Dottler picks up Psychic typing and gains solid defenses (80/90). Bug/Psychic with AbilityCompound Eyes for accuracy. Brief stop before Orbeetle at level 20. Gets through Bea (Sword) with Psychic.
Milo
Gym 1
Good
Dottler has the type edge here and should clean up Milo's team.
You Win
Gossifleur
Lv 19
Grass
Regenerator
Magical LeafRoundRapid Spin
Even
Eldegoss
Lv 20
Grass
Regenerator
Magical LeafLeafageRound
Other strong Pokemon you can catch and use for Gym 1
Dottler is available from mid-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 46 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Where To Catch Dottler in SwSh
Blipbug is your first catch on the way to Dottler. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 2-52 across 166 total spots in the chain.
Dottler is the middle stage between Blipbug and Orbeetle. It's a three-stage line with one more evolution to go. For breeding, quick to hatch with a decent partner pool via one egg group. So far, Defense got the biggest boost (+60 from Blipbug). The final form adds another 170 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
Breed with Dottler to get Blipbug eggs easily using 47 partners from the Bug egg group. Notable egg moves include Infestation, Recover, Sticky Web and 1 more.
Bug/Psychic middle evolution with 80 Defense and 90 Sp. Def for unexpected bulk. 50 Sp. Atk at 30 Speed gives the moveset nothing offensively. AbilityCompound Eyes boosts accuracy. One evolution from Orbeetle for usable Sp. Def and 90 Speed.
Don't skip the egg moves. Dottler picks up Infestation and Recover only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Future Sight and Bug Buzz while Fighting and Grass 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
Yellow
STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus). The move's type matches this Pokemon's type, so it deals 1.5× damage.
+1
Positive priority. The move goes before normal-priority moves, even when you're slower.
-1
Negative priority. The move goes after normal-priority moves.
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
Physical: uses your Attack against the opponent's Defense.
Special: uses your Sp. Attack against the opponent's Sp. Defense.
Status: deals no damage. These moves apply effects instead, like stat boosts (Swords Dance) or status conditions (Sleep, Burn, Paralysis, Poison).
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.
SABCD— = not yet rated
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
Lv 1
Confusion
—7510025Psychic
Lv 1
Light Screen
C——30Psychic
Lv 1
Reflect
C——20Psychic
Lv 1
Struggle Bug
D7510020Bug
No moves match your search
TM Moves
TM
TR83
Ally Switch+2
———15Psychic
TM31
Attract
C—10015Normal
TR99
Body Press
D8010010Fighting
TR61
Bug Buzz
A13510010Bug
TR49
Calm Mind
A——20Psychic
TR26
Endure+4
C——10Normal
TR65
Energy Ball
D9010010Grass
TM39
Facade
D7010020Normal
TR34
Future Sight
C18010010Psychic
TM61
Guard Swap
———10Psychic
TM41
Helping Hand+5
———20Normal
TM44
Imprison
D——10Psychic
TR46
Iron Defense
A——15Steel
TR18
Leech Life
D12010010Bug
TM17
Light Screen
C——30Psychic
TM72
Magic Room
D——10Psychic
TM57
Payback
D5010010Dark
TM60
Power Swap
———10Psychic
TM25
Protect+4
A——10Normal
TR11
Psychic
A13510010Psychic
TM91
Psychic Terrain
D——10Psychic
TR25
Psyshock
C12010010Psychic
TM18
Reflect
C——20Psychic
TM21
Rest
C——10Psychic
TM76
Round
D6010015Normal
TM19
Safeguard
D——25Normal
TR33
Shadow Ball
D8010015Ghost
TR40
Skill Swap
D——10Psychic
TR27
Sleep Talk
C——10Normal
TM24
Snore
D5010015Normal
TM11
Solar Beam
C12010010Grass
TR82
Stored Power
A3010010Psychic
TR20
Substitute
C——10Normal
TR38
Trick
C—10010Psychic
TM70
Trick Room-7
C——5Psychic
TM71
Wonder Room
———10Psychic
TR69
Zen Headbutt
D1209015Psychic
No moves match your search
Egg Moves
Egg
Egg
Infestation
D3010020Bug
Egg
Recover
B——10Normal
Egg
Sticky Web
A——20Bug
Egg
Supersonic
D—5520Normal
No moves match your search
Tutor Moves
Tut
Tutor
Expanding Force
C12010010Psychic
No moves match your search
Base Stats
Base Stats
Avg
HP50
D
Attack35
F
Defense80
C
Sp. Atk50
D
Sp. Def90
B
Speed30
F
Total335
Details
Catch Rate
Moderate120 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.4 m
Weight19.5 kg
Base XP117
Abilities
Swarm
Strengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
Compound Eyes
Increases moves' accuracy to 1.3×.
TelepathyHidden Ability
Protects against friendly Pokémon's damaging moves.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpD+2Spe
Special Defense training target
Pokedex Entry
It barely moves, but it’s still alive. Hiding in its shell without food or water seems to have awakened its psychic powers.
As it grows inside its shell, it uses its psychic abilities to monitor the outside world and prepare for evolution.
