Moltres roosts atop Mt. Silver in HeartGold and SoulSilver. Pressure drains PP at A-Tier, and Fire/Flying-type attacks hit hard, but Stealth Rock strips 50% every time it switches in.
Ability 1PressureAbility 1Increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one.
580HP90Attack100Defense90Speed90Sp.Def85Sp.Atk125
Weak to
Special
Support
90Speed · Above Avg

Is Moltres Good in HeartGold & SoulSilver Playthrough?

Mt. Silver entrance static encounter at level 50. Fire/Flying with AbilityPressure. The strongest Fire-type you can catch. By Mt. Silver, all 16 gyms are done. Moltres is a Battle Frontier and Red rematch powerhouse, not a story contributor.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSSGGGGSGGGESSGEGGSSGEFalknerGym 1BugsyGym 2WhitneyGym 3MortyGym 4ChuckGym 5JasmineGym 6PryceGym 7ClairGym 8BrockGym 9MistyGym 10SurgeGym 11ErikaGym 12JanineGym 13SabrinaGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16MoltresCatchableWillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4LanceChamp*
Falkner
Gym 1
Strong

Moltres resists most of Falkner's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Pidgey
Lv 9
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleSand Attack
Easy KO
Pidgeotto
Lv 13
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleRoostGust
Bugsy
Gym 2
Strong

Moltres resists most of Bugsy's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Scyther
Lv 17
BugFlying
Technician
Quick AttackLeerU TurnFocus Energy
Easy KO
Kakuna
Lv 15
BugPoison
Shed Skin
Poison Sting
Easy KO
Metapod
Lv 15
Bug
Shed Skin
Tackle
Whitney
Gym 3
Good

Moltres has the type edge here and should clean up Whitney's team.

Easy KO
Clefairy
Lv 17
Normal
Cute Charm
Double SlapMimicEncoreMetronome
You Win
Miltank
Lv 19
Normal
Scrappy
RolloutAttractStompMilk Drink
Morty
Gym 4
Good

Moltres has the type edge here and should clean up Morty's team.

Easy KO
Gastly
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
LickSpiteMean LookCurse
You Win
Haunter
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisDream EaterCurseNightmare
You Win
Gengar
Lv 25
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisShadow BallMean LookSucker Punch
You Win
Haunter
Lv 23
GhostPoison
Levitate
CurseMean LookSucker PunchNight Shade
Chuck
Gym 5
Good

Moltres has the type edge here and should clean up Chuck's team.

Easy KO
Primeape
Lv 29
Fighting
Vital Spirit
LeerDouble TeamFocus PunchRock Slide
You Win
Poliwrath
Lv 31
WaterFighting
Water Absorb
HypnosisSurfFocus PunchBody Slam
Jasmine
Gym 6
Good

Moltres has the type edge here and should clean up Jasmine's team.

You Win
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
You Win
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Sturdy
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
You Win
Steelix
Lv 35
SteelGround
Sturdy
ScreechSandstormRock ThrowIron Tail
Pryce
Gym 7
Strong

Moltres resists most of Pryce's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Seel
Lv 30
Water
Thick Fat
SnoreHailIcy WindRest
You Win
Dewgong
Lv 32
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Sleep TalkIce ShardAurora BeamRest
Easy KO
Piloswine
Lv 34
IceGround
Snow Cloak
HailIce FangMud BombBlizzard
Clair
Gym 8
Good

Moltres has the type edge here and should clean up Clair's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 38
WaterFlying
Intimidate
TwisterDragon RageBiteDragon Pulse
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 38
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveFire BlastSlamDragon Pulse
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 38
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveAqua TailSlamDragon Pulse
Even
Kingdra
Lv 41
WaterDragon
Sniper
SmokescreenHydro PumpHyper BeamDragon Pulse
Brock
Gym 9
Good

Moltres has the type edge here and should clean up Brock's team.

You Win
Graveler
Lv 51
RockGround
Sturdy
Defense CurlRock SlideRolloutEarthquake
Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 51
GroundRock
Rock Head
SandstormScary FaceEarthquakeHorn Drill
You Win
Omastar
Lv 53
RockWater
Shell Armor
Ancient PowerBrineProtectSpike Cannon
You Win
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Sturdy
Iron TailRock SlideScreechSandstorm
Even
Kabutops
Lv 52
RockWater
Battle Armor
Rock SlideAqua JetEndureGiga Drain
Misty
Gym 10
Good

Moltres has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.

You Win
Golduck
Lv 49
Water
Damp
Water PulseDisablePsych UpPsychic
Easy KO
Quagsire
Lv 49
WaterGround
Water Absorb
Water PulseAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance
You Win
Lapras
Lv 52
WaterIce
Shell Armor
Water PulseSingIce BeamBody Slam
Even
Starmie
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Natural Cure
Water PulseConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 11
Even

Moltres trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Raichu
Lv 51
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveQuick AttackShock WaveDouble Team
Even
Electrode
Lv 47
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveDouble TeamShock WaveLight Screen
You Win
Magneton
Lv 47
ElectricSteel
Sturdy
SupersonicDouble TeamShock WaveMirror Shot
Even
Electrode
Lv 47
Electric
Static
ScreechDouble TeamSelf DestructCharge Beam
Even
Electabuzz
Lv 53
Electric
Static
Quick AttackShock WaveLight ScreenLow Kick
Erika
Gym 12
Strong

Moltres resists most of Erika's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Jumpluff
Lv 51
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
U TurnLeech SeedSunny DayGiga Drain
Easy KO
Tangela
Lv 52
Grass
Chlorophyll
Ancient PowerWring OutGiga DrainSleep Powder
Easy KO
Victreebel
Lv 56
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisGrass KnotLeaf Storm
Easy KO
Bellossom
Lv 56
Grass
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisGiga DrainSolar Beam
Janine
Gym 13
Strong

Moltres resists most of Janine's coverage and hits back hard.

You Win
Crobat
Lv 47
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
ScreechSupersonicConfuse RayWing Attack
You Win
Weezing
Lv 44
Poison
Levitate
Double HitSludge BombToxicExplosion
Easy KO
Ariados
Lv 47
BugPoison
Insomnia
Scary FacePoison JabPin MissilePsychic
Easy KO
Ariados
Lv 47
BugPoison
Insomnia
Pin MissilePoison JabSwaggerNight Shade
Easy KO
Venomoth
Lv 50
BugPoison
Tinted Lens
Sludge BombDouble TeamSignal BeamPsychic
Sabrina
Gym 14
Good

Moltres has the type edge here and should clean up Sabrina's team.

You Win
Espeon
Lv 53
Psychic
Synchronize
Shadow BallSkill SwapCalm MindPsychic
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 53
Psychic
Filter
MimicLight ScreenSkill SwapPsychic
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 55
Psychic
Inner Focus
Skill SwapPsychicEnergy BallReflect
Blaine
Gym 15
Even

Moltres trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.

Even
Magcargo
Lv 54
FireRock
Flame Body
Sunny DaySmogOverheatRock Slide
Even
Magmar
Lv 54
Fire
Flame Body
Thunder PunchOverheatSunny DayConfuse Ray
Even
Rapidash
Lv 59
Fire
Flash FireImmune to Fire attacks
Quick AttackFlare BlitzBounceOverheat
Blue
Gym 16
Good

Moltres has the type edge here and should clean up Blue's team.

Easy KO
Exeggutor
Lv 55
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Leaf StormPsychicHypnosisTrick Room
Even
Arcanine
Lv 58
Fire
Intimidate
RoarDragon PulseFlare BlitzExtreme Speed
You Win
Rhydon
Lv 58
GroundRock
Rock Head
MegahornStone EdgeThunder FangEarthquake
Even
Gyarados
Lv 52
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Ice FangWaterfallDragon DanceReturn
You Win
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
No Guard
Dynamic PunchEarthquakeStone EdgeThunder Punch
You Win
Pidgeot
Lv 60
NormalFlying
Tangled Feet
ReturnWhirlwindAir SlashMirror Move
Will
Elite Four
Good

Moltres has the type edge here and should clean up Will's team.

You Win
Xatu
Lv 40
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
U TurnMe FirstConfuse RayPsychic
Easy KO
Jynx
Lv 41
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapLovely KissIce PunchPsychic
Easy KO
Exeggutor
Lv 41
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
ReflectHypnosisEgg BombPsychic
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 41
WaterPsychic
Own Tempo
CurseAmnesiaWater PulsePsychic
You Win
Xatu
Lv 42
PsychicFlying
Early Bird
Aerial AceOminous WindConfuse RayPsychic
Koga
Elite Four
Strong

Moltres resists most of Koga's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Ariados
Lv 40
BugPoison
Insomnia
Poison JabSpider WebBaton PassGiga Drain
Easy KO
Venomoth
Lv 41
BugPoison
Tinted Lens
SupersonicGustPsychicToxic
Easy KO
Forretress
Lv 43
BugSteel
Sturdy
ProtectSwiftExplosionToxic Spikes
You Win
Muk
Lv 42
Poison
Sticky Hold
MinimizeScreechGunk ShotToxic
You Win
Crobat
Lv 44
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Double TeamQuick AttackWing AttackPoison Fang
Bruno
Elite Four
Strong

Moltres resists most of Bruno's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Hitmontop
Lv 42
Fighting
Technician
CounterQuick AttackDigTriple Kick
Easy KO
Hitmonlee
Lv 42
Fighting
Reckless
SwaggerFocus EnergyHigh Jump KickBlaze Kick
Easy KO
Hitmonchan
Lv 42
Fighting
Iron Fist
Thunder PunchIce PunchFire PunchBullet Punch
You Win
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Sturdy
Dragon BreathEarthquakeSandstormRock Slide
You Win
Machamp
Lv 46
Fighting
No Guard
Rock SlideForesightRevengeCross Chop
Karen
Elite Four
Good

Moltres has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.

You Win
Umbreon
Lv 42
Dark
Synchronize
Double TeamConfuse RayFeint AttackPayback
Easy KO
Vileplume
Lv 42
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidMoonlightPetal Dance
You Win
Gengar
Lv 45
GhostPoison
Levitate
LickSpiteFocus BlastDestiny Bond
Easy KO
Murkrow
Lv 44
DarkFlying
Super Luck
PluckWhirlwindSucker PunchFeint Attack
You Win
Houndoom
Lv 47
DarkFire
Flash FireImmune to Fire attacks
Nasty PlotDark PulseFlamethrowerCrunch
Lance
Champion
Even

Moltres trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 46
WaterFlying
Intimidate
FlailDragon PulseWaterfallIce Fang
Even
Dragonite
Lv 49
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveDragon RushThunderHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 49
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveDragon RushBlizzardHyper Beam
Risky
Aerodactyl
Lv 48
RockFlying
Pressure
Aerial AceCrunchRock SlideThunder Fang
You Win
Charizard
Lv 48
FireFlying
Blaze
Shadow ClawAir SlashDragon ClawFire Fang
Even
Dragonite
Lv 50
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Fire BlastSafeguardOutrageHyper Beam

Catchable

Post-game only
Type
FireFlying
Tier
A

Catch Moltres in Mt. Silver (interact, Lv 50, limited). Encounter at Mt. Silver after obtaining the National Pokedex.

View Moltres locations

How to Get Moltres in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Moltres guards the slopes of Mt. Silver at level 50, the toughest place to reach of the three birds. Catch rate of 3 and no second chance, so come loaded for a long battle.

1 location to catch Moltres

Badge 8
Post-Game

How to Get Moltres in HeartGold & SoulSilver

How to Get Shiny Moltres in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Moltres perches deep inside Mt. Silver, so save in front of it and soft-reset the battle until it turns shiny. Compare Shiny Moltres odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Moltres in HeartGold & SoulSilverNormal
Shiny Moltres in HeartGold & SoulSilver Shiny
Color ShiftYellowtoRed
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Moltres Evolution

Does Not Evolve
Moltres does not evolve
Single-stage PokemonView Full Evolution Chart

HeartGold & SoulSilver Shiny Moltres Calculator

1 Method
Shiny Odds

The only route here is Soft Reset, about 1 in 8,192 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method1 in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Method: Soft Resetthe only method here

Soft Reset: Save in front of a static, gift, or legendary encounter, then reset until it sparkles.

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 8,192Soft Reset
Chance By Now50.0%at 5,678 resetsAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few864----
25%one in four2,357----
50%coin flip5,678----
90%very likely18,862----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Want exact numbers for your session? Calculate your shiny odds in HeartGold & SoulSilver with Moltres preloaded.

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. The Fire/Flying typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. With 90 HP and balanced defenses, Moltres can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.

Moltres Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Rock
2x (Weak)Water, Electric
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Fighting, Steel
0.25x (Resist)Grass, Bug
0x (Immune)Ground
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Moltres Weak Against

Good
3Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score+2
4xCritical
¼xResist
0xImmune

What is Moltres Strong Against

5Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+4
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Moltres

B
Tyranitar
Tyranitar
RockDark
S
Rhydon
Rhydon
GroundRock
C
Kabutops
Kabutops
RockWater
C
Aerodactyl
Aerodactyl
RockFlying
B

Moltres Evolutions

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

No Evolution
Moltres
#146Moltres
Does not evolve

Breeding

Unavailable
Undiscovered egg group

HGSS Moltres Best Moveset

Special Fire/Flying at 125 Sp. Atk and 90 Speed delivers massive Fire damage from the special side. 90 HP and 90 Defense provide decent bulk. AbilityPressure doubles PP consumption. 25% HP from MoveStealth Rock every switch is the defining limitation.

Best Build

Experimental
Wall
Ability
Pressure
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Moltres
Bold+DEF

Moltres best EVs are HP and Defense

EVs

Wall Moveset

  • FlamethrowerSTAB
  • RoostRecovery
  • ToxicUtility
  • SubstituteUtility

Recommended Teammates

Moves List

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

Lv 1
Ember
—6010025Fire
Lv 1
Wing Attack
C9010035Flying
Lv 8
Fire Spin
—527015Fire
Lv 15
Agility
C——30Psychic
Lv 22
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Lv 29
Ancient Power
C601005Rock
Lv 36
Flamethrower
B14210015Fire
Lv 43
Safeguard
D——25Normal
Lv 50
Air Slash
B1129520Flying
Lv 57
Roost
B——10Flying
Lv 64
Heat Wave
B1509010Fire
Lv 71
Solar Beam
B12010010Grass
Lv 78
Sky Attack
B210905Flying
Lv 85
Sunny Day
C——5Fire

TM Moves

24 of 25 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40
Aerial AceMt. Mortarnot until badge 8
C90—20Flying
TM38B180855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerGoldenrod Game Cornerbadge 2
B14210015Fire
HM02B1359515Flying
TM21
FrustrationCeladon Department Storebadge 2
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerLake of Ragebadge 6
C6010015Normal
TM15B150905Normal
TM83
Natural GiftGoldenrod Department Storebadge 2
D—10015Normal
TM88
PluckRoute 40badge 4
C9010020Flying
TM17C——10Normal
TM44
RestRoute 31badge 2
C——10Psychic
TM05
Roar-6Route 32badge 2
C——20Normal
HM06D4010015Fighting
TM51B——10Flying
TM43
Secret PowerLake of Ragebadge 6
—7010020Normal
TM22B12010010Grass
TM90
SubstituteGoldenrod Game Cornerbadge 2
A——10Normal
TM87
SwaggerOlivine Lighthousebadge 4
——9015Normal
TM89C7010020Bug

Egg Moves

Moltres doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Air Cutter
C829525Flying
Tutor
Ancient Power
C601005Rock
Tutor
Heat Wave
B1509010Fire
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Ominous Wind
C601005Ghost
Tutor
Sky Attack
B210905Flying
Tutor
Snore
C4010015Normal
Tutor
Swift
—60—20Normal
Tutor
Tailwind
C——15Flying
Tutor
Twister
—4010020Dragon

Base Stats

Base Stats
Pseudo
HP90
B
Attack100
B
Defense90
B
Sp. Atk125
A
Sp. Def85
C
Speed90
B
Total580
Details
Catch Rate
Legendary3 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height2.0 m
Weight60.0 kg
Base XP290
Abilities
Pressure
Increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+3SpDSpe
Strong Special Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

This legendary Pokémon scatters embers with every flap of its wings. It is a thrilling sight to behold.

This legendary bird Pokémon is said to bring early spring to the wintry lands it visits.

Moltres HeartGold & SoulSilver Guide

  • Moltres is a static encounter at Johto Mt Silver in HeartGold & SoulSilver. Moltres appears at level 50. Save before the encounter. These one-shot Pokemon don't respawn if you knock them out or run out of Poke Balls.

  • Yes. Moltres is not available during the main story. It can only be obtained after entering the Hall of Fame. Moltres becomes available after the main story is complete in HeartGold & SoulSilver.

  • In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Moltres plays as a support. Speed is middling, so pick your spots carefully. Flamethrower is the primary attack.

  • Yes. Galarian Moltres is a regional variant with different typing and a reworked stat spread. Introduced in Gen 8. Plays completely differently from the original.

  • In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Moltres pairs best with Starmie. Starmie has Decent synergy and covers what Moltres can't handle on its own.

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.

Explore

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