Mid-stage Pokemon like Porygon rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Porygon2, which is where the real potential kicks in. Works well under Trick Room. Ghost moves can't touch it, and only a single type hits it super-effectively.
Nothing fancy in Porygon's spread. It leans special with Sp. Atk out front. And you'll get 1 Sp. Atk EV per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It has no discernible heartbeat and does not seem to draw breath, and yet it appears to function without issue. I cannot even begin to explain this utterly bizarre anomaly.
Porygon Weakness
GoodFighting-type moves hit Porygon for super-effective damage. The upside? Ghost-type moves can't touch it at all. Porygon's Normal typing only leaves 1 gap to cover.
Porygon can evolve into Porygon2 and Porygon Z. Porygon sits before the split, so check the evolution methods below to pick your path. The evolved forms gain up to 140 total stats over Porygon.
How to Evolve
Breed Porygon (with patience) from the Mineral egg group.
Ditto onlymax HP and Sp. Def EVs and Sassy nature turn Porygon into a wall that doesn't fold easily. Eviolite brings a bulk boost that only works before full evolution for the long game, and Recover handles sustain. Trace fills in the gaps.
Best Build
Best Porygon Moveset
- Recover
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Tri Attack
Recommended Teammates
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Porygon's Electric and Psychic coverage and more all comes from technical machines, built on top of Self-Destruct and Giga Impact for same-type damage. Self-Destruct and Zap Cannon are the payoff moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
At 395 BST, Porygon is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Porygon2 before bringing it to any serious fight.
Watch for Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Porygon. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. At base 40 Speed, Porygon won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Trace copies an opponent's ability upon entering battle — that's the one you want on Porygon. Analytic is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Download works too if your team needs something different.
Porygon is a special attacker with base 85 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 40 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. Fits the trick room role.
Porygon appears in 22 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Present since Red & Blue, Porygon appears in 22 games spanning 9 generations. Gen 1 originals like Porygon have the longest track record of availability in the series.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
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