Stats & Training
Nothing fancy in Ludicolo's spread. It leans mixed with Sp. Def out front. And you'll get 3 Sp. Def EVs per KO for it. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
The rhythm of bright, festive music activates Ludicolo’s cells, making it more powerful.
If it hears festive music, it begins moving in rhythm in order to amplify its power.
Ludicolo Weakness
Ludicolo is weak to Poison, Flying, and Bug. Ludicolo's special bulk (base 100 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Poison, Flying, Bug |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Ground, Steel |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Water |
In Sword & Shield, Celesteela's Air Slash hits Ludicolo for 79-93%. Amoonguss deals 56-67% with Sludge Bomb.
 Scizor BugSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Ludicolo View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch10-12% Knock Off22-26% | ||
 Celesteela Steel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Ludicolo View Celesteela builds →Flamethrower32-37% Air Slash 2x79-93% | ||
 Amoonguss GrassPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Ludicolo View Amoonguss builds →Sludge Bomb 2x56-67% Giga Drain24-28% | ||
 Salazzle PoisonFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityCorrosion ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Ludicolo View Salazzle builds →Flamethrower44-52% Sludge Bomb 2x88-104%KO | ||
 Talonflame Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityGalewings ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Ludicolo View Talonflame builds →Flare Blitz52-61% | ||
Sword & Shield Evolution
Ludicolo evolved from Lotad's chain using an evolution item. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Lotad eggs (quick to hatch). The evolution from Lotad pushed Ludicolo to 480 total stats. Sp.Atk saw the largest single gain at +50. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Ludicolo to get Lotad eggs easily using 50 partners from the Plant and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Counter, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf and 4 more.
Sword & Shield Ludicolo Best Moveset
Ludicolo runs a standard attacker set. Hardy nature with max Defense and Speed EVs shapes the build, while Leftovers brings passive recovery each turn. Swiftswim supports the kit from the background.
Best Build
Ludicolo best EVs are HP and Sp. Atk
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Giga Drain
- Fake Out
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam
- Energy Ball
- Scald
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Breeding opens up real options for Ludicolo. Counter and Leech Seed come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Leaf Storm and Solar Beam and coverage across 9 types.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Ludicolo in Sword & Shield
Can't catch Ludicolo directly. Start with Lotad at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve through a special method. The 3-stage chain from Lotad to Ludicolo is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Ludicolo in Sword & Shield
The path to Ludicolo starts with Lotad at Lv. 4-40 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch LotadWest Lake AxewellOverworld Lv.8-14 Cave60%EarlyOvercastRolling FieldsGrass Lv.7-1040%EarlyRainingDappled GroveGrass Lv.11-15 Forest40%EarlyNormal WeatherDappled GroveGrass Lv.11-15 Forest35%EarlyHeavy FogRoute 2Grass Lv.4-6 Route20%EarlyAll WeatherDappled GroveGrass Lv.11-15 Forest20%EarlyOvercastDappled GroveGrass Lv.11-15 Forest20%EarlyThunderstormDappled GroveGrass Lv.11-15 Forest20%EarlyRainingRoute 2 - High LevelGrass Lv.37-40 Route20%LateAll Weather
Step 2Catch or Evolve LombreDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest10%EarlyIntense SunDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest10%EarlyOvercastDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest5%EarlyNormal WeatherDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest5%EarlySnowstormDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest5%EarlyThunderstormDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest5%EarlySnowingDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest5%EarlySandstormDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest5%EarlyRainingDappled GroveOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest5%EarlyHeavy FogSouth Lake MilochOverworld Lv.14-16 Water5%EarlyOvercastSouth Lake MilochOverworld Lv.14-15 Water5%EarlyNormal WeatherGiant's CapGrass Lv.27-2940%MidNormal WeatherRoute 5Grass Lv.16-18 Route20%MidAll WeatherGiant's SeatGrass Lv.30-35 Water15%MidRainingGiant's SeatOverworld Lv.33-38 Water60%LateRainingGiant's SeatOverworld Lv.33-38 Water25%LateNormal Weatheror evolve from Lotad (Step 1)
Step 3Ludicolo ✓
Ludicolo Guide
In Sword & Shield, Ludicolo looks average on paper at 480 BST. But Swift Swim is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier on our tier list. Giga Drain with Leftovers is the standard set.
Ludicolo gets Swift Swim, Rain Dish, and Own Tempo. But Swift Swim is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Ludicolo is a special attacker with base 90 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.
In Sword & Shield, the best way to handle Ludicolo: Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Poison, Flying, and Bug-type attackers hit hardest.
Game Availability
Since Ruby & Sapphire, Ludicolo has been in 15 games. Requiring an item-based evolution to obtain means it's consistently available but requires more effort than simply catching it in the wild.
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