The Cotton Bird Pokemon. Swablu's natural Cure heals status on switch, and A-Tier Altaria at level 35 is one of Ruby & Sapphire's most reliable Dragon types.
Ability 1Natural CureAbility 1Cures any major status ailment upon switching out.
310HP45Attack40Defense60Speed50Sp.Def75Sp.Atk40
Swablu
Altaria
Weak to
Physical
Balanced
50Speed · Slow

Is Swablu Good in Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

Route 114 catch. Normal/Flying with AbilityNatural Cure for status healing. Altaria at 35 becomes Dragon/Flying, which is a massive type upgrade. The grind is moderate and the Dragon typing handles Drake from a defensive angle. Altaria resists most common attack types.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTSBETEEGGGESERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3SwabluCatchableFlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6AltariaEvolveTate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8SidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Tough

Roxanne's team hits Swablu's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
TackleHardenRock ThrowRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Strong

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

You Win
Machop
Lv 17
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopSeismic TossBulk Up
Easy KO
Makuhita
Lv 18
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustKnock OffSand AttackBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Bad

Wattson's Pokemon outpace and outclass Swablu here.

Avoid
Magnemite
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomThunder ShockThunder Wave
Risky
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSelf DestructSparkSonic Boom
Avoid
Magneton
Lv 23
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomShock WaveThunder Wave
Flannery
Gym 4
Even

Swablu trades roughly evenly with Flannery's team.

Even
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
FlamethrowerRock SlideLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Torkoal
Lv 28
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatBody SlamFlailAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Tough

Norman's typing presses Swablu's defenses.

Risky
Slaking
Lv 28
Normal
Truant
EncoreFacadeYawnFeint Attack
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 30
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFeint AttackFacadeEncore
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Swablu trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

You Win
Swellow
Lv 31
NormalFlying
Guts
Quick AttackAerial AceDouble TeamEndeavor
Even
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Risky
Skarmory
Lv 32
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
You Win
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Even

Altaria trades roughly evenly with Tate & Liza's team.

Even
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Even
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Wallace
Gym 8
Good

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

You Win
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Easy KO
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
You Win
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Even
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Sidney
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
You Win
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Easy KO
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
You Win
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
You Win
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
You Win
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Altaria trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

Even
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
Even
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Strong

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

Easy KO
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
Easy KO
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
Easy KO
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
Easy KO
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
You Win
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Steven
Champion
Even

Altaria trades roughly evenly with Steven's team.

Even
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
You Win
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
Even
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
You Win
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
You Win
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Risky
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam

Catchable

Available after Badge 3
Type
NormalFlying
Tier
E

Catch Swablu on Route 114 (walking, Lv 15-17, 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 Tate & Liza, at typical leveling pace.

View Altaria locations

Recommended Moves

How to Get Swablu in Ruby & Sapphire

Common across four spots in two areas, levels 15 to 25. Swablu drifts around mountain routes, so its cloud-winged self shows up reliably once you reach the higher ground.

2 locations to catch Swablu

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 3

Where To Catch Swablu in RS

Swablu is the chain's first catch. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 15-60 across 6 total spots in the chain.

  1. Altaria
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Altaria
    or evolve from Swablu (Step 1)

Want the exact numbers? Work out your catch odds in Ruby & Sapphire for Swablu.

How to Get Shiny Swablu in Ruby & Sapphire

Swablu flutters through the grass on Route 114 and Route 115, so seek out wild encounters there until a shiny appears. Compare Shiny Swablu odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Swablu in Ruby & SapphireNormal
Shiny Swablu in Ruby & Sapphire Shiny
Color ShiftBluetoYellow
Shiny TierS Tier Shiny

Shiny Swablu Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Ruby & Sapphire Shiny Swablu Calculator

2 Methods
Shiny Odds

Both methods here share the same odds, about 1 in 8,192 on each try. Pick whichever fits how you play.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Ruby & Sapphire

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

Breeding: Hatch eggs of this line; each egg rolls at the base shiny rate (no Masuda before Gen IV).

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 8,192Full Odds
Chance By Now50.0%at 5,678 encountersAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few864----
25%one in four2,357----
50%coin flip5,678----
90%very likely18,862----
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 Ruby & Sapphire 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 III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

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

Manectric
Manectric
Electric
C
Plusle
Plusle
Electric
C
Minun
Minun
Electric
C
Aron
Aron
SteelRock
C
Graveler
Graveler
RockGround
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 27 breeding partners from the Dragon and Flying egg groups. Pass egg moves like Agility, Haze, Pursuit and 1 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
4moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradostogeticcharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticaltariaarbokseadraseviperpelipper

RS Swablu Best Moveset

Normal/Flying pre-evolution heading toward Altaria's Dragon/Flying typing. AbilityNatural Cure clears status on switch-out. Stats too low for competitive contribution.

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

Moves List

Without breeding, Swablu misses out on Agility and Haze. That's 4 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Take Down and Fly, with Ghost and Ice coverage and more rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
D—10040Normal
Lv 1
Peck
D5210035Flying
Lv 8
Astonish
D3010015Ghost
Lv 11
Sing
——5515Normal
Lv 18
Fury Attack
—228520Normal
Lv 21
Safeguard
D——25Normal
Lv 28
Mist
———30Ice
Lv 31
Take Down
D1358520Normal
Lv 38
Mirror Move
———20Flying
Lv 41
Refresh
D——20Normal
Lv 48
Perish Song
C——5Normal

TM Moves

All 19 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40B90—20Flying
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42D10510020Normal
HM02
FlyRoute 119badge 5
D1059515Flying
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—9010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamAbandoned Shipbadge 2
D9510010Ice
TM17C——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM20D——25Normal
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—10510020Normal
TM22
Solar BeamSafari Zonebadge 5
D12010010Grass
TM47
Steel WingGranite Cavebadge 1
D709025Steel
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM46
ThiefSlateport Citybadge 1
D6010025Dark
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Agility
C——30Psychic
Egg
Haze
B——30Ice
Egg
Pursuit
D4010020Dark
Egg
Rage
—3010020Normal

Tutor Moves

Swablu can't learn any Tutor moves

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

SWABLU has light and fluffy wings that are like cottony clouds. This POKéMON is not frightened of people. It lands on the heads of people and sits there like a cotton-fluff hat.

SWABLU loves to make things clean. If it spots something dirty, it will wipe and polish it with its cottony wings. If its wings become dirty, this POKéMON finds a stream and showers itself.

Swablu Ruby & Sapphire Guide

  • Swablu can be caught in the wild at Hoenn Route 114 and Hoenn Route 115 in Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire.

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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