In Sword & Shield, Thievul has a 455 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a niche pick in Sword & Shield's meta. It works best as a pivot. Snarl with Throat Spray is the standard set.

What is Thievul weak to?

In Sword & Shield, Thievul's biggest threats include Machamp (Fighting), Pinsir (Bug), and Togekiss (Fairy), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.

What is the best ability for Thievul?

Run Away is the go-to ability for Thievul. It ensures success fleeing from wild battles. Its hidden ability Stakeout can work in specific setups. Unburden is the other option. Pick based on what your team needs.

What role does Thievul play in battle?

In Sword & Shield, Thievul fills the pivot role. It's a special attacker with base 87 Sp. Atk. Base 90 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.

What are the best moves for Thievul?

For Sword & Shield, the core moveset is Snarl, Burningjealousy, Grassknot, and Psychic. Snarl leads at 23% usage. Snarl provides reliable STAB damage.

Thievul - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Special

Pivot

CTier

90Speed · Above Avg

Stats & Training

Thievul's spread isn't flashy. Sp. Def leads, Attack trails, 3 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 2 Sp. Def EVs, on a fast 800K XP curve.

Base Stats

Above

HP70

Attack58

Defense58

Sp. Atk87

Sp. Def92

Speed90

Total455

Details

Catch Rate

Moderate127 / 255

Growth Rate

Fast800,000 XP

Height1.2 m

Weight19.9 kg

Base XP159

Abilities

Run Away

Ensures success fleeing from wild battles.

UnburdenTop Pick

Doubles Speed upon using or losing a held item.

StakeoutHARare

This Pokémon's moves have double power against Pokémon that switched in this turn.

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpD+2Spe

Special Defense training target

Pokedex Entries

It secretly marks potential targets with a scent. By following the scent, it stalks its targets and steals from them when they least expect it.

Thievul Weakness

Thievul is weak to Fighting, Bug, and Fairy. On the flip side, it's immune to Psychic-type moves entirely. Thievul's special bulk (base 92 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Thievul Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Fighting, Bug, Fairy
0.5x (Resist)	Ghost, Dark
0x (Immune)	Psychic

Type ChartAvg

3Weak

2Resist

1Immune

Score-1

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Fighting Bug Fairy

½xResist

Ghost Dark

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Psychic

STAB (2)

Psychic Ghost

How to Beat Thievul in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)

Hawlucha FightingFlying	B
Available Moves Moves Flying PressLv. 44 SubmissionLv. 24 Brick BreakTM43 U-turnTM56 Damage vs Thievul Flying Press 2x 110-130%KO Submission 2x 88-105%KO Brick Break 2x 83-98% U-turn 2x 53-62% View Hawlucha builds →
Mimikyu GhostFairy	B
TM Move Moves Draining KissTM87 Damage vs Thievul Draining Kiss 2x 26-30% View Mimikyu builds →
Bewear NormalFighting	C
Available Moves Moves Hammer ArmLv. 36 Brick BreakTM43 Low SweepTM75 RevengeTM42 Damage vs Thievul Hammer Arm 2x 142-167%KO Brick Break 2x 106-126%KO Low Sweep 2x 92-109%KO Revenge 2x 87-102%KO View Bewear builds →
Toxicroak PoisonFighting	C
Available Moves Moves Brick BreakTM43 Low SweepTM75 RevengeTM42 Damage vs Thievul Brick Break 2x 92-109%KO Low Sweep 2x 81-95% Revenge 2x 74-88% View Toxicroak builds →
Passimian Fighting	C
Available Moves Moves Brick BreakTM43 U-turnTM56 Low SweepTM75 RevengeTM42 Damage vs Thievul Brick Break 2x 105-123%KO U-turn 2x 64-76% Low Sweep 2x 91-107%KO Revenge 2x 83-98% View Passimian builds →

Sword & Shield Evolution

Thievul is the evolved form of Nickit. Breeding produces Nickit eggs, and they're quick to hatch. Evolving from Nickit gave Thievul the biggest boost in Sp.Atk (+40), bringing the total to 455 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms

#827Nickit

Level 18

#828Thievul

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Nickit

Dark

Thievul

Dark

70+30

ATK

58+30

DEF

58+30

SP.ATK

87+40

SP.DEF

92+40

SPE

90+40

BST

245D-Tier

455C-Tier+210

ROLE

Balanced

TYPE

Utility

Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Thievul to get Nickit eggs easily using 152 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Howl, Knock Off, Quick Guard and 1 more.

Egg Groups

Ground

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

15 cycles·3,855 steps

Quick~4 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

4moves

Breed With (best first)

Sword & Shield Thievul Best Moveset

For a special attacker, Thievul wants max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs and Throat Spray. The Timid nature tilts toward fast special duty, and Unburden contributes without taking a move slot.

Best Build

Experimental

Ability

Unburden

Item

Throat Spray

Best Nature for Thievul

Timid+SPE

Thievul best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

SpA

Spe

Special Sweeper Moveset

SnarlSTAB
Burning Jealousy
Grass Knot
PsychicCoverage

Recommended Teammates

MiloticGood

AltariaGood

AudinoGood

Moves

Foul Play and Giga Impact bring the raw damage. But Thievul also picks up coverage across 11 types from TMs, making it tough to find a safe switch. You're not locked into one angle here.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Beat Up

D—10010Dark

Lv 1

Hone Claws

C——15Dark

Lv 1

Quick Attack+1

D4010030Normal

Lv 1

Tail Whip

——10030Normal

Lv 1

Thief

D6010025Dark

Lv 12

Snarl

S559515Dark

Lv 16

Assurance

—6010010Dark

Lv 22

Nasty Plot

B——20Dark

Lv 28

Sucker Punch+1

C701005Dark

Lv 34

Night Slash

C7010015Dark

Lv 40

Tail Slap

D258510Normal

Lv 46

Foul Play

C9510015Dark

Lv 52

Parting Shot

C—10020Dark

TM Moves

TM78

Acrobatics

D5510015Flying

TR12

Agility

C——30Psychic

TM58

Assurance

—6010010Dark

TM31

Attract

C—10015Normal

TR29

Baton Pass

C——40Normal

TM37

Beat Up

D—10010Dark

TR32

Crunch

C8010015Dark

TR58

Dark Pulse

S8010015Dark

TM15

Dig

D8010010Ground

TR26

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM39

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM47

Fake Tears

S—10020Dark

TM68

Fire Fang

D659515Fire

TR81

Foul Play

C9510015Dark

TM09

Giga Impact

C150905Normal

TR77

Grass Knot

S—10020Grass

TM08

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TM67

Ice Fang

D659515Ice

TM53

Mud Shot

D559515Ground

TR68

Nasty Plot

B——20Dark

TR90

Play Rough

D909010Fairy

TM25

Protect+4

S——10Normal

TR11

Psychic

S9010010Psychic

TM21

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM76

Round

D6010015Normal

TM16

Screech

D—8540Normal

TR33

Shadow Ball

S8010015Ghost

TM65

Shadow Claw

D7010015Ghost

TR27

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM85

Snarl

S559515Dark

TM24

Snore

—5010015Normal

TR20

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM40

Swift

D60—20Normal

TM84

Tail Slap

D258510Normal

TR37

Taunt

S—10020Dark

TM23

Thief

D6010025Dark

TM66

Thunder Fang

D659515Electric

TM56

U-turn

D7010020Bug

Egg Moves

Egg

Howl

D——40Normal

Egg

Knock Off

D6510020Dark

Egg

Quick Guard+3

———15Fighting

Egg

Torment

D—10015Dark

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Burning Jealousy

S701005Fire

Tutor

Lash Out

C751005Dark

How to Get Thievul in Sword & Shield

high spawn rates across 18 locations for Thievul in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.

Where To Catch Thievul in Sword & Shield

The path to Thievul starts with Nickit at Lv. 3-47 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

Step 1Catch Nickit
Route 2
ShieldOverworld Lv.5-7 Route
15%Early
All Weather
Route 2
SwordOverworld Lv.5-7 Route
15%Early
All Weather
Route 1
ShieldOverworld Lv.3-6 Route
5%Early
All Weather
Route 1
SwordOverworld Lv.3-6 Route
5%Early
All Weather
Stony Wilderness
ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
5%Mid
Heavy Fog
Stony Wilderness
SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
5%Mid
Heavy Fog
Stony Wilderness - 2
ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
5%Mid
Heavy Fog
Stony Wilderness - 2
SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
5%Mid
Heavy Fog
Stony Wilderness - 3
ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
5%Mid
Heavy Fog
Stony Wilderness - 3
SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
5%Mid
Heavy Fog
Giant's Mirror
SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
4%Mid
Normal Weather
Giant's Mirror
ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
4%Mid
Normal Weather
Dusty Bowl
ShieldOverworld Lv.42-47
50%Late
Normal Weather
Dusty Bowl
SwordOverworld Lv.42-47
50%Late
Normal Weather
Dusty Bowl
ShieldOverworld Lv.42-47
35%Late
Thunderstorm
Dusty Bowl
SwordOverworld Lv.42-47
35%Late
Thunderstorm
Dusty Bowl
ShieldOverworld Lv.42-47
35%Late
Overcast
Dusty Bowl
SwordOverworld Lv.42-47
35%Late
Overcast
Route 2 - High Level
ShieldOverworld Lv.40-43 Route
15%Late
All Weather
Route 2 - High Level
SwordOverworld Lv.40-43 Route
15%Late
All Weather
Dusty Bowl
ShieldOverworld Lv.42-47
10%Late
Raining
Dusty Bowl
SwordOverworld Lv.42-47
10%Late
Raining
Dusty Bowl
ShieldOverworld Lv.42-47
5%Late
Intense Sun
Dusty Bowl
SwordOverworld Lv.42-47
5%Late
Intense Sun
Train until Level 18
Step 2Thievul ✓
Stony Wilderness
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
40%Mid
Heavy Fog
Stony Wilderness
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
40%Mid
Heavy Fog
Bridge Field
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
28%Mid
Normal Weather
Bridge Field
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
28%Mid
Normal Weather
Bridge Field
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
25%Mid
Snowing
Bridge Field
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
25%Mid
Snowing
Bridge Field
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
23%Mid
Overcast
Bridge Field
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
23%Mid
Overcast
Bridge Field
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
20%Mid
Intense Sun
Bridge Field
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
20%Mid
Intense Sun
Hammerlocke Hills
ShieldGrass Lv.28-30
15%Mid
Overcast
Hammerlocke Hills
SwordGrass Lv.28-30
15%Mid
Overcast
Bridge Field
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
5%Mid
Heavy Fog
Bridge Field
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
5%Mid
Heavy Fog
Route 9 - in Outer Spikemuth
ShieldGrass Lv.40-44 Route
30%Late
All Weather
Route 9 - in Outer Spikemuth
SwordGrass Lv.40-44 Route
30%Late
All Weather
Route 7
ShieldOverworld Lv.37-41 Route
20%Late
All Weather
Route 7
SwordOverworld Lv.37-41 Route
20%Late
All Weather
or evolve from Nickit (Step 1)

Thievul Guide

In Sword & Shield, Thievul has a 455 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a niche pick in Sword & Shield's meta. It works best as a pivot. Snarl with Throat Spray is the standard set.
In Sword & Shield, Thievul's biggest threats include Machamp (Fighting), Pinsir (Bug), and Togekiss (Fairy), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.
Run Away is the go-to ability for Thievul. It ensures success fleeing from wild battles. Its hidden ability Stakeout can work in specific setups. Unburden is the other option. Pick based on what your team needs.
In Sword & Shield, Thievul fills the pivot role. It's a special attacker with base 87 Sp. Atk. Base 90 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
For Sword & Shield, the core moveset is Snarl, Burningjealousy, Grassknot, and Psychic. Snarl leads at 23% usage. Snarl provides reliable STAB damage.

Game Availability

Introduced in Sword & Shield, Thievul has appeared in 2 games across 3 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Pancham Fighting	D
Available Moves Moves Low SweepLv. 16 Circle ThrowLv. 12 Arm ThrustLv. 4 Damage vs Thievul Low Sweep 2x 70-84% Circle Throw 2x 67-80% Arm Thrust 2x 19-23% View Pancham builds →
Machop Fighting	D
Available Moves Moves Low SweepLv. 12 RevengeLv. 8 Damage vs Thievul Low Sweep 2x 70-84% Revenge 2x 67-80% View Machop builds →
Cutiefly BugFairy	D
Available Moves Moves Draining KissLv. 18 Fairy WindLv. 1 Damage vs Thievul Draining Kiss 2x 31-38% Fairy Wind 2x 27-33% View Cutiefly builds →
Milcery Fairy	D
Available Move Moves Draining KissLv. 15 Damage vs Thievul Draining Kiss 2x 31-38% View Milcery builds →
Ralts PsychicFairy	D
Available Moves Moves Draining KissLv. 12 Disarming VoiceLv. 1 Damage vs Thievul Draining Kiss 2x 31-38% Disarming Voice 2x 23-28% View Ralts builds →

Spritzee Fairy	C
Available Moves Moves Draining KissLv. 15 Fairy WindLv. 1 Damage vs Thievul Draining Kiss 2x 33-40% Fairy Wind 2x 27-32% View Spritzee builds →
Pancham Fighting	D
Available Moves Moves Low SweepLv. 16 Circle ThrowLv. 12 Arm ThrustLv. 4 Damage vs Thievul Low Sweep 2x 68-80% Circle Throw 2x 60-72% Arm Thrust 2x 20-24% View Pancham builds →
Swirlix Fairy	D
Available Moves Moves Draining KissLv. 12 Fairy WindLv. 6 Damage vs Thievul Draining Kiss 2x 29-36% Fairy Wind 2x 27-32% View Swirlix builds →
Machop Fighting	D
Available Moves Moves Vital ThrowLv. 24 Low SweepLv. 12 RevengeLv. 8 Damage vs Thievul Vital Throw 2x 71-84% Low Sweep 2x 64-76% Revenge 2x 60-72% View Machop builds →
Cutiefly BugFairy	D
Available Moves Moves Draining KissLv. 18 Struggle BugLv. 24 Fairy WindLv. 1 Damage vs Thievul Draining Kiss 2x 29-36% Struggle Bug 2x 29-36% Fairy Wind 2x 23-28% View Cutiefly builds →

Throh Fighting	C
Available Moves Moves Circle ThrowLv. 10 RevengeLv. 20 Damage vs Thievul Circle Throw 2x 70-83% Revenge 2x 70-83% View Throh builds →
Sawk Fighting	C
Available Moves Moves Low SweepLv. 20 Rock SmashLv. 1 Double KickLv. 10 Damage vs Thievul Low Sweep 2x 92-108%KO Rock Smash 2x 58-69% Double Kick 2x 46-54% View Sawk builds →
Spritzee Fairy	C
Available Moves Moves Draining KissLv. 15 Fairy WindLv. 1 Damage vs Thievul Draining Kiss 2x 30-36% Fairy Wind 2x 27-33% View Spritzee builds →
Pancham Fighting	D
Available Moves Moves Low SweepLv. 16 Circle ThrowLv. 12 Arm ThrustLv. 4 Damage vs Thievul Low Sweep 2x 67-80% Circle Throw 2x 61-72% Arm Thrust 2x 18-22% View Pancham builds →
Swirlix Fairy	D
Available Moves Moves Draining KissLv. 12 Fairy WindLv. 6 Damage vs Thievul Draining Kiss 2x 30-36% Fairy Wind 2x 24-29% View Swirlix builds →

Hawlucha FightingFlying	B
Available Moves Moves SubmissionLv. 24 Low SweepTM75 RevengeTM42 Damage vs Thievul Submission 2x 90-107%KO Low Sweep 2x 74-87% Revenge 2x 68-81% View Hawlucha builds →
Toxicroak PoisonFighting	C
Available Moves Moves Low SweepTM75 RevengeTM42 Damage vs Thievul Low Sweep 2x 83-98% Revenge 2x 76-90% View Toxicroak builds →
Throh Fighting	C
Available Moves Moves Vital ThrowLv. 35 Low SweepTM75 Circle ThrowLv. 10 RevengeTM42 Damage vs Thievul Vital Throw 2x 85-101%KO Low Sweep 2x 80-95% Circle Throw 2x 74-87% Revenge 2x 74-87% View Throh builds →
Sawk Fighting	C
Available Moves Moves Brick BreakLv. 35 Low SweepTM75 RevengeTM42 Rock SmashLv. 1 Damage vs Thievul Brick Break 2x 109-129%KO Low Sweep 2x 95-112%KO Revenge 2x 88-104%KO Rock Smash 2x 59-70% View Sawk builds →
Ribombee BugFairy	C
Available Moves Moves Pollen PuffLv. 1 Draining KissLv. 18 Struggle BugLv. 24 Fairy WindLv. 1 Damage vs Thievul Pollen Puff 2x 74-87% Draining Kiss 2x 42-50% Struggle Bug 2x 42-50% Fairy Wind 2x 36-42% View Ribombee builds →

Hawlucha FightingFlying	B
Available Moves Moves SubmissionLv. 24 U-turnTM56 Low SweepTM75 RevengeTM42 Damage vs Thievul Submission 2x 91-107%KO U-turn 2x 54-64% Low Sweep 2x 75-88% Revenge 2x 71-83% View Hawlucha builds →
Mimikyu GhostFairy	B
TM Move Moves Draining KissTM87 Damage vs Thievul Draining Kiss 2x 27-32% View Mimikyu builds →
Toxicroak PoisonFighting	C
Available Moves Moves Low SweepTM75 RevengeTM42 Damage vs Thievul Low Sweep 2x 84-99% Revenge 2x 77-91% View Toxicroak builds →
Throh Fighting	C
Available Moves Moves Vital ThrowLv. 35 Low SweepTM75 Circle ThrowLv. 10 RevengeTM42 Damage vs Thievul Vital Throw 2x 86-102%KO Low Sweep 2x 79-94% Circle Throw 2x 75-88% Revenge 2x 75-88% View Throh builds →
Sawk Fighting	C
Available Moves Moves Brick BreakLv. 35 Low SweepTM75 RevengeTM42 Rock SmashLv. 1 Damage vs Thievul Brick Break 2x 111-131%KO Low Sweep 2x 96-113%KO Revenge 2x 88-104%KO Rock Smash 2x 61-72% View Sawk builds →

Scizor BugSteel	A
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves Bullet Punch Knock Off RoostRecovery Swords Dance Damage vs Thievul Bullet Punch 33-40% Knock Off 18-21% View Scizor builds →
Clefable Fairy	A
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves MoonblastSTAB Soft Boiled Calm Mind Knock Off Damage vs Thievul Moonblast 2x 75-89% Knock Off 9-10% View Clefable builds →
Cobalion SteelFighting	A
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves Close Combat Swords Dance Iron Head Stealth Rock Damage vs Thievul Close Combat 2x 169-200%KO View Cobalion builds →
Machamp Fighting	C
Recommended Build AbilityNoguard ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves Bullet Punch Dynamic Punch Rock Slide Knock Off Damage vs Thievul Bullet Punch 27-32% Rock Slide 50-59% Knock Off 21-25% View Machamp builds →