Sneasel Best Moveset
Dark/Ice at 95 Attack and 115 Speed. Fast and frail at 55/55/75 bulk. Held ItemFocus Sash guarantees surviving one hit to land TermStab damage or set up. The moveset outspeeds most threats and hits hard on the physical Dark/Ice combination. Evolve to Weavile for 120 Attack and the S-Tier speed that defined prior gens.
Dark/Ice with 95 Speed in Gen II (Gold & Silver), but Dark moves used Sp. Atk in the type-based split. Sneasel's 35 Sp. Atk meant its own STAB dealt almost no damage.
Utility Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Feint Attack
- Metal Claw
- Fury Swipes
Recommended Teammates
Same Sp. Atk problem in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). 95 Attack couldn't use Dark STAB because Dark was still classified as a special type. Fast but hitting with the wrong stat.
Best Moves
Best Build
Sneasel best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Brick Break
- Shadow Ball
- Swords Dance
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
The physical/special split by move fixed Dark STAB in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl), but Weavile evolved from it in the same generation. Immediately outclassed by its own evolution.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Swords Dance
- Brick Break
- Ice Punch
- Substitute
Recommended Teammates
Sneasel sat at D-Tier in Gen V. This was a decline from C-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Innerfocus with Life Orb, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Punch
- Pursuit
- Ice Shard
- Brick Break
Recommended Teammates
Eviolite gave Sneasel some defensive utility in Gen VI (X & Y), but Weavile's 125 Attack and 125 Speed were always the better choice. Three gens in its evolution's shadow.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- Low Kick
- Icicle Crash
- Shadow Claw
Recommended Teammates
Weavile outclassed it for four gens running by Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Knock Off utility on a frailer body wasn't enough when the evolution did everything better.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Icicle Crash
- Ice Shard
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Stuck between tiers in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Too strong for the lowest level but too frail and outclassed for anything higher. The eternal Weavile understudy.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Triple Axel
- Knock Off
- Ice Shard
- Poison Jab
Recommended Teammates
Sneasel sat at D-Tier in Gen IX. Sneasel climbed from E-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Innerfocus with Focus Sash, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Ice Shard
- Swords Dance
- Icicle Crash
Recommended Teammates
Sneasel Weakness
Sneasel's Dark/Ice typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting, Fire, Bug, Rock, Steel, and Fairy. Fighting hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Psychic-type attacks completely. At base 115 Speed, Sneasel outspeeds most threats and doesn't need to tank what it can outrun.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Fighting |
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Bug, Rock, Steel, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Ice, Ghost, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
What is Sneasel Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Sneasel
Uxie's U-turn hits Sneasel for 51-61%. Goodra threatens a KO with Flamethrower (97-114%).
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLeftovers NatureSassy Moves
Damage vs Sneasel View Uxie builds →U Turn 2x51-61% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySapsipper ItemAssault Vest NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Sneasel View Goodra builds →Ice Beam24-28% Draco Meteor70-82% Flamethrower 2x97-114%KO Dragon Pulse45-54% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Bounce ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sneasel View Espeon builds →Shadow Ball33-39% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sneasel View Arcanine builds →Extreme Speed50-59% Flare Blitz 2x150-177%KO | ||
 Urshifu FightingDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnseenfist ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sneasel View Urshifu builds →Close Combat 4x758-892%KO Close Combat 4x758-892%KO | ||
Evolution
Sneasel can evolve into Weavile and Sneasler. Sneasel sits before the split, so check the evolution methods below to pick your path. The evolved forms gain up to 80 total stats over Sneasel. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Sneasel easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
How to Get Sneasel
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 12 locations. Sneasel's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Where To Catch Sneasel in SV
Sneasel is your first catch on the way to Sneasel. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 8-60 across 12 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Sneasel ✓North Province (Area One) - MountainLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%North Province (Area One) - SnowLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%The Great Crater of Paldea - Hidden CaveLv.15-60OverworldRate 30%Chilling WaterheadLv.8-60OverworldOni MountainLv.8-60OverworldTimeless WoodsLv.8-60OverworldAvailable in-game· 2 pathsPick one
Sneasel appears at decent spawn rates across 3 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 Sneasel in PLA
