Stats & Training
The stat budget goes to damage. Sp. Atk and Speed carry the offense, HP doesn't even come close. A Mystic Pokemon on a medium-fast 1M XP curve, worth 2 Sp. Atk and Speed EVs per KO.
They say that it stays still and quiet because it is seeing both the past and future at the same time.
In South America, it is said that its right eye sees the future and its left eye views the past.
Xatu Weakness
Type-wise, Xatu takes extra damage from Electric, Ice, Rock, Ghost, and Dark. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. Xatu leans toward special offense (base 95 Sp.Atk) instead of trying to wall anything.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ice, Rock, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Psychic |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Gengar can KO Xatu with Shadow Ball (138-162%). Zapdos threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (95-111%). Aerodactyl's Stone Edge also KOs at 113-133%.
 Gengar GhostPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Xatu View Gengar builds →Shadow Ball 2x138-162%KO Focus Blast17-20% Explosion59-69% | ||
 Zapdos Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Xatu View Zapdos builds →Thunderbolt 2x95-111%KO Heat Wave33-39% | ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Xatu View Aerodactyl builds →Stone Edge 2x113-133%KO | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Xatu View Weavile builds →Ice Shard 2x50-59% Pursuit 2x50-59% | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityOblivious ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Xatu View Mamoswine builds →Ice Shard 2x75-89% Superpower19-22% Stone Edge 2x124-146%KO | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution
Evolved from Natu. Xatu is the final form in this two-stage line. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. HP grew the most through evolution (+25 over Natu), and Xatu peaks at 470 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
Breeding
Breed with Xatu to get Natu eggs easily using 31 partners from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Drill Peck, Feather Dance, Feint Attack and 7 more.
HeartGold & SoulSilver Xatu Best Moveset
Click U-turn, bring in a teammate, repeat. Xatu's pivot game is backed by Sitrus Berry for a one-time health recovery at low HP and max HP and Attack EVs. Synchronize works in the background while the remaining moves covers bad matchups.
Best Build
Xatu best EVs are HP and Attack
Physical Tank Moveset
- Fly
- U Turn
- Future Sight
- Shadow Ball
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The egg pool carries weight here. Drill Peck and Feather Dance aren't available any other way for Xatu, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Sky Attack and Future Sight for solid options.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Xatu in HeartGold & SoulSilver
The way to get Xatu in this game is through an NPC trade at Pewter City. Bring the right Pokemon and it's yours. The details below list the exact trade requirements.
How to Obtain Xatu in HeartGold & SoulSilver
The path to Xatu starts with Natu at Lv. 18-48 via headbutt, walking, and more encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch NatuRuins of Alph - OutsideSoulSilverGrass Lv.18-24 RuinsCommonMidRuins of Alph - OutsideHeartGoldGrass Lv.18-24 RuinsCommonMidRoute 28HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.39-43 Route20%LateRoute 28SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.39-43 Route20%LateMt. Silver - BaseHeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.42-48 CaveLimitedLateMt. Silver - BaseSoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.42-48 CaveLimitedLateMt. Silver - Lower mountainsideSoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.42-48 CaveLimitedLateMt. Silver - Lower mountainsideHeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.42-48 CaveLimitedLate
Step 2Xatu ✓Pewter CitySoulSilverIn-game trade CityLimitedTrade for (give Haunter)Pewter CityHeartGoldIn-game trade CityLimitedTrade for (give Haunter)or evolve from Natu (Step 1)
Xatu Guide
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Magic Bounce changes the entire equation for Xatu. The 470 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier. Fly with Sitrus Berry is the standard set.
Magic Bounce is what you want on Xatu. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Synchronize, Early Bird) work on paper but Magic Bounce is what makes Xatu worth using.
Base 95 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Xatu is a physical attacker with base 75 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Magic Bounce is the hidden ability. It reflects most non-damaging moves back at their user. Worth hunting for if you want Xatu to compete at a higher level.
Game Availability
Available in 16 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Xatu spans 9 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in most mainline games.
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 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves