Nuzleaf sits in the middle of its evolution line — stronger than Seedot but not yet at full power. Most trainers push through to Shiftry as fast as possible. Known as the Wily Pokemon. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets.
HP and Attack carry most of Nuzleaf's stat budget. Defense's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 2 Attack EVs. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It lives deep in forests. With the leaf on its head, it makes a flute whose song makes listeners uneasy.
They live in holes bored in large trees. The sound of Nuzleaf’s grass flute fills listeners with dread.
Nuzleaf Weakness
FragileType-wise, Nuzleaf takes extra damage from Bug, Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Flying, and Fairy. Watch out for Bug attacks, those deal 4x damage. Psychic moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong.
Sitting between Seedot and Shiftry, Nuzleaf is part of a chain that requires an evolution item. Not your typical level-up setup. HP has grown the most so far (+30), but there's still another 140 stats to gain in the final evolution.
How to Evolve
Breed with Nuzleaf to get Seedot eggs easily using 138 partners from the Ground and Plant egg groups. Notable egg moves include Defog, Leech Seed, Night Slash and 3 more.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
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The egg pool carries weight here. Defog and Leech Seed aren't available any other way for Nuzleaf, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Solar Blade and Solar Beam for solid options.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 17 locations. Nuzleaf's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Where To Catch Nuzleaf in Sword & Shield
Seedot is your first catch on the way to Nuzleaf. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 4-40 across 25 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch SeedotEFFORTLESSWest Lake AxewellOverworldLv.8-1460%EarlyCaveOvercastEFFORTLESSDappled GroveGrassLv.11-1540%EarlyForestNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSDappled GroveGrassLv.11-1535%EarlyForestHeavy FogEASYRoute 2GrassLv.4-620%EarlyRouteAll WeatherEASYDappled GroveGrassLv.11-1520%EarlyForestOvercastEASYDappled GroveGrassLv.11-1520%EarlyForestThunderstormEASYDappled GroveGrassLv.11-1520%EarlyForestRainingEASYRoute 2 - High LevelGrassLv.37-4020%LateRouteAll Weather
Step 2Nuzleaf ✓EFFORTLESSRolling FieldsGrassLv.7-940%EarlyRainingMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-1510%EarlyForestIntense SunMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-1510%EarlyForestOvercastMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-155%EarlyForestNormal WeatherMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-155%EarlyForestSnowstormMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-155%EarlyForestThunderstormMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-155%EarlyForestSnowingMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-155%EarlyForestSandstormMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-155%EarlyForestRainingMODERATEDappled GroveOverworldLv.13-155%EarlyForestHeavy FogMODERATESouth Lake MilochOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterOvercastMODERATESouth Lake MilochOverworldLv.14-165%EarlyWaterNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSGiant's CapGrassLv.27-2940%MidNormal WeatherEASYRoute 5GrassLv.16-1820%MidRouteAll WeatherEASYGiant's SeatGrassLv.30-3515%MidWaterRainingEFFORTLESSGiant's SeatOverworldLv.33-3860%LateWaterRainingEASYGiant's SeatOverworldLv.33-3825%LateWaterNormal Weatheror evolve from Seedot (Step 1)
Nuzleaf is meant to evolve into Shiftry. At 340 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Nuzleaf's biggest threats include Heracross (Bug), Arcanine (Fire), and Walrein (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Heracross is the most dangerous since Bug moves deal 4x damage. Fighting, Poison, Flying, and Fairy-type attackers are also a problem. With 7 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Chlorophyll is what you want on Nuzleaf. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Early Bird, Pickpocket) work on paper but Chlorophyll is what makes Nuzleaf worth using.
At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Nuzleaf is a physical attacker with base 70 Attack. Defensively? Fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Nuzleaf appears in 15 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Obtainable through an item-based evolution, Nuzleaf appears in 15 titles across 7 generations since Ruby & Sapphire. The evolution method adds a barrier that wild-catchable Pokemon don't have.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A