While most trainers evolve Qwilfish into Overqwil immediately, the unevolved form has a niche with Eviolite boosting its defenses. Only weak to Electric, Ground, and Psychic. Introduced in Gen 2. Sits at a decent but contested Speed tier.
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.
When faced with a larger opponent, it swallows as much water as it can to match the opponent’s size.
Qwilfish Weakness
GoodQwilfish's Water/Poison typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Ground, and Psychic moves. With 7 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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
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.
How to Evolve
Breed Qwilfish easily with 9 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group. Pass egg moves like Bubble Beam, Flail, Haze and 1 more to offspring.
Spikes is the priority every time Qwilfish comes in. A nature nature and flexible EVs EVs keep it alive long enough to get layers down, while Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn. An ability rounds it out.
Best Build
Best Qwilfish Moveset
- Spikes
- Sludge Bomb
- Hydro Pump
- Haze
Recommended Teammates
You'll want to breed for Bubble Beam and Flail on Qwilfish. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Hydro Pump and Sludge Bomb, they expand what Qwilfish can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Qwilfish is available from early-game fishing spots onward at high spawn rates. 6 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations
Qwilfish is a fishing-only catch in this game. 6 spots at Lv. 10-40 using Old Rod, Good Rod, and Super Rod, so bring the right rod and check the rates on each location.
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.
Qwilfish evolves into Overqwil using a Barb Barrage 20 Times In Strong Style. Qwilfish is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Base 85 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Qwilfish is a special attacker with base 55 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Qwilfish appears in 19 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Since debuting in Gold & Silver, Qwilfish has appeared in 19 titles over 8 generations. Along the way, it received a Hisuian form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
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 VIIIPLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A