Stats & Training
Attack and Defense carry most of Donphan's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Moderately hard to find and yields 2 Attack and Defense EVs. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Donphan is covered in tough hide, so even being hit by a car won’t faze this Pokémon. However, it is extremely susceptible to rain.
Donphan is normally a calm Pokémon, but once it is enraged, it will curl its body into a ball and charge at you while rolling.
Donphan Weakness
Donphan is weak to Water, Grass, and Ice. On the flip side, it's immune to Electric-type moves entirely. Donphan's physical bulk (base 120 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Ice |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Rock |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
 Pelipper Water | B | |
Obtain MethodAncient Poni Path Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Pelipper builds →Hydro Pump 2x110-129%KO Blizzard 2x73-86% Surf 2x89-105%KO Ice Beam 2x59-70% | ||
 Articuno Ice | C | |
Obtain MethodUltra Space Wilds Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Articuno builds →Blizzard 2x110-129%KO Ice Beam 2x89-105%KO Freeze-Dry 2x71-84% Frost Breath 2x60-71% | ||
 Tropius Grass | C | |
Obtain MethodPoke Pelago Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Tropius builds →Leaf Storm 2x103-122%KO Solar Beam 2x96-113%KO Energy Ball 2x72-85% Leaf Tornado 2x52-62% | ||
 Dartrix Grass | D | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Rowlet (Route 1 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Dartrix builds →Solar Beam 2x94-111%KO Leaf Blade 2x43-51% Energy Ball 2x71-84% Razor Leaf 2x27-33% | ||
 Delibird Ice | D | |
Obtain MethodSeaward Cave Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Delibird builds →Blizzard 2x82-96% Ice Beam 2x68-80% Frost Breath 2x46-55% | ||
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Volcanion threatens a KO with Fire Blast (107-125%). Mamoswine deals 39-46% with Earthquake.
 Ferrothorn GrassSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureSassy Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
 Volcanion FireWater | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Volcanion builds →Sludge Bomb29-34% Fire Blast107-125%KO | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityThickfat ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Mamoswine builds →Earthquake39-46% Ice Shard 2x32-38% Knock Off17-20% | ||
 Swampert WaterGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Swampert builds →Earthquake35-41% Scald 2x70-82% Waterfall 2x56-66% | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemFocus Sash NatureMild Moves
Damage vs Donphan View Venusaur builds →Sludge Bomb27-31% Giga Drain 2x89-105%KO | ||
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Evolution
Evolved from Phanpy. Donphan is the final form in this two-stage line. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Attack grew the most through evolution (+60 over Phanpy), and Donphan peaks at 500 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Donphan to get Phanpy eggs easily using 218 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Body Slam, Counter and 10 more.
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Donphan Best Moveset
Donphan's job is getting Stealth Rock up and staying on the field. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, Sturdy helps it stick around, and max HP and Defense EVs prioritize longevity.
Best Build
Donphan best EVs are Defense and HP
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 13 types means almost nothing walls Donphan cleanly, with Earthquake and High Horsepower anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Donphan in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Donphan can't be caught in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Transfer Phanpy from Silver, Crystal, or Scarlet and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Donphan Guide
For Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, we rate Donphan C-Tier: a niche pick in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon's meta. At 500 BST, it fits the wallbreaker role. Stealth Rock with Leftovers is the standard set.
Sturdy is the go-to ability for Donphan. It prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Its hidden ability Sand Veil can work in specific setups.
Base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Donphan is a physical attacker with base 120 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a wallbreaker.
For Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, the core moveset is Stealth Rock, Rapid Spin, Earthquake, and Ice Shard. Stealth Rock leads at 25% usage. Earthquake provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Available in 16 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Donphan spans 9 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in most mainline games.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
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 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