Xatu Best Moveset
Hidden AbilityMagic Bounce reflects status moves, entry hazards, and utility attacks back at the opponent automatically. 95 Sp. Atk at 95 Speed with Psychic/Flying TermStab gives the moveset fast special offense alongside that reflection utility. C-tier because the support value is real even if the offensive numbers don't threaten top-tier answers.
Psychic/Flying with average stats across the board in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Not fast enough, not strong enough, not bulky enough to excel at anything.
Support Moveset
- Psychic
- Haze
- Toxic
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Calm Mind plus Baton Pass gave it a support niche in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Passing boosts was useful, but better Pokemon existed for the role.
Support Moveset
- Psychic
- Giga Drain
- Calm Mind
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Same Baton Pass niche in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl) but 95 Sp. Atk was underwhelming even after Calm Mind boosts.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Fly
- U Turn
- Future Sight
- Shadow Ball
Recommended Teammates
Magic Bounce arrived and changed everything in Gen V (Black & White). Stealth Rock, Toxic, Thunder Wave — all bounced back at the setter. Xatu shut down hazard leads just by switching in.
Best Moves
Best Build
Xatu best EVs are HP and Defense
Wall Moveset
- Roost
- U Turn
- Night Shade
- Hidden Power Ice
Recommended Teammates
Magic Bounce was still great in Gen VI (X & Y) but Xatu's stats were the problem. 95/70/70 defenses couldn't take repeated hits while bouncing hazards.
Wall Moveset
- Roost
- Light Screen
- Psyshock
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Same Magic Bounce niche in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Useful on specific teams that needed hazard prevention, but too frail for general use.
Wall Moveset
- Roost
- Heat Wave
- U Turn
- Night Shade
Recommended Teammates
Four gens hovering at the same level in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Magic Bounce kept Xatu alive competitively, but its stats never let it do more than one thing.
Special Tank Moveset
- Heat Wave
- Psychic
- Trick Room
- Fly
Recommended Teammates
Xatu Weakness
Type-wise, Xatu takes extra damage from Electric, Ice, Rock, Ghost, and Dark. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. Xatu leans toward special offense (base 95 Sp.Atk) instead of trying to wall anything.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ice, Rock, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Psychic |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
What is Xatu Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Xatu
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Xatu View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn17-20% Scald14-17% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves View Clodsire builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Xatu View Corviknight builds →U Turn23-27% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Toxapex builds →
| ||
Evolution
Evolved from Natu. Xatu is the final form in this two-stage line. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. HP grew the most through evolution (+25 over Natu), and Xatu peaks at 470 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
Breeding
Breed with Xatu to get Natu eggs easily using 73 partners from the Flying egg group.
How to Get Xatu
Can't catch Xatu directly. Start with Natu at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 25. The 2-stage line from Natu to Xatu is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Xatu in BDSP
Natu is your first catch on the way to Xatu. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 53-63 across 8 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch NatuRoute 224Lv.53GrassRate 40%Swarm activeDazzling CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Xatu ✓
Xatu starts showing up in mid-game routes at high spawn rates across 2 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Xatu in SwSh
Natu is your first catch on the way to Xatu. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 7-38 across 24 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch NatuNorth Lake MilochLv.14-16GrassRate 45%Heavy FogWest Lake AxewellLv.7-11CaveRate 40%Heavy FogSouth Lake MilochLv.11-13GrassRate 40%Heavy FogRolling FieldsLv.7-9GrassSwordRate 35%Heavy FogRolling FieldsLv.7-10GrassShieldRate 35%Heavy FogWest Lake AxewellLv.8-14OverworldRate 10%Heavy FogGiant's MirrorLv.28-30OverworldRate 10%RainingGiant's MirrorLv.28-30OverworldRate 10%SnowingGiant's MirrorLv.28-30OverworldRate 10%Heavy FogGiant's MirrorLv.28-30OverworldRate 5%SnowstormGiant's MirrorLv.28-30OverworldRate 5%ThunderstormGiant's SeatLv.33-38OverworldRate 28%Heavy Fog
Step 2Xatu ✓Giant's SeatLv.30-35GrassRate 50%Heavy Fogor evolve from Natu (Step 1)
Xatu starts showing up in mid-game routes at moderate rates across 2 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Xatu in USUM
Natu is your first catch on the way to Xatu. You'll find gift and walking encounters from Lv. 21-55 across 10 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch NatuAkala OutskirtsLv.21-24GrassRate 20%DayPoké Pelago - Ula'ula Island reachedLv.21-27Gift from NPCPoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedLv.37-43Gift from NPCPoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedLv.49-55Gift from NPC
Step 2Xatu ✓Akala OutskirtsLv.21-24GrassDaySOS from Natuor evolve from Natu (Step 1)
Xatu isn't available in the wild in Sun & Moon. Start by transferring Natu from Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Sword & Shield. The evolution path from Natu to Xatu is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Xatu in SM
Step 1Obtain NatuBREEDINGAvailableLeave Xatu with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Natu egg.CARTRIDGE TRADEAvailableCatch in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon via Walking · Akala Outskirts, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Ruins of Alph. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Walking · Ruins of Alph. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Walking · Safari Zone. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Safari Zone · Safari Zone: 500 entry fee, 30 Safari Balls. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Ruin Valley. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Route 224 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.- Step 2Xatu ✓
Base Stats
The stat budget goes to damage. Sp. Atk and Speed carry the offense, HP doesn't even come close. A Mystic Pokemon on a medium-fast 1M XP curve, worth 2 Sp. Atk and Speed EVs per KO.
They say that it stays still and quiet because it is seeing both the past and future at the same time.
Xatu Guide
Magic Bounce changes the entire equation for Xatu. The 470 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a support.
Magic Bounce is what you want on Xatu. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Synchronize, Early Bird) work on paper but Magic Bounce is what makes Xatu worth using.
Base 95 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Xatu is a special attacker with base 95 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a support.
The core moveset is Air Slash, Psychic, Roost, and Defog. Air Slash leads at 0% usage. Psychic provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Available in 16 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Xatu spans 9 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in most mainline games.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves