Rufflet's spread isn't flashy. Attack leads, Sp. Atk trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 1 Attack EV, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.
They pick fights indiscriminately. They grow stronger and more powerful each time they faint or are injured.
With its sharp claws, this Pokémon pierces its prey, and then it pecks at them. Although it also consumes berries, it’s a carnivore at heart.
Rufflet's Normal/Flying typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Ice, and Rock. It shrugs off Ground and Ghost-type attacks completely.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ice, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground, Ghost |
Rhyperior can KO Rufflet with Stone Edge (234-275%). Kyurem threatens a KO with Draco Meteor (131-154%). Regieleki's Thunderbolt also KOs at 248-291%.
 Rhyperior GroundRock | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Rufflet View Rhyperior builds →Stone Edge 2x234-275%KO | ||
 Kyurem DragonIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLoaded Dice NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Rufflet View Kyurem builds →Icicle Spear 2x39-46% Draco Meteor131-154%KO | ||
 Regieleki Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTransistor ItemChoice Specs NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Rufflet View Regieleki builds →Volt Switch 2x193-227%KO Electroweb 2x151-178%KO Thunderbolt 2x248-291%KO | ||
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityAnalytic ItemChoice Specs NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Rufflet View Magnezone builds →Flash Cannon132-155%KO Volt Switch 2x231-272%KO Thunderbolt 2x298-350%KO | ||
 Baxcalibur DragonIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityThermalexchange ItemLoaded Dice NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Rufflet View Baxcalibur builds →Ice Shard 2x97-114%KO Icicle Spear 2x60-72% | ||
Rufflet evolves into Braviary. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 160 total stats over Rufflet. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Rufflet with 73 breeding partners from the Flying egg group.
Prediction matters here. Choice Scarf means Rufflet can't change moves after clicking, but the payoff is speed patching through item lock. Max Attack and Speed EVs with Hustle back that up. The remaining moves prevents free switches.
Best Build
Rufflet best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Close Combat
- Brave Bird
- Double Edge
- Zen Headbutt
Recommended Teammates
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Hone Claws
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 7.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Without TMs, Rufflet's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Fighting and Fire coverage and more on top of Thrash and Brave Bird for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Rufflet's movepool balances level-up moves with TM options. Consistent STAB comes from Double-Edge and Brave Bird, and Dragon and Ghost coverage and more keeps opponents from switching in for free. No major gaps here.
Without TMs, Rufflet's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 8 types on top of Thrash and Brave Bird for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Rufflet develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Brave Bird and Thrash show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Rufflet appears at high spawn rates across 24 spots in mid-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Best Locations to Catch Rufflet in Scarlet & Violet
Rufflet's encounter pool splits between Scarlet and Violet. You've got 24 walking spots at Lv. 21-58 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.
Rufflet starts showing up in mid-game routes at decent spawn rates across 1 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Best Locations to Catch Rufflet in Legends: Arceus
decent spawn rates in mid-game routes across 20 locations. Rufflet's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations to Catch Rufflet in Sword & Shield
Rufflet won't take long. 20 walking spots from Lv. 19-41 with solid rates across most of them. The top locations at each game stage are listed first.
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 1 locations. Rufflet's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations to Catch Rufflet in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Rufflet isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Braviary to unlock its full potential. At 350 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Run Sheer Force on Rufflet. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Rufflet also gets Keen Eye and Hustle, but they don't compare.
Rufflet fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 83 Attack. At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often.
Rufflet does the job early-game if you need a Normal/Flying type on your team. Evolve it into Braviary before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Introduced in Black & White, Rufflet has appeared in 9 games across 6 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves