Ferroseed may not look like the flashiest Pokémon in the wild, but this spiky Grass- and Steel-type has earned a reputation for its incredible defense and rare shiny form. Whether you’re a collector or a competitive trainer, this guide covers everything you need to know about finding Ferroseed, catching its shiny version, and evolving it into Ferrothorn.
How to Find and Catch Ferroseed in Pokémon GO
Ferroseed first arrived in Pokémon GO in 2019, during the Unova Unveiling event, and has remained part of the encounter pool ever since. Despite its regular rotation, Ferroseed doesn’t always appear frequently, so timing and strategy matter.
Here are the best ways you can catch one:
1. Wild Encounters
Ferroseed occasionally spawns in the wild, especially during events or weather conditions that favor Grass or Steel types (Sunny or Snowy weather). Walking through areas with boosted spawns during these conditions increases your chances.
2. Raid Battles
At times, Ferroseed appears as a Tier 1 Raid Boss. These are easy enough for solo players to handle—simply look for raids featuring its distinctive steel shell. Defeating it guarantees a catch attempt.
3. Shadow Ferroseed
You can also encounter Shadow Ferroseed by battling Team GO Rocket Grunts who use the line, “You’re no match for my iron will!” Beat them, and you’ll earn the chance to catch Shadow Ferroseed, which you can later purify.
4. Incense and Event Days
Ferroseed frequently appears during Incense Day events. For example, the May 2024 Incense Day and the October 2025 Spotlight Hour both highlighted Ferroseed as a featured spawn. Using your Daily Adventure Incense during such events greatly increases spawn rates.
Ferroseed Spotlight Hour (October 2025)
The Ferroseed Spotlight Hour took place on October 7, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. Players received 2× XP for evolving Pokémon, making it a perfect time to evolve stored monsters while hunting for shiny Ferroseed. Having a Mega Venusaur, Mega Sceptile, Mega Steelix, or Mega Scizor active granted bonus Candy and XP for each Ferroseed caught.
Is Ferroseed Shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes—shiny Ferroseed is available in Pokémon GO! It was first released during the Special Weekend Event in November 2020, and its evolution, shiny Ferrothorn, arrived simultaneously.
See also: How to Catch Chatot and Shiny Chatot in Pokemon GO Tour
However, shiny Ferroseed is quite uncommon. Its base shiny rate sits around 1 in 500 encounters, or slightly better during events featuring boosted odds.
What Does Shiny Ferroseed Look Like?
The shiny version offers a subtle but striking color change:
- Regular Ferroseed: Green spikes on a metallic gray body.
- Shiny Ferroseed: Blue-gray spikes replace the usual green, creating a steely aesthetic.
When evolved, shiny Ferrothorn goes bold with golden armor and red-pink eyes, completely different from its pre-evolution’s tones.
Ferroseed Pokémon GO CP and IV Stats
If you’re looking for a perfect 100 % IV Ferroseed, aim for 15/15/15 stats. Here are its top CP benchmarks:
| Level | Max CP (Normal) | Max CP (Weather-Boosted) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 806 | – |
| 35 | 874 | (Boosted under Sunny or Snowy weather) |
Ferroseed reaches a maximum CP of 1064 at Level 50, though most trainers prefer evolving it once enough Candy is gathered.
How to Evolve Ferroseed into Ferrothorn
Evolving Ferroseed is straightforward:
- You need 50 Ferroseed Candies.
- There are no special tasks—no walking requirements or items.
- Using a Pinap Berry before capture helps double Candy and speed up evolution progress.
Once evolved, Ferrothorn becomes a bulky and reliable choice for both gym defense and certain PvP leagues.
Should You Evolve and Use Ferrothorn?
PvE (Raids and Gyms)
While Ferrothorn boasts impressive defense, its attack stat is too low for raid offense. It performs best as a gym defender, where its double weakness to Fire is its only major flaw.
PvP (Trainer Battles)
In Great League, Ferrothorn excels thanks to:
- Bullet Seed (fast energy generation)
- Power Whip, Thunder, or Flash Cannon for flexible charge attacks.
Its ten resistances and solid bulk make it a formidable threat. In Ultra League, it’s usable but loses ground to Fire and Fighting types; in Master League, it’s mostly outclassed.
