Physical
Support
50Speed · Slow

Swablu Best Moveset

Normal/Flying at 40/40 offenses with 75 Sp. Def and AbilityNatural Cure clearing status on the switch. The stats are pre-evolution level across the board. The moveset can't compete. Evolve to Altaria for Dragon/Flying typing and the 105 Sp. Def that absorbs special hits.

SABCDEFEEEEEEERuby, Sapphire & EmeraldIIIRS/EPEAKDiamond, Pearl & PlatinumIVDP/PtBlack & White / B2W2VBW/B2W2X & Y / ORASVIXY/ORASSun & Moon / USUMVIISM/USUMSword & Shield / BDSPVIIISS/BDSPScarlet & Violet / Legends Z-AIXSV/LZACURRENT
Gen III — Ruby, Sapphire & EmeraldE

Swablu saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). This was Swablu's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Natural Cure with Sitrus Berry, favoring a Jolly nature.

Received Natural Cure

Best Moves

SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TM40
Aerial Ace
Flying60COMMONSTAB
TM21
Frustration
NormalCOMMONSTAB
Egg
Haze
IceCOMMONUtility
Tutor
Double-Edge
Normal120COMMONSTAB

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Natural Cure
Item
Sitrus BerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Swablu
Jolly+SPE

Swablu best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Utility Moveset

  • Aerial AceSTAB
  • FrustrationSTAB
  • HazeUtility
  • Double EdgeSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Gen IV — Diamond, Pearl & PlatinumE

Swablu saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Swablu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Natural Cure with Choice Specs, favoring a Careful nature.

Physical/Special split overhauled move damage
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Tutor
Outrage
Dragon120POPULARCoverage
Tutor
Heat Wave
Fire95POPULARCoverage
Xfer
Sky Attack
Flying140POPULARSTAB
TM13
Ice Beam
Ice90POPULARCoverage
Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Natural Cure
Item
Choice SpecsPOWER
Best Nature for Swablu
EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • OutrageCoverage
  • Heat Wave
  • Sky AttackSTAB
  • Ice Beam
Gen V — Black & White / B2W2E

Swablu saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Swablu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Natural Cure with Eviolite, favoring a Calm nature.

Gained Cloud Nine as hidden abilityHidden Abilities became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Tutor
Heal Bell
NormalPOPULARSTAB
Egg
Roost
FlyingPOPULARSTAB
Tutor
Heat Wave
Fire95POPULARCoverage
TM13
Ice Beam
Ice90POPULARCoverage
Experimental
Wall
Ability
Natural Cure
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Swablu
Calm+SPD
EVs

Wall Moveset

  • Heal BellSTAB
  • RoostRecovery
  • Heat Wave
  • Ice Beam
Gen VI — X & Y / ORASE

Swablu saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Swablu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Natural Cure with Eviolite, favoring a Hardy nature.

Fairy type added to the gameMega Evolution became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TM27
Return
NormalPOPULARSTAB
HM2
Fly
Flying90COMMONSTAB
TM85
Dream Eater
Psychic100COMMONCoverage
Lv 5
Sing
NormalCOMMONSTAB
Lv 34
Cotton Guard
GrassRAREUtility
Tutor
Heat Wave
Fire95RARECoverage
TM19
Roost
FlyingRARESTAB
Experimental
Special Tank
Ability
Natural Cure
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Swablu
HardyNEUTRAL
EVs

Special Tank Moveset

  • ReturnSTAB
  • FlySTAB
  • Dream Eater
  • SingUtility
Gen VII — Sun & Moon / USUME

Swablu saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Swablu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Natural Cure with Eviolite, favoring a Calm nature.

Z-Moves became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Tutor
Defog
FlyingCOMMONSTAB
TM19
Roost
FlyingCOMMONSTAB
Lv 46
Moonblast
Fairy95COMMONCoverage
Lv 34
Cotton Guard
GrassCOMMONUtility
Experimental
Support
Ability
Natural Cure
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Swablu
Calm+SPD
EVs

Support Moveset

  • DefogUtility
  • RoostRecovery
  • MoonblastCoverage
  • Cotton Guard
Gen VIII — Sword & Shield / BDSPE

Swablu saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Swablu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran natural cure with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.

Gigantamax became availableDynamax became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TM6
Fly
Flying90POPULARSTAB
TR42
Hyper Voice
Normal90POPULARSTAB
TM25
Protect
NormalPOPULARSTAB
Lv 36
Take Down
Normal90POPULARSTAB
Experimental
Utility
Ability
Natural Cure
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Swablu
EVs

Utility Moveset

  • FlySTAB
  • Hyper VoiceSTAB
  • ProtectPriority
  • Take DownSTAB
Gen IX — Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-AE

Swablu saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Swablu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Natural Cure with Eviolite, favoring a Careful nature.

