Persian drops from A-Tier to C-Tier in Gold & Silver. Gen 2 changed the crit mechanics, taking away Slash's near-guaranteed crits that defined it.
440HP65Attack70Defense60Speed115Sp.Def65Sp.Atk65
Meowth
Persian
Weak to
Physical
Pivot
115Speed · Fast

Is Persian Good in Gold & Silver Playthrough?

Fast and average. Persian's MoveSlash still crits often but the damage ceiling is low compared to what Johto offers by mid-game. A money farmer that sometimes battles.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGEETEEGEEEGGGEEEGGEGGFalknerGym 1BugsyGym 2WhitneyGym 3MeowthCatchableMortyGym 4PersianEvolveChuckGym 5JasmineGym 6PryceGym 7ClairGym 8SurgeGym 9SabrinaGym 10ErikaGym 11JanineGym 12MistyGym 13BrockGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16WillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4LanceChamp*
Falkner
Gym 1
Good

Meowth has the type edge here and should clean up Falkner's team.

You Win
Pidgey
Lv 7
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud Slap
You Win
Pidgeotto
Lv 9
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud SlapGust
Bugsy
Gym 2
Even

Meowth trades roughly evenly with Bugsy's team.

You Win
Metapod
Lv 14
Bug
Shed Skin
TackleString ShotHarden
You Win
Kakuna
Lv 14
BugPoison
Shed Skin
Poison StingString ShotHarden
Risky
Scyther
Lv 16
BugFlying
Swarm
Quick AttackLeerFury Cutter
Whitney
Gym 3
Even

Meowth trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.

You Win
Clefairy
Lv 18
Normal
Cute Charm
Double SlapMimicEncoreMetronome
Risky
Miltank
Lv 20
Normal
Thick Fat
RolloutAttractStompMilk Drink
Morty
Gym 4
Tough

Morty's typing presses Meowth's defenses.

Even
Gastly
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
LickSpiteMean LookCurse
Even
Haunter
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisMimicCurseNight Shade
Avoid
Gengar
Lv 25
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
HypnosisShadow BallMean LookDream Eater
Even
Haunter
Lv 23
GhostPoison
Levitate
SpiteMean LookMimicNight Shade
Chuck
Gym 5
Even

Persian trades roughly evenly with Chuck's team.

Even
Primeape
Lv 27
Fighting
Vital Spirit
LeerRageKarate ChopFury Swipes
Even
Poliwrath
Lv 30
WaterFighting
Water Absorb
HypnosisMind ReaderSurfDynamic Punch
Jasmine
Gym 6
Even

Persian trades roughly evenly with Jasmine's team.

Even
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Even
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Risky
Steelix
Lv 35
SteelGround
Rock Head
ScreechSunny DayRock ThrowIron Tail
Pryce
Gym 7
Good

Persian has the type edge here and should clean up Pryce's team.

You Win
Seel
Lv 27
Water
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
You Win
Dewgong
Lv 29
WaterIce
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
You Win
Piloswine
Lv 31
IceGround
Oblivious
Icy WindFury AttackMistBlizzard
Clair
Gym 8
Even

Persian trades roughly evenly with Clair's team.

You Win
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSurfSlamDragon Breath
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveThunderboltSlamDragon Breath
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveIce BeamSlamDragon Breath
Risky
Kingdra
Lv 40
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenSurfHyper BeamDragon Breath
Lt. Surge
Gym 9
Even

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

You Win
Raichu
Lv 44
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveQuick AttackThunderboltThunder
Even
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
Even
Magneton
Lv 40
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Lock OnDouble TeamSwiftZap Cannon
Even
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
You Win
Electabuzz
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder PunchLight ScreenThunder
Sabrina
Gym 10
Even

Persian trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Espeon
Lv 46
Psychic
Synchronize
Sand AttackQuick AttackSwiftPsychic
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 46
Psychic
Soundproof
BarrierReflectBaton PassPsychic
Even
Alakazam
Lv 48
Psychic
Synchronize
RecoverFuture SightPsychicReflect
Erika
Gym 11
Good

Persian has the type edge here and should clean up Erika's team.

