watchog
Generation V · #0505 — Lookout Pokémon
Watchog, known as the Lookout Pokémon, is a Normal-type Pokémon introduced in Generation V that serves as the evolved form of Patrat. With a National Pokédex number of 505, Watchog stands at 1.1 meters tall and weighs 27.0 kilograms, making it a moderately-sized rodent Pokémon. This vigilant creature is characterized by its alert nature and distinctive physical features, including its large, seed-storing cheeks and luminescent body markings that glow with an eerie light. Watchog's base stat total of 420 is distributed to emphasize its offensive and speed capabilities, with an Attack stat of 85 and Speed stat of 77, allowing it to strike quickly and effectively in battle. The species possesses three distinct abilities—Illuminate, Keen Eye, and the hidden ability Analytic—each providing unique advantages in different battle scenarios and ecological roles.
Base Stats
Height
1.1m
Weight
27.0kg
Category
Lookout Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
brown
Shape
upright
Abilities
Doubles the wild encounter rate.
Prevents accuracy from being lowered.
Strengthens moves to 1.3× their power when moving last.
Watchog Biology & Physical Characteristics
Watchog is an upright, meerkat-like Pokémon with a distinctly mammalian appearance that reflects its role as a vigilant sentry in the Unova region. Its body is primarily reddish-brown in coloration with distinctive beige-colored cheeks and neck, complemented by striking yellow striping along its chest and tail. The Pokémon possesses small red eyes with black pupils and a singular pointed incisor protruding from its mouth, giving it an alert and somewhat comical expression. Most notably, Watchog's tail is almost always depicted standing rigidly upright, a characteristic posture that signals vigilance and heightened awareness. The species contains luminescent compounds throughout its body that allow its distinctive yellow stripes and eyes to emit a glowing light, serving as both a defense mechanism and a means of communication. These bioluminescent properties enable Watchog to stun attacking opponents through the disorienting flash of light, a defense strategy complemented by its excellent night vision that allows it to navigate darkness with ease. Additionally, Watchog's large cheeks function as sophisticated food storage compartments, capable of holding significant quantities of berry seeds that the Pokémon can fire as projectiles during combat.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Watchog Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Watchog exhibits a perfectly balanced gender ratio of 50% male and 50% female, indicating no reproductive disadvantages for either sex and suggesting that both males and females equally contribute to population maintenance in wild populations. The species breeds within the Field egg group, a classification shared with numerous terrestrial and rodent-type Pokémon, allowing Watchog to interbreed with compatible Pokémon to produce diverse offspring. With a base friendship value of 70 (adjusted to 50 in certain game iterations), Watchog demonstrates moderate sociability toward trainers, suggesting that bonds of trust are readily established with proper care and attention. The species has a hatching counter of 20 cycles, translating to approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps required for eggs to hatch into Patrat, the pre-evolved form. This moderate incubation period reflects the practical breeding timeline for rodent-class Pokémon, neither particularly quick nor exceptionally lengthy. The capture rate of 255 indicates that Watchog is extraordinarily easy to capture in the wild, representing minimal struggle and requiring minimal Poké Ball efficiency—a characteristic that facilitates population studies and trainer acquisition in regions where the species naturally occurs. Trainers interested in breeding Watchog should focus on compatible Field egg group partners to generate desired offspring traits.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm01
platinum
tm01
emerald
tm01
diamond pearl
tm01
firered leafgreen
tm01
ruby sapphire
tm01
xd
tm01
colosseum
tm01
heartgold soulsilver
tm01
ultra sun ultra moon
tm01
sun moon
tm03
yellow
tm03
red blue
tm03
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm03
sword shield
tm03
blue japan
tm03
red green japan
tm04
sword shield
tm05
sword shield
tm05
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm06
yellow
+677 more TMs/HMs
Watchog Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Watchog evolves from Patrat upon reaching level 20, a straightforward progression that transforms the timid smaller rodent into a more formidable and confident defender. During this evolution, Watchog gains a significant increase in physical presence and combat capability, with Attack increasing from Patrat's 55 to 85, and Speed rising from 42 to 77—transformations that fundamentally reshape the Pokémon's role in battle. The evolution also grants Watchog access to improved move pools and the potential development of its distinctive luminescent abilities, which are far less pronounced in its pre-evolved form. Notably, Watchog does not evolve further, remaining its final form throughout all subsequent games and generations. The evolutionary jump represents a clear transition from a reconnaissance Pokémon to a more aggressive, forward-fighting defender capable of sustained combat pressure. This single-stage evolution is mirrored in Watchog's Pokédex entries, which emphasize the dramatic behavioral shift from Patrat's cautious nature to Watchog's confident, threatening displays of power through light manipulation and aggressive seed-spitting attacks.
Where to Find
p2 laboratory
unova
+7 more
unova route 7
unova
+41 more
unova route 15
unova
+1 more
unova route 18
unova
+9 more
unova route 1
unova
+25 more
dreamyard
unova
+13 more
unova route 2
unova
+5 more
unova route 3
unova
+1 more
kalos route 15
kalos
+5 more
Watchog Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Watchog demonstrates exceptional vigilance and defensive behaviors consistent with its role as a lookout species, frequently assuming upright postures to survey its surroundings for potential threats. When encountering an enemy, Watchog immediately raises its tail to full height and simultaneously spits seeds from its capacious cheek pouches as both a warning and an offensive attack. The species employs its luminescent body patterns strategically, making them shine brightly to intimidate and threaten would-be predators—a visual display particularly effective in nocturnal environments where their glowing features become even more conspicuous. Watchog's keen eyesight enables it to perceive its environment with remarkable clarity even in complete darkness, allowing it to remain vigilant during nighttime hours when many predators are most active. This Pokémon appears to favor relatively open terrain where it can maintain clear sightlines in all directions, making it well-suited to grassland and field environments. In the Unova region, Watchog occupies an ecological niche as a territorial rodent that combines defensive vigilance with opportunistic seed collection, storing food reserves to sustain itself through periods of scarcity.
Pokedex Entries
When they see an enemy, their tails stand high, and they spit the seeds of berries stored in their cheek pouches.
Using luminescent matter, it makes its eyes and body glow and stuns attacking opponents.
They make the patterns on their bodies shine in order to threaten predators. Keen eyesight lets them see in the dark.
Using luminescent matter, it makes its eyes and body glow and stuns attacking opponents.
When they see an enemy, their tails stand high, and they spit the seeds of berries stored in their cheek pouches.
Using luminescent matter, it makes its eyes and body glow and stuns attacking opponents.
When they see an enemy, their tails stand high, and they spit the seeds of berries stored in their cheek pouches.
Watchog Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Watchog is a direct combination of 'watch' and 'hog,' reflecting the Pokémon's dual nature as both a vigilant sentry and a member of the rodent family. The Japanese name, Miruhog (ミルホッグ), similarly derives from 'miru' (見る, to see/watch) and 'hog,' emphasizing its observational role. The design draws obvious inspiration from meerkats, which are renowned for their upright posture and coordinated group vigilance against predators, though Watchog incorporates distinctly rodent-like features such as prominent incisors and cheek pouches reminiscent of hamsters and squirrels. The species' luminescent properties and striped appearance may also reference the eye-spots and warning coloration found in various real-world animals, particularly nocturnal species that use bioluminescence for defense or communication. The Pokémon's designation as the 'Lookout Pokémon' underscores its archetypal role as a sentinel creature, while its seed-spitting behavior connects it to herbivorous rodents that naturally interact with plant matter and seeds. The overall aesthetic successfully balances cuteness with a slightly unsettling quality, particularly when the creature's glowing eyes and patterns activate—a design choice that reinforces its function as both a vigilant protector and a potentially intimidating opponent.
Learnable Moves
Watchog can learn 77 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| after you | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| aqua tail | water | Physical | 90 | 90 | 10 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| baton pass | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| bide | normal | Physical | — | — | 10 |
| bite | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| confuse ray | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| covet | normal | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| crunch | dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| cut | normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| detect | fighting | Status | — | — | 5 |
| dig | ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| dream eater | psychic | Special | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| endeavor | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fire punch | fire | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| flamethrower | fire | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| flash | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| 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 |
| giga impact | normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| grass knot | grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| gunk shot | poison | Physical | 120 | 80 | 5 |
| helping hand | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| hyper fang | normal | Physical | 80 | 90 | 15 |
| hypnosis | psychic | Status | — | 60 | 20 |
| ice punch | ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| iron tail | steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| knock off | dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| laser focus | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| last resort | normal | Physical | 140 | 100 | 5 |
| leer | normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| light screen | psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| low kick | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| mean look | normal | Status | — | — | 5 |
| nasty plot | dark | Status | — | — | 20 |
| power up punch | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psych up | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| retaliate | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| rototiller | ground | Status | — | — | 10 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| sand attack | ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| seed bomb | grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| shadow ball | ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| shock wave | electric | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| signal beam | bug | Special | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| slam | normal | Physical | 80 | 75 | 20 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| stomping tantrum | ground | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| strength | normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| super fang | normal | Physical | — | 90 | 10 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| swords dance | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| tackle | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 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 |
| work up | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| zen headbutt | psychic | Physical | 80 | 90 | 15 |
Watchog Competitive Battle Guide
Watchog occupies a modest position in competitive Pokémon battling, leveraging its 85 Attack and 77 Speed statistics to function as a moderately fast physical attacker with reasonable offensive output. The species benefits significantly from its hidden ability, Analytic, which boosts move power to 1.3 times their normal strength when Watchog moves after its opponent—a mechanic that rewards careful team composition and lead selection in competitive formats. With a two Attack EV yield upon defeat, Watchog provides practical benefits to training regimens focused on attack-based team members. The move pool available to Watchog includes useful coverage options such as Crunch, Super Fang, Iron Tail, and Nasty Plot, though its special attack stat of 60 limits the utility of special-based moves despite Nasty Plot's presence. Keen Eye, Watchog's standard ability, prevents accuracy reductions, a utility function more situationally valuable than Analytic in modern competitive environments where accuracy disruption remains relatively uncommon compared to earlier generations. The Illuminate ability, while thematically appropriate, provides minimal competitive utility by merely doubling wild encounter rates. Watchog's moderate defensive stats of 69 in both Defense and Special Defense render it vulnerable to priority moves and strong special attackers, necessitating careful positioning and prediction. In competitive play, Watchog represents a functional but not exceptional choice, suitable for casual and lower-tier competitions but generally outclassed by more specialized Normal-types in higher-level competitive formats.
Commonly Asked Questions About Watchog
What type is Watchog?
Watchog is a normal type Pokemon.
What does Watchog evolve from?
Watchog evolved from patrat.
What are Watchog's weaknesses?
Watchog is weak to fighting type moves.
Where can I find Watchog?
Watchog can be found in p2 laboratory (unova), unova route 7 (unova) and unova route 15 (unova) and 6 other locations.
Watchog Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Watchog has achieved notable recognition within Pokémon media and fan communities, particularly through its prominent appearances in the animated series and trading card game. The species received significant character development through its role as the vice-principal of Serene Village's school in Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, where it demonstrates concern for institutional reputation and displays considerable authority despite its modest stature. This characterization provided Watchog with unexpected depth, positioning it as an authority figure rather than merely a common rodent Pokémon, thereby elevating its cultural prominence within the broader narrative. The Pokémon's distinctive luminescent features and alert posture have made it visually memorable to fans, inspiring fan artwork, merchandise designs, and community discussions about rodent-type Pokémon design philosophy. The species embodies the Generation V design philosophy of creating regionally-specific early-game rodent encounters with personality and thematic coherence to their respective regions' cultural contexts. Watchog's prevalence in Unova region gameplay experiences has established it as a nostalgic touchstone for players who experienced Generation V games, contributing to its sustained presence in community discourse despite its competitive limitations. The Pokémon continues to appear in modern games and media, maintaining relevance through consistent inclusion in various Pokédex entries and game appearances.
Where to Find Watchog in Every Pokémon Game
Watchog's primary availability stems from its appearance as an evolved form of Patrat, which is encountered early in Pokémon Black and White games where it serves as a common Normal-type representation in the Unova region. Within these games, Watchog occupies Unova Pokédex number 011, making it a readily accessible capture for trainers progressing through the narrative. In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Watchog maintains similar regional availability with Unova Pokédex number 011, preserving its status as a common regional species. Pokémon X and Y included Watchog within the Mountain Kalos region (Pokédex number 047), allowing continued access for trainers in that generation. The species appears in Pokémon Legends: Z-A with Pokédex number 028, indicating its integration into that game's regional Pokédex and continued availability to contemporary players. Beyond Generation V and its direct sequels, Watchog's appearance in subsequent games has been more limited, reflecting the series' tendency to rotate regional representations as new generations introduce alternative rodent-type species. Players seeking Watchog in modern contexts should focus on Generation V remakes or original releases, as its availability in later generations remains variable and often restricted to post-game content or specific regional areas. The species remains easily obtainable for collectors through Pokémon HOME transfer mechanics and trading communities, though wild encounters are most readily available in its native Unova region during standard gameplay progression.