Meowth (Pokémon)

← #{{{prevnum}}}: Dugtrio

Pokémon

#{{{nextnum}}}: Persian →

Meowth ニャース Nyarth #052
Artwork from FR/LG
Type Normal ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Scratch Cat Pokémon
Abilities Pickup or Technician Technician Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #052 Johto #136 Hoenn #241 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 1′04″ Imperial 0.4 m Metric 1′04″/0.4 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 9.3 lbs. Imperial 4.2 kg Metric 9.3 lbs./4.2 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Yellow	Catch rate 255 (33.3%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown Gender unknown
Breeding Ground group 1 cycles (255 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 69 Battle Exp.: 691*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Meowth (Japanese: ニャース Nyarth) is a Normal-type Pokémon.

Biology

Meowth has a distinctly feline appearance, resembling a small housecat. It has cream-colored fur, which turns brown at its paws and tail tip. Its oval-shaped head features prominent whiskers, no nose, black-and-brown ears and a gold oval coin (also known as "charm") embedded in its forehead. Meowth's coloration, its love of coins (see Special abilities) and its charm indicate that Meowth is based on the Japanese Maneki Neko, a cat-shaped figurine that is said to bring good luck and money to its owner.

Physiology

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Meowth are valued for their ability to create coins using Pay Day

Behavior

Meowth are very fond of anything round and shiny. As such, they have been known to wander about city street and pickup anything that's round and shiny (mostly, coins). Although they are apparently not nocturnal, they spend most of the daytime napping. Meowth are considered rivals of Murkrow. This is because Murkrow are also known for stealing round and shiny objects and that these two Pokémon have been known to steal from each other's hordes.

Wild Meowth tend to live in groups in urban areas.

Habitat

File:Urban.gif

Urban Pokémon

Meowth usually live in towns and cities. They can also occasionally be found in vibrant forests or near beaches.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

Meowth is one of two main Pokémon in the series, the other being Ash's Pikachu. Meowth is a member of Team Rocket, and he is unlike ordinary Meowth in that he can speak human language and walk on two legs instead of four. His first appearance was in Pokémon Emergency. His background story, including another female Meowth named Meowzie, was told in Go West, Young Meowth. Meowth was cloned in Mewtwo Strikes Back, but his clone couldn't talk or walk on two legs, likely due to the fact that Meowth needed to learn how to do this.

File:Meowth tr.jpg

Team Rocket's Meowth

Ash used a Meowth during the Pokémon League entrance exam in The Ultimate Test. The Meowth was defeated by the instructor's Vaporeon.

Tyson's Meowth debuted in Like a Meowth to a Flame. This Meowth was dressed up like Puss in Boots. Team Rocket's Meowth was sceptical about the Meowth in Boots's outfit, insulted because he called him a disgrace to Meowths, and jealous because of the Meowth in Boots's moveset. However, Team Rocket's Meowth softened up to Meowth in Boots after realising that they have the same hatred for Persian in the following episode.

In the manga

Pokémon Special

Meowth's first appearance is a cameo in Bulbasaur, Come Home! as one of the Pokémon that escapes from Professor Oak's Laboratory.

In the TFG

One Meowth figure has been released.

• Next Quest: Meowth

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Adores circular objects. Wanders the street on a nightly basis to look for dropped loose change. Blue Yellow Appears to be more active at night. It loves round and shiny things. It can't stop from picking them up. Stadium Sleeps in the daytime. At night, its eyes glow as it happily collects coins, its favorite things.
Generation II Gold It is fascinated by round objects. It can't stop playing with them until it tires and falls asleep. Silver It loves anything that shines. It especially adores coins that it picks up and secretly hoards. Crystal It loves things that sparkle. When it sees a shiny object, the gold coin on its head shines too. Stadium 2 It is fascinated with round objects. It can't stop playing with them until it tires and falls asleep.
Generation III Ruby Meowth withdraws its sharp claws into its paws to slinkily sneak about without making any incriminating footsteps. For some reason, this Pokémon loves shiny coins that glitter with light. Sapphire Meowth withdraws its sharp claws into its paws to slinkily sneak about without making any incriminating footsteps. For some reason, this Pokémon loves shiny coins that glitter with light. Emerald Meowth withdraw their sharp claws into their paws to silently sneak about. For some reason, this Pokémon loves shiny coins that glitter with light. FireRed All it does is sleep during the daytime. At night, it patrols its territory with its eyes aglow. LeafGreen Adores round objects. It wanders the streets on a nightly basis to look for dropped loose change.
Generation IV Diamond It is nocturnal in nature. If it spots something shiny, its eyes glitter brightly. Pearl It is nocturnal in nature. If it spots something shiny, its eyes glitter brightly. Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold {{{heartgolddex}}} SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue Common Routes 5, 6, 7, and 8 (Blue only) Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Trade
Generation II Gold Silver Many Routes 5, 6, 7, 8, 38, and 39 (Silver only) Crystal Many Routes 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 38, and 39 (Night only)
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald One Trade for Skitty at the Battle Frontier FireRed LeafGreen Common Routes 5, 6, 7, and 8, Bond Bridge, Canyon Entrance, Cape Brink, Five Isle Meadow, Kindle Road, Ruin Valley, Sevault Canyon, Treasure Beach, and Water Path Colosseum None Trade XD Only One Phenac City (Shadow)
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Rare Trophy Garden Platinum None Trade HeartGold SoulSilver None Trade Pal Park Field Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Channel	Upgrade binder
Pokémon Trozei	Secret Storage 9 Secret Storage 18 Endless Level 22 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon	Starter Pokémon Western Cave (3F-6F)
Pokémon Ranger	Fall City Dusk Factory

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Meowth has been confirmed to appear as a Pokémon to appear from a Pokéball. It attacks opponents with Pay Day.

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 40		100 - 147	190 - 284
Attack: 45		45 - 106	85 - 207
Defense: 35		36 - 95	67 - 185
Sp. Atk: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Sp. Def: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Speed: 90		85 - 156	166 - 306
Total: 290	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 40.

Learnset

By leveling up

Level	Generation I	Generation II	Generation III		Generation IV
			RS	Fr/Lg
Start	Scratch Growl	Scratch Growl	Scratch Growl		Scratch Growl
6					Bite
9					Fake Out
10				Bite
11		Bite	Bite
12	Bite
14					Fury Swipes
17	Pay Day				Screech
18				Pay Day
20		Pay Day	Pay Day
22					Faint Attack
24	Screech
25				Faint Attack	Taunt
28		Faint Attack	Faint Attack
30					Pay Day
31				Screech
33	Fury Swipes				Slash
35		Screech	Screech
36				Fury Swipes
38					Nasty Plot
40				Slash
41		Fury Swipes	Fury Swipes		Assurance
43				Fake Out
44	Slash
45				Swagger
46		Slash	Slash		Captivate
49					Night Slash
50			Fake Out

By TM/HM

#	Generation I	Generation II	Generation III	Generation IV
TM02		Headbutt
TM03		Curse	Water Pulse	Water Pulse
TM06	Toxic	Toxic	Toxic	Toxic
TM07		Zap Cannon
TM08	Body Slam
TM09	Take Down	Psych Up
TM10	Double-Edge	Hidden Power	Hidden Power	Hidden Power
TM11	BubbleBeam	Sunny Day	Sunny Day	Sunny Day
TM12	Water Gun		Taunt	Taunt
TM13		Snore
TM16	Pay Day	Icy Wind
TM17		Protect	Protect	Protect
TM18			Rain Dance	Rain Dance
TM20	Rage	Endure
TM21		Frustration	Frustration	Frustration
TM23		Iron Tail	Iron Tail	Iron Tail
TM24	Thunderbolt		Thunderbolt	Thunderbolt
TM25	Thunder	Thunder	Thunder	Thunder
TM27		Return	Return	Return
TM28			Dig	Dig
TM30		Shadow Ball	Shadow Ball	Shadow Ball
TM31	Mimic	Mud Slap
TM32	Double Team	Double Team	Double Team	Double Team
TM34	Bide	Swagger	Shock Wave	Shock Wave
TM35		Sleep Talk
TM39	Swift	Swift
TM40	Skull Bash	Defense Curl	Aerial Ace	Aerial Ace
TM41			Torment	Torment
TM42		Dream Eater	Facade	Facade
TM43		Detect	Secret Power	Secret Power
TM44	Rest	Rest	Rest	Rest
TM45		Attract	Attract	Attract
TM46		Thief	Thief	Thief
TM49			Snatch	Snatch
TM50	Substitute	Nightmare
TM58				Endure
TM65				Shadow Claw
TM66				Payback
TM70				Flash
TM77				Psych Up
TM78				Captivate
TM82				Sleep Talk
TM83				Natural Gift
TM85				Dream Eater
TM87				Swagger
TM89				U-turn
TM90				Substitute
HM01			Cut	Cut
HM05			Flash

By breeding

• Amnesia
• Assist
• Charm
• Hypnosis
• Psych Up
• Spite

Special moves

In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, Meowth knows Shadow Hold and Shadow Rush as a Shadow Pokémon, and learns Sing after being purified.

