#0509

Purrloin

Best moveset, PvP rankings, counters & stats for Pokemon GO.

Max CP 872 Scratch + Play Rough Fog
Purrloin Pokemon GO sprite

Purrloin is a Dark-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO, originally from the Unova region (#509, Generation 5). With a max CP of 872 and base stats of 98/73/121 (Atk/Def/Sta), Purrloin has a total stat product of 292.

Purrloin is weak to Bug, Fairy, Fighting-type moves. It resists Psychic, Dark, Ghost-type attacks. Purrloin is a 1.0 km buddy Pokemon.

Stats

Max CP
872
Lv.40: 772 Lv.50: 872
Attack 98
Defense 73
Stamina 121
Total 292
Buddy 1.0 km Gen 5 · Unova 2nd Move: 10,000 Dust · 25 Candy

Moves

Fast Moves

Normal
12
DPS
6.0 PWR 4 EN 0.5s DUR 8 EPS Partly Cloudy
Dark
10
DPS
5.0 PWR 6 EN 0.5s DUR 12 EPS Fog

Charged Moves

Dark
Dark Pulse STAB
26.7
DPS
80.0 PWR 50 EN 3.0s DUR
Dark
Night Slash STAB Buff
22.5
DPS
45.0 PWR 33 EN 2.0s DUR
Fairy
30
DPS
90.0 PWR 50 EN 3.0s DUR

Best Moveset Analysis

Among fast moves, the highest DPS option is Scratch (12 DPS), while Sucker Punch generates energy the fastest (12 EPS).

Evolution

Raid Guide

Purrloin as Raid Boss

Not Currently in Raids

Purrloin is not currently available as a raid boss. When Purrloin returns to raids, here are the best counters to defeat it. A 100% IV Purrloin from raids would have 441 CP at level 20, or 551 CP at level 25 with weather boost.

View full raid guide →

Best Counters to Beat Purrloin

Purrloin is weak to Bug, Fairy, Fighting-type moves, so counters with these move types will deal the most damage.

How to Get Purrloin

Purrloin can be encountered in the wild in Pokemon GO.

A Shadow version of Purrloin is available from Team GO Rocket. Shadow Purrloin knows Frustration as its charged move, which can be removed with a Charged TM. Purifying costs 1,000 Stardust and 1 Candy, and the purified form learns Return. Walking Purrloin as your buddy earns 1 candy every 1.0 km.

Purrloin Catch CP

These are the possible CP values when encountering Purrloin in different scenarios. The range shows minimum (lowest IV floor) to maximum (100% perfect IV).

Wild Catch
Level 1–30
16 – 667 CP
Wild (Weather Boost)
Level 1–35
16 – 722 CP
Raid Catch
Level 20
411 – 452 CP
Raid (Weather Boost)
Level 25
512 – 562 CP
Egg Hatch
Level 20
411 – 452 CP
Research Encounter
Level 15
311 – 341 CP
GO Battle League
Level 20
411 – 452 CP

A 100% IV Purrloin from raids or eggs will show 441 CP at level 20. If you see this number, don't hesitate — it's a perfect catch!

Trainer Tips

Purrloin is a Dark-type Pokemon with a stat total of 292. With its bulk spread of 73 Defense and 121 Stamina, Purrloin has solid survivability in battles.

Watch out for Bug, Fairy, Fighting-type moves when using Purrloin. These types deal super effective damage that can cut into Purrloin's performance.

Purrloin's moves get a damage boost in Fog weather. Take advantage of weather conditions to maximize your DPS in raids and gym battles.

Unlocking a second charged move costs 10,000 Stardust and 25 Candy. With 3 charged moves available, a second move gives Purrloin much better coverage in PvP battles.

Should I Invest in Purrloin?

Power-Up Costs

Level 20 → 40 (Standard)
135,000 Stardust
15 Candy
Level 40 → 50 (XL Candy)
0 Stardust
0 XL Candy
Total (20 → 50)
135,000 Stardust

Verdict

Collector's Pick
Purrloin is a Dark-type Pokemon with base stats of 98/73/121 (Atk/Def/Sta) and a max CP of 872. While it doesn't currently rank among the top raid attackers or PvP contenders, every Pokemon has its place in a trainer's collection. Purrloin may shine during specific events, in limited-format cups, or when new moves are added in future updates. For now, hold onto a good IV specimen but save your Stardust and Candy for more impactful investments unless you're a dedicated fan of this Pokemon.

Shadow vs Regular: Shadow Purrloin deals 20% more damage but takes ~20% more. For raids, Shadow is generally the better investment. For PvP, evaluate matchups carefully — the bulk loss can be significant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best moveset for Purrloin in Pokemon GO?
Purrloin has multiple viable movesets depending on the battle format. The ideal moveset varies based on whether you are using Purrloin for raids, gym battles, or PvP — check the moves section above for a full breakdown of each move's DPS, energy cost, and coverage.
What are Purrloin's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?
Purrloin is weak to Bug, Fairy, Fighting-type moves. On the other hand, Purrloin resists Psychic, Dark, Ghost-type attacks, so avoid using those types against it. To counter Purrloin effectively in raids and gyms, build a team using its weakest type matchups and pick attackers that have STAB moves of those types.
What is Purrloin's max CP in Pokemon GO?
Purrloin's maximum CP is 872 at level 50 (with XL Candy), or 772 at level 40. Reaching level 50 requires XL Candy, which is only available to trainers level 31 and above — earning XL Candy involves catching, hatching, transferring, and walking Pokemon. Purrloin's CP is calculated from its base stats: 98 Attack, 73 Defense, and 121 Stamina. Powering up from level 40 to 50 requires a significant investment of XL Candy and Stardust, so plan your resources carefully. A 100% IV Purrloin caught from raids or eggs (level 20) will have 441 CP, or 551 CP with weather boost (level 25).
What CP is a 100% IV Purrloin?
A perfect 15/15/15 IV Purrloin has the following CP at key levels: 330 CP at level 15 (research encounters), 441 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches), 551 CP at level 25 (weather-boosted raids), and 872 CP at level 50 fully powered up. If you catch a perfect IV Purrloin, it is worth investing Stardust and Candy to power it up, especially if Purrloin ranks well in raids or PvP. A 100% IV (also called a "hundo") is the rarest IV combination, so tag and favorite it to make sure you don't accidentally transfer it.
Is Shadow Purrloin better than regular?
Shadow Purrloin deals 20% more damage than its regular counterpart but also takes 20% more damage. For raids, Shadow Purrloin is generally better due to the higher DPS output. For PvP, it depends on the matchup — the extra damage taken can be a significant drawback in extended battles where survivability matters. Shadow Purrloin comes with Frustration, which should be replaced with a Charged TM before powering up.
How to get Purrloin in Pokemon GO?
Purrloin can be found in the wild, though it may be rare depending on your biome and current events. Purrloin can also be obtained through trading with other trainers.
Can Purrloin be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Shiny Purrloin's availability depends on whether Niantic has released its shiny form. Not all Pokemon have their shiny forms available yet. Check the current events page and Community Day announcements for any updates on shiny Purrloin availability and boosted shiny rates during special events.

Max CP per Level

L1 10 CP
L5 104 CP
L10 220 CP
L15 330 CP
L20 441 CP
L25 551 CP
L30 661 CP
L35 716 CP
L40 772 CP
L50 872 CP

Pokedex Info

Pokedex Number #509
Generation Gen 5
Region Unova
Height 0.40 m
Weight 10.10 kg
Buddy Distance 1.0 km
Tradable Yes
2nd Charged Move 10,000 Dust / 25 Candy
Shadow Move Frustration
Purified Move Return
Purification Cost 1,000 Dust / 1 Candy