Physical
Hazard Setter
57Speed · Slow

Is Venipede Good in Black & White Playthrough?

Bug/Poison with AbilityPoison Point poisoning on contact. Pinwheel Forest catch. Scolipede at level 30 is the fast Bug attacker. One of the better early Bug picks.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGEETETTEGEEGGTECilanGym 1ChiliGym 2CressGym 3LenoraGym 4VenipedeCatchableBurghGym 5WhirlipedeEvolveElesaGym 6ClayGym 7ScolipedeEvolveSkylaGym 8BrycenGym 9DraydenGym 10ShauntalE4GrimsleyE4CaitlinE4MarshalE4AlderChamp*
Cilan
Gym 1
Good

Venipede has the type edge here and should clean up Cilan's team.

Even
Lillipup
Lv 12
Normal
Vital Spirit
BiteWork UpOdor SleuthHelping Hand
You Win
Pansage
Lv 14
Grass
Gluttony
Vine WhipWork UpLickFury Swipes
Chili
Gym 2
Even

Venipede trades roughly evenly with Chili's team.

Even
Lillipup
Lv 12
Normal
Vital Spirit
BiteWork UpOdor SleuthHelping Hand
Even
Pansear
Lv 14
Fire
Gluttony
IncinerateWork UpLickFury Swipes
Cress
Gym 3
Even

Venipede trades roughly evenly with Cress's team.

Even
Lillipup
Lv 12
Normal
Vital Spirit
BiteWork UpOdor SleuthHelping Hand
Even
Panpour
Lv 14
Water
Gluttony
Water GunWork UpLickFury Swipes
Lenora
Gym 4
Tough

Lenora's typing presses Venipede's defenses.

Even
Herdier
Lv 18
Normal
Intimidate
Take DownBiteRetaliateLeer
Risky
Watchog
Lv 20
Normal
Illuminate
LeerCrunchRetaliateHypnosis
Burgh
Gym 5
Even

Venipede trades roughly evenly with Burgh's team.

Risky
Whirlipede
Lv 21
BugPoison
Poison Point
Poison TailStruggle BugPursuitScreech
Risky
Dwebble
Lv 21
BugRock
Sturdy
Smack DownStruggle BugFeint AttackSand Attack
Even
Leavanny
Lv 23
BugGrass
Swarm
Razor LeafStruggle BugString ShotProtect
Elesa
Gym 6
Tough

Elesa's team hits Whirlipede's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Emolga
Lv 25
ElectricFlying
Static
PursuitQuick AttackVolt SwitchAerial Ace
Risky
Emolga
Lv 25
ElectricFlying
Static
PursuitQuick AttackVolt SwitchAerial Ace
Risky
Zebstrika
Lv 27
Electric
Lightningrod
Quick AttackSparkVolt SwitchFlame Charge
Clay
Gym 7
Tough

Clay's team hits Whirlipede's weaknesses hard.

Even
Krokorok
Lv 29
GroundDark
Intimidate
CrunchSwaggerBulldozeTorment
Even
Palpitoad
Lv 29
WaterGround
Swift Swim
Muddy WaterAqua RingBulldozeBubblebeam
Avoid
Excadrill
Lv 31
GroundSteel
Sand Rush
SlashRock SlideBulldozeHone Claws
Skyla
Gym 8
Even

Scolipede trades roughly evenly with Skyla's team.

You Win
Swoobat
Lv 33
PsychicFlying
Unaware
Heart StampAmnesiaAcrobaticsAssurance
Even
Unfezant
Lv 33
NormalFlying
Big Pecks
Quick AttackAir SlashLeerRazor Wind
Even
Swanna
Lv 35
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Aqua RingAerial AceAir SlashBubblebeam
Brycen
Gym 9
Good

Scolipede has the type edge here and should clean up Brycen's team.

You Win
Vanillish
Lv 37
Ice
Ice Body
Mirror ShotAcid ArmorFrost BreathAstonish
You Win
Cryogonal
Lv 37
Ice
Levitate
ReflectAurora BeamFrost BreathRapid Spin
You Win
Beartic
Lv 39
Ice
Snow Cloak
SlashBrineIcicle CrashSwagger
Drayden
Gym 10
Even

Scolipede trades roughly evenly with Drayden's team.

You Win
Fraxure
Lv 41
Dragon
Rivalry
Dragon DanceDragon RageDragon TailAssurance
You Win
Druddigon
Lv 41
Dragon
Rough Skin
Chip AwayRevengeDragon TailNight Slash
Even
Haxorus
Lv 43
Dragon
Mold Breaker
Dragon DanceSlashDragon TailAssurance
Shauntal
Elite Four
Even

Scolipede trades roughly evenly with Shauntal's team.

Risky
Cofagrigus
Lv 48
Ghost
Mummy
Will O WispGrass KnotPsychicShadow Ball
Even
Jellicent
Lv 48
WaterGhost
Cursed Body
Energy BallBrineSurfShadow Ball
Even
Golurk
Lv 48
GroundGhost
Iron Fist
CurseEarthquakeBrick BreakShadow Punch
Risky
Chandelure
Lv 50
GhostFire
Flame Body
PaybackFire BlastPsychicShadow Ball
Grimsley
Elite Four
Good

Scolipede has the type edge here and should clean up Grimsley's team.

You Win
Scrafty
Lv 48
DarkFighting
Moxie
CrunchBrick BreakPoison JabSand Attack
Easy KO
Liepard
Lv 48
Dark
Limber
Night SlashFake OutAerial AceAttract
You Win
Krookodile
Lv 48
GroundDark
Intimidate
CrunchDragon ClawEarthquakeFoul Play
Even
Bisharp
Lv 50
DarkSteel
Defiant
Night SlashX ScissorMetal ClawAerial Ace
Caitlin
Elite Four
Good

Scolipede has the type edge here and should clean up Caitlin's team.

You Win
Reuniclus
Lv 48
Psychic
Magic Guard
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastThunder
You Win
Musharna
Lv 48
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCharge BeamReflect
Even
Sigilyph
Lv 48
PsychicFlying
Wonder Skin
PsychicShadow BallIce BeamAir Slash
You Win
Gothitelle
Lv 50
Psychic
Frisk
PsychicShadow BallThunderboltCalm Mind
Marshal
Elite Four
Tough

Marshal's team hits Scolipede's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Throh
Lv 48
Fighting
Guts
Storm ThrowBulldozeStone EdgePayback
Risky
Sawk
Lv 48
Fighting
Sturdy
Karate ChopGrass KnotStone EdgeRetaliate
Risky
Conkeldurr
Lv 48
Fighting
Sheer Force
Hammer ArmGrass KnotStone EdgeRetaliate
Risky
Mienshao
Lv 50
Fighting
Inner Focus
Jump KickU TurnRock SlideRetaliate
Alder
Champion
Even

Scolipede trades roughly evenly with Alder's team.

You Win
Accelgor
Lv 75
Bug
Hydration
Focus BlastBug BuzzMe FirstEnergy Ball
Even
Bouffalant
Lv 75
Normal
Sap Sipper
Head ChargeMegahornEarthquakeStone Edge
Even
Druddigon
Lv 75
Dragon
Rough Skin
OutrageSuperpowerNight SlashPayback
You Win
Vanilluxe
Lv 75
Ice
Ice Body
BlizzardFlash CannonLight ScreenAcid Armor
Risky
Escavalier
Lv 75
BugSteel
Swarm
X ScissorIron HeadAerial AceGiga Impact
Even
Volcarona
Lv 77
BugFire
Flame Body
OverheatQuiver DanceBug BuzzHyper Beam
Catchable
Available after Badge 4
Type
BugPoison
Tier
F

Catch Venipede on Pinwheel Forest (walking, Lv 15-16, uncommon).

View Venipede locations

Evolve Venipede to Whirlipede
Level 22
Type
BugPoison
Tier
E

Your Venipede should hit Level 22 before you reach Elesa, at typical leveling pace.

View Whirlipede locations

Evolve Whirlipede to Scolipede
Level 30
Type
BugPoison
Tier
B

Your Whirlipede should hit Level 30 before you reach Skyla, at typical leveling pace.

How to Get Venipede in Black & White

Venipede starts showing up in early-game routes at decent spawn rates across 6 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.

Where To Catch Venipede in BW

Venipede is your first catch on the way to Venipede. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 15-24 across 8 total spots in the chain.

  1. Venipede
    Step 1Venipede
    Pinwheel Forest - inside
    Lv.15-16Grass
    Rate 15%
    Any
    Lostlorn Forest
    Lv.20-21Grass
    Rate 15%
    Any
    Lostlorn Forest
    Lv.20-21Grass
    Rate 15%
    AnyDouble grass
  2. Whirlipede
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Whirlipede
    Pinwheel Forest - inside
    Lv.23-24Dark Grass
    Rate 15%
    AnyDouble grass
    or evolve from Venipede (Step 1)
  3. Scolipede
    Step 3Evolve into Scolipede
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Scolipede egg.

Venipede Weakness

Venipede's Bug/Poison typing leaves it vulnerable to Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage.

Venipede Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fire, Flying, Psychic, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Poison, Bug
0.25x (Resist)Grass, Fighting
Gen V Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Venipede Weak Against

Avg
4Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score-2
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
0xImmune
None

What is Venipede Strong Against

3Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score0
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Venipede

Venipede Evolutions

Venipede is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Whirlipede first, then eventually reaches Scolipede. For breeding, quick to hatch with plenty of partners via one egg group. The evolved forms gain up to 225 total stats over Venipede. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Venipede
BugPoison
Whirlipede
BugPoison
Scolipede
BugPoison
HP
30
40+10
60+20
ATK
45
55+10
100+45
DEF
59
99+40
89-10
SP.ATK
30
40+10
55+15
SP.DEF
39
79+40
69-10
SPE
57
47-10
112+65
BST
260D-Tier
360D-Tier+100
485B-Tier+125
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Sweeper
TYPE
Utility
Utility
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Venipede easily with 65 breeding partners from the Bug egg group. Pass egg moves like Pin Missile, Rock Climb, Spikes and 3 more to offspring.

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)
flygondrapionmasquerainvolbeatillumiseparasectvibravaskorupiparastrapinchsurskitshuckle

BW Venipede Best Moveset

Bug/Poison pre-evolution with AbilitySpeed Boost as a hidden ability gaining +1 Speed every turn. The moveset previews Scolipede's escalating speed. Can't compete at 45 Attack and 57 Speed base. Two evolutions away.

Best Build

Experimental
Hazard Setter
Ability
Poison Point
Item
Focus SashSURVIVAL
Best Nature for Venipede
Timid+SPE

Venipede best EVs are HP and Speed

EVs

Hazard Setter Moveset

  • Toxic SpikesSTAB
  • SpikesHazard
  • EndeavorCoverage
  • ProtectFAST +4

Moves List

The natural movepool does the job, but Pin Missile and Rock Climb from the egg pool give Venipede something extra.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Defense Curl
40Normal
Lv 1
Rollout
309020Rock
Lv 5
Poison Sting
D2210035Poison
Lv 8
Screech
8540Normal
Lv 12
Pursuit
D4010020Dark
Lv 15
Protect+4
B10Normal
Lv 19
Poison Tail
7510025Poison
Lv 22
Bug Bite
D9010020Bug
Lv 26
Venoshock
D9710010Poison
Lv 29
Agility
C30Psychic
Lv 33
Steamroller
9710020Bug
Lv 36
Toxic
C9010Poison
Lv 40
Rock Climb
D908520Normal
Lv 43
Double-Edge
D12010015Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
C10015Normal
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM74
Gyro Ball
D1005Steel
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM66
Payback
D5010010Dark
TM84
Poison Jab
D12010020Poison
TM17
Protect+4
B10Normal
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM94
Rock Smash
D4010015Fighting
TM48
Round
D6010015Normal
TM36
Sludge Bomb
D13510010Poison
TM22
Solar Beam
D12010010Grass
TM76
Struggle Bug
D4510020Bug
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM06
Toxic
C9010Poison
TM09
Venoshock
D9710010Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Pin Missile
219520Bug
Egg
Rock Climb
D908520Normal
Egg
Spikes
B20Ground
Egg
Take Down
D908520Normal
Egg
Toxic Spikes
S20Poison
Egg
Twineedle
3710020Bug

Tutor Moves

Venipede can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP30
F
Attack45
D
Defense59
D
Sp. Atk30
F
Sp. Def39
F
Speed57
D
Total260
Details
Catch Rate
Guaranteed255 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height0.4 m
Weight5.3 kg
Base XP52
Abilities
Poison Point
Has a 30% chance of poisoning attacking Pokémon on contact.
Swarm
Strengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
Speed BoostHidden Ability
Raises Speed one stage after each turn.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

Its bite injects a potent poison, enough to paralyze large bird Pokémon that try to prey on it.

It discovers what is going on around it by using the feelers on its head and tail. It is brutally aggressive.

Venipede Black & White Guide

  • In Black & White, Venipede does the job early-game if you need a Bug/Poison type on your team. Evolve it into Whirlipede before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.

Game Availability

Introduced in Black & White, Venipede has appeared in 8 games across 6 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.

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