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Meowth images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

Meowth's number in the National Dex (52) happens to be the reversed version of Pikachu's (25). It is unknown whether or not this was intentional, however, in the anime, Team Rocket's Meowth and Ash's Pikachu are rivals.

Origin

Meowth seems to be based upon the Japanese legend of the 招き猫 Maneki Neko, also known as the lucky cat or beckoning cat. According to one legend, a cat raised its paw to welcome a lord and saved his life when a lighting bolt hit the spot where he had been standing. Maneki Neko are often used as charms in restaurants and shops to bring customers or fortune and good luck. Statues of the cat are usually depicted holding a koban, an ancient coin used in Japan, like the one on Meowth's head.

Junichi Masuda states that Meowth is based on Satoshi Tajiri's own pet cat.

Name origin

Meowth's name appears to be a combination of meow, the sound a cat makes, as well as mouth, possibly referring to the anime version's gift of gab. Nyarth is similar, with nyā being the Japanese equivalent of meow.

In other languages

• German: Mauzi
• French: Miaouss, miaou is the french transcription of meow/miaow.
• Korean: 나옹 Naong
• Chinese (Taiwan): 喵喵 Miao Miao - 喵 is the sound a cat makes, pronounced like "meow."

Related articles

• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Meowzie
• Tyson's Meowth

External links

• Article on Wikipedia
• Pay Day, the fanlisting for Meowth at The Anime Fanlistings Network

First partner trios

Kanto

Bulbasaur

Charmander

Squirtle

Johto

Chikorita

Cyndaquil

Totodile

Hoenn

Treecko

Torchic

Mudkip

Sinnoh

Turtwig

Chimchar

Piplup

Unova

Snivy

Tepig

Oshawott

Kalos

Chespin

Fennekin

Froakie

Alola

Rowlet

Litten

Popplio

Galar

Grookey

Scorbunny

Sobble

Paldea

Sprigatito

Fuecoco

Quaxly

See also: List of the player's first Pokémon • Pikachu (Yellow) • Partner Pokémon (LGPE) • Hisui first partner Pokémon

Super Smash Bros. series Games: Super Smash Bros. • Super Smash Bros. Melee • Super Smash Bros. Brawl Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Characters: Pikachu • Jigglypuff • Mewtwo • Pichu Pokémon Trainer (Squirtle • Ivysaur • Charizard) • Lucario • Greninja • Incineroar Stages: Saffron City • Pokémon Stadium • Poké Floats • Pokémon Stadium 2 • Spear Pillar Prism Tower • Unova Pokémon League • Kalos Pokémon League Poké Ball and Master Ball: Abomasnow • Abra • Alolan Exeggutor • Alolan Raichu • Alolan Vulpix • Arceus • Articuno • Beedrill Bellossom • Bewear • Blastoise • Bonsly • Celebi • Chansey • Charizard • Chespin • Chikorita • Clefairy Cyndaquil • Darkrai • Dedenne • Deoxys • Ditto • Eevee • Electrode • Entei • Fennekin Fletchling • Gardevoir • Genesect • Giratina • Gogoat • Goldeen • Groudon • Gulpin • Hitmonlee Ho-Oh • Inkay • Jirachi • Keldeo • Koffing • Kyogre • Kyurem • Latias and Latios Lugia • Lunala • Manaphy • Marill • Marshadow • Meloetta • Meowth • Mew • Metagross • Mimikyu Moltres • Munchlax • Onix • Oshawott • Palkia • Piplup • Porygon2 • Pyukumuku • Raikou • Scizor • Snivy Snorlax • Solgaleo • Spewpa • Staryu • Starmie • Suicune • Swirlix • Tapu Koko • Togedemaru • Togepi Torchic • Unown • Venusaur • Victini • Vulpix • Weavile • Weezing • Wobbuffet • Xerneas • Zapdos • Zoroark Collectables: Trophies (Melee • Brawl • for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U) Stickers Spirits Misc: The Subspace Emissary • My Music • Final Smash • Pokémon Change • Brawl cameos

← #{{{prevnum}}}: Dugtrio

Pokémon

#{{{nextnum}}}: Persian →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.