Ground and Ghost moves don't affect Swellow at all — that's the advantage of Normal/Flying typing. It comfortably outruns most offensive threats. Comfortably outruns most offensive threats. Known as the Swallow Pokemon.
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.
Swellow Weakness
GoodElectric, Ice, and Rock-type 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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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.
How to Evolve
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.
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
Best Swellow Moveset
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- U Turn
- Quick Attack
Recommended Teammates
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
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 ✓EASYGiant Chasm - OutsideBlackGrassLv.47UncommonPostIceAnyEASYGiant Chasm - OutsideWhiteGrassLv.47UncommonPostIceAnyEASYRoute 13WhiteGrassLv.47UncommonPostRouteAnyEASYRoute 13BlackGrassLv.47UncommonPostRouteAnyEASYGiant Chasm - OutsideBlackGrassLv.57UncommonPostIceAnyDouble grassEASYGiant Chasm - OutsideWhiteGrassLv.57UncommonPostIceAnyDouble grassEASYRoute 13WhiteGrassLv.57UncommonPostRouteAnyDouble grassEASYRoute 13BlackGrassLv.57UncommonPostRouteAnyDouble grassor 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.
Taillow evolves into Swellow at level 22. Swellow is the fully evolved form. It sits at 455 BST in its evolved form.
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.
Swellow appears in 13 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Available in 13 titles since its debut in Ruby & Sapphire, Swellow spans 7 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in a solid number of games.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A