Rufflet Best Moveset
Normal/Flying at 83 Attack and 60 Speed with AbilitySheer Force boosting secondary-effect moves and AbilityHustle boosting Attack 50% at accuracy cost. AbilityDefiant punishes Intimidate. Pre-evolution with three interesting abilities. Evolve to Braviary for 123 Attack and Defiant at competitive pace.
Rufflet saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). This was Rufflet's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Sheerforce with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Rufflet best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Fly
- Sky Drop
- Protect
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Rufflet saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Rufflet maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Hustle with Life Orb, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Substitute
- Superpower
- Frustration
- Aerial Ace
Recommended Teammates
Rufflet saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Rufflet maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Hustle with Eviolite, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Brave Bird
- Superpower
- Hone Claws
- Frustration
Recommended Teammates
Rufflet saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Rufflet maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran keen eye with Eviolite, favoring a Hardy nature.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Brave Bird
- Thrash
- Crush Claw
- Hurricane
Rufflet saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Rufflet maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Hustle with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Hone Claws
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
Rufflet Weakness
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 |
What is Rufflet Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Rufflet
Regieleki's Volt Switch hits Rufflet for 74-88%. Baxcalibur's Icicle Spear hits Rufflet for 38-45%. Tyranitar's Stone Edge also KOs at 212-249%.
 Regieleki Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTransistor ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Rufflet View Regieleki builds →Volt Switch 2x74-88% Rapid Spin13-15% Rapid Spin13-15% Volt Switch 2x74-88% | ||
 Baxcalibur DragonIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityThermalexchange ItemLoaded Dice NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Rufflet View Baxcalibur builds →Icicle Spear 2x38-45% | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Rufflet View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off69-81% Stone Edge 2x212-249%KO | ||
Evolution
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.
How to Get Rufflet
Rufflet appears at high spawn rates across 26 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.
Where To Catch Rufflet in SV
Rufflet is your first catch on the way to Rufflet. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 21-80 across 26 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Rufflet ✓Asado Desert - DesertLv.21-58OverworldRate 36%West Province (Area Two) - DesertLv.21-58OverworldRate 36%East Province (Area One) - MountainLv.21-58OverworldRate 15%Glaseado MountainLv.21-58OverworldRate 15%North Province (Area One) - MountainLv.21-58OverworldRate 15%South Province (Area Five) - MountainLv.21-58OverworldRate 15%South Province (Area Four) - MountainLv.21-58OverworldRate 15%South Province (Area Six) - MountainLv.21-58OverworldRate 15%South Province (Area Two) - MountainLv.21-58OverworldRate 15%West Province (Area One) - MountainLv.21-58OverworldRate 15%East Province (Area Three) - MineLv.21-58OverworldRate 12%Savanna BiomeLv.50-80OverworldAvailable in-game· 2 pathsPick one
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.
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.
Where To Catch Rufflet in SwSh
The path to Rufflet starts with Rufflet at Lv. 19-58 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Rufflet ✓Bridge FieldLv.26-28GrassSwordRate 25%SandstormPotbottom DesertLv.19-24OverworldSwordRate 5%OvercastPotbottom DesertLv.19-24OverworldSwordRate 5%SandstormPotbottom DesertLv.19-24OverworldSwordRate 5%ThunderstormPotbottom DesertLv.19-24OverworldSwordRate 5%Normal WeatherPotbottom DesertLv.19-24OverworldSwordRate 5%RainingPotbottom DesertLv.19-24OverworldSwordRate 5%Intense SunPotbottom DesertLv.19-24OverworldSwordRate 5%SnowstormPotbottom DesertLv.19-24OverworldSwordRate 5%Heavy FogPotbottom DesertLv.19-24OverworldSwordRate 5%SnowingStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldSwordRate 5%OvercastStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldSwordRate 5%SandstormStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldSwordRate 5%ThunderstormStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldSwordRate 5%Normal WeatherStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldSwordRate 5%RainingStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldSwordRate 5%Intense SunStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldSwordRate 5%SnowstormStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldSwordRate 5%Heavy FogStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldSwordRate 5%SnowingRoute 8Lv.39-41OverworldSwordRate 10%All Weather
Step 2Catch or Evolve into BraviaryDusty Bowl - FlyingLv.54OverworldSwordRate 100%SnowstormDusty Bowl - FlyingLv.54OverworldSwordRate 100%SnowingDusty Bowl - FlyingLv.54OverworldSwordRate 100%OvercastDusty Bowl - FlyingLv.54OverworldSwordRate 100%SandstormDusty Bowl - FlyingLv.54OverworldSwordRate 100%ThunderstormDusty Bowl - FlyingLv.54OverworldSwordRate 100%Normal WeatherDusty Bowl - FlyingLv.54OverworldSwordRate 100%RainingDusty Bowl - FlyingLv.54OverworldSwordRate 100%Intense SunDusty Bowl - FlyingLv.54OverworldSwordRate 98%Heavy FogLake of OutrageLv.55-58OverworldSwordRate 25%Normal Weatheror evolve from Rufflet (Step 1)
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.
Where To Catch Rufflet in USUM
Step 1Rufflet ✓Route 3 - NorthLv.10-13GrassUltra SunRate 30%Shaking spot
Step 2Catch or Evolve into BraviaryPoni Plains - NorthLv.54-57GrassUltra SunRate 30%Shaking spotor evolve from Rufflet (Step 1)
Base Stats
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.
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 Guide
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.
Game Availability
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 1RB
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 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
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