As a Water-type, Wailord fills a straightforward role. Only weak to Electric and Grass. Known as the Float Whale Pokémon. A competitive option since Gen 3. Relies on priority moves or Scarf to keep up.
Wailord's spread is anchored by HP, with balanced defenses backing it up. Defense is the clear weak point. Worth 2 HP EVs per KO, and the standard growth curve keeps leveling painless.
It breathes through nostrils that it raises above the sea. By inhaling to its maximum capacity, a WAILORD can dive close to 10,000 feet beneath the waves.
Wailord Weakness
GoodElectric and Grass-type moves hit Wailord for super-effective damage. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. With 170 HP and balanced defenses, Wailord can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
Wailord is the evolved form of Wailmer. Breeding produces Wailmer eggs, and they're takes forever to hatch. Evolving from Wailmer gave Wailord the biggest boost in HP (+40), bringing the total to 500 stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Wailord to get Wailmer eggs easily using 102 partners from the Ground and Water2 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Curse, Double-Edge, Fissure and 5 more.
This build takes hits and hits back. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, Waterveil supports the gameplan, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs mean Wailord doesn't crumble to chip damage. Plus the remaining moves backing it up.
Best Build
Best Wailord Moveset
- Self Destruct
- Ice Beam
- Water Spout
- Hydro Pump
Recommended Teammates
Don't skip the egg moves. Wailord picks up Curse and Double-Edge only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Water Spout and Hydro Pump while Rock and Ghost coverage and more adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
moderate rates is the best you'll get on Wailord in mid-game water routes. Use the sort toggle below. Best shows where the odds peak, Earliest shows where you can access it soonest in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Wailord in Emerald
Wailmer is your first catch on the way to Wailord. You'll find fishing and surfing encounters from Lv. 10-45 across 67 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch WailmerMODERATEDewford TownGood RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEEver Grande CityGood RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyCityMODERATELilycove CityGood RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEMossdeep CityGood RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEPacifidlog TownGood RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyCityMODERATERoute 103Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 105 - OutsideGood RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 106Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 107Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 108Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 109Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 110Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 115Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 121Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 122Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 123Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 124Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 125Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 126Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 127Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 128Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 129Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 130Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 131Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 132Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 133Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 134Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATESeafloor Cavern - EntranceGood RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyCaveMODERATESeafloor Cavern - Room 6Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyCaveMODERATESeafloor Cavern - Room 7Good RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyCaveMODERATEShoal Cave - 1F Room 1, High TideGood RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyCaveMODERATEShoal Cave - 1F Room 2, High TideGood RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyCaveMODERATESlateport CityGood RodLv.10-30UncommonEarlyCityEASYDewford TownSuper RodLv.20-45CommonMidCityEASYRoute 105 - OutsideSuper RodLv.20-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 106Super RodLv.20-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 107Super RodLv.20-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 108Super RodLv.20-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 109Super RodLv.20-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 110Super RodLv.20-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 115Super RodLv.20-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 121Super RodLv.20-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 123Super RodLv.20-45CommonMidRouteEASYSeafloor Cavern - EntranceSuper RodLv.20-45CommonMidCaveEASYSeafloor Cavern - Room 6Super RodLv.20-45CommonMidCaveEASYSeafloor Cavern - Room 7Super RodLv.20-45CommonMidCaveEASYShoal Cave - 1F Room 1, High TideSuper RodLv.20-45CommonMidCaveEASYShoal Cave - 1F Room 2, High TideSuper RodLv.20-45CommonMidCaveEASYSlateport CitySuper RodLv.20-45CommonMidCityEASYLilycove CitySuper RodLv.25-45CommonMidCityEASYMossdeep CitySuper RodLv.25-45CommonMidCityEASYRoute 103Super RodLv.25-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 122Super RodLv.25-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 124Super RodLv.25-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 125Super RodLv.25-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 126Super RodLv.25-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 127Super RodLv.25-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 129Super RodLv.25-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 130Super RodLv.25-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 131Super RodLv.25-45CommonMidRouteEASYEver Grande CitySuper RodLv.30-35CommonMidCityEASYPacifidlog TownSuper RodLv.30-45CommonMidCityEASYRoute 128Super RodLv.30-35CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 132Super RodLv.30-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 133Super RodLv.30-45CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 134Super RodLv.30-45CommonMidRoute
Step 2Wailord ✓HARDRoute 129Surfing on waterLv.25-30RareMidRouteor evolve from Wailmer (Step 1)
Wailord has a 500 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier — a situational pick that fills a niche. It works best as a balanced. Base 170 HP is where it shines.
Wailmer evolves into Wailord at level 40. Wailord is the fully evolved form. At 500 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
Water Veil prevents burns — that's the one you want on Wailord. Pressure is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Oblivious works too if your team needs something different.
Wailord fills the balanced role. It's a mixed attacker — base 90 Attack and 90 Sp. Atk. At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Wailord appears in 14 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Wailord first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 14 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
- 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