Stats & Training
Armaldo's all-in on Attack at the expense of Speed. The physical lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 2 Attack EVs and follows a standard growth curve.
After evolution, this Pokémon emerged onto land. Its lower body has become stronger, and blows from its tail are devastating.
Though it lives on land, it’s also a good swimmer. It dives into the ocean in search of prey, using its sharp claws to take down its quarry.
Armaldo Weakness
Armaldo is weak to Water, Rock, and Steel. With 75 HP and balanced defenses, Armaldo can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Rock, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Poison |
In Sword & Shield, Slowking's Scald hits Armaldo for 41-48%. Nihilego deals 58-69% with Power Gem.
 Heatran FireSteel | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
 Slowking WaterPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemColbur Berry NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Armaldo View Slowking builds →Scald 2x41-48% | ||
 Nihilego RockPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Armaldo View Nihilego builds →Power Gem 2x58-69% | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Armaldo View Tyranitar builds →Crunch62-73% Stone Edge 2x155-183%KO Earthquake52-61% | ||
Sword & Shield Evolution
Armaldo is the evolved form of Anorith. Breeding produces Anorith eggs, and they're slow to hatch. Evolving from Anorith gave Armaldo the biggest boost in Defense (+50), bringing the total to 495 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Armaldo to get Anorith eggs using 32 partners from the Water3 egg group.
Sword & Shield Armaldo Best Moveset
For a defensive wall, Armaldo wants max HP and Sp. Def EVs and Poweranklet. The Sassy nature tilts toward slow wall duty, and Battlearmor contributes without taking a move slot.
Best Build
Armaldo best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Rock Slide
- Curse
- Hone Claws
- Aqua Jet
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Stone Edge
- X Scissor
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Moves
TMs define Armaldo's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Meteor Beam and Stone Edge, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 8 types. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Armaldo in Sword & Shield
Armaldo doesn't appear wild. Catch Anorith instead, it shows up at moderate rates. Evolve it at level 40 to get Armaldo. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Armaldo in Sword & Shield
Anorith is your first catch on the way to Armaldo. You'll find surfing encounters from Lv. 60-65 across 12 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch AnorithBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostOvercastBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostThunderstormBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostNormal WeatherBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostIntense SunBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostSnowingBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostRainingBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostOvercastBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostNormal WeatherBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostThunderstormBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostIntense SunBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostSnowingBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostRaining
Step 2Armaldo ✓
Armaldo Guide
In Sword & Shield, Don't let Armaldo's 495 base stat total fool you. Swift Swim is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier as a wallbreaker. Rock Slide with Poweranklet is the standard set.
In Sword & Shield, Armaldo's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Aerodactyl (Rock), and Metagross (Steel), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.
In Sword & Shield, Run Swift Swim on Armaldo. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Armaldo also gets Battle Armor, but they don't compare. On wall sets, Swift Swim pairs with Armaldo's base 100 Defense to absorb physical hits on the switch.
In Sword & Shield, Armaldo fills the wallbreaker role. It's a physical attacker with base 125 Attack. Base 45 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
For Sword & Shield, the core moveset is Rock Slide, Curse, Honeclaws, and Aqua Jet. Rock Slide leads at 21% usage. Curse lets it set up before sweeping.
Game Availability
Armaldo first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 14 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves