Physical
Pivot
125Speed · Very Fast

Is Swellow Good in Emerald Playthrough?

AbilityGuts Normal/Flying. Swellow turns burns and poison into raw power through MoveFacade. Handles Brawly through Flying, contributes against Sidney, and the Guts damage carries through every E4 fight. In Emerald, the Wallace Champion fight is neutral for Normal. Swellow's power earns its place from Route 104 to the credits.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTSEGGGEGGEEEERoxanneGym 1TaillowCatchableBrawlyGym 2SwellowEvolveWattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8SidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Tough

Roxanne's team hits Taillow's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Strong

Taillow resists most of Brawly's coverage and hits back hard.

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

Swellow trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

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

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

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

Swellow has the type edge here and should clean up 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
Good

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

You Win
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
Easy KO
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
You Win
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Risky
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
Even

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

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

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

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

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

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

Swellow trades roughly evenly with 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
Even
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
Risky
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Swellow trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

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

Swellow 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
Even
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
Even
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Even

Swellow trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

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

Catch Taillow on Route 104 (walking, Lv 4-5, uncommon).

View Taillow locations

Recommended Moves
    • LV 13FlyingWing Attack90100%35
  • After Roxanne
    • TM47SteelSteel Wing7090%25
  • After Brawly
    • TM43NormalSecret Power105100%20
    • TM10NormalHidden Power90100%15
  • After Norman
    • TM42NormalFacade105100%20
  • After Winona
    • HM02FlyingFly13595%15
    • LV 34FlyingAerial Ace90100%20
  • After Juan
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge180100%15
Evolve Taillow to Swellow
Level 22
Type
NormalFlying
Tier
A

Your Taillow should hit Level 22 before you reach Wattson, at typical leveling pace.

View Swellow locations

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 22)
    • LV 22FlyingWing Attack90100%35
  • After Brawly
    • TM43NormalSecret Power105100%20
    • TM10NormalHidden Power90100%15
  • After Norman
    • TM42NormalFacade105100%20
  • After Winona
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam22590%5
    • HM02FlyingFly13595%15
    • LV 38FlyingAerial Ace90100%20
  • After Juan
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge180100%15

How to Get Swellow in Emerald

Swellow starts showing up in mid-game routes at moderate rates across 1 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.

1 location to catch Swellow

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 4

Where To Catch Swellow in E

Taillow is your first catch on the way to Swellow. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 4-25 across 5 total spots in the chain.

  1. Taillow
    Step 1Catch Taillow
    Route 116
    Lv.6-8Grass
    Rate 20%
    Route 104
    Lv.4-5Grass
    Rate 10%
    Petalburg Woods
    Lv.5-6Grass
    Rate 5%
    Route 115
    Lv.23-25Grass
    Rate 40%
  2. Swellow
    Step 2Swellow
    Route 115
    Lv.25Grass
    Rate 10%
    or evolve from Taillow (Step 1)

Swellow Weakness

Electric, Ice, and Rock moves hit Swellow for super-effective damage. The upside? Ground and Ghost-type moves can't touch it at all. At base 125 Speed, Swellow outspeeds most threats and doesn't need to tank what it can outrun.

Swellow Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Ice, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Bug
0x (Immune)Ground, 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 Swellow Weak Against

Good
3Weak
2Resist
2Immune
Score+2
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Swellow Strong Against

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

Best Pokemon Against Swellow

Swellow Evolutions

Evolved from Taillow. Swellow is the final form in this two-stage line. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. Sp.Atk grew the most through evolution (+45 over Taillow), and Swellow peaks at 455 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Taillow
NormalFlying
Swellow
NormalFlying
HP
40
60+20
ATK
55
85+30
DEF
30
60+30
SP.ATK
30
75+45
SP.DEF
30
50+20
SPE
85
125+40
BST
270C-Tier
455C-Tier+185
ROLE
Balanced
Pivot
TYPE
Physical
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Swellow to get Taillow eggs easily using 25 partners from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Mirror Move, Pursuit, Rage 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)
togeticaltariapelipperfarfetchdswabluwingullcrobatpidgeotdodrioxatufearowgolbat

E Swellow Best Moveset

Burn or poison activates AbilityGuts for a 50%% Attack boost, and Swellow's 125 base Speed ensures it strikes first with a boosted MoveFacade before opponents can react. The moveset is built around getting statused deliberately, turning a Toxic Orb disadvantage into the strongest physical Normal hit in the tier.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Guts
Item
Choice BandPOWER
Best Nature for Swellow
Jolly+SPE

Swellow best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • Aerial AceSTAB
  • FacadeSTAB
  • Baton PassSTAB
  • EndeavorSTAB

Moves List

Without breeding, Swellow misses out on Mirror Move and Pursuit. That's 6 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Hyper Beam and Sky Attack, with Steel and Dark coverage and more rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Focus Energy
D30Normal
Lv 1
Growl
D10040Normal
Lv 1
Peck
D5210035Flying
Lv 1
Quick Attack+1
D6010030Normal
Lv 4
Focus Energy
D30Normal
Lv 8
Quick Attack+1
D6010030Normal
Lv 13
Wing Attack
9010035Flying
Lv 19
Double Team
15Normal
Lv 28
Endeavor
B1005Normal
Lv 38
Aerial Ace
B9020Flying
Lv 49
Agility
C30Psychic

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
B9020Flying
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
B10510020Normal
HM02
Fly
C1059515Flying
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
9010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
B225905Normal
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM43
Secret Power
10510020Normal
TM47
Steel Wing
D709025Steel
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM46
Thief
D6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Mirror Move
20Flying
Egg
Pursuit
D4010020Dark
Egg
Rage
3010020Normal
Egg
Refresh
D20Normal
Egg
Sky Attack
B210905Flying
Egg
Supersonic
5520Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Tutor
Double-Edge
A18010015Normal
Tutor
Endure+4
C10Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D10Normal
Tutor
Snore
6010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
B10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D9015Normal
Tutor
Swift
9020Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP60
C
Attack85
C
Defense60
C
Sp. Atk75
C
Sp. Def50
D
Speed125
A
Total455
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height0.7 m
Weight19.8 kg
Base XP159
Abilities
Guts
Increases Attack to 1.5× with a major status ailment.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Speed training target
Pokedex Entry

A SWELLOW dives upon prey from far above. It never misses its targets. It takes to the skies in search of lands with a warm climate.

Pokemon Emerald

Swellow Emerald Guide

  • For Emerald, we rate Swellow C-Tier: a niche pick in Emerald's meta. At 455 BST, it fits the pivot role. Aerialace with Choice Band is the standard set.

  • In Emerald, watch for Raikou (Electric), Walrein (Ice), and Golem (Rock) when using Swellow. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Swellow's base 125 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.

  • Guts increases Attack to 1.5× with a major status ailment. That's the one you want on Swellow. It's the only ability Swellow has.

  • Base 125 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Swellow is a physical attacker with base 85 Attack. Best used as a pivot.

  • In Emerald, run Aerialace, Facade, Baton Pass, and Endeavor on Swellow. Aerialace is the most common pick at 0% usage. Facade provides reliable STAB damage.

Game Availability

Available in 14 titles since its debut in Ruby & Sapphire, Swellow spans 8 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in a solid number of games.

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