purrloin #509
Type Matchups
Weak to (2x damage):
Resistant to (½x damage):
Immune to (0x damage):
purrloin
Generation V · #0509 — Devious Pokémon
Purrloin, known in its native Japanese as Choroneko, is a Dark-type Pokémon that was introduced in Generation V and serves as the base form of the devious feline evolution line. As Pokédex entry number 509 in the National Pokédex, Purrloin earned its classification as the "Devious Pokémon" for good reason—its entire existence revolves around deception and mischief. Despite its diminutive stature of just 0.4 meters in height and weighing a mere 10.1 kilograms, this small feline packs considerable cunning and attitude. The species possesses three distinct ability options: Limber, which prevents paralysis; Unburden, which doubles Speed when using or losing a held item; and its hidden ability Prankster, which raises the priority of non-damaging moves by one stage. With a base stat total of 281 and a remarkable capture rate of 255, Purrloin represents an accessible yet charming addition to any trainer's team.
Base Stats
Height
0.4m
Weight
10.1kg
Category
Devious Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
purple
Shape
quadruped
Abilities
Prevents paralysis.
Doubles Speed upon using or losing a held item.
Raises non-damaging moves' priority by one stage.
Purrloin Biology & Physical Characteristics
Purrloin's physical appearance reflects its devious nature through careful biological design. The Pokémon is primarily purple in coloration with cream-colored markings adorning its neck, shoulders, back, and hind paws, creating a striking contrast that enhances its cuteness factor. Its head features tufted fur on both ears and cheeks, while its large green eyes are framed by distinctive long, tapered violet markings that give it an perpetually innocent expression. A small black nose sits prominently on its creamy muzzle, and it bears small oval cream-colored markings above each eye that contribute to its deceptively adorable appearance. Most notably, Purrloin's tail ends in a curved, scythe-like extension that serves as both a distinctive identifier and a potential weapon. Despite being primarily quadrupedal, Purrloin demonstrates remarkable bipedal capability, able to stand and walk on its hind legs with ease, providing flexibility in both hunting and social interactions.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Purrloin Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Purrloin exhibits a perfectly balanced gender distribution, with exactly 50% of wild Purrloin being male and 50% being female, making gender selection during breeding entirely dependent on chance. The species belongs to the Field egg group, a relatively common classification that includes many terrestrial and quadrupedal Pokémon. With a hatch counter of 20 cycles, Purrloin eggs require approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps to hatch, placing them in the moderate range of incubation times. The base friendship value of 70 indicates that Purrloin are naturally somewhat receptive to their trainers, though not exceptionally so compared to explicitly "friendly" species. When breeding, trainers can produce eggs that will hatch into Purrloin regardless of the parent's gender composition, provided one parent is Purrloin or Liepard. The species' medium growth rate means that Purrloin reach level 50 at a relatively standard pace, making them accessible for players of various play styles. Interestingly, Purrloin's base happiness was adjusted downward from 70 to 50 starting in Generation VIII, reflecting a mechanical rebalancing that affects breeding and friendship-based evolution mechanics.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm01
black white
tm01
black 2 white 2
tm01
omega ruby alpha sapphire
tm01
x y
tm02
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm02
sword shield
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
+567 more TMs/HMs
Purrloin Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Purrloin undergoes a straightforward but impactful evolution upon reaching level 20, transforming into Liepard, a more imposing Dark-type Pokémon. This evolution represents a natural maturation of the devious young Pokémon into a more sophisticated and dangerous predator. Upon evolving, Liepard gains significantly improved base stats, with Attack and Special Attack each increasing by 40 points, Defense increasing by 38 points, and Speed increasing by 37 points. The evolution emphasizes Purrloin's transition from a playful trickster to a sleeker, more lethal feline hunter. While Purrloin maintains its primary focus on Speed as its highest base stat at 66, the evolution into Liepard shifts the Pokémon's role from a quick prankster into a genuine physical threat. The move pool expands substantially upon evolution, with Liepard gaining access to more powerful Dark-type moves that capitalize on its improved offensive capabilities, cementing the evolution's purpose as both a mechanical and narrative progression.
Where to Find
unova route 3
unova
+5 more
dreamyard
unova
+7 more
unova route 2
unova
+1 more
unova route 20
unova
+17 more
unova route 19
unova
+9 more
Purrloin Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Purrloin's behavioral patterns exemplify the cunning nature promised by its Dark typing. This mischievous Pokémon steals from people purely for entertainment, deriving genuine amusement from the frustration and confusion of its victims. The species is masterful at employing a deceptive cute facade to lower the guard of unsuspecting targets, waiting for the perfect moment to strike with its sharp claws. Multiple Pokédex entries emphasize this calculated deception: while some note that victims "can't help but forgive them" due to their charm, others reveal the harsh reality that those who fall for the ruse end up with "stinging scratches and stinging pride from its laughter." Interestingly, Purrloin's victims frequently forgive the transgression, highlighting how effectively the Pokémon's adorable appearance serves as camouflage for its criminal tendencies. In the Galar region, Purrloin has developed a fierce rivalry with Nickit, another Dark-type thief Pokémon, suggesting ecological competition among deceptive species.
Pokedex Entries
Generation V
They steal from people for fun, but their victims can’t help but forgive them. Their deceptively cute act is perfect.
Their cute act is a ruse. They trick people and steal their valuables just to see the looks on their faces.
Its cute act is a ruse. When victims let down their guard, they find their items taken. It attacks with sharp claws.
Generation VI
Its cute act is a ruse. When victims let down their guard, they find their items taken. It attacks with sharp claws.
They steal from people for fun, but their victims can’t help but forgive them. Their deceptively cute act is perfect.
Its cute act is a ruse. When victims let down their guard, they find their items taken. It attacks with sharp claws.
They steal from people for fun, but their victims can’t help but forgive them. Their deceptively cute act is perfect.
Generation VIII
It steals things from people just to amuse itself with their frustration. A rivalry exists between this Pokémon and Nickit.
Opponents that get drawn in by its adorable behavior come away with stinging scratches from its claws and stinging pride from its laughter.
Purrloin Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Purrloin is a clever portmanteau combining "purr," the characteristic vocalization of domestic cats, with "purloin," meaning to steal or pilfer. This linguistic construction perfectly encapsulates the Pokémon's dual nature: it presents itself as a cute, innocent feline while engaging in theft and deception. The Japanese name Choroneko similarly derives from "choro" (ちょろ), meaning to cheat or deceive, combined with "neko" (猫), the Japanese word for cat. The design itself draws inspiration from real-world feline behavior, particularly the manipulative tactics employed by domestic cats to obtain food and attention from humans. Visually, Purrloin resembles a small domestic kitten with exaggerated features—the tufted ears, enlarged green eyes, and cream-colored markings all contribute to an appearance designed to trigger human protective instincts. The scythe-like tail extension adds an element of danger that hints at the darker nature beneath the cute exterior, making Purrloin a perfect embodiment of the principle that appearances can be deceptive.
Learnable Moves
Purrloin can learn 74 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aerial ace | flying | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| assist | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| assurance | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| baton pass | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| captivate | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| charm | fairy | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| copycat | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| covet | normal | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| cut | normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| dark pulse | dark | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| dream eater | psychic | Special | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| echoed voice | normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| embargo | dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| encore | normal | Status | — | 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 |
| feint attack | dark | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| foul play | dark | Physical | 95 | 100 | 15 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| fury swipes | normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| grass knot | grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| growl | normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| gunk shot | poison | Physical | 120 | 80 | 5 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hone claws | dark | Status | — | — | 15 |
| hyper voice | normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| iron tail | steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| knock off | dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| lash out | dark | Physical | 75 | 100 | 5 |
| nasty plot | dark | Status | — | — | 20 |
| night slash | dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| pay day | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| payback | dark | Physical | 50 | 100 | 10 |
| play rough | fairy | Physical | 90 | 90 | 10 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psych up | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| pursuit | dark | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| quick attack | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| role play | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| sand attack | ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| scratch | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| screech | normal | Status | — | 85 | 40 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| seed bomb | grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| shadow ball | ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| shadow claw | ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| slash | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snarl | dark | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| snatch | dark | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| spite | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sucker punch | dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 5 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| swift | normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| taunt | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| thunder wave | electric | Status | — | 90 | 20 |
| torment | dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| trick | psychic | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| u turn | bug | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| yawn | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
Purrloin Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive Pokémon battling, Purrloin occupies a niche role primarily in lower-tier formats, where its combination of Speed and utility moves can provide strategic value despite its modest offensive stats. With a base Speed of 66, Purrloin outpaces many Pokémon in its power range and benefits significantly from Unburden, which doubles its Speed upon using or consuming a held item—a mechanic that can catch opponents off-guard. The hidden ability Prankster deserves particular attention, as it allows Purrloin to utilize non-damaging moves with increased priority, enabling it to set up screens, utilize utility moves, or disrupt opposing strategies before taking damage. Purrloin's movepool includes access to Fake Out, a priority move providing disruption; Nasty Plot for Special Attack boosts; Torment to limit opponent options; and Dark-type moves like Night Slash and Parting Shot. However, with Attack and Special Attack both capped at base 50, Purrloin's offensive presence remains limited, making it more valuable as a disruption and utility Pokémon than as a direct attacker. Most competitive players consider Purrloin a stepping stone to the far more viable Liepard, though creative trainers occasionally employ Purrloin in lower-tier competitions or for specific team compositions requiring a speedy disruptor.
Commonly Asked Questions About Purrloin
What type is Purrloin?
Purrloin is a dark type Pokemon.
What does Purrloin evolve into?
Purrloin evolves into liepard.
What are Purrloin's weaknesses?
Purrloin is weak to fighting, bug and fairy type moves.
Where can I find Purrloin?
Purrloin can be found in unova route 3 (unova), dreamyard (unova) and unova route 2 (unova) and 2 other locations.
Purrloin Cultural Impact & Franchise History
While Purrloin has never achieved the mainstream recognition of iconic cat Pokémon like Meowth or Pikachu, it has developed a meaningful presence within the Pokémon community, particularly among players who appreciate cunning and mischievous character designs. The Pokémon's concept of the "cute deceiver" resonates with fans who enjoy ironic characterization, and Purrloin's explicit thievery and amusement-seeking behavior provide a moral complexity absent from many other cute Pokémon. In the Pokémon anime, Purrloin has made notable appearances, establishing itself within the larger narrative universe. The Pokémon's design has inspired fan art and creative interpretations exploring the duality between its innocent appearance and criminal tendencies. Purrloin has also appeared in various Pokémon trading card game releases, where its abilities and moves are translated into collectible mechanics. The species was featured prominently enough in Generation V media to become recognizable to players of that era, and its evolution line remains a quirky but well-regarded addition to the Dark-type category. In broader popular culture, Purrloin represents the darker, more morally ambiguous elements of Pokémon design—a departure from traditionally "good" creature design toward more nuanced characters with flaws and vices.
Where to Find Purrloin in Every Pokémon Game
Purrloin's availability varies considerably across different Pokémon games and regions. In its native generation, Pokémon Black and White, Purrloin is available in the Unova region with Pokédex number 015, and it remains accessible in Black 2 and White 2 as Pokédex number 012. The species appeared in subsequent generations including X and Y, where it was assigned number 042 in the Mountain Kalos regional Pokédex. In Sword and Shield, Purrloin received Pokédex number 044 in the Galar region, and it also appears in the Mega Dimension with number 0053. The species maintains a consistently high capture rate of 255, meaning that trainers with even basic Poké Balls have approximately a 33.3% success rate when catching a Purrloin at full health, making it one of the easiest Pokémon to obtain when encountered. Purrloin's availability in later generation games has been generally consistent, appearing in various wild encounters and occasionally in trainer battles. The species' combination of accessibility and moderate power makes it an attractive option for players seeking an early Dark-type addition to their team. While Purrloin may not appear as frequently as some other generation V staples, its consistent availability across multiple generations and regions ensures that determined trainers can acquire one without excessive difficulty.