What is Volbeat weak to?

In Black & White, watch for Arcanine (Fire), Salamence (Flying), and Golem (Rock) when using Volbeat. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.

Should I use Volbeat?

For Black & White, it depends on your team. Volbeat at 410 BST isn't a powerhouse, but the Bug coverage might be exactly what you're missing.

In Black & White, Prankster changes the entire equation for Volbeat. The 410 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier. Encore with Focus Sash is the standard set.

What is the best ability for Volbeat?

Prankster is what you want on Volbeat. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Illuminate, Swarm) work on paper but Prankster is what makes Volbeat worth using.

What are Volbeat's strengths?

Volbeat's best stat is Sp. Def at base 85. Bug gives decent defensive coverage with 3 resistances.

Volbeat - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Balanced

CTier

85Speed · Above Avg

Stats & Training

Sp. Def and Speed carry most of Volbeat's stat budget. Sp. Atk's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 1 Speed EV. Follows a standard growth curve.

Base Stats

Above

HP65

Attack73

Defense55

Sp. Atk47

Sp. Def85

Speed85

Total410

Details

Catch Rate

Moderate150 / 255

Growth Rate

Erratic600,000 XP

Height0.7 m

Weight17.7 kg

Base XP151

Abilities

Illuminate

Doubles the wild encounter rate.

Swarm

Strengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.

PranksterHATop Pick

Raises non-damaging moves' priority by one stage.

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1

Speed training source

Pokedex Entries

It communicates with others by lighting up its rear at night. It loves Illumise’s sweet aroma.

Volbeat Weakness

Fire, Flying, and Rock moves hit Volbeat for super-effective damage. Volbeat's special bulk (base 85 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Volbeat Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Fire, Flying, Rock
0.5x (Resist)	Grass, Fighting, Ground

Type ChartAvg

3Weak

3Resist

0Immune

Score-3

Gen V 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 Rock

½xResist

Grass Fighting Ground

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (3)

Grass Psychic Dark

How to Beat Volbeat in Black & White (Best Counters)

Archen RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Wing AttackLv. 1 PluckLv. 15 Ancient PowerLv. 18 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Damage vs Volbeat Wing Attack 2x 90-106%KO Pluck 2x 90-106%KO Ancient Power 2x 48-58% Rock Throw 2x 73-87% View Archen builds →
Farfetch'd NormalFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Aerial AceLv. 13 PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Volbeat Aerial Ace 2x 77-92% Peck 2x 45-53% View Farfetch'd builds →
Woobat PsychicFlying	D
Available Move Moves GustLv. 8 Damage vs Volbeat Gust 2x 27-34% View Woobat builds →
Pansear Fire	D
Obtain MethodDreamyard Gift Available Move Moves IncinerateLv. 10 Damage vs Volbeat Incinerate 2x 40-48% View Pansear builds →
Tepig Fire	D
Obtain MethodNuvema Town Gift Available Moves Moves Flame ChargeLv. 15 EmberLv. 7 Damage vs Volbeat Flame Charge 2x 48-58% Ember 2x 27-34% View Tepig builds →

Black & White Evolution

Breeding is the whole story for Volbeat. Plenty of partners through two egg groups, eggs are quick to hatch, and you won't need to evolve anything. It's got 7 egg moves worth looking into. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution

#313VolbeatDoes not evolve

Breeding

Moderate

Breed Volbeat with 65 breeding partners from the Bug and Humanshape egg groups. Pass egg moves like Baton Pass, Bug Buzz, Dizzy Punch and 4 more to offspring.

Egg Groups

BugHumanshape

Gender

♂100.0%

Hatch Time

15 cycles·3,855 steps

Quick~4 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

7moves

Breed With (best first)

Black & White Volbeat Best Moveset

Prankster gives Volbeat passive value while it walls. Calm nature boosts Sp. Def, max HP and Sp. Def EVs maximize the special wall profile, and Focus Sash keeps it in the game.

Best Build

Experimental

Wall

Ability

Prankster

Item

Focus SashSURVIVAL

Best Nature for Volbeat

Calm+SPD

Volbeat best EVs are HP and Sp. Def

EVs

Def

SpD

Wall Moveset

EncoreUtility
Thunder Wave
ToxicUtility
TrickUtility

Recommended Teammates

ForretressGood

VolcaronaDecent

ScizorDecent

Moves

Coverage runs deep. Volbeat can hit 10 types beyond STAB, including Normal and Psychic. The offense anchors on Bug Buzz and Signal Beam while TMs handle everything else.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Flash

D—10020Normal

Lv 1

Tackle

D5010035Normal

Lv 5

Double Team

———15Normal

Lv 9

Confuse Ray

D—10010Ghost

Lv 13

Moonlight

D——5Normal

Lv 17

Quick Attack+1

D4010030Normal

Lv 21

Tail Glow

———20Bug

Lv 25

Signal Beam

D7510015Bug

Lv 29

Protect+4

B——10Normal

Lv 33

Helping Hand+5

———20Normal

Lv 37

Zen Headbutt

D809015Psychic

Lv 41

Bug Buzz

C9010010Bug

Lv 45

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

TM Moves

TM62

Acrobatics

B5510015Flying

TM40

Aerial Ace

D60—20Flying

TM45

Attract

C—10015Normal

TM31

Brick Break

D7510015Fighting

TM57

Charge Beam

D509010Electric

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM70

Flash

D—10020Normal

TM56

Fling

——10010Dark

TM21

Frustration

——10020Normal

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM16

Light Screen

C——30Psychic

TM17

Protect+4

B——10Normal

TM77

Psych Up

———10Normal

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM48

Round

—6010015Normal

TM30

Shadow Ball

D8010015Ghost

TM22

Solar Beam

D12010010Grass

TM76

Struggle Bug

—3010020Bug

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM46

Thief

—6010010Dark

TM25

Thunder

D1207010Electric

TM73

Thunder Wave

S—10020Electric

TM24

Thunderbolt

D9510015Electric

TM06

Toxic

A—9010Poison

TM89

U-turn

B7010020Bug

Egg Moves

Egg

Baton Pass

D——40Normal

Egg

Bug Buzz

C9010010Bug

Egg

Dizzy Punch

—7010010Normal

Egg

Encore

S—1005Normal

Egg

Seismic Toss

D—10020Fighting

Egg

Silver Wind

D601005Bug

Egg

Trick

A—10010Psychic

Tutor Moves

Volbeat can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 4

Air Cutter

D559525Flying

Gen 3

Body Slam

C8510015Normal

Gen 4

Captivate

——10020Normal

Gen 3

Counter-5

D—10020Fighting

Gen 3

Dynamic Punch

D100505Fighting

Gen 4

Endure+4

D——10Normal

Gen 4

Focus Punch-3

C15010020Fighting

Gen 3

Mega Kick

—120755Normal

Gen 3

Mega Punch

—808520Normal

Gen 3

Metronome

———10Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Gen 4

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Gen 4

Natural Gift

——10015Normal

Gen 4

Ominous Wind

—601005Ghost

Gen 4

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

Gen 4

Shock Wave

—60—20Electric

Gen 4

String Shot

——9540Bug

Gen 4

Swift

—60—20Normal

Gen 4

Water Pulse

D6010020Water

Black & White Volbeat Locations

Volbeat is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 1 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 Volbeat in Black & White

Route 3

Grass Lv.8 Route

CommonEarly

AnySwarm active

Volbeat Guide

In Black & White, watch for Arcanine (Fire), Salamence (Flying), and Golem (Rock) when using Volbeat. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.
For Black & White, it depends on your team. Volbeat at 410 BST isn't a powerhouse, but the Bug coverage might be exactly what you're missing.
In Black & White, Prankster changes the entire equation for Volbeat. The 410 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier. Encore with Focus Sash is the standard set.
Prankster is what you want on Volbeat. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Illuminate, Swarm) work on paper but Prankster is what makes Volbeat worth using.
Volbeat's best stat is Sp. Def at base 85. Bug gives decent defensive coverage with 3 resistances.

Game Availability

Available in 14 titles since its debut in Ruby & Sapphire, Volbeat spans 8 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in a solid number of games.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Archen RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Wing AttackLv. 1 PluckLv. 15 Ancient PowerLv. 18 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Damage vs Volbeat Wing Attack 2x 87-103%KO Pluck 2x 87-103%KO Ancient Power 2x 47-56% Rock Throw 2x 73-86% View Archen builds →
Farfetch'd NormalFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Aerial AceLv. 13 Air CutterLv. 21 PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Volbeat Aerial Ace 2x 73-86% Air Cutter 2x 40-47% Peck 2x 47-56% View Farfetch'd builds →
Tranquill NormalFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Air CutterLv. 15 GustLv. 1 Damage vs Volbeat Air Cutter 2x 40-47% Gust 2x 29-34% View Tranquill builds →
Woobat PsychicFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Air CutterLv. 21 GustLv. 8 Damage vs Volbeat Air Cutter 2x 40-47% Gust 2x 29-34% View Woobat builds →
Pansear Fire	D
Obtain MethodDreamyard Gift Available Moves Moves Flame BurstLv. 22 IncinerateLv. 10 Damage vs Volbeat Flame Burst 2x 43-51% Incinerate 2x 40-47% View Pansear builds →

Darmanitan Fire	B
Obtain MethodDesert Resort Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Fire PunchLv. 22 Fire FangLv. 11 IncinerateLv. 6 Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Volbeat Fire Punch 2x 120-143%KO Fire Fang 2x 105-124%KO Incinerate 2x 28-34% Rock Tomb 2x 65-78% View Darmanitan builds →
Sigilyph PsychicFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Air CutterLv. 21 GustLv. 1 Damage vs Volbeat Air Cutter 2x 56-68% Gust 2x 41-49% View Sigilyph builds →
Archen RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Wing AttackLv. 1 PluckLv. 15 Ancient PowerLv. 18 Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Volbeat Wing Attack 2x 83-98% Pluck 2x 83-98% Ancient Power 2x 44-53% Rock Tomb 2x 83-98% View Archen builds →
Farfetch'd NormalFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Aerial AceLv. 13 Air CutterLv. 21 PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Volbeat Aerial Ace 2x 70-83% Air Cutter 2x 38-45% Peck 2x 41-49% View Farfetch'd builds →
Tranquill NormalFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Air CutterLv. 15 GustLv. 1 Damage vs Volbeat Air Cutter 2x 35-41% Gust 2x 25-30% View Tranquill builds →

Darmanitan Fire	B
Obtain MethodDesert Resort Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Fire PunchLv. 22 Fire FangLv. 11 IncinerateLv. 6 Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Volbeat Fire Punch 2x 130-153%KO Fire Fang 2x 113-133%KO Incinerate 2x 28-33% Rock Tomb 2x 69-82% View Darmanitan builds →
Aerodactyl RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Fire FangLv. 1 Wing AttackLv. 1 Ancient PowerLv. 25 Damage vs Volbeat Fly 2x 121-143%KO Fire Fang 2x 58-69% Wing Attack 2x 81-97% Ancient Power 2x 39-47% View Aerodactyl builds →
Sigilyph PsychicFlying	C
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Air CutterLv. 21 GustLv. 1 Damage vs Volbeat Fly 2x 79-93% Air Cutter 2x 59-70% Gust 2x 42-50% View Sigilyph builds →
Emolga ElectricFlying	C
Available Move Moves AcrobaticsLv. 30 Damage vs Volbeat Acrobatics 2x 59-70% View Emolga builds →
Archen RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Wing AttackLv. 1 PluckLv. 15 Ancient PowerLv. 18 Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Volbeat Wing Attack 2x 88-103%KO Pluck 2x 88-103%KO Ancient Power 2x 48-57% Rock Tomb 2x 88-103%KO View Archen builds →

Darmanitan Fire	B
Obtain MethodDesert Resort Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Flare BlitzLv. 33 Fire PunchLv. 22 Fire FangLv. 11 IncinerateLv. 6 Damage vs Volbeat Flare Blitz 2x 207-244%KO Fire Punch 2x 131-154%KO Fire Fang 2x 113-134%KO Incinerate 2x 28-33% View Darmanitan builds →
Aerodactyl RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Fire FangLv. 1 Wing AttackLv. 1 Ancient PowerLv. 25 Damage vs Volbeat Fly 2x 123-146%KO Fire Fang 2x 60-71% Wing Attack 2x 83-98% Ancient Power 2x 40-48% View Aerodactyl builds →
Sigilyph PsychicFlying	C
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Air CutterLv. 21 Aerial AceTM40 GustLv. 1 Damage vs Volbeat Fly 2x 78-92% Air Cutter 2x 60-71% Aerial Ace 2x 52-62% Gust 2x 40-48% View Sigilyph builds →
Unfezant NormalFlying	C
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Air SlashLv. 33 Air CutterLv. 15 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Volbeat Fly 2x 134-157%KO Air Slash 2x 52-62% Air Cutter 2x 43-50% Aerial Ace 2x 90-107%KO View Unfezant builds →
Emolga ElectricFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Aerial AceTM40 AcrobaticsTM62 Damage vs Volbeat Aerial Ace 2x 65-77% Acrobatics 2x 60-71% View Emolga builds →

Darmanitan Fire	B
Obtain MethodDesert Resort Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Flare BlitzLv. 33 Fire BlastTM38 Fire PunchLv. 22 Rock SlideTM80 Damage vs Volbeat Flare Blitz 2x 204-241%KO Fire Blast 2x 46-54% Fire Punch 2x 128-151%KO Rock Slide 2x 86-101%KO View Darmanitan builds →
Sigilyph PsychicFlying	C
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Air CutterLv. 21 Aerial AceTM40 GustLv. 1 Damage vs Volbeat Fly 2x 77-92% Air Cutter 2x 57-68% Aerial Ace 2x 52-62% Gust 2x 39-46% View Sigilyph builds →
Unfezant NormalFlying	C
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Air SlashLv. 33 Air CutterLv. 15 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Volbeat Fly 2x 128-151%KO Air Slash 2x 50-59% Air Cutter 2x 41-49% Aerial Ace 2x 86-103%KO View Unfezant builds →
Emolga ElectricFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Aerial AceTM40 AcrobaticsTM62 Damage vs Volbeat Aerial Ace 2x 61-73% Acrobatics 2x 57-68% View Emolga builds →
Archen RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Rock SlideTM80 Wing AttackLv. 1 PluckLv. 15 Ancient PowerLv. 18 Damage vs Volbeat Rock Slide 2x 105-124%KO Wing Attack 2x 85-100%KO Pluck 2x 85-100%KO Ancient Power 2x 46-54% View Archen builds →