Sunkern Best Moveset
30 across every stat. The lowest base stat total of any Pokemon. AbilitySolar Power boosts Sp. Atk 50% under sun while draining HP, but 50% of 30 is 45 and that still hits nothing. The moveset literally cannot compete. Evolve to Sunflora for 105 Sp. Atk that at least registers damage.
Sunkern was a niche pick at best in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal), rarely seen in standard play. This was Sunkern's competitive peak.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Solar Beam
- Synthesis
- Giga Drain
- Mega Drain
Sunkern was a niche pick at best in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald), rarely seen in standard play. Sunkern maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Chlorophyll with Shellbell, favoring a Timid nature.
Wall Moveset
- Leech Seed
- Endeavor
- Encore
- Substitute
Recommended Teammates
Sunkern was a niche pick at best in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum), rarely seen in standard play. Sunkern maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Chlorophyll with Nothing, favoring a Hardy nature.
Screens Setter Moveset
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Encore
- Light Screen
Recommended Teammates
Sunkern was a niche pick at best in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2), rarely seen in standard play. Sunkern maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Chlorophyll with Power Herb, favoring a Lonely nature.
Utility Moveset
- Seed Bomb
- Return
- Solar Beam
- Curse
Recommended Teammates
Sunkern was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. Sunkern maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Chlorophyll with Focus Sash, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Sludge Bomb
- Earth Power
- Sunny Day
- Solar Beam
Recommended Teammates
Sunkern was a niche pick at best in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM), rarely seen in standard play. Sunkern maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Chlorophyll with Focus Sash, favoring a Hasty nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Earth Power
- Endeavor
- Encore
- Frustration
Recommended Teammates
Sunkern was a niche pick at best in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A), rarely seen in standard play. Sunkern maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Earlybird with Eviolite, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Tank Moveset
- Encore
- Tera Blast
- Curse
- Leech Seed
Recommended Teammates
Sunkern Weakness
Sunkern's Grass typing leaves it vulnerable to Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and Bug. The Grass typing picks up 4 resistances to work with.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass, Ground |
What is Sunkern Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Sunkern
Arcanine can KO Sunkern with Flare Blitz (218-257%). Baxcalibur's Icicle Spear hits Sunkern for 62-73%. Salazzle's Flamethrower also KOs at 162-190%.
 Arcanine Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sunkern View Arcanine builds →Extreme Speed48-57% Flare Blitz 2x218-257%KO | ||
 Baxcalibur DragonIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityThermalexchange ItemLoaded Dice NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sunkern View Baxcalibur builds →Icicle Spear 2x62-73% | ||
 Salazzle PoisonFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityCorrosion ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sunkern View Salazzle builds →Flamethrower 2x162-190%KO | ||
 Genesect BugSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDownload ItemChoice Scarf NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sunkern View Genesect builds →U Turn 2x148-175%KO Extreme Speed56-67% | ||
 Talonflame Fire | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves View Talonflame builds →
| ||
Evolution
To get Sunflora from Sunkern, you need an evolution item. The evolution method matters here. The evolved forms gain up to 245 total stats over Sunkern. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Sunkern easily with 89 breeding partners from the Plant egg group.
How to Get Sunkern
Easy grab on Sunkern with high spawn rates across 28 locations in early-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Where To Catch Sunkern in SV
Sunkern is your first catch on the way to Sunkern. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 5-47 across 56 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Sunkern ✓Asado Desert - Flower PatchLv.5-12OverworldRate 36%MorningEast Paldean Sea - Flower PatchLv.5-12OverworldRate 36%MorningGlaseado MountainLv.5-12OverworldRate 36%MorningNorth Province (Area One) - Flower PatchLv.5-12OverworldRate 36%MorningNorth Province (Area Three) - Flower PatchLv.5-12OverworldRate 36%MorningNorth Province (Area Two) - Flower PatchLv.5-12OverworldRate 36%MorningSouth Province (Area Five) - Flower PatchLv.5-12OverworldRate 36%MorningSouth Province (Area Four) - Flower PatchLv.5-12OverworldRate 36%MorningSouth Province (Area One) - Flower PatchLv.5-12OverworldRate 36%MorningSouth Province (Area Six) - Flower PatchLv.5-12OverworldRate 36%MorningSouth Province (Area Two) - Flower PatchLv.5-12OverworldRate 36%MorningTagtree Thicket - Flower PatchLv.5-12OverworldRate 36%MorningThe Pokémon League - Flower PatchLv.5-12OverworldRate 36%MorningWest Province (Area One) - Flower PatchLv.5-12OverworldRate 36%Morning
Step 2Catch or Evolve into SunfloraAsado Desert - Flower PatchLv.25-47OverworldRate 6%MorningEast Paldean Sea - Flower PatchLv.25-47OverworldRate 6%MorningGlaseado MountainLv.25-47OverworldRate 6%MorningNorth Province (Area One) - Flower PatchLv.25-47OverworldRate 6%MorningNorth Province (Area Three) - Flower PatchLv.25-47OverworldRate 6%MorningNorth Province (Area Two) - Flower PatchLv.25-47OverworldRate 6%MorningSouth Province (Area Five) - Flower PatchLv.25-47OverworldRate 6%MorningSouth Province (Area Four) - Flower PatchLv.25-47OverworldRate 6%MorningSouth Province (Area One) - Flower PatchLv.25-47OverworldRate 6%MorningSouth Province (Area Six) - Flower PatchLv.25-47OverworldRate 6%MorningSouth Province (Area Two) - Flower PatchLv.25-47OverworldRate 6%MorningTagtree Thicket - Flower PatchLv.25-47OverworldRate 6%MorningThe Pokémon League - Flower PatchLv.25-47OverworldRate 6%MorningWest Province (Area One) - Flower PatchLv.25-47OverworldRate 6%Morningor evolve from Sunkern (Step 1)
decent spawn rates across 6 locations for Sunkern in early-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 Sunkern in BDSP
The path to Sunkern starts with Sunkern at Lv. 6-63 via walking and special encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Sunkern ✓Route 204 - NorthLv.6-8Using PokeRadarRate 22%Grassland CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Evolve into Sunflora
Sunkern isn't available in the wild in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Start by transferring Sunkern from Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Scarlet & Violet. The evolution path from Sunkern to Sunkern is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Sunkern in USUM
- Step 1Sunkern ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Route 24. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Walking · Route 24. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Safari Zone · Safari Zone: 500 entry fee, 30 Safari Balls. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Pokeradar · Route 204. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Pokeradar · Route 204. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Walking · Route 24. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Sunflora
Sunkern can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Sunkern from Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Scarlet & Violet and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Sunkern in SM
- Step 1Sunkern ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave Sunflora with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Sunkern egg.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Route 24. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Walking · Route 24. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Safari Zone · Safari Zone: 500 entry fee, 30 Safari Balls. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Pokeradar · Route 204. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Pokeradar · Route 204. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Walking · Route 24. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Evolve into Sunflora
Base Stats
You won't find a real weakness in Sunkern's stat line. It's well-rounded for the Seed Pokemon, and what it does with that depends on moveset and items. Yields 1 Sp. Atk EV, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It suddenly falls out of the sky in the morning. Knowing it’s weak, it simply feeds until it evolves.
Sunkern Guide
For a casual playthrough, Sunkern works as a placeholder. Grass coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Sunflora. That's where the stats start mattering.
Game Availability
Since Gold & Silver, Sunkern has been in 16 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 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 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves