Stats & Training
Cresselia's built to absorb hits, not race for knockouts. Balanced defenses with HP doing the heavy lifting. And the slow 1.25M XP grind means it won't take forever to bring up, worth 3 Sp. Def EVs.
On nights around the quarter moon, the aurora from its tail extends and undulates beautifully.
On nights around the quarter moon, the aurora from its tail extends and undulates beautifully.
Cresselia Weakness
Cresselia is weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark. Levitate grants an additional Ground immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Cresselia's overall bulk (120/120/120) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Bug, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fighting, Psychic |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cresselia View Terrakion builds →Close Combat14-16% Stone Edge23-28% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMultiscale ItemLum Berry NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cresselia View Dragonite builds →Extreme Speed14-17% Outrage32-37% | ||
 Genesect BugSteel | A | |
Bug is super effective against CresseliaView Genesect → | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cresselia View Conkeldurr builds →Drain Punch10-12% Mach Punch5-7% | ||
 Jellicent WaterGhost | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Cresselia View Jellicent builds →Scald15-17% | ||
Black & White Evolution
Cresselia is strong overall with 590 total stats as a Psychic 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
Black & White Cresselia Best Moveset
Levitate gives Cresselia passive value while it walls. Bold nature boosts Defense, max HP and Defense EVs maximize the physical wall profile, and Leftovers keeps it in the game.
Best Build
Cresselia best EVs are Defense and HP
Wall Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Moonlight
- Toxic
- Psychic
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Most of Cresselia's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Future Sight and Dream Eater, but Ice and Normal and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Cresselia in Black & White
Cresselia doesn't appear in Black & White. Transfer it from Diamond, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Cresselia is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Special encounter in:
Then trade to Black & White.
Also found in:
Cresselia Guide
In Black & White, Cresselia is a Legendary Pokemon rated B-Tier. At 590 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a wall. Ice Beam with Leftovers is the standard set.
Cresselia gets Levitate. But Levitate is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that. On wall sets, Levitate pairs with Cresselia's base 120 Defense to absorb physical hits on the switch.
Cresselia is a special attacker with base 75 Sp. Atk. Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 85 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the wall role.
In Black & White, the best way to handle Cresselia: Status moves (Toxic, Will-O-Wisp) wear it down. Setup sweepers can use it as a boost opportunity. Physical attackers can break through.
Game Availability
Since Diamond & Pearl, Cresselia has appeared in 13 games. Legendary Pokemon like Cresselia are usually found through story events or special post-game areas rather than random encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
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 4DPDebut
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