The stat budget goes to damage. Speed and Attack carry the offense, Sp. Def doesn't even come close. A Swallow Pokemon on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve, worth 2 Speed EVs per KO.
It circles the sky in search of prey and dives sharply to catch its target.
It circles the sky in search of prey and dives sharply to catch its target.
Electric, Ice, and Rock moves hit Swellow for super-effective damage. The upside? Ground and Ghost-type moves can't touch it at all. At base 125 Speed, Swellow outspeeds most threats and doesn't need to tank what it can outrun.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ice, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground, Ghost |
Jolteon can KO Swellow with Thunderbolt (261-307%). Glimmora threatens a KO with Power Gem (144-170%). Weavile deals 72-85% with Ice Shard.
 Jolteon Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x261-307%KO Volt Switch 2x203-239%KO | ||
 Glimmora RockPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemRed Card NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Glimmora builds →Power Gem 2x144-170%KO | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Weavile builds →Knock Off58-68% Ice Shard 2x72-85% | ||
 Raikou Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Raikou builds →Scald53-63% Thunderbolt 2x180-211%KO Volt Switch 2x141-166%KO | ||
 Rhyperior GroundRock | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Rhyperior builds →Stone Edge 2x219-257%KO | ||
Evolved from Taillow. Swellow is the final form in this two-stage line. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. Sp.Atk grew the most through evolution (+45 over Taillow), and Swellow peaks at 455 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Swellow to get Taillow eggs easily using 73 partners from the Flying egg group.
Start with max Attack and Speed EVs. Jolly nature gives Swellow the right fast physical lean, Flame Orb adds self-burn for Guts activation, and Guts works in the background. Facade is the main damage option.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 10.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Boomburst
- Heat Wave
- Protect
- Air Slash
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- Protect
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Brave Bird
- Facade
- Protect
- Boomburst
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- Protect
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Brave Bird
- Facade
- Protect
- Boomburst
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Without breeding, Swellow misses out on Boomburst and Brave Bird. That's 6 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Giga Impact and Hyper Beam, with Fighting and Steel coverage and more rounding things out.
Without breeding, Swellow misses out on Boomburst and Brave Bird. That's 13 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Giga Impact and Hyper Beam, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.
Without breeding, Swellow misses out on Boomburst and Brave Bird. That's 13 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Giga Impact and Hyper Beam, with coverage across 7 types rounding things out.
Swellow can't be caught in Winds & Waves. Transfer Taillow from Ruby, Emerald, or Omega Ruby and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Swellow is only available through the PokeRadar in this game. No standard wild encounters here. 2 spots are listed below with details on how to trigger them. These become available in mid-game encounter areas.
Where To Catch Swellow in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Step 1Obtain Taillow
Step 2Swellow ✓Route 213Shining PearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.20-22 Route22%MidRoute 213Brilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadar Lv.20-22 Route22%Midor evolve from Taillow (Step 1)
Swellow waits at a fixed spot in this game. Head to Ultra Space Wilds for a one-time encounter. No random spawns or encounter rates involved — it's a set battle at a known location.
How to Obtain Swellow in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Step 1Obtain Taillow
Step 2Swellow ✓Ultra Space Wilds - CliffUltra SunInteract with Pokemon Lv.60 DistortionPostUltra Space Wilds - CliffUltra MoonInteract with Pokemon Lv.60 DistortionPostor evolve from Taillow (Step 1)
We rate Swellow C-Tier: a situational pick that fills a niche. At 455 BST, it fits the pivot role. Base 125 Speed stands out.
Guts increases Attack to 1.5× with a major status ailment. That's the one you want on Swellow. Scrappy is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Base 125 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Swellow is a mixed attacker with base 85 Attack and 75 Sp. Atk. Best used as a pivot.
Swellow has answers, but so do you. Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Electric, Ice, and Rock-type attackers hit hardest.
Available in 14 titles since its debut in Ruby & Sapphire, Swellow spans 8 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in a solid number of games.
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