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.
The claws on its feet are well developed. It can carry prey such as an Exeggcute to its nest over 60 miles away.
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.
Pidgeotto sits between Pidgey and Pidgeot in this three-stage line. Not the final form yet. For breeding, quick to hatch with no compatible partners via one egg group. So far, HP got the biggest boost (+23 from Pidgey). The final form adds another 130 stats on top.
How to Evolve
Breed with Pidgeotto to get Pidgey eggs easily from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Air Cutter, Air Slash, Brave Bird and 6 more.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 6.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Don't skip the egg moves. Pidgeotto picks up Air Cutter and Air Slash only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Brave Bird and Double-Edge while Dragon and Steel coverage and more adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
No wild encounters for Pidgeotto. The 2-stage line runs through Pidgey, which you can catch at decent rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 18 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Pidgeotto in X & Y
The path to Pidgeotto starts with Pidgey at Lv. 3-4 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch PidgeyEASYRoute 2XGrassLv.3-4UncommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 2YGrassLv.3-4UncommonEarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 3XGrassLv.4RareEarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 3YGrassLv.4RareEarlyRoute
Step 2Pidgeotto ✓
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.
Keen Eye prevents accuracy from being lowered — that's the one you want on Pidgeotto. Big Pecks is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Tangled Feet works too if your team needs something different.
Pidgeotto is leaning toward the physical side (base 60 Attack). 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