Slowpoke Best Moveset
Water/Psychic at 90 HP with 40/40 in both offensive stats. AbilityRegenerator heals a third of HP on every switch, which keeps it alive but there's nothing to do with those turns. The moveset exists to evolve. Slowbro for physical bulk or Slowking for special bulk.
Slowpoke saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This was Slowpoke's competitive peak. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 40.
Best Moves
Best Build
Support Moveset
- Amnesia
- Rest
- Thunder Wave
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Slowpoke saw minimal competitive use in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal). Slowpoke maintained its position from the previous generation.
Support Moveset
- Rest
- Thunder Wave
- Sleep Talk
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Slowpoke saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Slowpoke maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Oblivious with Leftovers, favoring a Bold nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Protect
- Psychic
- Body Slam
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Slowpoke saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Slowpoke maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Owntempo with Oranberry, favoring a Adamant nature.
Support Moveset
- Slack Off
- Aqua Tail
- Zen Headbutt
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Slowpoke saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Slowpoke maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Regenerator with Eviolite, favoring a Impish nature.
Wall Moveset
- Slack Off
- Toxic
- Aqua Tail
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Slowpoke saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Slowpoke maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Oblivious with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Slack Off
Recommended Teammates
Slowpoke saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Slowpoke maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Regenerator with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Slack Off
- Scald
- Aqua Tail
- Zen Headbutt
Recommended Teammates
Slowpoke saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Slowpoke maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Regenerator with Eviolite, favoring a Relaxed nature.
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Trick Room
- Slack Off
- Yawn
Recommended Teammates
Slowpoke saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Slowpoke maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Oblivious with Eviolite, favoring a Relaxed nature.
Wall Moveset
- Trick Room
- Disable
- Chilling Water
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Slowpoke Weakness
Slowpoke's Water/Psychic typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Grass, Bug, Ghost, and Dark. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Slowpoke's physical bulk (base 65 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass, Bug, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Fighting, Psychic, Steel |
What is Slowpoke Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Slowpoke
Rillaboom can KO Slowpoke with Wood Hammer (124-146%). Regieleki's Volt Switch hits Slowpoke for 50-60%.
 Rillaboom Grass | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Slowpoke View Rillaboom builds →Knock Off 2x45-53% U Turn 2x48-57% Wood Hammer 2x124-146%KO | ||
 Regieleki Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTransistor ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Slowpoke View Regieleki builds →Volt Switch 2x50-60% Rapid Spin7-8% Rapid Spin7-8% Volt Switch 2x50-60% | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureModest Moves View Volcarona builds →
| ||
 Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Slowpoke View Chandelure builds →Shadow Ball 2x75-89% Energy Ball 2x56-66% Flamethrower21-25% | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Slowpoke View Weavile builds →Knock Off 2x40-48% Ice Shard6-7% | ||
Evolution
From here, Slowpoke's line branches into Slowbro and Slowking. That's 2 possible evolutions, each with its own method. The evolved forms gain up to 175 total stats over Slowpoke. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Galar
Galar
How to Get Slowpoke
high spawn rates across 28 locations for Slowpoke in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Slowpoke in SV
The path to Slowpoke starts with Slowpoke at Lv. 23-80 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Slowpoke ✓Casseroya Lake - LakeLv.23-56OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area Five) - LakeLv.23-56OverworldRate 36%Casseroya Lake - BeachLv.23-56OverworldRate 18%Casseroya Lake - RiverLv.23-56OverworldRate 18%East Province (Area One) - BeachLv.23-56OverworldRate 18%East Province (Area One) - RiverLv.23-56OverworldRate 18%East Province (Area Two) - BeachLv.23-56OverworldRate 18%East Province (Area Two) - RiverLv.23-56OverworldRate 18%South Province (Area Five) - BeachLv.23-56OverworldRate 18%South Province (Area Five) - RiverLv.23-56OverworldRate 18%West Province (Area Two) - BeachLv.23-56OverworldRate 18%West Province (Area Two) - RiverLv.23-56OverworldRate 18%Coastal BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCoastal BiomeLv.62OverworldAvailable in-game· 4 pathsPick one
2 encounter spots for Slowpoke at moderate rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Slowpoke starts showing up in early-game routes at decent spawn rates across 9 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Slowpoke in BDSP
Slowpoke is your first catch on the way to Slowpoke. You'll find walking and special encounters from Lv. 11-63 across 9 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Slowpoke ✓Route 205 - NorthLv.11-12Using PokeRadarShining PearlRate 22%Dazzling CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameFountainspring CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameGrassland CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameRiverbank CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameStill-Water CavernLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameAvailable in-game· 2 pathsPick one
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 2 locations. Slowpoke's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Where To Catch Slowpoke in SwSh
Step 1Slowpoke ✓Fields of Honor - BeachLv.10-15OverworldRate 100%All WeatherAvailable in-game· 4 pathsPick one
Base Stats
HP and Attack carry most of Slowpoke's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 1 HP EV. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It is incredibly slow and dopey. It takes five seconds for it to feel pain when under attack.
Slowpoke Guide
No. Slowpoke only evolves into Slowking through a real trade. There is no in-game alternative in . Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Slowpoke to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required. The Kings Rock must be held during the trade. Bring one over from a sibling Gen 3 game if needed.
You can run Slowpoke through the first few routes without issues. 315 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Slowbro as fast as you can.
Slowpoke has an Galarian form that swaps the typing and reshuffles the stats. Introduced in Gen 8. Worth checking if the original version doesn't fit your team.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Slowpoke has appeared in 21 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received a Galarian form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
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 5BW
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 8SwShGalarian
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