Taillow Best Moveset
Focus Sash guarantees Taillow survives one hit from full HP. That's enough to deal early damage and fire off Endeavor before going down. Scrappy and spread EVs maximize first-turn impact.
Taillow was a niche pick at best in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald), rarely seen in standard play. This marked Taillow's competitive debut. Its most popular set ran Guts with Choice Band, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Aerial Ace
- Double Edge
- Quick Attack
Recommended Teammates
Taillow saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). This was Taillow's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Guts with Flame Orb, favoring a Jolly nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Taillow best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Quick Attack
- Brave Bird
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Taillow was a niche pick at best in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Scrappy with Focus Sash, favoring a Hasty nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Pursuit
- Endeavor
- Quick Attack
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Taillow was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. Taillow maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Scrappy with Focus Sash, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Endeavor
- Quick Attack
- Protect
- Tailwind
Recommended Teammates
Taillow was a niche pick at best in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM), rarely seen in standard play. Taillow maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Scrappy with Focus Sash, favoring a Hardy nature.
Support Moveset
- Quick Attack
- Endeavor
- Toxic
- Defog
Recommended Teammates
Taillow Weakness
Taillow is weak to Electric, Ice, and Rock. On the flip side, it's immune to Ground and Ghost-type moves entirely.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ice, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground, Ghost |
What is Taillow Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Taillow
Jolteon can KO Taillow with Thunderbolt (399-470%). Tyranitar threatens a KO with Stone Edge (611-719%). Lapras's Thunderbolt also KOs at 164-194%.
 Jolteon Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Taillow View Jolteon builds →Volt Switch 2x310-365%KO Thunderbolt 2x399-470%KO | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Taillow View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off199-234%KO Stone Edge 2x611-719%KO | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Taillow View Lapras builds →Surf123-145%KO Thunderbolt 2x164-194%KO | ||
Evolution
Taillow evolves into Swellow. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. Evolving adds up to 185 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Taillow easily with 73 breeding partners from the Flying egg group.
How to Get Taillow
Taillow isn't available in the wild in Winds & Waves. Start by transferring Taillow from Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, or Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire. The evolution path from Taillow to Taillow is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Taillow in WW
- Step 1Taillow ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Walking · Route 115. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Route 115. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Headbutt special · Cherrygrove City · Post-National Dex. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom X & YNot TradeableAppears in X & Y via Walking · Route 8 · Horde battle. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Walking · Route 115. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Swellow
Taillow doesn't appear wild. Catch Taillow instead, it shows up in the wild. Evolve it at level 22 to get Taillow. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Taillow in BDSP
Step 1Taillow ✓
Step 2Catch or Evolve into SwellowRoute 213Lv.20-22Using PokeRadarRate 22%or evolve from Taillow (Step 1)
You're catching Taillow first, not Taillow. Taillow appears in the wild in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Taillow in USUM
- Step 1Taillow ✓
- Step 2Catch or Evolve into SwellowUltra Space Wilds - CliffLv.60Interact with Pokemonor evolve from Taillow (Step 1)
Taillow can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Taillow from Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, or Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Taillow in SM
- Step 1Taillow ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave Swellow with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Taillow egg.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Walking · Route 115. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Route 115. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Headbutt special · Cherrygrove City · Post-National Dex. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom X & YNot TradeableAppears in X & Y via Walking · Route 8 · Horde battle. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Walking · Route 115. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Evolve into Swellow
Base Stats
Taillow's spread isn't flashy. Speed leads, Defense trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Easy to catch and worth 1 Speed EV, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It has a gutsy spirit that makes it bravely take on tough foes. It flies in search of warm climates.
Taillow Guide
Taillow does the job early-game if you need a Normal/Flying type on your team. Evolve it into Swellow before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Taillow first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 14 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves