Pokemon Guide
Piplup is a Water-type starter Pokemon known for its penguin design, proud personality, Torrent ability and evolution into Prinplup and Empoleon. This guide covers Piplup’s stats, best moves, abilities, evolution, shiny form, typing, weaknesses and locations across Pokemon games.
Normal Form
Shiny Form
Last Updated: May 2026 | Page Status: This Piplup guide supports current Pokemon games, Pokemon Champions and future updates. Location, moves and availability details will be updated as new Pokemon game data becomes available.
| Description | Quick Facts |
| Stats | Best Moves |
| All Moves | Weaknesses |
| Evolution | Locations |
| Abilities | FAQ |
Piplup is a Water-type starter Pokemon from the Sinnoh region. It evolves into Prinplup and later Empoleon, giving it one of the most recognizable Water starter evolution lines in the Pokemon series.
Competitive Overview
Piplup is usually more important as a starter and evolution step than as a top competitive Pokemon, but it can be useful in story play because of its Water typing and access to reliable Water-type moves.
Piplup’s biggest strengths are Torrent, early Water-type offense and its strong final evolution into Empoleon. Its main issues are limited bulk and weaknesses to Electric and Grass-type attacks.
Here are the key facts to know about Piplup, including its type, abilities, height, weight and species information.
Name
Piplup
National Dex
#0393
Type
Water
Species
Penguin Pokemon
Height
1’04” / 0.4 m
40 cm
Weight
11.5 lbs / 5.2 kg
5.2 kg
Abilities
Torrent, Defiant
Piplup has balanced early-stage starter stats with usable Special Attack. Its Speed and bulk are modest, so it often benefits from evolving into Prinplup and then Empoleon.
Piplup uses Water-type attacks and coverage moves during story progression. These are some of Piplup’s most useful and recognizable moves across Pokemon games.
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An early Water-type attack that gives Piplup reliable same-type damage.
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A stronger Water-type option that can also lower an opponent’s Speed in many games.
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A reliable Water-type attack and one of the most useful moves in story play.
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A high-power Water-type attack that gives Piplup major special damage potential.
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Coverage against Dragon, Flying, Grass and Ground-type Pokemon when available.
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A physical Flying-type move that appears later in the evolution line and offers useful coverage.
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A priority Water-type move that can help Piplup move before faster opponents when available.
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A setup move that can raise Speed and support offensive play in some games.
Piplup can learn different moves across Pokemon games. Use the section below to view Piplup’s move list by learn method.
Move data shown from: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Piplup is a Water-type Pokemon. This gives it resistances to Fire, Water, Ice and Steel-type moves, but it is weak to Electric and Grass-type attacks.
Type
Water
Weaknesses
Electric, Grass
Resistances
Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Immunity
None
Piplup’s abilities support Water-type offense or punish stat-lowering effects in games where Defiant is available.
Powers up Water-type moves when this Pokemon has low HP.
Raises Attack sharply when one of this Pokemon’s stats is lowered by an opposing Pokemon in games where this hidden ability is available.
Piplup evolves into Prinplup at Level 16, and Prinplup evolves into Empoleon at Level 36. The full evolution line is Piplup, Prinplup and Empoleon.
Stage 1
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Starting form
Stage 2
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Evolves from Piplup at Level 16
Stage 3
Evolves from Prinplup at Level 36
Piplup’s availability changes depending on the Pokemon game. In Sinnoh games, Piplup is one of the starter Pokemon available at the beginning of the adventure.
| Game | Where to Find Piplup |
|---|---|
Pokemon Red |
Not available because this Pokemon had not been introduced yet. |
Pokemon Blue |
Not available because this Pokemon had not been introduced yet. |
Pokemon Yellow |
Not available because this Pokemon had not been introduced yet. |
| Game | Where to Find Piplup |
|---|---|
Pokemon Gold |
Not available because this Pokemon had not been introduced yet. |
Pokemon Silver |
Not available because this Pokemon had not been introduced yet. |
Pokemon Crystal |
Not available because this Pokemon had not been introduced yet. |
| Game | Where to Find Piplup |
|---|---|
Pokemon Ruby |
Not available because this Pokemon had not been introduced yet. |
Pokemon Sapphire |
Not available because this Pokemon had not been introduced yet. |
Pokemon Emerald |
Not available because this Pokemon had not been introduced yet. |
Pokemon FireRed |
Not available because this Pokemon had not been introduced yet. |
Pokemon LeafGreen |
Not available because this Pokemon had not been introduced yet. |
| Game | Where to Find Piplup |
|---|---|
Pokemon Diamond |
Starter Pokemon from Professor Rowan. |
Pokemon Pearl |
Starter Pokemon from Professor Rowan. |
Pokemon Platinum |
Starter Pokemon from Professor Rowan. |
Pokemon HeartGold |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
Pokemon SoulSilver |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
| Game | Where to Find Piplup |
|---|---|
Pokemon Black |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
Pokemon White |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
Pokemon Black 2 |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
Pokemon White 2 |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
| Game | Where to Find Piplup |
|---|---|
Pokemon X |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
Pokemon Y |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
Pokemon Omega Ruby |
Receive from Professor Birch after completing the Delta Episode, or transfer from another game. |
Pokemon Alpha Sapphire |
Receive from Professor Birch after completing the Delta Episode, or transfer from another game. |
| Game | Where to Find Piplup |
|---|---|
Pokemon Sun |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
Pokemon Moon |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
Pokemon Ultra Sun |
Receive through Island Scan on Poni Wilds on certain days, or transfer from another game. |
Pokemon Ultra Moon |
Receive through Island Scan on Poni Wilds on certain days, or transfer from another game. |
Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu |
Not available in this game. |
Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee |
Not available in this game. |
| Game | Where to Find Piplup |
|---|---|
Pokemon Sword |
Not available in this game. |
Pokemon Shield |
Not available in this game. |
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond |
Starter Pokemon from Professor Rowan. |
Pokemon Shining Pearl |
Starter Pokemon from Professor Rowan. |
Pokemon Legends: Arceus |
Cobalt Coastlands, including Islespy Shore and related space-time distortion or starter-related availability. |
| Game | Where to Find Piplup |
|---|---|
Pokemon Scarlet |
Transfer from Pokemon HOME or obtain through The Indigo Disk starter encounters. |
Pokemon Violet |
Transfer from Pokemon HOME or obtain through The Indigo Disk starter encounters. |
Pokemon Legends Z-A |
Location data not yet available. |
| Game | Where to Find Piplup |
|---|---|
Pokemon Winds and Waves |
Coming soon once official location, encounter or transfer information is confirmed. |
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Here are quick answers to common questions about Piplup. This FAQ is visible on-page content only and does not use FAQ schema markup.
Piplup is a Water-type Pokemon.
Piplup is weak to Electric and Grass-type moves.
Piplup evolves into Prinplup at Level 16, and Prinplup evolves into Empoleon at Level 36.
Piplup’s abilities are Torrent and Defiant.
Piplup’s best moves often include Water Gun, Bubble Beam, Surf, Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, Drill Peck, Aqua Jet and Agility.
Piplup is a useful starter Pokemon for story play and becomes stronger as it evolves into Prinplup and Empoleon.
In Sinnoh games, Piplup can be chosen as a starter Pokemon. In other games, it may require transfer, special encounters or DLC availability.
No, Piplup does not have a Mega Evolution.
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