Special
Pivot
95Speed · Above Avg

Is Plusle Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Electric with AbilityPlus boosting Special Attack in double battles with a Minus partner. Trade-only. FRLG's story is mostly singles. The doubles gimmick rarely activates.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadESTTEEETGEGEEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8PlusleTradeLoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Even

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Even
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Strong

Plusle resists most of Misty's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
You Win
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Tough

Lt. Surge's typing presses Plusle's defenses.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
Even
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Risky
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Tough

Erika's typing presses Plusle's defenses.

Risky
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Risky
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Risky
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Even

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Even
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Even
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Even

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.

You Win
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
You Win
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Even
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Even
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Tough

Giovanni's team hits Plusle's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Risky
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
Risky
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Risky
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Risky
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Good

Plusle has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.

Easy KO
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
Easy KO
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
Easy KO
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
You Win
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
You Win
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Even

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.

Risky
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
Risky
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
Even
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

Plusle has the type edge here and should clean up Agatha's team.

Even
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
You Win
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
Even
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
Even
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
Even
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Even

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.

Even
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
Even
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
Even
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
Even
Arcanine
Lv 73
Fire
Intimidate
Extreme SpeedOverheatAerial AceIron Tail
Risky
Exeggutor
Lv 73
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Giga DrainPsychicSleep PowderLight Screen
You Win
Blastoise
Lv 75
Water
Torrent
Hydro PumpIce BeamEarthquakeRain Dance
Trade
Transfer-only
Type
Electric
Tier
C

Plusle cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. On GBA, cross-region trading unlocks post-game after Celio's Sevii Islands Ruby & Sapphire quest. The Switch re-release supports only one-way transfers out to Pokemon HOME.

View Plusle locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Brock
    • TUTORNormalMega Kick12075%5
    • LV 19ElectricSpark98100%20
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM34ElectricShock Wave90100%20
  • After Erika
    • TM24ElectricThunderbolt135100%15
    • TM06PoisonToxic90%10
    • LV 37ElectricThunder16570%10
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

How to Get Plusle in FireRed & LeafGreen

No wild Plusle in FRLG. Hoenn's Route 110 grass hosts it alongside Minun, so any Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald trade works. The red cheerleader isn't version-locked in Gen 3.

Plusle cannot be caught in the wild in FireRed & LeafGreen, but you can still get it via these paths:

Pokemon HOME · Switch Rerelease

Playing the Switch version of FireRed & LeafGreen? Pokemon HOME compatibility is post-launch but deposit-only by design (FRLG → HOME). Inbound HOME transfer of Plusle into FRLG is not possible — an original GBA cartridge with a Link Cable is the only inbound route.

Catch in the wild and trade from these games:

Then trade to FireRed & LeafGreen.

Also Obtainable In:

Direct cartridge trade across generations isn't possible — but the Pokemon HOME path above bridges this gap once Switch support launches.

Plusle Weakness

Plusle's Electric typing leaves it vulnerable to Ground. Not many exploitable gaps in the Electric typing defensive chart. Lightning Rod grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Plusle's special bulk (base 75 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Plusle Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ground
0.5x (Resist)Electric, Flying, Steel
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Plusle Weak Against

Good
1Weak
3Resist
1Immune
Score+1
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Plusle Strong Against

2Strong
3Resisted
1Immune
Score-2
2xStrong
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Plusle

Plusle Evolutions

No evolution chain to worry about here. Plusle is a standalone Pokemon with a decent partner pool for breeding through one egg group. Eggs come out average hatch time. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Plusle
#311Plusle
Does not evolve

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Plusle easily with 27 breeding partners from the Fairy egg group. Pass egg moves like Substitute, Wish to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
2moves
Breed With (best first)
raichuazumarilltogeticpikachuglaliejumpluffbreloommarillgranbulldelcattyroseliamawile

FRLG Plusle Best Moveset

AbilityPlus boosts Sp. Atk in doubles with a Plus/Minus partner. 85 Sp. Atk fires MoveThunderbolt at moderate power. The moveset has MoveBaton Pass for transferring boosts. Niche doubles support that struggles in singles without the ability trigger.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Sweeper
Ability
Plus
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Plusle
Timid+SPE

Plusle best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Sweeper Moveset

  • ThunderboltSTAB
  • Hidden Power Ice
  • ProtectFAST +4
  • ToxicUtility

Moves List

The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Plusle's Normal and Steel coverage all comes from technical machines, built on top of Thunder and Thunderbolt for same-type damage. Thunder and Iron Tail are the payoff moves.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
D10040Normal
Lv 4
Thunder Wave
C10020Electric
Lv 10
Quick Attack+1
D4010030Normal
Lv 13
Helping Hand+5
20Normal
Lv 19
Spark
D9710020Electric
Lv 22
Encore
A1005Normal
Lv 28
Fake Tears
10020Dark
Lv 31
Charge
D20Electric
Lv 37
Thunder
C1807010Electric
Lv 40
Baton Pass
C40Normal
Lv 47
Agility
C30Psychic

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
HM05
Flash
7020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM23
Iron Tail
D1007515Steel
TM16
Light Screen
C30Psychic
TM17
Protect+4
B10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM34
Shock Wave
C9020Electric
TM25
Thunder
C1807010Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
B14210015Electric
TM06
Toxic
B8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Substitute
C10Normal
Egg
Wish
C10Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
Tutor
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Mega Kick
D120755Normal
Tutor
Mega Punch
808520Normal
Tutor
Metronome
D10Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Seismic Toss
D10020Fighting
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal
Tutor
Thunder Wave
C10020Electric

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP60
C
Attack50
D
Defense40
D
Sp. Atk85
C
Sp. Def75
C
Speed95
B
Total405
Details
Catch Rate
Easy200 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.4 m
Weight4.2 kg
Base XP142
Abilities
Plus
Increases Special Attack to 1.5× when a friendly Pokémon has plus or minus.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Speed training source
Pokedex Entry

It cheers on partners while scattering sparks from its body. It climbs telephone poles to absorb electricity.

Pokemon FireRed / Pokemon LeafGreen

Plusle FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Plusle isn't catchable in FireRed & LeafGreen. Catch one in Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald, then trade it to FireRed & LeafGreen.

Game Availability

Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Plusle appears in 14 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in a solid number of games, typically found through wild encounters.

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