Physical
Balanced
90Speed · Above Avg

Is Vigoroth Good in Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

AbilityVital Spirit prevents sleep and lets Vigoroth attack every turn, unlike Slakoth and Slaking. Fast with strong Attack. The best stage of the line for a story playthrough since it can act freely. Norman uses Vigoroth in his gym for this reason. Some players intentionally stop the evolution here.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTGEEEGESSEGSGSlakothCatchRoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2VigorothEvolveWattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6SlakingEvolveTate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8SidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Tough

Roxanne's typing presses Slakoth's defenses.

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

Slakoth has the type edge here and should clean up 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

Vigoroth 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

Vigoroth trades roughly evenly with 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
Even

Vigoroth 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
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Good

Vigoroth 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
You Win
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Even

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

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

Slaking 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
You Win
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
Strong

Slaking resists most of Sidney's coverage and hits back hard.

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

Slaking 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

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

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

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

Easy KO
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
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
Easy KO
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
You Win
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Steven
Champion
Good

Slaking has the type edge here and should clean up Steven's team.

Even
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
You Win
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
Even
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Even
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam
Catch Slakoth
Available before Badge 1
Type
Normal
Tier
E

Catch Slakoth on Petalburg Woods (walking, Lv 5-6, rare).

View Slakoth locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Roxanne
    • HM04NormalStrength120100%15
  • After Brawly
    • TM43NormalSecret Power105100%20
  • After Wattson
    • TM35FireFlamethrower90100%15
    • LV 31NormalCovet90100%25
  • After Norman
    • TM42NormalFacade105100%20
    • TM01FightingFocus Punch150100%20
  • After Winona
    • TM22GrassSolar Beam120100%10
    • TM38FireFire Blast11085%5
Evolve Slakoth to Vigoroth
Level 18
Type
Normal
Tier
C

Your Slakoth should hit Level 18 before you reach Wattson, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 18)
    • LV 18NormalUproar135100%10
  • After Roxanne
    • HM04NormalStrength120100%15
  • After Brawly
    • TM43NormalSecret Power105100%20
    • TM08FightingBulk Up100%20
    • LV 31NormalSlash105100%20
  • After Norman
    • TM42NormalFacade105100%20
  • After Winona
    • TM22GrassSolar Beam120100%10
    • LV 43FightingFocus Punch150100%20
Evolve Vigoroth to Slaking
Level 36
Type
Normal
Tier
A

Your Vigoroth should hit Level 36 before you reach Tate & Liza, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves
  • After Roxanne
    • HM04NormalStrength120100%15
  • After Brawly
    • TM43NormalSecret Power105100%20
  • After Norman
    • TM42NormalFacade105100%20
    • TM01FightingFocus Punch150100%20
  • After Winona
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam22590%5
    • TM22GrassSolar Beam120100%10
    • TM38FireFire Blast11085%5
  • After Tate & Liza
    • TM26GroundEarthquake100100%10

How to Get Vigoroth in Ruby & Sapphire

No wild encounters for Vigoroth. The 3-stage chain runs through Slakoth, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 36 once you've got the levels.

How to Obtain Vigoroth in RS

  1. Slakoth
    Step 1Catch Slakoth
    Petalburg Woods
    Lv.5-6Grass
    Rate 5%
  2. Vigoroth
    Step 2Vigoroth
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave Slaking with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Vigoroth egg.
  3. Slaking
    Step 3Evolve into Slaking

Vigoroth Weakness

Vigoroth is weak to Fighting. On the flip side, it's immune to Ghost-type moves entirely. Vigoroth's physical bulk (base 80 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Vigoroth 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 Vigoroth Weak Against

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

What is Vigoroth Strong Against

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

Best Pokemon Against Vigoroth

Vigoroth Evolutions

Vigoroth is the middle stage between Slakoth and Slaking. It's a three-stage line with one more evolution to go. For breeding, quick to hatch with a massive partner pool via one egg group. Speed has grown the most so far (+60), but there's still another 230 stats to gain in the final evolution. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Slakoth
Normal
Vigoroth
Normal
Slaking
Normal
HP
60
80+20
150+70
ATK
60
80+20
160+80
DEF
60
80+20
100+20
SP.ATK
35
55+20
95+40
SP.DEF
35
55+20
65+10
SPE
30
90+60
100+10
BST
280D-Tier
440C-Tier+160
670B-Tier+230
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Sweeper
TYPE
Physical
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Vigoroth to get Slakoth eggs easily using 102 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Body Slam, Crush Claw, Curse and 4 more.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
15 cycles·3,855 steps
Quick~4 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
7moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosrhydondewgongarbokquagsirenidorinofarfetchdflaaffy

RS Vigoroth Best Moveset

The only stage in this line without Truant: AbilityVital Spirit blocks sleep instead. MoveBulk Up boosts Attack and Defense, MoveReturn fires from decent Attack. Held ItemLeftovers sustains. More consistently usable than Slaking because of the ability difference.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Setup Sweeper
Ability
Vital Spirit
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Vigoroth
Jolly+SPE

Vigoroth best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • Shadow Ball
  • Bulk Up
  • Slack OffSTAB
  • ReturnSTAB

Moves List

The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 10 types means almost nothing walls Vigoroth cleanly, with Uproar and Body Slam anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Encore
C1005Normal
Lv 1
Focus Energy
D30Normal
Lv 1
Scratch
D6010035Normal
Lv 1
Uproar
13510010Normal
Lv 7
Encore
C1005Normal
Lv 13
Uproar
13510010Normal
Lv 19
Fury Swipes
D278015Normal
Lv 25
Endure+4
A10Normal
Lv 31
Slash
C10510020Normal
Lv 37
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Lv 43
Focus Punch-3
B15010020Fighting
Lv 49
Reversal
A10015Fighting

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
D6020Flying
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
D120705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
C7510015Fighting
TM08
Bulk Up
B20Fighting
HM01
Cut
D759530Normal
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
C10010010Ground
TM42
Facade
C10510020Normal
TM38
Fire Blast
D120855Fire
TM35
Flamethrower
D9510015Fire
TM01
Focus Punch-3
B15010020Fighting
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
9010015Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
D9510010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
A10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6
C20Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
D2010015Fighting
TM43
Secret Power
10510020Normal
TM30
Shadow Ball
B8010015Ghost
TM34
Shock Wave
D6020Electric
TM22
Solar Beam
C12010010Grass
HM04
Strength
12010015Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM12
Taunt
C10020Dark
TM25
Thunder
D1207010Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
D9510015Electric
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
D6010020Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Body Slam
A12710015Normal
Egg
Crush Claw
C1129510Normal
Egg
Curse
C10Ghost
Egg
Pursuit
D4010020Dark
Egg
Slash
C10510020Normal
Egg
Sleep Talk
D10Normal
Egg
Snore
6010015Normal

Tutor Moves

Vigoroth can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP80
C
Attack80
C
Defense80
C
Sp. Atk55
D
Sp. Def55
D
Speed90
B
Total440
Details
Catch Rate
Moderate120 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.4 m
Weight46.5 kg
Base XP154
Abilities
Vital Spirit
Prevents sleep.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Speed training target
Pokedex Entry

VIGOROTH is always itching and agitated to go on a wild rampage. It simply can’t tolerate sitting still for even a minute. This POKéMON’s stress level rises if it can’t be moving constantly.

VIGOROTH is simply incapable of remaining still. Even when it tries to sleep, the blood in its veins grows agitated, compelling this POKéMON to run wild throughout the jungle before it can settle down.

Vigoroth Ruby & Sapphire Guide

  • In Ruby & Sapphire, Vigoroth isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Slaking to unlock its full potential. At 440 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.

  • In Ruby & Sapphire, Vigoroth's biggest threats include Machamp (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Vital Spirit is the go-to ability for Vigoroth. It prevents sleep. It's Vigoroth's only ability.

  • In Ruby & Sapphire, Vigoroth fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 80 Attack. Base 90 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.

  • In Ruby & Sapphire, Vigoroth does the job early-game if you need a Normal type on your team. Evolve it into Slaking before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.

Game Availability

Vigoroth first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 14 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.

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