#0264 · Hoenn · Generation 3

Linoone

Rushing Pokémon · Normal-type

Linoone is a Normal-type Pokémon, the Rushing Pokémon, number 264 (#0264) in the National Pokédex. It was introduced in Generation 3 and comes from the Hoenn region. It is 0.5 m tall and weighs 32.5 kg.

Linoone is the Rushing Pokémon, a Normal type that can top about 100 km/h in a perfectly straight line but has to stop dead before it can turn. The Pokédex says that is why it often misses its prey.

How to pronounce Linoone

Linoone is pronounced ly-NOON. The capital letters show the stressed syllable.

Listen to Linoone said out loud:

In Japanese it is マッスグマ (Massuguma).

Hear every other name on the Pokémon pronunciation guide.

Lore

Biology

Linoone is a slender, tan quadruped with brown stripes; one long stripe ends in an arrowhead on its forehead. It has tufted ears, long cheek fur and sharp claws, stands 0.5 m tall and weighs 32.5 kg. Galarian Linoone is black and white, with a star-shaped mask around its red eyes and a long red tongue.

Behaviour

Linoone runs flat out and only in straight lines: the Pokédex says it turns at a right angle to dodge obstacles and finds gently curving roads very hard. It charges prey, and leaps into ponds after prey it spots underwater. In the anime it grabs anything round and stashes it in its cheek pouches. Galarian Linoone is rash, taunting rivals with its tongue and tackling them once they are angry.

Habitat

The Pokédex habitat is Grassland. In Ruby and Sapphire it lives on Hoenn Routes 118 to 121 and 123.

Powers

By levelling up Linoone learns Slash, Fury Swipes, Take Down, Belly Drum and Double-Edge. Pickup and Gluttony are its Abilities, with Quick Feet hidden. With 100 base Speed and 70 Attack it is a quick physical attacker.

Name origin

Linoone may combine 'line' with 'raccoon', for its straight-line running. The Japanese name is Massuguma (マッスグマ), possibly from massugu ('straight') plus araiguma ('raccoon') or anaguma ('badger').

Design inspiration

Linoone may blend a badger with a weasel or ferret while wearing tanuki colours, and its flame and lightning stripes may nod to race cars. It may also draw on the kamaitachi, a weasel spirit of Japanese folklore with razor-sharp claws. These are fan readings. James Turner designed the Galarian form.

Evolution notes

Linoone evolves from Zigzagoon at level 20. Galarian Linoone, from Galarian Zigzagoon, evolves into Obstagoon at level 35 at night.

In the games

In Sword and Shield both the Hoennian and Galarian forms of Linoone appear, and only the Galarian one leads to Obstagoon. Linoone debuted in Ruby and Sapphire, and Bulbapedia lists it as unobtainable in Scarlet and Violet and in Legends: Z-A.

In the anime

Linoone debuted in 'Showdown at Linoone', where Kimmy Shoney's Linoone, Tokin, had picked up a habit of snatching whatever it saw. In 'Arceus and the Jewel of Life', a hypnotised Damos orders five Linoone to attack Arceus.

Fun facts

• According to Sword's Pokédex, brushes for shaving made from shed Linoone hairs are prized.
• Linoone cannot turn at speed, yet in Sword and Shield it can learn Extreme Speed as an Egg Move.
• Bulbapedia says Linoone alone can use the Mix Elixir in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, an item whose name puns on Linoone's Japanese name, as both involve the Japanese word for straight.

Sources: Bulbapedia: Linoone (Pokémon) · Serebii: Linoone (Sword/Shield Pokédex)

Base stats

• HP: 78
• Attack: 70
• Defense: 61
• Sp. Atk: 50
• Sp. Def: 61
• Speed: 100

Linoone’s base stat total is 420. Its highest stat is Speed.

Type matchups

What is Linoone weak to?

Linoone takes extra damage from Fighting (2×) moves.

It is immune to Ghost moves.

Evolution

What does Linoone evolve from?

Linoone evolves from Zigzagoon (Level 20; Galarian Zigzagoon: Level 20).

How does Linoone evolve?

Linoone evolves into Obstagoon (Galarian Linoone: Level 35, at night).

The whole family: Zigzagoon, Linoone, Obstagoon.

Forms

• Galarian Linoone (Galarian form): Dark/Normal-type, base stat total 420 (HP 78, Attack 70, Defense 61, Sp. Atk 50, Sp. Def 61, Speed 100). Abilities: Pickup, Gluttony, Quick Feet (hidden).

Abilities

• Pickup: Picks up other Pokémon's used and Flung held items. May also pick up an item after battle.
• Gluttony: Makes the Pokémon eat any held Berry triggered by low HP below 1/2 its max HP.
• Quick Feet (hidden ability): Increases Speed to 1.5× with a major status ailment.

Moves

Moves Linoone learns by level up in Sword / Shield

“Evo” means Linoone learns the move the moment it evolves: Slash.

TM moves (44)

Linoone can learn 44 moves from TMs in Sword / Shield: Pin Missile, Hyper Beam, Giga Impact, Thunder Wave, Dig, Rest, Thief, Snore, Protect, Icy Wind, Charm, Attract, Rain Dance, Sunny Day, Whirlpool, Facade, Swift, Helping Hand, Mud Shot, Fling, Shadow Claw, Round, Retaliate, Tail Slap, Stomping Tantrum, Body Slam, Surf, Ice Beam, Blizzard, Thunderbolt, Thunder, Substitute, Endure, Sleep Talk, Iron Tail, Shadow Ball, Trick, Hyper Voice, Seed Bomb, Gunk Shot, Grass Knot, Work Up, Play Rough, Throat Chop.

Egg moves (3), which Zigzagoon can hatch knowing:Extreme Speed, Simple Beam, Tickle.

Breeding & training

• Gender: 50% male, 50% female.
• Egg groups: Field.
• Egg cycles: 15 (steps to hatch, Scarlet/Violet: 1,920).
• Catch rate: 90 out of 255.
• Base friendship (Gen 8 onward): 50.
• Growth rate: Medium (1,000,000 experience points to reach level 100).
• Defeating it gives 2 Speed effort values.
• Base experience yield: 147.

Pokédex entries

It uses its explosive speed and razor-sharp claws to bring down prey. Running along winding paths is not its strong suit. (Shield)

Its fur is strong and supple. Shaving brushes made with shed Linoone hairs are highly prized. (Sword)

When hunting, Linoone will make a beeline straight for the prey at a full run. While this Pokémon is capable of topping 60 mph, it has to come to a screeching halt before it can turn. (Sapphire, Alpha Sapphire)

Linoone always runs full speed and only in straight lines. If facing an obstacle, it makes a right-angle turn to evade it. This Pokémon is very challenged by gently curving roads. (Ruby, Omega Ruby)

It charges prey at speeds over 60 mph. However, because it can only run straight, it often fails. (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Black, White, Black 2, White 2, Y)

When running in a straight line, it can easily top 60 miles an hour. It has a tough time with curved roads. (HeartGold, SoulSilver, X)

Names around the world

Trivia

• Taller than 19% of all Pokémon (0.5 m).
• Heavier than 55% of all Pokémon (32.5 kg).
• Base stat total 420, ranked #562 of 1,025.
• One of 131 Normal-type Pokémon (counting dual types).
• One of 88 white Pokémon.
• Number 13 of 135 Pokémon introduced in Generation 3 (Hoenn).
• Part of an evolution family of 3 Pokémon.
• Can learn 62 different moves in Sword / Shield.
• Catch rate 90: about 11.8% per Poké Ball at full health.
• Has 1 alternate form.
• Appears in 8 distinct Pokédex entries.

Sources and fact-checking

• Stats, types, abilities, moves, evolutions, forms and Pokédex entries: PokéAPI open game data.
• Lore: written by pokee.si in our own words, researched from Bulbapedia: Linoone (Pokémon), Serebii: Linoone (Sword/Shield Pokédex).
• Pronunciation (ly-NOON): it follows how the English anime, games or official videos say it.

Last checked: 20 October 2026. Every sentence of the lore was checked against Bulbapedia, Serebii and the game data.

Explore

Normal-type Pokémon · Hoenn region guide · Pickup ability · Gluttony ability · Quick Feet ability · Compare Linoone · Full Pokédex · Type chart · All moves

Browse similar Pokémon

Gen 3 Normal-type Pokémon · Gen 3 Pokémon list · White Pokémon list · Field egg group · Pokémon that start with L · Weasel and Raccoon Pokémon

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