Easy KO
Tangela
Lv 42
Grass
Chlorophyll
Vine WhipBindGiga DrainSleep Powder
Easy KO
Jumpluff
Lv 41
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Mega DrainLeech SeedCotton SporeGiga Drain
You Win
Victreebel
Lv 46
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisAcidRazor Leaf
You Win
Bellossom
Lv 46
Grass
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisPetal DanceSolar Beam
Janine
Gym 12
Good

Persian has the type edge here and should clean up Janine's team.

You Win
Crobat
Lv 36
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
ScreechSupersonicConfuse RayWing Attack
Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
You Win
Ariados
Lv 33
BugPoison
Swarm
Scary FaceGiga DrainString ShotNight Shade
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 39
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ForesightDouble TeamGustPsychic
Misty
Gym 13
Good

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

You Win
Golduck
Lv 42
Water
Damp
SurfDisablePsych UpPsychic
You Win
Quagsire
Lv 42
WaterGround
Damp
SurfAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance
You Win
Lapras
Lv 44
WaterIce
Water Absorb
SurfPerish SongBlizzardRain Dance
Even
Starmie
Lv 47
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SurfConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam
Brock
Gym 14
Even

Persian trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.

Even
Graveler
Lv 41
RockGround
Rock Head
Defense CurlRock SlideRolloutEarthquake
Even
Rhyhorn
Lv 41
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackScary FaceEarthquakeHorn Drill
Even
Omastar
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
BiteSurfProtectSpike Cannon
Even
Onix
Lv 44
RockGround
Rock Head
BindRock SlideBideSandstorm
Even
Kabutops
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
SlashSurfEndureGiga Drain
Blaine
Gym 15
Even

Persian trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.

Even
Magcargo
Lv 45
FireRock
Magma Armor
CurseSmogFlamethrowerRock Slide
You Win
Magmar
Lv 45
Fire
Flame Body
Thunder PunchFire PunchSunny DayConfuse Ray
Even
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
Quick AttackFire SpinFury AttackFire Blast
Blue
Gym 16
Even

Persian trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

You Win
Pidgeot
Lv 56
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
Quick AttackWhirlwindWing AttackMirror Move
Even
Alakazam
Lv 54
Psychic
Synchronize
DisableRecoverPsychicReflect
Risky
Rhydon
Lv 56
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackSandstormRock SlideEarthquake
You Win
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
TwisterHydro PumpRain DanceHyper Beam
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 58
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayLeech SeedEgg BombSolar Beam
Even
Arcanine
Lv 58
Fire
Intimidate
RoarSwiftFlamethrowerExtreme Speed
Will
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Xatu
Lv 40
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
You Win
Jynx
Lv 41
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapLovely KissIce PunchPsychic
You Win
Exeggutor
Lv 41
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
ReflectLeech SeedEgg BombPsychic
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 41
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
CurseAmnesiaBody SlamPsychic
You Win
Xatu
Lv 42
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
Koga
Elite Four
Good

Persian has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

You Win
Ariados
Lv 40
BugPoison
Swarm
Double TeamSpider WebBaton PassGiga Drain
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 41
BugPoison
Shield Dust
SupersonicGustPsychicToxic
Risky
Forretress
Lv 43
BugSteel
Sturdy
ProtectSwiftExplosionSpikes
You Win
Muk
Lv 42
Poison
Stench
MinimizeAcid ArmorSludge BombToxic
You Win
Crobat
Lv 44
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Double TeamQuick AttackWing AttackToxic
Bruno
Elite Four
Even

Persian trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.

You Win
Hitmontop
Lv 42
Fighting
Intimidate
PursuitQuick AttackDigDetect
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 42
Fighting
Limber
SwaggerDouble KickHigh Jump KickForesight
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 42
Fighting
Keen Eye
Thunder PunchIce PunchFire PunchMach Punch
Even
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Rock Head
BindEarthquakeSandstormRock Slide
Even
Machamp
Lv 46
Fighting
Guts
Rock SlideForesightVital ThrowCross Chop
Karen
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Umbreon
Lv 42
Dark
Synchronize
Sand AttackConfuse RayFeint AttackMean Look
You Win
Vileplume
Lv 42
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidMoonlightPetal Dance
You Win
Gengar
Lv 45
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
LickSpiteCurseDestiny Bond
Easy KO
Murkrow
Lv 44
DarkFlying
Insomnia
Quick AttackWhirlwindPursuitFeint Attack
You Win
Houndoom
Lv 47
DarkFire
Early Bird
RoarPursuitFlamethrowerCrunch
Lance
Champion
Good

Persian has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.

Easy KO
Gyarados
Lv 44
WaterFlying
Intimidate
FlailRain DanceSurfHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterThunderHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterBlizzardHyper Beam
Risky
Aerodactyl
Lv 46
RockFlying
Rock Head
Wing AttackAncient PowerRock SlideHyper Beam
You Win
Charizard
Lv 46
FireFlying
Blaze
FlamethrowerWing AttackSlashHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonite
Lv 50
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Fire BlastSafeguardOutrageHyper Beam

Catch Meowth

Available after Badge 3
Type
Normal
Tier
E

Catch Meowth on Route 38 (walking, Lv 16, common).

View Meowth locations

Evolve Meowth to Persian

Level 28
Type
Normal
Tier
C

Meowth evolves into Persian at Level 28. Your Meowth should hit Level 28 before you reach Chuck, at typical leveling pace.

View Persian locations

Recommended Moves

How to Get Persian in Gold & Silver

Just one wild Persian, rare, on a single Silver route. Gold players are locked out entirely. Evolving a Silver Meowth at level 28 is far more dependable than chasing that one rare spawn.

Silver Exclusive: Trade with Gold for Primeape

1 location to catch Persian

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 8
Post-Game

How to Get Shiny Persian in Gold & Silver

Persian pads through the grass of Route 7 and nowhere else, so that single stretch is where the entire grind lives, encounter after encounter. Compare Shiny Persian odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Persian in Gold & SilverNormal
Shiny Persian in Gold & Silver Shiny
Color ShiftYellowtoBrown
Shiny TierD Tier Shiny

Shiny Persian Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Gold & Silver Shiny Persian Calculator

2 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Breed w/ Shiny Parent, about 1 in 64 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Gold & Silver

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Breed w/ Shiny Parent: Eggs inherit stats from a shiny parent, so about 1 in 64 hatch shiny. A shiny Ditto helps every egg, and any other shiny parent (the red Gyarados works) helps only eggs of the opposite gender.

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 64Breed w/ Shiny Parent
Chance By Now50.8%at 45 eggs hatchedAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few7----
25%one in four19----
50%coin flip45----
90%very likely147----
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

Curious how fast a hunt could go? Work out your Gold & Silver shiny odds for Persian.

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.

Persian Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fighting
0x (Immune)Ghost
Gen II Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
  • Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def

What is Persian Weak Against

Good
1Weak
0Resist
1Immune
Score+1
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
½xResist
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Persian Strong Against

0Strong
2Resisted
1Immune
Score-3
2xStrong
None
½xResisted
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Persian

Machoke
Machoke
Fighting
B
Primeape
Primeape
Fighting
C
Hitmonlee
Hitmonlee
Fighting
C

Persian Evolutions

Persian is what Meowth becomes. Breed it for Meowth eggs (average hatch time). Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs take an average time to hatch. 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

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Meowth
Normal
Persian
Normal
HP
40
65+25
ATK
45
70+25
DEF
35
60+25
SP.ATK
40
65+25
SP.DEF
40
65+25
SPE
90
115+25
BST
290E-Tier
440C-Tier+150
ROLE
Balanced
Pivot
TYPE
Utility
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Persian to get Meowth eggs easily using 66 partners from the Field egg group. Notable egg moves include Amnesia, Charm, Hypnosis and 1 more.

