Slowbro is technically a pre-evolution of its evolution, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Regenerator recovers a third of its HP every time it switches out, adding extra value. A longtime staple going back to Gen 1.
The stat bars tell the story: Defense carries everything and Speed's dead weight. But this Hermit Crab Pokemon still yields 2 Defense EVs per fight on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Its tail has a SHELLDER firmly attached with a bite. As a result, the tail can’t be used for fishing anymore. This forces it to reluctantly swim and catch prey.
Slowbro Weakness
VulnerableSlowbro is weak to Electric, Grass, Bug, Ghost, and Dark-type moves. It resists 6 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Slowbro's physical bulk (base 110 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
Slowpoke's line splits into 2 evolutions, and Slowbro is the level-up path. Each sibling form needs a different method to obtain. Breed through Slowpoke to get eggs. Slowbro and Slowking share the same 490 total stats, but they're distributed differently. Check the comparison below to see where each one specializes.
How to Evolve
Breed with Slowbro to get Slowpoke eggs easily using 49 partners from the Monster and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Belly Drum, Future Sight, Mud Sport and 4 more.
Surf is the main STAB option after a Calm Mind boost. Leftovers gives Slowbro passive recovery each turn to survive the setup turn, and max HP and Sp. Atk EVs make the boosted hits count. Double STAB catches resists.
Best Build
Best Slowbro Moveset
- Surf
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Breeding opens up real options for Slowbro. Belly Drum and Future Sight come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Future Sight and Dream Eater and coverage across 8 types.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
No wild encounters for Slowbro in Emerald. Bring Slowpoke over from Red, Yellow, or LeafGreen, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
At 490 BST, Slowbro is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Slowking before bringing it to any serious fight.
Slowbro's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric), Exeggutor (Grass), and Scyther (Bug), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Ghost and Dark-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. At base 30 Speed, Slowbro won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Slowbro gets Regenerator, Oblivious, and Own Tempo. But Regenerator is the one that matters — it's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Slowbro is a special attacker with base 100 Sp. Atk. Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 30 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. Fits the tank role.
Slowbro appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Available since Red & Blue, Slowbro appears in 21 games spanning 9 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained a Mega form in Generation 7 and a Galarian form in Generation 8.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
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 VIORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwShGalarian
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A