Plus boosts Sp.Atk alongside Minus partners for Plusle at C-Tier in HeartGold and SoulSilver. Useful in doubles Battle Frontier, useless in singles.
Ability 1PlusAbility 1Increases Special Attack to 1.5× when a friendly Pokémon has plus or minus.
405HP60Attack50Defense40Speed95Sp.Def75Sp.Atk85
Weak to
Special
Pivot
95Speed · Above Avg

Is Plusle Good in HeartGold & SoulSilver Playthrough?

Electric with AbilityPlus for double battle boost. Designed for doubles, unremarkable in singles. Not a story team member.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEGGGETGEEGTTGEEEGEEEEFalknerGym 1BugsyGym 2WhitneyGym 3MortyGym 4ChuckGym 5JasmineGym 6PryceGym 7ClairGym 8PlusleCatchableBrockGym 9MistyGym 10SurgeGym 11ErikaGym 12JanineGym 13SabrinaGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16WillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4LanceChamp*
Falkner
Gym 1
Even

Plusle 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

Plusle 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
Good

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

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

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

Easy KO
Gastly
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
LickSpiteMean LookCurse
You Win
Haunter
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisDream EaterCurseNightmare
Even
Gengar
Lv 25
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisShadow BallMean LookSucker Punch
You Win
Haunter
Lv 23
GhostPoison
Levitate
CurseMean LookSucker PunchNight Shade
Chuck
Gym 5
Even

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Chuck's team.

Even
Primeape
Lv 29
Fighting
Vital Spirit
LeerDouble TeamFocus PunchRock Slide
You Win
Poliwrath
Lv 31
WaterFighting
Water Absorb
HypnosisSurfFocus PunchBody Slam
Jasmine
Gym 6
Tough

Jasmine's typing presses Plusle's defenses.

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

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

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

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Clair's team.

Easy KO
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
Even
Kingdra
Lv 41
WaterDragon
Sniper
SmokescreenHydro PumpHyper BeamDragon Pulse
Brock
Gym 9
Even

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.

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

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

Easy KO
Golduck
Lv 49
Water
Damp
Water PulseDisablePsych UpPsychic
Risky
Quagsire
Lv 49
WaterGround
Water Absorb
Water PulseAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance
You Win
Lapras
Lv 52
WaterIce
Shell Armor
Water PulseSingIce BeamBody Slam
You Win
Starmie
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Natural Cure
Water PulseConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 11
Tough

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

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

Erika's typing presses Plusle's defenses.

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

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

Easy KO
Crobat
Lv 47
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
ScreechSupersonicConfuse RayWing Attack
Even
Weezing
Lv 44
Poison
Levitate
Double HitSludge BombToxicExplosion
You Win
Ariados
Lv 47
BugPoison
Insomnia
Scary FacePoison JabPin MissilePsychic
You Win
Ariados
Lv 47
BugPoison
Insomnia
Pin MissilePoison JabSwaggerNight Shade
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 50
BugPoison
Tinted Lens
Sludge BombDouble TeamSignal BeamPsychic
Sabrina
Gym 14
Even

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

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

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.

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

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

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

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

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

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

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

Plusle 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
Risky
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Sturdy
Dragon BreathEarthquakeSandstormRock Slide
Even
Machamp
Lv 46
Fighting
No Guard
Rock SlideForesightRevengeCross Chop
Karen
Elite Four
Even

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Karen's team.

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

Plusle trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

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

Catchable

Post-game only
Type
Electric
Tier
C

Catch Plusle on Route 29 (walking, Lv 2-3, uncommon). Hoenn Sound.

View Plusle locations

HeartGold & SoulSilver Plusle Locations

Tune the Pokegear to the Hoenn Sound radio and Plusle scatters across roughly two dozen routes, uncommon in both regions. Leave that channel off and you will never see it, so the station is everything.

21 locations to catch Plusle

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 8
Post-Game

How to Get Shiny Plusle in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Plusle cheers along Route 14 and Route 15, though a shiny hatches faster from Masuda breeding. Compare Shiny Plusle odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Plusle in HeartGold & SoulSilverNormal
Shiny Plusle in HeartGold & SoulSilver Shiny
Color ShiftYellowtoRed
Shiny TierC Tier Shiny

Shiny Plusle Evolution

Does Not Evolve
Plusle does not evolve
Single-stage PokemonView Full Evolution Chart

HeartGold & SoulSilver Shiny Plusle Calculator

2 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Masuda Method, about 1 in 1,639 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 1,639Masuda Method
Chance By Now50.0%at 1,136 eggs hatchedAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few173----
25%one in four472----
50%coin flip1,136----
90%very likely3,773----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Want exact numbers for your session? Calculate your shiny odds in HeartGold & SoulSilver with Plusle preloaded.

Plusle Weakness

Plusle's Electric typing leaves it vulnerable to Ground. Not many exploitable gaps in the Electric typing defensive 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 IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Plusle Weak Against

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

What is Plusle Strong Against

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

Best Pokemon Against Plusle

Sandslash
Sandslash
Ground
B
Nidoqueen
Nidoqueen
PoisonGround
C
Nidoking
Nidoking
PoisonGround
C
Quagsire
Quagsire
WaterGround
C
Graveler
Graveler
RockGround
C

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. Its eggs take an average time to hatch. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Plusle
#311Plusle
Does not evolve

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Plusle easily with 35 breeding partners from the Fairy egg group. Pass egg moves like Discharge, Sing, Substitute and 2 more to offspring.

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

HGSS Plusle Best Moveset

85 Sp. Atk and 95 Speed with AbilityPlus boosting Sp. Atk in doubles alongside Minun. Fast special Electric attacks when the partner is out. Outside doubles, no way to activate the ability. 60 HP and 40 Defense.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Setup Sweeper
Ability
Plus
Item
Life OrbPOWER
Best Nature for Plusle
Timid+SPE

Plusle best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • ThunderboltSTAB
  • Grass Knot
  • Hidden Power Ice
  • Nasty Plot

Moves List

The natural movepool does the job, but Discharge and Sing from the egg pool give Plusle something extra. Pair those with Thunder and Thunderbolt for STAB and Normal and Steel coverage and more for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
D—10040Normal
Lv 3
Thunder Wave
C—10020Electric
Lv 7
Quick Attack+1
D4010030Normal
Lv 10
Helping Hand+5
———20Normal
Lv 15
Spark
D9710020Electric
Lv 17
Encore
B—1005Normal
Lv 21
Fake Tears
——10020Dark
Lv 24
Copycat
———20Normal
Lv 29
Swift
—60—20Normal
Lv 31
Fake Tears
——10020Dark
Lv 35
Charge
———20Electric
Lv 38
Thunder
C1807010Electric
Lv 42
Baton Pass
C——40Normal
Lv 44
Agility
C——30Psychic
Lv 48
Last Resort
C1301005Normal
Lv 51
Nasty Plot
B——20Dark

TM Moves

All 18 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45——10015Normal
TM57
Charge BeamOlivine Citybadge 4
D759010Electric
TM21
FrustrationCeladon Department Storebadge 2
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerLake of Ragebadge 6
D6010015Normal
TM23D1007515Steel
TM16
Light ScreenGoldenrod Department Storebadge 2
C——30Psychic
TM83
Natural GiftGoldenrod Department Storebadge 2
D—10015Normal
TM17C——10Normal
TM44
RestRoute 31badge 2
C——10Psychic
TM43
Secret PowerLake of Ragebadge 6
—7010020Normal
TM90
SubstituteGoldenrod Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM87
SwaggerOlivine Lighthousebadge 4
——9015Normal
TM25C1807010Electric
TM24
ThunderboltGoldenrod Game Cornerbadge 2
B14210015Electric

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Discharge
C12010015Electric
Egg
Sing
——5515Normal
Egg
Substitute
C——10Normal
Egg
Sweet Kiss
——7510Normal
Egg
Wish
C——10Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Headbutt
D7010015Normal
Tutor
Helping Hand+5
———20Normal
Tutor
Last Resort
C1301005Normal
Tutor
Magnet Rise
D——10Electric
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Rollout
—309020Rock
Tutor
Signal Beam
C7510015Bug
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal
Tutor
Swift
—60—20Normal
Tutor
Thunder Punch
D11210015Electric
Tutor
Uproar
—9010010Normal

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 absorbs electricity from telephone poles. It shorts out its body to create crackling noises.

Pokemon HeartGold / Pokemon SoulSilver

Plusle HeartGold & SoulSilver Guide

  • For HeartGold & SoulSilver, it depends on your team. Plusle rates C-Tier. Not a powerhouse, but the Electric coverage might be exactly what you're missing.

  • Yes. Plusle is a post-game Pokemon. You need to defeat the Elite Four and enter the Hall of Fame first. Plusle becomes available after the main story is complete in HeartGold & SoulSilver.

  • In HeartGold & SoulSilver, use Plusle as a pivot. Special attacks are the main output. Speed is middling, Thunderbolt is the primary attack.

  • For HeartGold & SoulSilver, run Timid on Plusle. +Speed is what matters, and the -Attack cut doesn't hurt this set. Fits the pivot role.

  • For HeartGold & SoulSilver, build your team around Camerupt, Carnivine, and Girafarig. These have the highest co-usage rates with Plusle in competitive formats. They cover each other's weaknesses.

Game Availability

Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Plusle appears in 14 games across 7 generations. A reliable presence in a solid number of games, typically found through wild encounters.

Explore

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