Playthrough tier listRuby & Sapphire

Best Flying Pokémon in Ruby & Sapphire

Winona's Fortree Gym, the sixth badge, flies Swellow, Pelipper, Skarmory and Altaria, and Taillow is on Route 104 from the start. We graded 21 Flying Pokémon you can get in Ruby & Sapphire, S to D, for beating the game. Rayquaza leads.

21gradedOct 18, 2026updated

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Trade-in
Post-game

STop4 PokémonCarries a Ruby & Sapphire run against most of the bossesClick any Pokémon for its gradeTap a card for its grade

RayquazaPost-game

AerodactylTrade-in only

ZapdosTrade-in only

DragoniteTrade-in only

Click any Pokémon for its gradeTap a card for its grade

AStrong6 PokémonA strong pick for most of the game

Gyarados

Pelipper

Ho-OhTrade-in only

LugiaTrade-in only

MoltresTrade-in only

CharizardTrade-in only

BSolid6 PokémonDoes the job with some help

Salamence

Swellow

Altaria

Crobat

MantineTrade-in only

ArticunoTrade-in only

CSituational10 PokémonStruggles against several bosses

Masquerain

Beautifly

Ninjask

Skarmory

Wingull

MurkrowTrade-in only

GligarTrade-in only

ButterfreeTrade-in only

TogeticTrade-in only

ScytherTrade-in only

DBottom24 PokémonHard to use for beating the game

Dodrio

Xatu

Tropius

Taillow

Swablu

Golbat

Zubat

Doduo

Natu

FearowTrade-in only

JumpluffTrade-in only

YanmaTrade-in only

PidgeotTrade-in only

NoctowlTrade-in only

DelibirdTrade-in only

Farfetch'dTrade-in only

LedianTrade-in only

SpearowTrade-in only

SkiploomTrade-in only

HoppipTrade-in only

PidgeottoTrade-in only

PidgeyTrade-in only

HoothootTrade-in only

LedybaTrade-in only

What each tier means

STop Carries a Ruby & Sapphire run against most of the bosses
AStrong A strong pick for most of the game
BSolid Does the job with some help
CSituational Struggles against several bosses
DBottom Hard to use for beating the game

2 reads blended into one listreblend in Showing50 21 in Ruby & Sapphire + 29 trade-ins

Board breakdown

Every Flying Pokémon you can get is checked here against the 13 Ruby & Sapphire gym leader, Elite Four and Champion fights, Roxanne to Steven. Pelipper does well in 8 of them, 2 fights have no Flying answer, and both versions play out the same.

With Rayquaza out of reach until the credits, which Flying pick should you raise?

Before the credits, the Flying Pokemon to raise is Pelipper, with 8 of 13 fights, starting with Roxanne.

Each row is one Flying pick and its 13 boxes are the fights in order. A filled box means it does well there: Pelipper has 8, first at Roxanne.

Gym 1, Roxanne

Gym 2, Brawly

Gym 3, Wattson

Gym 4, Flannery

Gym 5, Norman

Gym 6, Winona

Gym 7, Tate & Liza

Gym 8, Wallace

Elite Four, Sidney

Elite Four, Phoebe

Elite Four, Glacia

Elite Four, Drake

Champion, Steven

PelipperGym 1 Roxanne: does wellGym 2 Brawly: does wellGym 3 Wattson: has troubleGym 4 Flannery: does wellGym 5 Norman: has troubleGym 6 Winona: does wellGym 7 Tate & Liza: does wellGym 8 Wallace: no clear edgeSidney: no clear edgePhoebe: does wellGlacia: no clear edgeDrake: does wellSteven: does wellFrom the startWingullRoute 10310% of encounters#027WingullLevel 25#028Pelipperfinal form by Flannery
Does wellRoxanneBrawlyFlanneryWinonaTate & LizaPhoebeDrakeStevenHas troubleWattson, NormanNo clear edgeWallace, Sidney, Glacia
MasquerainGym 1 Roxanne: does wellGym 2 Brawly: does wellGym 3 Wattson: has troubleGym 4 Flannery: does wellGym 5 Norman: has troubleGym 6 Winona: no clear edgeGym 7 Tate & Liza: has troubleGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: no clear edgeDrake: does wellSteven: no clear edgeFrom the startSurskitRoute 1021% of encounters#032SurskitLevel 22#033Masquerainfinal form by Flannery
Does wellRoxanneBrawlyFlanneryWallaceSidneyDrakeHas troubleWattson, Norman, Tate & LizaNo clear edgeWinona, Phoebe, Glacia, Steven
GyaradosGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: has troubleGym 3 Wattson: no clear edgeGym 4 Flannery: no clear edgeGym 5 Norman: no clear edgeGym 6 Winona: does wellGym 7 Tate & Liza: does wellGym 8 Wallace: no clear edgeSidney: no clear edgePhoebe: does wellGlacia: no clear edgeDrake: does wellSteven: does wellAfter badge 1MagikarpRoute 104Old Rod100% of encounters#052MagikarpLevel 20#053Gyaradosfinal form by Wattson
Not yet: RoxanneDoes wellWinonaTate & LizaPhoebeDrakeStevenHas troubleBrawlyNo clear edgeWattson, Flannery, Norman, Wallace, Sidney, Glacia
AltariaGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: not on your team yetGym 3 Wattson: not on your team yetGym 4 Flannery: no clear edgeGym 5 Norman: has troubleGym 6 Winona: no clear edgeGym 7 Tate & Liza: no clear edgeGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: does wellGlacia: no clear edgeDrake: does wellSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 3SwabluRoute 11440% of encounters#121SwabluLevel 35#122Altariafinal form by Tate & Liza
Not yet: Roxanne to WattsonDoes wellWallaceSidneyPhoebeDrakeHas troubleNormanNo clear edgeFlannery, Winona, Tate & Liza, Glacia, Steven
CrobatGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: no clear edgeGym 3 Wattson: has troubleGym 4 Flannery: does wellGym 5 Norman: no clear edgeGym 6 Winona: no clear edgeGym 7 Tate & Liza: has troubleGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: does wellDrake: no clear edgeSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 1ZubatGranite Cave 1F30% of encounters#063ZubatLevel 22#064GolbatFriendship#065Crobat
Not yet: RoxanneDoes wellFlanneryWallaceSidneyGlaciaHas troubleWattson, Tate & LizaNo clear edgeBrawly, Norman, Winona, Phoebe, Drake, Steven
SalamenceGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: not on your team yetGym 3 Wattson: not on your team yetGym 4 Flannery: not on your team yetGym 5 Norman: not on your team yetGym 6 Winona: not on your team yetGym 7 Tate & Liza: not on your team yetGym 8 Wallace: not on your team yetSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: does wellDrake: does wellSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 8BagonMeteor Falls B1F25% of encounters#187BagonLevel 30#188ShelgonLevel 50#189Salamencefinal form by Glacia
Not yet: Roxanne to WallaceDoes wellSidneyGlaciaDrakeNo clear edgePhoebe, Steven
BeautiflyGym 1 Roxanne: no clear edgeGym 2 Brawly: does wellGym 3 Wattson: has troubleGym 4 Flannery: no clear edgeGym 5 Norman: has troubleGym 6 Winona: has troubleGym 7 Tate & Liza: no clear edgeGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: no clear edgeDrake: has troubleSteven: has troubleFrom the startWurmpleRoute 10145% of encounters#014WurmpleLevel 7#015SilcoonLevel 10#016Beautiflyfinal form by Roxanneabout half of Wurmple
Does wellBrawlyWallaceSidneyHas troubleWattson, Norman, Winona, Drake, StevenNo clear edgeRoxanne, Flannery, Tate & Liza, Phoebe, Glacia
SkarmoryGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: not on your team yetGym 3 Wattson: not on your team yetGym 4 Flannery: no clear edgeGym 5 Norman: no clear edgeGym 6 Winona: no clear edgeGym 7 Tate & Liza: no clear edgeGym 8 Wallace: no clear edgeSidney: does wellPhoebe: does wellGlacia: does wellDrake: no clear edgeSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 3Route 1135% of encounters
Not yet: Roxanne to WattsonDoes wellSidneyPhoebeGlaciaNo clear edgeFlannery, Norman, Winona, Tate & Liza, Wallace, Drake, Steven
SwellowGym 1 Roxanne: has troubleGym 2 Brawly: does wellGym 3 Wattson: has troubleGym 4 Flannery: no clear edgeGym 5 Norman: no clear edgeGym 6 Winona: no clear edgeGym 7 Tate & Liza: has troubleGym 8 Wallace: no clear edgeSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: no clear edgeDrake: no clear edgeSteven: has troubleFrom the startTaillowRoute 11620% of encounters#025TaillowLevel 22#026Swellowfinal form by Flannery
Does wellBrawlySidneyHas troubleRoxanne, Wattson, Tate & Liza, StevenNo clear edgeFlannery, Norman, Winona, Wallace, Phoebe, Glacia, Drake
NinjaskGym 1 Roxanne: no clear edgeGym 2 Brawly: has troubleGym 3 Wattson: has troubleGym 4 Flannery: no clear edgeGym 5 Norman: no clear edgeGym 6 Winona: has troubleGym 7 Tate & Liza: no clear edgeGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: no clear edgeDrake: no clear edgeSteven: no clear edgeFrom the startNincadaRoute 11620% of encounters#042NincadaLevel 20#043Ninjaskfinal form by Wattson
Does wellWallaceSidneyHas troubleBrawly, Wattson, WinonaNo clear edgeRoxanne, Flannery, Norman, Tate & Liza, Phoebe, Glacia, Drake, Steven
DodrioGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: not on your team yetGym 3 Wattson: not on your team yetGym 4 Flannery: not on your team yetGym 5 Norman: not on your team yetGym 6 Winona: not on your team yetGym 7 Tate & Liza: has troubleGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: no clear edgeDrake: no clear edgeSteven: has troubleAfter badge 6DoduoSafari Zone northwest15% of encounters#092DoduoLevel 31#093Dodriofinal form by Tate & Liza
Not yet: Roxanne to WinonaDoes wellWallaceSidneyHas troubleTate & Liza, StevenNo clear edgePhoebe, Glacia, Drake
XatuGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: not on your team yetGym 3 Wattson: not on your team yetGym 4 Flannery: not on your team yetGym 5 Norman: not on your team yetGym 6 Winona: not on your team yetGym 7 Tate & Liza: no clear edgeGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: no clear edgePhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: does wellDrake: no clear edgeSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 6NatuSafari Zone northeast15% of encounters#162NatuLevel 25#163Xatufinal form by Tate & LizaXatu at the next level-up
Not yet: Roxanne to WinonaDoes wellWallaceGlaciaNo clear edgeTate & Liza, Sidney, Phoebe, Drake, Steven
TropiusGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: not on your team yetGym 3 Wattson: not on your team yetGym 4 Flannery: not on your team yetGym 5 Norman: not on your team yetGym 6 Winona: has troubleGym 7 Tate & Liza: no clear edgeGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: no clear edgeDrake: has troubleSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 5Route 1199% of encounters
Not yet: Roxanne to NormanDoes wellWallaceSidneyHas troubleWinona, DrakeNo clear edgeTate & Liza, Phoebe, Glacia, Steven

NextSalamence 3Beautifly 3Skarmory 3

Best pair

Pelipper + Crobat11/13 togetherevery fight a Flying pick wins

After the creditsOnly after you beat StevenCounted in no fight

RayquazaAfter the Hall of Fame

Which of the 13 boss battles, Roxanne through Steven, have no Flying answer?

Wattson and Norman are the fights with no Flying answer.

One row per fight, Roxanne to Steven, with the best Flying pick you can have by then. Tap a fight for its team and every pick. First with none: Wattson.

Gyms

Pelipperas Wingull+1 more
Team
1. GeodudeLv 14RockGround
2. NosepassLv 15RockAce
Does well (2)Pelipperas WingullMoves: Water GunMasquerainas SurskitMoves: Bubble
No clear edge (2)Ninjaskas NincadaBeautifly
Has trouble (1)Swellowas Taillow
Full fight
Pelipperas Wingull+3 more
Team
1. MachopLv 17Fighting
2. MakuhitaLv 18FightingAce
Does well (4)Pelipperas WingullMoves: Wing AttackBeautiflyMoves: GustSwellowas TaillowMoves: Wing AttackMasquerainas SurskitMoves: Bubble
No clear edge (1)Crobatas Zubat
Has trouble (2)Gyaradosas MagikarpNinjaskas Nincada
Full fight
Closest: Gyarados
Team
1. MagnemiteLv 22ElectricSteel
2. VoltorbLv 20Electric
3. MagnetonLv 23ElectricSteelAce
No clear edge (1)Gyarados
Has trouble (6)Pelipperas WingullMasquerainas SurskitCrobatas ZubatBeautiflySwellowas TaillowNinjask
Full fight
Pelipper+2 more
Team
1. SlugmaLv 26Fire
2. SlugmaLv 26Fire
3. TorkoalLv 28FireAce
Does well (3)PelipperMoves: Water GunMasquerainMoves: BubbleCrobatMoves: Wing Attack
No clear edge (6)Altariaas SwabluSwellowGyaradosBeautiflySkarmoryNinjask
Full fight
Closest: Gyarados
Team
1. SlakingLv 28Normal
2. VigorothLv 30Normal
3. SlakingLv 31NormalAce
No clear edge (5)GyaradosSkarmorySwellowNinjaskCrobat
Has trouble (4)PelipperMasquerainAltariaas SwabluBeautifly
Full fight
Pelipper+1 more
TeamFlying-type team
1. SwellowLv 31NormalFlying
2. PelipperLv 30WaterFlying
3. SkarmoryLv 32SteelFlying
4. AltariaLv 33DragonFlyingAce
Does well (2)PelipperMoves: Shock Wave and Ice BeamGyaradosMoves: Thunderbolt and Ice Beam
No clear edge (5)MasquerainAltariaas SwabluSwellowCrobatSkarmory
Has trouble (3)BeautiflyNinjaskTropius
Full fight
Pelipper+1 more
Team
1. LunatoneLv 42RockPsychicAce
2. SolrockLv 42RockPsychic
Does well (2)PelipperMoves: SurfGyaradosMoves: Hydro Pump
No clear edge (6)TropiusSkarmoryNinjaskAltariaBeautiflyXatu
Has trouble (4)MasquerainCrobatSwellowDodrio
Full fight
Crobat+7 more
Team
1. LuvdiscLv 40Water
2. WhiscashLv 42WaterGround
3. SealeoLv 40IceWater
4. SeakingLv 42Water
5. MiloticLv 43WaterAce
Does well (8)CrobatMoves: Giga DrainXatuMoves: Solar BeamTropiusMoves: Solar BeamAltariaMoves: Solar Beam and Rock SmashMasquerainMoves: Solar BeamBeautiflyMoves: Solar BeamNinjaskMoves: Solar BeamDodrioMoves: Fly
No clear edge (4)SwellowPelipperSkarmoryGyarados
Full fight

League

Crobat+9 more
Team
1. MightyenaLv 46Dark
2. ShiftryLv 48GrassDark
3. CacturneLv 46GrassDark
4. SharpedoLv 48WaterDark
5. AbsolLv 49DarkAce
Does well (10)CrobatMoves: Leech LifeNinjaskMoves: Leech LifeMasquerainMoves: Silver WindAltariaMoves: Rock Smash and FlyBeautiflyMoves: Silver WindDodrioMoves: FlySkarmoryMoves: Rock Smash and FlySwellowMoves: FlySalamenceas ShelgonMoves: Brick BreakTropiusMoves: Rock Smash, Fly and Solar Beam
No clear edge (3)GyaradosXatuPelipper
Full fight
Pelipper+3 more
Team
1. DusclopsLv 48Ghost
2. BanetteLv 49Ghost
3. SableyeLv 50DarkGhost
4. BanetteLv 49Ghost
5. DusclopsLv 51GhostAce
Does well (4)PelipperMoves: Thief and FlyAltariaMoves: Thief and Dragon ClawGyaradosMoves: Bite and Hydro PumpSkarmoryMoves: Thief and Fly
No clear edge (9)XatuSalamenceas ShelgonDodrioCrobatMasquerainBeautiflySwellowTropiusNinjask
Full fight
Crobat+3 more
Team
1. GlalieLv 50Ice
2. SealeoLv 50IceWater
3. SealeoLv 52IceWater
4. GlalieLv 52Ice
5. WalreinLv 53IceWaterAce
Does well (4)CrobatMoves: Steel Wing and Giga DrainSkarmoryMoves: Steel Wing and Rock SmashSalamenceMoves: Brick BreakXatuMoves: Steel Wing and Solar Beam
No clear edge (9)TropiusMasquerainDodrioAltariaGyaradosPelipperSwellowNinjaskBeautifly
Full fight
Pelipper+4 more
Team
1. ShelgonLv 52Dragon
2. AltariaLv 54DragonFlying
3. FlygonLv 53GroundDragon
4. FlygonLv 53GroundDragon
5. SalamenceLv 55DragonFlyingAce
Does well (5)PelipperMoves: BlizzardAltariaMoves: Dragon Claw and Ice BeamSalamenceMoves: Dragon ClawMasquerainMoves: BlizzardGyaradosMoves: Twister and Blizzard
No clear edge (6)DodrioCrobatSwellowSkarmoryXatuNinjask
Has trouble (2)BeautiflyTropius
Full fight
Pelipper+1 more
Team
1. SkarmoryLv 57SteelFlying
2. ClaydolLv 55GroundPsychic
3. AggronLv 56SteelRock
4. CradilyLv 56RockGrass
5. ArmaldoLv 56RockBug
6. MetagrossLv 58SteelPsychicAce
Does well (2)PelipperMoves: Shock Wave, Surf and BlizzardGyaradosMoves: Thunder, Hydro Pump and Rock Smash
No clear edge (8)SalamenceAltariaSkarmoryMasquerainTropiusNinjaskXatuCrobat
Has trouble (3)BeautiflySwellowDodrio
Full fight

Which hits harder with Flying moves, Crobat or Pelipper?

Crobat hits harder with Flying moves: in Gen 3 those run on Attack, its higher stat, while Pelipper and Masquerain hit softer.

Pelipper still gets full use of its Water moves, which use Sp. Atk, its higher stat.

Each card is one thing that can change a Flying team before you commit: move stats.

Flying moves use Attack
- PelipperAttack 50, used by Flying movesSp. Atk 85, used by Water moves
- MasquerainAttack 60, used by Flying movesSp. Atk 80, not used by Flying moves
- AltariaAttack 70, used by Flying movesSp. Atk 70, not used by Flying moves
- CrobatAttack 90, used by Flying movesSp. Atk 70, not used by Flying moves