Special
Pivot
104Speed · Fast

Is Meowstic Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?

Meowstic's male form is support-oriented (Prankster priority on status), female is offensive (AbilityCompetitive boosting Special Attack from stat drops). Neither hits hard enough to carry fights, but AbilityPrankster on male gives it doubles utility. More of a Battle Tower pick than a story carry.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEEEGGGEGEEMiloGym 1NessaGym 2EspurrCatchableMeowsticEvolveKabuGym 3BeaGym 4OpalGym 5GordieGym 6PiersGym 7RaihanGym 8BedeGym 9LeonChamp*
Milo
Gym 1
Even

Espurr trades roughly evenly with Milo's team.

You Win
Gossifleur
Lv 19
Grass
Regenerator
Magical LeafRoundRapid Spin
Even
Eldegoss
Lv 20
Grass
Regenerator
Magical LeafLeafageRound
Nessa
Gym 2
Even

Espurr trades roughly evenly with Nessa's team.

You Win
Goldeen
Lv 22
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseWhirlpoolHorn AttackAgility
You Win
Arrokuda
Lv 23
Water
Swift Swim
Aqua JetBiteWhirlpoolFury Attack
Even
Drednaw
Lv 24
WaterRock
Swift Swim
Razor ShellWater GunBiteHeadbutt
Kabu
Gym 3
Even

Meowstic trades roughly evenly with Kabu's team.

You Win
Ninetales
Lv 25
Fire
Flash Fire
Will O WispFire SpinQuick AttackEmber
Even
Arcanine
Lv 25
Fire
Intimidate
Will O WispFlame WheelBiteAgility
Even
Centiskorch
Lv 27
FireBug
Flash Fire
Flame WheelCoilBug BiteSmokescreen
Bea
Gym 4
Good

Meowstic has the type edge here and should clean up Bea's team.

Easy KO
Hitmontop
Lv 34
Fighting
Technician
Triple KickQuick AttackCounterRevenge
Even
Pangoro
Lv 34
FightingDark
Mold Breaker
Bullet PunchCircle ThrowNight SlashWork Up
You Win
Sirfetchd
Lv 35
Fighting
Steadfast
DetectSwords DanceBrutal SwingRevenge
You Win
Machamp
Lv 36
Fighting
Guts
Scary FaceRevengeKnock OffStrength
Opal
Gym 5
Good

Meowstic has the type edge here and should clean up Opal's team.

Easy KO
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SludgeFairy WindTackle
Risky
Mawile
Lv 36
SteelFairy
Intimidate
Draining KissCrunchIron DefenseAstonish
You Win
Togekiss
Lv 37
FairyFlying
Hustle
Air SlashDraining KissAncient Power
Even
Alcremie
Lv 38
Fairy
Sweet Veil
Draining KissAcid ArmorSweet Kiss
Gordie
Gym 6
Good

Meowstic has the type edge here and should clean up Gordie's team.

Easy KO
Barbaracle
Lv 40
RockWater
Tough Claws
Shell SmashRock TombRazor Shell
You Win
Shuckle
Lv 40
BugRock
Contrary
Power SplitStone EdgeStruggle BugRock Tomb
You Win
Stonjourner
Lv 41
Rock
Power Spot
Stealth RockRock TombBody SlamWonder Room
You Win
Coalossal
Lv 42
RockFire
Steam Engine
Tar ShotStealth RockHeat CrashRock Tomb
Piers
Gym 7
Even

Meowstic trades roughly evenly with Piers's team.

Even
Scrafty
Lv 44
DarkFighting
Intimidate
Fake OutSand AttackBrick BreakPayback
Risky
Malamar
Lv 45
DarkPsychic
Contrary
Night SlashFoul PlayPsycho CutPayback
Risky
Skuntank
Lv 45
PoisonDark
Aftermath
Sucker PunchScreechToxicSnarl
Risky
Obstagoon
Lv 46
DarkNormal
Reckless
ObstructThroat ChopCounterShadow Claw
Raihan
Gym 8
Good

Meowstic has the type edge here and should clean up Raihan's team.

You Win
Gigalith
Lv 46
Rock
Sand Stream
Stealth RockSand TombRock BlastBody Press
Even
Flygon
Lv 47
GroundDragon
Levitate
Thunder PunchBreaking SwipeCrunchSteel Wing
You Win
Sandaconda
Lv 46
Ground
Sand Spit
ProtectGlareFire FangEarth Power
Risky
Duraludon
Lv 48
SteelDragon
Heavy Metal
Breaking SwipeBody PressStone EdgeIron Head
Bede
Gym 9
Even

Meowstic trades roughly evenly with Bede's team.

Risky
Mawile
Lv 51
SteelFairy
Intimidate
Play RoughIron HeadCrunch
Even
Gardevoir
Lv 51
PsychicFairy
Synchronize
Dazzling GleamPsychicCalm MindWish
Even
Rapidash
Lv 52
Fire
Pastel Veil
Psycho CutTake DownDazzling GleamQuick Attack
Even
Hatterene
Lv 53
PsychicFairy
Anticipation
PsychicDazzling GleamCalm MindMystical Fire
Leon
Champion
Even

Meowstic trades roughly evenly with Leon's team.

Even
Aegislash
Lv 62
SteelGhost
Stance Change
Kings ShieldShadow BallSacred SwordFlash Cannon
Even
Dragapult
Lv 62
DragonGhost
Clear Body
Shadow BallFlamethrowerThunderboltDragon Breath
You Win
Haxorus
Lv 63
Dragon
Mold Breaker
Poison JabIron TailOutrageEarthquake
Even
Mr Rime
Lv 64
IcePsychic
Tangled Feet
Teeter DancePsychicFreeze DryThunderbolt
Even
Inteleon
Lv 64
Water
Torrent
Snipe ShotDark PulseMud ShotTearful Look
You Win
Charizard
Lv 65
FireFlying
Blaze
Fire BlastAir SlashSolar BeamAncient Power
Catch Espurr
Available after Badge 2
Type
Psychic
Tier
E

Catch Espurr on Route 5 (walking, Lv 16-18). All Weather.

View Espurr locations

Evolve Espurr to Meowstic
Level 25
Type
Psychic

Your Espurr should hit Level 25 before you reach Kabu, at typical leveling pace.

View Meowstic locations

How to Get Meowstic in Sword & Shield

A solid number of locations for Meowstic with high spawn rates across mid-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.

Where To Catch Meowstic in SwSh

To get Meowstic, start by catching Espurr through walking encounters at Lv. 16-45. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Espurr
    Step 1Catch Espurr
    Hammerlocke Hills
    Lv.28-30Grass
    Rate 40%
    Normal Weather
    Hammerlocke Hills
    Lv.28-30Grass
    Rate 40%
    Heavy Fog
    Motostoke Riverbank
    Lv.26-28Grass
    Rate 35%
    Heavy Fog
    Route 5
    Lv.16-18Grass
    Rate 20%
    All Weather
    Hammerlocke Hills
    Lv.28-30Grass
    Rate 10%
    Thunderstorm
    Hammerlocke Hills
    Lv.28-30Grass
    Rate 10%
    Overcast
    Hammerlocke Hills
    Lv.28-30Grass
    Rate 10%
    Sandstorm
    Hammerlocke Hills
    Lv.28-30Grass
    Rate 10%
    Snowing
    Hammerlocke Hills
    Lv.28-30Grass
    Rate 10%
    Intense Sun
  2. Meowstic
    Step 2Meowstic
    Route 7
    Lv.28-40Grass
    Rate 10%
    Snowstorm
    Dusty Bowl
    Lv.40-45Grass
    Rate 45%
    Heavy Fog
    Route 7
    Lv.36-40Grass
    Rate 10%
    Sandstorm
    Route 7
    Lv.36-40Grass
    Rate 10%
    Intense Sun
    Route 7
    Lv.36-40Grass
    Rate 10%
    Thunderstorm
    Route 7
    Lv.36-40Grass
    Rate 10%
    Overcast
    Route 7
    Lv.36-40Grass
    Rate 10%
    Heavy Fog
    Route 7
    Lv.36-40Grass
    Rate 10%
    Snowing
    Route 7
    Lv.36-40Grass
    Rate 10%
    Normal Weather
    Route 7
    Lv.36-40Grass
    Rate 10%
    Raining
    or evolve from Espurr (Step 1)

Meowstic Weakness

Type-wise, Meowstic takes extra damage from Bug, Ghost, and Dark. With 74 HP and balanced defenses, Meowstic can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.

Meowstic Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Bug, Ghost, Dark
0.5x (Resist)Fighting, Psychic

What is Meowstic Weak Against

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

What is Meowstic Strong Against

2Strong
2Resisted
1Immune
Score-1
½xResisted
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Meowstic

Meowstic Evolutions

Meowstic is the evolved form of Espurr. Breeding produces Espurr eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Espurr gave Meowstic the biggest boost in Speed (+36), bringing the total to 466 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Espurr
Psychic
Meowstic
Psychic
HP
62
74+12
ATK
48
48
DEF
54
76+22
SP.ATK
63
83+20
SP.DEF
60
81+21
SPE
68
104+36
BST
355D-Tier
466C-Tier+111
ROLE
Balanced
Pivot
TYPE
Utility
Special

Breeding

Moderate

Breed with Meowstic to get Espurr eggs using 152 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Tickle, Yawn.

Egg Groups
Gender
100.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
2moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckrhydonshiftryexploudquagsiremawilenidorinofarfetchdloudred

SwSh Meowstic Best Moveset

104 Speed with AbilityPrankster from the hidden slot giving priority to support moves like screens and MoveThunder Wave. 83 Sp. Atk with Psychic TermStab gives modest offensive presence alongside the fast support. The moveset combines utility with some damage but can't threaten independently.

Best Build

Experimental
Wall
Ability
Prankster
Item
Focus SashSURVIVAL
Best Nature for Meowstic

Meowstic best EVs are Defense and Sp. Def

EVs

Wall Moveset

  • ReflectUtility
  • Light ScreenSTAB
  • PsychicCoverage
  • Thunder Wave

Moves List

TMs define Meowstic's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Psychic and Psyshock, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 8 types. That's where the options open up.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Disarming Voice
4015Fairy
Lv 1
Fake Out+3
D4010010Normal
Lv 1
Leer
10030Normal
Lv 1
Mean Look
5Normal
Lv 1
Scratch
4010035Normal
Lv 9
Confusion
7510025Psychic
Lv 12
Helping Hand+5
20Normal
Lv 15
Charm
D10020Fairy
Lv 18
Covet
D6010025Normal
Lv 21
Psybeam
C9710020Psychic
Lv 24
Sucker Punch+1
D701005Dark
Lv 29
Role Play
10Psychic
Lv 34
Light Screen
B30Psychic
Lv 34
Reflect
B20Psychic
Lv 39
Psyshock
C12010010Psychic
Lv 44
Imprison
D10Psychic
Lv 49
Quick Guard+3
15Fighting
Lv 54
Psychic
B13510010Psychic
Lv 59
Misty Terrain
D10Fairy

TM Moves

TM
TR83
Ally Switch+2
15Psychic
TM31
Attract
C10015Normal
TR49
Calm Mind
C20Psychic
TM29
Charm
D10020Fairy
TR58
Dark Pulse
C8010015Dark
TM15
Dig
D8010010Ground
TR26
Endure+4
C10Normal
TR65
Energy Ball
A9010010Grass
TM39
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM47
Fake Tears
D10020Dark
TM09
Giga Impact
C150905Normal
TM41
Helping Hand+5
20Normal
TM08
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM44
Imprison
D10Psychic
TR31
Iron Tail
D1007515Steel
TM17
Light Screen
B30Psychic
TM72
Magic Room
D10Psychic
TM89
Misty Terrain
D10Fairy
TR68
Nasty Plot
C20Dark
TM02
Pay Day
4010020Normal
TM57
Payback
D5010010Dark
TR90
Play Rough
D909010Fairy
TM25
Protect+4
C10Normal
TR11
Psychic
B13510010Psychic
TM91
Psychic Terrain
D10Psychic
TR25
Psyshock
C12010010Psychic
TM33
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM18
Reflect
B20Psychic
TM21
Rest
C10Psychic
TM76
Round
D6010015Normal
TM19
Safeguard
D25Normal
TR33
Shadow Ball
C8010015Ghost
TR40
Skill Swap
D10Psychic
TR27
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM24
Snore
D5010015Normal
TR20
Substitute
C10Normal
TM34
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM40
Swift
D6020Normal
TM84
Tail Slap
D258510Normal
TM14
Thunder Wave
B9020Electric
TR08
Thunderbolt
C9010015Electric
TR38
Trick
C10010Psychic
TM70
Trick Room-7
C5Psychic
TM71
Wonder Room
10Psychic
TR85
Work Up
C30Normal
TR69
Zen Headbutt
D1209015Psychic

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Tickle
10020Normal
Egg
Yawn
C10Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Expanding Force
C12010010Psychic

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP74
C
Attack48
D
Defense76
C
Sp. Atk83
C
Sp. Def81
C
Speed104
B
Total466
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging75 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.6 m
Weight8.5 kg
Base XP163
Abilities
Keen Eye
Prevents accuracy from being lowered.
Infiltrator
Bypasses light screen, reflect, and safeguard.
PranksterHidden Ability
Raises non-damaging moves' priority by one stage.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Speed training target
Pokedex Entry

Females are a bit more selfish and aggressive than males. If they don’t get what they want, they will torment you with their psychic abilities.

If it doesn’t hold back when it unleashes its psychic power, it can tear apart a tanker. Its unfriendliness is part of its charm.

Meowstic Sword & Shield Guide

  • In Sword & Shield, Don't let Meowstic's 466 base stat total fool you. Prankster is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier as a pivot. Reflect with Focus Sash is the standard set.

  • In Sword & Shield, Meowstic's biggest threats include Scyther (Bug), Aegislash (Ghost), and Tyranitar (Dark), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.

  • In Sword & Shield, Run Prankster on Meowstic. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Meowstic also gets Keen Eye and Infiltrator, but they don't compare.

  • In Sword & Shield, Meowstic fills the pivot role. It's a special attacker with base 83 Sp. Atk. Base 104 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.

  • For Sword & Shield, the core moveset is Reflect, Light Screen, Psychic, and Thunder Wave. Reflect leads at 0% usage. This set covers the pivot role with a mix of damage and utility.

Game Availability

Introduced in X & Y, Meowstic has appeared in 7 games across 5 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.

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