swinub
Generation II · #0220 — Pig Pokémon
Swinub is a dual-type Ice/Ground Pokémon introduced in Generation II, occupying the National Pokédex slot #220. This small porcine creature stands merely 0.4 meters tall and weighs a modest 6.5 kilograms, making it one of the more diminutive Pokémon in its evolutionary line. Despite its unassuming stature, Swinub possesses remarkable utility both in gameplay and lore, serving as the first stage in a three-stage evolutionary chain that culminates in the powerful Mamoswine. With a base stat total of 250 distributed evenly across its physical attributes—50 HP, 50 Attack, 40 Defense, 30 Special Attack, 30 Special Defense, and 50 Speed—Swinub represents a balanced early-game option for trainers seeking a ground-type companion. The species follows a slow growth rate, requiring considerable dedication to reach its full potential through the level-up evolution to Piloswine at level 33.
Base Stats
Height
0.4m
Weight
6.5kg
Category
Pig Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
brown
Shape
quadruped
Habitat
cave
Abilities
Prevents infatuation and protects against captivate.
Increases evasion to 1.25× during hail. Protects against hail damage.
Halves damage from fire and ice moves.
Swinub Biology & Physical Characteristics
Swinub is characterized by its compact, rotund body covered in dense, shaggy brown hair with darker stripes, providing exceptional insulation against frigid arctic climates. Its most distinctive feature is its prominent pink snout, which serves as an extraordinarily sensitive and durable sensory organ capable of breaking through frozen ground with ease. The Pokédex notes that this nose is so tough it can penetrate even ice-hardened earth, making it perfectly adapted for its primary survival function. Its small, tuft-like legs are typically hidden beneath the voluminous fur covering its body, giving Swinub a legless, lump-like appearance when curled up. Notably, Swinub's eyes appear perpetually closed in most circumstances, with only rare instances in manga adaptations revealing what its open eyes actually resemble. The species possesses a naturally warm body temperature, allowing it to survive in environments that would be lethal to most other Pokémon, and it occasionally discovers geothermal hot springs while foraging, suggesting some interaction with underground heat sources.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Swinub Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Swinub maintains a perfectly balanced gender ratio of 50% male to 50% female, allowing for equally viable breeding outcomes regardless of which sex a trainer possesses. The species belongs to the Field egg group, indicating it is compatible with a wide range of Pokémon breeding partners and enabling diverse genetic combinations for competitive breeding purposes. Swinub exhibits a base friendship value of 70, indicating a moderate predisposition toward bonding with its trainer, though this increased to higher values in earlier generations. The species requires 20 egg cycles to hatch, translating to approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps before a newly laid egg produces a fresh Swinub. With a capture rate of 225 out of 255, Swinub is among the more easily captured Pokémon in the wild, making it accessible to trainers of all skill levels seeking to begin their journey with an Ice/Ground specialist. The relatively generous hatch counter and reasonable egg cycle count make Swinub an efficient choice for players interested in breeding strategies, especially when pursuing the final evolution's power.
Held Items
Sprites
Held Items
aspear-berry
medicine
Held: Consumed when frozen to cure frozen.
Cost: 80
aspear-berry
medicine
Held: Consumed when frozen to cure frozen.
Cost: 80
TMs & HMs
tm01
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm02
crystal
tm02
gold silver
tm03
crystal
tm03
gold silver
tm05
ruby sapphire
tm05
emerald
tm05
gold silver
tm05
crystal
tm05
diamond pearl
tm05
black white
tm05
platinum
tm05
heartgold soulsilver
tm05
firered leafgreen
tm05
black 2 white 2
tm05
omega ruby alpha sapphire
tm05
x y
tm05
xd
tm05
colosseum
tm05
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
+618 more TMs/HMs
swinub's Evolution Chain
Swinub Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Swinub's evolutionary pathway represents one of the most distinctive three-stage lines in Pokémon history, requiring specific conditions that evolved over multiple generations. The first evolution occurs at level 33, transforming Swinub into Piloswine, which retains the Ice/Ground typing while gaining substantially in all statistical categories. The second and final evolution into Mamoswine, however, introduces a unique mechanic: Piloswine must learn the move Ancient Power before leveling up again, at which point it transforms into the final, most powerful form. This innovative evolutionary requirement ties directly to the lore, as Ancient Power represents a connection to primordial forces that unlock Mamoswine's full potential. Throughout all three stages, the evolutionary line maintains its Ice/Ground duality, emphasizing a thematic consistency grounded in cold-weather survival and subterranean excavation abilities. The progression from the small, defenseless Swinub through the moderately sized Piloswine to the imposing Mamoswine represents both a physical and statistical transformation, with base stats climbing from Swinub's 250 total to Piloswine's 330 and finally to Mamoswine's 530.
Where to Find
ice path
johto
+93 more
icefall cave
kanto
+21 more
sinnoh route 217
sinnoh
+4 more
acuity lakefront
sinnoh
tapu village
alola
+1 more
Swinub Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Swinub is primarily driven by its powerful sense of smell, which dominates much of its behavioral patterns and decision-making. According to multiple Pokédex entries, when Swinub detects something enticing, it will dash off headlong without hesitation to find the source of the aroma, demonstrating single-minded determination in pursuit of food sources. The species specializes in rooting through soil and snow with its remarkable snout to uncover its favorite food: mushrooms that grow beneath dead grass. In the Hisui region specifically, ancient peoples relied heavily upon Swinub's exceptional sniffing abilities for locating buried mushrooms, establishing a symbiotic relationship between human and Pokémon that persists in cultural memory. Swinub inhabits exclusively cold regions, including icy caves, mountainous territories, and frozen tundra landscapes where temperature extremes would eliminate competing species. Beyond mushrooms, Swinub demonstrates an omnivorous diet that includes various Berries, allowing it flexibility in food acquisition across different seasons and environments.
Pokedex Entries
It rubs its snout on the ground to find and dig up food. It sometimes discovers hot springs.
If it smells some thing enticing, it dashes headlong off to find the source of the aroma.
It uses the tip of its nose to dig for food. Its nose is so tough that even frozen ground poses no problem.
SWINUB roots for food by rubbing its snout against the ground. Its favorite food is a mushroom that grows under the cover of dead grass. This POKéMON occasionally roots out hot springs.
It roots for food by rubbing its snout against the ground. Its favorite food is a mushroom that grows under dried grass. It occasionally roots out hot springs.
If it smells something enticing, it dashes off headlong to find the source of the aroma.
It rubs its snout on the ground to find and dig up food. It sometimes discovers hot springs.
It loves eating mushrooms that grow under dead grass. It also finds hot springs while foraging.
It has a very sensitive nose. It can locate mushrooms, berries, and even hot springs buried under ice.
It rubs its snout on the ground to find and dig up food. It sometimes discovers hot springs.
If it smells something enticing, it dashes off headlong to find the source of the aroma.
It has a very sensitive nose. It can locate mushrooms, berries, and even hot springs buried under ice.
Rooting the tip of its snout into the ground, it searches for food. Sometimes it even digs up a hot spring.
It rubs its snout on the ground to find and dig up food. It sometimes discovers hot springs.
If it smells something enticing, it dashes off headlong to find the source of the aroma.
Swinub roots for food by rubbing its snout against the ground. Its favorite food is a mushroom that grows under the cover of dead grass. This Pokémon occasionally roots out hot springs.
It rubs its snout on the ground to find and dig up food. It sometimes discovers hot springs.
If it smells something enticing, it dashes off headlong to find the source of the aroma.
Swinub excels at sniffing out mushrooms buried beneath grass or snow. Since ancient times, the people of Hisui have often relied upon this skill.
Swinub Name Origin & Design Inspiration
Swinub's design draws inspiration from multiple Arctic fauna, most prominently the domestic pig and the musk ox, combining their distinctive features into a cohesive whole. The Japanese name 'Urimoo' reflects this dual inspiration, potentially deriving from 'ushi' (cow) and 'umma' (woolly), emphasizing the thick-haired, sturdy appearance. The English name 'Swinub' is a direct portmanteau of 'swine' and 'nub,' with the latter referring to both the diminutive stature and the prominent, nub-like snout that dominates Swinub's facial features. The thick, striped brown fur evokes the appearance of a woolly mammoth or musk ox, creatures that survived prehistoric ice ages, establishing a paleontological connection that becomes fully realized in Mamoswine's final form. The snout design specifically recalls both the sensitive trunks of some mammals and the rooting behavior of domestic pigs, bridging the gap between Swinub's modern porcine appearance and its evolutionary connection to extinct megafauna. Artistically, Swinub's closed eyes and seemingly perpetually content expression give it an endearing, non-threatening appearance that contrasts amusingly with its formidable hidden potential.
Learnable Moves
Swinub can learn 78 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| amnesia | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| ancient power | rock | Special | 60 | 100 | 5 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| avalanche | ice | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| bite | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| blizzard | ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| bulldoze | ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| captivate | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| charm | fairy | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| curse | ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
| 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 |
| earth power | ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| earthquake | ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| endeavor | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fissure | ground | Physical | — | 30 | 5 |
| flail | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| freeze dry | ice | Special | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| hail | ice | Status | — | — | 10 |
| haze | ice | Status | — | — | 30 |
| headbutt | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| high horsepower | ground | Physical | 95 | 95 | 10 |
| ice beam | ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| ice fang | ice | Physical | 65 | 95 | 15 |
| ice shard | ice | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| icicle crash | ice | Physical | 85 | 90 | 10 |
| icicle spear | ice | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 |
| icy wind | ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| light screen | psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| mimic | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| mist | ice | Status | — | — | 30 |
| mud bomb | ground | Special | 65 | 85 | 10 |
| mud shot | ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| mud sport | ground | Status | — | — | 15 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| natural gift | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| odor sleuth | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| powder snow | ice | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| reflect | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 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 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| sand tomb | ground | Physical | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| sandstorm | rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| scary face | normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| smack down | rock | Physical | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| snowscape | ice | Status | 0 | — | 10 |
| stealth rock | rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| stomping tantrum | ground | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| stone edge | rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 |
| strength | normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| superpower | fighting | Physical | 120 | 100 | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| tackle | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| tera blast | normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| trailblaze | grass | Physical | 50 | 100 | 20 |
Swinub Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive Pokémon battles, Swinub serves primarily as an early-game utility Pokémon rather than an endgame threat, though its hidden ability Thick Fat provides unexpected defensive utility. The hidden ability Thick Fat halves damage from both Fire and Ice moves, a particularly valuable trait given Swinub's Ice typing and the common prevalence of Fire-type attacks in the metagame. Its standard abilities, Oblivious and Snow Cloak, offer different strategic approaches—Oblivious prevents infatuation and protects against the Captivate move, while Snow Cloak increases evasion to 1.25 times during hail weather, encouraging weather-based team compositions. Swinub's base stats limit its effectiveness in higher competitive tiers, with an Attack stat of 50 and Special Attack of 30 restricting its offensive capability significantly. However, its low Speed stat of 50 is offset somewhat by its bulk in HP at 50 and Defense at 40, though these values remain modest compared to contemporary competitors. Trainers seeking to utilize Swinub competitively typically evolve it immediately to Piloswine at level 33, and subsequently to Mamoswine through the Ancient Power mechanic, as these evolved forms possess substantially superior statistics and move pools that enable genuine competitive viability in structured battle formats.
Commonly Asked Questions About Swinub
What type is Swinub?
Swinub is a ice and ground type Pokemon.
What does Swinub evolve into?
Swinub evolves into piloswine, then into mamoswine.
What are Swinub's weaknesses?
Swinub is weak to fighting, steel, fire, water and grass type moves.
Where can I find Swinub?
Swinub can be found in ice path (johto), icefall cave (kanto) and sinnoh route 217 (sinnoh) and 2 other locations.
Swinub Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Swinub has achieved notable representation in the Pokémon anime franchise, most prominently through Dawn's Swinub, which became one of the character's signature Pokémon during the Diamond and Pearl series. This particular Swinub was initially wild and rather timid, but through Dawn's patient training and care, it evolved into a formidable team member, demonstrating the bond-building themes central to the Pokémon narrative. The species has appeared in multiple manga adaptations, including Pokémon Adventures, where Pryce's Swinub participated in significant battles showcasing its combat capabilities. Beyond the primary media, Swinub appears in various spin-off games and has been featured in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, where its illustrations frequently emphasize its adorable nature and Arctic habitat. The species has resonated with players particularly because of its journey from a small, seemingly helpless creature to the mammoth-like powerhouse Mamoswine, making it a metaphorical representation of growth and potential realization. In fan communities, Swinub maintains a dedicated following, with players regularly sharing stories of their first encounters with the species and celebrating its place in their team rosters.
Where to Find Swinub in Every Pokémon Game
Swinub's availability has varied significantly across different Pokémon games, reflecting its status as a Generation II introduction with region-specific distribution patterns. In the original Gold, Silver, and Crystal versions, Swinub was available early in the Johto region, making it accessible to players seeking a ground-type companion during their initial playthrough. Subsequent remakes like HeartGold and SoulSilver maintained this early availability, ensuring the species remained findable for players of those generations. In more recent entries such as Sword and Shield, Swinub appears in the base game with a National Pokédex number of 75 in the regional listing, and it was further included in the Crown Tundra DLC alongside other Ice-type specialists. Pokémon Legends: Arceus features Swinub prominently, reflecting its historical importance to the ancient Hisui civilization and providing enhanced lore regarding its mushroom-finding abilities. The species can be hatched from eggs in most games where breeding is available, providing an alternative acquisition method for players who prefer this more interactive approach. Trade-based availability through Pokémon Home and other online services has made Swinub accessible across multiple platforms, ensuring modern trainers can obtain this species regardless of their specific game version, maintaining its status as one of the more democratically available Pokémon in the franchise.