Physical
Trick Room
10Speed · Very Slow

Is Bonsly Good in Platinum Playthrough?

Trophy Garden and Route 209. Baby Rock-type with AbilitySturdy. Learns Mimic to evolve into Sudowoodo. The baby stage adds nothing over catching Sudowoodo directly on Route 221.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadETETTTGEGEGEERoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2FantinaGym 3MayleneGym 4Crasher WakeGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8BonslyCatchableSudowoodoEvolveAaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4CynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Even

Bonsly trades roughly evenly with Roark's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
Risky
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
You Win
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Tough

Gardenia's team hits Bonsly's weaknesses hard.

Even
Turtwig
Lv 20
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafSunny DayReflect
Risky
Cherrim
Lv 20
Grass
Flower Gift
Grass KnotLeech SeedMagical LeafSafeguard
Risky
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Fantina
Gym 3
Even

Bonsly trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.

Even
Duskull
Lv 24
Ghost
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Will O WispPursuitShadow SneakFuture Sight
You Win
Haunter
Lv 24
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow ClawSucker PunchHypnosisConfuse Ray
Even
Mismagius
Lv 26
Ghost
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Maylene
Gym 4
Tough

Maylene's team hits Bonsly's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Meditite
Lv 28
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionRock TombFake Out
Risky
Machoke
Lv 29
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopRock TombStrengthFocus Energy
Risky
Lucario
Lv 32
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 5
Tough

Crasher Wake's team hits Bonsly's weaknesses hard.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 33
WaterFlying
Intimidate
WaterfallBrineBiteTwister
Avoid
Quagsire
Lv 34
WaterGround
Damp
Mud ShotRock TombWater PulseYawn
Risky
Floatzel
Lv 37
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangCrunchAqua Jet
Byron
Gym 6
Tough

Byron's team hits Bonsly's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Magneton
Lv 37
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Flash CannonThunderboltTri AttackMetal Sound
Risky
Steelix
Lv 38
SteelGround
Rock Head
Flash CannonIce FangEarthquakeSandstorm
Even
Bastiodon
Lv 41
RockSteel
Sturdy
Metal BurstStone EdgeIron DefenseTaunt
Candice
Gym 7
Good

Bonsly has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.

Easy KO
Sneasel
Lv 40
DarkIce
Inner Focus
SlashAerial AceFaint AttackIce Shard
Even
Piloswine
Lv 40
IceGround
Oblivious
AvalancheStone EdgeEarthquakeHail
Even
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerWater PulseFocus Blast
You Win
Froslass
Lv 44
IceGhost
Snow Cloak
BlizzardDouble TeamShadow BallPsychic
Volkner
Gym 8
Even

Bonsly trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.

You Win
Jolteon
Lv 46
Electric
Volt Absorb
Thunder WaveCharge BeamIron TailQuick Attack
Even
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamFocus BlastSignal BeamQuick Attack
You Win
Luxray
Lv 48
Electric
Rivalry
Ice FangThunder FangCrunchFire Fang
Even
Electivire
Lv 50
Electric
Motor Drive
Thunder PunchFire PunchQuick AttackGiga Impact
Aaron
Elite Four
Good

Sudowoodo has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.

Easy KO
Yanmega
Lv 49
BugFlying
Speed Boost
Air SlashBug BuzzU TurnDouble Team
You Win
Scizor
Lv 49
BugSteel
Swarm
Iron HeadX ScissorNight SlashQuick Attack
Easy KO
Vespiquen
Lv 50
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
Even
Heracross
Lv 51
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
You Win
Drapion
Lv 53
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Even

Sudowoodo trades roughly evenly with Bertha's team.

Even
Whiscash
Lv 50
WaterGround
Oblivious
Earth PowerAqua TailZen HeadbuttSandstorm
You Win
Gliscor
Lv 53
GroundFlying
Hyper Cutter
EarthquakeIce FangFire FangThunder Fang
Even
Golem
Lv 52
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeFire PunchThunder PunchSandstorm
Risky
Rhyperior
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning RodImmune to Electric attacks
EarthquakeRock WreckerMegahornAvalanche
Risky
Hippowdon
Lv 52
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchYawn
Flint
Elite Four
Good

Sudowoodo has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.

Easy KO
Houndoom
Lv 52
DarkFire
Early Bird
FlamethrowerSludge BombDark PulseSunny Day
You Win
Flareon
Lv 55
Fire
Flash FireImmune to Fire attacks
OverheatGiga ImpactQuick AttackWill O Wisp
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 53
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
Even
Infernape
Lv 55
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
You Win
Magmortar
Lv 57
Fire
Flame Body
FlamethrowerThunderboltSolar BeamHyper Beam
Lucian
Elite Four
Even

Sudowoodo trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.

You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 53
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
You Win
Espeon
Lv 55
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallQuick AttackSignal Beam
Even
Bronzong
Lv 54
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
Even
Alakazam
Lv 56
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Risky
Gallade
Lv 59
PsychicFighting
Steadfast
Drain PunchPsycho CutLeaf BladeStone Edge
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Sudowoodo trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

Even
Spiritomb
Lv 58
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindShadow Ball
Even
Roserade
Lv 58
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombToxicExtrasensory
You Win
Togekiss
Lv 60
FairyFlying
Hustle
Air SlashAura SphereWater PulseShock Wave
Risky
Lucario
Lv 60
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereExtreme SpeedShadow BallStone Edge
Even
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatDragon Pulse
Even
Garchomp
Lv 62
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeFlamethrowerGiga Impact
Catchable
Post-game only
Type
Rock
Tier
F

Catch Bonsly on Trophy Garden (walking, Lv 16-18, rare).

