Qwilfish Best Moveset
Water/Poison at 95 Attack and 85 Speed with AbilityIntimidate on entry. The moveset sets MoveToxic Spikes and MoveSpikes while surviving through Intimidate and decent defensive stats. AbilitySwift Swim under rain doubles Speed for a different approach. 65 HP limits the longevity. Functional hazard setter that also pivots with Intimidate.
Water/Poison with Spikes in Gen II (Gold & Silver). One of the few available Spikes setters, and its typing gave it useful resistances to set up safely.
Best Moves
Best Build
Support Moveset
- Spikes
- Sludge Bomb
- Hydro Pump
- Haze
Recommended Teammates
Intimidate added defensive utility in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Drop Attack on switch-in, lay Spikes, Taunt opposing hazard setters. A fast utility lead.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Spikes
- Self Destruct
- Sludge Bomb
- Destiny Bond
Recommended Teammates
Three gens of consistent hazard setting in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Fast enough to Taunt slower leads and get Spikes down before being forced out.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Waterfall
- Explosion
- Poison Jab
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Better hazard setters emerged in Gen V (Black & White). Ferrothorn and Forretress offered more bulk and better typing for the same role.
Utility Moveset
- Waterfall
- Rain Dance
- Thunder Wave
- Destiny Bond
Recommended Teammates
Same decline in Gen VI (X & Y). Qwilfish's niche was shrinking as other Pokemon set Spikes while contributing more defensively.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Poison Jab
- Aqua Jet
- Waterfall
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Toxapex did the Water/Poison defensive job dramatically better in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Qwilfish was outclassed by a direct typing competitor.
Wall Moveset
- Toxic Spikes
- Poison Jab
- Spikes
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Completely outclassed in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Toxapex owned the bulky Water/Poison slot, and other Pokemon set Spikes more effectively.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Waterfall
- Spikes
- Toxic Spikes
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Found a small niche in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Intimidate plus Spikes plus Thunder Wave gave it enough utility to function in lower tiers.
Support Moveset
- Fell Stinger
- Toxic
- Spikes
- Gunk Shot
Recommended Teammates
Qwilfish Weakness
Qwilfish's Water/Poison typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Ground, and Psychic. With 8 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Qwilfish's physical bulk (base 85 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ground, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
What is Qwilfish Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Qwilfish
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemLightclay NatureCareful Moves View Grimmsnarl builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemSilkscarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Ambipom builds →U Turn13-16% Knock Off25-30% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityMarvelscale ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Milotic builds →Scald24-28% Ice Beam27-31% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRockypayload ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Bombirdier builds →Knock Off25-30% Stone Edge39-46% U Turn14-16% | ||
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves View Rotom-Heat builds →
| ||
Evolution
Qwilfish doesn't evolve by leveling. You'll need an evolution item to push it forward to Overqwil. The evolved forms gain up to 70 total stats over Qwilfish. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Qwilfish easily with 34 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group.
How to Get Qwilfish
Qwilfish appears at decent spawn rates across 34 spots in early-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Qwilfish in SV
Qwilfish is your first catch on the way to Qwilfish. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 15-40 across 34 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Qwilfish ✓Casseroya Lake - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%East Paldean Sea - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%East Province (Area One) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%East Province (Area Three) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%East Province (Area Two) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%Glaseado MountainLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%North Paldean Sea - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%North Province (Area One) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%North Province (Area Three) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%South Paldean Sea - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%South Province (Area Five) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%South Province (Area Four) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%South Province (Area One) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%South Province (Area Six) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%West Paldean Sea - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%West Province (Area One) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%West Province (Area Two) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 18%
Step 2Evolve into OverqwilBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Overqwil egg.
Winds & Waves hasn't launched yet, so encounter data for Qwilfish isn't confirmed. In other games, it's available in Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Sword & Shield.
How to Obtain Qwilfish in WW
- Step 1Qwilfish ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Super rod · Route 12. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Good rod · Route 32 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Super rod · Trainer Tower. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Super rod · Iron Island. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Super rod · Iron Island. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Walking · Route 32 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Overqwil
Qwilfish can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Qwilfish from Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Sword & Shield and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Qwilfish in LZA
- Step 1Qwilfish ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Super rod · Route 12. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Good rod · Route 32 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Super rod · Trainer Tower. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Super rod · Iron Island. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Super rod · Iron Island. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Walking · Route 32 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Evolve into Overqwil
4 encounter spots for Qwilfish at decent spawn rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Qwilfish in PLA
To get Qwilfish, start by catching Qwilfish through walking encounters at Lv. 10-70. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Qwilfish ✓Ramanas IslandLv.10-70GrassRate 15%Tranquility CoveLv.31-34GrassRate 15%Lunker's LairLv.38-45GrassRate 15%Islespy ShoreLv.40-47GrassRate 15%
Step 2Evolve into Overqwil
Base Stats
Attack and Defense carry most of Qwilfish's stat budget. Sp. Atk's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 1 Attack EV. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Be cautious if this Pokémon starts sucking in water—it will soon attack by scattering the toxic spikes that grow all over its body.
Qwilfish Guide
Qwilfish is meant to evolve into Overqwil. At 440 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Intimidate is what you want on Qwilfish. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Poison Point, Swift Swim) work on paper but Intimidate is what makes Qwilfish worth using.
Qwilfish's hidden ability is Intimidate. Lowers opponents' Attack one stage upon entering battle. Better than the standard options for competitive play.
Base 85 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Qwilfish is a physical attacker with base 95 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Gold & Silver, Qwilfish has appeared in 20 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received a Hisuian form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
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 8PLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves