cottonee
Generation V · #0546 — Cotton Puff Pokémon
Cottonee, known as the Cotton Puff Pokémon, is a Grass/Fairy-type that debuted in Generation V and represents one of the most delightfully whimsical designs in the Pokédex. With a National Pokédex number of #546, Cottonee occupies a unique ecological niche as a tiny, lightweight creature that exists almost as a living embodiment of botanical cotton. Despite its diminutive stature—standing merely 0.3 meters tall and weighing just 0.6 kilograms—Cottonee possesses surprising defensive capabilities and a charming personality that has endeared it to trainers worldwide. Its dual typing was formally established in Generation VI, though it was originally classified as pure Grass-type when first introduced, making it an interesting case of type revision within Pokémon history. The species boasts a respectable base stat total of 280, with particular emphasis on speed and defense, making it an intriguing choice for trainers who value agility and tactical positioning over raw power.
Base Stats
Height
0.3m
Weight
0.6kg
Category
Cotton Puff Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
green
Shape
ball
Abilities
Raises non-damaging moves' priority by one stage.
Bypasses light screen, reflect, and safeguard.
Doubles Speed during strong sunlight.
Cottonee Biology & Physical Characteristics
Cottonee presents a striking visual design as a predominantly white, circular Pokémon with distinctive puffy cotton formations adorning its head and underside. The creature's body is composed largely of the same lightweight cotton material that humans harvest to create luxury bedding, giving it a cloud-like appearance that becomes even more pronounced when multiple Cottonee congregate together. Behind its main body sits a star-shaped green section that resembles a calyx or stem connection point, providing botanical grounding to its otherwise ethereal form. Its most recognizable features include two large, orange, oval-shaped eyes that convey an innocent expression, coupled with small furled and notched leaves protruding from its sides that function as appendages. The composition of Cottonee's body makes it extraordinarily susceptible to wind currents, allowing it to drift effortlessly through the air in favorable conditions. However, when exposed to rain, the cotton absorbs moisture and becomes significantly heavier and waterlogged, forcing Cottonee to seek shelter beneath large trees until it dries sufficiently to catch the wind again. This biological vulnerability to precipitation adds an interesting environmental dimension to the species' ecology and explains certain behavioral patterns documented in various Pokédex entries.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Cottonee Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Cottonee exhibits a perfectly balanced gender ratio with exactly fifty percent of wild specimens and bred offspring appearing as male and fifty percent as female, offering no breeding advantages or disadvantages based on gender selection. The species belongs to both the Fairy and Grass egg groups, providing substantial breeding flexibility for trainers seeking to pass down specific moveset combinations or create hybrids with compatible Pokémon from these groups. Eggs produced by Cottonee hatch over the course of twenty egg cycles, equivalent to approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps of in-game travel, placing it in the slower hatching category compared to some species but faster than notably bulky Pokémon. Cottonee possesses a base friendship value of 70, indicating moderate starting affection toward trainers—notably different from the base friendship of 50 seen in more recent generations, suggesting that earlier trainers found the species relatively approachable. For breeding purposes, trainers may combine Cottonee with any compatible Pokémon from the Fairy or Grass groups to potentially obtain offspring with enhanced individual values or movesets not naturally available to wild Cottonee. The species' presence in both egg groups makes it particularly valuable for breeding projects aimed at creating diverse team compositions, as it serves as an effective bridge between two distinct Pokémon lineages.
Held Items
Sprites
Held Items
absorb-bulb
held-items
Held: Raises the holder’s Special Attack by one stage when it takes Water-type damage.
Cost: 4000
absorb-bulb
held-items
Held: Raises the holder’s Special Attack by one stage when it takes Water-type damage.
Cost: 4000
absorb-bulb
held-items
Held: Raises the holder’s Special Attack by one stage when it takes Water-type damage.
Cost: 4000
absorb-bulb
held-items
Held: Raises the holder’s Special Attack by one stage when it takes Water-type damage.
Cost: 4000
TMs & HMs
tm02
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm03
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm05
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm06
yellow
tm06
gold silver
tm06
red blue
tm06
crystal
tm06
emerald
tm06
firered leafgreen
tm06
diamond pearl
tm06
platinum
tm06
ruby sapphire
tm06
colosseum
tm06
black 2 white 2
tm06
xd
tm06
black white
tm06
heartgold soulsilver
tm06
omega ruby alpha sapphire
tm06
ultra sun ultra moon
tm06
sun moon
+430 more TMs/HMs
cottonee's Evolution Chain
Cottonee Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Cottonee undergoes a straightforward single-stage evolution into Whimsicott upon exposure to a Sun Stone, reflecting the species' affinity with sunlight and warm weather conditions. This evolution represents a maturation and consolidation of Cottonee's characteristics rather than a dramatic transformation. Whimsicott retains the Grass/Fairy typing established in Generation VI while gaining increased bulk, enhanced offensive capabilities, and improved special attack power. The evolution mechanics align thematically with Cottonee's dependence on weather—specifically how sunlight would naturally cause cotton to dry more rapidly and prepare for wind dispersal. Trainers seeking to evolve their Cottonee should note that the required Sun Stone is a relatively common item found in various locations throughout the games, with specific availability varying by generation and game version. The evolutionary pairing between Cottonee and Whimsicott represents one of Generation V's more charming ecological progressions, with both forms occupying complementary roles within team compositions. The timing of evolution is flexible for trainers who wish to continue leveling their Cottonee at its base form, as there are no significant moveset advantages to evolving prematurely.
Where to Find
abundant shrine
unova
+7 more
pinwheel forest
unova
+15 more
lostlorn forest
unova
+11 more
unova victory road 2
unova
+11 more
castelia city
unova
+5 more
malie garden
alola
poni plains
alola
+7 more
melemele meadow
alola
poni meadow
alola
ulaula meadow
alola
Cottonee Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Cottonee exhibits decidedly social tendencies, particularly during the breeding season when large groups gather and drift together on wind currents, creating cloud-like formations visible from considerable distances. According to Pokédex entries from Black 2 and White 2, these gatherings occur because the species feels more at ease in groups, naturally clustering together until the assembled mass resembles an actual cumulonimbus cloud. This collective behavior likely serves protective and reproductive functions within their population dynamics. When threatened or attacked, Cottonee employs a clever defensive strategy by rapidly expelling cotton from its body to create a visual distraction, allowing the individual to escape while the attacker becomes confused by the cotton cloud. Notably, the lost cotton regenerates quickly, making this a sustainable defense mechanism that doesn't permanently compromise the individual's well-being. The species inhabits areas where wind patterns are favorable for dispersal, though they must remain vigilant during rainy periods when their natural method of locomotion becomes impossible. Their preference for drifting on the wind means Cottonee thrives in open, windswept regions rather than dense forests, though they maintain close associations with large trees that serve as shelter during inclement weather.
Pokedex Entries
When attacked, it escapes by shooting cotton from its body. The cotton serves as a decoy to distract the attacker.
Perhaps because they feel more at ease in a group, they stick to others they find. They end up looking like a cloud.
They go wherever the wind takes them. On rainy days, their bodies are heavier, so they take shelter beneath big trees.
When attacked, it escapes by shooting cotton from its body. The cotton serves as a decoy to distract the attacker.
Perhaps because they feel more at ease in a group, they stick to others they find. They end up looking like a cloud.
When attacked, it escapes by shooting cotton from its body. The cotton serves as a decoy to distract the attacker.
Perhaps because they feel more at ease in a group, they stick to others they find. They end up looking like a cloud.
When it finds others of its kind, they all stick together. When enough of them have collected, the mass resembles a cumulonimbus cloud.
To protect itself, it shoots cotton from its body. When it gets wet in the rain, its cotton grows moist and heavy, and it can’t move as well.
Pillows and beds stuffed with cotton exhaled by Cottonee are soft and puffy, light and airy— altogether top quality.
When attacked, it expels cotton from its body to create a diversion. The cotton it loses grows back in quickly.
It shoots cotton from its body to protect itself. If it gets caught up in hurricane-strength winds, it can get sent to the other side of the Earth.
Weaving together the cotton of both Cottonee and Eldegoss produces exquisite cloth that’s highly prized by many luxury brands.
Cottonee Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Cottonee derives from the combination of 'cotton'—referencing the botanical fiber that comprises much of the species' physical form—and 'ee,' a diminutive suffix commonly used in Pokémon nomenclature to denote youth, cuteness, or smaller size. In Japanese, the species is known as Monmen, a name that blends 'mon' (cotton/fluff) with 'men' (face), creating a designation that emphasizes the species' distinctive cottony facial appearance. The design concept appears heavily inspired by cotton plants themselves, particularly the fluffy seed pods that disperse on the wind, though the addition of Fairy-typing suggests designers also drew inspiration from sprites, dandelion seeds, and various mythological beings associated with the air and natural magic. The star-shaped green element on Cottonee's back references actual botanical structures—specifically the calyx of flowering plants—grounding this otherwise fantastical creature in authentic natural history. The color palette of white and green perfectly captures the aesthetic of mature cotton ready for harvest, while the large, innocent eyes anthropomorphize the design sufficiently to create emotional appeal. The overall silhouette evokes both softness and vulnerability, traits that manifest mechanically through Cottonee's reliance on wind patterns and weakness to rain, creating exceptional cohesion between visual design and practical mechanics.
Learnable Moves
Cottonee can learn 61 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| absorb | grass | Special | 20 | 100 | 25 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| beat up | dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| captivate | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| charm | fairy | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| cotton guard | grass | Status | — | — | 10 |
| cotton spore | grass | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| covet | normal | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| dazzling gleam | fairy | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| defog | flying | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| dream eater | psychic | Special | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| encore | normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 |
| endeavor | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| energy ball | grass | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fairy wind | fairy | Special | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| fake tears | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| flash | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| giga drain | grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| grass knot | grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| grass whistle | grass | Status | — | 55 | 15 |
| grassy glide | grass | Physical | 55 | 100 | 20 |
| grassy terrain | grass | Status | — | — | 10 |
| growth | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| helping hand | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| knock off | dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| leech seed | grass | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| mega drain | grass | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| memento | dark | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| misty terrain | fairy | Status | — | — | 10 |
| natural gift | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| nature power | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| poison powder | poison | Status | — | 75 | 35 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| razor leaf | grass | Physical | 55 | 95 | 25 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| safeguard | normal | Status | — | — | 25 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| seed bomb | grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| solar beam | grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| stun spore | grass | Status | — | 75 | 30 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| swift | normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| switcheroo | dark | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| tailwind | flying | Status | — | — | 15 |
| taunt | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| tera blast | normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| tickle | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| worry seed | grass | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
Cottonee Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive environments, Cottonee functions primarily as a lead Pokémon or support unit rather than a sweeper or wall, capitalizing on its signature Prankster ability to gain priority on non-damaging moves. The Prankster ability elevates the priority of status moves such as Leech Seed, Stun Spore, and Encore, allowing Cottonee to control the pace of battles despite its modest speed stat of 66. Its defensive stat of 60 and special defense of 50 provide adequate bulk for early-game disruption, though they render Cottonee vulnerable to direct damage, necessitating careful play and strategic withdrawal. The hidden ability Chlorophyll, while intriguing, sees less competitive use due to the relative rarity of sun-based teams and Cottonee's limited damage output under such conditions. Attack and special attack stats of 27 and 37 respectively confirm Cottonee's unsuitability for offensive roles, though moves like Power Whip and Energy Ball provide respectable coverage options when Cottonee does engage offensively. Competitive trainers typically employ Cottonee as a turn-one setup Pokémon, using priority access to Leech Seed or Stun Spore to establish board control before switching to more defensively capable teammates. The infiltrator ability offers a niche alternative in specific metagames where light screen and reflect spam presents a threat, allowing Cottonee to bypass these protective barriers and establish advantageous conditions for teammates.
Commonly Asked Questions About Cottonee
What type is Cottonee?
Cottonee is a grass and fairy type Pokemon.
What does Cottonee evolve into?
Cottonee evolves into whimsicott.
What are Cottonee's weaknesses?
Cottonee is weak to flying, poison, steel, fire and ice type moves.
Where can I find Cottonee?
Cottonee can be found in abundant shrine (unova), pinwheel forest (unova) and lostlorn forest (unova) and 7 other locations.
Cottonee Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Cottonee has become an emblematic representation of gentle, non-violent gameplay within the Pokémon franchise, embodying the series' emphasis on coexistence and symbiotic relationships with creatures. Its iconic cotton design has inspired merchandise spanning plushies, decorative items, and apparel that capitalize on the character's inherent softness and approachability. The species demonstrates particular popularity in communities focused on Pokémon breeding and trading, where its dual egg group classification and gender balance make it a practical component of competitive team construction. Within the animated series and various media, Cottonee has appeared sufficiently to establish itself as a recognizable Pokémon that transcends regional familiarity, appearing in multiple seasons and international markets. The character's reliance on weather and wind mechanics introduced interesting gameplay dimensions that influenced subsequent Pokémon generation designs, particularly regarding weather-dependent abilities and environmental interaction mechanics. Gaming communities frequently cite Cottonee as an example of exceptional design economy—achieving visual charm and functional gameplay with a minimal stat budget. The species has also become culturally significant within textile and fashion communities as a symbol of natural, sustainable materials, with various trainers and content creators exploring thematic teams built around Cottonee and other plant-based Pokémon.
Where to Find Cottonee in Every Pokémon Game
Cottonee's availability varies considerably across Pokémon generations and game versions, with the species receiving expanded distribution across subsequent releases following its Generation V debut. In Black and White, Cottonee maintains a local Pokédex number of #0052 with appearance rates varying by route and season, though it becomes genuinely obtainable through normal gameplay progression. Black 2 and White 2 renumber Cottonee to #0082 in their localized Pokédex, indicating expanded presence within the regional ecosystem. The species maintains respectable availability in more recent generations, appearing in the Alola Pokédex numbering scheme for Sun and Moon games, though its specific location varies based on the title and version. Sword and Shield assign Cottonee the local number #0262, with presence confirmed in both base game and DLC content including the Crown Tundra expansion. The Wild Area News distribution mechanic in Sword and Shield occasionally features Cottonee with enhanced availability or hidden abilities, providing trainers with targeted opportunities to obtain superior individual specimens. A base capture rate of 190 confirms that Cottonee presents no significant difficulty in being caught once encountered, with standard Poké Balls and basic capturing techniques proving entirely adequate. Its relatively high capture rate combined with consistent availability across generations makes Cottonee accessible to trainers of all experience levels, contributing to its status as a beloved fixture within the broader Pokémon ecosystem and ensuring its prominence in both casual and competitive communities.