On paper, Xatu looks underwhelming. In practice, Magic Bounce bounces status moves back at the user — and that's the whole story. Psychic/Flying typing means Ground moves can't touch it, which offsets the 5 weaknesses somewhat. Known as the Mystic Pokemon.
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.
This odd Pokémon can see both the past and the future. It eyes the sun’s movement all day.
Xatu Weakness
AvgType-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.
Evolved from Natu. Xatu is the final form in this two-stage line. A decent partner pool 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.
Breed with Xatu to get Natu eggs easily using 39 partners from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Drill Peck, Feather Dance, Quick Attack and 3 more.
The Sash lets Xatu ignore defensive shortcomings for one turn. Use that turn to deal early damage, and Magic Bounce squeezes extra value from the position. Max HP and Sp. Atk EVs push damage output.
Best Build
Best Xatu Moveset
- Heat Wave
- Psychic
- Trick Room
- Fly
Recommended Teammates
The egg pool carries weight here. Drill Peck and Feather Dance aren't available any other way for Xatu, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Future Sight and Psychic for solid options.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 Sword & Shield
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 NatuEFFORTLESSNorth Lake MilochShieldGrassLv.14-1645%EarlyWaterHeavy FogEFFORTLESSNorth Lake MilochSwordGrassLv.14-1645%EarlyWaterHeavy FogEFFORTLESSWest Lake AxewellSwordGrassLv.7-1140%EarlyCaveHeavy FogEFFORTLESSWest Lake AxewellShieldGrassLv.7-1140%EarlyCaveHeavy FogEFFORTLESSSouth Lake MilochSwordGrassLv.11-1340%EarlyWaterHeavy FogEFFORTLESSSouth Lake MilochShieldGrassLv.11-1340%EarlyWaterHeavy FogEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-935%EarlyHeavy FogEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsShieldGrassLv.7-1035%EarlyHeavy FogMODERATEWest Lake AxewellSwordOverworldLv.8-1410%EarlyCaveHeavy FogMODERATEWest Lake AxewellShieldOverworldLv.8-1410%EarlyCaveHeavy FogMODERATEGiant's MirrorSwordOverworldLv.28-3010%MidSnowingMODERATEGiant's MirrorShieldOverworldLv.28-3010%MidSnowingMODERATEGiant's MirrorSwordOverworldLv.28-3010%MidRainingMODERATEGiant's MirrorShieldOverworldLv.28-3010%MidRainingMODERATEGiant's MirrorSwordOverworldLv.28-3010%MidHeavy FogMODERATEGiant's MirrorShieldOverworldLv.28-3010%MidHeavy FogMODERATEGiant's MirrorSwordOverworldLv.28-305%MidThunderstormMODERATEGiant's MirrorShieldOverworldLv.28-305%MidThunderstormMODERATEGiant's MirrorSwordOverworldLv.28-305%MidSnowstormMODERATEGiant's MirrorShieldOverworldLv.28-305%MidSnowstormEASYGiant's SeatSwordOverworldLv.33-3828%LateWaterHeavy FogEASYGiant's SeatShieldOverworldLv.33-3828%LateWaterHeavy Fog
Step 2Xatu ✓EFFORTLESSGiant's SeatSwordGrassLv.30-3550%MidWaterHeavy FogEFFORTLESSGiant's SeatShieldGrassLv.30-3550%MidWaterHeavy Fogor evolve from Natu (Step 1)
Magic Bounce changes the entire equation for Xatu. The 470 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier.
Natu evolves into Xatu at level 25. Xatu is the fully evolved form. It sits at 470 BST in its evolved form.
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 mixed attacker — base 75 Attack and 95 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Xatu appears in 16 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Available in 16 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Xatu spans 8 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in most mainline games.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
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 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