View Bonsly locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Roark
    • TM31FightingBrick Break75100%15
  • After Gardenia
    • TM28GroundDig80100%10
    • LV 30RockRock Tomb9095%15
  • After Maylene
    • TM64NormalExplosion250100%5
    • LV 33RockRock Slide11390%10
  • After Byron
    • TM69RockRock Polish100%20
  • After Candice
    • TUTORNormalUproar90100%10
    • LV 46NormalDouble-Edge120100%15
Evolve Bonsly to Sudowoodo
Level up: after Mimic learned
Type
Rock
Tier
C

Usually ready to evolve before you reach Aaron, at typical party pace.

View Sudowoodo locations

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 50)
    • LV 50RockRock Slide11390%10
    • LV 50NormalDouble-Edge120100%15
    • LV 50GrassWood Hammer120100%15
    • LV 50FightingHammer Arm10090%10
  • From Start
    • TM01FightingFocus Punch150100%20
  • After Gardenia
    • TM26GroundEarthquake100100%10
  • After Maylene
    • TM64NormalExplosion250100%5
  • After Volkner
    • TM71RockStone Edge15080%5

How to Get Bonsly in Platinum

Bonsly tops out at moderate rates across 1 locations in mid-game routes. The encounters below are sorted by rate so you can see exactly what you're working with.

Where To Catch Bonsly in Pt

  1. Bonsly
    Step 1Bonsly
    Trophy Garden - Daily Pokemon
    Lv.16-18Grass
    Rate 5%
  2. Sudowoodo
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Sudowoodo
    Route 221
    Lv.29-31Grass
    Rate 25%
    or evolve from Bonsly (Step 1)

Bonsly Weakness

Type-wise, Bonsly takes extra damage from Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Bonsly's physical bulk (base 95 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Bonsly Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Bonsly Weak Against

Fragile
5Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score-6
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Bonsly Strong Against

4Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score+1
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Bonsly

Bonsly Evolutions

Bonsly is the baby form here. It evolves into Sudowoodo after learning Mimic, but you can't breed it directly. Hatch one by breeding the evolved forms instead. Evolving adds up to 120 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Bonsly
Rock
HP
50
70+20
ATK
80
100+20
DEF
95
115+20
SP.ATK
10
30+20
SP.DEF
45
65+20
SPE
10
30+20
BST
290C-Tier
410C-Tier+120
ROLE
Trick Room
Attacker
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Unavailable
Undiscovered egg group

Pt Bonsly Best Moveset

Baby Sudowoodo at 80 Attack and 95 Defense but 10 Speed and 10 Sp. Def. The moveset can't function at this stage. Sudowoodo has the stats to back it up.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Rock Head
Item
Life OrbPOWER
Best Nature for Bonsly
Jolly+SPE

Bonsly best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Utility Moveset

  • Sucker Punch
  • ExplosionCoverage
  • Rock SlideSTAB
  • Stealth RockSTAB

Moves List

Breeding's the move. Defense Curl and Harden give Bonsly options it can't learn any other way, and Normal and Fighting coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Rock Slide and Rock Tomb. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Copycat
20Normal
Lv 1
Fake Tears
10020Dark
Lv 6
Flail
D10015Normal
Lv 9
Low Kick
D10020Fighting
Lv 14
Rock Throw
759015Rock
Lv 17
Mimic
10Normal
Lv 22
Block
5Normal
Lv 25
Feint Attack
6020Dark
Lv 30
Rock Tomb
C909510Rock
Lv 33
Rock Slide
B1129010Rock
Lv 38
Slam
807520Normal
Lv 41
Sucker Punch+1
B801005Dark
Lv 46
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM31
Brick Break
C7510015Fighting
TM04
Calm Mind
C20Psychic
TM78
Captivate
10020Normal
TM28
Dig
C8010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM58
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM64
Explosion
B2501005Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
D6010015Normal
TM83
Natural Gift
D10015Normal
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM77
Psych Up
10Normal
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM69
Rock Polish
B20Rock
TM80
Rock Slide
B1129010Rock
TM39
Rock Tomb
C909510Rock
TM37
Sandstorm
10Rock
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM76
Stealth Rock
B20Rock
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM46
Thief
D6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Defense Curl
D40Normal
Egg
Harden
D30Normal
Egg
Headbutt
D7010015Normal
Egg
Rollout
459020Rock
Egg
Sand Tomb
358515Ground
Egg
Self-Destruct
B2001005Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Earth Power
D9010010Ground
Tutor
Helping Hand+5
20Normal
Tutor
Rollout
459020Rock
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal
Tutor
Sucker Punch+1
B801005Dark
Tutor
Uproar
9010010Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP50
D
Attack80
C
Defense95
B
Sp. Atk10
F
Sp. Def45
D
Speed10
F
Total290
Details
Catch Rate
Guaranteed255 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.5 m
Weight15.0 kg
Base XP58
Abilities
Sturdy
Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
Rock Head
Protects against recoil damage.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

It prefers an arid atmosphere. It leaks water that looks like tears when adjusting its moisture level.

Pokemon Platinum

Bonsly Platinum Guide

  • In Platinum, Bonsly does the job early-game if you need a Rock type on your team. Evolve it into Sudowoodo before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.

Game Availability

Bonsly first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 13 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.

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