Pokémon 052 Meowth

Pokemon 052 Meowth
Pokemon 052 Meowth (Image credit: The Pokémon Company)

Name: Meowth (Japanese: ニャース Nyarth)

Classification: Scratch Cat Pokémon

Type:

  • Normal (Meowth)
  • Dark (Alolan Meowth)
  • Steel (Galarian Meowth)

Generation:

  • Gen I Kanto Region
  • Gen VII Alola Region
  • Gen VIII Galar Region

Gender Ratio: 50% Male to 50% Female

Height:

  • 1' 4" (Meowth, Alolan Meowth, and Galarian Meowth)
  • 108' 3"+ (Gigantamax Meowth)

Weight:

  • 9.3 lbs (Meowth and Alolan Meowth)
  • 16.5 lbs (Galarian Meowth)
  • ??? lbs (Gigantamax)

Evolution:

  • Evolves into Persian at level 28.
  • Alolan Meowth evolves into Alolan Persian with high Friendship.
  • Evolves into Persian with 50 Candies in Pokémon Go.
  • Alolan Meowth evolves into Alolan Persian with 50 Candies in Pokémon Go.
  • Galarian Meowth evolves into Perrserker at level 28.

Alternate Formes:

  • Alolan Meowth
  • Galarian Meowth
  • Gigantamax Meowth
  • Shadow Meowth
  • Purified Meowth

How to catch in Sword/Shield:

  • Early Purchase Mystery Gift
  • Trade Galarian Meowth in Turffield for Kanto Meowth
  • Pokémon HOME (Only way to get Alolan Meowth)
  • Route 4 (Galarian Meowth)
  • Dusty Bowl (Galarian Meowth)
  • Giant's Seat (Galarian Meowth)
  • Stony Wilderness (Galarian Meowth)
  • Max Raid Battles (Galarian Meowth)

How to catch in Go:

  • Spawns
  • Raids
  • Team GO Rocket
  • Eggs

Description: Often seen as the mascot for Team Rocket, the most famous Meowth is one that taught himself how to speak human language, and who accompanies Team Rocket's Jessie and James. However, not all of these cat Pokémon have such criminal intent. In fact, most Meowth are no different from your ordinary house cat, providing companionship to their trainers. These cream colored cats with brown points have large, Koban coins on their foreheads that they take meticulous care of. They have prominent whiskers and vertical slit pupils, and though they can get about on all fours, they're often seen walking on their hind legs. Meowth are nocturnal and have an eye for things that glitter. They are known to collect trinkets and treasure, though they guard them fiercely, only allowing the most trusted to even see their hoard.

Long ago, Meowth were gifted to the royalty of the Alolan Islands and, over time, they changed from Normal type to Dark type. Alolan Meowth have grey fur, lighter points, black ears, and curled whiskers. This regional variant is known to be selfish and extremely cunning - even manipulative at times - due to their pampered lifestyle as companions to the royal family. When the monarchy fell, however, Alolan Meowth went feral and are now as common as any other Pokémon in Alola.

Another regional variant, Galarian Meowth bear little resemblance to the other Meowths. Galarian Meowth have shaggy, brown coats and dark points. Their eyes are yellow and they have wide, toothy grins. Their coins are no longer golden but black iron instead. The harder their coin is, the more they are respected by other Galarian Meowth. This variant is believed to have changed from generations spent at sea with sailors and pirates alike.

Capable of Gigantamaxing, Gigantamax Meowth's body is stretched out to almost ridiculous proportions. Its eyes glow with a golden light and a mysterious symbol appears on its coin. That coin emanates Gigantamax power and is believed, by some, to be the key to unlocking the mysterious of the Dynamax phenomenon. Gigantamax Meowth's desire for shiny objects is amplified and it will often sharpen its claws on skyscrapers.

Core Games

Meowth in the core games

  • Sword Pokédex: It loves to collect shiny things. If it's in a good mood, it might even let its Trainer have a look at its hoard of treasures.
  • Shield Pokédex: It washes its face regularly to keep the coin on its forehead spotless. It doesn't get along with Galarian Meowth.

Base Stats

  • 40 HP
  • 45 Attack
  • 35 Defense
  • 40 Sp. Attack
  • 40 Sp. Defense
  • 90 Speed
  • 290 Total

Moves by Level

  • Fake Out (lv 1)
  • Growl (lv 1)
  • Feint (lv 4)
  • Scratch (lv 8)
  • Pay Day (lv 12)
  • Bite (lv 16)
  • Taunt (lv 20)
  • Assurance (lv 24)
  • Fury Swipes (lv 29)
  • Screech (lv 32)
  • Slash (lv 36)
  • Nasty Plot (lv 40)
  • Play Rough (lv 44)

Moves by TM/TR

  • TM02 Pay Day
  • TM15 Dig
  • TM16 Screech
  • TM21 Rest
  • TM23 Thief
  • TM24 Snore
  • TM25 Protect
  • TM27 Icy Wind
  • TM29 Charm
  • TM31 Attract
  • TM33 Rain Dance
  • TM34 Sunny Day
  • TM39 Facade
  • TM40 Swift
  • TM56 U-turn
  • TM57 Payback
  • TM58 Assurance
  • TM65 Shadow Claw
  • TM76 Round
  • TM79 Retaliate
  • TR01 Body Slam
  • TR08 Thunderbolt
  • TR09 Thunder
  • TR17 Amnesia
  • TR20 Substitute
  • TR26 Endure
  • TR27 Sleep Talk
  • TR31 Iron Tail
  • TR33 Shadow Ball
  • TR35 Uproar
  • TR37 Taunt
  • TR42 Hyper Voice
  • TR58 Dark Pulse
  • TR59 Seed Bomb
  • TR68 Nasty Plot
  • TR73 Gunk Shot
  • TR81 Foul Play
  • TR85 Work Up
  • TR90 Play Rough
  • TR95 Throat Chop

Moves by Breeding

  • Covet
  • Flail
  • Hypnosis
  • Last Resort
  • Spite
  • Tail Whip

Damaged normally by

  • Normal 1×
  • Flying 1×
  • Poison 1×
  • Ground 1×
  • Rock 1×
  • Bug 1×
  • Steel 1×
  • Fire 1×
  • Water 1×
  • Grass 1×
  • Electric 1×
  • Psychic 1×
  • Ice 1×
  • Dragon 1×
  • Dark 1×
  • Fairy 1×

Weak to

  • Fighting 2×

Immune to

  • Ghost

Resistant to

  • None

Gigantamax

Pokemon 052 Meowth Gigantamax

Pokemon 052 Meowth Gigantamax (Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
  • Sword Pokédex: The pattern that has appeared on its giant coin is thought to be the key to unlocking the secrets of the Dynamax phenomenon.
  • Shield Pokédex: Its body has grown incredibly long and the coin on its forehead has grown incredibly large—all thanks to Gigantamax power.

Regional Variants

Alolan and Galarian Meowth

Alolan Meowth

  • Sword Pokédex: It's accustomed to luxury because it used to live with Alolan royalty. As a result, it's very picky about food.
  • Shield Pokédex: Deeply proud and keenly smart, this Pokémon moves with cunning during battle and relentlessly attacks enemies' weak points.

Pokemon 052 Meowth Alolan

Pokemon 052 Meowth Alolan (Image credit: The Pokémon Company)

Base Stats

  • 40 HP
  • 35 Attack
  • 35 Defense
  • 50 Sp. Attack
  • 40 Sp. Defense
  • 90 Speed
  • 290 Total

Moves by Level

  • Fake Out (lv 1)
  • Growl (lv 1)
  • Feint (lv 4)
  • Scratch (lv 8)
  • Pay Day (lv 12)
  • Bite (lv 16)
  • Taunt (lv 20)
  • Assurance (lv 24)
  • Fury Swipes (lv 29)
  • Screech (lv 32)
  • Slash (lv 36)
  • Nasty Plot (lv 40)
  • Play Rough (lv 44)

Moves by TM/TR

  • TM02 Pay Day
  • TM15 Dig
  • TM16 Screech
  • TM21 Rest
  • TM23 Thief
  • TM24 Snore
  • TM25 Protect
  • TM27 Icy Wind
  • TM29 Charm
  • TM31 Attract
  • TM33 Rain Dance
  • TM34 Sunny Day
  • TM39 Facade
  • TM40 Swift
  • TM56 U-turn
  • TM57 Payback
  • TM58 Assurance
  • TM65 Shadow Claw
  • TM76 Round
  • TM79 Retaliate
  • TR01 Body Slam
  • TR08 Thunderbolt
  • TR09 Thunder
  • TR17 Amnesia
  • TR20 Substitute
  • TR26 Endure
  • TR27 Sleep Talk
  • TR31 Iron Tail
  • TR33 Shadow Ball
  • TR35 Uproar
  • TR37 Taunt
  • TR42 Hyper Voice
  • TR58 Dark Pulse
  • TR59 Seed Bomb
  • TR68 Nasty Plot
  • TR73 Gunk Shot
  • TR81 Foul Play
  • TR85 Work Up
  • TR90 Play Rough
  • TR95 Throat Chop

Moves by Breeding

  • Covet
  • Flail
  • Flatter
  • Hypnosis
  • Parting Shot
  • Spite

Damaged normally by

  • Normal 1×
  • Flying 1×
  • Poison 1×
  • Ground 1×
  • Rock 1×
  • Steel 1×
  • Fire 1×
  • Water 1×
  • Grass 1×
  • Electric 1×
  • Ice 1×
  • Dragon 1×

Weak to

  • Fighting 2×
  • Bug 2×
  • Fairy 2×

Immune to

  • Psychic

Resistant to

  • Ghost ½×
  • Dark ½×

Galarian Meowth

  • Sword Pokédex: Living with a savage, seafaring people has toughened this Pokémon's body so much that parts of it have turned to iron.
  • Shield Pokédex: These daring Pokémon have coins on their foreheads. Darker coins are harder, and harder coins garner more respect among Meowth.

Pokemon 052 Meowth Galarian

Pokemon 052 Meowth Galarian (Image credit: The Pokémon Company)

Base Stats

  • 50 HP
  • 65 Attack
  • 55 Defense
  • 40 Sp. Attack
  • 40 Sp. Defense
  • 40 Speed
  • 290 Total

Moves by Level

  • Fake Out (lv 1)
  • Growl (lv 1)
  • Hone Claws (lv 4)
  • Scratch (lv 8)
  • Pay Day (lv 12)
  • Metal Claw (lv 16)
  • Taunt (lv 20)
  • Swagger (lv 24)
  • Fury Swipes (lv 29)
  • Screech (lv 32)
  • Slash (lv 36)
  • Metal Sound (lv 40)
  • Thrash (lv 44)

Moves by TM/TR

  • TM02 Pay Day
  • TM15 Dig
  • TM16 Screech
  • TM21 Rest
  • TM23 Thief
  • TM24 Snore
  • TM25 Protect
  • TM31 Attract
  • TM33 Rain Dance
  • TM34 Sunny Day
  • TM39 Facade
  • TM56 U-turn
  • TM57 Payback
  • TM58 Assurance
  • TM65 Shadow Claw
  • TM76 Round
  • TM79 Retaliate
  • TR00 Swords Dance
  • TR01 Body Slam
  • TR08 Thunderbolt
  • TR09 Thunder
  • TR17 Amnesia
  • TR20 Substitute
  • TR26 Endure
  • TR27 Sleep Talk
  • TR31 Iron Tail
  • TR32 Crunch
  • TR33 Shadow Ball
  • TR35 Uproar
  • TR37 Taunt
  • TR42 Hyper Voice
  • TR46 Iron Defense
  • TR52 Gyro Ball
  • TR58 Dark Pulse
  • TR59 Seed Bomb
  • TR68 Nasty Plot
  • TR73 Gunk Shot
  • TR74 Iron Head
  • TR81 Foul Play
  • TR85 Work Up
  • TR90 Play Rough
  • TR95 Throat Chop

Moves by Breeding

  • Covet
  • Curse
  • Double-Edge
  • Flail
  • Night Slash
  • Spite

Moves by Tutoring

  • Steel Beam

Damaged normally by

  • Ghost 1×
  • Water 1×
  • Electric 1×
  • Dark 1×

Weak to

  • Fighting 2×
  • Ground 2×
  • Fire 2×

Immune to

  • Poison

Resistant to

  • Normal ½×
  • Flying ½×
  • Rock ½×
  • Bug ½×
  • Steel ½×
  • Grass ½×
  • Psychic ½×
  • Ice ½×
  • Dragon ½×
  • Fairy ½×

Pokémon Go

Meowth in Pokémon Go

Pokédex: 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.

Egg Distance: 5 KM*

Buddy Distance: 3 KM

Pokemon Go 052 Meowth

Pokemon Go 052 Meowth (Image credit: Niantic)

Base Stats

  • 80 Stamina
  • 92 Attack
  • 81 Defense

Moves

  • Fast Attacks: Scratch, Bite
  • Charged Attacks: Night Slash, Dark Pulse, Body Slam*, Foul Play, Frustration*, Return*

Alolan Meowth

Pokédex: A royal house that flourished in the distant past brought it here fro another region. Meowth is both selfish and prideful.

Egg Distance: 7 KM

Buddy Distance: 3 KM

Pokemon Go 052 Meowth Alolan

Pokemon Go 052 Meowth Alolan (Image credit: Niantic)

Base Stats

  • 80 Stamina
  • 99 Attack
  • 81 Defense

Moves

  • Fast Attacks: Scratch, Bite
  • Charged Attacks: Night Slash, Dark Pulse, Foul Play

Shiny: Yes

Pokemon Go 052 Meowth Shiny

Pokemon Go 052 Meowth Shiny (Image credit: Niantic)

Pokemon Go 052 Meowth Alolan Shiny

Pokemon Go 052 Meowth Alolan Shiny (Image credit: Niantic)

More information

Casian Holly

Casian Holly has been writing about gaming at iMore since 2019, but their real passion is Pokémon. From the games to the anime, cards and toys, they eat, sleep, and breathe all things Pokémon. You can check out their many Pokémon Go and Pokémon Sword and Shield guides and coverage here on iMore.