Stats & Training
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. When it spots one, it dives steeply to catch the prey.
It circles the sky in search of prey. When it spots one, it dives steeply to catch the prey.
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 |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Aerodactyl builds →Rock Slide 2x100-118%KO Thunder Fang 2x58-68% Ice Fang 2x58-68% Ancient Power 2x60-71% | ||
 Archeops Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Archen (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Archeops builds →Rock Slide 2x128-151%KO Ancient Power 2x96-113%KO Rock Tomb 2x101-120%KO Rock Throw 2x87-102%KO | ||
 Cradily RockGrass | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Lileep (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Cradily builds →Rock Slide 2x81-96% Ancient Power 2x76-89% Rock Tomb 2x66-78% | ||
 Armaldo RockBug | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Anorith (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Armaldo builds →Rock Slide 2x115-136%KO Ancient Power 2x66-78% Rock Tomb 2x92-109%KO Rock Blast 2x39-47% | ||
 Rampardos Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Rampardos builds →Head Smash 2x290-342%KO Thunder 2x76-89% Blizzard 2x76-89% Thunderbolt 2x63-74% | ||
 Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Archen builds →Ancient Power 2x72-85% Rock Throw 2x75-90% | ||
 Tirtouga WaterRock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Tirtouga builds →Ancient Power 2x58-70% Rollout 2x37-45% | ||
 Roggenrola Rock | C | |
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Aerodactyl builds →Thunder Fang 2x58-70% Ice Fang 2x58-70% | ||
 Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Archen builds →Ancient Power 2x72-85% Rock Throw 2x72-85% | ||
Tirtouga WaterRock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Tirtouga builds →Ancient Power 2x57-67% Rollout 2x37-45% | ||
Roggenrola Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Roggenrola builds →Smack Down 2x52-63% Rock Blast 2x30-36% | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Aerodactyl builds →Thunder Fang 2x60-72% Ice Fang 2x60-72% | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Archen builds →Ancient Power 2x69-82% Rock Tomb 2x82-97% Rock Throw 2x69-82% | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Omanyte builds →Rock Tomb 2x39-47% Rollout 2x22-27% | ||
 Kabuto RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
 Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
 Anorith RockBug | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Archen builds →Ancient Power 2x70-83% Rock Tomb 2x84-100%KO Rock Throw 2x72-86% | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Omanyte builds →Rock Tomb 2x40-48% Rollout 2x23-28% | ||
Kabuto RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
Anorith RockBug | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Anorith builds →Ancient Power 2x46-55% Rock Tomb 2x76-90% | ||
Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Archen builds →Ancient Power 2x70-84% Rock Tomb 2x87-102%KO Rock Throw 2x73-87% | ||
 Boldore Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Boldore builds →Power Gem 2x70-84% Rock Slide 2x102-121%KO Rock Tomb 2x81-96% Smack Down 2x68-80% | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Omanyte builds →Rock Tomb 2x41-49% Rollout 2x23-28% | ||
Kabuto RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Aerodactyl builds →Rock Slide 2x97-115%KO Thunder Fang 2x57-67% Ice Fang 2x57-67% Ancient Power 2x57-67% | ||
 Crustle BugRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Crustle builds →Rock Slide 2x97-115%KO Rock Tomb 2x79-93% Smack Down 2x66-79% Rock Blast 2x36-42% | ||
Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Archen builds →Rock Slide 2x105-123%KO Ancient Power 2x66-79% Rock Tomb 2x83-98% Rock Throw 2x71-84% | ||
Boldore Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Boldore builds →Power Gem 2x68-81% Rock Slide 2x97-115%KO Rock Tomb 2x79-93% Smack Down 2x66-79% | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Lileep builds →Rock Slide 2x50-59% Rock Tomb 2x40-48% | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Aerodactyl builds →Rock Slide 2x100-118%KO Thunder Fang 2x58-68% Ice Fang 2x58-68% Ancient Power 2x58-69% | ||
Crustle BugRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Crustle builds →Rock Slide 2x100-118%KO Rock Tomb 2x80-95% Smack Down 2x68-79% Rock Blast 2x34-41% | ||
Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Archen builds →Rock Slide 2x106-126%KO Ancient Power 2x69-82% Rock Tomb 2x85-100%KO Rock Throw 2x72-85% | ||
Boldore Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Boldore builds →Power Gem 2x69-82% Rock Slide 2x100-118%KO Rock Tomb 2x80-95% Smack Down 2x68-79% | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Lileep builds →Rock Slide 2x50-59% Ancient Power 2x61-72% Rock Tomb 2x41-49% | ||
In Black & White, Terrakion can KO Swellow with Stone Edge (189-222%). Magnezone threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (215-253%). Mamoswine's Ice Shard also KOs at 125-148%.
 Terrakion RockFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Terrakion builds →Close Combat113-133%KO Stone Edge 2x189-222%KO | ||
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemAir Balloon NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Magnezone builds →Thunderbolt 2x215-253%KO Flash Cannon95-112%KO Volt Switch 2x167-197%KO | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityThickfat ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Mamoswine builds →Ice Shard 2x125-148%KO Superpower124-146%KO | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Weavile builds →Ice Shard 2x95-111%KO | ||
 Raikou Electric | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Raikou builds →Thunderbolt 2x232-274%KO Aura Sphere69-81% | ||
Black & White Evolution
Evolved from Taillow. Swellow is the final form in this two-stage line. A decent partner pool 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 45 partners from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Brave Bird, Defog, Mirror Move and 8 more.
Black & White Swellow Best Moveset
The build revolves around U-turn for safe pivoting. Guts and Flame Orb support Swellow's hit-and-run approach, with max Attack and Speed EVs making sure each pivot actually threatens. The remaining moves adds versatility.
Best Build
Swellow best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- U Turn
- Quick Attack
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Without breeding, Swellow misses out on Brave Bird and Defog. That's 11 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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Swellow in Black & White
decent spawn rates across 8 locations for Swellow in endgame routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Swellow in Black & White
The path to Swellow starts with Taillow at Lv. 47-57 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Obtain Taillow
Step 2Swellow ✓Giant Chasm - OutsideBlackGrass Lv.47 IceUncommonPostAnyGiant Chasm - OutsideWhiteGrass Lv.47 IceUncommonPostAnyRoute 13WhiteGrass Lv.47 RouteUncommonPostAnyRoute 13BlackGrass Lv.47 RouteUncommonPostAnyGiant Chasm - OutsideBlackGrass Lv.57 IceUncommonPostAnyDouble grassGiant Chasm - OutsideWhiteGrass Lv.57 IceUncommonPostAnyDouble grassRoute 13WhiteGrass Lv.57 RouteUncommonPostAnyDouble grassRoute 13BlackGrass Lv.57 RouteUncommonPostAnyDouble grassor evolve from Taillow (Step 1)
Swellow Guide
For Black & White, we rate Swellow C-Tier: a niche pick in Black & White's meta. At 455 BST, it fits the pivot role. Facade with Flame Orb is the standard set.
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 physical attacker with base 85 Attack. Best used as a pivot.
In Black & White, run Facade, Bravebird, U Turn, and Quickattack on Swellow. Facade is the most common pick at 24% 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 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