Quilava Best Moveset
80 Sp. Atk at 80 Speed on Fire. AbilityFlash Fire absorbs Fire moves for a power boost. The moveset has moderate special output but trails everything at this tier. One evolution from Typhlosion where Held ItemChoice Scarf and 109 Sp. Atk create a fast revenge option.
Fire pre-evolution at 405 BST in Gen II (Gold & Silver). 80 Sp. Atk. Typhlosion existed above and was always the pick.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Quick Attack
- Double Edge
- Sunny Day
Recommended Teammates
Two gens at the bottom in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Middle-stage starters had no competitive niche before Eviolite. Quilava was filler.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Brick Break
- Body Slam
- Flamethrower
- Double Edge
Recommended Teammates
Quilava saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Quilava maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Blaze with Choice Scarf, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Hidden Power Grass
- Eruption
- Flamethrower
- Overheat
Recommended Teammates
Quilava saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Quilava maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran blaze with Eviolite, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Eruption
- Will O Wisp
- Fire Blast
- Flamethrower
Quilava saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Quilava maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Flashfire with Choice Band, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Flame Charge
- Flamethrower
- Flare Blitz
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
Quilava saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Quilava maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Flashfire with Choice Specs, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Eruption
- Extrasensory
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power Grass
Recommended Teammates
Quilava saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Quilava maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Flashfire with Eviolite, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Quick Attack
- Endeavor
- Wild Charge
- Aerial Ace
Recommended Teammates
Quilava Weakness
Quilava is weak to Water, Ground, and Rock. 6 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. Flash Fire grants an additional Fire immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
What is Quilava Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Quilava
Starmie can KO Quilava with Hydro Pump (111-131%). Garchomp threatens a KO with Earthquake (133-156%). Tyranitar's Stone Edge also KOs at 222-261%.
 Starmie WaterPsychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityAnalytic ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Quilava View Starmie builds →Ice Beam15-18% Hydro Pump 2x111-131%KO Rapid Spin11-12% Psychic46-54% | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Quilava View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x133-156%KO | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Quilava View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off72-85% Stone Edge 2x222-261%KO | ||
Evolution
Quilava is the middle stage between Cyndaquil and Typhlosion. It's a three-stage line with one more evolution to go. For breeding, average hatch time with a massive partner pool via one egg group. Sp.Atk has grown the most so far (+20), but there's still another 129 stats to gain in the final evolution. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Quilava to get Cyndaquil eggs using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.
How to Get Quilava
You're catching Cyndaquil first, not Quilava. Cyndaquil appears at moderate rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Quilava in SV
Step 1Catch CyndaquilPolar BiomeLv.50-80Overworld
Step 2Quilava ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Quilava egg.Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
TyphlosionLv 36- TyphlosionLv 36
Quilava starts showing up in late-game routes at decent spawn rates across 1 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Quilava in PLA
Cyndaquil is your first catch on the way to Quilava. You'll find walking and gift encounters from Lv. 5-50 across 3 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch CyndaquilJubilife VillageLv.5Gift from NPCLimitedStarter choiceSpace-Time Distortion - Crimson MirelandsLv.35-50CaveRate 15%Post-game
Step 2Quilava ✓Space-Time Distortion - Crimson MirelandsLv.35-50CaveRate 15%Post-gameor evolve from Cyndaquil (Step 1)Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
TyphlosionLv 36- TyphlosionLv 36
Can't catch Quilava directly. Start with Cyndaquil at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 36. The 3-stage chain from Cyndaquil to Quilava is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Quilava in BDSP
The path to Quilava starts with Cyndaquil at Lv. 58-63 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch CyndaquilSandsear CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-gameTyphlo CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameVolcanic CaveLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Quilava ✓
Step 3Evolve into Typhlosion
No wild encounters for Quilava in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Bring Cyndaquil over from Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Scarlet & Violet, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Quilava in USUM
Step 1Obtain CyndaquilCARTRIDGE TRADEfrom Sun & MoonAvailableCatch in Sun & Moon via Walking · Route 3 · Island Scan; Sunday, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Gift · New Bark Town. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Gift · New Bark Town · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Gift · Littleroot Town · Gift from Professor Birch (complete Hoenn Pokédex). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Gift · New Bark Town · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Gift · Route 101 · Post-Elite Four. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl via Walking · Sandsear Cave · After National Dex obtained. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.- Step 2Quilava ✓
- Step 3Evolve into Typhlosion
Base Stats
Quilava's stats barely vary. 2 sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 2 Sp. Atk and Speed EVs, 1.06M XP medium-slow curve to max.
It intimidates foes with the heat of its flames. The fire burns stronger as it prepares to fight.
Quilava Guide
Quilava isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Typhlosion to unlock its full potential. At 405 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Run Flash Fire on Quilava. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Quilava also gets Blaze, but they don't compare.
Flash Fire is the hidden ability. It protects against fire moves. Worth hunting for if you want Quilava to compete at a higher level.
Quilava fills the balanced role. It's a mixed attacker with base 64 Attack and 80 Sp. Atk. Base 80 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.
Game Availability
Quilava first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 17 games across 9 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 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
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