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.
Emits ultrasonic cries while it flies. They act as a sonar used to check for objects in its way.
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.
- Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
- Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
- Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split
You'll evolve Zubat into Crobat the traditional way. This Poison/Flying type doesn't breed despite having a chain ahead. The evolved forms gain up to 290 total stats over Zubat.
How to Evolve
The recommended build leans into Zubat's strengths as an attacker. An item provides extra utility, and flexible EVs EVs back that up. An ability rounds out the package.
Best Build
Best Zubat Moveset
- Confuse Ray
- Double Edge
- Mega Drain
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Zubat's Bug and Dark coverage and more all comes from technical machines, built on top of Wing Attack for same-type damage. Double-Edge and Take Down are the payoff moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Zubat is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 12 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations
Zubat shows up in 12 walking spots from Lv. 6-45. Plenty of options, and the list is sorted so the highest-rate locations at each progression stage come first.
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.
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