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 | B | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Aerodactyl builds →Thunder Fang 2x56-67% Ice Fang 2x56-67% | ||
 Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
 Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
 Onix RockGround | C | |
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Lunatone builds →Rock Tomb 2x51-60% Rock Throw 2x43-51% | ||
Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Solrock builds →Rock Tomb 2x69-83% Rock Throw 2x58-69% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x43-51% Rock Throw 2x38-46% | ||
 Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Omanyte builds →Rock Tomb 2x43-51% Rollout 2x23-28% | ||
 Kabuto RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Aerodactyl builds →Rock Slide 2x101-120%KO Thunder Fang 2x60-71% Ice Fang 2x60-71% Ancient Power 2x62-74% | ||
Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Solrock builds →Rock Slide 2x93-109%KO Rock Tomb 2x74-88% Rock Throw 2x62-74% | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Graveler builds →Rock Slide 2x93-109%KO Rock Tomb 2x74-88% Rock Throw 2x62-74% Rollout 2x39-46% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Onix builds →Rock Slide 2x56-67% Rock Tomb 2x45-53% Rock Throw 2x39-46% | ||
 Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Lileep builds →Rock Slide 2x51-60% Rock Tomb 2x41-49% | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Aerodactyl builds →Rock Slide 2x101-120%KO Thunder Fang 2x60-71% Ice Fang 2x60-71% Ancient Power 2x62-74% | ||
Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Solrock builds →Rock Slide 2x93-109%KO Rock Tomb 2x74-88% Rock Throw 2x62-74% | ||
 Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Sudowoodo builds →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 →Rock Slide 2x93-109%KO Rock Tomb 2x74-88% Rock Throw 2x62-74% Rollout 2x39-46% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Onix builds →Rock Slide 2x56-67% Rock Tomb 2x45-53% Rock Throw 2x39-46% | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Aerodactyl builds →Rock Slide 2x99-117%KO Thunder Fang 2x57-68% Ice Fang 2x57-68% Ancient Power 2x58-69% | ||
Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Solrock builds →Rock Slide 2x91-108%KO Rock Tomb 2x73-87% Rock Throw 2x61-72% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Sudowoodo builds →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 →Rock Slide 2x91-108%KO Rock Tomb 2x73-87% Rock Throw 2x61-72% Rollout 2x38-45% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Onix builds →Rock Slide 2x53-63% Rock Tomb 2x43-51% Rock Throw 2x38-45% | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh 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% | ||
Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Solrock builds →Rock Slide 2x90-107%KO Rock Tomb 2x74-87% Rock Throw 2x62-73% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Sudowoodo builds →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 →Rock Slide 2x90-107%KO Rock Tomb 2x74-87% Rock Throw 2x62-73% Rollout 2x37-45% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Onix builds →Rock Slide 2x54-64% Rock Tomb 2x42-50% Rock Throw 2x37-45% | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Aerodactyl builds →Rock Slide 2x97-115%KO Thunder Fang 2x56-66% Ice Fang 2x56-66% Ancient Power 2x57-68% | ||
Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Solrock builds →Rock Slide 2x89-104%KO Rock Tomb 2x70-83% Rock Throw 2x59-70% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Sudowoodo builds →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 →Rock Slide 2x89-104%KO Rock Tomb 2x70-83% Rock Throw 2x59-70% Rollout 2x37-44% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Onix builds →Rock Slide 2x50-60% Rock Tomb 2x42-50% Rock Throw 2x35-42% | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Aerodactyl builds →Rock Slide 2x100-118%KO Thunder Fang 2x57-68% Ice Fang 2x57-68% Ancient Power 2x58-69% | ||
Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Solrock builds →Rock Slide 2x92-108%KO Rock Tomb 2x74-88% Rock Throw 2x62-74% Charge Beam 2x31-37% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 2x95-113%KO Rock Tomb 2x76-90% Rock Throw 2x65-76% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Graveler builds →Rock Slide 2x92-108%KO Rock Tomb 2x74-88% Rock Throw 2x62-74% Rollout 2x39-46% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Onix builds →Rock Slide 2x52-62% Rock Tomb 2x43-51% Rock Throw 2x37-44% | ||
In Diamond & Pearl, Zapdos can KO Swellow with Thunderbolt (155-183%). Aerodactyl threatens a KO with Stone Edge (164-193%). Weavile deals 73-86% with Ice Shard.
 Zapdos Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Zapdos builds →Thunderbolt 2x155-183%KO Heat Wave54-64% | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Aerodactyl builds →Stone Edge 2x164-193%KO | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Weavile builds →Ice Shard 2x73-86% Pursuit36-43% | ||
 Raikou Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureRash Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Raikou builds →Thunderbolt 2x196-231%KO Aura Sphere58-69% | ||
 Rhyperior GroundRock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemLeftovers NatureBrave Moves
Damage vs Swellow View Rhyperior builds →Stone Edge 2x221-260%KO Megahorn44-52% | ||
Diamond & 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 Brave Bird, Mirror Move, Pursuit and 5 more.
Diamond & Pearl 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 Mirror Move. That's 8 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Giga Impact and Hyper Beam, with Steel and Dark coverage and more rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Swellow in Diamond & Pearl
Standard wild encounters won't get you Swellow. You'll need the PokeRadar, available at 2 different locations. These become available in mid-game encounter areas. The list below breaks down where and how each encounter works.
Where To Catch Swellow in Diamond & Pearl
Step 1Obtain Taillow
Step 2Swellow ✓Route 213PearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.22 RouteUncommonMidRoute 213DiamondUsing PokeRadar Lv.22 RouteUncommonMidor evolve from Taillow (Step 1)
Swellow Guide
For Diamond & Pearl, we rate Swellow C-Tier: a niche pick in Diamond & Pearl'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.
For Diamond & 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