Special
Attacker
80Speed · Above Avg

Is Shiftry Good in Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

AbilityChlorophyll under Groudon's sun makes Shiftry fast with Grass/Dark coverage. Handles Phoebe, Tate and Liza, and Wallace's Water gym. Ruby exclusive. In Ruby specifically, the sun synergy is powerful. Without sun support, Shiftry is a decent but unremarkable Grass/Dark option.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGEEEEEGSEGGEESeedotCatchRoxanneGym 1NuzleafEvolveBrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3ShiftryEvolveFlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8SidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Good

Seedot has the type edge here and should clean up Roxanne's team.

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

Nuzleaf trades roughly evenly with Brawly's team.

Even
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
Even

Nuzleaf trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

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

Shiftry trades roughly evenly with Flannery's team.

Even
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
Even

Shiftry trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

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

Shiftry trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

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

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

You Win
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
You Win
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Wallace
Gym 8
Strong

Shiftry resists most of Wallace's coverage and hits back hard.

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

Shiftry trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

You Win
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
Good

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

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

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

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

Shiftry trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

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

Shiftry trades roughly evenly with Steven's team.

Risky
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
You Win
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
You Win
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
Risky
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam
Catch Seedot
Available before Badge 1
Type
Grass
Tier
F

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

View Seedot locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Brawly
    • TM43NormalSecret Power70100%20
    • TM10NormalHidden Power60100%15
  • After Wattson
    • TM28GroundDig80100%10
  • After Norman
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20
  • After Winona
    • TM22GrassSolar Beam180100%10
    • TM19GrassGiga Drain113100%10
    • TM30GhostShadow Ball80100%15
    • LV 43NormalExplosion250100%5
Evolve Seedot to Nuzleaf
Level 14
Type
GrassDark
Tier
E

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

View Nuzleaf locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Brawly
    • TM46DarkThief90100%25
  • After Wattson
    • TM28GroundDig80100%10
    • LV 31DarkFeint Attack90100%20
  • After Winona
    • TM22GrassSolar Beam180100%10
    • TM19GrassGiga Drain113100%10
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • LV 37NormalRazor Wind80100%10
    • LV 49PsychicExtrasensory80100%20
Evolve Nuzleaf to Shiftry
Use Leaf Stone
Type
GrassDark
Tier
B

You can pick up the Leaf Stone in Route 119.

Recommended Moves
  • After Roxanne
    • HM04NormalStrength80100%15
  • After Brawly
    • TM46DarkThief90100%25
  • After Wattson
    • TM28GroundDig80100%10
  • After Winona
    • TM22GrassSolar Beam180100%10
    • TM19GrassGiga Drain113100%10
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • TM30GhostShadow Ball80100%15
  • After Wallace
    • TM31FightingBrick Break75100%15

How to Get Shiftry in Ruby & Sapphire

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

Ruby Exclusive — Trade with Sapphire for Ludicolo

How to Obtain Shiftry in RS

The path to Shiftry starts with Seedot at Lv. 3-18 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Seedot
    Step 1Catch Seedot
    Route 114
    Lv.15-16Grass
    RubyRate 30%
    Route 102
    Lv.3-4Grass
    RubyRate 20%
  2. Nuzleaf
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Nuzleaf
    Route 114
    Lv.16-18Grass
    RubyRate 10%
    or evolve from Seedot (Step 1)
  3. Shiftry
    Step 3Shiftry
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Shiftry egg.

Shiftry Weakness

Shiftry's Grass/Dark typing leaves it vulnerable to Bug, Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, and Flying. Bug hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Psychic-type attacks completely. It resists 6 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Shiftry leans offensive (base 100 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.

Shiftry Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Bug
2x (Weak)Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Flying
0.5x (Resist)Water, Electric, Grass, Ground, Ghost, Dark
0x (Immune)Psychic
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 Shiftry Weak Against

Vulnerable
6Weak
6Resist
2Immune
Score-5

What is Shiftry Strong Against

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

Best Pokemon Against Shiftry

Shiftry Evolutions

Shiftry evolved from Seedot's chain using an evolution item. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Seedot eggs (quick to hatch). The evolution from Seedot pushed Shiftry to 480 total stats. Attack saw the largest single gain at +60. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Seedot
Grass
Nuzleaf
GrassDark
Shiftry
GrassDark
HP
40
70+30
90+20
ATK
40
70+30
100+30
DEF
50
40-10
60+20
SP.ATK
30
60+30
90+30
SP.DEF
30
40+10
60+20
SPE
30
60+30
80+20
BST
220D-Tier
340D-Tier+120
480C-Tier+140
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Attacker
TYPE
Utility
Physical
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Shiftry to get Seedot eggs easily using 102 partners from the Ground and Plant egg groups. Notable egg moves include Amnesia, False Swipe, Leech Seed 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)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosvenusaurmeganiumrhydonludicolodewgongjumpluffbreloom

RS Shiftry Best Moveset

Sun attacker with 100 Attack and 90 Sp. Atk hitting from both sides through Grass/Dark TermStab. AbilityChlorophyll doubles Speed in sun. MoveSolar Beam fires without charge in sun, MoveExplosion adds the nuclear option. Held ItemLeftovers sustains.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Chlorophyll
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Shiftry
Jolly+SPE

Shiftry best EVs are Speed and Attack

EVs

Utility Moveset

  • ExplosionCoverage
  • Shadow Ball
  • Brick Break
  • Sunny Day

Moves List

You'll want to breed for Amnesia and False Swipe on Shiftry. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Solar Beam and Giga Drain, they expand what Shiftry can actually threaten in practice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growth
D20Normal
Lv 1
Harden
C30Normal
Lv 1
Nature Power
20Normal
Lv 1
Pound
D4010035Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
C6020Flying
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM31
Brick Break
B7510015Fighting
TM09
Bullet Seed
D1510030Grass
HM01
Cut
D509530Normal
TM28
Dig
C6010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
HM05
Flash
7020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM19
Giga Drain
C1121005Grass
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
D2010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
D609510Rock
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM30
Shadow Ball
B8010015Ghost
TM22
Solar Beam
A18010010Grass
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
B5Fire
TM46
Thief
C9010025Dark
TM41
Torment
D10015Dark
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Amnesia
D20Psychic
Egg
False Swipe
4010040Normal
Egg
Leech Seed
C9010Grass
Egg
Quick Attack+1
D4010030Normal
Egg
Razor Wind
8010010Normal
Egg
Take Down
C908520Normal

Tutor Moves

Shiftry can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP90
B
Attack100
B
Defense60
C
Sp. Atk90
B
Sp. Def60
C
Speed80
C
Total480
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.3 m
Weight59.6 kg
Base XP216
Abilities
Chlorophyll
Doubles Speed during strong sunlight.
Wind Rider
Gives immunity to wind moves, and causes the Pokémon's Attack to increase by one stage when hit by one.
Wind Rider grants Flying immunity
EV Yield
HPAtk+3DefSpASpDSpe
Strong Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

SHIFTRY is a mysterious POKéMON that is said to live atop towering trees dating back over a thousand years. It creates terrific windstorms with the fans it holds.

SHIFTRY’s large fans generate awesome gusts of wind at a speed close to 100 feet per second. The whipped-up wind blows anything away. This POKéMON chooses to live quietly deep in forests.

Shiftry Ruby & Sapphire Guide

  • In Ruby & Sapphire, Shiftry looks average on paper at 480 BST. But Chlorophyll is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier attacker on our tier list. Explosion with Leftovers is the standard set.

  • In Ruby & Sapphire, watch for Scizor (Bug), Blaziken (Fire), and Lapras (Ice) when using Shiftry. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Scizor is the most dangerous since Bug moves deal 4x damage. Fighting, Poison, and Flying-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.

  • Shiftry gets Chlorophyll and Wind Rider. But Chlorophyll is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.

  • Shiftry is a special attacker with base 90 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 80 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the attacker role.

  • In Ruby & Sapphire, run Explosion, Shadow Ball, Brickbreak, and Sunnyday on Shiftry. Explosion is the most common pick at 0% usage. This set covers the attacker role with a mix of damage and utility.

Game Availability

Since Ruby & Sapphire, Shiftry 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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