Unown Best Moveset
48 in every stat except 72 Attack and 72 Sp. Atk. The moveset has exactly one move: MoveHidden Power. That's the entire offensive identity. No evolution, no coverage, no utility. Collectable but not competitive in any encounter.
One move in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Hidden Power at 60-70 power from 72 Sp. Atk. The most limited Pokemon in competitive history.
Utility Moveset
- Hidden Power Psychic
- Hidden Power Fire
Recommended Teammates
Same one move in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Levitate removed Ground weakness, but it didn't matter when the only attack was Hidden Power from 72 Sp. Atk.
Utility Moveset
- Hidden Power Water
Recommended Teammates
Peaked for unclear reasons in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Still one move. Still 336 BST. The tier bump was a statistical artifact more than competitive reality.
Best Moves
Best Build
Unown best EVs are Sp. Def and Sp. Atk
Utility Moveset
- Hidden Power
Every other Pokemon learned Hidden Power alongside real moves in Gen V (Black & White). Unown's entire identity was something everyone else had as filler coverage.
Special Wallbreaker Moveset
- Hidden Power Dragon
Recommended Teammates
One move, 336 BST, and no useful ability in Gen VI (X & Y). Unown was a collector's item, not a competitive option.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Hidden Power Psychic
Recommended Teammates
Five gens of one move in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). The competitive section exists as a monument to how limited a Pokemon can be.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Hidden Power Psychic
Recommended Teammates
Unown Weakness
Bug, Ghost, and Dark moves hit Unown for super-effective damage. Levitate grants an additional Ground immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Bug, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fighting, Psychic |
What is Unown Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Unown
Scizor can KO Unown with U-turn (215-253%). Gengar threatens a KO with Shadow Ball (162-190%). Tyranitar's Knock Off also KOs at 204-240%.
 Scizor BugSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Unown View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch61-72% Knock Off 2x133-157%KO U Turn 2x215-253%KO Close Combat61-72% | ||
 Gengar GhostPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityCursedbody ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Unown View Gengar builds →Shadow Ball 2x162-190%KO Sludge Bomb91-107%KO | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Unown View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off 2x204-240%KO Stone Edge156-184%KO | ||
Evolution
For whatever reason, Unown sits in the Undiscovered egg group. A Psychic type at 336 stats with no chain and no eggs. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
How to Get Unown
No wild encounters for Unown in Legends: Arceus. It's available in Gold & Silver, Crystal, or FireRed & LeafGreen and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Unown is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also Obtainable In:
Pokemon transfers only go forward through generations, never backward. Direct cross-gen trades aren't supported.
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 16 locations. Unown's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations to Catch Unown in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
You can catch Unown through 8 walking encounters from Lv. 14-25, but availability differs between Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Some spots are exclusive to one version.
No wild encounters for Unown in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. It's available in Gold & Silver, Crystal, or FireRed & LeafGreen and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Unown is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also Obtainable In:
Pokemon transfers only go forward through generations, never backward. Direct cross-gen trades aren't supported.
Unown doesn't appear in Sun & Moon. Transfer it from Gold & Silver, Crystal, or FireRed & LeafGreen to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Unown is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also Obtainable In:
Pokemon transfers only go forward through generations, never backward. Direct cross-gen trades aren't supported.
Base Stats
Unown's stats barely vary. None sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 0 HP EVs, standard 1M XP growth to max.
Because the Pokémon is shaped like ancient writing, it is a huge mystery whether written language or Unown came first.
Unown Guide
Unown is a static encounter at Hisui Crimson Mirelands in . Unown appears at level 25. Prerequisite: Collect wisps to reveal Unown. Save before the encounter. These one-shot Pokemon don't respawn if you knock them out or run out of Poke Balls.
Unown has niche appeal at best. 336 base stats means you're fighting uphill by mid-game. There are better Psychic Pokemon available.
Don't let Unown's 336 base stat total fool you. Levitate is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it D-Tier.
Run Levitate on Unown. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche.
Game Availability
Unown first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 16 games across 9 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
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