Volbeat is a firefly-based bug-type Pokemon introduced during the “resetting” of the Pokemon series in Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. While it has no evolutions, Volbeat has a special connection with the similarly designed Pokemon, Illumise, since Volbeat is an exclusively male Pokemon, while Illumise is an exclusively female Pokemon with Volbeat being attracted to the sweet aroma Illumise gives off. For this reason, Volbeat and Illumise are considered counterparts and starting in Pokemon Black and White, Volbeat can produce Eggs that contain either Illumise or Volbeat when bred with a Ditto.
About Volbeat
| First appearance in anime | Pikachu Short in the Original Pokemon Series |
| First appearance in game | Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald |
| Region | Hoenn |
| Evolution | N/A |
| 1st Evo level | N/A |
| 2nd Evo level | N/A |
| Pokedex Entry | Volbeat's tail glows like a lightbulb. With other Volbeat, it uses its tail to draw geometric shapes in the night sky. This Pokemon loves the sweet aroma given off by Illumise. |
Volbeat Base stats (before and after Generation VII)
| HP | 65 → 65 |
| ATTACK | 73 → 73 |
| DEFENCE | 55 → 75 |
| SP. ATTACK | 47 → 47 |
| SP. DEFENCE | 75 → 85 |
| SPEED | 85 → 85 |
| TOTAL | 400 → 430 |
Appearance of Volbeat
Volbeat is designed to resemble a firefly, with a silhouette matching Illumise. Volbeat has a mostly red and dark color scheme compared to the lighter blue color scheme of Illumise. Volbeat has a dull blue face and a dull blue abdomen with two yellow stripes running horizontally across its abdomen. Volbeat has red bands separating its rounded limbs from its ovular, mainly black body. Volbeat’s simple transparent wings extend from these bands, specifically the bands connecting its shoulders. Volbeat has yellow eyes and another thicker red band which is wrapped around the upper part of its head. Volbeat has yellow and black striped antennae which curl and twist. Finally, Volbeat has spherical yellowtail that can glow in a way resembling fireflies.
Behavior of Volbeat
Volbeat is an exclusively male Pokemon, with Illumise being its female counterpart. After Pokemon Black and White, Volbeat can produce Eggs that contain either Illumise or Volbeat when bred with a Ditto, further leading to the connection between Volbeat and Illumise. Volbeat is attracted to the sweet smell that Illumise gives off, and tends to use this smell in order to find mates. Volbeat specifically lives within forests and clean ponds, though it will move away from any pond which becomes dirty. Volbeat uses its glowing tail to create geometric patterns within a swarm during the night, as well as also using this tail for its two signature moves Tail Glow and Signal Beam.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Volbeat is often overlooked in terms of its battle capabilities since it does not have a wide variety of attack-specific moves and it has a relatively low attack. Volbeat overall has higher stats after Pokemon Sun and Moon, with its defense and special defense both being raised after the transition into Generation VII. Overall, Volbeat’s highest stats after the change are its speed and special defense, with its HP and special attack both remaining relatively low throughout the stat changes. As a bug-type Pokemon, Volbeat is weak to rock, fire, and flying-type Pokemon and is resistant to ground, grass, and fighting-type Pokemon.
Shiny Volbeat
Shiny Volbeat is a version of Volbeat with a color scheme more closely resembling Illumise. Other than aesthetically, Shiny Volbeat is no different than a normal Volbeat. The main way to get a Shiny Volbeat is to continuously breed either Volbeat or Illumise until getting a Shiny Volbeat.
Best Moveset for Volbeat
Tail Glow allows Volbeat to increase its special attack before attacking. U-Turn is a move for allowing Volbeat to switch out of danger, while dealing damage, with Thunder Wave giving the opponent status effects before fleeing. Finally, Encore can give Volbeat setup in battles.
| U-Turn | Encore |
| Thunder Wave | Tail Glow |
How to catch Volbeat in Pokemon Go?
Volbeat and its counterpart, Illumise both appear more frequently in rainy weather. Volbeat is a region-exclusive Pokemon, with it only being available in Asia, Europe, and Australia.
Video Guide
Trivia
- Volbeat and Illumise are both known as the Firefly Pokemon
- No other Pokemon have the same dual Egg Group as Volbeat (the combination of bug and human-like)
- Volbeat was likely based on the firefly subfamily Cyphonocerina due to its coloring
- Volbeat’s design resembles a 1950s greaser (or the Japanese equivalent, the Bōsōzoku)
FAQs
Q. Is Volbeat rare in Pokemon Go?
Volbeat is a region-exclusive Pokemon, with it only being available in Asia, Europe, and Australia.
Q. Is Volbeat a good Pokemon?
Volbeat is often overlooked in terms of its battle capabilities since it does not have a wide variety of attack-specific moves and it has a relatively low attack. Volbeat overall has higher stats after Pokemon Sun and Moon, with its defense and special defense both being raised after the transition into Generation VII. Overall, Volbeat’s highest stats after the change are its speed and special defense, with its HP and special attack both remaining relatively low throughout the stat changes.
Q. Is Volbeat or Illumise better?
Volbeat has a higher attack and Illumise has a higher special attack, but Illumise has a pretty bad moveset, giving Volbeat an edge.
Q. Is Volbeat in Ruby?
Volbeat is a firefly-based bug-type Pokemon introduced in Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald.
Conclusion
While Volbeat is often overlooked in terms of its battle capabilities, Volbeat and Illuise have a variety of unique design elements that make them worthy of note.
