The Ball Pokemon. Voltorb appears in Gold & Silver's Kanto post-game and via in-game trade. Fast Electric type, but still limited beyond Thunderbolt and Explosion.
330HP40Attack30Defense50Speed100Sp.Def55Sp.Atk55
Voltorb
Electrode
Weak to
Special
Pivot
100Speed · Fast

Is Voltorb Good in Gold & Silver Playthrough?

Found in the Team Rocket hideout in Mahogany Town. Voltorb is fast but weak. Electrode is the goal, though Ampharos is a much stronger Electric-type that's available earlier.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTEEEETGEEEEGGEGEGGEGGFalknerGym 1BugsyGym 2WhitneyGym 3MortyGym 4VoltorbIn-Game TradeChuckGym 5ElectrodeEvolveJasmineGym 6VoltorbCatchPryceGym 7ClairGym 8SurgeGym 9SabrinaGym 10ErikaGym 11JanineGym 12MistyGym 13BrockGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16WillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4LanceChamp*
Falkner
Gym 1
Tough

Falkner's team hits Voltorb's weaknesses hard.

Even
Pidgey
Lv 7
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud Slap
Risky
Pidgeotto
Lv 9
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud SlapGust
Bugsy
Gym 2
Even

Voltorb trades roughly evenly with Bugsy's team.

Even
Metapod
Lv 14
Bug
Shed Skin
TackleString ShotHarden
Even
Kakuna
Lv 14
BugPoison
Shed Skin
Poison StingString ShotHarden
Risky
Scyther
Lv 16
BugFlying
Swarm
Quick AttackLeerFury Cutter
Whitney
Gym 3
Even

Voltorb trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.

You Win
Clefairy
Lv 18
Normal
Cute Charm
Double SlapMimicEncoreMetronome
Even
Miltank
Lv 20
Normal
Thick Fat
RolloutAttractStompMilk Drink
Morty
Gym 4
Even

Voltorb trades roughly evenly with Morty's team.

You Win
Gastly
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
LickSpiteMean LookCurse
You Win
Haunter
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisMimicCurseNight Shade
Risky
Gengar
Lv 25
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
HypnosisShadow BallMean LookDream Eater
Even
Haunter
Lv 23
GhostPoison
Levitate
SpiteMean LookMimicNight Shade
Chuck
Gym 5
Even

Voltorb trades roughly evenly with Chuck's team.

Even
Primeape
Lv 27
Fighting
Vital Spirit
LeerRageKarate ChopFury Swipes
You Win
Poliwrath
Lv 30
WaterFighting
Water Absorb
HypnosisMind ReaderSurfDynamic Punch
Jasmine
Gym 6
Tough

Jasmine's typing presses Electrode's defenses.

Even
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Even
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Risky
Steelix
Lv 35
SteelGround
Rock Head
ScreechSunny DayRock ThrowIron Tail
Pryce
Gym 7
Good

Electrode has the type edge here and should clean up Pryce's team.

Easy KO
Seel
Lv 27
Water
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
Easy KO
Dewgong
Lv 29
WaterIce
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
Even
Piloswine
Lv 31
IceGround
Oblivious
Icy WindFury AttackMistBlizzard
Clair
Gym 8
Even

Electrode trades roughly evenly with Clair's team.

Even
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSurfSlamDragon Breath
Even
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveThunderboltSlamDragon Breath
Even
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveIce BeamSlamDragon Breath
Even
Kingdra
Lv 40
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenSurfHyper BeamDragon Breath
Lt. Surge
Gym 9
Even

Electrode trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Raichu
Lv 44
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveQuick AttackThunderboltThunder
Risky
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
Even
Magneton
Lv 40
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Lock OnDouble TeamSwiftZap Cannon
Risky
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
Even
Electabuzz
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder PunchLight ScreenThunder
Sabrina
Gym 10
Even

Electrode trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Espeon
Lv 46
Psychic
Synchronize
Sand AttackQuick AttackSwiftPsychic
Even
Mr Mime
Lv 46
Psychic
Soundproof
BarrierReflectBaton PassPsychic
Even
Alakazam
Lv 48
Psychic
Synchronize
RecoverFuture SightPsychicReflect
Erika
Gym 11
Even

Electrode trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.

Even
Tangela
Lv 42
Grass
Chlorophyll
Vine WhipBindGiga DrainSleep Powder
You Win
Jumpluff
Lv 41
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Mega DrainLeech SeedCotton SporeGiga Drain
Even
Victreebel
Lv 46
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisAcidRazor Leaf
Risky
Bellossom
Lv 46
Grass
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisPetal DanceSolar Beam
Janine
Gym 12
Good

Electrode has the type edge here and should clean up Janine's team.

Easy KO
Crobat
Lv 36
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
ScreechSupersonicConfuse RayWing Attack
Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
You Win
Ariados
Lv 33
BugPoison
Swarm
Scary FaceGiga DrainString ShotNight Shade
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 39
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ForesightDouble TeamGustPsychic
Misty
Gym 13
Good

Electrode has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.

Easy KO
Golduck
Lv 42
Water
Damp
SurfDisablePsych UpPsychic
Risky
Quagsire
Lv 42
WaterGround
Damp
SurfAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance
Easy KO
Lapras
Lv 44
WaterIce
Water Absorb
SurfPerish SongBlizzardRain Dance
You Win
Starmie
Lv 47
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SurfConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam
Brock
Gym 14
Even

Electrode trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.

Risky
Graveler
Lv 41
RockGround
Rock Head
Defense CurlRock SlideRolloutEarthquake
Risky
Rhyhorn
Lv 41
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackScary FaceEarthquakeHorn Drill
Easy KO
Omastar
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
BiteSurfProtectSpike Cannon
Risky
Onix
Lv 44
RockGround
Rock Head
BindRock SlideBideSandstorm
Easy KO
Kabutops
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
SlashSurfEndureGiga Drain
Blaine
Gym 15
Good

Electrode has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

You Win
Magcargo
Lv 45
FireRock
Magma Armor
CurseSmogFlamethrowerRock Slide
You Win
Magmar
Lv 45
Fire
Flame Body
Thunder PunchFire PunchSunny DayConfuse Ray
Even
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
Quick AttackFire SpinFury AttackFire Blast
Blue
Gym 16
Even

Electrode trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Easy KO
Pidgeot
Lv 56
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
Quick AttackWhirlwindWing AttackMirror Move
Even
Alakazam
Lv 54
Psychic
Synchronize
DisableRecoverPsychicReflect
Avoid
Rhydon
Lv 56
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackSandstormRock SlideEarthquake
You Win
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
TwisterHydro PumpRain DanceHyper Beam
Risky
Exeggutor
Lv 58
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayLeech SeedEgg BombSolar Beam
Even
Arcanine
Lv 58
Fire
Intimidate
RoarSwiftFlamethrowerExtreme Speed
Will
Elite Four
Good

Electrode has the type edge here and should clean up Will's team.

Easy KO
Xatu
Lv 40
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
You Win
Jynx
Lv 41
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapLovely KissIce PunchPsychic
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 41
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
ReflectLeech SeedEgg BombPsychic
Easy KO
Slowbro
Lv 41
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
CurseAmnesiaBody SlamPsychic
Easy KO
Xatu
Lv 42
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
Koga
Elite Four
Good

Electrode has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

You Win
Ariados
Lv 40
BugPoison
Swarm
Double TeamSpider WebBaton PassGiga Drain
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 41
BugPoison
Shield Dust
SupersonicGustPsychicToxic
Even
Forretress
Lv 43
BugSteel
Sturdy
ProtectSwiftExplosionSpikes
Even
Muk
Lv 42
Poison
Stench
MinimizeAcid ArmorSludge BombToxic
Easy KO
Crobat
Lv 44
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Double TeamQuick AttackWing AttackToxic
Bruno
Elite Four
Even

Electrode trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.

Even
Hitmontop
Lv 42
Fighting
Intimidate
PursuitQuick AttackDigDetect
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 42
Fighting
Limber
SwaggerDouble KickHigh Jump KickForesight
You Win
Hitmonchan
Lv 42
Fighting
Keen Eye
Thunder PunchIce PunchFire PunchMach Punch
Risky
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Rock Head
BindEarthquakeSandstormRock Slide
You Win
Machamp
Lv 46
Fighting
Guts
Rock SlideForesightVital ThrowCross Chop
Karen
Elite Four
Good

Electrode has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.

You Win
Umbreon
Lv 42
Dark
Synchronize
Sand AttackConfuse RayFeint AttackMean Look
Even
Vileplume
Lv 42
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidMoonlightPetal Dance
You Win
Gengar
Lv 45
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
LickSpiteCurseDestiny Bond
Easy KO
Murkrow
Lv 44
DarkFlying
Insomnia
Quick AttackWhirlwindPursuitFeint Attack
You Win
Houndoom
Lv 47
DarkFire
Early Bird
RoarPursuitFlamethrowerCrunch
Lance
Champion
Good

Electrode has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.

Easy KO
Gyarados
Lv 44
WaterFlying
Intimidate
FlailRain DanceSurfHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterThunderHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterBlizzardHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 46
RockFlying
Rock Head
Wing AttackAncient PowerRock SlideHyper Beam
You Win
Charizard
Lv 46
FireFlying
Blaze
FlamethrowerWing AttackSlashHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 50
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Fire BlastSafeguardOutrageHyper Beam

In-Game Trade

Available after Badge 4
Type
Electric
Tier
F

Voltorb can be received through an in-game trade in Olivine City. Trade Krabby. Trade a Krabby to Tim in an Olivine City house to receive Volty the Voltorb.

View Voltorb locations

Catch Voltorb

Available after Badge 6
Type
Electric
Tier
F

Catch Voltorb on Team Rocket HQ (interact, Lv 23, limited). A floor trap on Team Rocket HQ B1F in Mahogany Town: 8 of the 22 trap tiles start this battle, which you cannot flee.

View Voltorb locations

Recommended Moves

  • STARTING (Lv 23)
    • LV 23NormalSelf-DestructPower 200Accuracy 100%PP 5
  • After Bugsy
  • After Whitney
  • After Jasmine
    • LV 37NormalSwiftPower 60Accuracy 100%PP 20
    • LV 39NormalExplosionPower 250Accuracy 100%PP 5
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM07ElectricZap CannonPower 150Accuracy 50%PP 5Gift from the Power Plant manager after returning the Machine Part

Evolve Voltorb to Electrode

Level 30
Type
Electric
Tier
A

Voltorb evolves into Electrode at Level 30. Your Voltorb should hit Level 30 before you reach Jasmine, at typical leveling pace.

View Electrode locations

Recommended Moves

  • STARTING (Lv 30)
    • LV 30NormalSelf-DestructPower 200Accuracy 100%PP 5
  • After Bugsy
  • After Jasmine
    • LV 40NormalSwiftPower 60Accuracy 100%PP 20
    • LV 44NormalExplosionPower 250Accuracy 100%PP 5
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM07ElectricZap CannonPower 150Accuracy 50%PP 5Gift from the Power Plant manager after returning the Machine Part
    • TM15NormalHyper BeamPower 150Accuracy 90%PP 5Celadon Game Corner

How to Get Voltorb in Gold & Silver

Three ways to a Voltorb. Wild on a few routes, a fixed level 23 one disguised in the Rocket hideout, or an NPC trade in Olivine for your Krabby. The trade and the static both come up once.

3 locations to catch Voltorb

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8
Post-Game

Where To Catch Voltorb in GS

Voltorb is the chain's first catch. You'll find trade and walking encounters from Lv. 17-23 across 8 total spots in the chain.

  1. Electrode
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Electrode
    or evolve from Voltorb (Step 1)

To plan your throws, open the Gold & Silver catch rate calculator with Voltorb preloaded.

How to Get Shiny Voltorb in Gold & Silver

Voltorb from the Krabby trade is locked non-shiny, so target the static one in the Team Rocket hideout, saving, battling, and resetting each attempt, with the Route 10 grass a wild option at the same rate. Compare Shiny Voltorb odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Voltorb in Gold & SilverNormal
Shiny Voltorb in Gold & Silver Shiny
Color ShiftRedtoBlue
Shiny TierA Tier Shiny

Shiny Voltorb Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Gold & Silver Shiny Voltorb Calculator

3 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Breed w/ Shiny Parent, about 1 in 64 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method3 in Gold & Silver

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

Breed w/ Shiny Parent: Eggs inherit stats from a shiny parent, so about 1 in 64 hatch shiny. A shiny Ditto helps every egg, and any other shiny parent (the red Gyarados works) helps only eggs of the opposite gender.

Soft Reset: Save in front of a static, gift, or legendary encounter, then reset until it sparkles.

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 64Breed w/ Shiny Parent
Chance By Now50.8%at 45 eggs hatchedAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few7----
25%one in four19----
50%coin flip45----
90%very likely147----
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

For time estimates and charm math, open the Gold & Silver shiny odds calculator with Voltorb already selected.

Voltorb Weakness

Voltorb is weak to Ground. Few weaknesses and 3 resistances make the typing clean. At base 100 Speed, Voltorb outspeeds most threats and doesn't need to tank what it can outrun.

Voltorb Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ground
0.5x (Resist)Electric, Flying, Steel
Gen II Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
  • Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def

What is Voltorb Weak Against

Good
1Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Score+1
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Voltorb Strong Against

2Strong
3Resisted
1Immune
Score-2
2xStrong
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Voltorb

Quagsire
Quagsire
WaterGround
B
Sandslash
Sandslash
Ground
C
Graveler
Graveler
RockGround
B
Onix
Onix
RockGround
C

Voltorb Evolutions

One evolution ahead. Voltorb grows into Electrode through a straightforward two-stage chain. No compatible partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs take an average time to hatch. Evolving adds up to 160 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Voltorb
Electric
Electrode
Electric
HP
40
60+20
ATK
30
50+20
DEF
50
70+20
SP.ATK
55
80+25
SP.DEF
55
80+25
SPE
100
150+50
BST
330F-Tier
490A-Tier+160
ROLE
Pivot
Pivot
TYPE
Special
Special

Breeding

Challenging

Voltorb is genderless and can only breed with Ditto. Part of the Mineral egg group.

Egg Groups
Mineral
Gender
GenderlessDittoDitto only
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body

GS Voltorb Best Moveset

100 Speed without the Sp. Atk to back it up. MoveThunderbolt from 55 Sp. Atk chips at best. MoveExplosion trades HP for physical damage as the last resort. Goes first, does minimal work, and detonates when there's nothing left.

Best Build

Experimental
Screens Setter
Ability
Unknown
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Voltorb
HardyNEUTRAL

Screens Setter Moveset

  • ExplosionCoverage
  • ReflectUtility
  • ThunderSTAB
  • Light Screen

Moves List

TMs carry this one. Voltorb learns Zap Cannon and Thunder naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Rock and beyond give it real matchup play.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 9
Screech
D—8540Normal
Lv 17
Sonic Boom
——9020Normal
Lv 23
Self-Destruct
C2001005Normal
Lv 29
Rollout
D309020Rock
Lv 33
Light Screen
B——30Psychic
Lv 37
Swift
D60—20Normal
Lv 39
Explosion
B2501005Normal
Lv 41
Mirror Coat-5
D—10020Psychic

TM Moves

14 of 19 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM32———15Normal
TM20
Endure+4Burned Towerbadge 4
D——10Normal
HM05D—7020Normal
TM02D7010015Normal
TM10D6010015Normal
TM17C——10Normal
TM18C——5Water
TM44
RestIce Pathnot until badge 7
C——10Psychic
TM04
RolloutRoute 35badge 2
D309020Rock
TM35
Sleep TalkItem ball in the Goldenrod Underground Warehouse, the storage area linked to the Dept Store basementnot until badge 7
C——10Normal
TM13
SnoreMoomoo Farmbadge 3
—4010015Normal
TM34
SwaggerOlivine Lighthousebadge 4
C—8515Normal
TM39
SwiftUnion Cavebadge 1
D60—20Normal
TM25
ThunderGoldenrod Game Cornerbadge 2
B1807010Electric
TM06C—8510Poison
TM07
Zap CannonGift from the Power Plant manager after returning the Machine Part
D150505Electric

Egg Moves

Voltorb doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Voltorb can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP40
D
Attack30
F
Defense50
D
Sp. Atk55
D
Sp. Def55
D
Speed100
B
Total330
Details
Catch Rate
Easy190 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.5 m
Weight10.4 kg
Base XP66
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Speed training source
Pokedex Entry

It rolls to move. If the ground is uneven, a sudden jolt from hitting a bump can cause it to explode.

It was discovered when POKé BALLS were introduced. It is said that there is some connection.

Voltorb Gold & Silver Guide

  • Trade a Krabby to Tim in an Olivine City house to receive Volty the Voltorb. This is an NPC trade, so the Voltorb you receive is yours immediately, no transfer cable needed.

  • Voltorb is a static encounter at Johto Team Rocket Hq in Gold & Silver. Voltorb appears at level 23. Save before the encounter. These one-shot Pokemon don't respawn if you knock them out or run out of Poke Balls.

  • For Gold & Silver, you can run Voltorb through the first few routes without issues. 330 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Electrode as fast as you can.

  • Yes. Hisuian Voltorb is a regional variant with different typing and a reworked stat spread. Introduced in Gen 8. Plays completely differently from the original.

Game Availability

Since debuting in Red & Blue, Voltorb has appeared in 20 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received a Hisuian form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.

Explore

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