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)
In Black 2 & White 2, 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 2 & White 2 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 2 & White 2 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 8 types rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Swellow in Black 2 & White 2
Swellow can't be caught in Black 2 & White 2. 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 Guide
For Black 2 & White 2, we rate Swellow C-Tier: a niche pick in Black 2 & White 2'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 2 & White 2, 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