How to Find & Capture Wailord in Pokémon Emerald

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Maximize your chances of catching this massive, whale-like Pokémon

Co-authored by Janice Tieperman Reviewed by Ishrak

Last Updated: June 14, 2024 Fact Checked

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How to Catch Wailord

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How to Catch & Evolve Wailmer

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Q&A

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Wailord can be a great Pokémon to have on your roster in Pokémon Emerald, but it’s not always the easiest to track down. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best way to catch a Wailord on Route 129. We’ll also cover the best ways to catch a Wailmer in Dewford Town and evolve it into a Wailord. With a little patience and persistence, you can add this mega-sized pal to your Pokédex.

Things You Should Know

Wailord can be found on Route 129, which is east of Pacifidlog Town in the bottom-right corner of the entire Hoenn region.
Surf around to run into a Wailord. It has a 1% chance of spawning, so this may take a while.
Alternatively, catch a Wailmer with a Super Rod in Dewford Town and get it to level 40. At 40, it will automatically evolve into a Wailord.

Section 1 of 2:

How to Catch Wailord

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Surf around 129 to catch a Wailord in Pokémon Emerald. Fly to Pacifidlog Town and surf as far east as you can go (past Routes 131 and 130). Once you reach Route 129, continue surfing around the area to spawn wild Pokémon encounters. Wailord only has a 1% spawn rate in this area, so it may take some time before you run into one. ^{[1]
X
Research source} To boost your chances of successfully catching the Wailord, use an Ultra Ball or Net Ball when you battle it.
- Ultra Balls double your chance of catching a Pokémon overall, while Net Balls triple your chance of catching a Bug- or Water-type Pokémon. ^{[2]
  X
  Research source}

Section 2 of 2:

How to Catch & Evolve Wailmer

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1
Fish for a Wailmer at Dewford Town with a Super Rod. Head east from the Pokémon Center and walk out onto the nearby dock. Using your Super Rod, fish in the nearby water until you catch a bite. When Super Rod is equipped, you have a 100% chance of catching a Wailmer that’s between levels 20 and 45. ^{[3]
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Research source}
- Head to Mossdeep City and enter the house that’s right of the town’s Pokémon Gym. Chat with the Fisherman there to receive a Super Rod. ^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
- You can still catch a Wailmer with a Good Rod here, but it only has a 20% chance of spawning. Old Rods can’t catch Wailmer at all. ^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
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2
Level up the Wailmer to level 40 so it evolves. Use items like Rare Candy, Lucky Egg, or EXP. Share to raise your Wailmer’s levels more quickly. ^{[6]
X
Research source} Once Wailmer levels up to 40, it’ll automatically evolve into a Wailord. ^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Rare Candies automatically increase a Pokémon’s level by 1, while Lucky Eggs are held items to allow a Pokémon to earn some bonus EXP after a battle. An EXP. Share lets Pokémon in your party gain EXP from a battle, even if they didn’t actively participate. ^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
- If you catch a Wailmer that’s over level 40, level it up once to trigger its evolution. ^{[9]
  X
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Question

At what level does Wailmer evolve?

Lugia2453

Top Answerer

It evolves at level 40.

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Are there items that make my chances of finding him greater?

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Just let him evolve at level 40 -- that's the only way to level up.

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How do I hop on his back for a ride?

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Teach the HM to surf to any Pokemon that can learn it, and then use it on a patch of water.

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Tips

Use status-affecting abilities that disable the Wailord without outright damaging it. Moves that inflict freeze or sleep the target are good options, for example, while moves that poison or burn are not.

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Buy multiple Ultra Balls to increase your chances of catching the Wailord.

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How to Find & Capture Wailord in Pokémon Emerald

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How to Catch Wailord

How to Catch & Evolve Wailmer

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