Special
Sweeper
110Speed · Fast

Is Iron Moth Good in Scarlet & Violet Playthrough?

Fire/Poison Iron Moth is a Violet-exclusive Paradox. Quark Drive on Electric Terrain. High Special Attack and Speed. Handles Grass, Fairy, Bug, and Steel encounters. Energy Ball and Psychic give it unexpected coverage.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSSGGGGSSEGGGGKatyGym 1BrassiusGym 2IonoGym 3KofuGym 4LarryGym 5RymeGym 6TulipGym 7GrushaGym 8RikaE4PoppyE4LarryE4HasselE4GeetaChamp*
Katy
Gym 1
Strong

Iron Moth resists most of Katy's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Nymble
Lv 14
Bug
Swarm
Struggle BugDouble Kick
Easy KO
Tarountula
Lv 14
Bug
Insomnia
Bug BiteAssurance
Easy KO
Teddiursa
Lv 15
Normal
Pickup
Fury CutterFury Swipes
Brassius
Gym 2
Strong

Iron Moth resists most of Brassius's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Petilil
Lv 16
Grass
Own Tempo
Sleep PowderMega Drain
Easy KO
Smoliv
Lv 16
GrassNormal
Early Bird
TackleRazor Leaf
You Win
Sudowoodo
Lv 17
Rock
Sturdy
TrailblazeRock Throw
Iono
Gym 3
Good

Iron Moth has the type edge here and should clean up Iono's team.

Easy KO
Wattrel
Lv 23
ElectricFlying
Wind Power
PluckQuick AttackSpark
You Win
Bellibolt
Lv 23
Electric
Electromorphosis
Water GunSpark
You Win
Luxio
Lv 23
Electric
Intimidate
SparkBite
You Win
Mismagius
Lv 24
Ghost
Levitate
Charge BeamHexConfuse Ray
Kofu
Gym 4
Good

Iron Moth has the type edge here and should clean up Kofu's team.

You Win
Veluza
Lv 29
WaterPsychic
Mold Breaker
SlashPluckAqua Cutter
You Win
Wugtrio
Lv 29
Water
Gooey
Mud SlapWater PulseHeadbutt
Easy KO
Crabominable
Lv 30
FightingIce
Iron Fist
CrabhammerRock SmashSlam
Larry
Gym 5
Good

Iron Moth has the type edge here and should clean up Larry's team.

You Win
Komala
Lv 35
Normal
Comatose
YawnSucker PunchSlam
You Win
Dudunsparce
Lv 35
Normal
Serene Grace
Hyper DrillDrill RunGlare
Easy KO
Staraptor
Lv 36
NormalFlying
Intimidate
FacadeAerial Ace
Ryme
Gym 6
Good

Iron Moth has the type edge here and should clean up Ryme's team.

You Win
Banette
Lv 41
Ghost
Insomnia
Icy WindSucker PunchShadow Sneak
You Win
Mimikyu
Lv 41
GhostFairy
Disguise
Light ScreenShadow SneakSlash
You Win
Houndstone
Lv 41
Ghost
Sand Rush
Play RoughCrunchPhantom Force
You Win
Toxtricity
Lv 42
ElectricPoison
Punk Rock
DischargeHexHyper Voice
Tulip
Gym 7
Strong

Iron Moth resists most of Tulip's coverage and hits back hard.

You Win
Farigiraf
Lv 44
NormalPsychic
Armor Tail
CrunchZen HeadbuttReflect
Easy KO
Gardevoir
Lv 44
PsychicFairy
Synchronize
PsychicDazzling GleamEnergy Ball
You Win
Espathra
Lv 44
Psychic
Opportunist
PsychicQuick AttackShadow Ball
Easy KO
Florges
Lv 45
Fairy
Flower Veil
PsychicMoonblastPetal Blizzard
Grusha
Gym 8
Strong

Iron Moth resists most of Grusha's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Frosmoth
Lv 47
IceBug
Shield Dust
BlizzardBug BuzzTailwind
Easy KO
Beartic
Lv 47
Ice
Snow Cloak
Aqua JetIcicle CrashEarthquake
Easy KO
Cetitan
Lv 47
Ice
Thick Fat
Ice SpinnerLiquidationIce Shard
You Win
Altaria
Lv 48
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Ice BeamDragon PulseMoonblastHurricane
Rika
Elite Four
Even

Iron Moth trades roughly evenly with Rika's team.

You Win
Whiscash
Lv 57
WaterGround
Oblivious
Muddy WaterEarth PowerBlizzardFuture Sight
Risky
Camerupt
Lv 57
FireGround
Magma Armor
Earth PowerFire BlastFlash CannonYawn
You Win
Donphan
Lv 57
Ground
Sturdy
EarthquakeStone EdgeIron HeadPoison Jab
Even
Dugtrio
Lv 57
Ground
Sand Veil
EarthquakeRock SlideSucker PunchSandstorm
Even
Clodsire
Lv 58
PoisonGround
Water Absorb
EarthquakeLiquidationToxicProtect
Poppy
Elite Four
Good

Iron Moth has the type edge here and should clean up Poppy's team.

You Win
Copperajah
Lv 58
Steel
Sheer Force
High HorsepowerPlay RoughHeavy SlamStealth Rock
You Win
Magnezone
Lv 58
ElectricSteel
Sturdy
DischargeFlash CannonLight ScreenTri Attack
You Win
Bronzong
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Iron HeadZen HeadbuttRock BlastEarthquake
You Win
Corviknight
Lv 58
FlyingSteel
Pressure
Brave BirdIron HeadBody PressIron Defense
You Win
Tinkaton
Lv 59
FairySteel
Mold Breaker
Play RoughGigaton HammerBrick BreakStone Edge
Larry
Elite Four
Good

Iron Moth has the type edge here and should clean up Larry's team.

Easy KO
Tropius
Lv 59
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Air SlashSolar BeamDragon PulseSunny Day
Easy KO
Oricorio
Lv 59
FireFlying
Dancer
Revelation DanceAir SlashTeeter DanceIcy Wind
You Win
Altaria
Lv 59
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
MoonblastFlamethrowerIce BeamDragon Pulse
You Win
Staraptor
Lv 59
NormalFlying
Intimidate
FacadeBrave BirdClose CombatThief
You Win
Flamigo
Lv 60
FlyingFighting
Scrappy
Brave BirdClose CombatThroat ChopLiquidation
Hassel
Elite Four
Good

Iron Moth has the type edge here and should clean up Hassel's team.

You Win
Noivern
Lv 60
FlyingDragon
Infiltrator
Air SlashDragon PulseSuper FangHyper Voice
Even
Haxorus
Lv 60
Dragon
Mold Breaker
Dragon ClawCrunchIron HeadRock Tomb
Even
Dragalge
Lv 60
PoisonDragon
Poison Point
Sludge BombDragon PulseHydro PumpThunderbolt
Easy KO
Flapple
Lv 60
GrassDragon
Ripen
Dragon RushSeed BombAerial AceLeech Seed
Even
Baxcalibur
Lv 61
DragonIce
Thermal Exchange
Icicle CrashBrick BreakGlaive Rush
Geeta
Champion
Good

Iron Moth has the type edge here and should clean up Geeta's team.

You Win
Espathra
Lv 61
Psychic
Opportunist
Lumina CrashDazzling GleamQuick AttackReflect
Easy KO
Gogoat
Lv 61
Grass
Sap SipperImmune to Grass attacks
Horn LeechZen HeadbuttPlay RoughBulk Up
Even
Veluza
Lv 61
WaterPsychic
Mold Breaker
Aqua JetLiquidationPsycho CutIce Fang
Easy KO
Avalugg
Lv 61
Ice
Own Tempo
AvalancheCrunchEarthquakeBody Press
You Win
Kingambit
Lv 61
DarkSteel
Supreme Overlord
Iron HeadKowtow CleaveZen HeadbuttStone Edge
Risky
Glimmora
Lv 62
RockPoison
Toxic Debris
Tera BlastSludge WaveEarth PowerDazzling Gleam
Catchable
Available after Badge 8
Type
FirePoison
Tier
S

Catch Iron Moth on The Great Crater of Paldea (overworld, Lv 52-60).

View Iron Moth locations

Scarlet & Violet Iron Moth Locations

Iron Moth appears at moderate rates across 2 spots in endgame routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.

Violet Exclusive — Trade with Scarlet for Slither Wing

Best Locations to Catch Iron Moth in Scarlet & Violet

The Great Crater of Paldea
Lv.52-60Overworld
Rate 8%

Iron Moth Weakness

Type-wise, Iron Moth takes extra damage from Ground, Water, Psychic, and Rock. Watch out for Ground attacks, those deal 4x damage. With 8 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Iron Moth's special bulk (base 110 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Iron Moth Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Ground
2x (Weak)Water, Psychic, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Steel
0.25x (Resist)Grass, Bug, Fairy

What is Iron Moth Weak Against

Avg
4Weak
8Resist
0Immune
Score+1
4xCritical
¼xResist
0xImmune
None

What is Iron Moth Strong Against

5Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+4
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Iron Moth

Iron Moth Evolutions

No chain, no eggs. Iron Moth is a standalone Fire/Poison type with 570 stats that falls outside normal breeding mechanics. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Iron Moth
#994Iron Moth
Does not evolve

Breeding

Unavailable
Undiscovered egg group

SV Iron Moth Best Moveset

140 Sp. Atk at 110 Speed on Fire/Poison with AbilityQuark Drive boosting the highest stat. Held ItemBooster Energy with NatureTimid fires special Fire and Poison TermStab at elite pace and power. 110 Sp. Def absorbs special hits between attacks. The moveset is among the hardest-hitting special Fire attackers in the format. S-Tier through raw special damage output.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Quark Drive
Item
Booster EnergySETUP
Best Nature for Iron Moth
Timid+SPE

