Is Flapple Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?
Flapple from Tart Apple is the offensive Applin evolution. Grass/Dragon with 110 Attack and AbilityHustle boosting Attack 50% at the cost of accuracy. G-Max Tartness lowers opponent evasion. Sword-leaning. Handles Nessa and Gordie. The accuracy penalty from Hustle is frustrating, but the power is real when moves connect.
Flapple has the type edge here and should clean up Milo's team.
Appletun has the type edge here and should clean up Milo's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Milo:
Flapple resists most of Nessa's coverage and hits back hard.
Appletun resists most of Nessa's coverage and hits back hard.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Nessa:
Flapple has the type edge here and should clean up Kabu's team.
Appletun trades roughly evenly with Kabu's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Kabu:
Flapple has the type edge here and should clean up Bea's team.
Appletun trades roughly evenly with Bea's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Bea:
Flapple trades roughly evenly with Opal's team.
Opal's team hits Appletun's weaknesses hard.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Opal:
Flapple resists most of Gordie's coverage and hits back hard.
Appletun has the type edge here and should clean up Gordie's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Gordie:
Flapple has the type edge here and should clean up Piers's team.
Appletun trades roughly evenly with Piers's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Piers:
Flapple has the type edge here and should clean up Raihan's team.
Appletun has the type edge here and should clean up Raihan's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Raihan:
Flapple trades roughly evenly with Bede's team.
Bede's team hits Appletun's weaknesses hard.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Bede:
Flapple trades roughly evenly with Leon's team.
Appletun trades roughly evenly with Leon's team.
Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Leon:
Catch Flapple on Dappled Grove (Max Raid, Lv 55-60). Gigantamax — Sword exclusive, 4-5 star raid. Catch in a 4-5 star Max Raid Battle at a glowing den. Sword exclusive Gigantamax form.
Catch Appletun on Dappled Grove (Max Raid, Lv 55-60). Gigantamax — Sword exclusive, 4-5 star raid. Catch in a 4-5 star Max Raid Battle at a glowing den. Sword exclusive Gigantamax form.
How to Get Flapple in Sword & Shield
Standard wild encounters won't get you Flapple. You'll need shaking trees, available at 1 different locations. These become available in late-game encounter areas. The list below breaks down where and how each encounter works.
Where To Catch Flapple in SwSh
To get Flapple, start by catching Applin through special and walking encounters at Lv. 13-48. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch ApplinChallenge BeachLv.13-18Shaking berry treesRate 30%Fields of HonorLv.13-18Shaking berry treesRate 30%Forest of FocusLv.13-18Shaking berry treesRate 30%Soothing WetlandsLv.13-18Shaking berry treesRate 30%Training LowlandsLv.16-21Shaking berry treesRate 30%Loop LagoonLv.19-24Shaking berry treesRate 30%Giant's MirrorLv.26-28GrassRate 30%ThunderstormRoute 5Lv.16-18GrassRate 10%All WeatherStony WildernessLv.26-28GrassRate 10%ThunderstormInsular SeaLv.43-48Shaking berry treesRate 30%Stepping-Stone SeaLv.43-48Shaking berry treesRate 30%Workout SeaLv.43-48Shaking berry treesRate 30%Dusty BowlLv.40-45GrassRate 10%Normal Weather
Step 2Flapple ✓Stepping-Stone SeaLv.43-48Shaking berry treesSwordRate 10%or evolve from Applin (Step 1)
Flapple Weakness
Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug, Dragon, and Fairy moves hit Flapple for super-effective damage. Ice hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Ice |
| 2x (Weak) | Poison, Flying, Bug, Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Ground |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass |
What is Flapple Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Flapple
 Glaceon Ice | B | |
 Vanillite Ice | D | |
 Snover GrassIce | D | |
 Dwebble BugRock | C | |
 Butterfree Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Butterfree builds →Gust 2x47-56% Bug Bite 2x39-47% | ||
Glaceon Ice | B | |
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodHoneycalm Island Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Gyarados builds →Ice Fang 4x99-117%KO Twister 2x23-27% | ||
 Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
 Noctowl Normal | C | |
 Vespiquen Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Vespiquen builds →Bug Bite 2x51-60% Gust 2x40-48% Poison Sting 2x11-13% | ||
Glaceon Ice | B | |
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodHoneycalm Island Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Gyarados builds →Ice Fang 4x98-116%KO Twister 2x22-27% | ||
 Ribombee BugFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Ribombee builds →Pollen Puff 2x98-116%KO Draining Kiss 2x58-69% | ||
Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
 Xatu Psychic | C | |
 Beartic Ice | C | |
 Corviknight Steel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Corviknight builds →Fly 2x77-91% U-turn 2x40-48% | ||
 Gardevoir PsychicFairy | B | |
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodHoneycalm Island Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Gyarados builds →Ice Fang 4x100-118%KO Twister 2x22-27% | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | B | |
Beartic Ice | C | |
Glaceon Ice | B | |
 Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Golisopod builds →First Impression 2x99-117%KO Venoshock 2x34-41% | ||
Corviknight Steel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Corviknight builds →Fly 2x74-88% U-turn 2x38-46% | ||
Gardevoir PsychicFairy | B | |
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
 Mr. Rime IcePsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Mr. Rime builds →Freeze-Dry 4x179-211%KO Dazzling Gleam 2x68-80% | ||
 Haxorus Dragon | B | |
 Eternatus PoisonDragon | S | |
Obtain MethodEnergy Plant Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Eternatus builds →Dynamax Cannon 2x161-190%KO Venoshock 2x106-125%KO Fly 2x49-58% | ||
Corviknight Steel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Corviknight builds →Brave Bird 2x101-119%KO U-turn 2x40-47% | ||
 Frosmoth IceBug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Frosmoth builds →Ice Beam 4x256-302%KO Bug Buzz 2x128-151%KO Dazzling Gleam 2x76-89% Air Slash 2x71-84% | ||
Mr. Rime IcePsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Mr. Rime builds →Ice Beam 4x231-271%KO Dazzling Gleam 2x68-80% | ||
 Jynx IcePsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Jynx builds →Ice Beam 4x238-280%KO Draining Kiss 2x45-53% | ||
Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Corviknight Steel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Corviknight builds →Brave Bird 2x101-119%KO U-turn 2x40-47% | ||
Frosmoth IceBug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Frosmoth builds →Ice Beam 4x256-302%KO Bug Buzz 2x128-151%KO Dazzling Gleam 2x76-89% Air Slash 2x71-84% | ||
Mr. Rime IcePsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Mr. Rime builds →Ice Beam 4x231-271%KO Dazzling Gleam 2x68-80% | ||
Jynx IcePsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Jynx builds →Ice Beam 4x238-280%KO Draining Kiss 2x45-53% | ||
Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Corviknight Steel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Corviknight builds →Brave Bird 2x101-119%KO U-turn 2x40-47% | ||
In Sword & Shield, Garchomp's Earthquake hits Flapple for 35-41%. Weavile threatens a KO with Ice Shard (109-128%). Volcarona deals 59-70% with Psychic.
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Garchomp builds →Earthquake35-41% | ||
Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Weavile builds →Knock Off43-51% Ice Shard 4x109-128%KO | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Volcarona builds →Psychic59-70% | ||
 Nidoking PoisonGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Flapple View Nidoking builds →Ice Beam 4x206-242%KO Flamethrower51-60% | ||
Flapple Evolutions
You get Flapple from Applin using a Tart Apple. It's one of 2 possible evolutions in this branching family, each requiring its own method. Breed through Applin to get eggs. Both Flapple and Appletun hit 485 total stats from Applin. The difference is how those stats are split. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Flapple to get Applin eggs easily using 63 partners from the Dragon and Plant egg groups. Notable egg moves include Defense Curl, Recycle, Rollout and 1 more.
SwSh Flapple Best Moveset
110 Attack with Grass/Dragon TermStab and AbilityHustle boosting Attack 50% at accuracy cost. The moveset hits hard when the accuracy holds but E-tier because 70 Speed is middling, AbilityHustle misses are devastating, and 70/80/60 bulk is thin.
Best Build
Flapple best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Grav Apple
- Sucker Punch
- Outrage
- Dragon Dance
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Don't skip the egg moves. Flapple picks up Defense Curl and Recycle only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Outrage and Solar Beam while coverage across 8 types 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
Under the influence of Gigantamax energy, it produces much more sweet nectar, and its shape has changed to resemble a giant apple.
If it stretches its neck, the strong aroma of its nectar pours out. The scent is so sickeningly sweet that one whiff makes other Pokémon faint.
Flapple Sword & Shield Guide
For Sword & Shield, we rate Flapple C-Tier: a niche pick in Sword & Shield's meta. At 485 BST, it fits the attacker role. Gravapple with Wide Lens is the standard set.
In Sword & Shield, watch for Cloyster (Ice), Nidoking (Poison), and Salamence (Flying) when using Flapple. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Cloyster is the most dangerous since Ice moves deal 4x damage. Bug, Dragon, and Fairy-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Ripen doubles the effect of berries. That's the one you want on Flapple. Hustle is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Gluttony works too if your team needs something different.
Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Flapple is a mixed attacker with base 110 Attack and 95 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as an attacker.
In Sword & Shield, run Gravapple, Sucker Punch, Outrage, and Dragon Dance on Flapple. Gravapple is the most common pick at 0% usage. Outrage provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Sword & Shield, Flapple has appeared in 2 titles over 3 generations. Along the way, it received a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
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 5BW
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 8SwShDebutGigantamax
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