On paper, Volbeat looks underwhelming. In practice, Prankster gives priority to its status moves — and that's the whole story. Bug typing means only weak to Fire, Flying, and Rock. Known as the Firefly Pokemon. Can go either physical or special depending on the set.
Sp. Def and Speed carry most of Volbeat's stat budget. Sp. Atk's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 1 Speed EV. Follows a standard growth curve.
It communicates with others by lighting up its rear at night. It loves Illumise’s sweet aroma.
Volbeat Weakness
AvgFire, Flying, and Rock-type moves hit Volbeat for super-effective damage. With 65 HP and balanced defenses, Volbeat can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
Breeding is the whole story for Volbeat. No compatible partners through two egg groups, eggs are quick to hatch, and you won't need to evolve anything. It's got 7 egg moves worth looking into.
How to Evolve
Breed Volbeat from the Bug and Humanshape egg groups. Pass egg moves like Baton Pass, Bug Buzz, Dizzy Punch and 4 more to offspring.
Prankster gives Volbeat passive value while it walls. Calm nature boosts Sp. Def, max HP and Sp. Def EVs maximize the special wall profile, and Focus Sash keeps it in the game.
Best Build
Best Volbeat Moveset
- Encore
- Thunder Wave
- Toxic
- Trick
Recommended Teammates
Coverage runs deep. Volbeat can hit 11 types beyond STAB, including Normal and Psychic. The offense anchors on Bug Buzz and Signal Beam while TMs handle everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
Volbeat doesn't appear in Black 2 & White 2. Transfer it from Ruby, Emerald, or Brilliant Diamond to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Prankster changes the entire equation for Volbeat. The 430 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier.
Volbeat doesn't evolve and has no evolutionary line. It's a Bug-type Pokemon with a 430 base stat total.
Prankster is what you want on Volbeat. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Illuminate, Swarm) work on paper but Prankster is what makes Volbeat worth using.
Base 85 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Volbeat is leaning toward the physical side (base 73 Attack). Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Volbeat appears in 14 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Available in 14 titles since its debut in Ruby & Sapphire, Volbeat spans 7 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in a solid number of games.
- 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