Stats & Training
Articuno's spread favors special bulk over offense. Sp. Def leads the defensive side, Attack eats the cost. Yields 3 Sp. Def EVs per defeat. Slow 1.25M XP grind to level.
This legendary bird Pokémon can create blizzards by freezing moisture in the air.
This legendary bird Pokémon can create blizzards by freezing moisture in the air.
Articuno Weakness
Articuno is weak to Rock, Fire, Electric, and Steel. Watch out for Rock attacks, those deal 4x damage. On the flip side, it's immune to Ground-type moves entirely. Articuno's special bulk (base 125 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Rock |
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Electric, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
 Barbaracle RockWater | C | |
Obtain MethodUltra Space Wilds Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Articuno View Barbaracle builds →Stone Edge 4x145-171%KO Rock Slide 4x111-131%KO Ancient Power 4x46-55% Rock Tomb 4x89-105%KO | ||
 Omastar RockWater | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Omanyte (Route 8 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Articuno View Omastar builds →Stone Edge 4x96-113%KO Rock Slide 4x74-87% Ancient Power 4x80-95% Rock Tomb 4x58-69% | ||
 Kabutops RockWater | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Kabuto (Route 8 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Articuno View Kabutops builds →Stone Edge 4x158-185%KO Rock Slide 4x120-142%KO Ancient Power 4x52-62% Rock Tomb 4x96-113%KO | ||
 Carracosta WaterRock | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tirtouga (Route 8 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Articuno View Carracosta builds →Stone Edge 4x148-175%KO Rock Slide 4x114-135%KO Ancient Power 4x62-73% Rock Tomb 4x93-109%KO | ||
 Magcargo FireRock | C | |
Obtain MethodUltra Space Wilds Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Articuno View Magcargo builds →Overheat 2x69-82% Fire Blast 2x58-69% Stone Edge 4x83-98% Flamethrower 2x49-58% | ||
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Cobalion's Stone Edge hits Articuno for 66-78%. Volcanion's Fire Blast hits Articuno for 78-91%. Tapu Koko deals 52-61% with Thunderbolt.
 Cobalion SteelFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemFightiniumz NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Articuno View Cobalion builds →Close Combat29-35% Stone Edge 4x66-78% | ||
 Volcanion FireWater | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Articuno View Volcanion builds →Sludge Bomb21-25% Fire Blast 2x78-91% | ||
 Tapu Koko ElectricFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Articuno View Tapu Koko builds →Thunderbolt 2x52-61% Volt Switch 2x40-48% Dazzling Gleam23-27% | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemFocus Sash NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Articuno View Tyranitar builds →Crunch28-34% Rock Slide 4x108-127%KO | ||
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Evolution
Articuno is strong overall with 580 total stats as a Ice/Flying legendary. Can't breed it, so you're locked to whatever you catch or receive. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Articuno Best Moveset
Articuno runs a standard defensive wall set. Bold nature with max HP and Defense EVs shapes the build, while Assault Vest brings a special bulk boost with no status moves allowed. Pressure supports the kit from the background.
Best Build
Articuno best EVs are HP and Defense
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Blizzard
- Freeze Dry
- Hurricane
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Roost
- Freeze Dry
- Ancient Power
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Articuno develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Ice Beam and Blizzard show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Articuno in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
You'll find Articuno at Ultra Space Wilds as a set encounter. It's always there at that location, so come prepared for the battle. The location details below cover exact positioning.
Best Locations to Catch Articuno in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Articuno Guide
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Articuno is a Legendary Pokemon rated C-Tier. At 580 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a balanced. Ice Beam with Assault Vest is the standard set.
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Articuno's biggest threats include Golem (Rock), Charizard (Fire), and Raikou (Electric), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Golem is the most dangerous since Rock moves deal 4x damage. Steel-type attackers are also a problem. Articuno has enough bulk to absorb a hit, but don't push the matchup. Pivot to a teammate that resists.
Pressure is the go-to ability for Articuno. It increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one. Its hidden ability Snow Cloak can work in specific setups.
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Articuno fills the balanced role. It's a special attacker with base 95 Sp. Atk. Base 85 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's tanky enough to absorb a few hits.
For Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, the core moveset is Ice Beam, Blizzard, Freezedry, and Hurricane. Ice Beam leads at 24% usage. Blizzard provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Articuno has appeared in 20 games since Red & Blue, spanning 10 generations. As a Legendary, it's typically a one-per-save encounter tied to the story or post-game content.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
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 8SwShGalarian
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