Special
Sweeper
100Speed · Fast

Is Volcarona Good in Black & White Playthrough?

Bug/Fire at level 59 with AbilityFlame Body. There's also a static wild Volcarona in Relic Castle at level 70 postgame. Quiver Dance boosts Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed in one move. After one boost, Volcarona sweeps almost everything. Alder uses one as his ace. The crown jewel of Unova.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSGGEGGGGSGESSEGCilanGym 1ChiliGym 2CressGym 3LenoraGym 4BurghGym 5VolcaronaCatchableElesaGym 6ClayGym 7SkylaGym 8BrycenGym 9DraydenGym 10ShauntalE4GrimsleyE4CaitlinE4MarshalE4AlderChamp*
Cilan
Gym 1
Strong

Larvesta resists most of Cilan's coverage and hits back hard.

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

Larvesta has the type edge here and should clean up Chili's team.

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

Larvesta has the type edge here and should clean up Cress's team.

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

Larvesta trades roughly evenly with Lenora's team.

You Win
Herdier
Lv 18
Normal
Intimidate
Take DownBiteRetaliateLeer
Even
Watchog
Lv 20
Normal
Illuminate
LeerCrunchRetaliateHypnosis
Burgh
Gym 5
Good

Larvesta has the type edge here and should clean up Burgh's team.

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

Volcarona has the type edge here and should clean up Elesa's team.

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

Volcarona has the type edge here and should clean up Clay's team.

Easy KO
Krokorok
Lv 29
GroundDark
Intimidate
CrunchSwaggerBulldozeTorment
You Win
Palpitoad
Lv 29
WaterGround
Swift Swim
Muddy WaterAqua RingBulldozeBubblebeam
You Win
Excadrill
Lv 31
GroundSteel
Sand Rush
SlashRock SlideBulldozeHone Claws
Skyla
Gym 8
Good

Volcarona has the type edge here and should clean up Skyla's team.

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

Volcarona resists most of Brycen's coverage and hits back hard.

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

Volcarona has the type edge here and should clean up 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
You Win
Haxorus
Lv 43
Dragon
Mold Breaker
Dragon DanceSlashDragon TailAssurance
Shauntal
Elite Four
Even

Volcarona trades roughly evenly with Shauntal's team.

You Win
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
Even
Chandelure
Lv 50
GhostFire
Flame Body
PaybackFire BlastPsychicShadow Ball
Grimsley
Elite Four
Strong

Volcarona resists most of Grimsley's coverage and hits back hard.

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

Volcarona resists most of Caitlin's coverage and hits back hard.

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

Volcarona trades roughly evenly with Marshal's team.

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

Volcarona has the type edge here and should clean up Alder's team.

Easy KO
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
Easy KO
Vanilluxe
Lv 75
Ice
Ice Body
BlizzardFlash CannonLight ScreenAcid Armor
You Win
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 5
Type
BugFire
Tier
S

Catch Volcarona on Relic Castle (interact, Lv 70, limited). Found at the very bottom floor of Relic Castle — accessible after defeating the Elite Four

View Volcarona locations

How to Get Volcarona in Black & White

Volcarona waits at a fixed spot in this game. Head to Relic Castle for a one-time encounter. No random spawns or encounter rates involved — it's a set battle at a known location.

How to Obtain Volcarona in BW

To get Volcarona, start by catching Larvesta through gift encounters at Lv. 1-70. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Larvesta
    Step 1Catch Larvesta
    Route 18
    Lv.1Gift from NPC
    Rate 100%
    AnyGift
  2. Volcarona
    Step 2Volcarona
    Relic Castle - B7F
    Lv.70Interact with Pokemon
    Rate 100%
    Any
    or evolve from Larvesta (Step 1)

Volcarona Weakness

Rock, Water, and Flying moves hit Volcarona for super-effective damage. Rock hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Volcarona's special bulk (base 105 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Volcarona Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Rock
2x (Weak)Water, Flying
0.5x (Resist)Ice, Fighting, Bug, Steel
0.25x (Resist)Grass
Gen V Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Volcarona Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
5Resist
0Immune
Score-2
4xCritical
¼xResist
0xImmune
None

What is Volcarona Strong Against

6Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+5
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Volcarona

Volcarona Evolutions

Evolved from Larvesta. Volcarona is the final form in this two-stage line. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are takes forever to hatch. Sp.Atk grew the most through evolution (+85 over Larvesta), and Volcarona peaks at 550 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Larvesta
BugFire
Volcarona
BugFire
HP
55
85+30
ATK
85
60-25
DEF
55
65+10
SP.ATK
50
135+85
SP.DEF
55
105+50
SPE
60
100+40
BST
360D-Tier
550B-Tier+190
ROLE
Balanced
Sweeper
TYPE
Physical
Special

Breeding

Moderate

Breed with Volcarona to get Larvesta eggs using 65 partners from the Bug egg group. Notable egg moves include Endure, Foresight, Harden and 4 more.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
7moves
Breed With (best first)
flygondrapionmasquerainvolbeatillumiseparasectvibravaskorupiparastrapinchsurskitshuckle

BW Volcarona Best Moveset

MoveQuiver Dance boosts Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed by one stage each in a single turn. 135 Sp. Atk behind the boost fires Bug and Fire TermStab at power levels that end games after one setup turn. 100 Speed before boosts is already fast. The moveset sets up and finishes. MoveStealth Rock taking 50%% HP on every switch is the one cost.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Attacker
Ability
Flame Body
Item
Lum BerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Volcarona
Timid+SPE

Volcarona best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Attacker Moveset

  • Quiver DanceSTAB
  • Bug BuzzSTAB
  • Giga Drain
  • Fire BlastSTAB

Moves List

Without breeding, Volcarona misses out on Endure and Foresight. That's 7 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Overheat and Flare Blitz, with Flying and Normal coverage and more rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Ember
6010025Fire
Lv 1
Gust
D4010035Flying
Lv 1
Leech Life
3010010Bug
Lv 1
String Shot
D9540Bug
Lv 10
Leech Life
3010010Bug
Lv 20
Gust
D4010035Flying
Lv 30
Fire Spin
C528515Fire
Lv 40
Whirlwind-6
C10020Normal
Lv 50
Silver Wind
B901005Bug
Lv 59
Quiver Dance
B20Bug
Lv 60
Heat Wave
B1509010Fire
Lv 70
Bug Buzz
B13510010Bug
Lv 80
Rage Powder+2
20Bug
Lv 90
Hurricane
C1207010Flying
Lv 100
Fiery Dance
A12010010Fire

TM Moves

TM
TM62
Acrobatics
D5510015Flying
TM40
Aerial Ace
D6020Flying
TM04
Calm Mind
C20Psychic
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM38
Fire Blast
A180855Fire
TM43
Flame Charge
D7510020Fire
TM35
Flamethrower
A14210015Fire
HM02
Fly
D909515Flying
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
C150905Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TM59
Incinerate
4510015Fire
TM16
Light Screen
C30Psychic
TM50
Overheat
B210905Fire
TM84
Poison Jab
D8010020Poison
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM29
Psychic
A9010010Psychic
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM48
Round
C6010015Normal
TM20
Safeguard
D25Normal
TM22
Solar Beam
B12010010Grass
TM76
Struggle Bug
C4510020Bug
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM06
Toxic
C9010Poison
TM89
U-turn
C10510020Bug
TM93
Wild Charge
D9010015Electric
TM61
Will-O-Wisp
C7515Fire

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Endure+4
C10Normal
Egg
Foresight
D40Normal
Egg
Harden
30Normal
Egg
Magnet Rise
D10Electric
Egg
Morning Sun
C5Normal
Egg
String Shot
D9540Bug
Egg
Zen Headbutt
D809015Psychic

Tutor Moves

Volcarona can't learn any Tutor moves

Reminder Moves

Rem
Rem
Amnesia
D20Psychic
Rem
Bug Bite
D9010020Bug
Rem
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Rem
Flame Charge
D7510020Fire
Rem
Flame Wheel
9010025Fire
Rem
Flare Blitz
C18010015Fire
Rem
Take Down
D908520Normal
Rem
Thrash
C12010010Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
High
HP85
C
Attack60
C
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk135
A
Sp. Def105
B
Speed100
B
Total550
Details
Catch Rate
Difficult15 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.6 m
Weight46.0 kg
Base XP275
Abilities
Flame Body
Has a 30% chance of burning attacking Pokémon on contact.
SwarmHidden Ability
Strengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+3SpDSpe
Strong Special Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

When volcanic ash darkened the atmosphere, it is said that Volcarona’s fire provided a replacement for the sun.

A sea of fire engulfs the surroundings of their battles, since they use their six wings to scatter their ember scales.

Volcarona Black & White Guide

  • For Black & White, we rate Volcarona A-Tier: a strong pick in Black & White's competitive scene. At 550 BST, it fits the sweeper role. Quiver Dance with Lum Berry is the standard set.

  • In Black & White, watch for Tyranitar (Rock), Starmie (Water), and Staraptor (Flying) when using Volcarona. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Tyranitar is the most dangerous since Rock moves deal 4x damage.

  • Volcarona is a static encounter at Unova Relic Castle in Black & White. Volcarona appears at level 70. Save before the encounter. These one-shot Pokemon don't respawn if you knock them out or run out of Poke Balls.

  • Flame Body has a 30% chance of burning attacking Pokémon on contact. That's the one you want on Volcarona. Swarm is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.

  • Base 100 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Volcarona is a special attacker with base 135 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.

Game Availability

Volcarona joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 8 titles so far. With 6 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.

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