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 and dives sharply to catch its target.
It circles the sky in search of prey and dives sharply to catch its target.
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 |
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Onix builds →Stone Edge 2x86-103%KO Rock Slide 2x63-77% Rock Tomb 2x57-69% Rock Throw 2x49-60% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Geodude builds →Stone Edge 2x114-137%KO Rock Slide 2x86-103%KO Rock Tomb 2x71-86% Rollout 2x43-51% | ||
 Shinx Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Shinx builds →Volt Switch 2x63-77% Shock Wave 2x57-69% Charge Beam 2x49-60% Thunder Shock 2x43-51% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Onix builds →Stone Edge 2x70-83% Rock Slide 2x55-68% Rock Tomb 2x43-53% Rock Throw 2x38-45% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Geodude builds →Stone Edge 2x100-120%KO Rock Slide 2x75-90% Rock Tomb 2x63-75% Rollout 2x38-45% | ||
 Pachirisu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Pachirisu builds →Thunderbolt 2x75-90% Volt Switch 2x55-68% Shock Wave 2x50-60% Charge Beam 2x43-53% | ||
 Electrike Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Electrike builds →Thunderbolt 2x88-105%KO Volt Switch 2x75-90% Shock Wave 2x63-75% Charge Beam 2x55-68% | ||
Shinx Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Shinx builds →Thunderbolt 2x70-83% Volt Switch 2x55-68% Shock Wave 2x50-60% Charge Beam 2x43-53% | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Graveler builds →Stone Edge 2x122-145%KO Rock Slide 2x93-109%KO Rock Tomb 2x74-88% Rock Throw 2x62-74% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Onix builds →Stone Edge 2x72-85% Rock Slide 2x56-67% Rock Tomb 2x45-53% Rock Throw 2x39-46% | ||
Pachirisu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Pachirisu builds →Thunder 2x89-106%KO Thunderbolt 2x74-88% Volt Switch 2x60-71% Spark 2x47-56% | ||
 Nosepass Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Nosepass builds →Thunder 2x60-71% Stone Edge 2x72-85% Thunderbolt 2x49-59% Power Gem 2x66-78% | ||
Electrike Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Electrike builds →Thunder 2x116-138%KO Thunderbolt 2x95-113%KO Volt Switch 2x74-88% Thunder Fang 2x47-56% | ||
 Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Sudowoodo builds →Stone Edge 2x128-152%KO Rock Slide 2x99-116%KO Rock Tomb 2x78-92% Rock Throw 2x66-78% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Graveler builds →Stone Edge 2x122-145%KO Rock Slide 2x93-109%KO Rock Tomb 2x74-88% Rock Throw 2x62-74% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Onix builds →Stone Edge 2x72-85% Rock Slide 2x56-67% Rock Tomb 2x45-53% Rock Throw 2x39-46% | ||
Pachirisu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Pachirisu builds →Thunder 2x89-106%KO Thunderbolt 2x74-88% Volt Switch 2x60-71% Spark 2x47-56% | ||
Nosepass Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Nosepass builds →Thunder 2x60-71% Stone Edge 2x72-85% Thunderbolt 2x49-59% Power Gem 2x66-78% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Sudowoodo builds →Stone Edge 2x124-147%KO Rock Slide 2x94-111%KO Rock Tomb 2x76-90% Rock Throw 2x63-75% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Graveler builds →Stone Edge 2x119-141%KO Rock Slide 2x91-108%KO Rock Tomb 2x73-87% Rock Throw 2x61-72% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Onix builds →Stone Edge 2x71-84% Rock Slide 2x53-63% Rock Tomb 2x43-51% Rock Throw 2x38-45% | ||
Pachirisu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Pachirisu builds →Thunder 2x86-102%KO Thunderbolt 2x71-84% Volt Switch 2x56-66% Spark 2x45-54% | ||
Nosepass Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Nosepass builds →Thunder 2x57-68% Stone Edge 2x71-84% Thunderbolt 2x47-56% Power Gem 2x63-75% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Sudowoodo builds →Stone Edge 2x126-149%KO Rock Slide 2x95-112%KO Rock Tomb 2x76-90% Rock Throw 2x64-76% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Graveler builds →Stone Edge 2x121-143%KO Rock Slide 2x90-107%KO Rock Tomb 2x74-87% Rock Throw 2x62-73% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Onix builds →Stone Edge 2x71-84% Rock Slide 2x54-64% Rock Tomb 2x42-50% Rock Throw 2x37-45% | ||
 Magnemite ElectricSteel | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Magnemite builds →Thunder 2x148-174%KO Thunderbolt 2x121-143%KO Discharge 2x109-129%KO Volt Switch 2x95-112%KO | ||
Pachirisu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Pachirisu builds →Thunder 2x85-101%KO Thunderbolt 2x71-84% Volt Switch 2x57-67% Spark 2x48-56% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Sudowoodo builds →Stone Edge 2x123-146%KO Rock Slide 2x93-110%KO Rock Tomb 2x75-89% Rock Throw 2x63-76% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Graveler builds →Stone Edge 2x117-138%KO Rock Slide 2x89-104%KO Rock Tomb 2x70-83% Rock Throw 2x59-70% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Onix builds →Stone Edge 2x69-81% Rock Slide 2x50-60% Rock Tomb 2x42-50% Rock Throw 2x35-42% | ||
Magnemite ElectricSteel | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Magnemite builds →Thunder 2x146-172%KO Thunderbolt 2x119-141%KO Discharge 2x106-125%KO Volt Switch 2x93-110%KO | ||
Pachirisu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Pachirisu builds →Thunder 2x83-99% Thunderbolt 2x69-81% Discharge 2x62-73% Volt Switch 2x55-65% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Sudowoodo builds →Stone Edge 2x123-146%KO Rock Slide 2x93-110%KO Rock Tomb 2x75-89% Rock Throw 2x63-76% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Graveler builds →Stone Edge 2x117-138%KO Rock Slide 2x89-104%KO Rock Tomb 2x70-83% Rock Throw 2x59-70% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Onix builds →Stone Edge 2x69-81% Rock Slide 2x50-60% Rock Tomb 2x42-50% Rock Throw 2x35-42% | ||
Magnemite ElectricSteel | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Magnemite builds →Thunder 2x146-172%KO Thunderbolt 2x119-141%KO Discharge 2x106-125%KO Volt Switch 2x93-110%KO | ||
Pachirisu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Pachirisu builds →Thunder 2x83-99% Thunderbolt 2x69-81% Discharge 2x62-73% Volt Switch 2x55-65% | ||
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Weavile's Ice Shard hits Swellow for 73-86%. Raikou threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (179-210%). Rhyperior's Stone Edge also KOs at 168-198%.
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Weavile builds →Knock Off59-69% Ice Shard 2x73-86% | ||
 Raikou Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Raikou builds →Thunderbolt 2x179-210%KO Scald53-62% Volt Switch 2x139-164%KO | ||
 Rhyperior GroundRock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemRocky Helmet NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Rhyperior builds →Stone Edge 2x168-198%KO | ||
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl 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 31 partners from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Boomburst, Brave Bird, Hurricane and 3 more.
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Swellow Best Moveset
Start with max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs. Modest nature gives Swellow the right special lean, Flame Orb adds self-burn for Guts activation, and Scrappy works in the background. Boomburst is the main damage option.
Best Build
Swellow best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Boomburst
- Heat Wave
- Protect
- Air Slash
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Swellow in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
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 Guide
For Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, we rate Swellow C-Tier: a niche pick in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl's meta. At 455 BST, it fits the pivot role. Boomburst 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 mixed attacker with base 85 Attack and 75 Sp. Atk. Best used as a pivot.
For Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, 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.
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