What is Dustox weak to?

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, watch for Blaziken (Fire), Dodrio (Flying), and Gardevoir (Psychic) when using Dustox. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Rock-type attackers are also a problem.

How do you evolve Dustox?

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Cascoon evolves into Dustox at level 10. Dustox is the final evolution in a 5-stage line starting from Wurmple .

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Dustox has niche appeal at best. 385 base stats means you're fighting uphill by mid-game. There are better Bug/Poison Pokemon available.

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Dustox works as a support with 385 BST behind it. D-Tier on our list: outclassed by other options available in HeartGold & SoulSilver. Toxic with Black Sludge is the standard set.

What is the best ability for Dustox?

Shield Dust protects against incoming moves' extra effects. That's the one you want on Dustox. Compound Eyes is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.

Dustox - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Utility

Support

DTier

65Speed · Below Avg

Stats & Training

Dustox's built to absorb hits, not race for knockouts. Special bulk with Sp. Def doing the heavy lifting. And the medium-fast 1M XP curve means it won't take forever to bring up, worth 3 Sp. Def EVs.

Base Stats

Avg

HP60

Attack50

Defense70

Sp. Atk50

Sp. Def90

Speed65

Total385

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging45 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height1.2 m

Weight31.6 kg

Base XP173

Abilities

Shield DustTop Pick

Protects against incoming moves' extra effects.

Compound EyesHANot in game

Increases moves' accuracy to 1.3×.

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpD+3Spe

Strong Special Defense training target

Pokedex Entries

It scatters its fine dust all over when it is attacked. It is a nocturnal Pokémon.

Dustox Weakness

Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock moves hit Dustox for super-effective damage. The Bug/Poison typing picks up 4 resistances to work with.

Dustox Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Fire, Flying, Psychic, Rock
0.5x (Resist)	Poison, Bug
0.25x (Resist)	Grass, Fighting

Type ChartAvg

4Weak

4Resist

0Immune

Score-2

Gen IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Fire Flying Psychic Rock

½xResist

Poison Bug

¼xResist

Grass Fighting

0xImmune

None

STAB (3)

Grass Psychic Dark

How to Beat Dustox in HeartGold & SoulSilver (Best Counters)

Magmar Fire	C
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 FlamethrowerTM35 Fire PunchLv. 28 EmberLv. 7 Damage vs Dustox Fire Blast 2x 102-121%KO Flamethrower 2x 84-100%KO Fire Punch 2x 82-97% Ember 2x 40-48% View Magmar builds →
Bronzor SteelPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves ExtrasensoryLv. 19 Rock TombTM39 ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Dustox Extrasensory 2x 32-38% Rock Tomb 2x 20-23% Confusion 2x 20-24% View Bronzor builds →
Golbat PoisonFlying	D
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Wing AttackLv. 17 Air CutterLv. 27 PluckTM88 Damage vs Dustox Fly 2x 84-100%KO Wing Attack 2x 59-69% Air Cutter 2x 40-48% Pluck 2x 59-69% View Golbat builds →
Numel FireGround	D
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 FlamethrowerTM35 Lava PlumeLv. 31 Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Dustox Fire Blast 2x 72-86% Flamethrower 2x 61-72% Lava Plume 2x 55-66% Rock Tomb 2x 31-37% View Numel builds →
Chatot NormalFlying	D
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 ChatterLv. 21 Aerial AceTM40 PluckTM88 Damage vs Dustox Fly 2x 72-86% Chatter 2x 59-69% Aerial Ace 2x 49-59% Pluck 2x 49-59% View Chatot builds →

HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution

You get Dustox from Wurmple at level 10. It's one of 2 possible evolutions in this branching family, each requiring its own method. Breed through Wurmple to get eggs. The evolution from Wurmple pushed Dustox to 385 total stats. Sp.Def saw the largest single gain at +60. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

5 Forms

#265Wurmple

#266SilcoonLevel 7 (Random)

#267BeautiflyLevel 10

#268CascoonLevel 7 (Random)

#269DustoxLevel 10

Stat Comparison 5 Forms

Bug

Bug

BugFlying

Bug

Dustox

BugPoison

50+5

60+10

50+5

60+10

ATK

35-10

70+35

35-10

50+15

DEF

55+20

50-5

55+20

70+15

SP.ATK

25+5

100+75

25+5

50+25

SP.DEF

25-5

50+25

25-5

90+65

SPE

15-5

65+50

15-5

65+50

BST

195D-Tier

205D-Tier+10

395C-Tier+190

205D-Tier+10

385D-Tier+180

ROLE

Balanced

Attacker

Balanced

TYPE

Physical

Utility

Special

Utility

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Dustox to get Wurmple eggs easily using 48 partners from the Bug egg group.

Egg Groups

Bug

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

15 cycles·3,855 steps

Quick~4 min with Flame Body

Breed With (best first)

HeartGold & SoulSilver Dustox Best Moveset

The special wall spread is where Dustox earns its spot. Black Sludge for Poison-type passive recovery, Calm nature for the right lean, and Roost handles sustain. Shielddust does the rest without needing a move slot.

Best Build

Experimental

Wall

Ability

Shield Dust

Item

Black SludgeSUSTAIN

Best Nature for Dustox

Calm+SPD

Dustox best EVs are HP and Sp. Def

EVs

Def

SpD

Wall Moveset

ToxicUtility
Bug BuzzSTAB
RoostRecovery
Light Screen

Recommended Teammates

HeracrossGood

ScizorGood

NinjaskGood

Moves

The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Dustox's coverage across 7 types all comes from technical machines, built on top of Bug Buzz and Sludge Bomb for same-type damage. Bug Buzz and Energy Ball are the payoff moves.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Confusion

D5010025Psychic

Lv 10

Confusion

D5010025Psychic

Lv 13

Gust

D4010035Flying

Lv 17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

Lv 20

Moonlight

———5Normal

Lv 24

Psybeam

D6510020Psychic

Lv 27

Whirlwind-6

D——20Normal

Lv 31

Light Screen

S——30Psychic

Lv 34

Silver Wind

D601005Bug

Lv 38

Toxic

S—8510Poison

Lv 41

Bug Buzz

S9010010Bug

TM Moves

TM40

Aerial Ace

D60—20Flying

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM53

Energy Ball

D8010010Grass

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM70

Flash

D—10020Normal

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM19

Giga Drain

B6010010Grass

TM68

Giga Impact

C150905Normal

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM15

Hyper Beam

B150905Normal

TM16

Light Screen

S——30Psychic

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM29

Psychic

D9010010Psychic

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM51

Roost

S——10Flying

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM30

Shadow Ball

D8010015Ghost

TM62

Silver Wind

D601005Bug

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM36

Sludge Bomb

C9010010Poison

TM22

Solar Beam

C12010010Grass

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM46

Thief

—6010025Dark

TM06

Toxic

S—8510Poison

TM89

U-turn

D7010020Bug

Egg Moves

Dustox doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Air Cutter

D559525Flying

Tutor

Bug Bite

D6010020Bug

Tutor

Ominous Wind

D601005Ghost

Tutor

Signal Beam

D7510015Bug

Tutor

Snore

D4010015Normal

Tutor

String Shot

——9540Bug

Tutor

Swift

—60—20Normal

Tutor

Tailwind

D——15Flying

Tutor

Twister

—4010020Dragon

Reminder Moves

Rem

Bug Bite

D6010020Bug

Rem

Harden

———30Normal

Rem

Iron Defense

D——15Steel

Rem

Poison Sting

—1510035Poison

Rem

String Shot

——9540Bug

Rem

Tackle

—3510035Normal

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

How to Get Dustox in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Finding Dustox at moderate rates takes patience. 2 spots are available in mid-game routes, but the rate difference between them matters. Lock in the top one from the sorted list below.

Where To Catch Dustox in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Wurmple is your first catch on the way to Dustox. You'll find headbutt and walking encounters from Lv. 2-36 across 36 total spots in the chain.

Step 1Catch Wurmple
Pallet Town
HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-10 City
20%Early
Post-game
Pallet Town
SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-10 City
20%Early
Post-game
Pewter City
SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-10 City
20%Early
Post-game
Pewter City
HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-10 City
20%Early
Post-game
Viridian City
SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-10 City
20%Early
Post-game
Viridian City
HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-10 City
20%Early
Post-game
Route 1
SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-10 Route
LimitedEarly
Post-game
Route 1
HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-10 Route
LimitedEarly
Post-game
Route 2 - North
HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-10 Route
LimitedEarly
Post-game
Route 2 - North
SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-10 Route
LimitedEarly
Post-game
Route 2 - South
HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-10 Route
LimitedEarly
Post-game
Route 2 - South
SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-10 Route
LimitedEarly
Post-game
Route 3
SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-10 Route
LimitedEarly
Post-game
Route 3
HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-10 Route
LimitedEarly
Post-game
Fuchsia City
HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 City
20%Mid
Post-game
Fuchsia City
SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 City
20%Mid
Post-game
National Park - Bug Catching Contest
SoulSilverGrass Lv.24-36 Facility
UncommonMid
Post-game (Thu, Sat)
National Park - Bug Catching Contest
HeartGoldGrass Lv.24-36 Facility
UncommonMid
Post-game (Thu, Sat)
Route 12
SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 Route
LimitedMid
Post-game
Route 12
HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 Route
LimitedMid
Post-game
Route 13
SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 Route
LimitedMid
Post-game
Route 13
HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 Route
LimitedMid
Post-game
Route 14
SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 Route
LimitedMid
Post-game
Route 14
HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 Route
LimitedMid
Post-game
Route 15
HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 Route
LimitedMid
Post-game
Route 15
SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 Route
LimitedMid
Post-game
Route 18
HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 Route
LimitedMid
Post-game
Route 18
SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 Route
LimitedMid
Post-game
Route 21
HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 Route
LimitedMid
Post-game
Route 21
SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 Route
LimitedMid
Post-game
Route 22
SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 Route
LimitedMid
Post-game
Route 22
HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.21-30 Route
LimitedMid
Post-game
Train until Level 7
Step 2Catch or Evolve Cascoon
National Park - Bug Catching Contest
SoulSilverGrass Lv.25-32 Facility
UncommonMid
Post-game (Sat)
National Park - Bug Catching Contest
HeartGoldGrass Lv.25-32 Facility
UncommonMid
Post-game (Sat)
or evolve from Wurmple (Step 1)
Train until Level 10
Step 3Dustox ✓
National Park - Bug Catching Contest
SoulSilverGrass Lv.25-32 Facility
RareMid
Post-game (Thu)
National Park - Bug Catching Contest
HeartGoldGrass Lv.25-32 Facility
RareMid
Post-game (Thu)
or evolve from Cascoon (Step 2)

Dustox Guide

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, watch for Blaziken (Fire), Dodrio (Flying), and Gardevoir (Psychic) when using Dustox. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Rock-type attackers are also a problem.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Cascoon evolves into Dustox at level 10. Dustox is the final evolution in a 5-stage line starting from Wurmple.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Dustox has niche appeal at best. 385 base stats means you're fighting uphill by mid-game. There are better Bug/Poison Pokemon available.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Dustox works as a support with 385 BST behind it. D-Tier on our list: outclassed by other options available in HeartGold & SoulSilver. Toxic with Black Sludge is the standard set.
Shield Dust protects against incoming moves' extra effects. That's the one you want on Dustox. Compound Eyes is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.

Game Availability

Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Dustox appears in 14 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in a solid number of games, typically found through wild encounters.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Chatot NormalFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Dustox Peck 2x 38-47% View Chatot builds →
Hoothoot NormalFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 9 Damage vs Dustox Peck 2x 31-38% View Hoothoot builds →
Pidgey NormalFlying	D
Available Move Moves GustLv. 9 Damage vs Dustox Gust 2x 31-38% View Pidgey builds →
Meditite FightingPsychic	D
Available Move Moves ConfusionLv. 8 Damage vs Dustox Confusion 2x 38-47% View Meditite builds →
Cyndaquil Fire	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Upcoming Move Moves EmberLv. 10 Learns Ember at Level 10 View Cyndaquil builds →

Bronzor SteelPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Dustox Rock Tomb 2x 22-28% Confusion 2x 24-30% View Bronzor builds →
Chatot NormalFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Dustox Peck 2x 34-42% View Chatot builds →
Natu PsychicFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Dustox Peck 2x 30-36% View Natu builds →
Cyndaquil Fire	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves EmberLv. 10 Damage vs Dustox Ember 2x 30-36% View Cyndaquil builds →
Numel FireGround	D
Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 EmberLv. 5 Damage vs Dustox Rock Tomb 2x 34-40% Ember 2x 34-42% View Numel builds →

Bronzor SteelPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves ExtrasensoryLv. 19 Rock TombTM39 ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Dustox Extrasensory 2x 33-40% Rock Tomb 2x 22-27% Confusion 2x 25-30% View Bronzor builds →
Golbat PoisonFlying	D
Available Move Moves Wing AttackLv. 17 Damage vs Dustox Wing Attack 2x 63-75% View Golbat builds →
Numel FireGround	D
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 FlamethrowerTM35 Rock TombTM39 EmberLv. 5 Damage vs Dustox Fire Blast 2x 80-95% Flamethrower 2x 67-80% Rock Tomb 2x 33-40% Ember 2x 33-40% View Numel builds →
Chatot NormalFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Dustox Peck 2x 33-40% View Chatot builds →
Natu PsychicFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Dustox Peck 2x 28-35% View Natu builds →

Magmar Fire	C
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 FlamethrowerTM35 Fire PunchLv. 28 EmberLv. 7 Damage vs Dustox Fire Blast 2x 101-120%KO Flamethrower 2x 83-98% Fire Punch 2x 80-95% Ember 2x 40-47% View Magmar builds →
Noctowl NormalFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Sky AttackLv. 1 FlyHM02 Air SlashLv. 32 PluckTM88 Damage vs Dustox Sky Attack 2x 91-107%KO Fly 2x 61-73% Air Slash 2x 61-73% Pluck 2x 42-51% View Noctowl builds →
Bronzor SteelPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves ExtrasensoryLv. 19 Rock TombTM39 ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Dustox Extrasensory 2x 29-35% Rock Tomb 2x 18-21% Confusion 2x 21-25% View Bronzor builds →
Golbat PoisonFlying	D
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Wing AttackLv. 17 Air CutterLv. 27 PluckTM88 Damage vs Dustox Fly 2x 83-98% Wing Attack 2x 56-66% Air Cutter 2x 40-47% Pluck 2x 56-66% View Golbat builds →
Numel FireGround	D
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 FlamethrowerTM35 Lava PlumeLv. 31 Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Dustox Fire Blast 2x 72-85% Flamethrower 2x 59-69% Lava Plume 2x 54-63% Rock Tomb 2x 32-38% View Numel builds →

Skarmory SteelFlying	B
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Air SlashLv. 39 Air CutterLv. 23 Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Dustox Fly 2x 85-101%KO Air Slash 2x 36-44% Air Cutter 2x 30-35% Rock Tomb 2x 38-45% View Skarmory builds →
Gligar GroundFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Aerial AceTM40 Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Dustox Aerial Ace 2x 55-65% Rock Tomb 2x 36-44% View Gligar builds →
Bronzor SteelPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves Future SightLv. 37 ExtrasensoryLv. 19 Rock TombTM39 ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Dustox Future Sight 2x 44-52% Extrasensory 2x 30-35% Rock Tomb 2x 18-22% Confusion 2x 20-25% View Bronzor builds →
Golbat PoisonFlying	D
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Wing AttackLv. 17 Air CutterLv. 27 PluckTM88 Damage vs Dustox Fly 2x 85-101%KO Wing Attack 2x 57-68% Air Cutter 2x 41-49% Pluck 2x 57-68% View Golbat builds →
Numel FireGround	D
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 FlamethrowerTM35 Lava PlumeLv. 31 Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Dustox Fire Blast 2x 74-87% Flamethrower 2x 62-74% Lava Plume 2x 55-65% Rock Tomb 2x 32-38% View Numel builds →

Gliscor GroundFlying	B
Recommended Build AbilityHypercutter ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves EarthquakeSTAB RoostRecovery TauntUtility Ice Fang Damage vs Dustox Earthquake 43-50% Ice Fang 19-22% View Gliscor builds →
Aerodactyl RockFlying	B
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves Earthquake Stealth Rock TauntUtility Stone Edge Damage vs Dustox Earthquake 39-46% Stone Edge 2x 116-137%KO View Aerodactyl builds →
Celebi PsychicGrass	B
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves RecoverRecovery Thunder Wave Grass Knot Hidden Power Fire View Celebi builds →
Charizard FireFlying	C
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves Air Slash FlamethrowerSTAB Solar Beam Hidden Power Grass Damage vs Dustox Air Slash 2x 69-81% Flamethrower 2x 82-96% View Charizard builds →