Swablu's spread isn't flashy. Sp. Def leads, Attack trails, 0 stats clear the bar. Easy to catch and worth 1 Sp. Def EV, on a standard growth curve.
It constantly grooms its cotton-like wings. It takes a shower to clean itself if it becomes dirty.
It can’t relax if it or its surroundings are not clean. It wipes off dirt with its wings.
Electric, Ice, and Rock moves hit Swablu for super-effective damage. The upside? Ground and Ghost-type moves can't touch it at all.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ice, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground, Ghost |
Rhyperior can KO Swablu with Stone Edge (154-181%). Kyurem's Draco Meteor hits Swablu for 50-59%. Raikou deals 64-76% with Thunderbolt.
 Rhyperior GroundRock | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Swablu View Rhyperior builds →Stone Edge 2x154-181%KO | ||
 Kyurem DragonIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLoaded Dice NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Swablu View Kyurem builds →Icicle Spear 2x25-30% Draco Meteor50-59% | ||
 Raikou Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Swablu View Raikou builds →Scald19-22% Thunderbolt 2x64-76% Volt Switch 2x51-60% | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Swablu View Weavile builds →Knock Off41-48% Ice Shard 2x51-60% | ||
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityAnalytic ItemChoice Specs NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Swablu View Magnezone builds →Flash Cannon51-60% Volt Switch 2x90-106%KO Thunderbolt 2x114-134%KO | ||
Swablu evolves into Altaria. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. Plenty of partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 180 total stats over Swablu. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Swablu easily with 72 breeding partners from the Dragon and Flying egg groups.
Natural Cure and Eviolite give Swablu staying power beyond its evolution stage. Careful nature boosts Sp. Def, spread EVs set the spread, and the pre-evolution bulk actually works here.
Best Build
Swablu best EVs are Sp. Def and Attack
Bulky Support Moveset
- Cotton Guard
- Tailwind
- Brave Bird
- Perish Song
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Protect
- Perish Song
- Haze
- Roost
Recommended Teammates
Bulky Support Moveset
- Cotton Guard
- Tailwind
- Brave Bird
- Perish Song
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Protect
- Perish Song
- Haze
- Roost
Recommended Teammates
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Without TMs, Swablu's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Fairy and Dragon coverage and more on top of Brave Bird and Hurricane for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Swablu develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Take Down and Moonblast show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Without breeding, Swablu misses out on Agility and Astonish. That's 9 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Take Down and Fly, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.
Without breeding, Swablu misses out on Astonish and Defog. That's 7 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Take Down and Fly, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.
Swablu is available from mid-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 44 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations to Catch Swablu in Scarlet & Violet
44 walking encounters at Lv. 18-60 for Swablu across Scarlet and Violet. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
Swablu doesn't appear in Legends: Z-A. Transfer it from Ruby, Emerald, or Sword to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
high spawn rates in mid-game routes across 20 locations. Swablu's one of the easier catches on the list. Two different catch methods are in play here. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations to Catch Swablu in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
You can catch Swablu through 20 walking and special encounters from Lv. 16-63, but availability differs between Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Some spots are exclusive to one version.
Swablu starts showing up in endgame routes at decent spawn rates across 22 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Best Locations to Catch Swablu in Sword & Shield
Before you go hunting for Swablu, check which of the 22 spots belong to your version. Sword and Shield each have different walking encounters at Lv. 60-65.
Get Swablu to Altaria at level 35. At 310 BST, Swablu is just the starting point.
Level 35 gets you Altaria. Not the fastest evolution, so consider Exp. Share or route grinding to speed it up.
Swablu does the job early-game if you need a Normal/Flying type on your team. Evolve it into Altaria before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
You won't have trouble finding Swablu. It's been around since Legends: Z-A and appears in 16 games total. Latest appearances: Ruby & Sapphire and FireRed & LeafGreen.
Swablu first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 16 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves