Pokemon GO Thievul: Best moveset, counters, and is it any good?

Pokemon GO Thievul's best moveset will help you get the most optimal results with this creature. It was released on March 19, 2025, with the Deep Depths event. This Pocket Monster can be obtained by evolving Nickit by feeding it 50 Candy. Thievul is a mono-Dark-type creature, which can be quite effective in the current meta with Psywave users being quite dominant.

This article highlights the best moveset for Thievul in Pokemon GO. It also covers the creature's PvP and PvE viability, as well as the best ways to counter it.

Pokemon GO Thievul best moveset

Pokemon GO Thievul best PvP moveset

Fast Attack: Snarl
Charged Attacks: Play Rough and Night Slash

Pokemon GO Thievul best PvE moveset (Dark-type attacker)

Fast Attack: Snarl
Charged Attacks: Night Slash

Also read: How to get Nickit in Pokemon GO, and can it be shiny?

Is Thievul good in Pokemon GO PvP and PvE?

Thievul in Pokemon GO PvP

Simulations rank Thievul poorly. Its mono Dark typing, jack-of-all-trades stats, and lack of moveset options hold it back from being a top meta threat. However, in the Great League of Pokemon GO, Thievul can do well as it resists some of the best Fast Attacks in the game right now — most notably Psywave.

To get decent results out of Thievul, you'd need to team-build with its strengths and weaknesses in mind.

Thievul in Pokemon GO PvE

Thievul doesn't have the damage output needed to be a top Dark-type attacker. It has a relatively low max combat power and a below-average Attack stat. You can, however, use it for less strenuous situations like Attacking and Defending Gyms in Pokemon GO.

Also read: Top shinies to hunt for during Pokemon GO Deep Depths

Pokemon GO Thievul: All moves and stats

The Fast Attacks that Thievul can learn in this AR-based mobile game are:

Snarl
Quick Attack

This Pocket Monster can learn these Charged Attacks:

Night Slash
Play Rough

Base stats

Attack: 172
Defense: 164
Stamina: 172
Max CP: 2,415

Pokemon GO Thievul's strengths and weaknesses

Thievul's type matchups (Image via Sportskeeda)

Weaknesses:

Bug
Fairy
Fighting

Resistances:

Dark
Ghost
Psychic

Thievul deals STAB super-effective damage to the following types:

Ghost
Psychic

Learn more about Thievul's offensive and defensive prowess using our Pokemon Type Calculator.

Best counters to Thievul in Pokemon GO

Great League counters: Annihilape, Azumarill, Diggersby, Shadow Drapion, and Clodsire.

Ultra League counters: Clefable, Virizion, Annihilape, Skeledirge, and Feraligatr.

PvE counters

Mega Lucario with Force Palm and Aura Sphere.
Mega Blaziken with Counter and Focus Blast.
Terrakion with Double Kick and Sacred Sword.
Mega or Shadow Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
Xerneas with Geomancy and Moonblast
Shadow Granbull with Charm and Play Rough
Mega Heracross with Struggle Bug and Megahorn
Mega or Shadow Pinsir with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
Mega or Shadow Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
Shadow Escavalier with Bug Bite and Megahorn

In other news, the details of the Pokemon GO Fest 2025 have been announced.

Check out our other Pokemon GO guides:

Ditto disguises
Buddy Evolution Adventure Together guide
Best Fast Attacks in Pokemon GO
Sierra counters
Cliff counters
Arlo counters
Giovanni counters
Team GO Rocket Grunts