meowth
Generation I · #0052 — Scratch Cat Pokémon
Meowth, known as the Scratch Cat Pokémon, is a Normal-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I and serves as National Pokédex entry #052. With a base stat total of 290, Meowth represents one of the earliest and most iconic cat-inspired Pokémon in the franchise, characterized by its distinctive forehead coin and sharp retractable claws. Standing at just 0.4 meters tall and weighing 4.2 kilograms, this diminutive feline possesses surprising personality and has achieved remarkable cultural prominence through its role in the anime series. Meowth's most notable characteristic is its exceptional Speed stat of 90, which allows it to outpace many opponents despite its modest Attack power of 45 and Defense of 35. The species exhibits perfect gender distribution with equal numbers of male and female specimens, and demonstrates high catchability with a rate of 255, making it accessible to trainers in its native Kanto region and beyond.
Base Stats
Height
0.4m
Weight
4.2kg
Category
Scratch Cat Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
yellow
Shape
quadruped
Habitat
urban
Abilities
Picks up other Pokémon's used and Flung held items. May also pick up an item after battle.
Strengthens moves of 60 base power or less to 1.5× their power.
Prevents opposing Pokémon from eating held Berries.
Meowth Biology & Physical Characteristics
Meowth's biological structure reflects its feline nature, featuring a compact quadrupedal frame with a distinctive cream-colored body marked by darker stripes along its back and tail. The most striking feature is the coin-shaped protrusion on its forehead, which gleams with a golden lustre and appears to be an integral part of its skeletal structure rather than a mere adornment. According to Pokédex entries from the Shield version, Meowth maintains rigorous hygiene practices, regularly washing its face to keep this coin spotless and pristine. The species possesses sharp claws that can be retracted into its paws, a biological adaptation that allows it to move silently and without leaving incriminating footprints—a trait that has fascinated researchers studying its predatory behavior. Meowth's body temperature and metabolism appear optimized for nocturnal activity, explaining its heightened alertness and agility during nighttime hours. The creature's sensory organs, particularly its whiskers and large, luminous eyes, have evolved to detect subtle movements and light reflections, particularly those of shiny objects that captivate its attention.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Meowth Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Meowth exhibits a perfectly balanced gender ratio of 50% male and 50% female, reflecting typical reproductive dynamics in the Pokémon franchise and allowing for straightforward breeding mechanics. The species belongs to the Field egg group, which encompasses numerous terrestrial and semi-aquatic creatures that share compatible reproductive genetics, enabling Meowth to produce viable offspring when bred with other Field group members. The breeding process takes 20 egg cycles to complete, equivalent to approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps of travel before the egg hatches into a new Meowth. The base happiness of 70 represents a moderately positive starting point for newly-hatched specimens, though this value varies slightly depending on the specific game generation and mechanics. Interestingly, the original Kantonian Meowth maintains a base happiness of 70, while certain regional variants and adaptations may display different friendship metrics, reflecting the differing circumstances and treatment these creatures receive in their respective regions. Trainers interested in breeding Meowth should be aware that while the species itself cannot learn particularly powerful moves through breeding, offspring benefit from the comprehensive movepool available through level-up and technical machine instruction, making bred Meowth viable combat partners despite their base stat limitations.
Held Items
Sprites
Held Items
nugget
loot
Sell for 5000 Pokédollars, or to Ore Collector for 10000 Pokédollars.
Cost: 10000
nugget
loot
Sell for 5000 Pokédollars, or to Ore Collector for 10000 Pokédollars.
Cost: 10000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
nugget
loot
Sell for 5000 Pokédollars, or to Ore Collector for 10000 Pokédollars.
Cost: 10000
nugget
loot
Sell for 5000 Pokédollars, or to Ore Collector for 10000 Pokédollars.
Cost: 10000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
quick-claw
held-items
Held: Holder has a 3/16 (18.75%) chance to move first.
Cost: 4000
TMs & HMs
tm01
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm02
crystal
tm02
gold silver
tm02
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm02
sword shield
tm03
crystal
tm03
gold silver
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
+626 more TMs/HMs
meowth's Evolution Chain
Meowth Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Meowth represents the first stage of a three-part evolutionary line that culminates in powerful predatory forms. The species evolves into Persian at level 28, transforming from a small, coin-obsessed kitten into a sleek, sophisticated feline predator with significantly enhanced stats, particularly in Attack and Speed. In the Alola region, Meowth underwent regional adaptation, becoming a Dark-type Pokémon that evolves into Alolan Persian through leveling up with high friendship rather than through level progression alone, reflecting the unique evolutionary pressures and cultural significance of the Alolan archipelago. In the Galar region, Meowth exists as a Steel-type variant that evolves into Perrserker at level 28, a form that reflects the industrial and metallurgical heritage of the Galar region. Additionally, Kantonian Meowth possesses the remarkable ability to Gigantamax into Gigantamax Meowth if it carries the Gigantamax Factor, a transformation that dramatically increases its size to over 33 meters in length and grants access to the exclusive G-Max move, G-Max Gold Rush, which reflects the species' deep-rooted association with wealth and precious objects. However, Meowth with the Gigantamax Factor cannot undergo standard evolution, creating an interesting strategic choice for trainers deciding between traditional power progression and Gigantamax capabilities.
Where to Find
kanto route 5
kanto
+23 more
kanto route 7
kanto
+23 more
kanto route 6
kanto
+23 more
kanto route 8
kanto
+11 more
johto route 39
johto
+11 more
johto route 38
johto
+11 more
johto route 35
johto
kanto route 11
kanto
kindle road
kanto
treasure beach
kanto
cape brink
kanto
bond bridge
kanto
five isle meadow
kanto
water path
kanto
ruin valley
kanto
canyon entrance
kanto
sevault canyon
kanto
kanto route 24
kanto
kanto route 25
kanto
Meowth Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Meowth exhibits nocturnal behavior patterns, becoming most active during nighttime hours when it prowls urban and suburban environments in search of its most prized possessions: shiny coins and circular objects. The species demonstrates an almost obsessive fascination with round, glittering items, unable to resist picking them up and secreting them away in hidden hoards—a behavior documented across multiple Pokédex entries from Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, and Silver versions. This compulsive collecting tendency often leads Meowth to wander city streets and residential areas, searching for dropped loose change and other reflective treasures that trigger its instinctive attraction to anything that sparkles. In terms of habitat preference, Meowth thrives in urban and semi-urban environments where human settlements provide abundant opportunities for finding coins and discarded shiny objects. The species is highly territorial and agile, using its exceptional Speed to escape potential threats and to outmaneuver rivals in competitive encounters. Notably, Meowth displays complex social behaviors, though the original Kantonian form doesn't get along well with its regional variant, Galarian Meowth, suggesting distinct behavioral divergences between populations separated by geographical distance and environmental pressures.
Pokedex Entries
Adores circular objects. Wanders the streets on a nightly basis to look for dropped loose change.
Appears to be more active at night. It loves round and shiny things. It can't stop from picking them up.
It is fascinated by round objects. It can't stop playing with them until it tires and falls asleep.
It loves anything that shines. It especially adores coins that it picks up and se cretly hoards.
It loves things that sparkle. When it sees a shiny object, the gold coin on its head shines too.
MEOWTH withdraws its sharp claws into its paws to slinkily sneak about without making any incriminating footsteps. For some reason, this POKéMON loves shiny coins that glitter with light.
MEOWTH withdraw their sharp claws into their paws to silently sneak about. For some reason, this POKéMON loves shiny coins that glitter with light.
All it does is sleep during the daytime. At night, it patrols its territory with its eyes aglow.
Adores round objects. It wanders the streets on a nightly basis to look for dropped loose change.
It is nocturnal in nature. If it spots something shiny, its eyes glitter brightly.
It is fascinated by round objects. It can’t stop playing with them until it tires and falls asleep.
It loves anything that shines. It especially adores coins that it picks up and secretly hoards.
It is nocturnal in nature. If it spots something shiny, its eyes glitter brightly.
It is nocturnal in nature. If it spots something shiny, its eyes glitter brightly.
It is nocturnal in nature. If it spots something shiny, its eyes glitter brightly.
Adores round objects. It wanders the streets on a nightly basis to look for dropped loose change.
Meowth withdraws its sharp claws into its paws to slinkily sneak about without making any incriminating footsteps. For some reason, this Pokémon loves shiny coins that glitter with light.
Meowth withdraws its sharp claws into its paws to slinkily sneak about without making any incriminating footsteps. For some reason, this Pokémon loves shiny coins that glitter with light.
It lies around all day, becoming active near dusk. At night, it wanders the city in search of loose change.
When visiting a junkyard, you may catch sight of it having an intense fight with Murkrow over shiny objects.
It loves shiny things. It often fights with Murkrow over prey they’re both trying to catch.
It loves coins, so if you give it one, you can make friends with Meowth easily. But it’s fickle, so you can’t count on that friendship lasting.
Appears to be more active at night. It loves round and shiny things. It can’t stop itself from picking them up.
It loves to collect shiny things. If it’s in a good mood, it might even let its Trainer have a look at its hoard of treasures.
It washes its face regularly to keep the coin on its forehead spotless. It doesn’t get along with Galarian Meowth.
Meowth Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Meowth derives from a creative fusion of the onomatopoeia 'meow,' the characteristic vocalization of domestic cats, and the noun 'mouth,' referencing both its vocal nature and distinctive facial features. In Japanese, the name Nyarth combines 'nya,' the Japanese phonetic representation of a cat's cry, with an undefined suffix, creating a name that perfectly captures the essence of a chattering, vocal feline creature. The design philosophy emphasizes the contrast between Meowth's cute, diminutive appearance and its predatory nature, creating a Pokémon that appears both endearing and slightly menacing. The prominent golden coin on its forehead serves as the character's most iconic design element, immediately distinguishing Meowth from other cat-type Pokémon and providing visual reinforcement of its obsession with shiny, valuable objects. The color palette of cream and darker brown stripes reflects traditional tabby cat patterns, grounding the design in recognizable feline aesthetics while maintaining the fantastical elements expected of Pokémon. The retractable claws, while not always visible in artwork, add functional realism to the design and inform the Scratch Cat species classification, establishing Meowth as a creature whose primary offensive tool is its natural weaponry rather than magical or elemental abilities.
Learnable Moves
Meowth can learn 79 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aerial ace | flying | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| agility | psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| amnesia | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| assist | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| bide | normal | Physical | — | — | 10 |
| bite | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| bubble beam | water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| charm | fairy | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| covet | normal | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| curse | ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
| cut | normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| defense curl | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| detect | fighting | Status | — | — | 5 |
| dig | ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| dream eater | psychic | Special | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| endeavor | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fake out | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| fake tears | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| false swipe | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 |
| feint attack | dark | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| flail | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| flash | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| fury swipes | normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| growl | normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| headbutt | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| helping hand | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hyper voice | normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| hypnosis | psychic | Status | — | 60 | 20 |
| icy wind | ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| iron tail | steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| knock off | dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| metal claw | steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 |
| mimic | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| nightmare | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| odor sleuth | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| pain split | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| pay day | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psych up | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| rage | normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| scratch | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| screech | normal | Status | — | 85 | 40 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| shadow ball | ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| shock wave | electric | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| skull bash | normal | Physical | 130 | 100 | 10 |
| slash | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snatch | dark | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| spite | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| swift | normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| tail whip | normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| taunt | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| thunder | electric | Special | 110 | 70 | 10 |
| thunder wave | electric | Status | — | 90 | 20 |
| thunderbolt | electric | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| torment | dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| uproar | normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| water gun | water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| zap cannon | electric | Special | 120 | 50 | 5 |
Meowth Competitive Battle Guide
Despite its modest base stat total of 290, Meowth possesses distinct competitive niches primarily enabled by its exceptional Speed stat of 90 and access to its hidden ability Unnerve, which prevents opposing Pokémon from consuming held Berries. The standard ability Pickup offers utility in extended battles, allowing Meowth to scavenge items used or flung by opponent Pokémon, though this provides limited practical value in competitive formats where item management is standardized. Technician, available as a normal ability, significantly amplifies Meowth's competitiveness by increasing the power of moves with base power 60 or less to 1.5 times their original damage, effectively transforming weaker attacks into meaningful threats. Moves such as Fake Out, Quick Attack, and Bite all qualify for Technician's boost, enabling Meowth to function as a moderately threatening special case in competitive play, particularly in formats that restrict higher-tier Pokémon. However, the species' fragile defenses with only 35 base Defense and 40 base Special Defense severely limit its longevity in direct confrontations against established threats. Meowth primarily finds success in competitive environments through speed-based strategies, priority move coverage, and specialized teams built around its unique ability combinations, though it remains outclassed by its evolutionary form Persian in nearly all practical applications, making it a choice primarily for players seeking novelty or specific niche strategies.
Commonly Asked Questions About Meowth
What type is Meowth?
Meowth is a normal type Pokemon.
What does Meowth evolve into?
Meowth evolves into persian, then into perrserker.
What are Meowth's weaknesses?
Meowth is weak to fighting type moves.
Where can I find Meowth?
Meowth can be found in kanto route 5 (kanto), kanto route 7 (kanto) and kanto route 6 (kanto) and 16 other locations.
Meowth Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Meowth has achieved exceptional cultural prominence far beyond typical Pokémon popularity, primarily through its iconic portrayal in the long-running anime series where a single Meowth learns to walk upright on its hind legs, speak human language, and articulate complex emotions and motivations. This character, Team Rocket's Meowth, became one of the most beloved and recognizable Pokémon characters in global popular culture, transcending the franchise to become a character familiar to audiences who had never engaged with the games or trading cards. The species' design influenced countless cat-type characters across media franchises, establishing a template for how fantastical felines could combine cute aesthetics with predatory characteristics and wealth-focused motivations. Meowth's obsession with coins and shiny objects has become deeply embedded in popular understanding of the species, informing merchandise design, card illustrations, and community discussions about Pokémon character archetypes. The introduction of regional variants—Alolan Meowth and especially Galarian Meowth—demonstrated the franchise's commitment to reimagining even iconic Generation I Pokémon for contemporary audiences and new regional settings. Additionally, Meowth's accessibility as a catchable Pokémon in nearly every game generation, combined with its reasonable experience requirements and strategic viability as a starter or early-game team member, has cemented its position as an entry point for new trainers exploring the Pokémon world.
Where to Find Meowth in Every Pokémon Game
Meowth enjoys widespread availability across the Pokémon franchise, appearing in nearly every core series game since Generation I where it was originally introduced in the Kanto region. In the original Red, Blue, and Yellow versions, Meowth could be caught in urban areas and route locations, establishing it as a common encounter for players progressing through Kanto. Subsequent generations have maintained Meowth's availability, though specific encounter rates and locations vary considerably; the species appears in local Pokédex entries numbered #052 in most Kanto-based games, #136 in Gold and Silver versions representing the Johto regional catalog, and #0045 in the Alola Pokédex within Sun and Moon. In Sword and Shield, Meowth received a regional entry number of #182, reflecting the restructured Pokédex of the Galar region. The species has been featured in multiple special events and distribution campaigns, including appearance in Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee, where it maintains its original Generation I form and mechanics. The introduction of regional variants ensures that players can encounter Alolan Meowth (Dark-type) in the Alola region and Galarian Meowth (Steel-type) in the Galar region, each with distinct availability windows and encounter methods appropriate to their respective games. Additionally, Meowth continues to appear in spin-off games, competitive events, and Pokémon GO, where its high catch rate and moderate combat capabilities make it perpetually accessible to trainers of all experience levels seeking to capture this iconic Scratch Cat Pokémon.