Taillow doesn't have much going for it on its own — the stats just aren't there. The payoff is Swellow, and getting there is worth the grind. Been around since Gen 3. Ground and Ghost moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively.
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 Weakness
GoodTaillow is weak to Electric, Ice, and Rock-type moves. On the flip side, it's immune to Ground and Ghost-type moves entirely.
Taillow evolves into Swellow. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. No compatible partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. Evolving adds up to 185 stat points total.
How to Evolve
Breed Taillow easily from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Boomburst, Brave Bird, Hurricane and 3 more to offspring.
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 max Attack and Speed EVs maximize first-turn impact.
Best Build
Best Taillow Moveset
- Unknown
- Quick Attack
- Endeavor
Recommended Teammates
Egg moves make a real difference. Taillow gets Boomburst and Brave Bird exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Fighting and Steel coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Boomburst and Sky Attack.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Taillow can't be caught in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Bring it over from Ruby, Emerald, or Omega Ruby instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Taillow is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also found in:
Taillow isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Swellow to unlock its full potential. At 270 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Taillow evolves into Swellow at level 22. Taillow is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Guts is the go-to ability for Taillow. It increases Attack to 1.5× with a major status ailment. Its hidden ability Scrappy can work in specific setups.
Taillow fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 55 Attack. Base 85 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Taillow appears in 13 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Taillow first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 13 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
- 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