Sunkern Guide

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Arthur Monteclar

Arthur has been in the writing business for years now, and he loves writing about his hobbies, one of which is video games. He loves Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley and other relaxing games of this nature, namely the Pokémon series which is his biggest love within gaming. He is also a software programmer, so he understands the craft and effort invested in the gaming medium. He is also fond of manga and anime, being an avid follower of One Piece and Kaguya-Sama, to name a few.

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A few weeks ago, I went on a vacation to a well-known hillside city, and along our tour, we went to a huge garden full of colorful flowers of all kinds. There were roses, daisies, poppies, tulips, and more, but the flowers that really caught my eye there were the sunflowers. There were so many of them, and each brightly shined as they kissed the sun’s warmth. Looking at them, I thought of something.

What would they look like if they were Pokémon? Weirdly, that question burned my brain for a long time, but it became clear why; I had not been playing Pokémon ever since I was on vacation! At that point, I could not figure out if there was a Pokémon to exist that mimics a sunflower. As I got home after a long period of vacation, I sat down and looked it up. Lo and behold, the internet provided.

Sunflora completely slipped my mind. It is such a cute Pokémon to have, yet an even cuter Pokémon is its pre-evolution: Sunkern. Sunkern is designed around sunflower seeds, which are incredibly delicious when roasted. However, you would not want to roast this Pokémon as its large eyes entice you to keep it as your baby. I have dedicated this article all about the adorable Sunkern.

Bottom Line Up Front

Sunkern is a Pokémon introduced in Generation II with the Grass typing that evolves into Sunflora after using a Sun Stone on it. Below is some important information about the Seed Pokémon Sunkern.

• Sunkern (Seed Pokémon)
• National Dex Number: 191
• Type: Grass
• Ability: Chlorophyll; Solar Power
• Hidden Ability: Early Bird
• Egg Groups: Grass
• Hatch Time: 5140 to 5396 steps
• Height: 1’ or 0.3 m
• Weight: 4 lbs. or 1.8 kg
• Base Experience Yield: 52 (Gen II to IV); 36 (Gen V+)
• Leveling Rate: Medium Slow
• EV Yield: 1 Special Attack
• Gender Ratio: 50% Male, 50% Female
• Catch Rate: 235 (41.3%)

What does Sunkern Look Like in Pokémon?

Sunkern’s body resembles a yellow sunflower seed with a small leafy sprout growing through an opening at the top.

The opening has spikey protrusions from the head. It has large, circular, and dark eyes along with a “w” smile, similar to what my cat does when it asks for food. Along with its eyes are brown stripes that end with three spikes. Below its mouth is another brown stripe ending with a singular spike.

The research surrounding the Pokémon is fascinating; apparently, it is so weak that it moves to a minimum to conserve energy and nutrients. Its whole existence waits for it to evolve into a Sunflora due to how weak it is. It shakes its leaves at its attacker, and, weirdly enough, they drop from the sky in the early mornings. The Sunkern population explodes after a cold summer, which is a shame for trainers with allergies.

Where to Find Sunkern in Pokémon Games

Sunkern debuted in Gen II, which is a shame for me, who started playing Pokémon during Gen III, as this Pokémon does not appear in those games. Well, an exception would be in Pokémon Emerald, as I could get one in the Hoenn Safari Zone. Personal bias aside, this Pokémon appears in future games, although it does not appear in the latest entry, i.e., Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Where to find Sunkern in Pokémon Gen II (Gold, Silver, and Crystal)

You can find Sunkern in all three games! In Gold and Silver, you have a 30% chance of finding a level 10 Sunkern among the grass patches in Kanto Route 24. In Crystal, the Sunkern’s level in this route goes up to 12. You can also find Sunkern in the Johto National Park during the day.

Your chances of finding a level 11 to 13 Sunkern among the grass is 25% in Gold and Silver. Meanwhile, the chance goes down to 20%, but the level goes up to 14 in Crystal. I advise getting a Sunkern in the National Park as it is the earliest opportunity you can have to catch it. This move is useful for completing the Pokédex.

Where to Find Sunkern in Pokémon Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Fire Red, and Leaf Green)

Unfortunately, you cannot randomly encounter a Sunkern in this generation, with the exception of Pokémon Emerald. In that game, you can encounter a Sunkern in the Hoenn Safari Zone, particularly in Areas 5 and 6. In Area 5, you have a 30% chance of encountering a level 33 or 35 one through the grass. Meanwhile, in Area 6, you have a 10% chance for a level 34.

Aside from the exception, the only way you can get one would be through trading or transferring a Sunkern from the previous games into these games. Another way, which is extremely difficult, is through events in Japan that give these Pokémon away.

Thus, you can either play Emerald and trade it to a Ruby or Sapphire game or just outright use cheats (the Pokémon police will not catch you).

Where to find Sunkern in Pokémon Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum)

Sunkern is a hard-to-find Pokémon in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum; the only way to get one in these games requires a Poké Radar, a device you can get from Professor Rowan after completing the National Pokédex. That feat alone is difficult to achieve, so good luck with that. But, if you have one, head to the northern part of Sinnoh Route 204, where it connects to Floaroma Town.

In Diamond and Pearl, you have a 22% chance of meeting a level 6 or 8 Sunkern using the Poké Radar. In Platinum, the level goes up to 9 or 11.

Since you can only encounter a Sunkern through a Poké Radar, a device you can get after completing the National Pokédex, you 100% have a Sunkern already through unknown means (I won’t judge if you have been using cheats). Trading from an HG or SS game is valid.

Where to Find Sunkern in Pokémon Gen IV (Heart Gold and Soul Silver)

Here comes the remake of Gen II, and with it, the chance to not have a painstaking way of catching a Sunkern. Just like its origin games, you can catch it in Kanto Route 24 with the same level and encounter rate as Gold and Silver. In the National Park, they follow the same encounter rate (25%) during the day with Gold and Silver, but the level is different; here, the level goes down to 10 or 12.

However, a new method of catching Sunkern is available; Johto now has its own Safari Zone, something Gen III addicts like me are attracted to. There is a 30% chance of finding a level 15 to 17 Sunkern through the grasses of the meadow area during the day.

Where to Find Sunkern in Pokémon Gen V (Black, White, Black 2, and White 2)

Finally, a new game where you can encounter Sunkern normally that is not a reiteration of Gen II! In Black and White, go to Route 12; you have a 20% chance of encountering a level 47 Sunkern in the grass or a level 57 one in the dark grass. In Black 2 and White 2, head to Route 20 instead; the chances of finding a Sunkern are a bit wacky here after the game’s introduction of seasons.

During the Spring, Autumn, and Winter, there is a 5% chance of meeting a level 2 to 4 Sunkern through the grass or a level 9 to 11 one through the dark grass. During the Summer, that encounter rate increases to 25%. Thank God Game Freak let us encounter one normally and not accomplish the entire Pokédex first. There is not much of a recommendation here since these routes are your only option, though.

Where to Find Sunkern in Pokémon Gen VI (X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire)

Once again, Game Freak took our chance of normally getting our precious seed in this generation. In X and Y, there is only one way to get a Sunkern (outside of transferring one from previous games); that one method is the Friend Safari, specifically the Grass-type. Sunkern fills the first slot of such safaris, so find a friend that has a Sunkern in their Safari if you really want a Sunkern badly.

In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, you can encounter Sunkern in Mirage Forests, locations accessible only by soaring through the sky with Latias or Latios. In the Mirage Forests west of Route 114, east of Mossdeep City, and north of Lilycove City and Route 124, you have a 30% chance of finding a level 36 to 38 Sunkern.

In the Mirage Forest south of route 109, that chance goes down to 10%, but the one south of route 132 goes up to 60%. If you are looking for a Sunkern in these games, I suggest going to the latter for its high encounter rate.

Where to find Sunkern in Pokémon Gen VII (Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon)

This generation is where our precious seed becomes slowly unobtainable, so buckle your seatbelts for this emotional roller coaster. In these games, you can only get a Sunkern by transferring one from an older game through the Pokémon Bank. You cannot even find one in Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee. However, it gets worse in Gen VIII.

Where to find Sunkern in Pokémon Gen VIII (Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl)

In Gen VIII, specifically in Pokémon Sword and Shield, our yellow, smiling pip is completely gone.

The only way to get one in this generation would be through Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, which are remakes of the Diamond and Pearl games (just in case it is not obvious to you). Once again, route 204 in these games shares the same encounter rate and level as its origin game (22% chance, levels 6 to 8).

Also, you still need a Poké Radar, which is kind of crazy. Wait, Game Freak introduced a new way to encounter Sunkern without the need for Poké Radar! It is through the Grand Underground within the Grassland Caves and Sunlit Caverns. However, you can only encounter them after completing the National Pokédex, which is… unfortunate. Oh, well. Farewell, my precious seedy boy.

Where to Find Sunkern in Pokémon Go

Arceus has forsaken us for giving us the opportunity to catch Sunkern in Pokémon Go. Being a Grass-type Pokémon, you have a higher chance of finding one in grassy areas like parks, gardens, forests, and the like. Alternatively, you can use Incense to increase the spawn rate of Pokémon for an hour or a Mossy Lure to increase the chances for Grass-type Pokémon to spawn.

Sunkern in the Pokémon Anime

The gorgeous seed makes its debut in the original series’ 187th episode, “Moving Pictures.” In this episode, Ash and the crew discover a frozen Sunkern in a field. They take care of the Seed Pokémon in a lodge, where they meet an elderly couple who want to meet with hundreds of Sunflora for their golden anniversary.

Later on, Ash evolves the Sunkern into a Sunflora, and it calls for its friends, fulfilling the elderly couple’s wishes. Future episodes only have Sunkern as background characters; the following episodes have a Sunkern or two make an appearance:

• Pikachu’s PikaBoo (Pikachu Shorts, Episode 10)
• Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire Series
  • Grass Hysteria! (Episode 73)
  • Island Time (Episode 124)
• Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl Series
  • Some Enchanted Sweetening! (Episode 30)
  • An Angry Combeenation! (Episode 32)
  • Dawn’s Early Night! (Episode 49)
  • Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! (Episode 71 to 72)
• Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (Movie 11)
• Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life (Movie 12)
• Pokémon – Zoroark: Master of Illusions (Movie 13)
• Satoshi and Citron! Good Friendship Training! (Pokémon Journeys Series, Episode 103)

What are Sunkern’s Base Stats in Pokémon?

I do not know why you would care about Sunkern’s base stats, as they are incredibly low. Yeah, Sunkern is cute and all, but you do not want to bring one to an actual Pokémon battle; trust me, you would only do more harm to it than good. You should consider evolving it if you really want to bring one. Nevertheless, here are its base stats, with a total of 180.

What are Sunkern’s Best and Worst Stats?

Assuming you went straight to this section without reading the previous one, let me clarify: Sunkern’s stats are all 30. What you think is its best stat is also its worst stat. Since everything is equal, though, you have plenty of options on what you want to go for in terms of move set (assuming you will be using one in battle because you are a masochist).

Keep in mind, though, that Sunkern’s evolution, Sunflora, has pretty great stats. Sunflora’s best stat would be its Special Attack, and its worst stat is its Speed. So, consider these two options if you are planning on a certain nature or move set.

What are Sunkern’s Abilities in Pokémon?

Sunkern can have one of three abilities, with one being its hidden ability, and they are as follows:

• Chlorophyll: During harsh sunlight, the Sunkern’s Speed doubles.
• Solar Power: During harsh sunlight, the Sunkern’s Special Attack increases by x1.5. However, it will also lose an eighth of its maximum HP every turn end.
• Early Bird (Hidden Ability): If Sunkern becomes asleep, it wakes up very early than usual. The ability halves the Pokémon’s sleeping time (rounded down if it is an odd number).

What is the Best Ability for Sunkern in Pokémon?

Sunkern’s abilities (excluding the hidden one) revolve around harsh sunlight, so Sunkern’s best ability could be Chlorophyll or Solar Power, depending on your intentions. If you want to make up for Sunflora’s lacking Speed, go for Chlorophyll, but if you want to make your Sunkern into a Special Attack sweeper, Solar Power would be the better choice.

No matter which of the two choices you pick, you should have Sunny Day to trigger the harsh sunlight where Sunkern thrives. You can have another Pokémon set the weather condition for it. After all, Sunkern is already weak, so you look like carrying an infant to a war zone. So, it being weak will not be good for setting up the stage.

Early Bird is situational; if you are sure that you are facing a Pokémon with moves that can make your Sunkern sleep, then go ahead. However, Early Bird can still be useful for Rest setups, as the ability can also halve the move (instead of two turns sleeping, Rest only takes one). However, it is its hidden ability, and they are absent before Gen V. Plus, it is also rare to find one with this ability, so good luck.

What are the Best Natures for Sunkern in Pokémon?

Sunkern’s stats make nature more relevant than ever since this Pokémon has equal stats overall. However, considering you are planning on evolving it to a Sunflora, I would advise the following natures:

• Modest (Increased Special Attack, Decreased Attack): Sunkern’s Special Attack and Attack stats are the same, but Sunflora’s Special Attack clearly shines brighter than the latter. You should look into boosting that one aspect of its strength. Plus, it is a Grass-type Pokémon, and they usually have special moves. If you still want more boosts, let it have the Solar Power ability.
• Timid (Increased Speed, Decreased Attack): Sunflora’s Speed stat is horrendous! It remains 30, much like the beloved Sunkern. So, you can cover this weakness by decreasing the one aspect that you would not use on the Pokémon. If you still want more boosts, let it have the Chlorophyll ability and watch its Speed double up.

Sunkern’s Moves Per Level (Generation VIII)

Note that these moves are in the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl games, as Sunkern is absent from Pokémon Sword and Shield. I know; it also hurts to hear.

Sunkern’s Moves from TM (Generation VIII)

Sunkern’s Moves from Breeding (Generation VIII)

What is Sunkern Strong Against in Pokémon?

Being a Grass-type Pokémon, Sunkern is defensively strong against Ground, Water, Grass, and Electric-type moves, which means that any damage from attacking moves of the following types gets halved against Sunkern. Otherwise, it receives the normal amount of damage from Normal, Fighting, Rock, Ghost, Steel, Psychic, Dragon, Dark, and Fairy-type moves.

What is Sunkern Weak to in Pokémon?

Defensively, Sunkern gets x2 damage from Flying, Poison, Bug, Fire, and Ice-type moves. Therefore, you must watch out for Pokémon of these types, as it can utterly flame your Sunkern into roasted and edible sunflower seeds.

What is the Best Build for Sunkern in Pokémon?

If you are seriously considering putting Sunkern in a Pokémon battle, you are either a masochist, a crazy person, or a challenge-oriented fighter. Sometimes, these three types of people become blurry and become one instead because who in their right mind would put Sunkern on a battlefield. Even in Little Cups, Sunkern would get absolutely dunked on, which is not good.

But if you are still insisting on it despite talking trash about this strategy, then without further ado, I present the best I can come up with below:

• Item: Life Orb (enhances Sunkern’s damage by x1.3 but takes a tenth of its max HP after every attack)
• Ability: Chlorophyll
• Nature: Modest; Timid
• EVs: 4 HP, 252 Special Attack, 242 Speed
• Moves
  • Sunny Day; Double Team
  • Solar Beam
  • Hidden Power (Fire); Hidden Power (Ice)
  • Synthesis; Mega Drain

If you use Sunkern, you might as well have a Sunny Day team. I would strongly suggest having someone else set up the Sunny Day instead of Sunkern, but if you want your Sunkern to do that duty, then go ahead. If someone else would do the heavy lifting, go for Double Team. It sure would not be legal in tournaments, but I doubt you are even entering Sunkern in tournaments in the first place.

Double Team raises Sunkern’s evasion sharply, which is extremely useful considering its low defensive stats. Solar Beam is a powerful grass move that can benefit from Sunny Day; instead of taking two turns to set up, it can deal damage at the first turn. Hidden Power is a move whose type depends on the Pokémon itself. If your Sunkern does not have a Fire or Ice-type Hidden Power, consider replacing it.

Having a Hidden Power with the Fire or Ice-type lets Sunkern counter the Pokémon it is weak to. For example, Ice-type Hidden Power would be a pain for Flying-type Pokémon. Likewise, Fire-types are troublesome for Bug-types, as well as Grass-types looking to benefit from your harsh sunlight. You cannot let other people take a bite out of your sunlight!

Finally, Synthesis and Mega Drain are moves that help you recover health. These moves are especially useful to remedy the Life Orb’s troublesome side effects.

Synthesis benefits immensely from Sunny Day, as the Sunkern can recover two-thirds of its health this way. As for Mega Drain, it is useful in weakening the enemy while empowering yours. However, it is unusable against Pokémon Sunkern is weak to.

Sunkern Guide: FAQs

Conclusion: Is Sunkern a Good Pokémon?

In terms of combat, Sunkern is definitely not a good Pokémon. However, it is a good Pokémon within our hearts. It is a cute baby seed that should not be brought into the horrible conditions of the stadium. Its design is so adorable; you wish real-life seeds would look like it. Its main attraction is its eyes, which are incredibly large and round. Competitively, though, Sunkern is not competent at all.

Its evolution, Sunflora, is a good pick. You can consider getting a Sunkern for a Sunflora and set up a Sunny Day team with another Pokémon like Exeggutor, Victrebeel, and more. However, if you can have a more powerful pick, you can replace Sunflora with it. Thankfully, Sunflora’s Special Attack is incredibly good, but it has weak defensive stats.