Terastallization became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 32
Cotton Guard
GrassCOMMONUtility
TM113
Tailwind
FlyingCOMMONSTAB
TM164
Brave Bird
Flying120RARESTAB
Lv 44
Perish Song
NormalRARESTAB
Egg
Defog
FlyingRARESTAB
TM14
Acrobatics
Flying55RARESTAB
TM197
Dual Wingbeat
Flying40RARESTAB
Egg
Roost
FlyingRARESTAB
Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Natural Cure
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Swablu
EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • Cotton Guard
  • TailwindUtility
  • Brave BirdSTAB
  • Perish SongSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Swablu Weakness

Electric, Ice, and Rock moves hit Swablu for super-effective damage. The upside? Ground and Ghost-type moves can't touch it at all.

Swablu Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Ice, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Bug
0x (Immune)Ground, Ghost

What is Swablu Weak Against

Good
3Weak
2Resist
2Immune
Score+2
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Swablu Strong Against

3Strong
2Resisted
0Immune
Score+1
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Swablu

Raikou can KO Swablu with Thunderbolt (96-113%). Weavile's Ice Shard hits Swablu for 51-60%. Tyranitar's Stone Edge also KOs at 222-262%.

Evolution

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

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Swablu
NormalFlying
Altaria
DragonFlying
HP
45
75+30
ATK
40
70+30
DEF
60
90+30
SP.ATK
40
70+30
SP.DEF
75
105+30
SPE
50
80+30
BST
310C-Tier
490C-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Swablu easily with 72 breeding partners from the Dragon and Flying egg groups.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Breed With (best first)
gyaradostogekisstogeticcharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticnoivernhawluchaaltariascrafty

How to Get Swablu

All 16 games

Swablu is available from mid-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 46 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.

Where To Catch Swablu in SV

The path to Swablu starts with Swablu at Lv. 18-80 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Swablu
    Step 1Swablu
    East Province (Area One) - Mountain
    Lv.18-32Overworld
    Rate 42%
    Glaseado Mountain
    Lv.18-32Overworld
    Rate 42%
    North Province (Area One) - Mountain
    Lv.18-32Overworld
    Rate 42%
    South Province (Area Five) - Mountain
    Lv.18-32Overworld
    Rate 42%
    South Province (Area Four) - Mountain
    Lv.18-32Overworld
    Rate 42%
    South Province (Area Six) - Mountain
    Lv.18-32Overworld
    Rate 42%
    South Province (Area Two) - Mountain
    Lv.18-32Overworld
    Rate 42%
    West Province (Area One) - Mountain
    Lv.18-32Overworld
    Rate 42%
    The Great Crater of Paldea
    Lv.40-60Overworld
    Rate 12%
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    East Province (Area Three) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    Glaseado Mountain
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    North Province (Area One) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    North Province (Area Two) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    South Province (Area Five) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    South Province (Area Four) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    South Province (Area One) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    South Province (Area Six) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    Tagtree Thicket - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    West Province (Area Three) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    Canyon Biome
    Lv.50-80Overworld
  2. Altaria
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Altaria
    The Great Crater of Paldea
    Lv.40-60Overworld
    Rate 12%
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    East Province (Area One) - Mountain
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    East Province (Area Three) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    Glaseado Mountain
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    North Province (Area One) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    North Province (Area One) - Mountain
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    North Province (Area Two) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    South Province (Area Five) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    South Province (Area Five) - Mountain
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    South Province (Area Four) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    South Province (Area Four) - Mountain
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    South Province (Area One) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    South Province (Area Six) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    South Province (Area Six) - Mountain
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    South Province (Area Two) - Mountain
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    Tagtree Thicket - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    West Province (Area One) - Mountain
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    West Province (Area Three) - Lake
    Lv.40-56Overworld
    Rate 8%
    Canyon Biome
    Lv.50-80Overworld
    or evolve from Swablu (Step 1)

Base Stats

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.

Base Stats
Avg
HP45
D
Attack40
D
Defense60
C
Sp. Atk40
D
Sp. Def75
C
Speed50
D
Total310
Details
Catch Rate
Guaranteed255 / 255
Growth Rate
Erratic600,000 XP
Height0.4 m
Weight1.2 kg
Base XP62
Abilities
Natural Cure
Cures any major status ailment upon switching out.
Cloud NineHidden Ability
Negates all effects of weather, but does not prevent the weather itself.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpD+1Spe
Special Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

It constantly grooms its cotton-like wings. It takes a shower to clean itself if it becomes dirty.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Swablu Guide

  • 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.

Game Availability

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.

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