That 4x Bug weakness is something every Vileplume user needs to plan around. Can go either physical or special depending on the set. A competitive option since Gen 1.
Vileplume's spread isn't flashy. Special leads, Speed trails, 4 stats clear the bar. Tough to catch and worth 3 Special stat exp, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
Flaps its broad flower petals to scatter its poisonous pollen. The flapping sound is very loud.
Vileplume Weakness
FragileBug, Fire, Ice, Flying, and Psychic-type moves hit Vileplume for super-effective damage. Bug hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage.
- Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
- Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
- Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split
You get Vileplume from Oddish using a Leaf Stone. This Grass/Poison type hits 490 total but remains in the Undiscovered group. Both Vileplume and Bellossom hit 490 total stats from Oddish. The difference is how those stats are split.
How to Evolve
Best Build
Best Vileplume Moveset
- Sleep Powder
- Mega Drain
- Swords Dance
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Without TMs, Vileplume's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Normal coverage on top of Petal Dance and Solar Beam for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
No wild encounters for Vileplume. The 3-stage chain runs through Oddish, which you can catch at solid rates from the locations below. Evolve through a special method once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Vileplume in Yellow
To get Vileplume, start by catching Oddish through walking encounters at Lv. 12-58. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch OddishEFFORTLESSRoute 24GrassLv.12-14CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 25GrassLv.12-14CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 12GrassLv.25-27CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 13GrassLv.25-27CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 14GrassLv.26-28CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 15GrassLv.26-28CommonMidRoute
Step 2Catch or Evolve GloomCHALLENGINGRoute 12GrassLv.29RareMidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 13GrassLv.29RareMidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 14GrassLv.30RareMidRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 15GrassLv.30RareMidRouteEASYCerulean Cave - 1FGrassLv.55UncommonPostCaveCHALLENGINGCerulean Cave - 2FGrassLv.58RarePostCaveor evolve from Oddish (Step 1)
Step 3Vileplume ✓
Vileplume has a 490 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier — a situational pick that fills a niche. It works best as an attacker. Base 100 Special is where it shines.
Watch for Pinsir (Bug), Arcanine (Fire), and Lapras (Ice) when using Vileplume. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Pinsir is the most dangerous since Bug moves deal 4x damage. Flying and Psychic-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Vileplume fills the attacker role. It's a mixed attacker — base 80 Attack and 100 Special. Base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Vileplume appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Vileplume has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 9 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut

Red & Blue - Gen IIGS

Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS

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