Poochyena Best Moveset
Dark at 55 Attack and 35 Speed. The moveset has nothing competitive. 35/35/30 bulk collapses to any hit. Evolve to Mightyena for 90 Attack and AbilityIntimidate that at least provides team utility.
Poochyena was a niche pick at best in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald), rarely seen in standard play. This marked Poochyena's competitive debut. Its most popular set ran Runaway with Leftovers, favoring a Bold nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Roar
- Crunch
- Protect
- Heal Bell
Recommended Teammates
Poochyena was a niche pick at best in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum), rarely seen in standard play. Poochyena maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Runaway with Choice Scarf, favoring a Rash nature.
Mixed Revenge Killer Moveset
- Iron Tail
- Crunch
- Sucker Punch
- Double Edge
Recommended Teammates
Poochyena saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). This was Poochyena's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Quickfeet with Blackglasses, favoring a Adamant nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Poochyena best EVs are HP and Attack
Physical Tank Moveset
- Crunch
- Sucker Punch
- Fire Fang
- Foul Play
Recommended Teammates
Poochyena was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Quickfeet with Toxic Orb, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Crunch
- Play Rough
- Fire Fang
Recommended Teammates
Poochyena was a niche pick at best in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM), rarely seen in standard play. Poochyena maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Quickfeet with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Play Rough
- Fire Fang
- Crunch
- Foul Play
Recommended Teammates
Poochyena saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Poochyena climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Rattled with Sitrus Berry, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Thief
- Howl
- Crunch
- Play Rough
Recommended Teammates
Poochyena Weakness
Fighting, Bug, and Fairy moves hit Poochyena for super-effective damage. The upside? Psychic-type moves can't touch it at all. 3 weaknesses is about average, nothing too hard to play around.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting, Bug, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Ghost, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
What is Poochyena Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Poochyena
Scizor can KO Poochyena with Close Combat (350-412%). Lucario threatens a KO with Close Combat (369-434%). Clefable's Moonblast also KOs at 174-205%.
 Scizor BugSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Poochyena View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch88-103%KO Knock Off47-56% U Turn 2x306-360%KO Close Combat 2x350-412%KO | ||
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Poochyena View Lucario builds →Extreme Speed82-97% Close Combat 2x369-434%KO Aura Sphere 2x202-238%KO | ||
 Clefable Fairy | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Poochyena View Clefable builds →Moonblast 2x174-205%KO | ||
Evolution
Poochyena evolves into Mightyena. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. The evolved forms gain up to 200 total stats over Poochyena. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Poochyena easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
How to Get Poochyena
moderate rates across 12 locations for Poochyena in early-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 Poochyena in SV
The path to Poochyena starts with Poochyena at Lv. 7-60 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Poochyena ✓Apple HillsLv.7-60OverworldKitakami RoadLv.7-60OverworldKitakami WildsLv.7-60OverworldOni MountainLv.7-60OverworldParadise BarrensLv.7-60OverworldTimeless WoodsLv.7-60Overworld
Step 2Catch or Evolve into MightyenaKitakami RoadLv.18-60OverworldKitakami WildsLv.18-60OverworldOni MountainLv.18-60OverworldParadise BarrensLv.18-60OverworldTimeless WoodsLv.18-60OverworldWistful FieldsLv.18-60Overworldor evolve from Poochyena (Step 1)
A solid number of locations for Poochyena with moderate rates across endgame routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Poochyena in BDSP
To get Poochyena, start by catching Poochyena through walking and special encounters at Lv. 20-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Poochyena ✓Dazzling CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameGlacial CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameIcy CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve into MightyenaRoute 215Lv.20-22Using PokeRadarBrilliant DiamondRate 22%Route 214Lv.23-24Using PokeRadarBrilliant DiamondRate 22%Dazzling CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameGlacial CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameIcy CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameor evolve from Poochyena (Step 1)
Poochyena isn't available in the wild in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Start by transferring Poochyena from Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, or Scarlet & Violet. The evolution path from Poochyena to Poochyena is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Poochyena in USUM
- Step 1Poochyena ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Walking · Route 103. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Route 103. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Pokeradar · Route 214. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Walking · Route 1 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Swarm · Route 9 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Walking · Route 103. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Mightyena
Poochyena can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Poochyena from Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, or Scarlet & Violet and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Poochyena in SM
- Step 1Poochyena ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave Mightyena with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Poochyena egg.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Walking · Route 103. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Route 103. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Pokeradar · Route 214. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Walking · Route 1 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Swarm · Route 9 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Walking · Route 103. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Evolve into Mightyena
Base Stats
Poochyena's stats barely vary. None sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 1 Attack EV, medium-fast 1M XP curve to max.
A Pokémon with a persistent nature, it chases its chosen prey until the prey becomes exhausted.
Poochyena Guide
Poochyena does the job early-game if you need a Dark type on your team. Evolve it into Mightyena before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Poochyena first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 14 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves