Sableye: Best Moveset, Weaknesses & Counters, Stats, and Evolution

The world of Pokémon has been a growing phenomenon since 1996, when the first pair of video games came out in stores. Pokémon started off as a video game series and although new creatures are primarily introduced in the video games, the anime series has become as popular as the video games. As of December 2021, there are almost 900 individual Pokémon identified by the PokéDex and in this article, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about one ofthem – Sableye.
Sableye is a dual Dark- and Ghost-type Pokémon introduced in Generation III. Sableye doesn’t have any evolutions (prior or any other), but it can Mega Evolve into Mega Sableye when exposed to the Sablenite. It is weak only to Fairy-type moves, and is super effective against Ghost-, and Psychic–type Pokémon. It is immune to Normal-, Fighting-, and Psychic-type moves.
In this article, we are going to tell you all the information you’ll need if you want to breed a Sableye in any of the games. You’ll find out about its type, its powers, its strengths and weaknesses, its evolutions, and its moves. We’re going to focus on both the core games, as well as other popular video games based on the Pokémon franchise.
Best moveset
In the Pokémon GO videogame, the best moves for your Sableye are Shadow Claw and Foul Play if you’re battling Pokémon in Gyms. Namely, this moveset gives you the highest total DPS and is, likewise, the best moveset for PVP battles. The official description for Shadow Claw reveals the following: “The user slashes with a sharp claw made from shadows. This move has a heightened chance of landing a critical hit”; as for Foul Play, the attack is described as follows: “The user turns the target’s power against it. The higher the target’s Attack stat, the greater the damage it deals.”
Weaknesses and Counter
As a dual Dark- and Ghost-type Pokémon, Sableye is is weak only to Fairy-type moves, and is super effective against Ghost-, and Psychic–type Pokémon. It is immune to Normal-, Fighting-, and Psychic-type moves. It receives normal damage from Flying-, Ground-, Rock-, Bug-, Ghost-, Steel-, Fire-. Water-, Grass-, Electric-, Ice-, Dragon-, Dark-type moves.
Powers and Abilities
Sableye’s Stats, based on the most recent available data, are:
Stats | Base Stats | Min- | Min | Max | Max+ | Min- | Min | Max | Max+ |
HP | 50 | 125 | 157 | 241 | 304 | ||||
Attack | 75 | 85 | 95 | 127 | 139 | 167 | 186 | 249 | 273 |
Defense | 75 | 85 | 95 | 127 | 139 | 167 | 186 | 249 | 273 |
Special Attack | 65 | 76 | 85 | 117 | 128 | 149 | 166 | 229 | 251 |
Special Defense | 65 | 76 | 85 | 117 | 128 | 149 | 166 | 229 | 251 |
Speed | 50 | 63 | 70 | 102 | 112 | 122 | 136 | 199 | 218 |
In Pokémon GO, Sableye has a Base Stamina of 131, a Base Attack of 141, and a Base Defense of 136.
As for its abilities, they are:
- Keen Eye: Keen eyes prevent other Pokémon from lowering this Pokémon’s accuracy. (or)
- Stall: The Pokémon moves after all other Pokémon do.
- Prankster: Gives priority to a status move. (Hidden Ability)
- Magic Bounce: Reflects status moves instead of getting hit by them. (Mega Sableye)
Evolutions
Sableye was introduced in Generation III and it does not evolve from any Pokémon, nor does it further evolve into one. It does, however, have a Mega Evolution; if exposed to the Sablenite Mega Stone, Sableye evolves into Mega Sableye. This Pokémon doesn’t have any known Regional Variants.
In Pokémon GO, Sableye likewise doesn’t evolve from or into any other Pokémon. Mega Sableye is, as of the writing of this article, still not available in-game.
Moves
As of Generation VIII, the movies that Sableye can learn are:
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Sableye
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Sableye
- × indicates a move that cannot be used in Generation VIII
By leveling up
Level | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
1 | Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100% | 30 |
1 | Scratch | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100% | 35 |
3 | Astonish | Ghost | Physical | 30 | 100% | 15 |
6 | Confuse Ray | Ghost | Status | — | 100% | 10 |
9 | Shadow Sneak | Ghost | Physical | 40 | 100% | 30 |
12 | Fake Out | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100% | 10 |
15 | Disable | Normal | Status | — | 100% | 20 |
18 | Detect | Fighting | Status | — | —% | 5 |
21 | Night Shade | Ghost | Special | — | 100% | 15 |
24 | Fury Swipes | Normal | Physical | 18 | 80% | 15 |
27 | Knock Off | Dark | Physical | 65 | 100% | 20 |
30 | Quash | Dark | Status | — | 100% | 15 |
33 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100% | 15 |
36 | Mean Look | Normal | Status | — | —% | 5 |
39 | Power Gem | Rock | Special | 80 | 100% | 20 |
42 | Zen Headbutt | Psychic | Physical | 80 | 90% | 15 |
45 | Shadow Ball | Ghost | Special | 80 | 100% | 15 |
48 | Foul Play | Dark | Physical | 95 | 100% | 15 |
By TM
TM | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
TM00 | Mega Punch | Normal | Physical | 80 | 85% | 20 |
TM01 | Mega Kick | Normal | Physical | 120 | 75% | 5 |
TM03 | Fire Punch | Fire | Physical | 75 | 100% | 15 |
TM04 | Ice Punch | Ice | Physical | 75 | 100% | 15 |
TM05 | Thunder Punch | Electric | Physical | 75 | 100% | 15 |
TM15 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100% | 10 |
TM21 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | —% | 10 |
TM23 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100% | 25 |
TM24 | Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100% | 15 |
TM25 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | —% | 10 |
TM27 | Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95% | 15 |
TM31 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100% | 15 |
TM33 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | —% | 5 |
TM34 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | —% | 5 |
TM38 | Will-O-Wisp | Fire | Status | — | 85% | 15 |
TM39 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100% | 20 |
TM41 | Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | —% | 20 |
TM43 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100% | 15 |
TM44 | Imprison | Psychic | Status | — | —% | 10 |
TM48 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 60 | 95% | 15 |
TM57 | Payback | Dark | Physical | 50 | 100% | 10 |
TM59 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100% | 10 |
TM63 | Drain Punch | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100% | 10 |
TM65 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100% | 15 |
TM71 | Wonder Room | Psychic | Status | — | —% | 10 |
TM75 | Low Sweep | Fighting | Physical | 65 | 100% | 20 |
TM76 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100% | 15 |
TM77 | Hex | Ghost | Special | 65 | 100% | 10 |
TM79 | Retaliate | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100% | 5 |
TM85 | Snarl | Dark | Special | 55 | 95% | 15 |
TR01 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100% | 15 |
TR07 | Low Kick | Fighting | Physical | — | 100% | 20 |
TR11 | Psychic | Psychic | Special | 90 | 100% | 10 |
TR14 | Metronome | Normal | Status | — | —% | 10 |
TR20 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | —% | 10 |
TR26 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | —% | 10 |
TR27 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | —% | 10 |
TR30 | Encore | Normal | Status | — | 100% | 5 |
TR33 | Shadow Ball | Ghost | Special | 80 | 100% | 15 |
TR37 | Taunt | Dark | Status | — | 100% | 20 |
TR38 | Trick | Psychic | Status | — | 100% | 10 |
TR49 | Calm Mind | Psychic | Status | — | —% | 20 |
TR52 | Gyro Ball | Steel | Physical | — | 100% | 5 |
TR57 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100% | 20 |
TR58 | Dark Pulse | Dark | Special | 80 | 100% | 15 |
TR63 | Power Gem | Rock | Special | 80 | 100% | 20 |
TR68 | Nasty Plot | Dark | Status | — | —% | 20 |
TR69 | Zen Headbutt | Psychic | Physical | 80 | 90% | 15 |
TR81 | Foul Play | Dark | Physical | 95 | 100% | 15 |
TR83 | Ally Switch | Psychic | Status | — | —% | 15 |
TR92 | Dazzling Gleam | Fairy | Special | 80 | 100% | 10 |
By transfer from another generation
Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
Aerial Ace | Flying | Physical | 60 | —% | 20 |
Captivate × | Normal | Status | — | 100% | 20 |
Confide | Normal | Status | — | —% | 20 |
Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100% | 20 |
Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95% | 30 |
Double Team | Normal | Status | — | —% | 15 |
Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100% | 15 |
Dream Eater | Psychic | Special | 100 | 100% | 15 |
Dynamic Punch | Fighting | Physical | 100 | 50% | 5 |
Embargo × | Dark | Status | — | 100% | 15 |
Feint Attack × | Dark | Physical | 60 | —% | 20 |
Flash × | Normal | Status | — | 100% | 20 |
Focus Punch | Fighting | Physical | 150 | 100% | 20 |
Foresight × | Normal | Status | — | —% | 40 |
Frustration × | Normal | Physical | — | 100% | 20 |
Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 40 | 95% | 20 |
Gravity | Psychic | Status | — | —% | 5 |
Headbutt | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100% | 15 |
Hidden Power × | Normal | Special | 60 | 100% | 15 |
Hone Claws | Dark | Status | — | —% | 15 |
Incinerate | Fire | Special | 60 | 100% | 15 |
Magic Coat | Psychic | Status | — | —% | 15 |
Mimic | Normal | Status | — | —% | 10 |
Moonlight | Fairy | Status | — | —% | 5 |
Mud-Slap | Ground | Special | 20 | 100% | 10 |
Natural Gift × | Normal | Physical | — | 100% | 15 |
Nightmare × | Ghost | Status | — | 100% | 15 |
Octazooka | Water | Special | 65 | 85% | 10 |
Ominous Wind × | Ghost | Special | 60 | 100% | 5 |
Pain Split | Normal | Status | — | —% | 20 |
Power-Up Punch | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100% | 20 |
Psych Up | Normal | Status | — | —% | 10 |
Punishment × | Dark | Physical | — | 100% | 5 |
Return × | Normal | Physical | — | 100% | 20 |
Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100% | 15 |
Role Play | Psychic | Status | — | —% | 10 |
Secret Power × | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100% | 20 |
Seismic Toss | Fighting | Physical | — | 100% | 20 |
Shock Wave | Electric | Special | 60 | —% | 20 |
Signal Beam × | Bug | Special | 75 | 100% | 15 |
Snatch × | Dark | Status | — | —% | 10 |
Spite | Ghost | Status | — | 100% | 10 |
Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 85% | 15 |
Telekinesis × | Psychic | Status | — | —% | 15 |
Tickle | Normal | Status | — | 100% | 20 |
Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90% | 10 |
Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100% | 20 |
In Pokémon GO, Sableye can learn Shadow Claw and Feint Attack as Fast Attacks, and Power Gem, Foul Play, Shadow Sneak, Frustration, and Return as Charged Attacks. Some of these attacks depend on when you caught and evolved your Sableye, as they are event-only attacks.