Rising from C-Tier, Synchronize and Early Bird are both useful abilities, and Xatu's Psychic/Flying-type attacks works at B-Tier in Ruby & Sapphire.
Ability 1SynchronizeAbility 1Copies burns, paralysis, and poison received onto the Pokémon that inflicted them.Ability 2Early BirdAbility 2Makes sleep pass twice as quickly.
470HP65Attack75Defense70Speed95Sp.Def70Sp.Atk95
Natu
Xatu
Weak to
Mixed
Balanced
95Speed · Above Avg

Is Xatu Good in Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

AbilitySynchronize reflects status conditions back. Trade-only in RS. Xatu's Psychic/Flying typing handles Brawly and contributes against Phoebe, but Gardevoir covers Psychic better and Swellow covers Flying better. No niche in Hoenn.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTSEEEEEGEEGEERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6NatuCatchXatuCatchableTate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8SidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Tough

Roxanne's team hits Xatu's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
TackleHardenRock ThrowRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Strong

Xatu resists most of Brawly's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Machop
Lv 17
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopSeismic TossBulk Up
Easy KO
Makuhita
Lv 18
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustKnock OffSand AttackBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Xatu trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

Even
Magnemite
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomThunder ShockThunder Wave
You Win
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSelf DestructSparkSonic Boom
Risky
Magneton
Lv 23
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomShock WaveThunder Wave
Flannery
Gym 4
Even

Xatu trades roughly evenly with Flannery's team.

You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
FlamethrowerRock SlideLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Torkoal
Lv 28
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatBody SlamFlailAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Xatu trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

Even
Slaking
Lv 28
Normal
Truant
EncoreFacadeYawnFeint Attack
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 30
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFeint AttackFacadeEncore
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Xatu trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

Even
Swellow
Lv 31
NormalFlying
Guts
Quick AttackAerial AceDouble TeamEndeavor
You Win
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Risky
Skarmory
Lv 32
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Even
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Even

Xatu trades roughly evenly with Tate & Liza's team.

Even
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Even
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Wallace
Gym 8
Good

Xatu has the type edge here and should clean up Wallace's team.

Easy KO
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Easy KO
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
You Win
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Even
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Sidney
Elite Four
Even

Xatu trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

Even
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
You Win
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
You Win
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Even
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Xatu trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

You Win
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
Even
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Good

Xatu has the type edge here and should clean up Glacia's team.

Even
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Even

Xatu trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
Even
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
Even
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
Even
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
Risky
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Steven
Champion
Even

Xatu trades roughly evenly with Steven's team.

Risky
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
Even
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
Levitate
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
Even
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
You Win
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
Even
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Risky
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam

Catchable

Available after Badge 6
Type
PsychicFlying
Tier
B

Catch Xatu in the Safari Zone (walking, Lv 29-31, rare).

View Xatu locations

Catch Natu

Available after Badge 6
Type
PsychicFlying
Tier
E

Catch Natu in the Safari Zone (walking, Lv 27-29, uncommon).

View Natu locations

Recommended Moves

  • After Roxanne
  • After Wattson
    • TM43NormalSecret PowerPower 70Accuracy 100%PP 20Route 111
    • LV 30PsychicFuture SightPower 120Accuracy 90%PP 15
  • After Norman
  • After Winona
    • LV 50PsychicPsychicPower 135Accuracy 100%PP 10

How to Get Xatu in Ruby & Sapphire

Xatu is a rare Safari Zone find around level 30, sharing the grass with Natu. If the rare sighting drags, just evolve a caught Natu at level 25 instead.

1 location to catch Xatu

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 6

Where To Catch Xatu in RS

The path to Xatu starts with Natu at Lv. 25-29 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Xatu
    Step 2Xatu ✓
    or evolve from Natu (Step 1)

Not landing the catch? Calculate Xatu catch rates for Ruby & Sapphire by ball, status, and HP.

How to Get Shiny Xatu in Ruby & Sapphire

Xatu is a rarer sight the deeper you walk into the Safari Zone, so turn up encounter after encounter while watching for a shiny. Compare Shiny Xatu odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Xatu in Ruby & SapphireNormal
Shiny Xatu in Ruby & Sapphire Shiny
Color ShiftGreen
Shiny TierC Tier Shiny

Shiny Xatu Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Ruby & Sapphire Shiny Xatu Calculator

2 Methods
Shiny Odds

Both methods here share the same odds, about 1 in 8,192 on each try. Pick whichever fits how you play.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Ruby & Sapphire

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Breeding: Hatch eggs of this line; each egg rolls at the base shiny rate (no Masuda before Gen IV).

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 8,192Full Odds
Chance By Now50.0%at 5,678 encountersAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few864----
25%one in four2,357----
50%coin flip5,678----
90%very likely18,862----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Want exact numbers for your session? Calculate your shiny odds in Ruby & Sapphire with Xatu preloaded.

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.

Xatu Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Ice, Rock, Ghost, Dark
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Psychic
0.25x (Resist)Fighting
0x (Immune)Ground
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Xatu Weak Against

Avg
5Weak
3Resist
1Immune
Score-3
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
0xImmune

What is Xatu Strong Against

4Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+3
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Xatu

Banette
Banette
Ghost
C
Shiftry
Shiftry
GrassDark
C
Magneton
Magneton
ElectricSteel
A
Manectric
Manectric
Electric
C
Absol
Absol
Dark
C

Xatu Evolutions

Evolved from Natu. Xatu is the final form in this two-stage line. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs take an average time to hatch. HP grew the most through evolution (+25 over Natu), and Xatu peaks at 470 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Natu
PsychicFlying
Xatu
PsychicFlying
HP
40
65+25
ATK
50
75+25
DEF
45
70+25
SP.ATK
70
95+25
SP.DEF
45
70+25
SPE
70
95+25
BST
320E-Tier
470B-Tier+150
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Special
Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Xatu to get Natu eggs easily using 25 partners from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Drill Peck, Feather Dance, Feint Attack and 5 more.

Egg Groups
Flying
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
8moves
Breed With (best first)
togeticaltariapelipperfarfetchdswabluwingullcrobatpidgeotdodriofearowgolbatnoctowl

RS Xatu Best Moveset

95 Sp. Atk and 95 Speed fire MovePsychic solidly, and AbilitySynchronize punishes MoveThunder Wave and MoveToxic by reflecting status back. MoveCalm Mind boosts for sweep potential. Held ItemLeftovers sustains. Psychic/Flying with status bounce and boosting.

Best Build

Experimental
Support
Ability
Synchronize
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Xatu
Timid+SPE

Xatu best EVs are Speed and Sp. Atk

EVs

Support Moveset

  • PsychicSTAB
  • Giga Drain
  • Calm MindSTAB
  • Thunder Wave

Moves List

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

Lv 1
Leer
D—10030Normal
Lv 1
Peck
D5210035Flying
Lv 10
Night Shade
D—10015Ghost
Lv 20
Teleport-6
———20Psychic
Lv 35
Future Sight
—18010010Psychic
Lv 35
Wish
A——10Normal
Lv 50
Confuse Ray
D—10010Ghost
Lv 65
Psychic
B13510010Psychic

TM Moves

All 26 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40C90—20Flying
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM04
Calm MindPrize for defeating Tate & Lizanot until badge 7
B——20Psychic
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42D7010020Normal
HM05
FlashGranite Cavebadge 1
——7020Normal
HM02
FlyRoute 119badge 5
C1059515Flying
TM19
Giga DrainRoute 123badge 5
B751005Grass
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamLilycove Department Storebadge 5
B150905Normal
TM16
Light ScreenLilycove Department Storebadge 5
C——30Psychic
TM17C——10Normal
TM29
PsychicMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
B13510010Psychic
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM33C——20Psychic
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
TM30
Shadow BallMt. Pyrebadge 5
C8010015Ghost
TM48
Skill SwapMt. Pyrebadge 5
———10Psychic
TM22
Solar BeamSafari Zonebadge 5
C12010010Grass
TM47
Steel WingGranite Cavebadge 1
D709025Steel
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM46
ThiefSlateport Citybadge 1
D6010025Dark
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Drill Peck
C12010020Flying
Egg
Feather Dance
——10015Flying
Egg
Feint Attack
—60—20Dark
Egg
Haze
C——30Ice
Egg
Psych Up
D——10Normal
Egg
Quick Attack+1
D4010030Normal
Egg
Refresh
D——20Normal
Egg
Steel Wing
D709025Steel

Tutor Moves

Xatu can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP65
C
Attack75
C
Defense70
C
Sp. Atk95
B
Sp. Def70
C
Speed95
B
Total470
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging75 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.5 m
Weight15.0 kg
Base XP165
Abilities
Synchronize
Copies burns, paralysis, and poison received onto the Pokémon that inflicted them.
Early Bird
Makes sleep pass twice as quickly.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+1SpDSpe+1
Special Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

XATU stands rooted and still in one spot all day long. People believe that this POKéMON does so out of fear of the terrible things it has foreseen in the future.

XATU is known to stand motionless while staring at the sun all day long. Some people revere it as a mystical POKéMON out of their belief that XATU is in possession of the power to see into the future.

Xatu Ruby & Sapphire Guide

  • How do I catch Xatu in the Ruby & Sapphire Safari Zone?

    See the Locations section above for where to find Xatu in Ruby & Sapphire.

    Safari rules: You can only use Safari Balls. No battling. Two tactical items shift the catch/flee trade-off:

    • Throw bait to keep Xatu from fleeing (flee rate cut to 1/4) but it becomes harder to catch (catch factor halved).
    • Throw a rock to make Xatu easier to catch (catch factor doubled) but it flees twice as often.
    • Each effect lasts 2-6 random turns; throwing one cancels the other.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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