Mothim's built around mixed offense. Attack leads the charge, Defense pays for it. Tough to catch, worth 2 Attack and Sp. Atk EVs. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Scatters steel-colored scales as it flaps its wings. Despite being observed feeding primarily on the nectar of flowers, Mothim is not often seen around flower gardens.
Type-wise, Mothim takes extra damage from Rock, Fire, Electric, Ice, and Flying. Watch out for Rock attacks, those deal 4x damage. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Rock |
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Electric, Ice, Flying |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
Jolteon can KO Mothim with Thunderbolt (124-146%). Volcarona threatens a KO with Heat Wave (95-112%). Glimmora's Power Gem also KOs at 138-163%.
 Jolteon Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Mothim View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x124-146%KO Volt Switch 2x97-114%KO Shadow Ball37-43% | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemGrassyseed NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Mothim View Volcarona builds →Heat Wave 2x95-112%KO | ||
 Glimmora RockPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemRed Card NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Mothim View Glimmora builds →Power Gem 4x138-163%KO | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Mothim View Weavile builds →Knock Off51-60% Ice Shard 2x63-74% | ||
 Pelipper Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Mothim View Pelipper builds →Hurricane 2x92-108%KO | ||
Mothim is the evolved form of Burmy. Breeding produces Burmy eggs, and they're quick to hatch. Evolving from Burmy gave Mothim the biggest boost in Attack (+65), bringing the total to 424 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Mothim to get Burmy eggs using 91 partners from the Bug egg group.
The special wall spread is where Mothim earns its spot. Nothing for extra utility, Calm nature for the right lean, and Roost handles sustain. Tintedlens does the rest without needing a move slot.
Best Build
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 7.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 7.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Mothim's movepool balances level-up moves with TM options. Consistent STAB comes from Bug Buzz and Air Slash, and Psychic and Grass coverage and more keeps opponents from switching in for free. No major gaps here.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Mothim develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Psychic and Bug Buzz show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Mothim develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Psychic and Bug Buzz show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Mothim develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Psychic and Bug Buzz show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Mothim appears at decent spawn rates across 6 spots in mid-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Mothim in Legends: Arceus
Burmy is your first catch on the way to Mothim. You'll find special and walking encounters from special and walking across 33 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch BurmyAvalanche SlopesShaking berry treesCommonBonechill WastesShaking berry treesCommonCelestica RuinsShaking berry trees RuinsCommonCelestica TrailShaking berry trees RouteCommonCloudpool RidgeShaking berry trees SkyCommonCrossing SlopeShaking berry treesCommonDeertrack HeightsShaking berry treesCommonDeertrack PathShaking berry trees RouteCommonGlacier TerraceShaking berry trees IceCommonGolden LowlandsShaking berry treesCommonGrueling GroveShaking berry trees ForestCommonHeavenward LookoutShaking berry treesCommonNature’s PantryShaking berry treesCommonShrouded RuinsShaking berry trees RuinsCommonStonetooth RowsShaking berry treesCommonVeilstone CapeShaking berry treesCommonAspiration HillShaking berry treesUncommonBathers' LagoonShaking berry treesUncommonDeadwood HauntShaking berry treesUncommonDroning MeadowShaking berry treesUncommonGapejaw BogShaking berry trees SwampUncommonGinkgo LandingShaking berry treesUncommonHorseshoe PlainsShaking berry treesUncommonSacred PlazaShaking berry trees FacilityUncommonTidewater DamShaking berry treesUncommonTranquility CoveShaking berry treesUncommonUrsa's RingShaking berry treesUncommon
Step 2Mothim ✓Aipom HillGrassUncommonGinkgo LandingGrassUncommonGrueling GroveGrass ForestUncommonSpring PathGrass RouteUncommonVeilstone CapeGrassUncommonWayward WoodGrassUncommonor evolve from Burmy (Step 1)
Mothim can't be caught in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Transfer Burmy from Diamond or Platinum and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
No wild encounters for Mothim in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Bring Burmy over from Diamond or Platinum, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
Mothim's biggest threats include Tyranitar (Rock), Blaziken (Fire), and Rotom (Electric), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Tyranitar is the most dangerous since Rock moves deal 4x damage. Ice and Flying-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Mothim can work for a story run. 424 BST is average, but Bug/Flying typing fills a niche depending on your team composition.
Don't let Mothim's 424 base stat total fool you. Tinted Lens is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier.
Run Tinted Lens on Mothim. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Mothim also gets Swarm, but they don't compare.
Mothim first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 11 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
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 4DPDebut
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 8SwSh
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