sudowoodo
Generation II · #0185 — Imitation Pokémon
Sudowoodo, known as the Imitation Pokémon, is a Rock-type creature introduced in Generation II that exemplifies nature's deceptive strategies through its remarkable camouflage abilities. As National Pokédex entry #185, this peculiar species has captured the imagination of trainers and researchers alike with its unusual behavior of masquerading as a tree despite being composed primarily of rock rather than plant matter. Standing at 1.2 meters tall and weighing 38.0 kilograms, Sudowoodo occupies a fascinating ecological niche as a rock-based Pokémon that relies entirely on visual deception for survival. Its base stat total of 410 reflects a creature specialized for defensive prowess, with notably high Defense (115) and Attack (100) stats that make it surprisingly formidable in battle despite its humble appearance along forest paths.
Base Stats
Height
1.2m
Weight
38.0kg
Category
Imitation Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
brown
Shape
humanoid
Habitat
forest
Abilities
Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
Protects against recoil damage.
Raises Speed one stage upon being hit by a dark, ghost, or bug move.
Sudowoodo Biology & Physical Characteristics
Sudowoodo possesses a distinctly unusual biological composition that contradicts its visual appearance at first glance. Its body exhibits a brown, log-shaped exterior with scattered yellow spots that enhance its tree-like camouflage, while its short, stubby legs and toeless feet provide minimal mobility for traversal. The most distinctive features are its thin forelegs, which end in three prominent green spheres that remain verdant throughout all seasons—this perpetual greenness serves as an unintentional giveaway in winter months when real trees lose their foliage. Despite its plant-like exterior, scientific analysis confirms that Sudowoodo's internal composition is far closer to rock and stone than to any organic plant material, granting it the durability and density characteristic of Rock-type Pokémon. The forked branch protruding from the crown of its head, which is proportionally shorter in females than males, completes the deceptive arboreal facade. This rocky composition grants Sudowoodo exceptional resilience, evidenced by its base Defense stat of 115, making it one of the more physically durable Pokémon of its generation.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Sudowoodo Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Sudowoodo exhibits a perfectly balanced gender distribution with a 50/50 male to female ratio, allowing trainers equal opportunity to breed either gender for competitive or collection purposes. Females can be distinguished from males by their proportionally shorter forked branch atop their heads, a subtle but consistent dimorphism that allows experienced trainers to identify sex at a glance. The species belongs to the Mineral egg group, making it breedable with other Pokémon in that category, which includes various rock and metal-type creatures that share similar geological origins. When bred, Sudowoodo's offspring emerge as Bonsly, the baby form, after approximately 20 egg cycles (equivalent to 4,884–5,140 steps), allowing trainers to hatch young Bonsly with inherited moves and optimized stats through careful breeding strategies. The moderate hatch counter of 20 cycles makes Sudowoodo reasonably accessible for breeding programs without requiring excessive time investment compared to other Pokémon. Base happiness of 70 indicates that Sudowoodo has moderate friendship requirements, making them relatively straightforward to train and bond with compared to more temperamental species. This approachable breeding mechanics have made Sudowoodo a popular choice for players interested in creating optimized breeding lines.
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
blue japan
tm01
red green japan
tm01
sword shield
tm02
crystal
tm02
gold silver
tm02
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
+680 more TMs/HMs
Gender Differences
This Pokémon has visible differences between male and female forms.
Sudowoodo Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Sudowoodo evolves from Bonsly, the diminutive baby Pokémon of the Mineral egg group, under the specific condition that the young Bonsly knows the move Mimic at the moment of leveling up. This unique evolutionary requirement reflects Sudowoodo's core identity as the ultimate imitator, with the Mimic move serving as a thematic prerequisite that emphasizes the species' mimicry-based survival strategy. The evolution represents a maturation from the smaller, more vulnerable Bonsly into a hardened, defensive creature better equipped to survive through deception and physical resilience. Once evolved, Sudowoodo gains substantially increased stats across all categories, particularly in Defense and Attack, transforming from a fragile youngster into a respectable rock-solid combatant. The evolutionary line perfectly encapsulates the concept of mastery through imitation, as young Bonsly must first master the art of copying moves before graduating to the more sophisticated camouflage techniques employed by adult Sudowoodo. This evolution mechanic has made Bonsly one of the more challenging baby Pokémon to properly evolve, requiring trainers to specifically teach the move Mimic before leveling up, creating a meaningful gameplay mechanic that reinforces the species' thematic identity.
Where to Find
johto route 36
johto
+2 more
hoenn battle frontier
hoenn
sinnoh route 214
sinnoh
+3 more
sinnoh route 221
sinnoh
+3 more
lush jungle
alola
+5 more
alola route 1
alola
Sudowoodo Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Sudowoodo exhibits highly specialized behavioral patterns centered entirely around its elaborate tree-mimicking strategy. According to Pokédex entries across multiple generations, this species disguises itself as a tree and strategically positions itself along forest paths and roadways to avoid being attacked by natural predators. Its behavior is so convincing that trainers often encounter them as unexpected obstacles blocking their progression through various routes. However, Sudowoodo's greatest vulnerability lies in its intense hatred of water, causing it to disappear or flee whenever rainfall occurs—a quirk that becomes particularly evident during monsoon seasons. In the games, trainers must use water-based items such as a SquirtBottle or Wailmer Pail to flush Sudowoodo from its hiding places before engaging it in battle. The species demonstrates a marked preference for dry environments and typically remains immobile while mimicking vegetation, making them relatively sedentary creatures despite their deceptive nature. This water aversion suggests an evolutionary adaptation to arid or semi-arid habitats where moisture is scarce.
Pokedex Entries
Although it always pretends to be a tree, its composi tion appears to be closer to a rock than a plant.
It disguises it self as a tree to avoid attack. It hates water, so it will disappear if it starts raining.
If a tree branch shakes when there is no wind, it's a SUDOWOODO, not a tree. It hides from the rain.
SUDOWOODO camouflages itself as a tree to avoid being attacked by enemies. However, because the forelegs remain green throughout the year, the POKéMON is easily identified as a fake during the winter.
It mimics a tree to avoid being attacked by enemies. But since its forelegs remain green throughout the year, it is easily identified as a fake in the winter.
It disguises itself as a tree to avoid attack. It hates water, so it will disappear if it starts raining.
Although it always pretends to be a tree, its composition appears to be closer to a rock than a plant.
Despite appearing to be a tree, its body is closer to rocks and stones. It is very weak to water.
It stands along paths pretending to be a tree. If it starts raining, it seems to disappear.
To avoid being attacked, it does nothing but mimic a tree. It hates water and flees from rain.
Although it always pretends to be a tree, its composition appears more similar to rock than to vegetation.
It disguises itself as a tree to avoid attack. It hates water, so it will disappear if it starts raining.
To avoid being attacked, it does nothing but mimic a tree. It hates water and flees from rain.
To avoid being attacked, it does nothing but mimic a tree. It hates water and flees from rain.
Although it always pretends to be a tree, its composition appears more similar to rock than to vegetation.
It disguises itself as a tree to avoid attack. It hates water, so it will disappear if it starts raining.
Sudowoodo camouflages itself as a tree to avoid being attacked by enemies. However, because its hands remain green throughout the year, the Pokémon is easily identified as a fake during the winter.
To avoid attack, it mimics a tree. It will run off if splashed with water, which it hates.
It’s so popular with the elderly that there’s a magazine devoted to this Pokémon. Fans obsess over the particular length and angle of its arms.
Apparently, the larger the green parts of this Pokémon, the more collectors value it. It’s a particular favorite among elderly people.
The result of its holding the same pose all the time is arms that have become supple yet strong.
If a tree branch shakes when there is no wind, it’s a Sudowoodo, not a tree. It hides from the rain.
It disguises itself as a tree to avoid attack. It hates water, so it will disappear if it starts raining.
Though it pretends to be a tree, it fails to fool even children. To the touch, its body feels more like rock than tree bark. Sudowoodo's extreme aversion to water merits special note.
Sudowoodo Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Sudowoodo derives from Japanese origins, with the original name Usokkie (ウソッキー) combining 'uso' meaning 'lie' with 'ki' meaning 'tree,' perfectly encapsulating the species' nature as a false tree. The English localization cleverly adapted this concept with 'Sudo' referencing the Unix command 'sudo' (superuser do), which relates to imitation and false privileges, combined with 'wood' to create a name that simultaneously evokes both deception and arboreal appearance. The design itself draws inspiration from the concept of a log or wooden stump, complete with branch-like protrusions and a color palette of browns and yellows that would blend seamlessly with autumn foliage. The three green spheres at the ends of its forelegs represent leaves or growth nodes, providing the final touch to its botanical disguise while simultaneously serving as the tell-tale sign of its fraudulent nature during leafless seasons. The yellow spots scattered across its brown body suggest either lichen growth or knots in wood, further enhancing the naturalistic qualities of its deceptive exterior. This thoughtful design philosophy transforms what could have been a simplistic tree impersonator into a creature with genuine visual intrigue and thematic coherence.
Learnable Moves
Sudowoodo can learn 84 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| after you | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| block | normal | Status | — | — | 5 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| brick break | fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| calm mind | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| captivate | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| copycat | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| counter | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| covet | normal | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| curse | ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
| defense curl | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 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 |
| earth power | ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| earthquake | ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| endeavor | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| explosion | normal | Physical | 250 | 100 | 5 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fake tears | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| feint attack | dark | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| fire punch | fire | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| flail | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| fling | dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| focus punch | fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| giga impact | normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| hammer arm | fighting | Physical | 100 | 90 | 10 |
| harden | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| headbutt | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| helping hand | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| ice punch | ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| iron defense | steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| low kick | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| mega kick | normal | Physical | 120 | 75 | 5 |
| mega punch | normal | Physical | 80 | 85 | 20 |
| mimic | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| mud shot | ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| natural gift | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| nature power | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| power gem | rock | Special | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psych up | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| rock blast | rock | Physical | 25 | 90 | 10 |
| rock polish | rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rock slide | rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| rock throw | rock | Physical | 50 | 90 | 15 |
| rock tomb | rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| role play | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| rollout | rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| sand tomb | ground | Physical | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| sandstorm | rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| seismic toss | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| self destruct | normal | Physical | 200 | 100 | 5 |
| slam | normal | Physical | 80 | 75 | 20 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| spikes | ground | Status | — | — | 20 |
| stone edge | rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 |
| 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 |
| tackle | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| taunt | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| thunder punch | electric | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| torment | dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| uproar | normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
Sudowoodo Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive Pokémon battling, Sudowoodo functions as a defensive rock-type wall with surprising offensive capability, leveraging its exceptional 115 Defense and solid 100 Attack stats to fulfill a role as a physical tank. The species' ability selection provides meaningful strategic choices: Sturdy prevents being KO'd from full health, instead leaving the Pokémon with 1 HP when struck by would-be-lethal moves and grants immunity to one-hit KO moves regardless of current health percentage, making it invaluable against opponents relying on moves like Horn Drill or Stone Edge finishers. Rock Head protects against recoil damage from moves like Double-Edge and Head Smash, allowing Sudowoodo to abuse high-power moves without self-inflicted consequences. The hidden ability Rattled offers a more offensive option, raising Speed by one stage when struck by Dark, Ghost, or Bug-type moves, potentially enabling surprise speed-based sweeps against unsuspecting opponents. Sudowoodo's movepool includes valuable options such as Stealth Rock for entry hazard setup, Stone Edge for reliable STAB coverage, Earthquake for comprehensive type coverage, and support moves like Toxic and Light Screen for team utility. However, the species suffers from abysmal Special Attack (30) and Speed (30) stats, rendering it incapable of functioning as a special attacker or outspeed sweeper. Its weakness to common offensive types including Water, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Fighting, combined with limited offensive coverage options, restricts Sudowoodo's viability in higher-tier competitive formats, though it remains serviceable in lower tiers and casual play.
Commonly Asked Questions About Sudowoodo
What type is Sudowoodo?
Sudowoodo is a rock type Pokemon.
What does Sudowoodo evolve from?
Sudowoodo evolved from bonsly.
What are Sudowoodo's weaknesses?
Sudowoodo is weak to fighting, ground, steel, water and grass type moves.
Where can I find Sudowoodo?
Sudowoodo can be found in johto route 36 (johto), hoenn battle frontier (hoenn) and sinnoh route 214 (sinnoh) and 3 other locations.
Sudowoodo Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Sudowoodo has achieved notable recognition within Pokémon media and gaming culture, most prominently through its memorable appearance in the original animated series where Brock obtained a Sudowoodo early in the Johto saga. This particular Sudowoodo became a fan favorite character, demonstrating unexpected emotional depth and personality traits that contrasted sharply with the Pokédex's clinical descriptions. The species became iconic for blocking trainers' progress along Ilex Forest in the Generation II games, becoming something of a landmark moment in the player experience that many fans recall fondly as a unique tutorial moment for learning game mechanics. The concept of a Pokémon that relies entirely on deception rather than physical prowess appealed to audiences seeking more nuanced and creative creature designs beyond simple elemental combinations. Sudowoodo has appeared in various Pokémon media including trading card game releases, merchandise, and supplementary materials, establishing itself as a recognizable secondary-tier character within the franchise. The species' humorous nature—a rock pretending to be a tree—provides inherent comedic value that has resonated across generations of players and animated viewers. Modern appearances in games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus and later titles continue to emphasize Sudowoodo's peculiar biology and deceptive tendencies, keeping the character relevant in contemporary Pokémon discussions.
Where to Find Sudowoodo in Every Pokémon Game
Sudowoodo's availability varies significantly across different Pokémon games and generations, reflecting its role as both a common obstacle and a legitimate catchable species. In Generation II and its remakes (HeartGold/SoulSilver), Sudowoodo appears as a mandatory encounter blocking the path through Ilex Forest, where trainers must use a SquirtBottle to force the creature from its hiding place before engaging it in battle. This species appears prominently in the Johto region games but has been distributed across numerous other regional Pokédexes throughout subsequent generations. In Diamond/Pearl/Platinum, Sudowoodo can be encountered in various mountain and cave areas within the Sinnoh region. The species received significant distribution expansion in later generations, appearing in locations ranging from the Kalos region's mountain routes in X/Y to the Alola region in Sun/Moon as part of the expanded regional Pokédex. Competitive players can obtain Sudowoodo through breeding Bonsly with the Mimic move, making it accessible for team building purposes rather than requiring wild encounters alone. The creature has appeared in various Nintendo Switch titles including Pokémon Sword/Shield and the Scarlet/Violet games, where it appears in specific route locations corresponding to its rock-type affinity. Event distributions have occasionally provided Sudowoodo with optimal movesets or special characteristics, allowing players without access to earlier games to obtain competitive specimens. The consistent re-appearance of Sudowoodo across multiple generation and platform releases confirms its status as a core Pokémon species with broad accessibility rather than a limited regional exclusive.