Everything pushes toward mixed damage here. Shiftry's Attack does the work, Defense pays the price. But you're still getting 3 Attack EVs per KO. Tough to catch, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
By flapping its leafy fans, it can whip up gusts of 100 feet per second that can level houses.
By flapping its leafy fans, it can whip up gusts of 100 feet per second that can level houses.
Shiftry's Grass/Dark typing leaves it vulnerable to Bug, Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Flying, and Fairy. Bug hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Psychic-type attacks completely. It resists 6 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Shiftry leans offensive (base 100 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Bug |
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Flying, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass, Ground, Ghost, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
Dragapult threatens a KO with Draco Meteor (124-146%). Pelipper's Hurricane also KOs at 136-161%.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Shiftry View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn12-14% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityInfiltrator ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Shiftry View Dragapult builds →U Turn 4x101-118%KO Draco Meteor124-146%KO Shadow Ball38-45% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Shiftry View Pelipper builds →Hurricane 2x136-161%KO | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityStatic ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Shiftry View Zapdos builds →Hurricane 2x136-160%KO Volt Switch21-25% Heat Wave 2x78-92% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPurifyingsalt ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves View Garganacl builds →
| ||
Shiftry evolved from Seedot's chain using an evolution item. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Seedot eggs (quick to hatch). The evolution from Seedot pushed Shiftry to 480 total stats. Attack saw the largest single gain at +60. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Shiftry to get Seedot eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground and Plant egg groups.
One guaranteed turn is all Shiftry needs. Focus Sash buys it, max Attack and Speed EVs make it count, and Windrider adds something extra. The goal: deal early damage and deal damage with Knock Off. The remaining moves gives it play beyond just the lead turn.
Best Build
Shiftry best EVs are Attack and Speed
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Leaf Blade
- Fake Out
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Explosion
- Tailwind
- Leaf Blade
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance
- Tailwind
Recommended Teammates
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Leaf Blade
- Knock Off
- Tailwind
- Defog
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Solar Blade
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
- Brick Break
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Heat Wave
- Sucker Punch
- Leaf Blade
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Growth
- Knock Off
- Solar Blade
- Heat Wave
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Solar Blade
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
- Brick Break
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Heat Wave
- Sucker Punch
- Leaf Blade
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Growth
- Knock Off
- Solar Blade
- Heat Wave
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Leaf Blade
- Rock Slide
- Seed Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Utility Moveset
- Fake Out
- Tailwind
- Snarl
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Moves
STAB runs through Leaf Storm and Solar Blade for the basics, but Shiftry's real strength is the 10-type coverage spread. Flying and Normal hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
You'll want to breed for Amnesia and Beat Up on Shiftry. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Solar Beam and Foul Play, they expand what Shiftry can actually threaten in practice.
STAB runs through Leaf Storm and Solar Blade for the basics, but Shiftry's real strength is the 10-type coverage spread. Flying and Ghost hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
STAB runs through Leaf Storm and Solar Beam for the basics, but Shiftry's real strength is the 10-type coverage spread. Flying and Fighting hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
Shiftry can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Transfer Seedot from Ruby, Emerald, or Brilliant Diamond and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
You're catching Seedot first, not Shiftry. Seedot appears at moderate rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 3-stage chain with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Shiftry in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The path to Shiftry starts with Seedot at Lv. 58-63 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch SeedotGrassland CaveGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve NuzleafGrassland CaveGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameor evolve from Seedot (Step 1)
Step 3Shiftry ✓
No wild encounters for Shiftry. The 3-stage chain runs through Seedot, which you can catch at solid rates from the locations below. Evolve through a special method once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Shiftry in Sword & Shield
Seedot is your first catch on the way to Shiftry. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 4-40 across 25 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch SeedotWest Lake AxewellOverworld Lv.8-14 Cave60%EarlyOvercastDappled GroveGrass Lv.11-15 Forest40%EarlyNormal WeatherDappled GroveGrass Lv.11-15 Forest35%EarlyHeavy FogRoute 2Grass Lv.4-6 Route20%EarlyAll WeatherDappled GroveGrass Lv.11-15 Forest20%EarlyOvercastDappled GroveGrass Lv.11-15 Forest20%EarlyThunderstormDappled GroveGrass Lv.11-15 Forest20%EarlyRainingRoute 2 - High LevelGrass Lv.37-40 Route20%LateAll Weather
Step 2Catch or Evolve NuzleafRolling FieldsGrass Lv.7-940%EarlyRainingDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest10%EarlyIntense SunDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest10%EarlyOvercastDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest5%EarlyNormal WeatherDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest5%EarlySnowstormDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest5%EarlyThunderstormDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest5%EarlySnowingDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest5%EarlySandstormDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest5%EarlyRainingDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest5%EarlyHeavy FogSouth Lake MilochOverworld Lv.14-16 Water5%EarlyOvercastSouth Lake MilochOverworld Lv.14-16 Water5%EarlyNormal WeatherGiant's CapGrass Lv.27-2940%MidNormal WeatherRoute 5Grass Lv.16-18 Route20%MidAll WeatherGiant's SeatGrass Lv.30-35 Water15%MidRainingGiant's SeatOverworld Lv.33-38 Water60%LateRainingGiant's SeatOverworld Lv.33-38 Water25%LateNormal Weatheror evolve from Seedot (Step 1)
Step 3Shiftry ✓
Can't catch Shiftry directly. Start with Seedot in the wild from the locations below, then evolve through a special method. The 3-stage chain from Seedot to Shiftry is where the leveling time goes.
Shiftry looks average on paper at 480 BST. But Chlorophyll is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier attacker on our tier list.
Watch for Scizor (Bug), Blaziken (Fire), and Lapras (Ice) when using Shiftry. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Scizor is the most dangerous since Bug moves deal 4x damage. Fighting, Poison, Flying, and Fairy-type attackers are also a problem. With 7 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Shiftry gets Chlorophyll, Wind Rider, and Pickpocket. But Chlorophyll is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Shiftry is a physical attacker with base 100 Attack. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 80 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the attacker role.
Run Knock Off, Leafblade, Fakeout, and Rock Slide on Shiftry. Knock Off is the most common pick at 22% usage. This set covers the attacker role with a mix of damage and utility.
Since Ruby & Sapphire, Shiftry has been in 15 games. Requiring an item-based evolution to obtain means it's consistently available but requires more effort than simply catching it in the wild.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
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