Is Deerling Good in Black & White Playthrough?
Normal/Grass with AbilityChlorophyll for sun Speed or AbilitySap Sipper for Grass immunity. Route 6 catch. Sawsbuck at level 34 is decent but the Normal/Grass typing has too many weaknesses.
Deerling resists most of Cilan's coverage and hits back hard.
Deerling has the type edge here and should clean up Chili's team.
Deerling resists most of Cress's coverage and hits back hard.
Deerling has the type edge here and should clean up Lenora's team.
Deerling trades roughly evenly with Burgh's team.
Deerling trades roughly evenly with Elesa's team.
Deerling trades roughly evenly with Clay's team.
Skyla's team hits Deerling's weaknesses hard.
Sawsbuck has the type edge here and should clean up Brycen's team.
Sawsbuck trades roughly evenly with Drayden's team.
Sawsbuck trades roughly evenly with Shauntal's team.
Sawsbuck has the type edge here and should clean up Grimsley's team.
Sawsbuck has the type edge here and should clean up Caitlin's team.
Sawsbuck trades roughly evenly with Marshal's team.
Sawsbuck trades roughly evenly with Alder's team.
Catch Deerling on Route 6 (walking, Lv 22-24, common).
Your Deerling should hit Level 34 before you reach Brycen, at typical leveling pace.
How to Get Deerling in Black & White
Deerling starts showing up in mid-game routes at high spawn rates across 12 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Deerling in BW
Deerling is your first catch on the way to Deerling. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 22-36 across 16 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Deerling ✓Route 6Lv.22-24GrassWhiteRate 35%AnyRoute 6Lv.22-24GrassBlackRate 30%AnyRoute 6Lv.26-28Dark GrassRate 30%AnyDouble grassDragonspiral Tower - OutsideLv.30-32FloorRate 30%WinterRoute 7Lv.26GrassRate 20%AnyRoute 7Lv.30Dark GrassRate 20%AnyDouble grassDragonspiral Tower - OutsideLv.31-32FloorRate 30%Spring/summer/autumn
Step 2Catch or Evolve into SawsbuckDragonspiral Tower - OutsideLv.30-32FloorRate 30%WinterDouble grassDragonspiral Tower - OutsideLv.34-36FloorRate 30%Spring/summer/autumnDouble grassor evolve from Deerling (Step 1)
Deerling Weakness
Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Flying, and Bug moves hit Deerling for super-effective damage. The upside? Ghost-type moves can't touch it at all. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Sap Sipper grants an additional Grass immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Flying, Bug |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass, Ground |
| 0x (Immune) | Ghost |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
What is Deerling Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Deerling
 Simisear Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Pansear (Dreamyard Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Simisear builds →Flame Burst 2x102-120%KO Focus Blast 2x113-133%KO | ||
 Pignite FireFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tepig (Nuvema Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Pignite builds →Focus Blast 2x135-160%KO Flame Charge 2x72-85% Smog 2x18-23% | ||
 Farfetch'd Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Farfetch'd builds →Aerial Ace 2x85-100%KO Poison Jab 2x73-87% Fury Cutter 2x22-27% | ||
 Illumise Bug | C | |
 Volbeat Bug | C | |
Throh Fighting | C | |
Sawk Fighting | C | |
Simisear Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Pansear (Dreamyard Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Simisear builds →Flame Burst 2x101-121%KO Focus Blast 2x110-131%KO | ||
Pignite FireFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tepig (Nuvema Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Pignite builds →Focus Blast 2x133-157%KO Flame Charge 2x67-81% Smog 2x16-21% | ||
 Timburr Fighting | C | |
Throh Fighting | C | |
Sawk Fighting | C | |
Simisear Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Pansear (Dreamyard Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Simisear builds →Flame Burst 2x95-113%KO Focus Blast 2x108-127%KO | ||
 Gurdurr Fighting | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Gurdurr builds →Wake-Up Slap 2x88-105%KO | ||
Sigilyph Psychic | C | |
Sawk Fighting | C | |
 Scolipede BugPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Scolipede builds →Megahorn 2x169-200%KO Poison Tail 2x72-86% Rock Smash 2x39-46% | ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Aerodactyl builds →Fly 2x134-159%KO Fire Fang 2x64-76% Ice Fang 2x64-76% Rock Smash 2x40-48% | ||
Throh Fighting | C | |
 Scraggy DarkFighting | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Scraggy builds →High Jump Kick 2x149-176%KO | ||
 Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodDesert Resort Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x231-272%KO Hammer Arm 2x129-153%KO | ||
Throh Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Throh builds →Vital Throw 2x105-124%KO Poison Jab 2x78-93% | ||
Unfezant Normal | C | |
Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Aerodactyl builds →Fly 2x139-164%KO Fire Fang 2x68-80% Ice Fang 2x68-80% Rock Smash 2x41-49% | ||
Scolipede BugPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Scolipede builds →Megahorn 2x175-207%KO Poison Jab 2x118-139%KO Rock Smash 2x40-47% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodDesert Resort Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x221-261%KO Hammer Arm 2x123-146%KO | ||
 Emboar FireFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tepig (Nuvema Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Emboar builds →Hammer Arm 2x166-196%KO Fire Blast 2x169-199%KO Poison Jab 2x89-105%KO | ||
 Archeops Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Archen (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Archeops builds →Fly 2x166-196%KO Focus Blast 2x121-144%KO | ||
Scrafty DarkFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Scrafty builds →High Jump Kick 2x166-196%KO Poison Jab 2x69-82% | ||
Throh Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Throh builds →Brick Break 2x107-126%KO Poison Jab 2x76-90% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodDesert Resort Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x228-269%KO Hammer Arm 2x126-149%KO | ||
 Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Chandelure builds →Fire Blast 2x235-277%KO Smog 2x27-32% | ||
 Cobalion SteelFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodMistralton Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Cobalion builds →Sacred Sword 2x120-141%KO Poison Jab 2x71-84% X-Scissor 2x71-84% Aerial Ace 2x53-63% | ||
Archeops Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Archen (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Archeops builds →Fly 2x172-203%KO Focus Blast 2x126-149%KO | ||
Emboar FireFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tepig (Nuvema Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Emboar builds →Hammer Arm 2x172-203%KO Fire Blast 2x172-203%KO Poison Jab 2x91-108%KO | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Chandelure builds →Overheat 2x277-326%KO Smog 2x27-32% | ||
Cobalion SteelFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodMistralton Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Cobalion builds →Close Combat 2x158-186%KO Poison Jab 2x71-84% X-Scissor 2x71-84% Aerial Ace 2x53-63% | ||
Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Obtain MethodRelic Castle Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Volcarona builds →Overheat 2x260-306%KO Bug Buzz 2x167-197%KO Gust 2x51-60% Poison Jab 2x52-61% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodDesert Resort Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x230-271%KO Superpower 2x154-181%KO U-turn 2x90-106%KO | ||
 Hitmonchan Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Hitmonchan builds →Focus Punch 2x224-264%KO Fire Punch 2x75-89% Ice Punch 2x75-89% | ||
In Black & White, Weavile can KO Deerling with Ice Shard (108-127%). Lucario threatens a KO with Close Combat (302-356%). Gengar's Focus Blast also KOs at 117-138%.
 Weavile DarkIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Weavile builds →Ice Shard 2x108-127%KO | ||
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Lucario builds →Close Combat 2x302-356%KO Extreme Speed67-79% | ||
 Gengar GhostPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Gengar builds →Focus Blast 2x117-138%KO | ||
 Salamence Dragon | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMoxie ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Salamence builds →Earthquake37-44% Outrage134-158%KO | ||
 Charizard Fire | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Deerling View Charizard builds →Flamethrower 2x117-138%KO Air Slash 2x98-115%KO Fire Blast 2x143-168%KO Focus Blast 2x103-122%KO | ||
Deerling Evolutions
Deerling evolves into Sawsbuck. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 140 total stats over Deerling. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
BW Deerling Best Moveset
Normal/Grass pre-evolution with AbilityChlorophyll for sun Speed and AbilitySap Sipper blocking Grass for an Attack boost. The moveset can't compete at 60 Attack. Sawsbuck one evolution away.
Best Build
Deerling best EVs are Sp. Def and Speed
Utility Moveset
- Seed Bomb
- Wild Charge
- Jump Kick
- Leech Seed
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Don't skip the egg moves. Deerling picks up Agility and Baton Pass only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Double-Edge and Solar Beam while Fighting and Dark coverage and more adds range.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
The color and scent of their fur changes to match the mountain grass. When they sense hostility, they hide in the grass.
The turning of the seasons changes the color and scent of this Pokémon’s fur. People use it to mark the seasons.
Deerling Black & White Guide
In Black & White, Deerling does the job early-game if you need a Normal/Grass type on your team. Evolve it into Sawsbuck before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Introduced in Black & White, Deerling has appeared in 7 games across 6 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves