Swablu transfers through Pal Park to Platinum. Natural Cure heals status on switch, and A-Tier Altaria with Dragon Dance and Outrage from the tutors is the Dragon/Flying payoff.
Ability 1Natural CureAbility 1Cures any major status ailment upon switching out.
310HP45Attack40Defense60Speed50Sp.Def75Sp.Atk40
Swablu
Altaria
Weak to
Mixed
Balanced
50Speed · Slow

Is Swablu Good in Platinum Playthrough?

Route 210 at level 27, available during the story in Platinum. Normal/Flying with AbilityNatural Cure. Altaria at level 35 becomes Dragon/Flying. The Dragon typing alone makes the evolution worth pursuing through the late game.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTSEGGEGEGSGGSGGGRoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2FantinaGym 3SwabluCatchableMayleneGym 4AltariaEvolveCrasher WakeGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4JupiterBossMarsBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Tough

Roark's team hits Swablu's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
Risky
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
Risky
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Strong

Swablu resists most of Gardenia's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Turtwig
Lv 20
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafSunny DayReflect
Easy KO
Cherrim
Lv 20
Grass
Flower Gift
Grass KnotLeech SeedMagical LeafSafeguard
You Win
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Fantina
Gym 3
Even

Swablu trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.

You Win
Duskull
Lv 24
Ghost
Levitate
Will O WispPursuitShadow SneakFuture Sight
Even
Haunter
Lv 24
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow ClawSucker PunchHypnosisConfuse Ray
Even
Mismagius
Lv 26
Ghost
Levitate
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Maylene
Gym 4
Good

Swablu has the type edge here and should clean up Maylene's team.

You Win
Meditite
Lv 28
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionRock TombFake Out
You Win
Machoke
Lv 29
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopRock TombStrengthFocus Energy
Risky
Lucario
Lv 32
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 5
Good

Altaria has the type edge here and should clean up Crasher Wake's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 33
WaterFlying
Intimidate
WaterfallBrineBiteTwister
Easy KO
Quagsire
Lv 34
WaterGround
Damp
Mud ShotRock TombWater PulseYawn
Even
Floatzel
Lv 37
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangCrunchAqua Jet
Byron
Gym 6
Even

Altaria trades roughly evenly with Byron's team.

You Win
Magneton
Lv 37
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Flash CannonThunderboltTri AttackMetal Sound
Risky
Steelix
Lv 38
SteelGround
Rock Head
Flash CannonIce FangEarthquakeSandstorm
Even
Bastiodon
Lv 41
RockSteel
Sturdy
Metal BurstStone EdgeIron DefenseTaunt
Candice
Gym 7
Good

Altaria has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.

You Win
Sneasel
Lv 40
DarkIce
Inner Focus
SlashAerial AceFeint AttackIce Shard
You Win
Piloswine
Lv 40
IceGround
Oblivious
AvalancheStone EdgeEarthquakeHail
You Win
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerWater PulseFocus Blast
Even
Froslass
Lv 44
IceGhost
Snow Cloak
BlizzardDouble TeamShadow BallPsychic
Volkner
Gym 8
Even

Altaria trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.

You Win
Jolteon
Lv 46
Electric
Volt Absorb
Thunder WaveCharge BeamIron TailQuick Attack
You Win
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamFocus BlastSignal BeamQuick Attack
Even
Luxray
Lv 48
Electric
Rivalry
Ice FangThunder FangCrunchFire Fang
Even
Electivire
Lv 50
Electric
Motor Drive
Thunder PunchFire PunchQuick AttackGiga Impact
Aaron
Elite Four
Good

Altaria has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.

Easy KO
Yanmega
Lv 49
BugFlying
Speed Boost
Air SlashBug BuzzU TurnDouble Team
You Win
Scizor
Lv 49
BugSteel
Swarm
Iron HeadX ScissorNight SlashQuick Attack
Easy KO
Vespiquen
Lv 50
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
You Win
Heracross
Lv 51
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
Even
Drapion
Lv 53
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Strong

Altaria resists most of Bertha's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Whiscash
Lv 50
WaterGround
Oblivious
Earth PowerAqua TailZen HeadbuttSandstorm
You Win
Gliscor
Lv 53
GroundFlying
Hyper Cutter
EarthquakeIce FangFire FangThunder Fang
You Win
Hippowdon
Lv 52
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchYawn
Easy KO
Golem
Lv 52
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeFire PunchThunder PunchSandstorm
You Win
Rhyperior
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
EarthquakeRock WreckerMegahornAvalanche
Flint
Elite Four
Good

Altaria has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.

