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.
Although its legs are short, its rugged hooves prevent it from slipping, even on icy ground.
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.
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 from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Avalanche, Bite and 10 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
- Avalanche
Recommended Teammates
Without breeding, Piloswine misses out on Ancient Power and Avalanche. That's 13 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Blizzard and Earthquake, with Rock and Flying coverage and more rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
high spawn rates across 6 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 X & Y
The path to Piloswine starts with Swinub at Lv. 38-39 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Obtain Swinub
Step 2Piloswine ✓EFFORTLESSFrost Cavern - 1FXGrassLv.38-39CommonLateIceEFFORTLESSFrost Cavern - 1FYGrassLv.38-39CommonLateIceEFFORTLESSFrost Cavern - 2FXGrassLv.38-39CommonLateIceEFFORTLESSFrost Cavern - 2FYGrassLv.38-39CommonLateIceEFFORTLESSFrost Cavern - 3FYGrassLv.38-39CommonLateIceEFFORTLESSFrost Cavern - 3FXGrassLv.38-39CommonLateIceor 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