresView Terrakion → | ||
 Starmie WaterPsychic | B | |
Water is super effective against MoltresView Starmie → | ||
 Rotom ElectricGhost | C | |
Electric is super effective against MoltresView Rotom → | ||
In Sun & Moon, Greninja threatens a KO with Hydro Pump (163-192%). Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt also KOs at 127-150%.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureSassy Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
Greninja WaterDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Moltres View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse60-70% Ice Beam44-52% Hydro Pump 2x163-192%KO | ||
Tapu Koko ElectricFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Moltres View Tapu Koko builds →Thunderbolt 2x127-150%KO Volt Switch 2x98-116%KO Dazzling Gleam28-33% | ||
Terrakion RockFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Moltres View Terrakion builds →Close Combat50-59% Stone Edge 4x334-393%KO | ||
Starmie WaterPsychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityAnalytic ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Moltres View Starmie builds →Rapid Spin12-14% Ice Beam38-45% Thunderbolt 2x76-90% Hydro Pump 2x139-164%KO | ||
Sun & Moon Evolution
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
Sun & Moon Moltres Best Moveset
You commit to a move every time Moltres comes in. Choice Specs gives boosted special damage with move lock, and Flame Body adds to that. Max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs make sure the locked move actually hurts. Double STAB covers the rest.
Best Build
Moltres best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Support Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Hurricane
- Roost
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Roost
- Hurricane
- Defog
- Burn Up
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Heat Wave
- Air Slash
- Flame Charge
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The level-up pool tells the story here. Moltres learns Flamethrower and Heat Wave naturally, plus enough variety that TMs feel like bonuses. Coverage across 9 types extends the reach beyond that.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Moltres in Sun & Moon
No wild encounters for Moltres in Sun & Moon. It's available in Red, Yellow, or Let's Go Pikachu and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Moltres is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Special encounter in:
Then trade to Sun & Moon.
Also found in:
Moltres Guide
In Sun & Moon, Moltres is a Legendary Pokemon rated B-Tier. At 580 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a wallbreaker. Flamethrower with Choice Specs is the standard set.
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.
In Sun & Moon, the best way to handle Moltres: Status moves (Toxic, Will-O-Wisp) wear it down. Setup sweepers can use it as a boost opportunity. Physical attackers can break through.
Game Availability
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