Physical
Trick Room
40Speed · Very Slow

Is Porygon Good in Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

Not native to Hoenn. Trade from FireRed or LeafGreen. AbilityTrace copies the opponent's ability, which can produce wild results. Porygon2 needs an Up-Grade trade. The Trace ability is the only interesting thing, and it's not worth the multi-step import.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEGTGTGEGGEGSERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8SidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Even

Porygon2 trades roughly evenly with Roxanne's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Even
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
TackleHardenRock ThrowRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

Porygon2 has the type edge here and should clean up Brawly's team.

You Win
Machop
Lv 17
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopSeismic TossBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 18
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustKnock OffSand AttackBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Tough

Wattson's typing presses Porygon2's defenses.

Risky
Magnemite
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomThunder ShockThunder Wave
Even
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSelf DestructSparkSonic Boom
Avoid
Magneton
Lv 23
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomShock WaveThunder Wave
Flannery
Gym 4
Good

Porygon2 has the type edge here and should clean up Flannery's team.

You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
FlamethrowerRock SlideLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Torkoal
Lv 28
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatBody SlamFlailAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Tough

Norman's team hits Porygon2's weaknesses hard.

Even
Slaking
Lv 28
Normal
Truant
EncoreFacadeYawnFeint Attack
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 30
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFeint AttackFacadeEncore
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Good

Porygon2 has the type edge here and should clean up Winona's team.

You Win
Swellow
Lv 31
NormalFlying
Guts
Quick AttackAerial AceDouble TeamEndeavor
Easy KO
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Even
Skarmory
Lv 32
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Easy KO
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Even

Porygon2 trades roughly evenly with Tate & Liza's team.

Even
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Risky
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Wallace
Gym 8
Good

Porygon2 has the type edge here and should clean up Wallace's team.

You Win
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Easy KO
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
You Win
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Even
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Sidney
Elite Four
Good

Porygon2 has the type edge here and should clean up Sidney's team.

Even
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
Even
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
You Win
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
You Win
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Porygon2 trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
Even
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Good

Porygon2 has the type edge here and should clean up Glacia's team.

You Win
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Strong

Porygon2 resists most of Drake's coverage and hits back hard.

You Win
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
Easy KO
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
Easy KO
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
Easy KO
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
You Win
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Steven
Champion
Even

Porygon2 trades roughly evenly with Steven's team.

Even
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
You Win
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
Levitate
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
Risky
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
Even
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
Even
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Avoid
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam

How to Get Porygon in Ruby & Sapphire

Porygon can't be caught in Ruby & Sapphire. Transfer Porygon from Red & Blue, Yellow, or Scarlet & Violet and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.

How to Obtain Porygon in RS

  1. Porygon
    Step 1Porygon
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in FireRed & LeafGreen via Gift · Celadon City · 9,999 Coins, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Red & Blue via Gift · Celadon City · 9,999 Coins. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Yellow
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Yellow via Gift · Celadon City · 9,999 Coins. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Gold & Silver via Gift · Celadon City · 9,999 Coins. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Crystal
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Crystal via Gift · Celadon City · 5,555 Coins. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Trophy Garden. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Platinum via In-game trade · Veilstone City. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Porygon2
    Step 2Evolve into Porygon2

Porygon Weakness

Fighting moves hit Porygon for super-effective damage. The upside? Ghost-type moves can't touch it at all. Porygon's Normal typing only leaves 1 gap to cover.

Porygon Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fighting
0x (Immune)Ghost
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 Porygon Weak Against

Good
1Weak
0Resist
1Immune
Score+1
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
½xResist
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Porygon Strong Against

0Strong
2Resisted
1Immune
Score-3
2xStrong
None
½xResisted
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Porygon

Porygon Evolutions

To get Porygon2 from Porygon, you need a trade. The evolution method matters here. The evolved forms gain up to 120 total stats over Porygon. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Porygon
Normal
Porygon2
Normal
HP
65
85+20
ATK
60
80+20
DEF
70
90+20
SP.ATK
85
105+20
SP.DEF
75
95+20
SPE
40
60+20
BST
395C-Tier
515C-Tier+120
ROLE
Trick Room
Attacker
TYPE
Special
Special

Breeding

Challenging

Porygon is genderless and can only breed with Ditto. Part of the Mineral egg group.

Egg Groups
Gender
GenderlessDittoDitto only
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body

RS Porygon Best Moveset

Ability theft through AbilityTrace copies the opponent's ability on switch-in, potentially stealing AbilityLevitate or AbilityWater Absorb. MoveRecover and MoveThunder Wave sustain and disrupt. 75 Sp. Atk limits damage. Porygon2 does everything at competitive stats.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Tank
Ability
Trace
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Porygon
Brave+ATK

Porygon best EVs are HP and Attack

EVs

Physical Tank Moveset

  • PsychicCoverage
  • RecoverRecovery
  • ToxicUtility
  • FacadeSTAB

Moves List

The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Porygon's coverage across 8 types all comes from technical machines, built on top of Hyper Beam and Tri Attack for same-type damage. Zap Cannon and Blizzard are the payoff moves.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Conversion
30Normal
Lv 1
Conversion 2
30Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D5210035Normal
Lv 9
Agility
C30Psychic
Lv 12
Psybeam
6510020Psychic
Lv 20
Recover
B20Normal
Lv 24
Sharpen
30Normal
Lv 32
Lock-On
1005Normal
Lv 36
Tri Attack
A12010010Normal
Lv 44
Recycle
10Normal
Lv 48
Zap Cannon
100505Electric

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
D6020Flying
TM14
Blizzard
C120705Ice
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
A10510020Normal
HM05
Flash
7020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
9010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
B225905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
C9510010Ice
TM23
Iron Tail
D1007515Steel
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM29
Psychic
B9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM43
Secret Power
10510020Normal
TM30
Shadow Ball
C8010015Ghost
TM34
Shock Wave
D6020Electric
TM22
Solar Beam
C12010010Grass
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM46
Thief
D6010025Dark
TM25
Thunder
C1207010Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
A9510015Electric
TM06
Toxic
B8510Poison

Egg Moves

Porygon doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Porygon can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP65
C
Attack60
C
Defense70
C
Sp. Atk85
C
Sp. Def75
C
Speed40
D
Total395
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.8 m
Weight36.5 kg
Base XP79
Abilities
Trace
Copies an opponent's ability upon entering battle.
Download
Raises the attack stat corresponding to the opponents' weaker defense one stage upon entering battle.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+1SpDSpe
Special Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

PORYGON is capable of reverting itself entirely back to program data and entering cyberspace. This POKéMON is copy-protected so it cannot be duplicated by copying.

Pokemon Ruby / Pokemon Sapphire

Porygon Ruby & Sapphire Guide

  • At 395 BST, Porygon is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Porygon2 before bringing it to any serious fight.

  • In Ruby & Sapphire, watch for Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Porygon. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. At base 40 Speed, Porygon won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.

  • No. Porygon only evolves into Porygon2 through a real trade. There is no in-game alternative in Ruby & Sapphire. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Porygon to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required. The Upgrade must be held during the trade. Bring one over from a sibling Gen 3 game if needed.

  • Trace copies an opponent's ability upon entering battle. That's the one you want on Porygon. Download works too if your team needs something different.

  • Porygon is a physical attacker with base 60 Attack. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 40 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. Fits the trick room role.

Game Availability

Present since Red & Blue, Porygon appears in 22 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Porygon have the longest track record of availability in the series.

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