Egg Groups
Field
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
4moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosrhydondewgongarbokquagsirenidorinofarfetchdflaaffy

GS Persian Best Moveset

115 Speed no longer guarantees near-100%% critical hit rates since the formula changed. MoveSlash crits at a flat rate now, and the damage ceiling dropped with it. MoveReturn provides consistent Normal TermStab, and the Speed still goes first against most threats. Fast but noticeably less dangerous than before.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Persian
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • HypnosisUtility
  • ReturnSTAB
  • CharmUtility
  • Hidden Power Fighting

Moves List

Without breeding, Persian misses out on Amnesia and Charm. That's 4 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Hyper Beam and Slash, with coverage across 7 types rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bite
D6010025Dark
Lv 1
Growl
D—10040Normal
Lv 1
Scratch
—6010035Normal
Lv 11
Bite
D6010025Dark
Lv 20
Pay Day
—6010020Normal
Lv 29
Feint Attack
D60—20Dark
Lv 38
Screech
D—8540Normal
Lv 46
Fury Swipes
D278015Normal
Lv 53
Slash
C10510020Normal

TM Moves

22 of 29 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45D—10015Normal
TM40
Defense CurlMt. Mortarnot until badge 8
D——40Normal
TM43
Detect+4Lake of Ragebadge 6
D——5Fighting
TM32———15Normal
TM42
Dream EaterViridian City
C10010015Psychic
TM20
Endure+4Burned Towerbadge 4
D——10Normal
TM02C10510015Normal
TM10D9010015Normal
TM15B225905Normal
TM16
Icy WindPrize for defeating Prycenot until badge 7
D559515Ice
TM23D1007515Steel
TM31D2010010Ground
TM50——10015Ghost
TM17C——10Normal
TM44
RestIce Pathnot until badge 7
C——10Psychic
TM05
Roar-6Route 32badge 2
C——20Normal
TM30
Shadow BallPrize for defeating Mortybadge 4
D8010015Ghost
TM35
Sleep TalkItem ball in the Goldenrod Underground Warehouse, the storage area linked to the Dept Store basementnot until badge 7
C——10Normal
TM13
SnoreMoomoo Farmbadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM11
Sunny DayGift on Radio Tower 3F after Team Rocket is cleared outnot until badge 7
C——5Fire
TM34
SwaggerOlivine Lighthousebadge 4
C—8515Normal
TM39
SwiftUnion Cavebadge 1
D90—20Normal
TM46D6010025Dark
TM25
ThunderGoldenrod Game Cornerbadge 2
D1207010Electric
TM06C—8510Poison
TM07
Zap CannonGift from the Power Plant manager after returning the Machine Part
D100505Electric

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Amnesia
D——20Psychic
Egg
Charm
B—10020Normal
Egg
Hypnosis
B—6020Psychic
Egg
Spite
——10010Ghost

Tutor Moves

Persian can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP65
C
Attack70
C
Defense60
C
Sp. Atk65
C
Sp. Def65
C
Speed115
B
Total440
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging90 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.0 m
Weight32.0 kg
Base XP154
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Speed training target
Pokedex Entry

Many adore it for its sophisticated air. However, it will lash out and scratch for little reason.

Its lithe muscles allow it to walk without making a sound. It attacks in an instant.

Persian Gold & Silver Guide

  • For Gold & Silver, it depends on your team. Persian rates C-Tier. Not a powerhouse, but the Normal coverage might be exactly what you're missing.

  • Persian has an Alolan form that swaps the typing and reshuffles the stats. Introduced in Gen 7. Worth checking if the original version doesn't fit your team.

  • In Gold & Silver, use Persian as a pivot. Physical side carries the damage. It outspeeds most threats, Return is the primary attack.

Game Availability

Available since Red & Blue, Persian appears in 21 games spanning 9 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained an Alolan form in Generation 7.

Explore

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