Persian Best Moveset
115 Speed makes Persian one of the fastest in the lower tiers, and AbilityTechnician boosts moves at 60 power or below by 50%. The moveset runs fast Normal TermStab through boosted Fake Out into stronger coverage. 70 Attack limits the ceiling, but the Speed and Technician priority create a unique fast-support role.
Slash was the move in Gen I (Red & Blue). High Speed interacted with the critical hit formula to make Slash almost always crit, turning Persian into a legitimate offensive threat.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Slash
- Bubble Beam
- Hyper Beam
- Thunderbolt
Recommended Teammates
The critical hit formula was reworked in Gen II (Gold & Silver) and Slash lost its guaranteed crits. Persian's main gimmick vanished overnight.
Utility Moveset
- Hypnosis
- Return
- Charm
- Hidden Power Fighting
Recommended Teammates
Limber prevented paralysis, which had some anti-Body Slam utility. Return as Normal STAB was fine but other Normal-types like Zangoose hit noticeably harder.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Fake Out
- Hypnosis
- Double Edge
Recommended Teammates
Technician boosted weaker moves like Bite and Fake Out in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl), giving Persian decent priority and chip. Not enough to compete with the format's real threats.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- U Turn
- Bite
- Fake Out
- Aerial Ace
Recommended Teammates
Power creep left Persian behind in Gen V (Black & White). Technician tricks were fun but 70 base Attack couldn't threaten teams running the stronger options available.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- U Turn
- Facade
- Switcheroo
Recommended Teammates
Even with Technician, Persian couldn't find a role in Gen VI (X & Y). Normal-types without a secondary gimmick had no place against Mega Evolutions and Fairy-types.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Power Gem
- Nasty Plot
- U Turn
- Hyper Voice
Recommended Teammates
Alolan Persian existed as a Dark-type alternative but wasn't much better. Regular Persian was completely forgotten by this point.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Nasty Plot
- Slash
- Hyper Voice
- Water Pulse
Recommended Teammates
Same Pokemon, same problems, and a harder format in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Nothing new to work with.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Shock Wave
- Echoed Voice
- Nasty Plot
- Substitute
Recommended Teammates
Five straight gens at the bottom. Persian's glory days ended the moment Gen II fixed the critical hit formula.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- U Turn
- Knock Off
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Persian Weakness
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 |
What is Persian Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Persian
Lucario can KO Persian with Close Combat (254-299%).
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Persian View Lucario builds →Extreme Speed56-66% Close Combat 2x254-299%KO Aura Sphere 2x120-141%KO | ||
Evolution
You get Persian from Meowth at level 28. It's one of 2 possible evolutions in this branching family, each requiring its own method. Breed through Meowth to get eggs. Both Persian and Perrserker hit 440 total stats from Meowth. The difference is how those stats are split. 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.
How to Get Persian
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 SV
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 TownLv.14-32OverworldRate 36%West Province (Area Three) - Near TownLv.14-32OverworldRate 36%West Province (Area Two) - Near TownLv.14-32OverworldRate 36%East Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.14-32OverworldRate 18%West Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.14-32OverworldRate 18%West Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.14-32OverworldRate 18%East Province (Area Three) - MineLv.14-32OverworldRate 9%
Step 2Persian ✓West Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.28-47OverworldRate 12%West Province (Area Three) - Near TownLv.28-47OverworldRate 12%or evolve from Meowth (Step 1)
Persian can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Meowth from Red & Blue, Gold & Silver, or Platinum and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Persian in LZA
- Step 1Obtain MeowthLATER APPEARANCEfrom Red & BlueNot TradeableAppears in Red & Blue via Walking · Route 5. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Route 38 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Walking · Route 39. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via In-game trade · Battle Tower · Trade for (give Skitty). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Route 7. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Trophy Garden. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Persian ✓
Persian isn't available in the wild in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Start by transferring Meowth from Red & Blue, Gold & Silver, or Platinum. The evolution path from Meowth to Persian is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Persian in BDSP
Step 1Obtain MeowthLATER APPEARANCEfrom Red & BlueNot TradeableAppears in Red & Blue via Walking · Route 5. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Route 38 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Walking · Route 39. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via In-game trade · Battle Tower · Trade for (give Skitty). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Route 7. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Trophy Garden. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Persian ✓
Persian doesn't appear wild. Catch Meowth instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it at level 28 to get Persian. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Persian in SwSh
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 4Lv.13-15GrassRate 35%All WeatherRoute 4Lv.14-16OverworldRate 23%All Weather
Step 2Persian ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Persian egg.
Base Stats
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.
Persian Guide
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.
Persian is a physical attacker with base 70 Attack. Speed tells the real story. Base 115 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the pivot role.
Game Availability
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 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves