In Sword & Shield, Magic Bounce changes the entire equation for Xatu. The 470 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier. Heat Wave with Focus Sash is the standard set.

What is Xatu weak to?

In Sword & Shield, Xatu's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric), Cloyster (Ice), and Golem (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Ghost and Dark-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.

What is the best ability for Xatu?

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.

What role does Xatu play in battle?

Base 95 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Xatu is a mixed attacker with base 75 Attack and 95 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.

What are the best moves for Xatu?

For Sword & Shield, the core moveset is Heat Wave, Psychic, Trickroom, and Fly. Heat Wave leads at 20% usage. Psychic provides reliable STAB damage.

Xatu - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Mixed

Balanced

CTier

95Speed · Above Avg

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.

Base Stats

Above

HP65

Attack75

Defense70

Sp. Atk95

Sp. Def70

Speed95

Total470

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging75 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height1.5 m

Weight15.0 kg

Base XP165

Abilities

SynchronizeRare

Copies burns, paralysis, and poison received onto the Pokémon that inflicted them.

Early Bird

Makes sleep pass twice as quickly.

Magic BounceHATop Pick

Reflects most non-damaging moves back at their user.

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpA+1SpDSpe+1

Special Attack training target

Pokedex Entries

They say that it stays still and quiet because it is seeing both the past and future at the same time.

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.

Xatu Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Electric, Ice, Rock, Ghost, Dark
0.5x (Resist)	Grass, Psychic
0.25x (Resist)	Fighting
0x (Immune)	Ground

Type ChartAvg

5Weak

3Resist

1Immune

Score-3

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Ice Rock Ghost Dark

½xResist

Grass Psychic

¼xResist

Fighting

0xImmune

Ground

STAB (4)

Fighting Poison Grass Bug

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

Morpeko ElectricDark	A
Available Moves Moves Volt SwitchTM80 SparkLv. 30 BiteLv. 25 AssuranceTM58 Damage vs Xatu Volt Switch 2x 57-68% Spark 2x 66-78% Bite 2x 61-73% Assurance 2x 61-73% View Morpeko builds →
Lunatone RockPsychic	A
Available Moves Moves Stone EdgeLv. 35 Rock SlideLv. 15 Rock ThrowLv. 1 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Xatu Stone Edge 2x 68-81% Rock Slide 2x 51-61% Rock Throw 2x 36-43% Rock Blast 2x 18-23% View Lunatone builds →
Crawdaunt WaterDark	B
Available Moves Moves Night SlashLv. 28 Knock OffLv. 16 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Xatu Night Slash 2x 87-103%KO Knock Off 2x 81-96% Payback 2x 61-73% View Crawdaunt builds →
Pawniard DarkSteel	C
Available Moves Moves Night SlashLv. 40 AssuranceTM58 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Xatu Night Slash 2x 66-78% Assurance 2x 57-68% Payback 2x 49-58% View Pawniard builds →
Drapion PoisonDark	C
Available Moves Moves Night SlashLv. 36 Ice FangLv. 1 Thunder FangLv. 1 Knock OffLv. 24 Damage vs Xatu Night Slash 2x 68-81% Ice Fang 2x 43-50% Thunder Fang 2x 43-50% Knock Off 2x 64-76% View Drapion builds →

Sword & Shield 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.

How to Evolve

2 Forms

#177Natu

Level 25

#178Xatu

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Natu

PsychicFlying

Xatu

PsychicFlying

65+25

ATK

75+25

DEF

70+25

SP.ATK

95+25

SP.DEF

70+25

SPE

95+25

BST

320D-Tier

470C-Tier+150

ROLE

Balanced

TYPE

Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Xatu to get Natu eggs easily using 42 partners from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Drill Peck, Feather Dance, Quick Attack and 3 more.

Egg Groups

Flying

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

6moves

Breed With (best first)

Sword & Shield Xatu Best Moveset

The Sash lets Xatu ignore defensive shortcomings for one turn. Use that turn to deal early damage, and Magic Bounce squeezes extra value from the position. Max HP and Sp. Atk EVs push damage output.

Best Build

Situational pick

Ability

Magic Bounce

Item

Focus SashSURVIVAL

Best Nature for Xatu

Quiet+SPA

Xatu best EVs are HP and Sp. Atk

EVs

SpA

SpD

Special Tank Moveset

Heat Wave
PsychicSTAB
Trick RoomSTAB
FlySTAB

Recommended Teammates

SlowkingGood

GolduckGood

GengarGood

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 Future Sight and Psychic for solid options.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Air Slash

B759515Flying

Lv 1

Leer

D—10030Normal

Lv 1

Peck

—3510035Flying

Lv 1

Stored Power

B2010010Psychic

Lv 1

Tailwind

C——15Flying

Lv 1

Teleport-6

S——20Psychic

Lv 15

Confuse Ray

D—10010Ghost

Lv 20

Night Shade

D—10015Ghost

Lv 28

Psycho Shift

D—10010Psychic

Lv 34

Guard Swap

D——10Psychic

Lv 34

Power Swap

———10Psychic

Lv 41

Psychic

S9010010Psychic

Lv 48

Wish

C——10Normal

Lv 55

Future Sight

B12010010Psychic

TM Moves

TM95

Air Slash

B759515Flying

TR83

Ally Switch+2

C——15Psychic

TM31

Attract

C—10015Normal

TR29

Baton Pass

C——40Normal

TR49

Calm Mind

B——20Psychic

TR44

Cosmic Power

D——20Psychic

TR92

Dazzling Gleam

S8010010Fairy

TR26

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM39

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM06

Fly

S909515Flying

TR81

Foul Play

C9510015Dark

TR34

Future Sight

B12010010Psychic

TM28

Giga Drain

B7510010Grass

TM09

Giga Impact

C150905Normal

TR77

Grass Knot

D—10020Grass

TM61

Guard Swap

D——10Psychic

TR36

Heat Wave

S959010Fire

TM08

Hyper Beam

B150905Normal

TM44

Imprison

D——10Psychic

TM17

Light Screen

A——30Psychic

TM72

Magic Room

D——10Psychic

TM60

Power Swap

———10Psychic

TM25

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TR11

Psychic

S9010010Psychic

TR25

Psyshock

C8010010Psychic

TM33

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM18

Reflect

A——20Psychic

TM21

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM76

Round

D6010015Normal

TR33

Shadow Ball

C8010015Ghost

TR40

Skill Swap

C——10Psychic

TR27

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM24

Snore

—5010015Normal

TM11

Solar Beam

C12010010Grass

TM30

Steel Wing

D709025Steel

TR82

Stored Power

B2010010Psychic

TR20

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM34

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM40

Swift

D60—20Normal

TM23

Thief

D6010025Dark

TM14

Thunder Wave

C—9020Electric

TR38

Trick

C—10010Psychic

TM70

Trick Room-7

S——5Psychic

TM56

U-turn

D7010020Bug

TR69

Zen Headbutt

C809015Psychic

Egg Moves

Egg

Drill Peck

C8010020Flying

Egg

Feather Dance

D—10015Flying

Egg

Quick Attack+1

D4010030Normal

Egg

Roost

S——10Flying

Egg

Simple Beam

D—10015Normal

Egg

Sucker Punch+1

D701005Dark

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Dual Wingbeat

D409010Flying

Tutor

Expanding Force

C8010010Psychic

How to Get Xatu in Sword & Shield

Xatu starts showing up in mid-game routes at high spawn rates across 2 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.

Where To Catch Xatu in Sword & Shield

Natu is your first catch on the way to Xatu. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 7-38 across 24 total spots in the chain.

Step 1Catch Natu
North Lake Miloch
ShieldGrass Lv.14-16 Water
45%Early
Heavy Fog
North Lake Miloch
SwordGrass Lv.14-16 Water
45%Early
Heavy Fog
West Lake Axewell
SwordGrass Lv.7-11 Cave
40%Early
Heavy Fog
West Lake Axewell
ShieldGrass Lv.7-11 Cave
40%Early
Heavy Fog
South Lake Miloch
SwordGrass Lv.11-13 Water
40%Early
Heavy Fog
South Lake Miloch
ShieldGrass Lv.11-13 Water
40%Early
Heavy Fog
Rolling Fields
SwordGrass Lv.7-9
35%Early
Heavy Fog
Rolling Fields
ShieldGrass Lv.7-10
35%Early
Heavy Fog
West Lake Axewell
SwordOverworld Lv.8-14 Cave
10%Early
Heavy Fog
West Lake Axewell
ShieldOverworld Lv.8-14 Cave
10%Early
Heavy Fog
Giant's Mirror
SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
10%Mid
Snowing
Giant's Mirror
ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
10%Mid
Snowing
Giant's Mirror
SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
10%Mid
Raining
Giant's Mirror
ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
10%Mid
Raining
Giant's Mirror
SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
10%Mid
Heavy Fog
Giant's Mirror
ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
10%Mid
Heavy Fog
Giant's Mirror
SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
5%Mid
Thunderstorm
Giant's Mirror
ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
5%Mid
Thunderstorm
Giant's Mirror
SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
5%Mid
Snowstorm
Giant's Mirror
ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
5%Mid
Snowstorm
Giant's Seat
SwordOverworld Lv.33-38 Water
28%Late
Heavy Fog
Giant's Seat
ShieldOverworld Lv.33-38 Water
28%Late
Heavy Fog
Train until Level 25
Step 2Xatu ✓
Giant's Seat
SwordGrass Lv.30-35 Water
50%Mid
Heavy Fog
Giant's Seat
ShieldGrass Lv.30-35 Water
50%Mid
Heavy Fog
or evolve from Natu (Step 1)

Xatu Guide

In Sword & Shield, Magic Bounce changes the entire equation for Xatu. The 470 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier. Heat Wave with Focus Sash is the standard set.
In Sword & Shield, Xatu's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric), Cloyster (Ice), and Golem (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Ghost and Dark-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
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 mixed attacker with base 75 Attack and 95 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
For Sword & Shield, the core moveset is Heat Wave, Psychic, Trickroom, and Fly. Heat Wave leads at 20% usage. Psychic provides reliable STAB damage.

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

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Shuckle BugRock	B
Available Moves Moves Rock ThrowLv. 15 RolloutLv. 5 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Xatu Rock Throw 2x 19-24% Rollout 2x 16-19% Rock Blast 2x 11-15% View Shuckle builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 20 Brutal SwingTM97 Rock ThrowLv. 1 Smack DownLv. 4 Damage vs Xatu Rock Slide 2x 53-63% Brutal Swing 2x 27-32% Rock Throw 2x 35-44% Smack Down 2x 35-44% View Onix builds →
Stunky PoisonDark	D
Available Moves Moves BiteLv. 18 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Xatu Bite 2x 53-63% Payback 2x 45-53% View Stunky builds →
Purrloin Dark	D
TM Move Moves PaybackTM57 Damage vs Xatu Payback 2x 35-44% View Purrloin builds →
Nickit Dark	D
Available Moves Moves AssuranceLv. 16 SnarlLv. 12 Damage vs Xatu Assurance 2x 32-39% Snarl 2x 40-48% View Nickit builds →

Stunfisk GroundElectric	A
Available Moves Moves ElectrowebTM82 PaybackTM57 Thunder ShockLv. 1 Damage vs Xatu Electroweb 2x 53-63% Payback 2x 28-33% Thunder Shock 2x 39-46% View Stunfisk builds →
Shuckle BugRock	B
Available Moves Moves Rock ThrowLv. 15 RolloutLv. 5 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Xatu Rock Throw 2x 21-25% Rollout 2x 14-17% Rock Blast 2x 14-17% View Shuckle builds →
Stunky PoisonDark	D
Available Moves Moves BiteLv. 18 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Xatu Bite 2x 49-58% Payback 2x 42-50% View Stunky builds →
Purrloin Dark	D
Available Moves Moves AssuranceLv. 21 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Xatu Assurance 2x 42-50% Payback 2x 35-42% View Purrloin builds →
Nickit Dark	D
Available Moves Moves Sucker PunchLv. 24 AssuranceLv. 16 SnarlLv. 12 Damage vs Xatu Sucker Punch 2x 35-42% Assurance 2x 31-38% Snarl 2x 39-46% View Nickit builds →

Pawniard DarkSteel	C
Available Moves Moves AssuranceLv. 25 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Xatu Assurance 2x 56-68% Payback 2x 48-56% View Pawniard builds →
Stunky PoisonDark	D
Available Moves Moves BiteLv. 18 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Xatu Bite 2x 48-56% Payback 2x 41-49% View Stunky builds →
Purrloin Dark	D
Available Moves Moves AssuranceLv. 21 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Xatu Assurance 2x 41-49% Payback 2x 35-41% View Purrloin builds →
Impidimp DarkFairy	D
Available Moves Moves Sucker PunchLv. 24 BiteLv. 4 AssuranceLv. 16 Damage vs Xatu Sucker Punch 2x 44-53% Bite 2x 38-45% Assurance 2x 38-45% View Impidimp builds →
Nickit Dark	D
Available Moves Moves Sucker PunchLv. 24 AssuranceLv. 16 SnarlLv. 12 Damage vs Xatu Sucker Punch 2x 35-41% Assurance 2x 28-34% Snarl 2x 35-41% View Nickit builds →

Lunatone RockPsychic	A
Available Moves Moves Stone EdgeLv. 35 Rock SlideLv. 15 Rock ThrowLv. 1 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Xatu Stone Edge 2x 69-82% Rock Slide 2x 54-64% Rock Throw 2x 37-44% Rock Blast 2x 19-23% View Lunatone builds →
Pawniard DarkSteel	C
Available Moves Moves AssuranceLv. 25 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Xatu Assurance 2x 59-70% Payback 2x 50-58% View Pawniard builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Stone EdgeLv. 35 Rock SlideLv. 15 Rock ThrowLv. 1 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Xatu Stone Edge 2x 104-122%KO Rock Slide 2x 79-93% Rock Throw 2x 54-64% Rock Blast 2x 29-35% View Solrock builds →
Thievul Dark	C
Available Moves Moves Sucker PunchLv. 28 Night SlashLv. 34 ThiefLv. 1 AssuranceLv. 16 Damage vs Xatu Sucker Punch 2x 51-61% Night Slash 2x 51-61% Thief 2x 44-52% Assurance 2x 44-52% View Thievul builds →
Liepard Dark	C
Available Moves Moves Sucker PunchLv. 34 AssuranceLv. 23 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Xatu Sucker Punch 2x 69-82% Assurance 2x 59-70% Payback 2x 51-61% View Liepard builds →

Lunatone RockPsychic	A
Available Moves Moves Stone EdgeLv. 35 Rock SlideLv. 15 Rock ThrowLv. 1 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Xatu Stone Edge 2x 70-83% Rock Slide 2x 53-63% Rock Throw 2x 37-44% Rock Blast 2x 20-25% View Lunatone builds →
Pawniard DarkSteel	C
Available Moves Moves AssuranceLv. 25 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Xatu Assurance 2x 58-69% Payback 2x 49-58% View Pawniard builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Stone EdgeLv. 35 Rock SlideLv. 15 Rock ThrowLv. 1 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Xatu Stone Edge 2x 105-124%KO Rock Slide 2x 79-94% Rock Throw 2x 53-63% Rock Blast 2x 28-33% View Solrock builds →
Thievul Dark	C
Available Moves Moves Sucker PunchLv. 28 Night SlashLv. 34 ThiefLv. 1 AssuranceLv. 16 Damage vs Xatu Sucker Punch 2x 51-61% Night Slash 2x 51-61% Thief 2x 44-52% Assurance 2x 44-52% View Thievul builds →
Liepard Dark	C
Available Moves Moves Sucker PunchLv. 34 AssuranceLv. 23 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Xatu Sucker Punch 2x 70-83% Assurance 2x 61-72% Payback 2x 51-61% View Liepard builds →

ToxapexRecovers HP on switch via Regenerator, burns with Scald, wears down with Toxic PoisonWater	A
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemBlack Sludge NatureBold Moves RecoverRecovery ScaldSTAB ToxicUtility HazeUtility Damage vs Xatu Scald 21-25% View Toxapex builds →
Weavile DarkIce	A
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves Knock Off Ice Shard Triple Axel Swords Dance Damage vs Xatu Knock Off 2x 81-96% Ice Shard 2x 50-59% View Weavile builds →
Zeraora Electric	A
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemAir Balloon NatureJolly Moves Plasma Fists Fake Out Drain Punch Fire Punch Damage vs Xatu Drain Punch 7-9% View Zeraora builds →
Nihilego RockPoison	A
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves Power Gem Grass Knot Stealth Rock Sludge Wave Damage vs Xatu Power Gem 2x 98-115%KO View Nihilego builds →
Blacephalon FireGhost	A
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves Shadow Ball FlamethrowerSTAB TrickUtility OverheatSTAB Damage vs Xatu Shadow Ball 2x 117-138%KO Flamethrower 66-78% Overheat 95-112%KO View Blacephalon builds →