17 Black17 WhiteUpdated NOV 5, 2026

Pokémon Black & White Version Exclusives

Black and White each lock 17 Pokémon to one version, and 10 of them on each side wait for the post-game. Before the credits each version gets four lines: Gothita or Solosis near Nimbasa City, Vullaby or Rufflet on Route 10, the roaming Tornadus or Thundurus, and Reshiram or Zekrom at N’s Castle. The eighth gym changes too: Drayden leads it in Black, Iris in White.

WHICH VERSION ARE YOU PLAYING?
Pick the version you’re playing and the other side’s exclusives get a Trade marker.Saved on this device: Black. Anything only White has is marked Trade.Saved on this device: White. Anything only Black has is marked Trade.
Side by side

Every exclusive and where to catch it

Each row sets a Black exclusive beside its usual White counterpart. Every stage lists where you get it, marks the swarm and shaking grass finds, and shows the first badge the game needs before you can.

9 of 9 rows
Black17 PokémonYour version
Total stats
White17 PokémonYour version
Before the LeagueLines that start before the credits. Gothita in Black and Solosis in White turn up on Routes 5 and 16 as soon as you reach Nimbasa City; everything else here needs all eight badges: Vullaby or Rufflet on Route 10, Tornadus or Thundurus after the storm on Route 7, and Reshiram or Zekrom at N’s Castle, after the Elite Four.4 Black4 White
GothitellePsychicTrade
GothitaRoute 5 (Walking, Dark grass)Route 16 (Walking, Dark grass)CatchBadge 3
GothoritaGothita Lv 32Route 9 (After the Freeze Badge, Walking, Dark grass)EvolveBadge 3
GothitelleGothorita Lv 41, or wild in shaking grass on Route 9Route 9 (After the Freeze Badge, Shaking grass)EvolveBadge 3
ReuniclusPsychicTrade
SolosisRoute 5 (Walking, Dark grass)Route 16 (Walking, Dark grass)CatchBadge 3
DuosionSolosis Lv 32Route 9 (After the Freeze Badge, Walking, Dark grass)EvolveBadge 3
ReuniclusDuosion Lv 41, or wild in shaking grass on Route 9Route 9 (After the Freeze Badge, Shaking grass)EvolveBadge 3
MandibuzzDarkFlyingTrade
VullabyRoute 10 (Walking, Dark grass)Victory RoadRoute 11Village BridgeCatchBadge 8
MandibuzzVullaby Lv 54Route 11 (Dark grass)Village Bridge (Dark grass)EvolveBadge 8
BraviaryNormalFlyingTrade
RuffletRoute 10 (Walking, Dark grass)Victory RoadRoute 11Village BridgeCatchBadge 8
BraviaryRufflet Lv 54Route 11 (Dark grass)Village Bridge (Dark grass)EvolveBadge 8
TornadusFlyingTrade
TornadusRoams Unova after the Route 7 storm event (Lv 40); it flees on its first turnRoamingBadge 8
ThundurusElectricFlyingTrade
ThundurusRoams Unova after the Route 7 storm event (Lv 40); it flees on its first turnRoamingBadge 8
ReshiramDragonFireTrade
ReshiramStory battle at N’s Castle, after the Elite Four (Lv 50); the story goes on only once you catch itN's Castle (Static encounter)CatchStory end
ZekromDragonElectricTrade
ZekromStory battle at N’s Castle, after the Elite Four (Lv 50); the story goes on only once you catch itN's Castle (Static encounter)CatchStory end
After the LeagueThese open once you beat N and Ghetsis and the credits roll. East Unova opens from Route 11, with Village Bridge, Route 12 and the Abundant Shrine, and Cedric Juniper gives you the National Pokédex outside your house, which starts the swarms: the board in a route gate names the swarm of the day, and it changes at midnight. Weedle and Caterpie have no wild spot, so you hatch one at the Route 3 Day Care from its evolved forms on Route 12.5 Black5 White
BeedrillBugPoisonTrade
WeedleBreed Kakuna or Beedrill at the Day Care on Route 3BreedPost-game
KakunaWeedle Lv 7Route 12 (Walking, Dark grass)EvolvePost-game
BeedrillKakuna Lv 10, or wild in shaking grass on Route 12Route 12 (Shaking grass)EvolvePost-game
ButterfreeBugFlyingTrade
CaterpieBreed Metapod or Butterfree at the Day Care on Route 3BreedPost-game
MetapodCaterpie Lv 7Route 12 (Walking, Dark grass)EvolvePost-game
ButterfreeMetapod Lv 10, or wild in shaking grass on Route 12Route 12 (Shaking grass)EvolvePost-game
HonchkrowDarkFlyingTrade
MurkrowAbundant Shrine (Walking, Dark grass)CatchPost-game
HonchkrowWild in shaking grass at the Abundant ShrineAbundant Shrine (Shaking grass)CatchShaking spotPost-game
MismagiusGhostTrade
MisdreavusAbundant Shrine (Walking, Dark grass)CatchPost-game
MismagiusWild in shaking grass at the Abundant ShrineAbundant Shrine (Shaking grass)CatchShaking spotPost-game
HoundoomDarkFireTrade
HoundourSwarm on Route 9 (a route gate board names the swarm of the day)Route 9 (Swarm)CatchSwarmPost-game
HoundoomHoundour Lv 24EvolvePost-game
MightyenaDarkTrade
PoochyenaSwarm on Route 9 (a route gate board names the swarm of the day)Route 9 (Swarm)CatchSwarmPost-game
MightyenaPoochyena Lv 18EvolvePost-game
BreloomGrassFightingTrade
ShroomishSwarm on Route 11 (a route gate board names the swarm of the day)Route 11 (Swarm)CatchSwarmPost-game
BreloomShroomish Lv 23EvolvePost-game
ParasectBugGrassTrade
ParasSwarm on Route 11 (a route gate board names the swarm of the day)Route 11 (Swarm)CatchSwarmPost-game
ParasectParas Lv 24EvolvePost-game
PlusleElectricTrade
PlusleSwarm on Route 6 (a route gate board names the swarm of the day)Route 6 (Swarm)CatchSwarmPost-game
MinunElectricTrade
MinunSwarm on Route 6 (a route gate board names the swarm of the day)Route 6 (Swarm)CatchSwarmPost-game
Timeline

When each version’s exclusives show up

The first badge each Pokémon needs. Unova’s badges don’t gate field moves, so every gate here is a road or a story event. Exclusive lines before the League: Black: 4, White: 4.

StartNew gameBadge 1Striaton City GymBadge 2LenoraBadge 3BurghBadge 4ElesaBadge 5ClayBadge 6SkylaBadge 7BrycenBadge 8Drayden or IrisPost-gameAfter GhetsisBlack9 on the timelineYour gameGothitaVullabyTornadusReshiramWeedleMurkrowHoundourShroomishPlusleWhite9 on the timelineYour gameSolosisRuffletThundurusZekromCaterpieParasMisdreavusPoochyenaMinun
What it changes in your run

Exclusives against every boss

For each battle, these are the exclusives you can have by then that hit at least half the boss’s team super effectively with one of their own types. Level evolutions count up to the boss’s highest level, Reshiram and Zekrom count only for the final battles with N and Ghetsis, and Levitate is factored in. The eighth gym is scored against the leader each version fights, and the Striaton City Gym against the leader your starter faces.

3of 14 battlesBlackOnly Black has an answer for Shauntal and Caitlin.
1of 14 battlesWhiteBattles where at least one exclusive has an answer.
BATTLEBlack exclusives that helpWhite exclusives that help
GYM 1Striaton City GymNeither helpsIf you picked Snivy: Chili
No exclusive helps here
GYM 2 · NORMALLenoraNeither helps
No exclusive helps here
GYM 3 · BUGBurghNeither helps
No exclusive helps here
GYM 4 · ELECTRICElesaNeither helps
No exclusive helps here
GYM 5 · GROUNDClayNeither helps
No exclusive helps here
GYM 6 · FLYINGSkylaNeither helps
No exclusive helps here
GYM 7 · ICEBrycenNeither helps
No exclusive helps here
GYM 8 · DRAGONDrayden or IrisNeither helpsBlack: DraydenWhite: Iris
No exclusive helps here
ELITE FOUR · GHOSTShauntalEdge: Black
VullabyDark hits 4 of 44 of 4
No exclusive helps here
ELITE FOUR · DARKGrimsleyNeither helps
No exclusive helps here
ELITE FOUR · PSYCHICCaitlinEdge: Black
VullabyDark hits 4 of 44 of 4
No exclusive helps here
ELITE FOUR · FIGHTINGMarshalBoth help
TornadusFlying hits 4 of 44 of 4GothitellePsychic hits 4 of 44 of 4VullabyFlying hits 4 of 44 of 4
ThundurusFlying hits 4 of 44 of 4ReuniclusPsychic hits 4 of 44 of 4RuffletFlying hits 4 of 44 of 4
FINAL BATTLENNeither helpsBlack: NWhite: N
No exclusive helps here
FINAL BATTLEGhetsisNeither helps
No exclusive helps here

The Striaton City Gym leader depends on your starter. Shown: the one you face if you picked Snivy. Counts use each exclusive’s own types, not its full moveset. The battle pages have the movesets.

Complete your Pokédex

How to Trade Between Black and White

Pick your version to see only the Pokémon you need to trade for. Until then, both lists show.

How to get White exclusives in Black

How to get Black exclusives in White

  • Both players need: the C-Gear, which Fennel hands over after the first badge, the Trio Badge
  • Where: the Union Room in a Pokémon Center, or anywhere through the C-Gear’s infrared link
  • Connect with: DS local wireless in the Union Room, or C-Gear infrared with the two game card slots facing each other; DS and 3DS family systems both work

Online trades and the GTS ended when Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection shut down on May 20, 2014, so a trade now needs a second player nearby. Every exclusive except Tornadus, Thundurus and the box legendary can be caught or bred again, so a friend can send one and keep their own. Landorus at the Abundant Shrine needs Tornadus and Thundurus in your party, so one of them has to come by trade. Black and White can also trade with Black 2 and White 2.

Your trade list

Black exclusives to trade into White

Trades 0 of 9Pokédex 0 of 17

Grouped by the point in a Black run where your friend can first get each one. Ticks are saved on this device.

Available after Badge 3 (Burgh)

GothitaRoute 5, Route 16
GothoritaGothita Lv 32
GothitelleGothorita Lv 41, or wild in shaking grass on Route 9

Trade for one Gothita and evolve the rest yourself.

Available after Badge 8 (Drayden)

VullabyRoute 10, Victory Road, Route 11, Village Bridge
MandibuzzVullaby Lv 54

Trade for one Vullaby and evolve the rest yourself.

TornadusRoams Unova after the Route 7 storm event (Lv 40); it flees on its first turn

Available after the Elite Four, at N’s Castle

ReshiramN's Castle

Available after N and Ghetsis, in the post-game

WeedleBreed Kakuna or Beedrill at the Day Care on Route 3
KakunaWeedle Lv 7
BeedrillKakuna Lv 10, or wild in shaking grass on Route 12

Trade for one Weedle and evolve the rest yourself.

MurkrowAbundant Shrine
HonchkrowAbundant Shrine
HoundourRoute 9
HoundoomHoundour Lv 24

Trade for one Houndour and evolve the rest yourself.

ShroomishRoute 11
BreloomShroomish Lv 23

Trade for one Shroomish and evolve the rest yourself.

PlusleRoute 6

White exclusives to trade into Black

Trades 0 of 9Pokédex 0 of 17

Grouped by the point in a White run where your friend can first get each one. Ticks are saved on this device.

Available after Badge 3 (Burgh)

SolosisRoute 5, Route 16
DuosionSolosis Lv 32
ReuniclusDuosion Lv 41, or wild in shaking grass on Route 9

Trade for one Solosis and evolve the rest yourself.

Available after Badge 8 (Iris)

RuffletRoute 10, Victory Road, Route 11, Village Bridge
BraviaryRufflet Lv 54

Trade for one Rufflet and evolve the rest yourself.