Dottler Sword & Shield Guide
In Sword & Shield, Dottler does the job early-game if you need a Bug/Psychic type on your team. Evolve it into Orbeetle before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Introduced in Sword & Shield, Dottler has appeared in 1 games across 3 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
Step 1Catch BlipbugRoute 2Lv.4-6GrassRate 40%All WeatherRoute 1Lv.2-5GrassRate 30%All WeatherChallenge BeachLv.13-18GrassRate 30%SnowingChallenge BeachLv.13-18GrassRate 30%ThunderstormChallenge BeachLv.13-18GrassRate 30%SnowstormChallenge BeachLv.13-18GrassRate 30%Normal WeatherChallenge BeachLv.13-18GrassRate 30%Heavy FogChallenge BeachLv.13-18GrassRate 30%RainingChallenge BeachLv.13-18GrassRate 30%Intense SunChallenge BeachLv.13-18GrassRate 30%OvercastChallenge BeachLv.13-18GrassRate 30%SandstormFields of HonorLv.13-18GrassRate 30%RainingFields of HonorLv.13-18GrassRate 30%SnowingFields of HonorLv.13-18GrassRate 30%Intense SunFields of HonorLv.13-18GrassRate 30%Normal WeatherFields of HonorLv.13-18GrassRate 30%OvercastFields of HonorLv.13-18GrassRate 30%SandstormFields of HonorLv.13-18GrassRate 30%SnowstormFields of HonorLv.13-18GrassRate 30%ThunderstormFields of HonorLv.13-18GrassRate 30%Heavy FogSlumbering Weald - Low LevelLv.2-3OverworldRate 20%All WeatherSlumbering WealdLv.2-3GrassRate 10%All WeatherGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 35%Normal WeatherGiant's Cap - 3Lv.29-32OverworldRate 35%Normal WeatherTraining LowlandsLv.16-21GrassRate 30%Intense SunTraining LowlandsLv.16-21GrassRate 30%Normal WeatherTraining LowlandsLv.16-21GrassRate 30%OvercastTraining LowlandsLv.16-21GrassRate 30%RainingTraining LowlandsLv.16-21GrassRate 30%SandstormTraining LowlandsLv.16-21GrassRate 30%SnowstormTraining LowlandsLv.16-21GrassRate 30%ThunderstormTraining LowlandsLv.16-21GrassRate 30%Heavy FogTraining LowlandsLv.16-21GrassRate 30%SnowingChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%SandstormChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%Intense SunChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%SnowstormChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%ThunderstormChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%OvercastChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%Heavy FogChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%SnowingChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%Normal WeatherChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%RainingLoop LagoonLv.19-24GrassRate 30%Intense SunLoop LagoonLv.19-24GrassRate 30%Normal WeatherLoop LagoonLv.19-24GrassRate 30%OvercastLoop LagoonLv.19-24GrassRate 30%RainingLoop LagoonLv.19-24GrassRate 30%SandstormLoop LagoonLv.19-24GrassRate 30%SnowstormLoop LagoonLv.19-24GrassRate 30%ThunderstormLoop LagoonLv.19-24GrassRate 30%Heavy FogLoop LagoonLv.19-24GrassRate 30%SnowingRoute 2 - High LevelLv.40-43OverworldRate 30%All WeatherHoneycalm IslandLv.43-48GrassRate 30%All WeatherInsular SeaLv.43-48GrassRate 30%All WeatherStepping-Stone SeaLv.43-48GrassRate 30%All WeatherWorkout SeaLv.43-48GrassRate 30%All WeatherRoute 2 - High LevelLv.37-40GrassRate 10%All Weather
Step 2Dottler ✓Giant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 50%ThunderstormGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 50%Normal WeatherGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 50%RainingGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 50%OvercastGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 35%SnowingGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 35%SnowstormGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 35%Heavy FogGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 35%Intense SunGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 35%SandstormGiant's CapLv.26-28GrassRate 30%Heavy FogStony WildernessLv.26-28GrassRate 30%Heavy FogGiant's CapLv.27-29GrassRate 30%Normal WeatherGiant's CapLv.27-29GrassRate 30%OvercastRoute 5Lv.16-18GrassRate 26%All WeatherGiant's CapLv.26-28GrassRate 20%RainingGiant's MirrorLv.26-28GrassRate 20%SandstormGiant's MirrorLv.27-29GrassRate 20%Normal WeatherGiant's CapLv.26-28GrassRate 10%SnowingGiant's CapLv.26-28GrassRate 10%SnowstormGiant's CapLv.26-28GrassRate 10%ThunderstormGiant's CapLv.26-28GrassRate 10%SandstormGiant's MirrorLv.26-28GrassRate 10%RainingGiant's MirrorLv.27-29GrassRate 10%Overcastor evolve from Blipbug (Step 1)
Step 3Catch or Evolve into OrbeetleSlumbering WealdLv.45-47GrassRate 15%All WeatherSlumbering Weald - High LevelLv.45-47OverworldRate 15%All WeatherLake of OutrageLv.50-52GrassRate 13%Normal Weatheror evolve from Dottler (Step 2)
Red & Blue
Yellow
Gold & Silver
Crystal
Ruby & Sapphire
Emerald
FireRed & LeafGreen
Diamond & Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold & SoulSilver
Black & White
Black 2 & White 2
X & Y
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Sun & Moon
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
Sword & Shield
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Legends: Arceus
Scarlet & Violet
Legends: Z-A
Winds & Waves