Volbeat (Pokémon)

← #312: Minun

Pokémon

#314: Illumise →

Volbeat バルビート Barubeat #313
Art by Ken Sugimori from Ruby and Sapphire
Type Bug Unknown Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Firefly Pokémon
Abilities Illuminate or Swarm Swarm Blue-Striped ----- Prankster Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 600,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #— Johto — Hoenn #086 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 2'04" Imperial 0.7 m Metric 2'04"/0.7 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 39.0 lbs. Imperial 17.7 kg Metric 39.0 lbs./17.7 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Gray	Catch rate 150 (19.6%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 100% male
Breeding Bug and Human-Like groups 16 cycles (4080 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 1 Base Exp.: 146 Battle Exp.: 1461*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Volbeat (Japanese: バルビート Barubeat) is a Bug-type Pokémon.

He is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, though he seems to be related to Illumise.

Biology

Physiology

Volbeat slightly resembles a firefly in appearance. His body, wings, and face are blue, and his body has two yellow stripes. His back (or possibly shell) as well as his arms and legs are black. His long, curly antennae are yellow with black stripes. The irises of his eyes are yellow, and his face seems to display a sad or forlorn expression. Possibly Volbeat's most important part is his glowing yellow tail, which it uses to communicate, draw patterns in the night sky, and use his move Tail Glow.

Gender differences

Volbeat are the male of the species. For the female counterpart, see Illumise.

Eggs produced by Illumise can hatch into Volbeat; in Generation V, Eggs produced by Ditto and a Volbeat can hatch into an Illumise

Special abilities

Volbeat are able to use their tail to emit a light that boosts their special attack power. They can also create geometric shapes with the light when several of them get into a group.

Behavior

Volbeat perform their courtship dance for Illumise during their mating season.

Habitat

Forest Pokémon

They can be found living in the forests.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

Volbeat in the anime

Major appearances

Volbeat's first appearance was in the Camp Pikachu special that was part of the Pokémon Heroes movie. He served as a sort of camp counselor and guide.

His first TV appearance was in Love at First Flight alongside his female counterpart Illumise.

Minor appearances

A Volbeat appeared again in That's Just Swellow owned by a man named Volt in a PokéRinger competition.

A Volbeat appeared in Time-Warp Heals All Wounds. Edna mentioned how Volbeat and Illumise used to do their mating dance in a large tree that used to be located in the middle of the city.

Volbeat also appeared in Zoroark: Master of Illusions as a few of the many local Pokémon who lives in Crown City. A Volbeat worked with several other Pokémon in surrounding Zorua at the park to attack him, angry at Zorua for what Zoroark did to the city. Before a fight broke out, the Volbeat, along with the other Pokémon, were calmed by Celebi.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry AG042 Volbeat Ash's Pokédex Volbeat, the Firefly Pokémon. Volbeat uses the designs on its tail for sketching and communicating with other Volbeat.

In the manga

Volbeat in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Aqua Admin Amber owned two Volbeat. While one distracted Team Magma with Tail Glow, the other was able to steal the Blue Orb from the enemy team and deliver it to Archie.

In the TCG

Main article: Volbeat (TCG)

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire: After a successful Travel Mode on the Ruby Field, Volbeat will fly down to paint in the new area.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation I Red {{{redbluedex}}} Blue Yellow {{{yellowdex}}} Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II Gold {{{golddex}}} Silver {{{silverdex}}} Crystal {{{crystaldex}}} Stadium 2 Unknown
Generation III Ruby With the arrival of night, Volbeat emits light from its tail. It communicates with others by adjusting the intensity and flashing of its light. This Pokémon is attracted by the sweet aroma of Illumise. Sapphire Volbeat's tail glows like a lightbulb. With other Volbeat, it uses its tail to draw geometric shapes in the night sky. This Pokémon loves the sweet aroma given off by Illumise. Emerald With their taillights lit, Volbeat fly in a swarm, drawing geometric designs in the night sky. They move their nests if their pond water becomes dirty. FireRed It lives around clean ponds. At night, its rear lights up. It converses with others by flashing its light. LeafGreen {{{leafgreendex}}}
Generation IV Diamond It communicates with others by lighting up its rear at night. It loves Illumise's sweet aroma. Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold It emits light from its tail to communicate. It loves the sweet aroma given off by Illumise. SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V Black It communicates with others by lighting up its rear at night. It loves Illumise's sweet aroma. White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 It communicates with others by lighting up its rear at night. It loves Illumise's sweet aroma. White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation I Red Blue None Trade Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Trade
Generation II Gold Silver None Trade Crystal None Trade
Generation III Ruby Sapphire RareR CommonS Route 117 Emerald Rare Route 117 FireRed LeafGreen None Trade Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl RareD CommonP Route 229 Platinum Rare Route 229 HeartGold SoulSilver Common Safari Zone, National Park (Bug-Catching Contest) Pal Park Mountain Pokéwalker Hoenn Field
Generation V Black White SwarmB NoneW Route 3B Breed IllumiseW Black 2 White 2 SwarmB2 NoneW2 Route 3B2 Breed IllumiseW2 Dream World Spooky Manor
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Channel	Springleaf Field
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire	Plains (Ruby Field)
Pokémon Trozei!	Huge Storage 1 Endless Level 5 Trozei Battle Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Northwind Field (1F-6F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Upper Steam Cave (1F-7F)
Pokémon Rumble Blast	Treetops: Shimmering Lake

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 65		125 - 172	240 - 334
Attack: 73		70 - 137	135 - 269
Defense: 55		54 - 117	103 - 229
Sp. Atk: 47		46 - 108	89 - 212
Sp. Def: 75		72 - 139	139 - 273
Speed: 85		81 - 150	157 - 295
Total: 400	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.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 3/4 ★★★☆	Power 3/3 ★★★
Skill 2/2 ★★	Stamina 2/3 ★★☆
Jump 5/5 ★★★★★	Total 15/17 ★★★

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground ½× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground ½× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground ½× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground ½× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V Other generations: III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Flash Normal Status 0000— 100100% 20 00Start Tackle Normal Physical 05050 100100% 35 055 Double Team Normal Status 0000— ——% 15 099 Confuse Ray Ghost Status 0000— 100100% 10 1313 Moonlight Normal Status 0000— ——% 5 1717 Quick Attack Normal Physical 04040 100100% 30 2121 Tail Glow Bug Status 0000— ——% 20 2525 Signal Beam Bug Special 07575 100100% 15 2929 Protect Normal Status 0000— ——% 10 3333 Helping Hand Normal Status 0000— ——% 20 3737 Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical 08080 09090% 15 4141 Bug Buzz Bug Special 09090 100100% 10 4545 Double-Edge Normal Physical 120120 100100% 15

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Volbeat Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Volbeat Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM11	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM16	Light Screen	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	30
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM22	SolarBeam	Grass	Special	120120	100}}100%	10
	TM24	Thunderbolt	Electric	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	TM25	Thunder	Electric	Special	120120	070}}70%	10
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM30	Shadow Ball	Ghost	Special	08080	100}}100%	15
	TM31	Brick Break	Fighting	Physical	07575	100}}100%	15
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM40	Aerial Ace	Flying	Physical	06060	—}}—%	20
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM45	Attract	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM46	Thief	Dark	Physical	04040	100}}100%	10
	TM48	Round	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM56	Fling	Dark	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	10
	TM57	Charge Beam	Electric	Special	05050	090}}90%	10
	TM62	Acrobatics	Flying	Physical	05555	100}}100%	15
	TM70	Flash	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM73	Thunder Wave	Electric	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM76	Struggle Bug	Bug	Special	03030	100}}100%	20
	TM77	Psych Up	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM89	U-turn	Bug	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Volbeat Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Volbeat Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation V Other generations: III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Father	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	Baton Pass	Normal	Status	—	—%	40
	Bug Buzz	Bug	Special	90	100%	10
	Dizzy Punch	Normal	Physical	70	100%	10
	Encore	Normal	Status	—	100%	5
	Seismic Toss	Fighting	Physical	—	100%	20
	Silver Wind	Bug	Special	60	100%	5
	Trick	Psychic	Status	—	100%	10
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Volbeat in Generation V Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Volbeat in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Volbeat Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Volbeat Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V Other generations: III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Game				Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
B	W	B2	W2	Bug Bite	Bug	Physical	60	100%	20
B	W	B2	W2	Giga Drain	Grass	Special	75	100%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Helping Hand	Normal	Status	—	—%	20
B	W	B2	W2	Ice Punch	Ice	Physical	75	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Roost	Flying	Status	—	—%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Signal Beam	Bug	Special	75	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Sleep Talk	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Snore	Normal	Special	40	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Tailwind	Flying	Status	—	—%	30
B	W	B2	W2	ThunderPunch	Electric	Physical	75	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Trick	Psychic	Status	—	100%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Zen Headbutt	Psychic	Physical	80	90%	15
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Volbeat can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Volbeat cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Volbeat Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Volbeat Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Dream World moves

Generation V Other generations: III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Event	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
Spooky Manor	Trick	Psychic	Status	—	100%	10
Spooky Manor	Tailwind	Flying	Status	—	—%	30
A superscript level indicates that Volbeat can learn this move normally in Generation V at that level Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Volbeat Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Volbeat Click on the generation numbers at the top to see event moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Pinball RS     Acquisition: Catch		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team File:MDP RT 313.png Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.6% Friend Area: Rub-a-Dub River Phrases 51%-100% HP My lit-up taillight is a symbol of my maleness! 26%-50% HP Um... My health is down about halfway. 1%-25% HP I'm done for... Even my taillight is like a candle in the wind. Level up I leveled up! My lit-up taillight shines brighter than ever! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up! My lit-up taillight shines brighter than ever!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.2% IQ group: F
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●● Defense ●●● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Does not evolve Volbeat  Bug

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation II.
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 Volbeat images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Breeding a Volbeat with a Ditto will result in either Volbeat or Illumise Eggs in Generation V.
• Volbeat is the only Pokémon that can learn Flash by leveling up.
• Volbeat shares the same species name with its female counterpart Illumise. They are both known as the Firefly Pokémon.
• Volbeat, along with Illumise, was thought to have been the first Bug/Electric Pokémon, according to a Nintendo Power issue released before Ruby and Sapphire. However, this was later proved false.
• As of Generation V, no other Pokémon have the same dual Egg Group as Volbeat and his counterpart (Bug and Human-Like).

Origin

Volbeat appears to be based on Lampyridaes (also known as fireflies) like its counterpart, Illumise. Its coloring suggests that it may have been based on the subfamily Cyphonocerinae. Its appearance is based on a greaser's, a subculture in the 1950's; their Japanese counterparts are the Bōsōzoku. Greasers usually wore black or brown y-collared trench-coats and/or jackets with under shirts and also had heavily greased hair. This is shown in Volbeat's black colored "shirt", striped belly "under shirt" and "collar". The pose Volbeat is shown in its Sugimori art may also be a reference to greasers, as they are commonly shown with their hands either holding or popping their jacket collars.

Name origin

Volbeat is a combination of volt (referring to its powers of illumination) and beetle or beat.

Barubeat may be a combination of バルブ barubu (bulb) and beetle.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese バルビート Barubeat Possibly from バルブ bulb, beat, and beetle French Muciole From musique and luciole Spanish Volbeat Same as English name German Volbeat Same as English name Italian Volbeat Same as English name Korean 볼비트 Volbeat Transliteration of Japanese name Mandarin Chinese 電螢蟲 / 电萤虫 'Diànyíngchóng' Literally "Electric firefly" Cantonese Chinese

More languages

External links

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Pokémon

#314: Illumise →

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.