Pokémon Breeding Guide

Learn how Pokémon breeding works in different games, when two Pokémon are compatible, and which items are useful for getting better IVs, Natures, and baby Pokémon.

Egg Groups Ditto explanation

How does breeding work?

Basically, you create an Egg by using two compatible Pokémon together. In older games, you do that through the Day Care or Nursery, and in Scarlet/Violet through a picnic.

Choose two compatible Pokémon
Usually, they need to be in the same Egg Group, or you use Ditto.

If you are not sure which Pokémon to use, check the breeding checker below.

Make an egg appear
In older games, through the Nursery; in Scarlet/Violet, through a picnic basket.

Make the egg hatch
By walking or riding enough steps until the egg hatches.

Check the stats
Look at the Nature, Ability, IVs, and possibly Egg Moves.

Most important rules

Same Egg Group

Usually, Pokémon need to be in the same Egg Group to produce an Egg.

Ditto works often

Many Pokémon can breed with Ditto, including genderless species.

Species of the baby Pokémon

The baby is usually the species of the mother, or of the non-Ditto parent.

Not everything is possible

Legendary Pokémon and species in the No Eggs Discovered group usually cannot breed.