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 stat exp, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
This POKéMON is full of vitality. It constantly flies around its large territory in search of prey.
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
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
decent spawn rates across 13 locations for Pidgeotto in early-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Pidgeotto in Yellow
The path to Pidgeotto starts with Pidgey at Lv. 2-32 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch PidgeyEFFORTLESSRoute 1GrassLv.2-7CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 2GrassLv.3-7CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 21GrassLv.11-17CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 24GrassLv.13-17CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 25GrassLv.13-17CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 5GrassLv.15-17CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 6GrassLv.15-17CommonEarlyRouteEASYViridian ForestGrassLv.4-8UncommonEarlyForestEFFORTLESSRoute 11GrassLv.16-18CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 7GrassLv.20-22CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 8GrassLv.20-22CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 12GrassLv.28UncommonMidRouteEASYRoute 13GrassLv.28UncommonMidRoute
Step 2Pidgeotto ✓EASYRoute 21GrassLv.15-19UncommonEarlyRouteCHALLENGINGViridian ForestGrassLv.9RareEarlyForestEASYRoute 11GrassLv.18-20UncommonMidRouteEASYRoute 7GrassLv.24UncommonMidRouteEASYRoute 8GrassLv.24UncommonMidRouteEASYRoute 12GrassLv.28UncommonMidRouteEASYRoute 13GrassLv.28UncommonMidRouteEASYRoute 14GrassLv.30UncommonMidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 24GrassLv.17RareMidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 25GrassLv.17RareMidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 5GrassLv.17RareMidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 6GrassLv.17RareMidRouteEASYRoute 15GrassLv.32UncommonLateRouteor 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 physical attacker with 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