ThundurusRoams Unova after the Route 7 storm event (Lv 40); it flees on its first turn

Available after the Elite Four, at N’s Castle

ZekromN's Castle

Available after N and Ghetsis, in the post-game

CaterpieBreed Metapod or Butterfree at the Day Care on Route 3
MetapodCaterpie Lv 7
ButterfreeMetapod Lv 10, or wild in shaking grass on Route 12

Trade for one Caterpie and evolve the rest yourself.

ParasRoute 11
ParasectParas Lv 24

Trade for one Paras and evolve the rest yourself.

MisdreavusAbundant Shrine
MismagiusAbundant Shrine
PoochyenaRoute 9
MightyenaPoochyena Lv 18

Trade for one Poochyena and evolve the rest yourself.

MinunRoute 6
Beyond the Pokémon

Every Difference Between Black and White

Other ways the two versions differ, outside the wild encounters.

What changes in other games

Story legendary

BlackYour version
WhiteYour version

Roaming legendary

BlackYour version
  • TornadusFlyingRoams Unova at Lv 40 after the Route 7 storm, once you hold all eight badges
WhiteYour version
  • ThundurusElectricFlyingRoams Unova at Lv 40 after the Route 7 storm, once you hold all eight badges

Opelucid City Gym leader (eighth badge)

BlackYour version
WhiteYour version
Good to know

Drayden and Iris bring the same Pokémon at the same levels: Fraxure Lv 41, Druddigon Lv 41 and Haxorus Lv 43. Only Druddigon’s Ability changes, Rough Skin for Drayden and Sheer Force for Iris, and either one gives you the Legend Badge.

In-game trades that differ

BlackYour version
WhiteYour version
Good to know

The Nacrene City trade is how each version gets the other’s Cottonee or Petilil, so neither line counts as an exclusive. The other three in-game trades are the same in both: Boldore for Emolga on Route 7, Ditto for Rotom on Route 15 and Cinccino for Munchlax in Undella Town.

N’s dragon in the final battle

BlackYour version
  • ZekromDragonElectricLv 52, with Fusion Bolt
WhiteYour version

Stone from the Nacrene Museum

BlackYour version
  • Light StoneLenora hands it over at the Nacrene MuseumWhat it doesSummons Reshiram for the final battle against N
WhiteYour version
  • Dark StoneLenora hands it over at the Nacrene MuseumWhat it doesSummons Zekrom for the final battle against N

Wild in one version only

BlackYour version
WhiteYour version
Good to know

None of these counts as an exclusive. Cottonee and Petilil cross over through the Nacrene City trade, Volbeat and Illumise through breeding, and Huntail and Gorebyss by trading a Clamperl, found on Route 4 in both versions, holding a Deep Sea Tooth or a Deep Sea Scale.

Quick differences

Opelucid City lookBlackFuturistic, high-techWhiteOld-fashioned and rustic
Post-game areaBlackBlack City: more Trainer battles and shops, no wild PokémonWhiteWhite Forest: Lv 5 wild Pokémon from other regions, fewer Trainers
Basculin stripe in the wildBlackRed-Striped when surfing or fishing; Blue-Striped only in rippling waterWhiteBlue-Striped when surfing or fishing; Red-Striped only in rippling water
Trainers whose battle style flipsBlackRotation Battles in Driftveil City and Opelucid City, a Triple Battle on Marvelous BridgeWhiteTriple Battles in Driftveil City and Opelucid City, a Rotation Battle on Marvelous Bridge
Pokédex entries156 of 649 entries differAll 156 Unova Pokémon have different Pokédex text in each version; the entries for the 493 Pokémon from earlier regions read the same in both.

Same in both

  • Gyms 1 to 7 with their leaders and teams
  • The Striaton City trio, set by your starter, not the version
  • The Elite Four, Shauntal, Grimsley, Caitlin and Marshal, in any order
  • Champion Alder, whom you battle only in the post-game
  • Ghetsis’s team, and N’s apart from his dragon
  • The three starters and rivals Cheren and Bianca
  • Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion, Landorus and Kyurem
  • Every other swarm
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