What Moves Should Oddish Evolve With For Competitive Play?

If you've ever raised an Oddish and wondered what comes next, here’s the straightforward lifecycle and a few things I’ve learned the hard way while farming Leaf Stones in-game. Oddish evolves into Gloom when it reaches level 21 — that’s unconditional, just hit the level and poof, it becomes Gloom. From there, Gloom has two branching evolutions: use a Leaf Stone on Gloom to get Vileplume, or use a Sun Stone to evolve Gloom into Bellossom. The Leaf Stone route is the classic one people think of when picturing that giant, Rafflesia-like flower from the pokédex pages. I usually hang onto a Gloom for a little while before using a Leaf Stone because Gloom learns some neat moves at higher levels (things like stronger draining moves or status moves), and some of those moves don’t carry over if you stone-evolve too early — so patience can pay off. Also, evolution by stone is instant and doesn’t require any extra level, so you can evolve Gloom the moment you get a Leaf Stone if you want Vileplume right away. Leaf Stones turn up in different places depending on the game: sometimes in caves, sometimes sold in shops, and sometimes as hidden items in routes. In older games like 'Pokémon Red' or later ones like 'Pokémon Sword', the mechanics are the same, even if the locations differ. If you like playing with team composition, Vileplume brings solid special defense and some nasty status options with moves like Sleep Powder and Sludge Bomb, while Bellossom tends to lean more into sunny weather synergies and special attack. Personally, I split my playthroughs: one save where Gloom becomes Vileplume for the classic look and poison coverage, and another where I try Bellossom for a sun-team run. Either way, the key facts are simple: Oddish → Gloom at level 21; Gloom + Leaf Stone → Vileplume (or Gloom + Sun Stone → Bellossom). Try waiting for the move you want, and then stone it — it keeps things fun and efficient for battle and breeding alike.

When I'm in full-on candy-hunting mode, my brain goes into siege-planning: where to catch the most Oddish, how to stack candies, and then a rapid-fire evolution session in the Pokémon screen. First off, evolution itself happens right in your Pokémon menu — you don't have to bring Oddish to any special location — but getting the candies fast is the real location-based game. Oddish evolves to Gloom for 25 Oddish Candy, and Gloom can turn into Vileplume for 100 Candy or into Bellossom for 100 Candy plus a Sun Stone. That Sun Stone is the key item if you want Bellossom, so keep an eye on Research rewards, PokéStop gifts, and in-game shops during events. If you want to collect candies fast, hunt where Oddish spawns: parks and grassy neighborhoods are gold mines. I have a favorite city park that basically becomes an Oddish factory during cloudy weather (grass-type weather in 'Pokémon GO' boosts spawns), and evening walks there usually pay off. Events like Spotlight Hour or Community Day can turn a place that usually has one or two into a full-blown swarm — that’s prime time to use Pinap Berries and stockpile candies. Lures and Incense can also help if you’re stuck near a busy square; drop one and sit with a thermos and some headphones while catching everything that pops up. Tactical tips that helped me evolve a bunch in one sitting: always use Pinap Berries when you can (they multiply candy from a catch), catch every Oddish you see (transfer duplicates for +1 candy), use your buddy to earn candy while walking, and save Rare Candies for emergency boosts. If you’re short on a Sun Stone for Bellossom, prioritize spinning PokéStops on your commute and completing small field research tasks — they often give evolution items during themed events. Finally, when you’ve got enough candy, evolve in batches while a Lucky Egg is active if you need EXP too — it doesn’t speed the evolution itself but multiplies the XP return if you’re leveling up. I love doing a mass-evolve session on a rainy afternoon with music and snacks; it feels oddly satisfying to watch a whole pile of Oddish turn into Gloom and beyond.

If you want the short, practical bit up front: use a Sun Stone on Gloom and it becomes Bellossom. I’ve spent more than one play session dithering over whether to click that Stone or save it for Vileplume’s Leaf Stone counterpart, so I know the little twinge of indecision you get when a cute Oddish turns into a choice between two different final forms. Oddish evolves into Gloom by leveling (usually around level 21), and then Gloom has two possible evolutions depending on which evolution item you use: a Leaf Stone turns Gloom into Vileplume, while a Sun Stone turns Gloom into Bellossom. The trade-offs are neat: Vileplume is Grass/Poison and tends to have different bulk and move availability, while Bellossom becomes pure Grass and often gets more supportive moves and better special defense in later gens. That little change in typing and movepool can completely change how you use the Pokémon in battles or on your team. If you’re collecting or doing a themed run, remember that Sun Stones show up in different places across games — sometimes in hidden spots, sometimes in shops, or as drops — so I usually check a wiki or my in-game map if I’m short on items. Also, if nostalgia’s tugging at you, Bellossom was introduced in 'Pokémon Gold'/'Pokémon Silver' as the sunlight-loving alternative to Vileplume, which is kind of charming. Personally, I flip between the two based on aesthetics and what my team needs: Bellossom’s calm, sunny vibe suits certain playstyles, while Vileplume’s raw power and typing fit others. Try both if you can, but if you’ve already got a Sun Stone handy and you like the peaceful, botanical vibe, go for Bellossom — it never fails to make my in-game gardens feel more complete.

I still get a little giddy thinking about trading Pokémon with my neighbor back in the day — but Oddish was never one of those trade-evolution surprises. In the main series games, Oddish evolves by leveling up, not by being sent across a link cable or trade menu. Specifically, Oddish grows into Gloom at level 21, and that Gloom can then evolve into either Vileplume or Bellossom depending on which evolution item you use: Leaf Stone for Vileplume, Sun Stone for Bellossom. Bellossom was introduced later (think 'Pokémon Gold' era), so that gave Gloom a neat alternate form beyond the original games. I’ve had both Vileplume and Bellossom on different teams over the years — one game I loved the bulky, poison-flower vibes; another I preferred the sunny, dancer aesthetic — but neither of those outcomes ever depended on trading. It’s a nice contrast to those classic trade-evolutions like Kadabra, Haunter, or Machoke, which absolutely do require a trade (sometimes with an item) to take that final step. If you’re playing a spin-off or a romhack, mechanics can change, so I always peek at the in-game Pokédex or a trusted community guide for that title. For instance, some Mystery Dungeon entries or mobile titles tweak evolution rules for gameplay balance, and events can occasionally introduce special evolution items. If you’re trying to get both Vileplume and Bellossom, the easiest route is to evolve one Gloom with a Leaf Stone and another Gloom with a Sun Stone, or breed/trade for an extra Oddish then level it up normally. Trading can still be useful — to get version exclusives, fill your Pokédex, or obtain a Pokémon with different IVs or moves — but it’s not the trigger for Oddish’s evolution chain. Personally, I like pairing a Leaf Stone Vileplume in foggy, strategic battles where status matters, and saving Bellossom for sunny teams and aesthetic pride. If you want, tell me which game you’re playing and I can give more precise tips based on that title.

Man, those tiny details in old cartridges stick with me — especially odd little peas like Oddish. In 'Pokémon Red and Blue', Oddish evolves into Gloom when it reaches level 21. That’s the only level-based evolution in that line: Oddish → Gloom at 21. After that, Gloom doesn’t evolve by leveling up in these games; to get Vileplume you need to use a Leaf Stone. There’s no Bellossom in 'Pokémon Red and Blue' at all — that one shows up later in the series, so don’t expect any sunny evolution options in the original cartridges. I used to plan team comps around that level marker back in the day, playing with my handheld on the bus and trying to time evolutions before a gym fight. Oddish’s bulk and access to status moves made it a sneaky support pick; getting it to 21 felt like a little milestone. If you’re grinding one up now, it’s nice: you don’t have to wait forever, and you can decide whether you want Gloom’s odd moveset or blast it into Vileplume with a Leaf Stone for a stronger Grass/Poison final form. A couple of practical tips from my own runs: if you want to keep Gloom and not use a Leaf Stone immediately, grind past 21 so you can test its moves and stats in battle before committing to a stone. If you want Vileplume right away, hold onto a Leaf Stone and use it right after Gloom pops up — it’s simple and satisfying seeing that sprite change. And if you’re revisiting the classics, it’s fun to compare how these mechanics shifted in later titles — evolution methods, item availability, and even which Pokémon appear in certain routes all changed over time. Happy training, and may your Oddish blossom on your terms!

I get asked this a lot when folks are starting a fresh run of 'Pokémon Sword' or 'Pokémon Shield' — so here’s the short-but-clear scoop and a few friendly tips from my playthroughs. Oddish itself always evolves in the same way across both games: it becomes Gloom at level 21, and then Gloom has two possible routes. Use a Leaf Stone on Gloom to get 'Vileplume', or use a Sun Stone to get 'Bellossom'. There aren’t any Galarian or version-exclusive evolutions for Oddish in these titles, so the choice of final form is entirely yours rather than tied to which cartridge you picked up. Where it gets fun is the decision-making. I’ve delayed evolving Oddish a few times because I wanted a Gloom to learn a specific move before applying a stone — you can totally do that. In battle roles, Vileplume tends to lean toward that classic bulky, status-inducing grass type vibe, while Bellossom has a different feel and movepool leaning more into special attacking and support. If you’re into aesthetics or a team theme, that often decides it for me: I once made a whole floral-themed squad and picked Bellossom for the soft palette. Remember also that evolution stones and the ability to trade or breed give you flexibility — if one stone’s scarce early on, you can always come back later or trade for the form you want. Practical tip: an Everstone will stop evolution if you want to keep Gloom for a bit, and checking move tutors/TMs in the area helps you avoid losing a needed move on evolution. Personally, I usually evolve to Vileplume if I need a tank for raids and pick Bellossom if I’m doing a more niche or pretty-looking team — both have their charm, so go with what makes your team feel complete.

Leaf Stone — but there’s a tiny bit of timing to it. If you want the quickest route to a Vileplume, get your Oddish up to Gloom first (Oddish evolves into Gloom at level 21 in the main series), then slap a Leaf Stone on Gloom to trigger Vileplume immediately. In practice that means the absolute fastest checklist I use when I need Vileplume ASAP: grind Oddish to 21 (Rare Candies are your friend if you’ve got them), or catch a wild Gloom if your game has it, then use the Leaf Stone the moment you have a Gloom in your party. I like to speed this up with small quality-of-life tricks. If I’m short on battle time, I’ll pop a Rare Candy or two so Oddish hits 21 instantly, or I’ll throw it in the Day Care while I do other quests and check back when it hits 21. If you prefer active grinding, use Exp. Share or send the Oddish out against easy trainers; it’s usually faster than random wild battles. Also remember the alternative: if you don’t want Vileplume, Gloom can become Bellossom with a Sun Stone in generations that allow it — but for Vileplume specifically, the Leaf Stone on Gloom is the canonical fast path. In short: Leaf Stone is the stone that creates Vileplume, but it has to be used on Gloom. If you try to use a Leaf Stone on Oddish before it evolves naturally, it won’t work — so get to Gloom first, then Stone it. I’ve used this trick a dozen times in different games, and it’s the cleanest, quickest route whenever I want that big, flowered final form in my party.

I've always thought Oddish was the cutest indecisive plant in the Pokédex, but when it comes to evolving into Bellossom the rules are pretty strict. You can't get Bellossom by just leveling Oddish up — first it must become Gloom (level 21 in the main series), and then you need a Sun Stone to turn Gloom into Bellossom. The alternative is a Leaf Stone to make Gloom into Vileplume, so if you really want Bellossom, hold onto a Sun Stone or plan around finding one. In practice this means: catch a few Oddish, level one to Gloom, keep a Sun Stone in your bag, and use it when you're ready. In most mainline titles the mechanic hasn't changed much; in 'Pokémon GO' and other spin-offs the Sun Stone is still required for the Gloom-to-Bellossom evolution, although the item-costs or candy requirements differ. Trading or events are the only out-of-the-box ways to get Bellossom without farming a Sun Stone yourself. I learned that the hard way in an old run — I evolved to Vileplume by accident because I used a Leaf Stone without thinking — so now I stash stones like a paranoid collector. If you want a recommendation: save your Sun Stones for the look you want, and maybe keep both a Leaf and Sun Stone handy so you can decide based on movesets or contest aesthetic later.