Special
Balanced
70Speed · Below Avg

Is Ludicolo Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Both Lotad and Seedot are available in Emerald without version locks, and Ludicolo is the better endgame pick. Water/Grass with AbilitySwift Swim handles Juan and Wallace through Grass while being Water-type itself. The Grass advantage against the Water Champion makes Ludicolo one of Emerald's strongest final-stretch options.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSGESEEGGGGGEELotadCatchRoxanneGym 1LombreEvolveBrawlyGym 2LudicoloEvolveWattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8SidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Strong

Lotad resists most of Roxanne's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Even
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

Lombre has the type edge here and should clean up Brawly's team.

You Win
Machop
Lv 16
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopLow KickSeismic TossBulk Up
Even
Meditite
Lv 16
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Focus PunchLight ScreenReflectBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 19
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustVital ThrowReversalBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSparkSelf DestructShock Wave
You Win
Electrike
Lv 20
Electric
Static
Shock WaveLeerQuick AttackHowl
Even
Magneton
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicShock WaveThunder WaveSonic Boom
Even
Manectric
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveShock WaveHowl
Flannery
Gym 4
Strong

Ludicolo resists most of Flannery's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Numel
Lv 24
FireGround
Oblivious
OverheatTake DownMagnitudeSunny Day
Easy KO
Slugma
Lv 24
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
Easy KO
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
You Win
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

You Win
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
You Win
Vigoroth
Lv 27
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFacadeEncoreFeint Attack
You Win
Linoone
Lv 29
Normal
Pickup
SlashBelly DrumFacadeHeadbutt
Even
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
CounterYawnFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

You Win
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
You Win
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
Even
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Even
Skarmory
Lv 31
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Even
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Good

Ludicolo has the type edge here and should clean up Tate & Liza's team.

You Win
Claydol
Lv 41
GroundPsychic
Levitate
EarthquakeAncient PowerPsychicLight Screen
Even
Xatu
Lv 41
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
PsychicSunny DayConfuse RayCalm Mind
You Win
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Easy KO
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Juan
Gym 8
Good

Ludicolo has the type edge here and should clean up Juan's team.

Easy KO
Luvdisc
Lv 41
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Easy KO
Whiscash
Lv 41
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
Easy KO
Sealeo
Lv 43
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Easy KO
Crawdaunt
Lv 43
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
Water PulseCrabhammerTauntLeer
Even
Kingdra
Lv 46
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
Water PulseDouble TeamIce BeamRest
Sidney
Elite Four
Good

Ludicolo has the type edge here and should clean up Sidney's team.

You Win
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarDouble EdgeSand AttackCrunch
Even
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
TormentDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
You Win
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
You Win
Crawdaunt
Lv 48
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
SurfSwords DanceStrengthFacade
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceRock SlideSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Good

Ludicolo has the type edge here and should clean up Phoebe's team.

You Win
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
You Win
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
You Win
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Good

Ludicolo has the type edge here and should clean up Glacia's team.

Easy KO
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamHailIce Ball
You Win
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchIcy WindIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDouble EdgeHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallExplosionHailIce Beam
You Win
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamIce BeamSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectDouble Edge
Even
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Double EdgeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Even
Kingdra
Lv 53
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenDragon DanceSurfBody Slam
Easy KO
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
Even
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Even

Ludicolo trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

You Win
Wailord
Lv 57
Water
Water Veil
Rain DanceWater SpoutDouble EdgeBlizzard
Risky
Tentacruel
Lv 55
WaterPoison
Clear Body
ToxicHydro PumpSludge BombIce Beam
Even
Ludicolo
Lv 56
WaterGrass
Swift Swim
Giga DrainSurfLeech SeedDouble Team
Easy KO
Whiscash
Lv 56
WaterGround
Oblivious
EarthquakeSurfAmnesiaHyper Beam
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon DanceEarthquakeHyper BeamSurf
Even
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverSurfIce BeamToxic
Catch Lotad
Available before Badge 1
Type
WaterGrass
Tier
F

Catch Lotad on Route 102 (walking, Lv 3-4, uncommon).

View Lotad locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Wattson
    • TM13IceIce Beam90100%10
  • After Norman
    • HM03WaterSurf135100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20
  • After Winona
    • TM22GrassSolar Beam180100%10
    • TM19GrassGiga Drain113100%10
    • TM14IceBlizzard11070%5
  • After Juan
    • TM03WaterWater Pulse90100%20
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
Evolve Lotad to Lombre
Level 14
Type
WaterGrass
Tier
E

Your Lotad should hit Level 14 before you reach Brawly, at typical leveling pace.

View Lombre locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Wattson
    • TM13IceIce Beam90100%10
  • After Norman
    • HM03WaterSurf135100%15
  • After Winona
    • TM22GrassSolar Beam180100%10
    • TM19GrassGiga Drain113100%10
  • After Tate & Liza
    • HM08WaterDive120100%10
    • HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
  • After Juan
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
    • LV 49WaterHydro Pump16580%5
Evolve Lombre to Ludicolo
Use Water Stone
Type
WaterGrass
Tier
A

You can pick up the Water Stone in Abandoned Ship.

Recommended Moves
  • After Norman
    • HM03WaterSurf135100%15
    • TM01FightingFocus Punch150100%20
  • After Winona
    • TM22GrassSolar Beam180100%10
    • TM19GrassGiga Drain113100%10
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
  • After Tate & Liza
    • HM08WaterDive120100%10
    • HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
  • After Juan
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15

How to Get Ludicolo in Emerald

No wild encounters for Ludicolo. The 3-stage chain runs through Lotad, which you can catch at solid rates from the locations below. Evolve through a special method once you've got the levels.

Catch Lotad or Lombre at any of these 2 spots to eventually evolve into Ludicolo.

Encountered via tall grass encounters

  1. 1
    Catch Lotad
  2. 2
    Evolve Lombreat Lv.14
  3. 3
    Evolve LudicoloUse Water Stone
Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3

How to Obtain Ludicolo in E

To get Ludicolo, start by catching Lotad through walking encounters at Lv. 3-16. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Lotad
    Step 1Catch Lotad
    Route 114
    Lv.15-16Grass
    Rate 30%
    Route 102
    Lv.3-4Grass
    Rate 20%
  2. Lombre
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Lombre
    Route 114
    Lv.15-16Grass
    Rate 20%
    or evolve from Lotad (Step 1)
  3. Ludicolo
    Step 3Ludicolo
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Ludicolo egg.

Ludicolo Weakness

Ludicolo is weak to Poison, Flying, and Bug. Ludicolo's special bulk (base 100 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Ludicolo Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Poison, Flying, Bug
0.5x (Resist)Ground, Steel
0.25x (Resist)Water
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Ludicolo Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Score-2
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
0xImmune
None

What is Ludicolo Strong Against

4Strong
2Resisted
0Immune
Score+2
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Ludicolo

Ludicolo Evolutions

Ludicolo evolved from Lotad's chain using an evolution item. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Lotad eggs (quick to hatch). The evolution from Lotad pushed Ludicolo to 480 total stats. Sp.Atk saw the largest single gain at +50. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Lotad
#270Lotad
14
Level 14
Lombre
#271Lombre
Water Stone
Water Stone
Ludicolo
#272Ludicolo
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Lotad
WaterGrass
Lombre
WaterGrass
Ludicolo
WaterGrass
HP
40
60+20
80+20
ATK
30
50+20
70+20
DEF
30
50+20
70+20
SP.ATK
40
60+20
90+30
SP.DEF
50
70+20
100+30
SPE
30
50+20
70+20
BST
220D-Tier
340D-Tier+120
480C-Tier+140
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Utility
Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Ludicolo to get Lotad eggs easily using 35 partners from the Plant and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Flail, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf and 3 more.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
15 cycles·3,855 steps
Quick~4 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
azumarillvenusaurmeganiumblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertshiftryslowbroslowkingoctillery

E Ludicolo Best Moveset

Rain teams in Emerald want Ludicolo as a special attacker because AbilitySwift Swim doubles its Speed while Water TermStab gets the rain boost simultaneously. The moveset runs special Water and Grass moves that cover each other's weaknesses, with 90 Sp. Atk hitting hard enough under rain.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Attacker
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Ludicolo
Modest+SPA

Ludicolo best EVs are Sp. Atk and HP

EVs

Special Attacker Moveset

  • Rain DanceSTAB
  • Ice Beam
  • SurfSTAB
  • Leech SeedSTAB

Moves List

Breeding opens up real options for Ludicolo. Flail and Leech Seed come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Solar Beam and Hydro Pump and coverage across 8 types.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Absorb
D3010020Grass
Lv 1
Astonish
D3010015Ghost
Lv 1
Growl
D10040Normal
Lv 1
Nature Power
20Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
C120705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
D7510015Fighting
TM09
Bullet Seed
D1510030Grass
HM08
Dive
C9010010Water
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
HM05
Flash
7020Normal
TM01
Focus Punch-3
C15010020Fighting
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM19
Giga Drain
A1121005Grass
TM07
Hail
10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
B9510010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
B5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
D2010015Fighting
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM22
Solar Beam
B18010010Grass
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
HM03
Surf
B14210015Water
TM46
Thief
D6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
C9010020Water
HM07
Waterfall
C12010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Flail
D10015Normal
Egg
Leech Seed
B9010Grass
Egg
Razor Leaf
D829525Grass
Egg
Sweet Scent
10020Normal
Egg
Synthesis
D5Grass
Egg
Water Gun
D6010025Water

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
Tutor
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Dynamic Punch
D100505Fighting
Tutor
Endure+4
C10Normal
Tutor
Fire Punch
D7510015Fire
Tutor
Ice Punch
D7510015Ice
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Mega Kick
C120755Normal
Tutor
Mega Punch
808520Normal
Tutor
Metronome
D10Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Seismic Toss
D10020Fighting
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D10Normal
Tutor
Snore
4010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D9015Normal
Tutor
Swords Dance
C30Normal
Tutor
Thunder Punch
D7510015Electric

Reminder Moves

Rem
Rem
Fake Out+3
D4010010Normal
Rem
Fury Swipes
D188015Normal
Rem
Hydro Pump
A180805Water
Rem
Mega Drain
D6010010Grass
Rem
Mist
30Ice
Rem
Rain Dance
B5Water
Rem
Thief
D6010025Dark
Rem
Uproar
9010010Normal
Rem
Water Sport
15Water

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP80
C
Attack70
C
Defense70
C
Sp. Atk90
B
Sp. Def100
B
Speed70
C
Total480
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.5 m
Weight55.0 kg
Base XP216
Abilities
Swift Swim
Doubles Speed during rain.
Rain Dish
Heals for 1/16 max HP after each turn during rain.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpD+3Spe
Strong Special Defense training target
Pokedex Entry

When it hears festive music, all the cells in its body become stimulated, and it begins moving in rhythm. It does not quail even when it faces a tough opponent.

Pokemon Emerald

Ludicolo Emerald Guide

  • In Emerald, Ludicolo looks average on paper at 480 BST. But Swift Swim is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier on our tier list. Raindance with Leftovers is the standard set.

  • In Emerald, Ludicolo's biggest threats include Crobat (Poison), Dodrio (Flying), and Heracross (Bug), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.

  • Ludicolo gets Swift Swim and Rain Dish. But Swift Swim is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.

  • Ludicolo is a special attacker with base 90 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.

  • For Emerald, the core moveset is Raindance, Ice Beam, Surf, and Leech Seed. Raindance leads at 0% usage. Surf provides reliable STAB damage.

Game Availability

Since Ruby & Sapphire, Ludicolo has been in 15 games. Requiring an item-based evolution to obtain means it's consistently available but requires more effort than simply catching it in the wild.

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