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.
Although its legs are short, its rugged hooves prevent it from slipping, even on icy ground.
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.
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 138 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Bite, Curse and 4 more.
Thickfat and Eviolite give Piloswine staying power beyond its evolution stage. Adamant nature boosts Attack, max HP and Attack EVs set the spread, and the pre-evolution bulk actually works here.
Best Build
Best Piloswine Moveset
- Ice Shard
- Earthquake
- Curse
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Without breeding, Piloswine misses out on Ancient Power and Bite. That's 7 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Blizzard and Earthquake, with Rock and Normal coverage and more rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 Sword & Shield
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 SwinubEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-940%EarlySnowstormEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsShieldGrassLv.7-1040%EarlySnowstormEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-935%EarlySnowingEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsShieldGrassLv.7-1035%EarlySnowingEFFORTLESSHammerlocke HillsSwordGrassLv.28-3040%MidSnowingEFFORTLESSHammerlocke HillsShieldGrassLv.28-3040%MidSnowingEFFORTLESSGiant's MirrorSwordGrassLv.26-2830%MidSnowingEFFORTLESSGiant's MirrorSwordGrassLv.26-2830%MidSnowstormEFFORTLESSGiant's MirrorShieldGrassLv.26-2830%MidSnowingEFFORTLESSGiant's MirrorShieldGrassLv.26-2830%MidSnowstormEASYGiant's SeatShieldGrassLv.30-3515%MidWaterSnowstormEASYGiant's SeatSwordGrassLv.30-3515%MidWaterSnowingEASYGiant's SeatSwordGrassLv.30-3515%MidWaterSnowstormEASYGiant's SeatShieldGrassLv.30-3515%MidWaterSnowingEFFORTLESSDusty BowlShieldOverworldLv.42-4735%LateSnowstormEASYSlippery SlopeShieldGrassLv.60-6525%PostSnowingEASYSlippery SlopeSwordGrassLv.60-6525%PostSnowstormEASYSlippery SlopeShieldGrassLv.60-6525%PostSnowstormEASYSlippery SlopeSwordGrassLv.60-6525%PostSnowingEASYSlippery SlopeSwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostOvercastEASYSlippery SlopeSwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostNormal WeatherEASYSlippery SlopeShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostOvercastEASYSlippery SlopeShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostNormal WeatherEASYSlippery SlopeSwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostHeavy FogEASYSlippery SlopeShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostIntense SunEASYSlippery SlopeShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostHeavy FogEASYSlippery SlopeSwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostIntense Sun
Step 2Piloswine ✓EFFORTLESSDusty BowlShieldGrassLv.40-4540%LateSnowingEFFORTLESSDusty BowlSwordGrassLv.40-4540%LateSnowingEFFORTLESSSlippery SlopeShieldOverworldLv.60-6529%PostSnowingEFFORTLESSSlippery SlopeSwordOverworldLv.60-6529%PostSnowingEFFORTLESSSlippery SlopeShieldOverworldLv.60-6529%PostSnowstormEFFORTLESSSlippery SlopeSwordOverworldLv.60-6529%PostSnowstormEASYLake of OutrageShieldGrassLv.50-5225%PostWaterSnowingEASYLake of OutrageSwordGrassLv.50-5225%PostWaterSnowingEASYSlippery SlopeShieldOverworldLv.60-6524%PostIntense SunEASYSlippery SlopeSwordOverworldLv.60-6524%PostIntense SunEASYSlippery SlopeShieldOverworldLv.60-6524%PostNormal WeatherEASYSlippery SlopeSwordOverworldLv.60-6524%PostNormal WeatherEASYSlippery SlopeShieldOverworldLv.60-6522%PostHeavy FogEASYSlippery SlopeShieldOverworldLv.60-6522%PostOvercastEASYSlippery SlopeSwordOverworldLv.60-6522%PostHeavy FogEASYSlippery SlopeSwordOverworldLv.60-6522%PostOvercastEASYRoaring-Sea CavesSwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostCaveAll WeatherEASYRoaring-Sea CavesShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostCaveAll Weatheror 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 physical attacker with base 100 Attack. 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 setup sweeper 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