Mid-stage Pokemon like Zubat rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Crobat, which is where the real potential kicks in. Part of the Gen 1 roster. Ground moves can't touch it, which offsets the 4 weaknesses somewhat.
You won't find a real weakness in Zubat's stat line. It's well-rounded for the Bat Pokemon, and what it does with that depends on moveset and items. Yields 1 Speed EV, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
While living in pitch-black caverns, their eyes gradually grew shut and deprived them of vision. They use ultrasonic waves to detect obstacles.
Zubat Weakness
GoodElectric, Ice, Psychic, and Rock-type moves hit Zubat for super-effective damage. The upside? Ground-type moves can't touch it at all. The Poison/Flying typing picks up 4 resistances to work with.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
Zubat kicks off a three-stage evolution line through Golbat all the way to Crobat. For breeding, quick to hatch with a decent partner pool via one egg group. The evolved forms gain up to 290 total stats over Zubat.
How to Evolve
Breed Zubat easily with 25 breeding partners from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Curse, Feint Attack, Gust and 3 more to offspring.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 3.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Don't skip the egg moves. Zubat picks up Curse and Feint Attack only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Sludge Bomb and Wing Attack while Bug and Ghost coverage and more adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Zubat is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 22 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations
You'll find Zubat across 22 walking and surfing encounters from Lv. 5-36, sorted by game progression. Earlier spots show up first so you can grab one as soon as it's reachable.
At 245 BST, Zubat is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Golbat before bringing it to any serious fight.
Zubat evolves into Golbat at level 22. Zubat is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.
Inner Focus prevents flinching — that's the one you want on Zubat. Infiltrator is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Zubat is leaning toward the physical side (base 45 Attack). Fragile — can't afford to take many hits, too. But the speed tells the real story — at base 55 Speed, it won't be moving first often.
Zubat appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Present since Red & Blue, Zubat appears in 21 games spanning 9 generations. Gen 1 originals like Zubat have the longest track record of availability in the series.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
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 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