Is Rattata Good in HeartGold & SoulSilver Playthrough?
One of the first things you catch on Route 29. Normal-type with AbilityGuts boosting Attack when statused. Raticate at level 20 has a brief useful window, but everything outgrows it after Whitney.
Rattata trades roughly evenly with Falkner's team.
Rattata trades roughly evenly with Bugsy's team.
Rattata trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.
Raticate has the type edge here and should clean up Morty's team.
Raticate trades roughly evenly with Chuck's team.
Raticate trades roughly evenly with Jasmine's team.
Raticate has the type edge here and should clean up Pryce's team.
Raticate has the type edge here and should clean up Clair's team.
Raticate trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.
Raticate has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.
Raticate has the type edge here and should clean up Lt. Surge's team.
Raticate has the type edge here and should clean up Erika's team.
Raticate has the type edge here and should clean up Janine's team.
Raticate has the type edge here and should clean up Sabrina's team.
Raticate has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.
Raticate has the type edge here and should clean up Blue's team.
Raticate has the type edge here and should clean up Will's team.
Raticate has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.
Raticate has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.
Raticate has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.
Raticate has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.
Catchable
Catch Rattata on Route 29 (walking, Lv 2, rare).
Recommended Moves
- LV 16NormalHyper FangPower 120Accuracy 90%PP 15
- After Bugsy
- TUTORNormalHeadbuttPower 105Accuracy 100%PP 15Ilex Forest
- TM14IceBlizzardPower 120Accuracy 70%PP 5Goldenrod Department Store
- TM13IceIce BeamPower 95Accuracy 100%PP 10Goldenrod Game Corner
- TM24ElectricThunderboltPower 95Accuracy 100%PP 15Goldenrod Game Corner
- LV 31NormalDouble-EdgePower 180Accuracy 100%PP 15
- After Jasmine
- TM43NormalSecret PowerPower 105Accuracy 100%PP 20Lake of Rage
- TM10NormalHidden PowerPower 90Accuracy 100%PP 15Lake of Rage
Evolve Rattata to Raticate
Rattata evolves into Raticate at Level 20. Your Rattata should hit Level 20 before you reach Morty, at typical leveling pace.
Recommended Moves
- STARTING (Lv 20)
- LV 20NormalHyper FangPower 120Accuracy 90%PP 15
- After Bugsy
- TM15NormalHyper BeamPower 225Accuracy 90%PP 5Goldenrod Department Store
- TUTORNormalHeadbuttPower 105Accuracy 100%PP 15Ilex Forest
- TM13IceIce BeamPower 95Accuracy 100%PP 10Goldenrod Game Corner
- TM24ElectricThunderboltPower 95Accuracy 100%PP 15Goldenrod Game Corner
- After Whitney
- HM04NormalStrengthPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 15Gift from a Hiker on Route 42
- After Jasmine
- TM43NormalSecret PowerPower 105Accuracy 100%PP 20Lake of Rage
- LV 39NormalDouble-EdgePower 180Accuracy 100%PP 15
How to Get Rattata in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Rattata is the most common catch in this whole batch, with over a hundred encounters across twenty-three locations from Johto down to Kanto. Watch the clock though, since some routes only spawn it at night while others run all day.
Wild Rattata may be holding when caught:
Chilan Berry (5% chance) If held by a Pokemon, it weakens a foe's Normal-type attack.23 locations to catch Rattata
Encountered via tall grass encounters
Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8Where To Catch Rattata in HGSS
Rattata is where the line starts, caught through walking encounters at Lv. 2-24. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
- Step 1Rattata ✓Sprout TowerLv.3-6FloorRate 100%Morning/dayRoute 22Lv.3-7GrassRate 95%NightRoute 9Lv.13-15GrassSoulSilverRate 70%NightRoute 3Lv.5-10GrassHeartGoldRate 60%NightRoute 33Lv.6-7GrassHeartGoldRate 60%NightRoute 46Lv.2-4GrassRate 55%NightRoute 1Lv.2-6GrassRate 55%NightBurned Tower - 1FLv.13-15FloorRate 50%Route 33Lv.4-7GrassHeartGoldRate 45%DayRoute 30Lv.3-4GrassRate 40%NightRoute 31Lv.4-5GrassRate 40%NightRoute 32Lv.4-6GrassHeartGoldRate 40%DayUnion Cave - 1FLv.4-6CaveSoulSilverRate 40%Route 33Lv.6-7GrassHeartGoldRate 40%MorningBurned Tower - B1FLv.14-16FloorRate 40%Morning/nightRoute 7Lv.15-19GrassHeartGoldRate 40%MorningRoute 9Lv.15GrassHeartGoldRate 40%NightRoute 32Lv.4-6GrassHeartGoldRate 35%MorningRoute 3Lv.5-10GrassHeartGoldRate 35%Morning/dayRoute 3Lv.5-8GrassSoulSilverRate 35%NightRoute 4Lv.5-10GrassHeartGoldRate 35%Morning/dayRoute 4Lv.5-8GrassSoulSilverRate 35%NightUnion Cave - B1FLv.6-8CaveSoulSilverRate 35%Route 34Lv.11-13GrassRate 35%Burned Tower - B1FLv.14FloorRate 35%DayRoute 1Lv.2GrassRate 30%Morning/dayRoute 22Lv.3GrassRate 30%Morning/dayRoute 32Lv.4GrassHeartGoldRate 30%NightRoute 3Lv.5GrassSoulSilverRate 30%Morning/dayRoute 4Lv.5GrassSoulSilverRate 30%Morning/dayRoute 33Lv.6GrassSoulSilverRate 30%NightRoute 4Lv.8-10GrassHeartGoldRate 30%NightRoute 9Lv.13GrassSoulSilverRate 30%Morning/daySafari Zone - PlainsLv.15-17FloorRate 30%Morning/dayRoute 11Lv.15GrassRate 30%Route 9Lv.15GrassHeartGoldRate 30%Morning/dayRoute 46Lv.2-4GrassRate 25%Morning/daySafari Zone - MountainLv.15-16FloorRate 20%Route 29Lv.2-4GrassRate 15%NightSprout TowerLv.3-5FloorRate 15%NightRoute 33Lv.4-6GrassSoulSilverRate 15%DayMt. Mortar - 1F EntranceLv.14-16CaveRate 14%Route 32Lv.4-6GrassSoulSilverRate 10%DayUnion Cave - 1FLv.4CaveHeartGoldRate 10%Route 33Lv.6GrassSoulSilverRate 10%MorningMt. Mortar - 1F BackLv.14CaveRate 10%Route 29Lv.2GrassSoulSilverRate 5%DayRoute 29Lv.4GrassHeartGoldRate 5%Morning/dayRoute 29Lv.4GrassSoulSilverRate 5%MorningRoute 32Lv.6GrassSoulSilverRate 5%MorningUnion Cave - B1FLv.6CaveHeartGoldRate 5%Route 7Lv.15GrassSoulSilverRate 5%MorningBell Tower - 2FLv.20-24FloorRate 100%Morning/dayBell Tower - 3FLv.20-24FloorRate 100%Morning/dayBell Tower - 4FLv.20-24FloorRate 100%Morning/dayBell Tower - 5FLv.20-24FloorRate 100%Morning/dayBell Tower - 6FLv.20-24FloorRate 100%Morning/dayBell Tower - 7FLv.20-24FloorRate 100%Morning/dayBell Tower - 8FLv.20-24FloorRate 100%Morning/dayBell Tower - 9FLv.20-24FloorRate 100%Morning/dayBell Tower - 10FLv.20-24FloorRate 100%Morning/daySafari Zone - EntranceLv.20FloorRate 100%Route 38Lv.16GrassHeartGoldRate 40%NightRoute 39Lv.16GrassHeartGoldRate 40%NightRoute 7Lv.17-19GrassHeartGoldRate 35%DayRoute 38Lv.16GrassHeartGoldRate 30%Morning/dayRoute 39Lv.16GrassHeartGoldRate 30%Morning/dayRoute 7Lv.17GrassHeartGoldRate 30%NightMt. Mortar - B1FLv.16CaveRate 20%Bell Tower - 2FLv.22-24FloorRate 20%NightBell Tower - 3FLv.22-24FloorRate 20%NightBell Tower - 4FLv.22-24FloorRate 20%NightBell Tower - 5FLv.22-24FloorRate 20%NightBell Tower - 6FLv.22-24FloorRate 20%NightBell Tower - 7FLv.22-24FloorRate 20%NightBell Tower - 8FLv.22-24FloorRate 20%NightBell Tower - 9FLv.22-24FloorRate 20%NightBell Tower - 10FLv.22-24FloorRate 20%NightUnion Cave - B2FLv.20CaveRate 5%Tohjo FallsLv.20GrassRate 5%
- Step 2Catch or Evolve into RaticateRoute 9Lv.13-15GrassSoulSilverRate 30%NightSafari Zone - PlainsLv.15-17FloorRate 30%NightSafari Zone - MountainLv.15-17FloorRate 30%Morning/dayRoute 9Lv.13-15GrassHeartGoldRate 25%NightRoute 9Lv.15GrassSoulSilverRate 15%Morning/dayRoute 9Lv.15GrassHeartGoldRate 10%Morning/dayBurned Tower - 1FLv.15FloorRate 5%Route 26Lv.28GrassSoulSilverRate 60%NightRoute 26Lv.28-30GrassHeartGoldRate 40%NightRoute 27Lv.28-30GrassHeartGoldRate 40%Route 26Lv.28-30GrassSoulSilverRate 35%Morning/dayRoute 38Lv.16GrassRate 30%Route 39Lv.17GrassRate 30%Union Cave - B2FLv.22CaveRate 30%Tohjo FallsLv.22GrassRate 30%Route 10Lv.16-18GrassRate 25%Morning/nightRoute 10Lv.16GrassRate 20%DayRoute 27Lv.30GrassSoulSilverRate 20%Morning/dayRoute 7Lv.19GrassRate 10%Mt. Mortar - 2FLv.30CaveRate 10%Route 27Lv.30GrassSoulSilverRate 10%NightMt. Mortar - B1FLv.16CaveRate 5%Route 26Lv.30GrassHeartGoldRate 5%Morning/dayRoute 47Lv.31-33GrassRate 5%or evolve from Rattata (Step 1)
Bring the right balls: check Rattata catch odds in the HeartGold & SoulSilver Catch Rate Calculator before you throw.
How to Get Shiny Rattata in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Rattata scurries along Route 1 and Route 22, though breeding it Masuda-style is the fastest way to a shiny. Compare Shiny Rattata odds across every game
HeartGold & SoulSilver Shiny Rattata Calculator
2 MethodsThe best route is Masuda Method, about 1 in 1,639 on each try.
Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.
Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.
How many you have done, or plan to do.
| Chance | Encounters | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 10%lucky few | 173-- | -- |
| 25%one in four | 472-- | -- |
| 50%coin flip | 1,136-- | -- |
| 90%very likely | 3,773-- | -- |
Time assumes -- at your pace and does not change your shiny odds.
How is this calculated?
Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.
chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N, where p = 1 / odds per try
Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.
The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.
These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.
Planning a longer hunt? Set up Rattata in the HeartGold & SoulSilver Shiny Odds Calculator to compare every method side by side.
Rattata Weakness
Rattata's Normal typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting. It shrugs off Ghost-type attacks completely. Just 1 weak spot to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ghost |
Rattata Evolutions
One evolution ahead. Rattata grows into Raticate through a straightforward two-stage chain. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. The evolved forms gain up to 160 total stats over Rattata. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Rattata easily with 131 breeding partners from the Field egg group. Pass egg moves like Bite, Counter, Flame Wheel and 7 more to offspring.
HGSS Rattata Best Moveset
Held ItemFocus Sash plus MoveEndeavor at 72 Speed creates one specific trick: survive any hit at 1 HP, then drop the opponent to 1 HP. The moveset exists for that interaction and nothing else. 30 HP and 56 Attack have no other role.
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Endeavor
- Quick Attack
- Toxic
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
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.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
All 27 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
It eats anything. Wherever food is available, it will settle down and produce offspring continuously.
Living wherever there is food available, it ceaselessly scavenges for edibles the entire day.
Rattata HeartGold & SoulSilver Guide
- Where in the HeartGold & SoulSilver Safari Zone can I find Rattata?
See the Locations section above for where to find Rattata in HeartGold & SoulSilver.
Safari rules: You can only use Safari Balls. No battling. Two tactical items shift the catch/flee trade-off:
- Throw bait to keep Rattata from fleeing (flee rate cut to 1/4) but it becomes harder to catch (catch factor halved).
- Throw a rock to make Rattata easier to catch (catch factor doubled) but it flees twice as often.
- Each effect lasts 2-6 random turns; throwing one cancels the other.
Yes. Wild Rattata in HeartGold & SoulSilver can hold Chilan Berry (5%). Use Thief (TM46) or Covet to swipe the held item without affecting your catch chance. Quickest way to farm rare items like Chilan Berry.
For HeartGold & SoulSilver, you can run Rattata through the first few routes without issues. 253 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Raticate as fast as you can.
Rattata has an Alolan form that swaps the typing and reshuffles the stats. Introduced in Gen 7. Worth checking if the original version doesn't fit your team.
Game Availability
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.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
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 7SMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7Let's Go
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
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