While most trainers evolve Piloswine into Mamoswine immediately, the unevolved form has a niche with Eviolite boosting its defenses. Electric moves can't touch it, which offsets the 5 weaknesses somewhat. A longtime staple going back to Gen 2. Relies on priority moves or Scarf to keep up.
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.
Because the long hair all over its body obscures its sight, it just keeps charging repeatedly.
Piloswine Weakness
FragileFire, Water, Grass, Fighting, and Steel-type 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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Piloswine to get Swinub eggs easily using 102 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Bite, Body Slam and 5 more.
This build takes hits and hits back. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, Oblivious supports the gameplan, and max Attack and Speed EVs mean Piloswine doesn't crumble to chip damage. Plus utility options backing it up.
Best Build
Best Piloswine Moveset
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Without breeding, Piloswine misses out on Ancient Power and Bite. That's 8 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Blizzard and Earthquake, with Normal and Fighting coverage and more rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Piloswine starts showing up in mid-game routes at high spawn rates across 2 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 FireRed & LeafGreen
Swinub is your first catch on the way to Piloswine. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 23-31 across 4 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch SwinubEFFORTLESSIcefall Cave - 1F Room 2LeafGreenGrassLv.23-31CommonMidCaveEFFORTLESSIcefall Cave - 1F Room 2FireRedGrassLv.23-31CommonMidCave
Step 2Piloswine ✓EFFORTLESSIcefall Cave - B1FLeafGreenGrassLv.23-31CommonMidCaveEFFORTLESSIcefall Cave - B1FFireRedGrassLv.23-31CommonMidCaveor evolve from Swinub (Step 1)
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 is a mixed attacker — base 100 Attack and 60 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. Fits the attacker role.
Piloswine appears in 18 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Debuting in Gold & Silver, Piloswine appears in 18 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
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