Sneasel is your first catch on the way to Sneasel. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 25-56 across 3 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Sneasel ✓Space-Time Distortion - Obsidian FieldlandsLv.25-40CaveRate 15%Celestica TrailLv.30-46GrassRate 15%Primeval GrottoLv.53-56CaveRate 15%Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
Sneasel starts showing up in late-game routes at high spawn rates across 26 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Sneasel in BDSP
Sneasel is your first catch on the way to Sneasel. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 32-56 across 26 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Sneasel ✓Route 216Lv.32-33GrassRate 25%Acuity LakefrontLv.34-35GrassRate 25%Route 217Lv.34-35GrassRate 25%Lake AcuityLv.35-36GrassRate 25%Glacial CavernLv.42-46CaveRequires Icicle BadgeIcy CaveLv.42-46CaveRequires Icicle BadgeWhiteout CaveLv.42-46CaveRequires Icicle BadgeSnowpoint Temple - 1FLv.50-52CaveRate 35%Snowpoint Temple - B1FLv.52-54CaveRate 35%Snowpoint Temple - B2FLv.52-54CaveRate 35%Snowpoint Temple - B3FLv.52-54CaveRate 35%Snowpoint Temple - B4FLv.54-56CaveRate 35%Snowpoint Temple - B5FLv.54-56CaveRate 35%
Step 2Evolve into Weavile
Sneasel starts showing up in mid-game routes at high spawn rates across 80 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Sneasel in SwSh
Sneasel is your first catch on the way to Sneasel. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 26-65 across 80 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Sneasel ✓Giant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 50%SnowstormStony Wilderness - 3Lv.28-30OverworldRate 50%SnowstormGiant's Cap - 3Lv.29-32OverworldRate 50%SnowstormStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 45%SnowstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 40%SnowstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 40%SnowingStony WildernessLv.26-28GrassRate 40%SnowstormBridge FieldLv.27-29OverworldRate 40%SnowstormGiant's CapLv.28-30OverworldRate 40%SnowstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 40%SnowingMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 40%SnowstormHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 40%SnowstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28GrassRate 35%SnowingGiant's CapLv.28-30OverworldRate 35%SnowingStony WildernessLv.28-30OverworldRate 35%SnowstormBridge FieldLv.26-28GrassRate 30%SnowstormBridge FieldLv.26-28GrassRate 30%SnowingMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28GrassRate 30%SnowstormStony WildernessLv.26-28GrassRate 30%SnowingStony WildernessLv.28-30OverworldRate 15%SnowingStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 15%SnowingStony Wilderness - 3Lv.28-30OverworldRate 15%SnowingBridge FieldLv.27-29OverworldRate 10%SnowingGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 10%SnowingGiant's Cap - 3Lv.29-32OverworldRate 10%SnowingHammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 10%SnowingDusty BowlLv.42-47OverworldRate 35%SnowingRoute 8 - on Steamdrift WayLv.38-41GrassRate 25%All WeatherRoute 8 - on Steamdrift WayLv.39-43OverworldRate 20%All WeatherRoute 10Lv.45-48OverworldRate 14%OvercastRoute 10Lv.45-48OverworldRate 14%SandstormRoute 10Lv.45-48OverworldRate 14%ThunderstormRoute 10Lv.45-48OverworldRate 14%SnowstormRoute 10Lv.45-48OverworldRate 14%Heavy FogRoute 10Lv.45-48OverworldRate 14%SnowingRoute 10Lv.45-48OverworldRate 14%Normal WeatherRoute 10Lv.45-48OverworldRate 14%RainingRoute 10Lv.45-48OverworldRate 14%Intense SunFrigid SeaLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%OvercastFrostpoint FieldLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%OvercastSlippery SlopeLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%OvercastSnowslide SlopeLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%Overcast
Step 2Evolve into WeavileBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Weavile egg.
Base Stats
The stat bars tell the story: Speed carries everything and Sp. Atk's dead weight. But this Sharp Claw Pokemon still yields 1 Speed EV per fight on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
This cunning Pokémon hides under the cover of darkness, waiting to attack its prey.
Sneasel Guide
At 430 BST, Sneasel is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Weavile before bringing it to any serious fight.
Watch for Hitmonlee (Fighting), Arcanine (Fire), and Scyther (Bug) when using Sneasel. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Hitmonlee is the most dangerous since Fighting moves deal 4x damage. Rock, Steel, and Fairy-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. Sneasel's base 115 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
Inner Focus prevents flinching. That's the one you want on Sneasel. Pickpocket is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Keen Eye works too if your team needs something different.
Sneasel is a physical attacker with base 95 Attack. Speed tells the real story. Base 115 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the pivot role.
For a casual playthrough, Sneasel works as a placeholder. Dark/Ice coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Weavile. That's where the stats start mattering.
Game Availability
Available since Gold & Silver, Sneasel appears in 18 games spanning 9 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained a Hisuian form in Generation 8.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
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 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves