Piplup comes to HeartGold and SoulSilver by trade from Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum. Torrent boosts Water, and S-Tier Empoleon with Water/Steel typing resists 10 types for the most defensive starter path.
Ability 1TorrentAbility 1Strengthens water moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
314HP53Attack51Defense53Speed40Sp.Def56Sp.Atk61
Piplup
Prinplup
Empoleon
Weak to
Special
Balanced
40Speed · Very Slow

Is Piplup Good in HeartGold & SoulSilver Playthrough?

Breed-only Sinnoh Water starter. AbilityTorrent boosts Water. Empoleon at 36 adds Steel. Requires Sinnoh imports. Battle Frontier candidate.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEGEETGETGTETETGETEEEEFalknerGym 1BugsyGym 2WhitneyGym 3MortyGym 4ChuckGym 5JasmineGym 6PryceGym 7ClairGym 8BrockGym 9MistyGym 10SurgeGym 11ErikaGym 12JanineGym 13SabrinaGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16PiplupTradeWillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4LanceChamp*
Falkner
Gym 1
Even

Piplup trades roughly evenly with Falkner's team.

You Win
Pidgey
Lv 9
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleSand Attack
Even
Pidgeotto
Lv 13
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleRoostGust
Bugsy
Gym 2
Good

Piplup has the type edge here and should clean up Bugsy's team.

Even
Scyther
Lv 17
BugFlying
Technician
Quick AttackLeerU TurnFocus Energy
You Win
Kakuna
Lv 15
BugPoison
Shed Skin
Poison Sting
You Win
Metapod
Lv 15
Bug
Shed Skin
Tackle
Whitney
Gym 3
Even

Piplup trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.

Even
Clefairy
Lv 17
Normal
Cute Charm
Double SlapMimicEncoreMetronome
Risky
Miltank
Lv 19
Normal
Scrappy
RolloutAttractStompMilk Drink
Morty
Gym 4
Even

Piplup trades roughly evenly with Morty's team.

You Win
Gastly
Lv 21
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
LickSpiteMean LookCurse
Risky
Haunter
Lv 21
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
HypnosisDream EaterCurseNightmare
Risky
Gengar
Lv 25
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
HypnosisShadow BallMean LookSucker Punch
Even
Haunter
Lv 23
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
CurseMean LookSucker PunchNight Shade
Chuck
Gym 5
Tough

Chuck's typing presses Piplup's defenses.

Even
Primeape
Lv 29
Fighting
Vital Spirit
LeerDouble TeamFocus PunchRock Slide
Avoid
Poliwrath
Lv 31
WaterFighting
Water AbsorbImmune to Water attacks
HypnosisSurfFocus PunchBody Slam
Jasmine
Gym 6
Good

Piplup has the type edge here and should clean up Jasmine's team.

You Win
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
You Win
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Sturdy
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
You Win
Steelix
Lv 35
SteelGround
Sturdy
ScreechSandstormRock ThrowIron Tail
Pryce
Gym 7
Even

Piplup trades roughly evenly with Pryce's team.

Risky
Seel
Lv 30
Water
Thick Fat
SnoreHailIcy WindRest
Risky
Dewgong
Lv 32
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Sleep TalkIce ShardAurora BeamRest
You Win
Piloswine
Lv 34
IceGround
Snow Cloak
HailIce FangMud BombBlizzard
Clair
Gym 8
Tough

Clair's typing presses Piplup's defenses.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 38
WaterFlying
Intimidate
TwisterDragon RageBiteDragon Pulse
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 38
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveFire BlastSlamDragon Pulse
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 38
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveAqua TailSlamDragon Pulse
Avoid
Kingdra
Lv 41
WaterDragon
Sniper
SmokescreenHydro PumpHyper BeamDragon Pulse
Brock
Gym 9
Good

Piplup has the type edge here and should clean up Brock's team.

Easy KO
Graveler
Lv 51
RockGround
Sturdy
Defense CurlRock SlideRolloutEarthquake
Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 51
GroundRock
Rock Head
SandstormScary FaceEarthquakeHorn Drill
Even
Omastar
Lv 53
RockWater
Shell Armor
Ancient PowerBrineProtectSpike Cannon
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Sturdy
Iron TailRock SlideScreechSandstorm
Even
Kabutops
Lv 52
RockWater
Battle Armor
Rock SlideAqua JetEndureGiga Drain
Misty
Gym 10
Tough

Misty's typing presses Piplup's defenses.

Risky
Golduck
Lv 49
Water
Damp
Water PulseDisablePsych UpPsychic
Risky
Quagsire
Lv 49
WaterGround
Water AbsorbImmune to Water attacks
Water PulseAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance
Risky
Lapras
Lv 52
WaterIce
Shell Armor
Water PulseSingIce BeamBody Slam
Avoid
Starmie
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Natural Cure
Water PulseConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 11
Even

Piplup trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Raichu
Lv 51
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveQuick AttackShock WaveDouble Team
Even
Electrode
Lv 47
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveDouble TeamShock WaveLight Screen
You Win
Magneton
Lv 47
ElectricSteel
Sturdy
SupersonicDouble TeamShock WaveMirror Shot
Even
Electrode
Lv 47
Electric
Static
ScreechDouble TeamSelf DestructCharge Beam
Even
Electabuzz
Lv 53
Electric
Static
Quick AttackShock WaveLight ScreenLow Kick
Erika
Gym 12
Tough

Erika's team hits Piplup's weaknesses hard.

Even
Jumpluff
Lv 51
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
U TurnLeech SeedSunny DayGiga Drain
Risky
Tangela
Lv 52
Grass
Chlorophyll
Ancient PowerWring OutGiga DrainSleep Powder
Avoid
Victreebel
Lv 56
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisGrass KnotLeaf Storm
Avoid
Bellossom
Lv 56
Grass
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisGiga DrainSolar Beam
Janine
Gym 13
Even

Piplup trades roughly evenly with Janine's team.

Even
Crobat
Lv 47
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
ScreechSupersonicConfuse RayWing Attack
Risky
Weezing
Lv 44
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Double HitSludge BombToxicExplosion
Even
Ariados
Lv 47
BugPoison
Insomnia
Scary FacePoison JabPin MissilePsychic
Even
Ariados
Lv 47
BugPoison
Insomnia
Pin MissilePoison JabSwaggerNight Shade
Even
Venomoth
Lv 50
BugPoison
Tinted Lens
Sludge BombDouble TeamSignal BeamPsychic
Sabrina
Gym 14
Tough

Sabrina's team hits Piplup's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Espeon
Lv 53
Psychic
Synchronize
Shadow BallSkill SwapCalm MindPsychic
Risky
Mr Mime
Lv 53
Psychic
Filter
MimicLight ScreenSkill SwapPsychic
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 55
Psychic
Inner Focus
Skill SwapPsychicEnergy BallReflect
Blaine
Gym 15
Good

Piplup has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

Easy KO
Magcargo
Lv 54
FireRock
Flame Body
Sunny DaySmogOverheatRock Slide
Even
Magmar
Lv 54
Fire
Flame Body
Thunder PunchOverheatSunny DayConfuse Ray
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 59
Fire
Flash Fire
Quick AttackFlare BlitzBounceOverheat
Blue
Gym 16
Even

Piplup trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Risky
Exeggutor
Lv 55
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Leaf StormPsychicHypnosisTrick Room
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 58
Fire
Intimidate
RoarDragon PulseFlare BlitzExtreme Speed
You Win
Rhydon
Lv 58
GroundRock
Rock Head
MegahornStone EdgeThunder FangEarthquake
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 52
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Ice FangWaterfallDragon DanceReturn
Even
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
No Guard
Dynamic PunchEarthquakeStone EdgeThunder Punch
Even
Pidgeot
Lv 60
NormalFlying
Tangled Feet
ReturnWhirlwindAir SlashMirror Move
Will
Elite Four
Tough

Will's typing presses Piplup's defenses.

Even
Xatu
Lv 40
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
U TurnMe FirstConfuse RayPsychic
Even
Jynx
Lv 41
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapLovely KissIce PunchPsychic
Risky
Exeggutor
Lv 41
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
ReflectHypnosisEgg BombPsychic
Risky
Slowbro
Lv 41
WaterPsychic
Own Tempo
CurseAmnesiaWater PulsePsychic
Even
Xatu
Lv 42
PsychicFlying
Early Bird
Aerial AceOminous WindConfuse RayPsychic
Koga
Elite Four
Even

Piplup trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

Even
Ariados
Lv 40
BugPoison
Insomnia
Poison JabSpider WebBaton PassGiga Drain
Even
Venomoth
Lv 41
BugPoison
Tinted Lens
SupersonicGustPsychicToxic
Risky
Forretress
Lv 43
BugSteel
Sturdy
ProtectSwiftExplosionToxic Spikes
Even
Muk
Lv 42
Poison
Sticky Hold
MinimizeScreechGunk ShotToxic
Even
Crobat
Lv 44
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Double TeamQuick AttackWing AttackPoison Fang
Bruno
Elite Four
Even

Piplup trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.

Even
Hitmontop
Lv 42
Fighting
Technician
CounterQuick AttackDigTriple Kick
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 42
Fighting
Reckless
SwaggerFocus EnergyHigh Jump KickBlaze Kick
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 42
Fighting
Iron Fist
Thunder PunchIce PunchFire PunchBullet Punch
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Sturdy
Dragon BreathEarthquakeSandstormRock Slide
Even
Machamp
Lv 46
Fighting
No Guard
Rock SlideForesightRevengeCross Chop
Karen
Elite Four
Even

Piplup trades roughly evenly with Karen's team.

Even
Umbreon
Lv 42
Dark
Synchronize
Double TeamConfuse RayFeint AttackPayback
Risky
Vileplume
Lv 42
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidMoonlightPetal Dance
Risky
Gengar
Lv 45
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
LickSpiteFocus BlastDestiny Bond
You Win
Murkrow
Lv 44
DarkFlying
Super Luck
PluckWhirlwindSucker PunchFeint Attack
Even
Houndoom
Lv 47
DarkFire
Flash Fire
Nasty PlotDark PulseFlamethrowerCrunch
Lance
Champion
Even

Piplup trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 46
WaterFlying
Intimidate
FlailDragon PulseWaterfallIce Fang
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 49
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveDragon RushThunderHyper Beam
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 49
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveDragon RushBlizzardHyper Beam
Even
Aerodactyl
Lv 48
RockFlying
Pressure
Aerial AceCrunchRock SlideThunder Fang
You Win
Charizard
Lv 48
FireFlying
Blaze
Shadow ClawAir SlashDragon ClawFire Fang
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 50
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Fire BlastSafeguardOutrageHyper Beam

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
Water
Tier
E

Piplup cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.

View Piplup locations

How to Get Piplup in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Piplup can't be caught in HeartGold & SoulSilver. Transfer one in from Diamond & Pearl or Platinum.

How to Obtain Piplup in HGSS

  1. Piplup
    Step 1Piplup ✓
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in Diamond & Pearl via Gift · Lake Verity · Starter Pokémon, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in Platinum via Gift · Route 201 · Starter Pokémon, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Gift · Route 101 · Post-Elite Four second time. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl via Gift · Lake Verity. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Legends: Arceus via Walking · Spring Path. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Scarlet & Violet via Overworld · Polar Biome. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Prinplup
    Step 2Evolve into Prinplup
  3. Empoleon
    Step 3Evolve into Empoleon

How to Get Shiny Piplup in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Piplup has no wild home here, so earn its shiny in Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum and bring it over by trade. See every game where Shiny Piplup can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Piplup in HeartGold & SoulSilverNormal
Shiny Piplup in HeartGold & SoulSilver Shiny
Color ShiftBlue
Shiny TierC Tier Shiny

Shiny Piplup Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Piplup Weakness

Electric and Grass moves hit Piplup for super-effective damage. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.

Piplup Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Piplup Weak Against

Good
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Piplup Strong Against

3Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score0
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Piplup

Roserade
Roserade
GrassPoison
B
Cacturne
Cacturne
GrassDark
B
Parasect
Parasect
BugGrass
C
B
C

Piplup Evolutions

Piplup is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Prinplup first, then eventually reaches Empoleon. For breeding, average hatch time with a massive partner pool via two egg groups. The evolved forms gain up to 216 total stats over Piplup. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Piplup
#393Piplup
16
Transfer Only
Prinplup
#394Prinplup
36
Transfer Only
Empoleon
#395Empoleon
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Piplup
Water
Empoleon
WaterSteel
HP
53
64+11
84+20
ATK
51
66+15
86+20
DEF
53
68+15
88+20
SP.ATK
61
81+20
111+30
SP.DEF
56
76+20
101+25
SPE
40
50+10
60+10
BST
314E-Tier
405D-Tier+91
530S-Tier+125
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Attacker
TYPE
Utility
Special
Special

Breeding

Easy

Breed Piplup easily with 131 breeding partners from the Field and Water 1 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Agility, Aqua Ring, Double Hit and 8 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
FieldWater 1
Gender
♂87.5%♀12.5%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
11moves
Breed With (best first)
raichuazumarillpikachunidokinggolduckampharosblastoiseferaligatrkingdraswampertrhydonslowbro

HGSS Piplup Best Moveset

61 Sp. Atk with AbilityTorrent for emergency Water power and 40 Speed. Basic special Water output. Empoleon's Water/Steel typing is the destination.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Torrent
Item
Focus SashSURVIVAL
Best Nature for Piplup
Timid+SPE

Piplup best EVs are Speed and Sp. Atk

EVs

Utility Moveset

  • Stealth Rock
  • SurfSTAB
  • Hidden Power Grass
  • Icy Wind

Moves List

Don't skip the egg moves. Piplup picks up Agility and Aqua Ring only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Hydro Pump and Surf while Normal and Flying coverage and more adds range.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Pound
—4010035Normal
Lv 4
Growl
D—10040Normal
Lv 8
Bubble
—3010030Water
Lv 11
Water Sport
———15Water
Lv 15
Peck
D3510035Flying
Lv 18
Bubble Beam
—9710020Water
Lv 22
Bide+1
———10Normal
Lv 25
Fury Attack
D158520Normal
Lv 29
Brine
D9710010Water
Lv 32
Whirlpool
D528515Water
Lv 36
Mist
———30Ice
Lv 39
Drill Peck
D8010020Flying
Lv 43
Hydro Pump
A180805Water

TM Moves

All 23 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40
Aerial AceMt. Mortarnot until badge 8
D60—20Flying
TM45——10015Normal
TM14D120705Ice
TM28
DigNational Parkbadge 2
D8010010Ground
TM21
FrustrationCeladon Department Storebadge 2
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerLake of Ragebadge 6
D6010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamGoldenrod Game Cornerbadge 2
A9510010Ice
TM83
Natural GiftGoldenrod Department Storebadge 2
D—10015Normal
TM88
PluckRoute 40badge 4
D6010020Flying
TM17C——10Normal
TM44
RestRoute 31badge 2
C——10Psychic
TM39
Rock TombUnion Cavebadge 1
D609510Rock
TM43
Secret PowerLake of Ragebadge 6
—7010020Normal
TM90
SubstituteGoldenrod Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM87
SwaggerOlivine Lighthousebadge 4
——9015Normal
HM07
WaterfallItem ball on Ice Path 1Fnot until badge 7
C12010015Water
HM05D528515Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Agility
A——30Psychic
Egg
Aqua Ring
D——20Water
Egg
Double Hit
D359010Normal
Egg
Feather Dance
——10015Flying
Egg
Flail
D—10015Normal
Egg
Hydro Pump
A180805Water
Egg
Mud Sport
———15Ground
Egg
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Egg
Snore
D4010015Normal
Egg
Supersonic
——5520Normal
Egg
Yawn
D——10Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Dive
C12010010Water
Tutor
Headbutt
D7010015Normal
Tutor
Icy Wind
A559515Ice
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Signal Beam
D7510015Bug
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP53
D
Attack51
D
Defense53
D
Sp. Atk61
C
Sp. Def56
D
Speed40
D
Total314
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height0.4 m
Weight5.2 kg
Base XP63
Abilities
Torrent
Strengthens water moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+1SpDSpe
Special Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

It doesn’t like to be taken care of. It’s difficult to bond with since it won’t listen to its Trainer.

Pokemon HeartGold / Pokemon SoulSilver

Piplup HeartGold & SoulSilver Guide

  • Piplup isn't catchable in HeartGold & SoulSilver. Pick it as your starter in Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum, then trade it to HeartGold & SoulSilver.

  • In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Piplup has 314 BST and evolves into Prinplup. Compare the two forms before you give either one a team slot.

Game Availability

Piplup first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 12 games across 6 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.

Explore

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