The Firefly Pokemon. Volbeat is transfer-only at C-Tier in Diamond & Pearl. Tail Glow sharply raises Sp.Atk, but 47 base means even doubled isn't threatening.
Ability 1IlluminateAbility 1Doubles the wild encounter rate.Ability 2SwarmAbility 2Strengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
400HP65Attack73Defense55Speed85Sp.Def75Sp.Atk47
Weak to
Mixed
Support
85Speed · Above Avg

Is Volbeat Good in Diamond & Pearl Playthrough?

Transfer-only Bug from Hoenn. AbilityIlluminate raises encounter rate. Stats too low to contribute against any Gym Leader or E4 member. One of Hoenn's weakest, and Sinnoh doesn't need it.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGSGGEESGEGEGGGGERoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2MayleneGym 3Crasher WakeGym 4FantinaGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4MarsBossJupiterBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*VolbeatCatchable
Roark
Gym 1
Good

Volbeat has the type edge here and should clean up Roark's team.

You Win
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
You Win
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
You Win
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Strong

Volbeat resists most of Gardenia's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Cherubi
Lv 19
Grass
Chlorophyll
Grass KnotLeech SeedGrowthSafeguard
Easy KO
Turtwig
Lv 19
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafWithdrawReflect
You Win
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Maylene
Gym 3
Good

Volbeat has the type edge here and should clean up Maylene's team.

Easy KO
Meditite
Lv 27
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionMeditateDetect
Even
Machoke
Lv 27
Fighting
Guts
Brick BreakRock TombLeerForesight
Even
Lucario
Lv 30
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 4
Good

Volbeat has the type edge here and should clean up Crasher Wake's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 27
WaterFlying
Intimidate
BrineDragon RageBiteSwagger
Easy KO
Quagsire
Lv 27
WaterGround
Damp
Mud BombSlamMud SportTail Whip
You Win
Floatzel
Lv 30
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangPursuitSwift
Fantina
Gym 5
Even

Volbeat trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.

You Win
Drifblim
Lv 32
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Ominous WindGustAstonishMinimize
Even
Gengar
Lv 34
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow ClawPoison JabSpiteConfuse Ray
Even
Mismagius
Lv 36
Ghost
Levitate
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Byron
Gym 6
Even

Volbeat trades roughly evenly with Byron's team.

You Win
Bronzor
Lv 36
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Flash CannonExtrasensoryConfuse RayHypnosis
Even
Steelix
Lv 36
SteelGround
Rock Head
Gyro BallIce FangDragon BreathSandstorm
You Win
Bastiodon
Lv 39
RockSteel
Sturdy
Flash CannonAncient PowerIron DefenseRest
Candice
Gym 7
Strong

Volbeat resists most of Candice's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Snover
Lv 38
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheRazor LeafIngrainLeer
Easy KO
Sneasel
Lv 38
DarkIce
Inner Focus
AvalancheSlashFeint AttackTaunt
You Win
Medicham
Lv 40
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Ice PunchForce PalmDetectBulk Up
You Win
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerGrass WhistleSwagger
Volkner
Gym 8
Good

Volbeat has the type edge here and should clean up Volkner's team.

Even
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamBrick BreakThunder WaveLight Screen
You Win
Ambipom
Lv 47
Normal
Technician
Shock WaveAgilityNasty PlotBaton Pass
You Win
Octillery
Lv 47
Water
Suction Cups
Charge BeamOctazookaAurora BeamBullet Seed
Even
Luxray
Lv 49
Electric
Rivalry
Charge BeamThunder FangCrunchThunder Wave
Aaron
Elite Four
Even

Volbeat trades roughly evenly with Aaron's team.

Even
Dustox
Lv 53
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ToxicBug BuzzDouble TeamLight Screen
Even
Beautifly
Lv 53
BugFlying
Swarm
Energy BallBug BuzzPsychicShadow Ball
Even
Vespiquen
Lv 54
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
Even
Heracross
Lv 54
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
Risky
Drapion
Lv 57
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Good

Volbeat has the type edge here and should clean up Bertha's team.

Easy KO
Quagsire
Lv 55
WaterGround
Damp
DigDouble TeamProtectSandstorm
You Win
Sudowoodo
Lv 56
Rock
Sturdy
EarthquakeSucker PunchHammer ArmSandstorm
Easy KO
Golem
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeGyro BallBrick BreakSandstorm
Easy KO
Whiscash
Lv 55
WaterGround
Oblivious
FissureAqua TailZen HeadbuttRock Slide
Even
Hippowdon
Lv 59
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchCurse
Flint
Elite Four
Even

Volbeat trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.

Risky
Rapidash
Lv 58
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
Even
Steelix
Lv 57
SteelGround
Rock Head
Fire FangRock TombScreechSunny Day
Even
Drifblim
Lv 58
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Will O WispOminous WindDouble TeamBaton Pass
You Win
Lopunny
Lv 57
Normal
Cute Charm
Fire PunchCharmMirror CoatSunny Day
Risky
Infernape
Lv 61
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
Lucian
Elite Four
Good

Volbeat has the type edge here and should clean up Lucian's team.

You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 59
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
You Win
Girafarig
Lv 59
NormalPsychic
Inner Focus
PsychicShadow BallDouble HitCrunch
Even
Medicham
Lv 60
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchFire PunchThunder PunchIce Punch
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 60
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Even
Bronzong
Lv 63
SteelPsychic
Levitate
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
Mars
Commander
Good

Volbeat has the type edge here and should clean up Mars's team.

Even
Golbat
Lv 37
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 37
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
You Win
Purugly
Lv 39
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Jupiter
Commander
Good

Volbeat has the type edge here and should clean up Jupiter's team.

You Win
Zubat
Lv 18
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
You Win
Skuntank
Lv 20
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Saturn
Commander
Good

Volbeat has the type edge here and should clean up Saturn's team.

You Win
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShock WaveRecoverEmbargo
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
You Win
Toxicroak
Lv 40
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorSwagger
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Volbeat trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

Even
Spiritomb
Lv 61
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindEmbargo
You Win
Roserade
Lv 60
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombShadow BallExtrasensory
Easy KO
Gastrodon
Lv 60
WaterGround
Sticky Hold
Muddy WaterEarthquakeStone EdgeSludge Bomb
Even
Lucario
Lv 63
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereDragon PulsePsychicEarthquake
Even
Milotic
Lv 63
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatAqua Ring
Risky
Garchomp
Lv 66
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeBrick BreakGiga Impact

Catchable

Post-game only
Type
Bug
Tier
C

Catch Volbeat on Route 229 (walking, Lv 50, rare).

View Volbeat locations

Diamond & Pearl Volbeat Locations

Volbeat flies one postgame route at level 50, rare in Diamond and a touch more common in Pearl. It shares that grass with Illumise, the two firefly Pokemon trading rarity by version.

1 location to catch Volbeat

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 8
Post-Game

Best Locations to Catch Volbeat in Diamond & Pearl

How to Get Shiny Volbeat in Diamond & Pearl

Volbeat glows along Route 229 at night, where a PokeRadar chain is what drops its shiny odds steeply. Compare Shiny Volbeat odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Volbeat in Diamond & PearlNormal
Shiny Volbeat in Diamond & Pearl Shiny
Color ShiftGraytoBlue
Shiny TierC Tier Shiny

Shiny Volbeat Evolution

Does Not Evolve
Volbeat does not evolve
Single-stage PokemonView Full Evolution Chart

Diamond & Pearl Shiny Volbeat Calculator

3 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is PokeRadar Chain at full boosts, about 1 in 200 on each try. Tune it below.

Step 1 · Encounter Method3 in Diamond & Pearl

PokeRadar Chain: Chain shaking-grass patches without breaking the combo. The rate peaks at a chain of 40.

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Step 2 · Boost Your Oddstap to add
00

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 200PokeRadar Chain
Chance By Now50.2%at 139 encountersAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few22----
25%one in four58----
50%coin flip139----
90%very likely460----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Planning a longer hunt? Set up Volbeat in the Diamond & Pearl Shiny Odds Calculator to compare every method side by side.

Volbeat Weakness

Fire, Flying, and Rock moves hit Volbeat for super-effective damage. Standard number of weaknesses for the Bug typing.

Volbeat Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fire, Flying, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Fighting, Ground
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Volbeat Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Score-3
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Volbeat Strong Against

3Strong
6Resisted
0Immune
Score-3

Best Pokemon Against Volbeat

Heatran
Heatran
FireSteel
S
Infernape
Infernape
FireFighting
A
Skarmory
Skarmory
SteelFlying
B
Staraptor
Staraptor
NormalFlying
B
Camerupt
Camerupt
FireGround
C

Volbeat Evolutions

Breeding is the whole story for Volbeat. A decent partner pool through two egg groups, eggs are quick to hatch, and you won't need to evolve anything. It's got 5 egg moves worth looking into. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Volbeat
#313Volbeat
Does not evolve

Breeding

Moderate

Breed Volbeat with 48 breeding partners from the Bug and Human-Like egg groups. Pass egg moves like Baton Pass, Bug Buzz, Encore and 2 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
BugHuman-Like
Gender
♂100.0%
Hatch Time
15 cycles·3,855 steps
Quick~4 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
5moves
Breed With (best first)
flygondrapiongardevoirinfernapegalladelopunnycacturnemasquerainillumiseparasectmonfernospinda

DP Volbeat Best Moveset

85 Sp. Def and 85 Speed give some special bulk and quickness, but 73 Attack and 47 Sp. Atk leave the moveset without real damage output. MoveTail Glow doubles Sp. Atk, but 47 base doubled is still only 94 effective, which isn't enough to sweep.

Best Build

Experimental
Wall
Ability
Swarm
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Volbeat

Volbeat best EVs are HP and Defense

EVs

Wall Moveset

  • EncoreUtility
  • RoostRecovery
  • Bug BiteSTAB
  • ToxicUtility

Moves List

Don't skip the egg moves. Volbeat picks up Baton Pass and Bug Buzz only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Bug Buzz and Signal Beam while coverage across 9 types adds range.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Flash
D—10020Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 5
Double Team
———15Normal
Lv 9
Confuse Ray
C—10010Ghost
Lv 13
Moonlight
D——5Normal
Lv 17
Quick Attack+1
D4010030Normal
Lv 21
Tail Glow
D——20Bug
Lv 25
Signal Beam
D11210015Bug
Lv 29
Protect+4
C——10Normal
Lv 33
Helping Hand+5
———20Normal
Lv 37
Zen Headbutt
D809015Psychic
Lv 41
Bug Buzz
B13510010Bug
Lv 45
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal

TM Moves

36 of 38 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40
Aerial AceRoute 213badge 2
D60—20Flying
TM45
AttractAmity Squarebadge 2
——10015Normal
TM31
Brick BreakOreburgh Gate (basement)badge 2
D7510015Fighting
TM78
CaptivateRoute 204badge 2
——10020Normal
TM57
Charge BeamPrize for defeating Volknernot until badge 8
D509010Electric
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
D7010020Normal
TM70
FlashVeilstone Department Storebadge 1
D—10020Normal
TM56
FlingRoute 222not until badge 7
D—10010Dark
TM01
Focus Punch-3Oreburgh Gatebadge 6
C15010020Fighting
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
D—10020Normal
TM19
Giga DrainRoute 209badge 5
D6010010Grass
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Corner
D6010015Normal
TM16
Light ScreenVeilstone Department Storebadge 2
C——30Psychic
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 2
D—10015Normal
TM17
Protect+4Veilstone Department Storebadge 2
C——10Normal
TM77
Psych UpRoute 211badge 4
———10Normal
TM44
RestVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
D—10020Normal
TM51
RoostRoute 210badge 2
B——10Flying
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—7010020Normal
TM30
Shadow BallRoute 210badge 4
D8010015Ghost
TM34
Shock WaveRoute 215badge 2
D60—20Electric
TM62
Silver WindRoute 212badge 2
D901005Bug
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM22
Solar BeamVeilstone Department Storebadge 2
D12010010Grass
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM87
SwaggerTM in Mr Backlot office in the Pokémon Mansion on Route 212badge 2
——9015Normal
TM46
ThiefEterna Citybadge 2
D6010025Dark
TM25
ThunderLake Valorbadge 2
D1207010Electric
TM73
Thunder WaveExchange Service Corner building in the Battle Park, entered through the Fight Area gatehouse
A—10020Electric
TM24
ThunderboltVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510015Electric
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 2
B—8510Poison
TM89
U-turnVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
A10510020Bug
TM03
Water PulseRavaged Pathbadge 5
D6010020Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Baton Pass
C——40Normal
Egg
Bug Buzz
B13510010Bug
Egg
Encore
B—1005Normal
Egg
Silver Wind
D901005Bug
Egg
Trick
C—10010Psychic

Tutor Moves

Volbeat can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen
Gen 3
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Gen 3
Counter-5
D—10020Fighting
Gen 3
Dynamic Punch
D100505Fighting
Gen 3
Mega Kick
C120755Normal
Gen 3
Mega Punch
—808520Normal
Gen 3
Metronome
D——10Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
———10Normal
Gen 3
Seismic Toss
D—10020Fighting

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP65
C
Attack73
C
Defense55
D
Sp. Atk47
D
Sp. Def75
C
Speed85
C
Total400
Details
Catch Rate
Moderate150 / 255
Growth Rate
Erratic600,000 XP
Height0.7 m
Weight17.7 kg
Base XP151
Abilities
Illuminate
Doubles the wild encounter rate.
Swarm
Strengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Speed training source
Pokedex Entry

It communicates with others by lighting up its rear at night. It loves ILLUMISE’s sweet aroma.

Pokemon Diamond / Pokemon Pearl

Volbeat Diamond & Pearl Guide

  • For Diamond & Pearl, it depends on your team. Volbeat rates C-Tier. Not a powerhouse, but the Bug coverage might be exactly what you're missing.

  • Yes. Volbeat is a post-game Pokemon. You need to defeat the Elite Four and enter the Hall of Fame first. Volbeat becomes available after the main story is complete in Diamond & Pearl.

  • In Diamond & Pearl, use Volbeat as a support. Splits damage between physical and special. Speed is middling,

  • For Diamond & Pearl, run Careful on Volbeat. +Sp. Def is what matters, and the -Sp. Atk cut doesn't hurt this set. Fits the support role.

  • For Diamond & Pearl, build your team around Umbreon, Hitmonchan, and Dusknoir. These have the highest co-usage rates with Volbeat in competitive formats. They cover each other's weaknesses.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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