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Generation 9's Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet are home to new and familiar Pokemon. One of many Gen 9 newcomers is Smoliv, the Olive Pokemon. Its small size may remind some Pokemon fans of Budew, but Smoliv's typing is a unique Grass/Normal dual-type. As some trainers may have expected, Smoliv is capable of evolving and is part of a three-stage evolution chain.
With a handful of new Grass-type Pokemon such as Sprigatito and Bramblin, Smoliv is one of the many Pokemon that Pokemon Scarlet & Pokemon Violet players may want as their Grass Party Member. The Smoliv-line's Normal-typing makes it a bit more unique from other Paldean Grass-types. Players looking to carry Smoliv into the end-game missions should learn how to evolve it as well as its strengths and weaknesses.
Where To Find Smoliv
Scarlet & Violet trainers looking to take on the Victory Road quest (ie: collecting Gym Badges) may run into the little olive Pokemon fairly quickly. Smoliv can be found near Cortondo (West and East), which is beyond the west gate of Mesagoza and pass the South Province (Area 2). If players are lucky, they can find a Smoliv walking along the path outside the west gate.
A more surefire way to get Smoliv is to explore the crop fields near Cortondo. Since Cortondo's known as the "olive city," players can find at least a couple of Smolivs roaming about. Their levels will be around 7-11 depending on where players find one. The Smolivs by South Province (Area 2) are level 7, while the ones in the fields around Cortondo might be level 11.
Players should weaken Smoliv before trying to throw a Poke Ball. Inflict it with a status ailment such as paralysis or poison to make the catch easier. Despite its appearance, Smoliv is pretty bulky in terms of Defense and Special Defense, so as long as trainers aren't attacking its Type weakness, they shouldn't have to worry about accidentally knocking it out.
Another way to catch Smoliv and even Doliv, its second evolution, is to look for it in Tera Raids. They may be more challenging to defeat, but the Pokemon caught in Raids are oftentimes stronger than those caught in the wild.
What Level Does Smoliv Evolve?
Smoliv will evolve into Doliv at level 25, which evolves into Arboliva at level 35. A quick way to level up Smoliv and Doliv is to feed them Exp. Candies. Take them on a picnic to increase their friendship (two hearts) so they can gain an extra boost in experience. Additionally, there are sandwiches that can increase Exp points for Grass-type Pokemon. Players can get these from one of the many shops around Paldea, or they can make their own if they have the right recipe.
Players will want to have three gym badges before evolving Smoliv into Doliv. At three gym badges, Pokemon up to level 30 will obey all commands. Before evolving Doliv, get six gym badges and Pokemon up to level 40 will obey all commands. However, if Smoliv is caught fairly early on and has time to bond with its trainer, then it may not be prone to disobedience as long as its level isn't too high.
More Information About Smoliv And Its Evolutions
As Grass/Normal-type Pokemon, the Smoliv-line will have the following type effectiveness:
Strong against | Water, Rock, Ground |
|---|---|
Weak against | Fire, Flying, Ice, Fighting, Bug, Poison |
Resistant to | Grass, Water, Electric, Ground |
Immune to | Ghost |
Not very effective against | Dragon, Steel, Fire, Flying, Bug, Poison |
Grass-type has the most weaknesses out of any type, and thanks to the Smoliv-line's Normal-typing, they gain an extra weakness to Fighting-type moves. On the positive side, they are immune to Ghost-type moves because of the Normal-typing.
Once Smoliv becomes Arboliva, it will have the following base stat spread:
Stat no. | Total | |
|---|---|---|
HP | 78 | 510 |
Attack | 69 | |
Special Attack | 125 | |
Defense | 90 | |
Special Defense | 109 | |
Speed | 39 |
Going by this chart, Arboliva's best strengths are its Special Attack, Special Defense, and Defense. With Speed as its lowest stat, it's more than likely moving last in-battle. However, with the right moveset, it may be able to take out opponents in one hit.
Recommended Natures
- A good Nature for Arboliva is Modest, which increases Special Attack growth while decreasing Attack growth. Arboliva's Attack isn't nearly as good as its Special Attack, so any Grass-type moves on its moveset should be Special moves (ex: Energy Ball, Petal Dance).
- Another Nature that Arboliva can have is Timid, which increases Speed, decreases Attack. While Arboliva's Speed growth is quite terrible, it doesn't hurt to have some extra Speed growth. Since its Attack isn't that useful either, Arboliva can get away with sacrificing some Attack for the sake of Speed.
- Natures that increase Arboliva's Special Attack/Defense or Defense growth rate in exchange for a bane in Attack.
Worst Natures for Arboliva
- Brave is a Nature that players will want to avoid with Arboliva. It increases Attack, but decreases Speed. Arboliva's Attack is outdone by its Special Attack, and sacrificing its Speed for a relatively useless stat (for Arboliva) isn't recommended.
- Any Defense, Special Attack, or Special Defense decreasing Natures. This can include Lonely, which increases Attack at the cost of Defense.
If players really want to bring out the power of its Grass-type moves, they can purchase a Miracle Seed from Delibird Presents in Mesagoza. Give this to Arboliva to boost its Grass-type attacks by 20%. Alternatively, players wanting a swift-attacking Arboliva should give it a Quick Claw. This sometimes lets its holder move first in-battle.
Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.