You Win
Houndoom
Lv 52
DarkFire
Early Bird
FlamethrowerSludge BombDark PulseSunny Day
You Win
Flareon
Lv 55
Fire
Flash FireImmune to Fire attacks
OverheatGiga ImpactQuick AttackWill O Wisp
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 53
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
You Win
Infernape
Lv 55
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
Even
Magmortar
Lv 57
Fire
Flame Body
FlamethrowerThunderboltSolar BeamHyper Beam
Lucian
Elite Four
Good

Altaria has the type edge here and should clean up Lucian's team.

You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 53
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
You Win
Espeon
Lv 55
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallQuick AttackSignal Beam
Even
Bronzong
Lv 54
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 56
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
You Win
Gallade
Lv 59
PsychicFighting
Steadfast
Drain PunchPsycho CutLeaf BladeStone Edge
Jupiter
Commander
Strong

Altaria resists most of Jupiter's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Zubat
Lv 21
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
Easy KO
Skuntank
Lv 23
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Mars
Commander
Good

Altaria has the type edge here and should clean up Mars's team.

Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 38
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
You Win
Purugly
Lv 40
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Saturn
Commander
Good

Altaria has the type edge here and should clean up Saturn's team.

Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 42
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBitePoison FangConfuse Ray
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 42
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
Easy KO
Toxicroak
Lv 44
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorFeint Attack
Cynthia
Champion
Good

Altaria has the type edge here and should clean up Cynthia's team.

You Win
Spiritomb
Lv 58
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindShadow Ball
Easy KO
Roserade
Lv 58
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombToxicExtrasensory
You Win
Togekiss
Lv 60
NormalFlying
Hustle
Air SlashAura SphereWater PulseShock Wave
Even
Lucario
Lv 60
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereExtreme SpeedShadow BallStone Edge
Even
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatDragon Pulse
You Win
Garchomp
Lv 62
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeFlamethrowerGiga Impact

Catchable

Available after Badge 3
Type
NormalFlying
Tier
E

Catch Swablu on Route 210 (walking, Lv 27, common).

View Swablu locations

Evolve Swablu to Altaria

Level 35
Type
DragonFlying
Tier
A

Swablu evolves into Altaria at Level 35. Your Swablu should hit Level 35 before you reach Crasher Wake, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves

  • After Fantina
  • After Maylene
  • After Candice
    • TUTORDragonDraco MeteorPower 210Accuracy 90%PP 5Route 210
    • LV 54DragonDragon PulsePower 135Accuracy 100%PP 10
    • LV 70FlyingSky AttackPower 210Accuracy 90%PP 5
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORDragonOutragePower 180Accuracy 100%PP 15Survival Area
    • TUTORDragonTwisterPower 60Accuracy 100%PP 20Survival Area
    • TUTORFireHeat WavePower 100Accuracy 90%PP 10Survival Area
    • TM42NormalFacadePower 70Accuracy 100%PP 20Survival Area

How to Get Swablu in Platinum

Swablu drifts through the Route 210 grass at a steady level 27, common no matter the time of day. It keeps to that one mid-game route, so the cotton bird is a single-stop catch.

1 location to catch Swablu

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 3

Where To Catch Swablu in Pt

  1. Altaria
    Step 2Evolve into Altaria
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Swablu egg.

Want the exact numbers? Work out your catch odds in Platinum for Swablu.

How to Get Shiny Swablu in Platinum

Swablu floats through the daytime grass of Route 210, common enough to chain to 40 for a shiny. Compare Shiny Swablu odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Swablu in PlatinumNormal
Shiny Swablu in Platinum Shiny
Color ShiftBluetoYellow
Shiny TierS Tier Shiny

Shiny Swablu Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Platinum Shiny Swablu Calculator

3 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is PokeRadar Chain at full boosts, about 1 in 200 on each try. Tune it below.

Step 1 · Encounter Method3 in Platinum

PokeRadar Chain: Chain shaking-grass patches without breaking the combo. The rate peaks at a chain of 40.

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Step 2 · Boost Your Oddstap to add
00

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 200PokeRadar Chain
Chance By Now50.2%at 139 encountersAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few22----
25%one in four58----
50%coin flip139----
90%very likely460----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Curious how fast a hunt could go? Work out your Platinum shiny odds for Swablu.

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
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

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

B
B
Probopass
Probopass
RockSteel
C
Manectric
Manectric
Electric
C
Rotom
Rotom
ElectricGhost
C

Swablu Evolutions

Swablu evolves into Altaria. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A decent partner pool for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs take an average time to hatch. 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
310E-Tier
490A-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Swablu easily with 30 breeding partners from the Dragon and Flying egg groups. Pass egg moves like Agility, Dragon Rush, Feather Dance and 3 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
DragonFlying
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradostogekisstogeticcharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticaltariaarbokseadraseviper

Pt Swablu Best Moveset

Normal/Flying at 40 Attack and 50 Speed. AbilityNatural Cure clears status on the switch, which is more useful on Altaria. The moveset has nothing competitive at this stage. Altaria's Dragon typing waits.

Best Build

Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Natural Cure
Item
Choice SpecsPOWER
Best Nature for Swablu

Swablu best EVs are Sp. Def and Defense

EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • OutrageCoverage
  • Heat Wave
  • Sky AttackSTAB
  • Ice Beam

Moves List

Without breeding, Swablu misses out on Agility and Dragon Rush. That's 6 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Take Down and Fly, with coverage across 9 types rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
D—10040Normal
Lv 1
Peck
D5210035Flying
Lv 5
Astonish
—3010015Ghost
Lv 9
Sing
——5515Normal
Lv 13
Fury Attack
D228520Normal
Lv 18
Safeguard
D——25Normal
Lv 23
Mist
———30Ice
Lv 28
Take Down
D1358520Normal
Lv 32
Natural Gift
D—10015Normal
Lv 36
Mirror Move
———20Flying
Lv 40
Refresh
D——20Normal
Lv 45
Dragon Pulse
D9010010Dragon
Lv 50
Perish Song
D——5Normal

TM Moves

29 of 30 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40
Aerial AceRoute 213badge 3
D90—20Flying
TM45
AttractAmity Squarebadge 2
——10015Normal
TM78
CaptivateRoute 204badge 2
——10020Normal
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM59
Dragon PulseVictory Roadnot until badge 8
D9010010Dragon
TM85
Dream EaterValor Lakefrontnot until badge 7
D10010015Psychic
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
D10510020Normal
HM02D1359515Flying
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D9010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamRoute 216badge 3
S9510010Ice
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 3
D—10015Normal
TM88
PluckFloaroma Townbadge 1
D9010020Flying
TM17C——10Normal
TM77
Psych UpRoute 211badge 5
———10Normal
TM44C——10Psychic
TM27D—10020Normal
TM51
RoostRoute 210badge 3
C——10Flying
TM20D——25Normal
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—10510020Normal
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM22D12010010Grass
TM47
Steel WingRoute 209badge 3
D709025Steel
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM87
SwaggerPokémon Mansionbadge 4
——9015Normal
TM46
ThiefEterna Citybadge 2
D6010025Dark
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 4
C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Agility
C——30Psychic
Egg
Dragon Rush
—1007510Dragon
Egg
Feather Dance
——10015Flying
Egg
Haze
D——30Ice
Egg
Pursuit
D4010020Dark
Egg
Rage
D3010020Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Air Cutter
D829525Flying
Tutor
Heat Wave
S1009010Fire
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Ominous Wind
D601005Ghost
Tutor
Outrage
S12010010Dragon
Tutor
Snore
D6010015Normal
Tutor
Swift
—90—20Normal
Tutor
Twister
—4010020Dragon
Tutor
Uproar
—13510010Normal

Base Stats

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.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpD+1Spe
Special Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

It can’t relax if it or its surroundings are not clean. It wipes off dirt with its wings.

Pokemon Platinum

Swablu Platinum Guide

  • In Platinum, 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 7 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.

Explore

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