Iron Moth best EVs are Speed and Sp. Atk

EVs

Utility Moveset

  • Fiery DanceSTAB
  • Sludge WaveSTAB
  • Dazzling Gleam
  • Energy Ball

Moves List

TMs carry this one. Iron Moth learns Overheat and Flare Blitz naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Flying and Bug and beyond give it real matchup play.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Acid Spray
C6010020Poison
Lv 1
Electric Terrain
10Electric
Lv 1
Ember
6010025Fire
Lv 1
Gust
4010035Flying
Lv 1
Whirlwind-6
C20Normal
Lv 7
Struggle Bug
C5010020Bug
Lv 14
Fire Spin
C528515Fire
Lv 21
Take Down
D908520Normal
Lv 28
Lunge
D8010015Bug
Lv 35
Screech
D8540Normal
Lv 42
Discharge
C8010015Electric
Lv 49
Sludge Wave
B14210010Poison
Lv 56
Fiery Dance
B12010010Fire
Lv 63
Metal Sound
D8540Steel
Lv 70
Morning Sun
C5Normal
Lv 77
Hurricane
C1107010Flying
Lv 84
Bug Buzz
B9010010Bug
Lv 91
Overheat
B195905Fire

TM Moves

TM
TM13
Acid Spray
C6010020Poison
TM14
Acrobatics
D5510015Flying
TM04
Agility
C30Psychic
TM65
Air Slash
C759515Flying
TM162
Bug Buzz
B9010010Bug
TM23
Charge Beam
C509010Electric
TM17
Confuse Ray
D10010Ghost
TM79
Dazzling Gleam
B8010010Fairy
TM136
Electric Terrain
10Electric
TM47
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM119
Energy Ball
B9010010Grass
TM25
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM141
Fire Blast
B165855Fire
TM24
Fire Spin
C528515Fire
TM38
Flame Charge
D7510020Fire
TM125
Flamethrower
B13510015Fire
TM165
Flare Blitz
B18010015Fire
TM93
Flash Cannon
C8010010Steel
TM152
Giga Impact
C150905Normal
TM118
Heat Wave
B1429010Fire
TM130
Helping Hand+5
D20Normal
TM160
Hurricane
C1107010Flying
TM163
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TM75
Light Screen
C30Psychic
TM185
Lunge
D8010015Bug
TM223
Metal Sound
D8540Steel
TM220
Meteor Beam
B1209010Rock
TM157
Overheat
B195905Fire
TM21
Pounce
D5010020Bug
TM07
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM120
Psychic
B9010010Psychic
TM85
Rest
C5Psychic
TM70
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM214
Sludge Wave
B14210010Poison
TM168
Solar Beam
B12010010Grass
TM15
Struggle Bug
C5010020Bug
TM103
Substitute
A10Normal
TM49
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM32
Swift
6020Normal
TM01
Take Down
D908520Normal
TM171
Tera Blast
C8010010Normal
TM175
Toxic
C9010Poison
TM91
Toxic Spikes
C20Poison
TM60
U-turn
D7010020Bug
TM45
Venoshock
B9710010Poison

Egg Moves

Iron Moth doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Iron Moth can't learn any Tutor moves

Event Moves

Evt
Event
Discharge
C8010015Electric
Event
Lunge
D8010015Bug
Event
Screech
D8540Normal
Event
Sludge Wave
B14210010Poison

Base Stats

Base Stats
Pseudo
HP80
C
Attack70
C
Defense60
C
Sp. Atk140
A
Sp. Def110
B
Speed110
B
Total570
Details
Catch Rate
Difficult30 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.2 m
Weight36.0 kg
Base XP285
Abilities
Quark Drive
Raises highest stat on Electric Terrain, or if holding Booster Energy.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+3SpDSpe
Strong Special Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

This Pokémon resembles an unknown object described in a paranormal magazine as a UFO sent to observe humanity.

No records exist of this species being caught. Data is lacking, but the Pokémon’s traits match up with an object described in an old book.

Iron Moth Scarlet & Violet Guide

  • For Scarlet & Violet, we rate Iron Moth B-Tier: a solid option in Scarlet & Violet for the right team. At 570 BST, it fits the sweeper role. Fierydance with Booster Energy is the standard set.

  • In Scarlet & Violet, Iron Moth's biggest threats include Excadrill (Ground), Greninja (Water), and Hatterene (Psychic), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Excadrill is the most dangerous since Ground moves deal 4x damage. Rock-type attackers are also a problem.

  • Quark Drive is the go-to ability for Iron Moth. It raises highest stat on Electric Terrain, or if holding Booster Energy. It's Iron Moth's only ability.

  • Base 110 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Iron Moth is a special attacker with base 140 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.

  • For Scarlet & Violet, the core moveset is Fierydance, Sludgewave, Dazzling Gleam, and Energy Ball. Fierydance leads at 0% usage. This set covers the sweeper role with a mix of damage and utility.

Game Availability

Iron Moth joined the series in Scarlet & Violet and has been available in 1 titles so far. With 2 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.

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