Mid-stage Pokemon like Pidgeotto rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Pidgeot, which is where the real potential kicks in. Ground and Ghost moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively. Known as the Bird Pokemon.
You won't find a real weakness in Pidgeotto's stat line. It's well-rounded for the Bird Pokemon, and what it does with that depends on moveset and items. Yields 2 Speed EVs, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
Very protective of its sprawling territorial area, this POKéMON will fiercely peck at any intruder.
Pidgeotto Weakness
GoodElectric, Ice, and Rock-type moves hit Pidgeotto for super-effective damage. The upside? Ground and Ghost-type moves can't touch it at all.
- Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
- Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
- Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split
Partway through Pidgey's chain, Pidgeotto is a Normal/Flying type pushing toward Pidgeot. No breeding at this stage. So far, HP got the biggest boost (+23 from Pidgey). The final form adds another 130 stats on top.
How to Evolve
The recommended build leans into Pidgeotto's strengths as an attacker. An item provides extra utility, and flexible EVs EVs back that up. An ability rounds out the package.
Best Build
Best Pidgeotto Moveset
- Unknown
- Gust
- Quick Attack
Recommended Teammates
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Pidgeotto's limited coverage all comes from technical machines, built on top of Sky Attack and Double-Edge for same-type damage. Double-Edge and Fly are the payoff moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
6 encounter spots for Pidgeotto at decent spawn rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Pidgeotto in Red & Blue
To get Pidgeotto, start by catching Pidgey through walking encounters at Lv. 2-32. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PidgeyEFFORTLESSRoute 1BlueGrassLv.2-5CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 1RedGrassLv.2-5CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 2RedGrassLv.3-5CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 2BlueGrassLv.3-5CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 3BlueGrassLv.6-8CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 3RedGrassLv.6-8CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 5BlueGrassLv.13-16CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 5RedGrassLv.13-16CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 6BlueGrassLv.13-16CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 6RedGrassLv.13-16CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 24RedGrassLv.12-13UncommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 24BlueGrassLv.12-13UncommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 25RedGrassLv.13UncommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 25BlueGrassLv.13UncommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 8RedGrassLv.18-20CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 8BlueGrassLv.18-20CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 7RedGrassLv.19-22CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 7BlueGrassLv.19-22CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 21RedGrassLv.21-23CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 21BlueGrassLv.21-23CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 12BlueGrassLv.23-27CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 12RedGrassLv.23-27CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 13RedGrassLv.25-27CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 13BlueGrassLv.25-27CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 15RedGrassLv.23UncommonMidRouteEASYRoute 15BlueGrassLv.23UncommonMidRouteEASYRoute 14RedGrassLv.26UncommonMidRouteEASYRoute 14BlueGrassLv.26UncommonMidRoute
Step 2Pidgeotto ✓EASYRoute 21RedGrassLv.30-32UncommonMidRouteEASYRoute 21BlueGrassLv.30-32UncommonMidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 14BlueGrassLv.28-30RareMidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 14RedGrassLv.28-30RareMidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 15BlueGrassLv.28-30RareMidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 15RedGrassLv.28-30RareMidRouteor evolve from Pidgey (Step 1)
At 349 BST, Pidgeotto is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Pidgeot before bringing it to any serious fight.
Watch for Raikou (Electric), Lapras (Ice), and Aerodactyl (Rock) when using Pidgeotto. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.
Pidgeotto is a special attacker with base 50 Sp. Atk. Fragile — can't afford to take many hits, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 71 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many.
Pidgeotto appears in 19 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Present since Red & Blue, Pidgeotto appears in 19 games spanning 9 generations. Gen 1 originals like Pidgeotto have the longest track record of availability in the series.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
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