Ghost moves don't affect Watchog at all — that's the advantage of Normal typing. It needs some investment to avoid getting outsped. Can go either physical or special depending on the set. Introduced in Gen 5.
An unusually even spread gives Watchog flexibility. Attack barely edges ahead. But HP isn't far off. Easy to catch and follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve. Yields 2 Attack EVs.
When they see an enemy, their tails stand high, and they spit the seeds of berries stored in their cheek pouches.
They make the patterns on their bodies shine in order to threaten predators. Keen eyesight lets them see in the dark.
Watchog Weakness
GoodFighting-type moves hit Watchog for super-effective damage. The upside? Ghost-type moves can't touch it at all. Just 1 weak spot to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
Evolved from Patrat. Watchog is the final form in this two-stage line. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Speed grew the most through evolution (+35 over Patrat), and Watchog peaks at 420 total stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Watchog to get Patrat eggs easily using 180 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Assurance, Flail, Foresight and 4 more.
One boost from Swords Dance and Watchog gets dangerous fast. The Jolly nature targets max Attack and Speed, and Analytic backs the whole approach. Thunderpunch and the remaining moves handle most of what's left standing.
Best Build
Best Watchog Moveset
- Thunder Punch
- Fire Punch
- Swords Dance
- Super Fang
Recommended Teammates
Don't skip the egg moves. Watchog picks up Assurance and Flail only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Giga Impact and Hyper Beam while coverage across 9 types adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Watchog appears at high spawn rates across 16 spots in mid-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Watchog in Black & White
Patrat is your first catch on the way to Watchog. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 2-60 across 26 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PatratEFFORTLESSRoute 1BlackGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyRouteAnyEFFORTLESSRoute 1WhiteGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyRouteAnyEFFORTLESSRoute 2WhiteGrassLv.4-7CommonEarlyRouteAnyEFFORTLESSRoute 2BlackGrassLv.4-7CommonEarlyRouteAnyEFFORTLESSDreamyard - OvergroundBlackGrassLv.8-11CommonEarlyAnyEFFORTLESSDreamyard - OvergroundWhiteGrassLv.8-11CommonEarlyAnyEASYRoute 3WhiteGrassLv.8UncommonEarlyRouteAnyEASYRoute 3BlackGrassLv.8UncommonEarlyRouteAnyEASYRoute 3WhiteGrassLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteAnyDouble grassEASYRoute 3BlackGrassLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteAnyDouble grass
Step 2Watchog ✓EFFORTLESSP2 LaboratoryBlackGrassLv.28-31CommonMidBuildingAnyEFFORTLESSP2 LaboratoryWhiteGrassLv.28-31CommonMidBuildingAnyEASYRoute 7BlackGrassLv.27-29UncommonMidRouteAnyEASYRoute 7WhiteGrassLv.27-29UncommonMidRouteAnyEASYRoute 18BlackGrassLv.28-30UncommonMidRouteAnyEASYRoute 18WhiteGrassLv.28-30UncommonMidRouteAnyEFFORTLESSRoute 1WhiteGrassLv.32-35CommonLateRouteAnyDouble grassEFFORTLESSRoute 1BlackGrassLv.32-35CommonLateRouteAnyDouble grassEASYRoute 7BlackGrassLv.31-33UncommonLateRouteAnyDouble grassEASYRoute 7WhiteGrassLv.31-33UncommonLateRouteAnyDouble grassEASYRoute 18BlackGrassLv.32-34UncommonLateRouteAnyDouble grassEASYRoute 18WhiteGrassLv.32-34UncommonLateRouteAnyDouble grassEASYDreamyard - OvergroundBlackGrassLv.47UncommonPostAnyDouble grassEASYDreamyard - OvergroundWhiteGrassLv.47UncommonPostAnyDouble grassCHALLENGINGRoute 15WhiteGrassLv.60RarePostRouteAnyDouble grassCHALLENGINGRoute 15BlackGrassLv.60RarePostRouteAnyDouble grassor evolve from Patrat (Step 1)
We rate Watchog C-Tier — a situational pick that fills a niche. At 420 BST, the stats are spread pretty evenly.
Watch for Machamp (Fighting) when using Watchog. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Patrat evolves into Watchog at level 20. Watchog is the fully evolved form. It sits at 420 BST in its evolved form.
Illuminate doubles the wild encounter rate — that's the one you want on Watchog. Analytic is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Keen Eye works too if your team needs something different.
Base 77 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Watchog is a physical attacker with base 85 Attack.
Watchog appears in 7 games, including Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, and X & Y.
Watchog joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 7 titles so far. With 5 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBWDebut
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