Piloswine Best Moveset
100 Attack at 100 HP on Ice/Ground with AbilityThick Fat halving Fire and Ice damage. Held ItemEviolite adds bulk since Mamoswine exists. The moveset has real physical power and the rare Ice/Ground coverage. Evolve to Mamoswine for 130 Attack and the offensive ceiling that makes the type combination elite.
Ice/Ground was excellent offensive coverage in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Earthquake plus Ice Beam hit most of the format neutrally, and Thick Fat added Fire and Ice resistance.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Sleep Talk
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Still the only Ice/Ground Pokemon available in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Reliable coverage but stats that were mediocre across the board.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Mamoswine evolved from it in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Without Eviolite, Piloswine was just a worse version of its own evolution from day one.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Blizzard
- Earthquake
- Superpower
- Stealth Rock
Eviolite arrived in Gen V (Black & White) but the stat difference wasn't enough. Mamoswine's power and Ice Shard priority made it strictly better.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Ice Shard
- Earthquake
- Curse
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Same issue in Gen VI (X & Y). Four gens of being Mamoswine but weaker. Eviolite helped the bulk but couldn't fix the damage gap.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Ice Shard
- Earthquake
- Curse
- Avalanche
Recommended Teammates
Five gens at the same level in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Piloswine couldn't differentiate itself from Mamoswine in any meaningful competitive way.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Stealth Rock
- Curse
Recommended Teammates
Dropped further in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Mamoswine was readily available and strictly superior in every format.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Roar
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Piloswine saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Piloswine maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Thickfat with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Stealth Rock
- Icicle Crash
Recommended Teammates
Piloswine Weakness
Fire, Water, Grass, Fighting, and Steel moves hit Piloswine for super-effective damage. The upside? Electric-type moves can't touch it at all. Thick Fat reduces Fire/Ice damage, further improving the defensive spread.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Water, Grass, Fighting, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
What is Piloswine Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Piloswine
Arcanine's Flare Blitz hits Piloswine for 62-74%. Starmie's Hydro Pump hits Piloswine for 76-89%.
 Arcanine Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Piloswine View Arcanine builds →Extreme Speed14-16% Flare Blitz 2x62-74% | ||
 Starmie WaterPsychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityAnalytic ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Piloswine View Starmie builds →Ice Beam21-24% Hydro Pump 2x76-89% Rapid Spin5-6% Psychic31-36% | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemLoaded Dice NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Piloswine View Breloom builds →Mach Punch 2x24-28% Bullet Seed 2x15-18% | ||
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Piloswine View Lucario builds →Extreme Speed18-21% Close Combat 2x81-96% Aura Sphere 2x57-68% | ||
 Ferrothorn GrassSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
Evolution
Piloswine connects Swinub to Mamoswine in this chain. At least one evolution here needs knowing a specific move. So far, HP got the biggest boost (+50 from Swinub). The final form adds another 80 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Piloswine to get Swinub eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.
How to Get Piloswine
moderate rates across 2 locations for Piloswine in late-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 Piloswine in SV
The path to Piloswine starts with Swinub at Lv. 8-60 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch SwinubChilling WaterheadLv.8-60OverworldDayKitakami HallLv.8-60OverworldDayMossfell ConfluenceLv.8-60OverworldDayOni MountainLv.8-60OverworldDayOnis MawLv.8-60OverworldDayRevelers RoadLv.8-60OverworldDay
Step 2Piloswine ✓Chilling WaterheadLv.33-60Overworldor evolve from Swinub (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into MamoswineBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Mamoswine egg.
Piloswine starts showing up in late-game routes at decent spawn rates across 3 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Piloswine in PLA
Swinub is your first catch on the way to Piloswine. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 29-62 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch SwinubAvalanche SlopesLv.29-32GrassRate 15%Bonechill WastesLv.29-32GrassRate 15%Avalugg's LegacyLv.52-60GrassRate 15%
Step 2Piloswine ✓Bonechill WastesLv.43-46GrassRate 15%Avalugg's LegacyLv.52-60GrassRate 15%Avalanche SlopesLv.59-62GrassRate 15%or evolve from Swinub (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into Mamoswine
Piloswine doesn't appear wild. Catch Swinub instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it through a special method to get Piloswine. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Piloswine in BDSP
The path to Piloswine starts with Swinub at Lv. 16-63 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch SwinubBogsunk CavernLv.16-63GrassShining PearlRate 50%Unique encounterSwampy CaveLv.16-63GrassShining PearlRate 50%Unique encounterBogsunk CavernLv.16-63GrassBrilliant DiamondRate 40%Unique encounterSwampy CaveLv.16-63GrassBrilliant DiamondRate 40%Unique encounterRoute 217Lv.34GrassRate 40%Swarm activeGlacial CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameIcy CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameWhiteout CaveLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Piloswine ✓
Step 3Evolve into Mamoswine
high spawn rates across 18 locations for Piloswine in late-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 Piloswine in SwSh
The path to Piloswine starts with Swinub at Lv. 7-65 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch SwinubRolling FieldsLv.7-9GrassSwordRate 40%SnowstormRolling FieldsLv.7-10GrassShieldRate 40%SnowstormRolling FieldsLv.7-9GrassSwordRate 35%SnowingRolling FieldsLv.7-10GrassShieldRate 35%SnowingHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 40%SnowingGiant's MirrorLv.26-28GrassRate 30%SnowingGiant's MirrorLv.26-28GrassRate 30%SnowstormGiant's SeatLv.30-35GrassRate 15%SnowingGiant's SeatLv.30-35GrassRate 15%SnowstormDusty BowlLv.42-47OverworldShieldRate 35%SnowstormSlippery SlopeLv.60-65GrassRate 25%SnowstormSlippery SlopeLv.60-65GrassRate 25%SnowingSlippery SlopeLv.60-65GrassRate 20%OvercastSlippery SlopeLv.60-65GrassRate 20%Normal WeatherSlippery SlopeLv.60-65GrassRate 16%Heavy FogSlippery SlopeLv.60-65GrassRate 16%Intense Sun
Step 2Piloswine ✓Dusty BowlLv.40-45GrassRate 40%SnowingSlippery SlopeLv.60-65OverworldRate 29%SnowingSlippery SlopeLv.60-65OverworldRate 29%SnowstormLake of OutrageLv.50-52GrassRate 25%SnowingSlippery SlopeLv.60-65OverworldRate 24%Normal WeatherSlippery SlopeLv.60-65OverworldRate 24%Intense SunSlippery SlopeLv.60-65OverworldRate 22%Heavy FogSlippery SlopeLv.60-65OverworldRate 22%OvercastRoaring-Sea CavesLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%All Weatheror evolve from Swinub (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into MamoswineBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Mamoswine egg.
Base Stats
Nothing fancy in Piloswine's spread. It leans physical with HP out front. And you'll get 2 HP and Attack EVs per KO for it. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
If it charges at an enemy, the hairs on its back stand up straight. It is very sensitive to sound.
Piloswine Guide
At 450 BST, Piloswine is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Mamoswine before bringing it to any serious fight.
Piloswine gets Thick Fat, Oblivious, and Snow Cloak. But Thick Fat is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Piloswine's hidden ability is Thick Fat. Halves damage from fire and ice moves. Better than the standard options for competitive play.
Piloswine is a physical attacker with base 100 Attack. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. Fits the attacker role.
Game Availability
Debuting in Gold & Silver, Piloswine appears in 18 games across 9 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
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 7SM
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