Stats & Training
Attack and Speed carry most of Qwilfish's stat budget. Sp. Atk's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 1 Attack EV. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
The small spikes covering its body developed from scales. They inject a toxin that causes fainting.
To fire its poison spikes, it must inflate its body by drinking over 2.6 gallons of water all at once.
Qwilfish Weakness
Qwilfish's Water/Poison typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Ground, and Psychic. With 7 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Qwilfish leans offensive (base 95 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ground, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Steel |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
 Pikachu Electric | C | |
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Geodude builds →Earthquake 2x88-106%KO Dig 2x75-88% | ||
Pikachu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Pikachu builds →Dig 2x39-47% Thunder Shock 2x33-41% | ||
 Abra Psychic | C | |
 Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 2x88-106%KO Dig 2x69-82% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Geodude builds →Earthquake 2x88-106%KO Dig 2x75-88% | ||
Pikachu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Pikachu builds →Dig 2x39-47% Shock Wave 2x49-59% Thunder Shock 2x33-41% | ||
Abra Psychic | C | |
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 2x88-106%KO Dig 2x69-82% | ||
 Dugtrio Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 2x101-120%KO Dig 2x80-95% Sand Tomb 2x39-46% Mud-Slap 2x24-28% | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x60-71% Dig 2x47-56% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Geodude builds →Earthquake 2x86-102%KO Dig 2x68-81% | ||
 Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x62-74% Dig 2x51-60% Bone Club 2x41-49% Bonemerang 2x33-39% | ||
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 2x84-99% Dig 2x66-78% | ||
Dugtrio Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 2x103-122%KO Dig 2x84-100%KO Sand Tomb 2x40-47% Mud-Slap 2x23-28% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x58-69% Dig 2x47-56% | ||
 Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Rhyhorn builds →Earthquake 2x93-109%KO Thunderbolt 2x35-42% Dig 2x74-88% Shock Wave 2x24-29% | ||
Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x64-75% Dig 2x53-63% Bone Club 2x42-50% Bonemerang 2x34-41% | ||
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 2x84-100%KO Dig 2x69-81% | ||
Dugtrio Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 2x103-122%KO Dig 2x84-100%KO Sand Tomb 2x40-47% Mud-Slap 2x23-28% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x58-69% Dig 2x47-56% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Rhyhorn builds →Earthquake 2x93-109%KO Thunderbolt 2x35-42% Dig 2x74-88% Shock Wave 2x24-29% | ||
Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x64-75% Dig 2x53-63% Bone Club 2x42-50% Bonemerang 2x34-41% | ||
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 2x84-100%KO Dig 2x69-81% | ||
Dugtrio Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 2x100-118%KO Dig 2x81-95% Sand Tomb 2x36-43% Mud-Slap 2x23-27% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x55-66% Dig 2x44-52% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Rhyhorn builds →Earthquake 2x89-105%KO Thunderbolt 2x32-38% Dig 2x71-84% Shock Wave 2x21-26% | ||
Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x60-70% Dig 2x48-57% Bone Club 2x40-48% Bonemerang 2x30-36% | ||
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 2x81-95% Dig 2x65-77% Sand Tomb 2x30-36% | ||
 Magneton ElectricSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Magneton builds →Thunder 2x167-197%KO Thunderbolt 2x136-161%KO Spark 2x100-118%KO Shock Wave 2x93-109%KO | ||
Dugtrio Ground | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 2x104-122%KO Dig 2x84-99% Sand Tomb 2x38-45% Mud-Slap 2x24-28% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x58-69% Dig 2x47-56% | ||
Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x61-73% Dig 2x49-58% Bone Club 2x41-49% Bonemerang 2x32-39% | ||
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 2x84-99% Dig 2x67-79% Sand Tomb 2x31-36% | ||
In FireRed & LeafGreen, Magneton can KO Qwilfish with Thunderbolt (143-168%). Starmie's Thunderbolt hits Qwilfish for 76-90%. Claydol's Earthquake also KOs at 88-104%.
Magneton ElectricSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemMagnet NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Magneton builds →Thunderbolt 2x143-168%KO | ||
 Starmie WaterPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Starmie builds →Rapid Spin10-12% Ice Beam19-22% Thunderbolt 2x76-90% Surf28-34% | ||
 Claydol GroundPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Qwilfish View Claydol builds →Rapid Spin15-18% Earthquake 2x88-104%KO Explosion73-86% Psychic 2x64-75% | ||
FireRed & LeafGreen Evolution
Qwilfish doesn't evolve by leveling. You'll need an evolution item to push it forward to Overqwil. The evolved forms gain up to 80 total stats over Qwilfish. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Qwilfish easily with 17 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group. Pass egg moves like Astonish, Bubble Beam, Flail and 2 more to offspring.
FireRed & LeafGreen Qwilfish Best Moveset
This build takes hits and hits back. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, Poison Point supports the gameplan, and flexible EVs mean Qwilfish doesn't crumble to chip damage. Plus the remaining moves backing it up.
Best Build
Qwilfish best EVs are HP and Speed
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Spikes
- Self Destruct
- Sludge Bomb
- Destiny Bond
Recommended Teammates
Moves
You'll want to breed for Astonish and Bubble Beam on Qwilfish. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Hydro Pump and Sludge Bomb, they expand what Qwilfish can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
FireRed & LeafGreen Qwilfish Locations
Qwilfish is available from early-game fishing spots onward at high spawn rates. 9 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations to Catch Qwilfish in FireRed & LeafGreen
Catching Qwilfish here means fishing. All 9 encounters require Super Rod at Lv. 15-25, and there aren't any overworld spawns in this game.
Qwilfish Guide
Qwilfish is meant to evolve into Overqwil. At 430 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Intimidate is what you want on Qwilfish. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Poison Point, Swift Swim) work on paper but Intimidate is what makes Qwilfish worth using.
In FireRed & LeafGreen, Qwilfish's hidden ability is Intimidate. Lowers opponents' Attack one stage upon entering battle. Better than the standard options for competitive play.
Base 85 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Qwilfish is a mixed attacker with base 95 Attack and 55 Sp. Atk.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Gold & Silver, Qwilfish has appeared in 20 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received a Hisuian form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
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 8PLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves