Is Grookey Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?
Grookey handles Nessa's Water gym and Gordie's Rock gym comfortably. Grass starter in a game where the first gym is Grass (Milo), so the opening is neutral at best. Rillaboom at level 35 with 125 Attack is one of the hardest-hitting starters. Can Gigantamax for G-Max Drum Solo ignoring abilities. The early Milo matchup is the only rough patch. Everything from Nessa onward plays to its strengths.
Thwackey trades roughly evenly with Milo's team.
Thwackey resists most of Nessa's coverage and hits back hard.
Kabu's team hits Thwackey's weaknesses hard.
Thwackey trades roughly evenly with Bea's team.
Rillaboom trades roughly evenly with Opal's team.
Rillaboom has the type edge here and should clean up Gordie's team.
Rillaboom has the type edge here and should clean up Piers's team.
Rillaboom has the type edge here and should clean up Raihan's team.
Rillaboom trades roughly evenly with Bede's team.
Rillaboom trades roughly evenly with Leon's team.
Grookey is available as a starter at Lv 5.
Your Thwackey should hit Level 35 before you reach Opal, at typical leveling pace.
How to Get Grookey in Sword & Shield
Grookey isn't available in the wild in Sword & Shield. Start by transferring Grookey from Scarlet & Violet. The evolution path from Grookey to Grookey is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Grookey in SwSh
Step 1Grookey ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave Thwackey with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Grookey egg.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Scarlet & VioletNot TradeableAppears in Scarlet & Violet via Overworld · Coastal Biome. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Thwackey
Step 3Evolve into Rillaboom
Grookey Weakness
Type-wise, Grookey takes extra damage from Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and Bug. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass, Ground |
What is Grookey Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Grookey
 Glaceon Ice | B | |
 Butterfree Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Butterfree builds →Gust 2x68-80% Bug Bite 2x59-70% | ||
 Sizzlipede FireBug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Sizzlipede builds →Flame Wheel 2x71-86% Bug Bite 2x71-86% | ||
 Growlithe Fire | C | |
 Oddish GrassPoison | C | |
Butterfree Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Butterfree builds →Air Slash 2x122-143%KO Bug Bite 2x54-65% | ||
 Vespiquen Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Vespiquen builds →Bug Bite 2x78-92% Gust 2x62-74% Poison Sting 2x15-18% | ||
Glaceon Ice | B | |
 Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
 Noctowl Normal | C | |
 Ribombee BugFairy | B | |
 Xatu Psychic | C | |
Butterfree Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Butterfree builds →Air Slash 2x119-142%KO Bug Bite 2x53-63% | ||
Vespiquen Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Vespiquen builds →Bug Bite 2x78-92% Gust 2x60-71% Poison Sting 2x15-19% | ||
Glaceon Ice | B | |
 Arcanine Fire | B | |
Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Vikavolt builds →Bug Buzz 2x219-258%KO Fly 2x69-82% | ||
 Centiskorch FireBug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Centiskorch builds →Flame Wheel 2x103-123%KO Bug Bite 2x103-123%KO Venoshock 2x71-84% | ||
 Durant BugSteel | B | |
 Toxtricity ElectricPoison | C | |
 Corviknight Steel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Corviknight builds →Fly 2x126-148%KO U-turn 2x66-78% | ||
Arcanine Fire | B | |
Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Vikavolt builds →Bug Buzz 2x221-260%KO Fly 2x71-85% | ||
Centiskorch FireBug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Centiskorch builds →Flame Wheel 2x107-127%KO Bug Bite 2x107-127%KO Venoshock 2x71-85% | ||
Toxtricity ElectricPoison | C | |
 Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Darmanitan builds →Fire Punch 2x148-174%KO U-turn 2x92-108%KO | ||
Corviknight Steel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Corviknight builds →Fly 2x121-143%KO U-turn 2x64-75% | ||
 Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Golisopod builds →First Impression 2x162-191%KO Venoshock 2x52-62% | ||
Arcanine Fire | B | |
Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Vikavolt builds →Bug Buzz 2x214-252%KO Air Slash 2x119-140%KO | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x241-284%KO U-turn 2x95-112%KO | ||
Corviknight Steel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Corviknight builds →Fly 2x123-146%KO U-turn 2x64-76% | ||
Arcanine Fire | B | |
Durant BugSteel | B | |
Centiskorch FireBug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Centiskorch builds →Flame Wheel 2x103-122%KO Bug Bite 2x103-122%KO Venoshock 2x71-85% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x248-293%KO U-turn 2x98-115%KO | ||
Corviknight Steel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Corviknight builds →Fly 2x128-150%KO U-turn 2x66-78% | ||
 Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Chandelure builds →Overheat 2x321-378%KO Smog 2x51-60% | ||
Arcanine Fire | B | |
Durant BugSteel | B | |
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x250-295%KO U-turn 2x98-116%KO | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Chandelure builds →Overheat 2x326-384%KO Smog 2x51-61% | ||
 Eternatus PoisonDragon | S | |
Obtain MethodEnergy Plant Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Eternatus builds →Venoshock 2x164-193%KO Flamethrower 2x151-178%KO Fly 2x82-97% | ||
 Turtonator FireDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Turtonator builds →Shell Trap 2x255-300%KO Venoshock 2x74-88% | ||
 Braviary Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Braviary builds →Sky Attack 2x261-307%KO U-turn 2x87-103%KO | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x250-295%KO U-turn 2x98-116%KO | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Chandelure builds →Overheat 2x326-384%KO Smog 2x51-61% | ||
Eternatus PoisonDragon | S | |
Obtain MethodEnergy Plant Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Eternatus builds →Venoshock 2x164-193%KO Flamethrower 2x151-178%KO Fly 2x82-97% | ||
Turtonator FireDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Turtonator builds →Shell Trap 2x255-300%KO Venoshock 2x74-88% | ||
Braviary Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Braviary builds →Sky Attack 2x261-307%KO U-turn 2x87-103%KO | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x250-295%KO U-turn 2x98-116%KO | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Chandelure builds →Overheat 2x326-384%KO Smog 2x51-61% | ||
Eternatus PoisonDragon | S | |
Obtain MethodEnergy Plant Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Eternatus builds →Venoshock 2x164-193%KO Flamethrower 2x151-178%KO Fly 2x82-97% | ||
Turtonator FireDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Turtonator builds →Shell Trap 2x255-300%KO Venoshock 2x74-88% | ||
Braviary Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Braviary builds →Sky Attack 2x261-307%KO U-turn 2x87-103%KO | ||
In Sword & Shield, Charizard can KO Grookey with Flamethrower (220-259%). Kyurem threatens a KO with Ice Beam (372-438%). Gengar's Sludge Bomb also KOs at 249-293%.
 Charizard Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Charizard builds →Flamethrower 2x220-259%KO Air Slash 2x184-217%KO Dragon Pulse69-82% | ||
 Kyurem DragonIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Kyurem builds →Ice Beam 2x372-438%KO Draco Meteor268-316%KO | ||
 Gengar GhostPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityCursedbody ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Gengar builds →Shadow Ball110-130%KO Sludge Bomb 2x249-293%KO Giga Drain34-41% | ||
 Salamence Dragon | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Salamence builds →Earthquake58-68% | ||
 Scizor BugSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Grookey View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch52-61% Knock Off56-66% | ||
Grookey Evolutions
Grookey is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Thwackey first, then eventually reaches Rillaboom. For breeding, average hatch time with a massive partner pool via two egg groups. Evolving adds up to 220 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Grookey easily with 152 breeding partners from the Ground and Plant egg groups. Pass egg moves like Fake Out, Growth, Hammer Arm and 4 more to offspring.
SwSh Grookey Best Moveset
Grass pre-evo with AbilityGrassy Surge from the hidden slot setting Grassy Terrain on entry. 65 Attack at 65 Speed gives the moveset some identity. Evolve twice into Rillaboom where the terrain plus MoveGrassy Glide priority reach S-tier.
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Endeavor
- Hammer Arm
- Facade
- Drain Punch
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
The egg pool carries weight here. Fake Out and Growth aren't available any other way for Grookey, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Solar Blade and Wood Hammer for solid options.
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
When it uses its special stick to strike up a beat, the sound waves produced carry revitalizing energy to the plants and flowers in the area.
It attacks with rapid beats of its stick. As it strikes with amazing speed, it gets more and more pumped.
Grookey Sword & Shield Guide
In Sword & Shield, Grookey does the job early-game if you need a Grass type on your team. Evolve it into Thwackey before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Introduced in Sword & Shield, Grookey has appeared in 2 games across 3 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 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 8SwShDebut
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