Swellow Best Moveset
Self-inflicted burn from Held ItemFlame Orb triggers AbilityGuts for a massive Attack boost, and Facade hits even harder when burned. That combo made Swellow an effective threat in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Frailty and limited TermCoverage left it outclassed. This moveset runs NatureJolly with Normal and Flying moves to swing hard before going down.
Guts turned poison into an Attack boost in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Toxic Orb Facade from 125 Speed dealt massive damage. A unique and terrifying offensive set.
Best Moves
Best Build
Swellow best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Aerial Ace
- Facade
- Baton Pass
- Endeavor
Recommended Teammates
Same Guts Facade formula in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). 125 Speed outsped most threats, and boosted Facade hit harder than almost any neutral Normal attack available.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- U Turn
- Quick Attack
Recommended Teammates
Staraptor did the Reckless Brave Bird job with more power in Gen V (Black & White). Swellow's paper-thin bulk was exposed by faster competition.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- U Turn
- Quick Attack
Recommended Teammates
Talonflame's Gale Wings priority Flying STAB made Swellow's Speed advantage irrelevant in Gen VI (X & Y). Outclassed from a completely new angle.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- Steel Wing
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Scrappy arrived as a hidden ability in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Normal and Fighting moves hit Ghost-types, removing the one hard counter to Guts Facade.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Brave Bird
- Facade
- Protect
- Boomburst
Recommended Teammates
Swellow Weakness
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 |
What is Swellow Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Swellow
Raikou can KO Swellow with Thunderbolt (267-315%). Weavile's Ice Shard hits Swellow for 73-86%. Rhyperior's Stone Edge also KOs at 221-260%.
 Raikou Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Raikou builds →Scald79-93% Thunderbolt 2x267-315%KO Volt Switch 2x208-245%KO | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Weavile builds →Knock Off59-69% Ice Shard 2x73-86% | ||
 Rhyperior GroundRock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemAssault Vest NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Rhyperior builds →Stone Edge 2x221-260%KO | ||
Recommended Build AbilityIntrepidsword ItemRustedsword NatureJolly Moves View Zacian-Crowned builds →
| ||
Evolution
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.
How to Get Swellow
Swellow can't be caught in Winds & Waves. Transfer Taillow from Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, or Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Swellow in WW
Step 1Obtain TaillowLATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Walking · Route 115. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Route 115. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Headbutt special · Cherrygrove City · Post-National Dex. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom X & YNot TradeableAppears in X & Y via Walking · Route 8 · Horde battle. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Walking · Route 115. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.- Step 2Swellow ✓
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 BDSP
Step 1Obtain Taillow
Step 2Swellow ✓Route 213Lv.20-22Using PokeRadarRate 22%or 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 USUM
- Step 1Obtain Taillow
- Step 2Swellow ✓Ultra Space Wilds - CliffLv.60Interact with Pokemonor evolve from Taillow (Step 1)
Swellow can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Taillow from Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, or Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Swellow in SM
- Step 1Obtain TaillowBREEDINGAvailableLeave Swellow with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Taillow egg.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Walking · Route 115. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Route 115. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Headbutt special · Cherrygrove City · Post-National Dex. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom X & YNot TradeableAppears in X & Y via Walking · Route 8 · Horde battle. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Walking · Route 115. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Swellow ✓
Base Stats
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.
Swellow Guide
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.
Run Facade, Bravebird, U Turn, and Quickattack on Swellow. Facade is the most common pick at 0% usage. Facade provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
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 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves