slaking #289
Type Matchups
Weak to (2x damage):
Immune to (0x damage):
slaking
Generation III · #0289 — Lazy Pokémon
Slaking is a Normal-type Pokémon introduced in Generation III, representing the final evolutionary stage of the Slakoth line. With a National Pokédex number of #289, Slaking stands as one of the most peculiar yet powerful Pokémon ever discovered. Towering at 2.0 meters (6'7") and weighing a hefty 130.5 kilograms (287.7 pounds), this creature embodies a paradox: it possesses an impressive base stat total of 670, making it one of the heaviest hitters in terms of raw capability, yet its signature Ability, Truant, prevents it from acting every other turn. This defining characteristic has made Slaking a controversial yet fascinating choice in competitive play since its debut, forcing trainers to carefully consider whether its devastating Attack stat of 160 is worth the restriction of only being able to move on alternating turns.
Base Stats
Height
2.0m
Weight
130.5kg
Category
Lazy Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
brown
Shape
humanoid
Habitat
forest
Abilities
Skips every second turn.
Slaking Biology & Physical Characteristics
Slaking is a large, bulky, ape-like bipedal Pokémon with distinctive brown shaggy fur covering most of its body, complemented by lighter coloration on its face, chest, hands, and feet. Its most recognizable features include thick, jutting eyebrows and a large, pink pig-like snout that gives it a somewhat ungainly appearance. A distinctive white collar of fur encircles its neck, extending upward over the top of its head before terminating in a small tuft, adding to its peculiar aesthetic. The creature's frame supports large, five-fingered hands and two-toed feet, proportioned to support its impressive bulk and potential for explosive physical power. Beneath its lazy exterior lies a physiology perfectly adapted for storing and releasing tremendous energy—what appears to be simple laziness is, in reality, a methodical process of energy conservation that enables it to exert what Pokédex entries describe as "horrifying power" when it finally decides to act.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Slaking Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Slaking exhibits a perfectly balanced gender ratio of 50% male and 50% female, allowing trainers equal opportunity to breed either gender in their teams. The species belongs to the Field Egg Group, classifying it alongside various four-legged creatures and mammalian Pokémon that share terrestrial habitats and breeding compatibility. When breeding Slaking, trainers can expect eggs to hatch after 15 cycles, translating to approximately 3,599–3,855 steps of travel—a moderate incubation period reflecting the species' overall development timeline. The base friendship value of 70 indicates that Slaking, despite its lazy demeanor, maintains a reasonable level of companionship with its trainer, suggesting that beneath all that laziness exists an affectionate bond. Slaking can produce offspring compatible with numerous other Field-group Pokémon, enabling creative breeding strategies to pass down egg moves and beneficial traits. Interestingly, the contrast between Slaking's indolent nature and its role as a breeding partner highlights the species' complexity: while it refuses to move during much of its day, it demonstrates commitment to reproduction and genetic continuation, suggesting layers of motivation beyond pure physical exertion.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm00
sword shield
tm01
yellow
tm01
gold silver
tm01
crystal
tm01
red blue
tm01
platinum
tm01
emerald
tm01
diamond pearl
tm01
firered leafgreen
tm01
ruby sapphire
tm01
xd
tm01
colosseum
tm01
heartgold soulsilver
tm01
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm01
ultra sun ultra moon
tm01
sun moon
tm01
blue japan
tm01
red green japan
tm01
sword shield
tm02
crystal
+980 more TMs/HMs
slaking's Evolution Chain
Slaking Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Slaking represents the final evolutionary stage of the Slakoth evolutionary line, which begins with the timid Slakoth at its base form. When Slakoth reaches level 18, it evolves into Vigoroth, a notable transformation that grants it significant stat improvements and increased activity despite its unusual name. The evolution from Vigoroth to Slaking occurs at level 36, bringing a dramatic restructuring of stats: while Speed remains constant at 100 and Defense at 100, Slaking receives substantial boosts to its HP (reaching 150), Attack (jumping to 160), Special Attack (increasing to 95), and a decrease in Special Defense (dropping to 65). This final evolution introduces the Truant Ability as standard, fundamentally altering how the Pokémon functions in battle. The evolution reflects a thematic progression from the active but weak Slakoth, through the energetic but still limited Vigoroth, to the immensely powerful yet severely restricted Slaking—embodying the notion that true power requires sacrifice. Slaking has no Mega Evolution form, remaining in its standard evolution as the ultimate expression of the Slakoth line.
Where to Find
pinwheel forest
unova
+1 more
Slaking Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Slaking is famously recognized as the world's laziest Pokémon, spending virtually all of its day lying down and lolling about in a state of apparent indolence. However, this behavior masks a sophisticated survival strategy: while lounging, Slaking is constantly storing energy, and what trainers witness as lethargy is actually intense preparation for sudden, devastating counterattacks. The species inhabits tropical forests throughout various regions, where it maintains a lifestyle centered around minimal movement and maximum caloric intake. It feeds on grass growing within arm's reach while lying prone on the ground, and when fruits ripen seasonally, hordes of Slaking gather beneath fruit-bearing trees, patiently waiting for ripened fruits to fall directly into their vicinity. The Pokédex notes that wherever these creatures settle, distinctive rings over a yard in diameter appear in grassy fields—the direct result of Slaking consuming all vegetation it can reach without moving. Only when all available food within its immediate proximity has been consumed does Slaking reluctantly move to another location, making it perhaps the most sedentary Pokémon in existence.
Pokedex Entries
Generation III
SLAKING spends all day lying down and lolling about. It eats grass growing within its reach. If it eats all the grass it can reach, this POKéMON reluctantly moves to another spot.
Wherever SLAKING live, rings of over a yard in diameter appear in grassy fields. They are made by the POKéMON as it eats all the grass within reach while lying prone on the ground.
Hordes of SLAKING gather around trees when fruits come into season. They wait around patiently for ripened fruits to fall out of the trees.
It is the world’s most slothful POKéMON. However, it can exert horrifying power by releasing pent-up energy all at once.
Generation IV
The world’s laziest Pokémon. When it is lounging, it is actually saving energy for striking back.
The world’s laziest Pokémon. It moves to another spot when there’s no food left within its reach.
Generation V
The world’s laziest Pokémon. When it is lounging, it is actually saving energy for striking back.
This Pokémon lives lying on its side. It only rolls over and moves when there is no more grass to eat.
Generation VI
The world’s laziest Pokémon. It moves to another spot when there’s no food left within its reach.
It is the world’s most slothful Pokémon. However, it can exert horrifying power by releasing pent-up energy all at once.
Slaking spends all day lying down and lolling about. It eats grass growing within its reach. If it eats all the grass it can reach, this Pokémon reluctantly moves to another spot.
Wherever Slaking live, rings of over a yard in diameter appear in grassy fields. They are made by the Pokémon as it eats all the grass within reach while lying prone on the ground.
Slaking Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name "Slaking" derives directly from the word "slack," referring to laziness, idleness, and a lack of tension or tautness—perfectly encapsulating the Pokémon's defining characteristic of minimal activity. The Japanese name "Kekking" (ケッキング) carries similar phonetic implications of lethargy in Japanese linguistic patterns. Visually, Slaking's design draws clear inspiration from sloths, primates famous for their extraordinarily slow movements and sedentary lifestyle, combined with elements of other apes to create a more imposing, powerful silhouette. The pig-like snout and overall bulky frame suggest influence from various large mammals, creating a unique hybrid appearance that bridges cute vulnerability with intimidating strength. The white collar marking resembles mane-like fur found on certain primate species, while the semi-circular patterns under its eyes add character and expressiveness to its otherwise lazy demeanor. The design philosophy behind Slaking deliberately plays with contrast: everything about its appearance suggests slowness, sluggishness, and disinterest, yet its actual combat capabilities—particularly its exceptional Attack stat—hint at devastating potential lurking beneath the surface of apparent apathy.
Learnable Moves
Slaking can learn 117 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aerial ace | flying | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| amnesia | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| blizzard | ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| block | normal | Status | — | — | 5 |
| body press | fighting | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| brick break | fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| bulk up | fighting | Status | — | — | 20 |
| bulldoze | ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| chilling water | water | Special | 50 | 100 | 20 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| counter | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| covet | normal | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| curse | ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
| cut | normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| dig | ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| drain punch | fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| dynamic punch | fighting | Physical | 100 | 50 | 5 |
| earthquake | ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| encore | normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 |
| endeavor | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| false swipe | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 |
| feint attack | dark | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| fire blast | fire | Special | 110 | 85 | 5 |
| fire punch | fire | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| flail | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| flamethrower | fire | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| fling | dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| focus blast | fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| focus energy | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| focus punch | fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| fury cutter | bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 |
| fury swipes | normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| giga impact | normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| hammer arm | fighting | Physical | 100 | 90 | 10 |
| hard press | steel | Physical | 0 | 100 | 10 |
| headbutt | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| helping hand | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| high horsepower | ground | Physical | 95 | 95 | 10 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| hyper voice | normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| ice beam | ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| ice punch | ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| icy wind | ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| incinerate | fire | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| knock off | dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| lash out | dark | Physical | 75 | 100 | 5 |
| low kick | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| mega kick | normal | Physical | 120 | 75 | 5 |
| mega punch | normal | Physical | 80 | 85 | 20 |
| metal claw | steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 |
| metronome | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| mimic | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| mud shot | ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| natural gift | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| outrage | dragon | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| play rough | fairy | Physical | 90 | 90 | 10 |
| poison jab | poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| pounce | bug | Physical | 50 | 100 | 20 |
| power up punch | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| punishment | dark | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| quash | dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| retaliate | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| reversal | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| roar | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rock slide | rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| rock tomb | rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| scary face | normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| scratch | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| seed bomb | grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| seismic toss | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| shadow ball | ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| shadow claw | ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| shock wave | electric | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| slack off | normal | Status | — | — | 5 |
| slash | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| solar beam | grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| stomping tantrum | ground | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| strength | normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sucker punch | dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 5 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| taunt | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| tera blast | normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| throat chop | dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| thunder | electric | Special | 110 | 70 | 10 |
| thunder punch | electric | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| thunder wave | electric | Status | — | 90 | 20 |
| thunderbolt | electric | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| trailblaze | grass | Physical | 50 | 100 | 20 |
| uproar | normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| water pulse | water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| wild charge | electric | Physical | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| work up | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| x scissor | bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| yawn | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| zen headbutt | psychic | Physical | 80 | 90 | 15 |
Slaking Competitive Battle Guide
Slaking occupies one of the most controversial niches in competitive Pokémon play, its viability perpetually debated due to the fundamental tension between its exceptional Attack stat of 160 and its crippling Truant Ability. In competitive formats, this Ability forces Slaking to alternate between turns of action and turns of inactivity, meaning that while it can dish out extraordinary damage with moves like Earthquake, Close Combat, and its signature move Slack Off (which both damages and heals simultaneously in Generation III), opponents gain free turns to damage, set up, or escape. However, this drawback has not rendered Slaking entirely obsolete; strategic trainers have discovered that Slaking functions best in double battles where teammates can cover its inactive turns, or in specific metagames where its raw power output justifies the trade-off. The Pokemon's decent bulk—with 150 HP and 100 Defense—allows it to survive certain hits, though its mediocre Special Defense of 65 creates vulnerability to special attacks. Its base Speed of 100, while respectable, lacks the raw velocity needed to outspeed threats that would capitalize on its off-turns. Competitive success with Slaking requires careful team building, strategic move selection, and psychological play to force opponents into disadvantageous positions during the turns when Slaking stands idle.
Commonly Asked Questions About Slaking
What type is Slaking?
Slaking is a normal type Pokemon.
What does Slaking evolve from?
Slaking evolved from vigoroth that evolved from slakoth.
What are Slaking's weaknesses?
Slaking is weak to fighting type moves.
Where can I find Slaking?
Slaking can be found in pinwheel forest (unova).
Slaking Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Slaking has achieved significant cultural prominence since its introduction in Generation III, becoming emblematic of the paradox between power and restriction that appeals to competitive players and casual trainers alike. The Pokémon featured prominently in the Ruby and Sapphire games as the ace Pokémon of Gym Leader Norman, cementing its status as a recognizable and respected creature within Pokémon canon. Its portrayal as the "world's laziest Pokémon" has resonated with audiences, spawning countless memes and cultural references celebrating its unapologetic approach to indolence—making Slaking an unlikely mascot for procrastination and minimal-effort maximum-impact philosophy. The species has appeared in various Pokémon animated series episodes and Pokémon Masters content, further elevating its visibility within the franchise's multimedia presence. Its unique mechanics have inspired discussion and debate within competitive communities for over two decades, with players continually experimenting with strategies to overcome the Truant limitation. Slaking's design and gameplay mechanics have influenced subsequent Pokémon generations' approach to balancing power with drawbacks, becoming a reference point for discussing ability restrictions and strategic limitations in game design.
Where to Find Slaking in Every Pokémon Game
Slaking's availability varies significantly across different Pokémon games and regions, reflecting the species' Generation III origins. In the original Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald versions, Slaking appeared in various encounters and was notably featured as Gym Leader Norman's primary team member in Petalburg City. The species has maintained presence in subsequent generations, appearing in Black 2 and White 2, as well as Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. More recent releases including Scarlet and Violet have included Slaking in their Pokédex, with specific locations varying by version. For trainers seeking Slaking, the most direct path involves capturing or evolving Vigoroth, which itself evolves from the relatively common Slakoth found in early-game areas of most games featuring the Hoenn region. The species has a capture rate of 45, making it moderately challenging to catch in the wild, though trainers with proper preparation can successfully obtain one. Slaking's EV yield of 3 HP makes it a useful encounter for specific EV training purposes. Availability through breeding is also viable for trainers who already possess one Slaking or a compatible Field-group Pokémon, allowing relatively easy access to multiple specimens for team building purposes.