Is Sawsbuck Good in Black & White Playthrough?
Deerling evolves at level 34. Normal/Grass with AbilitySap Sipper blocking Grass moves. Decent Attack and Speed. Handles Clay through Grass but the six type weaknesses make later gyms risky.
Deerling resists most of Cilan's coverage and hits back hard.
Deerling has the type edge here and should clean up Chili's team.
Deerling resists most of Cress's coverage and hits back hard.
Deerling has the type edge here and should clean up Lenora's team.
Deerling trades roughly evenly with Burgh's team.
Deerling trades roughly evenly with Elesa's team.
Deerling trades roughly evenly with Clay's team.
Skyla's team hits Deerling's weaknesses hard.
Sawsbuck has the type edge here and should clean up Brycen's team.
Sawsbuck trades roughly evenly with Drayden's team.
Sawsbuck trades roughly evenly with Shauntal's team.
Sawsbuck has the type edge here and should clean up Grimsley's team.
Sawsbuck has the type edge here and should clean up Caitlin's team.
Sawsbuck trades roughly evenly with Marshal's team.
Sawsbuck trades roughly evenly with Alder's team.
Catch Deerling on Route 6 (walking, Lv 22-24, common).
Your Deerling should hit Level 34 before you reach Brycen, at typical leveling pace.
How to Get Sawsbuck in Black & White
A handful of locations for Sawsbuck 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 Sawsbuck in BW
To get Sawsbuck, start by catching Deerling through walking encounters at Lv. 22-36. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch DeerlingRoute 6Lv.22-24GrassWhiteRate 35%AnyRoute 6Lv.22-24GrassBlackRate 30%AnyRoute 6Lv.26-28Dark GrassRate 30%AnyDouble grassDragonspiral Tower - OutsideLv.30-32FloorRate 30%WinterRoute 7Lv.26GrassRate 20%AnyRoute 7Lv.30Dark GrassRate 20%AnyDouble grassDragonspiral Tower - OutsideLv.31-32FloorRate 30%Spring/summer/autumn
Step 2Sawsbuck ✓Dragonspiral Tower - OutsideLv.30-32FloorRate 30%WinterDouble grassDragonspiral Tower - OutsideLv.34-36FloorRate 30%Spring/summer/autumnDouble grassor evolve from Deerling (Step 1)
Sawsbuck Weakness
Type-wise, Sawsbuck takes extra damage from Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Flying, and Bug. Ghost moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Sap Sipper grants an additional Grass immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Flying, Bug |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass, Ground |
| 0x (Immune) | Ghost |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
What is Sawsbuck Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Sawsbuck
 Simisear Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Pansear (Dreamyard Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Simisear builds →Flame Burst 2x71-84% Focus Blast 2x79-94% | ||
 Pignite FireFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tepig (Nuvema Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Pignite builds →Focus Blast 2x97-115%KO Flame Charge 2x51-62% Smog 2x15-18% | ||
 Farfetch'd Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Farfetch'd builds →Aerial Ace 2x59-71% Poison Jab 2x51-62% Fury Cutter 2x15-18% | ||
 Illumise Bug | C | |
 Volbeat Bug | C | |
Throh Fighting | C | |
Sawk Fighting | C | |
Simisear Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Pansear (Dreamyard Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Simisear builds →Flame Burst 2x70-83% Focus Blast 2x80-95% | ||
Pignite FireFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tepig (Nuvema Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Pignite builds →Focus Blast 2x93-111%KO Flame Charge 2x50-59% Smog 2x13-16% | ||
 Timburr Fighting | C | |
Sawk Fighting | C | |
 Scolipede BugPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Scolipede builds →Megahorn 2x117-138%KO Poison Tail 2x51-60% Rock Smash 2x27-32% | ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Aerodactyl builds →Fly 2x91-108%KO Fire Fang 2x44-52% Ice Fang 2x44-52% Rock Smash 2x28-34% | ||
Throh Fighting | C | |
 Scraggy DarkFighting | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Scraggy builds →High Jump Kick 2x102-120%KO | ||
 Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodDesert Resort Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x158-186%KO Hammer Arm 2x88-105%KO | ||
Throh Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Throh builds →Vital Throw 2x71-84% Poison Jab 2x55-65% | ||
Unfezant Normal | C | |
Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Aerodactyl builds →Fly 2x96-114%KO Fire Fang 2x46-54% Ice Fang 2x46-54% Rock Smash 2x29-34% | ||
Scolipede BugPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Scolipede builds →Megahorn 2x122-143%KO Poison Jab 2x82-97% Rock Smash 2x29-34% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodDesert Resort Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x153-180%KO Hammer Arm 2x85-101%KO | ||
 Emboar FireFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tepig (Nuvema Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Emboar builds →Hammer Arm 2x115-137%KO Fire Blast 2x115-137%KO Poison Jab 2x62-73% | ||
 Archeops Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Archen (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Archeops builds →Fly 2x115-137%KO Focus Blast 2x84-99% | ||
Scrafty DarkFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Scrafty builds →High Jump Kick 2x115-137%KO Poison Jab 2x48-57% | ||
Throh Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Throh builds →Brick Break 2x74-88% Poison Jab 2x52-62% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodDesert Resort Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x155-182%KO Hammer Arm 2x87-102%KO | ||
 Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Chandelure builds →Fire Blast 2x160-189%KO Smog 2x19-22% | ||
 Cobalion SteelFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodMistralton Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Cobalion builds →Sacred Sword 2x81-96% X-Scissor 2x49-58% Poison Jab 2x49-58% Aerial Ace 2x36-43% | ||
Archeops Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Archen (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Archeops builds →Fly 2x117-138%KO Focus Blast 2x85-101%KO | ||
Emboar FireFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tepig (Nuvema Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Emboar builds →Hammer Arm 2x117-138%KO Fire Blast 2x117-138%KO Poison Jab 2x63-74% | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Chandelure builds →Overheat 2x186-220%KO Smog 2x18-22% | ||
Cobalion SteelFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodMistralton Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Cobalion builds →Close Combat 2x107-126%KO X-Scissor 2x47-56% Poison Jab 2x47-56% Aerial Ace 2x36-43% | ||
Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Obtain MethodRelic Castle Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Volcarona builds →Overheat 2x174-205%KO Bug Buzz 2x113-133%KO Gust 2x34-40% Poison Jab 2x35-41% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodDesert Resort Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x155-183%KO Superpower 2x104-122%KO U-turn 2x61-72% | ||
 Hitmonchan Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Hitmonchan builds →Focus Punch 2x151-178%KO Fire Punch 2x50-60% Ice Punch 2x50-60% | ||
In Black & White, Conkeldurr can KO Sawsbuck with Drain Punch (127-150%). Arcanine threatens a KO with Flare Blitz (138-162%). Kyurem's Ice Beam also KOs at 126-149%.
 Conkeldurr Fighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Conkeldurr builds →Drain Punch 2x127-150%KO Mach Punch 2x68-81% | ||
 Arcanine Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Arcanine builds →Flare Blitz 2x138-162%KO Extreme Speed31-36% Close Combat 2x92-108%KO | ||
 Kyurem DragonIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Kyurem builds →Ice Beam 2x126-149%KO | ||
 Staraptor Normal | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityReckless ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Staraptor builds →Close Combat 2x111-130%KO U Turn 2x65-76% Double Edge83-98% | ||
 Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sawsbuck View Nidoking builds →Ice Beam 2x85-100%KO Flamethrower 2x85-100%KO | ||
Sawsbuck Evolutions
Evolved from Deerling. Sawsbuck is the final form in this two-stage line. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Attack grew the most through evolution (+40 over Deerling), and Sawsbuck peaks at 475 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Sawsbuck to get Deerling eggs easily using 181 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Agility, Baton Pass, Fake Tears and 6 more.
BW Sawsbuck Best Moveset
100 Attack at 95 Speed with AbilityChlorophyll doubling Speed in sun. Normal/Grass TermStab from MoveHorn Leech heals HP through attacks. AbilitySap Sipper blocks Grass moves for an Attack boost as the non-sun option. The moveset runs fast in sun and heals through physical offense.
Best Build
Sawsbuck best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Horn Leech
- Swords Dance
- Jump Kick
- Wild Charge
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
The egg pool carries weight here. Agility and Baton Pass aren't available any other way for Sawsbuck, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Giga Impact and Hyper Beam 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
They migrate according to the seasons. People can tell the season by looking at Sawsbuck’s horns.
The plants growing on its horns change according to the season. The leaders of the herd possess magnificent horns.
Sawsbuck Black & White Guide
In Black & White, Chlorophyll changes the entire equation for Sawsbuck. The 475 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a pivot. Horn Leech with Salacberry is the standard set.
Chlorophyll is what you want on Sawsbuck. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Sap Sipper, Serene Grace) work on paper but Chlorophyll is what makes Sawsbuck worth using.
Base 95 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Sawsbuck is a physical attacker with base 100 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a pivot.
For Black & White, the core moveset is Horn Leech, Swords Dance, Jumpkick, and Wild Charge. Horn Leech leads at 0% usage. This set covers the pivot role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Sawsbuck joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 7 titles so far. With 6 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
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 5BWDebut
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 8SwSh
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