Pumpkaboo is technically a pre-evolution of Gourgeist, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Normal and Fighting moves can't touch it, which offsets the 5 weaknesses somewhat. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets.
Nothing fancy in Pumpkaboo's spread. It leans physical with Defense out front. And you'll get 1 Defense EV per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Supersized Pumpkaboo are very partial to the spirits of people who were of similarly superior proportions.
Massive Pumpkaboo are said to be the product of areas where a great number of lost souls lingered.
Pumpkaboo Weakness
AvgType-wise, Pumpkaboo takes extra damage from Fire, Ice, Flying, Ghost, and Dark. Normal and Fighting moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. The Ghost/Grass typing picks up 4 resistances to work with.
To get Gourgeist from Pumpkaboo, you need a trade. The evolution method matters here. Evolving adds up to 159 stat points total.
How to Evolve
Breed Pumpkaboo easily with 63 breeding partners from the Indeterminate egg group.
The 50% bulk from Eviolite is no joke. Pumpkaboo takes hits that fully evolved Pokemon can't, especially with max HP and Defense EVs pushing the physical wall side. Trickortreat gives it offensive presence.
Best Build
Best Pumpkaboo Moveset
- Trick Or Treat
- Curse
- Destiny Bond
- Dark Pulse
Recommended Teammates
The level-up pool tells the story here. Pumpkaboo learns Power Whip and Energy Ball naturally, plus enough variety that TMs feel like bonuses. Normal and Dark coverage and more extends the reach beyond that.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Breeding's the move. Curse and Destiny Bond give Pumpkaboo options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 8 types already covers a decent range on top of Solar Beam and Poltergeist. The egg moves push it further.
Breeding's the move. Bestow and Curse give Pumpkaboo options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 9 types already covers a decent range on top of Solar Beam and Energy Ball. The egg moves push it further.
Breeding's the move. Bestow and Destiny Bond give Pumpkaboo options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 9 types already covers a decent range on top of Solar Beam and Energy Ball. The egg moves push it further.
Pumpkaboo doesn't appear in Legends: Z-A. Transfer it from X or Sword to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Pumpkaboo is available from early-game routes onward at decent spawn rates. 88 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations
88 walking encounters at Lv. 14-31 for Pumpkaboo across Sword and Shield. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
Pumpkaboo can't be caught in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Bring it over from X or Sword instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
At 335 BST, Pumpkaboo is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Gourgeist before bringing it to any serious fight.
Pumpkaboo evolves into Gourgeist by trading. Pumpkaboo is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Pickup is the go-to ability for Pumpkaboo. It picks up other Pokémon's used and Flung held items. Its hidden ability Insomnia can work in specific setups. Frisk is the other option — pick based on what your team needs.
Pumpkaboo is leaning toward the physical side (base 66 Attack). But the speed tells the real story — at base 51 Speed, it won't be moving first often.
Pumpkaboo appears in 6 games, including X & Y, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, and Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.
Since X & Y, Pumpkaboo has been obtainable in 6 games. A Generation 6 debut means a shorter history, but Pumpkaboo has appeared steadily across every generation since.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
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 VIXYDebut
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