Almost nobody uses Rattata in battle. It exists to evolve into Raticate, which is a completely different story. Get it there and you won't regret it. Known as the Mouse Pokemon. An original Gen 1 pick.
Speed and Attack carry most of Rattata's stat budget. Sp. Atk's the obvious dump stat. Easy to catch and yields 1 Speed EV. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It’s cautious in the extreme, and its hardy vitality lets it live in any kind of environment.
Rattata Weakness
GoodRattata's Normal typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting moves. It shrugs off Ghost-type attacks completely. Just 1 weak spot to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.
One evolution ahead. Rattata grows into Raticate through a straightforward two-stage chain. No compatible partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. The evolved forms gain up to 160 total stats over Rattata.
How to Evolve
Breed Rattata easily from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Bite, Counter, Final Gambit and 7 more to offspring.
One guaranteed turn is all Rattata needs. Focus Sash buys it, a spread EV build EVs make it count, and Hustle adds something extra. The goal: deal early damage and deal damage with Endeavor. Dark coverage gives it play beyond just the lead turn.
Best Build
Best Rattata Moveset
- Endeavor
- Quick Attack
- Pursuit
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
STAB runs through Last Resort and Double-Edge for the basics, but Rattata's real strength is the 11-type coverage spread. Dark and Ice hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
A solid number of locations for Rattata with moderate rates across mid-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Best Locations
walking encounters for Rattata across 14 spots at Lv. 20-63. The catch is that Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamond don't share every location, so compare what's available in your version.
Rattata is meant to evolve into Raticate. At 253 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Watch for Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Rattata. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Rattata evolves into Raticate at level 20. Rattata is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Run Away ensures success fleeing from wild battles — that's the one you want on Rattata. Hustle is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Guts works too if your team needs something different.
Base 72 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Rattata is a physical attacker with base 56 Attack. Defensively? Fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Rattata appears in 18 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Rattata has appeared in 18 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received an Alolan form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- 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 VIISMAlolan

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
