While most trainers evolve Sneasel into Weavile immediately, the unevolved form can still contribute in the right matchup. Psychic moves can't touch it, which offsets the 5 weaknesses somewhat. The stat spread favors raw physical power. A longtime staple going back to Gen 2.
The stat bars tell the story: Speed carries everything and Sp. Atk's dead weight. But this Sharp Claw Pokemon still yields 1 Speed stat exp 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 Weakness
FragileSneasel's Dark/Ice typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting, Fire, Bug, Rock, and Steel moves. 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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
To get Weavile from Sneasel, you need a held item. The evolution method matters here. The evolved forms gain up to 80 total stats over Sneasel.
How to Evolve
Breed Sneasel easily with 66 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Bite, Counter, Foresight and 2 more to offspring.
Best Build
Best Sneasel Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Feint Attack
- Metal Claw
- Fury Swipes
Recommended Teammates
The natural movepool does the job, but Bite and Counter from the egg pool give Sneasel something extra. Pair those with Blizzard and Ice Beam for STAB and coverage across 8 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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.
Best Locations
Walking encounters at Lv. 22-24 across 3 spots for Sneasel. Sorted by progression so you can see what's reachable at your current point in the game.
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 and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 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.
Sneasel can evolve into Weavile and Hisuian Sneasler depending on the method. Sneasel is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.
Sneasel is a special attacker with base 35 Sp. Atk. But the speed tells the real story — base 115 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the pivot role.
Sneasel appears in 18 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Available since Gold & Silver, Sneasel appears in 18 games spanning 8 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained a Hisuian form in Generation 8.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
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 VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A