Everything pushes toward mixed damage here. Persian's Speed does the work, Defense pays the price. But you're still getting 2 Speed EVs per KO. Moderately hard to find, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Although its fur has many admirers, it is tough to raise as a pet because of its fickle meanness.
It has a vicious temperament. Beware if it raises its tail straight up. This is a signal that it is about to pounce and bite.
Fighting moves hit Persian for super-effective damage. The upside? Ghost-type moves can't touch it at all. At base 115 Speed, Persian outspeeds most threats and doesn't need to tank what it can outrun.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ghost |
Annihilape can KO Persian with Drain Punch (109-128%). Lucario threatens a KO with Close Combat (254-299%).
 Annihilape FightingGhost | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityDefiant ItemSitrus Berry NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Persian View Annihilape builds →Drain Punch 2x109-128%KO | ||
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Persian View Lucario builds →Extreme Speed56-66% Close Combat 2x254-299%KO | ||
Persian is what Meowth becomes. Breed it for Meowth eggs (average hatch time). A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolution from Meowth pushed Persian to 440 total stats. HP saw the largest single gain at +25. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Persian to get Meowth eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.
The build revolves around U-turn for safe pivoting. Technician and Heavy-Duty Boots support Persian's hit-and-run approach, with max Attack and Speed EVs making sure each pivot actually threatens. The remaining moves adds versatility.
Best Build
Persian best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- U Turn
- Knock Off
- Double Edge
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Fake Out
- Snarl
- Foul Play
- Icy Wind
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- U Turn
- Knock Off
- Bite
Recommended Teammates
Mixed Attacker Moveset
- Fake Out
- Double Edge
- Dark Pulse
- Gunk Shot
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- Nasty Plot
- Hypnosis
- Swift
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- U Turn
- Knock Off
- Double Edge
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Fake Out
- Snarl
- Foul Play
- Icy Wind
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- U Turn
- Knock Off
- Bite
Recommended Teammates
Mixed Attacker Moveset
- Fake Out
- Double Edge
- Dark Pulse
- Gunk Shot
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- Nasty Plot
- Hypnosis
- Swift
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- Hypnosis
- U Turn
- Dark Pulse
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- Hypnosis
- U Turn
- Dark Pulse
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Need something that threatens multiple types? Persian's movepool delivers. Coverage across 13 types plus STAB from Giga Impact and Hyper Beam gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Need something that threatens multiple types? Persian's movepool delivers. Coverage across 13 types plus STAB from Giga Impact and Hyper Beam gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Need something that threatens multiple types? Persian's movepool delivers. Coverage across 11 types plus STAB from Giga Impact and Hyper Beam gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Need something that threatens multiple types? Persian's movepool delivers. Coverage across 11 types plus STAB from Giga Impact and Hyper Beam gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Persian appears at moderate rates across 4 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 Persian in Scarlet & Violet
Meowth is your first catch on the way to Persian. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 14-47 across 18 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch MeowthEast Province (Area Three) - Near TownVioletOverworld Lv.14-32 Route36%EarlyEast Province (Area Three) - Near TownScarletOverworld Lv.14-32 Route36%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - Near TownVioletOverworld Lv.14-32 Route36%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - Near TownScarletOverworld Lv.14-32 Route36%EarlyWest Province (Area Two) - Near TownScarletOverworld Lv.14-32 Route36%EarlyWest Province (Area Two) - Near TownVioletOverworld Lv.14-32 Route36%EarlyEast Province (Area Three) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.14-32 Route18%EarlyEast Province (Area Three) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.14-32 Route18%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.14-32 Route18%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.14-32 Route18%EarlyWest Province (Area Two) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.14-32 Route18%EarlyWest Province (Area Two) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.14-32 Route18%EarlyEast Province (Area Three) - MineScarletOverworld Lv.14-32 Route9%EarlyEast Province (Area Three) - MineVioletOverworld Lv.14-32 Route9%Early
Step 2Persian ✓West Province (Area Three) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route12%MidWest Province (Area Three) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route12%MidWest Province (Area Three) - Near TownScarletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route12%MidWest Province (Area Three) - Near TownVioletOverworld Lv.28-47 Route12%Midor evolve from Meowth (Step 1)
Persian can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Meowth from Blue, Silver, or Platinum and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Persian isn't available in the wild in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Start by transferring Meowth from Blue, Silver, or Platinum. The evolution path from Meowth to Persian is covered in the steps below.
Persian doesn't appear wild. Catch Meowth instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it with high friendship to get Persian. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Persian in Sword & Shield
Meowth is your first catch on the way to Persian. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 13-16 across 4 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch MeowthRoute 4ShieldGrass Lv.13-15 Route35%EarlyAll WeatherRoute 4SwordGrass Lv.13-15 Route35%EarlyAll WeatherRoute 4ShieldOverworld Lv.14-16 Route23%EarlyAll WeatherRoute 4SwordOverworld Lv.14-16 Route23%EarlyAll Weather
Step 2Persian ✓
Watch for Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Persian. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. Persian's base 115 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
It depends on your team. Persian at 440 BST isn't a powerhouse, but the Normal coverage might be exactly what you're missing.
Persian looks average on paper at 440 BST. But Technician is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier pivot on our tier list.
Persian gets Technician, Limber, and Unnerve. But Technician is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Available since Red & Blue, Persian appears in 21 games spanning 10 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained an Alolan form in Generation 7.
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 7SMAlolan
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