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 can sometimes knock out opponents with the shock created by breaching and crashing its big body onto the water.
Its immense size is the reason for its popularity. Wailord watching is a favorite sightseeing activity in various parts of the world.
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.
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 138 partners from the Ground and Water2 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Aqua Ring, Curse, Defense Curl and 6 more.
This is a pure walling set. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn so Wailord sticks around, and the Calm nature reinforces special wall. Rest handles sustain while Pressure does work passively.
Best Build
Best Wailord Moveset
- Scald
- Amnesia
- Rest
- Block
Recommended Teammates
Don't skip the egg moves. Wailord picks up Aqua Ring and Curse only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Water Spout and Hydro Pump while coverage across 9 types adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
moderate rates across 2 encounter spots for Wailord. That's the kind of hunt where you pick one location and settle in. Sort by Best below to see where the odds are highest.
Where To Catch Wailord in Sword & Shield
The path to Wailord starts with Wailmer at Lv. 39-65 via surfing, fishing, and more encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch WailmerEFFORTLESSRoute 9 - in Circhester Bay) (SurfingShieldOverworldLv.39-4340%LateRouteAll WeatherEFFORTLESSRoute 9 - in Circhester Bay) (SurfingSwordOverworldLv.39-4340%LateRouteAll WeatherEASYRoute 9 - in Circhester BaySwordSuper RodLv.39-4334%LateRouteEASYRoute 9 - in Circhester BayShieldSuper RodLv.39-4334%LateRouteMODERATEHoneycalm IslandShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterHeavy FogMODERATEHoneycalm IslandSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterIntense SunMODERATEHoneycalm IslandSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSnowingMODERATEHoneycalm IslandShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterOvercastMODERATEHoneycalm IslandSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSandstormMODERATEHoneycalm IslandShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterNormal WeatherMODERATEHoneycalm IslandSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterRainingMODERATEHoneycalm IslandShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSnowstormMODERATEHoneycalm IslandSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterHeavy FogMODERATEHoneycalm IslandSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterOvercastMODERATEHoneycalm IslandSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterNormal WeatherMODERATEHoneycalm IslandShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterIntense SunMODERATEHoneycalm IslandSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSnowstormMODERATEHoneycalm IslandShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSnowingMODERATEHoneycalm IslandShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSandstormMODERATEHoneycalm IslandShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterRainingMODERATEHoneycalm SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSandstormMODERATEHoneycalm SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterRainingMODERATEHoneycalm SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterIntense SunMODERATEHoneycalm SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterHeavy FogMODERATEHoneycalm SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSnowingMODERATEHoneycalm SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterOvercastMODERATEHoneycalm SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSandstormMODERATEHoneycalm SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterNormal WeatherMODERATEHoneycalm SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterRainingMODERATEHoneycalm SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSnowstormMODERATEHoneycalm SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterHeavy FogMODERATEHoneycalm SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterOvercastMODERATEHoneycalm SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterNormal WeatherMODERATEHoneycalm SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterIntense SunMODERATEHoneycalm SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSnowstormMODERATEHoneycalm SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSnowingMODERATEHoneycalm IslandShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4516%LateWaterThunderstormMODERATEHoneycalm IslandSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4516%LateWaterThunderstormMODERATEHoneycalm SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4516%LateWaterThunderstormMODERATEHoneycalm SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4516%LateWaterThunderstormEASYFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-6545%PostWaterRainingEASYFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-6545%PostWaterHeavy FogEASYFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-6545%PostWaterOvercastEASYFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-6545%PostWaterNormal WeatherEASYFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-6537%PostWaterNormal WeatherEASYFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-6537%PostWaterRainingEASYFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-6537%PostWaterHeavy FogEASYFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-6537%PostWaterOvercastEASYFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-6535%PostWaterThunderstormEASYFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-6529%PostWaterSnowingEASYFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-6529%PostWaterSnowstormEASYFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-6527%PostWaterThunderstormEASYFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-6522%PostWaterSnowstormEASYFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-6522%PostWaterSnowingMODERATEFrigid SeaShieldSuper RodLv.60-6520%PostWaterMODERATEFrigid SeaSwordSuper RodLv.60-6520%PostWater
Step 2Wailord ✓EXTREMERoute 9 - in Circhester BaySwordSuper RodLv.39-435%LateRouteEXTREMERoute 9 - in Circhester BayShieldSuper RodLv.39-435%LateRouteor 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