Stats & Training
Bulk defines Whirlipede's stat line. Defense and Sp. Def anchor the defensive side, but HP can't keep up offensively. Common in the wild and worth 2 Defense EVs.
This Pokémon spins itself rapidly and charges into its opponents. Its top speed is just over 60 mph.
Whirlipede protects itself with a sturdy shell and poisonous spikes while it stores up the energy it’ll need for evolution.
Whirlipede Weakness
Whirlipede is weak to Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Standard number of weaknesses for the Bug/Poison typing.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Flying, Psychic, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Bug, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting |
In Sword & Shield, Celesteela threatens a KO with Air Slash (87-103%).
 Heatran FireSteel | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
 Celesteela Steel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Whirlipede View Celesteela builds →Flamethrower 2x70-82% Air Slash 2x87-103%KO | ||
 Slowking WaterPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemColbur Berry NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Whirlipede View Slowking builds →Scald32-38% | ||
 Nihilego RockPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Whirlipede View Nihilego builds →Power Gem 2x90-106%KO | ||
 Cinderace Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityLibero ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Whirlipede View Cinderace builds →High Jump Kick13-15% U Turn14-17% | ||
Sword & Shield Evolution
Partway through Venipede's chain. Whirlipede still has another evolution ahead before reaching Scolipede. For breeding, quick to hatch with a decent partner pool via one egg group. Defense has grown the most so far (+40), but there's still another 125 stats to gain in the final evolution. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Whirlipede to get Venipede eggs easily using 47 partners from the Bug egg group. Notable egg moves include Bite, Fury Cutter.
Sword & Shield Whirlipede Best Moveset
Eviolite makes Whirlipede bulkier than you'd expect from something that still evolves. Max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs with Modest nature handle the stat profile. Utility options keeps it from being passive.
Best Build
Whirlipede best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Solar Beam
- Venoshock
- Toxic
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Leveling does the heavy lifting. Whirlipede picks up Take Down and Double-Edge along the way, building toward a complete offensive set. TMs add Rock and Normal coverage and more, but the foundation's already strong by then.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Whirlipede in Sword & Shield
Whirlipede doesn't appear wild. Catch Venipede instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it at level 22 to get Whirlipede. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Whirlipede in Sword & Shield
Venipede is your first catch on the way to Whirlipede. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 10-18 across 36 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch VenipedeForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest56%EarlySnowingForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest56%EarlyNormal WeatherForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest56%EarlySnowstormForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest56%EarlyNormal WeatherForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest56%EarlySnowstormForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest56%EarlySnowingForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest46%EarlySandstormForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest46%EarlyHeavy FogForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest46%EarlySandstormForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest46%EarlyHeavy FogForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyOvercastForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyRainingForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyOvercastForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyThunderstormForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyIntense SunForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyThunderstormForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyRainingForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest36%EarlyIntense SunForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyNormal WeatherForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyRainingForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlySnowstormForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyHeavy FogForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyOvercastForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyNormal WeatherForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyThunderstormForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlySnowstormForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyIntense SunForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlySnowingForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlySandstormForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyThunderstormForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyRainingForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyIntense SunForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyHeavy FogForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlySnowingForest of FocusShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlyOvercastForest of FocusSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Forest30%EarlySandstorm
Step 2Whirlipede ✓
Whirlipede Guide
Whirlipede is meant to evolve into Scolipede. At 360 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Speed Boost is what you want on Whirlipede. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Poison Point, Swarm) work on paper but Speed Boost is what makes Whirlipede worth using.
In Sword & Shield, Speed Boost is the hidden ability. It raises Speed one stage after each turn. Worth hunting for if you want Whirlipede to compete at a higher level.
Game Availability
Whirlipede joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 8 titles so far. With 6 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
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 5BWDebut
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