Rowlet sits at the start of its evolution line — not yet at full power, but that changes fast. Most trainers push through to Decidueye as fast as possible. Ground moves can't touch it, which offsets the 5 weaknesses somewhat. Known as the Grass Quill Pokemon.
Nothing fancy in Rowlet's spread. It leans mixed with HP out front. And you'll get 1 HP EV per KO for it. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
Flies noiselessly on delicate wings. It has mastered the art of deftly launching dagger-sharp feathers from those same wings.
Rowlet Weakness
VulnerableType-wise, Rowlet takes extra damage from Ice, Fire, Poison, Flying, and Rock. Watch out for Ice attacks, those deal 4x damage. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity.
Rowlet kicks off a three-stage evolution line through Dartrix all the way to Decidueye. For breeding, quick to hatch with a decent partner pool via one egg group. Evolving adds up to 210 stat points total.
How to Evolve
Breed Rowlet with 45 breeding partners from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Confuse Ray, Defog, Double Team and 2 more to offspring.
Eviolite turns Rowlet into a wall that rivals fully evolved options. Overgrow and Adamant nature stack with a spread EV build EVs to create a surprisingly tough defensive core. Roost patches up chip damage.
Best Build
Best Rowlet Moveset
- Knock Off
- Leaf Blade
- Brave Bird
- Roost
The egg pool carries weight here. Confuse Ray and Defog aren't available any other way for Rowlet, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Leaf Storm and Brave Bird for solid options.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Rowlet can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Bring it over from Sun, Ultra Sun, or Legends: Arceus instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
At 320 BST, Rowlet is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Dartrix before bringing it to any serious fight.
Rowlet's biggest threats include Walrein (Ice), Blaziken (Fire), and Roserade (Poison), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Walrein is the most dangerous since Ice moves deal 4x damage. Flying and Rock-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Rowlet evolves into Dartrix at level 17. Rowlet is the base form in a 4-stage evolutionary line.
Overgrow is the go-to ability for Rowlet. It strengthens grass moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. Its hidden ability Long Reach can work in specific setups.
Rowlet is leaning toward the physical side (base 55 Attack). But the speed tells the real story — base 42 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go.
Rowlet can be found in Scarlet & Violet, Legends: Arceus, Sword & Shield, Sun & Moon, and Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.
Since Sun & Moon, Rowlet has been obtainable in 5 games. A Generation 7 debut means a shorter history, but Rowlet has appeared steadily across every generation since.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
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 VIISMDebut
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