Bulk defines Whirlipede's stat line. Defense and Sp. Def anchor the defensive side, but HP can't keep up offensively. Common in the wild and worth 2 Defense EVs.
This Pokémon spins itself rapidly and charges into its opponents. Its top speed is just over 60 mph.
Whirlipede protects itself with a sturdy shell and poisonous spikes while it stores up the energy it’ll need for evolution.
Whirlipede is weak to Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Standard number of weaknesses for the Bug/Poison typing.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Flying, Psychic, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Bug, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting |
Espeon can KO Whirlipede with Psyshock (113-134%). Volcarona threatens a KO with Heat Wave (130-153%). Glimmora's Power Gem also KOs at 94-110%.
 Espeon Psychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Bounce ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Whirlipede View Espeon builds →Psyshock 2x113-134%KO | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemGrassyseed NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Whirlipede View Volcarona builds →Heat Wave 2x130-153%KO | ||
 Glimmora RockPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemRed Card NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Whirlipede View Glimmora builds →Power Gem 2x94-110%KO | ||
 Cinderace Fire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLibero ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Whirlipede View Cinderace builds →U Turn9-11% Sucker Punch18-22% | ||
 Pelipper Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Whirlipede View Pelipper builds →Hurricane 2x125-147%KO | ||
Partway through Venipede's chain. Whirlipede still has another evolution ahead before reaching Scolipede. For breeding, quick to hatch with plenty of partners via one egg group. Defense has grown the most so far (+40), but there's still another 125 stats to gain in the final evolution. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Whirlipede to get Venipede eggs easily using 91 partners from the Bug egg group.
Focus Sash guarantees Whirlipede survives one hit from full HP. That's enough to deal early damage and fire off Toxic before going down. Poison Point and max HP and Defense EVs maximize first-turn impact.
Best Build
Whirlipede best EVs are Defense and HP
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Protect
- Bug Bite
- Gyro Ball
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Solar Beam
- Venoshock
- Toxic
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 7.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 7.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Leveling does the heavy lifting. Whirlipede picks up Take Down and Double-Edge along the way, building toward a complete offensive set. TMs add Rock and Normal coverage, but the foundation's already strong by then.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Leveling does the heavy lifting. Whirlipede picks up Take Down and Double-Edge along the way, building toward a complete offensive set. TMs add Rock and Normal coverage and more, but the foundation's already strong by then.
Breeding opens up real options for Whirlipede. Pin Missile and Rock Climb come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Sludge Bomb and Poison Jab and Rock and Dark coverage and more.
Breeding opens up real options for Whirlipede. Pin Missile and Rock Climb come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Sludge Bomb and Poison Jab and Rock and Dark coverage and more.
Whirlipede can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Venipede from Black, Black 2, or Sword and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Whirlipede doesn't appear wild. Catch Venipede instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it at level 22 to get Whirlipede. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Whirlipede in Sword & Shield
Venipede is your first catch on the way to Whirlipede. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 10-18 across 36 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch VenipedeForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest56%EarlySnowingForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest56%EarlyNormal WeatherForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest56%EarlySnowstormForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest56%EarlyNormal WeatherForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest56%EarlySnowstormForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest56%EarlySnowingForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest46%EarlySandstormForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest46%EarlyHeavy FogForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest46%EarlySandstormForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest46%EarlyHeavy FogForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyOvercastForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyRainingForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyOvercastForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyThunderstormForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyIntense SunForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyThunderstormForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyRainingForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyIntense SunForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyNormal WeatherForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyRainingForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlySnowstormForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyHeavy FogForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyOvercastForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyNormal WeatherForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyThunderstormForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlySnowstormForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyIntense SunForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlySnowingForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlySandstormForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyThunderstormForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyRainingForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyIntense SunForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyHeavy FogForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlySnowingForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyOvercastForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlySandstorm
Step 2Whirlipede ✓
Whirlipede can't be caught in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Transfer Venipede from Black, Black 2, or Sword and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
You're catching Venipede first, not Whirlipede. Venipede appears at moderate rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Whirlipede in Sun & Moon
Step 1Catch VenipedeRoute 4SunGrass Lv.14 RouteEarlyIsland Scan (Thursday)Route 4MoonGrass Lv.14 RouteEarlyIsland Scan (Thursday)
Step 2Whirlipede ✓
Whirlipede is meant to evolve into Scolipede. At 360 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Speed Boost is what you want on Whirlipede. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Poison Point, Swarm) work on paper but Speed Boost is what makes Whirlipede worth using.
Speed Boost is the hidden ability. It raises Speed one stage after each turn. Worth hunting for if you want Whirlipede to compete at a higher level.
Whirlipede joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 8 titles so far. With 6 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves