--- title: "Persian (#0053): Stats, Weaknesses, Moves & Lore | pokee.si" url: "https://pokee.si/pokemon/persian" description: "Persian (#0053): Normal-type Classy Cat Pokémon from Kanto. Base stat total 440. Stats, matchups, evolutions, moves, every Pokédex entry and lore on pokee.si." last_updated: "2026-10-21" publisher: "pokee.si: a Pokédex for families (unofficial fan site)" last_checked: "2026-10-19" --- #0053 · Kanto · Generation 1 # Persian Classy Cat Pokémon · Normal-type ![Persian official artwork](https://pokee.si/img/art/53.webp) Persian is a [Normal](https://pokee.si/types/normal)-type Pokémon, the Classy Cat Pokémon, number 53 (#0053) in the National Pokédex. It was introduced in Generation 1 and comes from the [Kanto](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/kanto) region. It is 1 m tall and weighs 32 kg. Persian is the Classy Cat Pokémon, an elegant, jewelled cat that scratches anyone, its Trainer included, for hardly any reason. Grab it by the whiskers, though, and it goes docile. ## How to pronounce Persian Persian is pronounced **PUR-zhun**. The capital letters show the stressed syllable. Listen to Persian said out loud: [Listen](https://pokee.si/audio/names/53.mp3) In Japanese it is ペルシアン. Hear every other name on the [Pokémon pronunciation guide](https://pokee.si/pronounce). ## Lore ### Biology Persian is a sleek pale-tan cat, 1 m tall and 32 kg, with black-rimmed ears, red slit-pupil eyes and a red jewel on its forehead. Its six bold whiskers sense tiny movements in the air, and its lithe muscles let it walk without a sound. An upright tail signals that it is about to pounce. ### Behaviour Many people adore Persian for its fur and sophisticated air, but it is hard to keep as a pet. It is popular with wealthy owners, and hunters target it for the jewel. It and Perrserker share a mutual disdain, and Pokémon Sleep says it grooms itself even when asleep. ### Habitat Bulbapedia lists it as an urban Pokémon of towns and cities. In Scarlet and Violet it is wild in Paldea's West and South Provinces and in 4-star Tera Raids. ### Powers It strikes with Pay Day, Fury Swipes, Slash and Play Rough, and its Abilities are Limber, Technician and the hidden Unnerve. Alolan Persian is a Dark type with blue-grey fur and a blue jewel that fights with sucker punches and surprise attacks; Bulbapedia says it is the sole known holder of Fur Coat in Generation IX. Persian's base Speed of 115 is the highest of any Normal type in Generation I. ### Name origin Persian refers to Persian cats, or possibly Persian leopards. The Japanese name is also Persian (ペルシアン). ### Design inspiration Despite its name, Persian seems based more on leopards and cougars than on Persian cats, and its Japanese category is 'Siamese cat'. The jewel may nod to the Carbuncle, a Latin American beast with a gem on its forehead. Alolan Persian looks like a British Shorthair. These are fan readings. ### Evolution notes Persian evolves from Meowth at level 28, while Alolan Persian evolves from Alolan Meowth through friendship. ### In the games In Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team a Persian runs Felicity Bank at Pokémon Square. In Scarlet and Violet it is wild in Paldea, and in Legends: Z-A both forms appear in the Mega Dimension DLC. ### In the anime Giovanni's Persian debuted in 'Battle Aboard the St. Anne' and is almost always at his side, though it was only seen battling once. Pershie, an Alolan Persian owned by a Madame, first appeared in 'That's Why the Litten is a Scamp!'. ### Fun facts - Bulbapedia speculates that Persian's Pokédex slot, number 53, could be a nod to 1953, when the first Bond novel came out, because Giovanni and his Persian echo the white cat of Number 1 in the Bond stories. - In 'Go West, Young Meowth!', a Persian led the street Meowth gang that Team Rocket's Meowth used to belong to. - Persian was already a Darkness-type Trading Card Game card in 2005 and again in 2006, long before the Alolan form made it Dark-type in the games. Sources: [Bulbapedia: Persian (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Persian_(Pok%C3%A9mon)) · [Serebii: Persian (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/persian/) ## Base stats - HP: **65** - Attack: **70** - Defense: **60** - Sp. Atk: **65** - Sp. Def: **65** - Speed: **115** Persian’s base stat total is **440**. Its highest stat is Speed. ## Type matchups ### What is Persian weak to? Persian takes extra damage from [Fighting](https://pokee.si/types/fighting) (2×) moves. It is immune to [Ghost](https://pokee.si/types/ghost) moves. ## Evolution ### What does Persian evolve from? Persian evolves from [Meowth](https://pokee.si/pokemon/meowth) (Level 28; Alolan Meowth: Friendship). Persian is the final stage of its evolution family. The whole family: [Meowth](https://pokee.si/pokemon/meowth), **Persian**, [Perrserker](https://pokee.si/pokemon/perrserker). - [Meowth](https://pokee.si/pokemon/meowth) evolves into [Perrserker](https://pokee.si/pokemon/perrserker) (Galarian Meowth: Level 28). ## Forms - **Alolan Persian** (Alolan form): [Dark](https://pokee.si/types/dark)-type, base stat total 440 (HP 65, Attack 60, Defense 60, Sp. Atk 75, Sp. Def 65, Speed 115). Abilities: [Fur Coat](https://pokee.si/abilities/fur-coat), [Technician](https://pokee.si/abilities/technician), [Rattled](https://pokee.si/abilities/rattled) (hidden). ## Abilities - [Limber](https://pokee.si/abilities/limber): Prevents paralysis. - [Technician](https://pokee.si/abilities/technician): Strengthens moves of 60 base power or less to 1.5× their power. - [Unnerve](https://pokee.si/abilities/unnerve) (hidden ability): Prevents opposing Pokémon from eating held Berries. ## Moves ### Moves Persian learns by level up in Scarlet / Violet | Level | Move | Type | Category | Power | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Evo | [Power Gem](https://pokee.si/moves/power-gem) | Rock | Special | 80 | | 1 | [Scratch](https://pokee.si/moves/scratch) | Normal | Physical | 40 | | 1 | [Growl](https://pokee.si/moves/growl) | Normal | Status | — | | 1 | [Fake Out](https://pokee.si/moves/fake-out) | Normal | Physical | 40 | | 1 | [Feint](https://pokee.si/moves/feint) | Normal | Physical | 30 | | 1 | [Switcheroo](https://pokee.si/moves/switcheroo) | Dark | Status | — | | 12 | [Pay Day](https://pokee.si/moves/pay-day) | Normal | Physical | 40 | | 16 | [Bite](https://pokee.si/moves/bite) | Dark | Physical | 60 | | 20 | [Taunt](https://pokee.si/moves/taunt) | Dark | Status | — | | 24 | [Assurance](https://pokee.si/moves/assurance) | Dark | Physical | 60 | | 31 | [Fury Swipes](https://pokee.si/moves/fury-swipes) | Normal | Physical | 18 | | 36 | [Screech](https://pokee.si/moves/screech) | Normal | Status | — | | 42 | [Slash](https://pokee.si/moves/slash) | Normal | Physical | 70 | | 48 | [Nasty Plot](https://pokee.si/moves/nasty-plot) | Dark | Status | — | | 54 | [Play Rough](https://pokee.si/moves/play-rough) | Fairy | Physical | 90 | “Evo” means Persian learns the move the moment it evolves: [Power Gem](https://pokee.si/moves/power-gem). ### TM moves (53) Persian can learn 53 moves from TMs in Scarlet / Violet: [Take Down](https://pokee.si/moves/take-down), [Charm](https://pokee.si/moves/charm), [Fake Tears](https://pokee.si/moves/fake-tears), [Agility](https://pokee.si/moves/agility), [Protect](https://pokee.si/moves/protect), [Thief](https://pokee.si/moves/thief), [Trailblaze](https://pokee.si/moves/trailblaze), [Chilling Water](https://pokee.si/moves/chilling-water), [Facade](https://pokee.si/moves/facade), [Aerial Ace](https://pokee.si/moves/aerial-ace), [Snarl](https://pokee.si/moves/snarl), [Metal Claw](https://pokee.si/moves/metal-claw), [Swift](https://pokee.si/moves/swift), [Icy Wind](https://pokee.si/moves/icy-wind), [Endure](https://pokee.si/moves/endure), [Sunny Day](https://pokee.si/moves/sunny-day), [Rain Dance](https://pokee.si/moves/rain-dance), [Dig](https://pokee.si/moves/dig), [False Swipe](https://pokee.si/moves/false-swipe), [U-turn](https://pokee.si/moves/u-turn), [Shadow Claw](https://pokee.si/moves/shadow-claw), [Foul Play](https://pokee.si/moves/foul-play), [Body Slam](https://pokee.si/moves/body-slam), [Sleep Talk](https://pokee.si/moves/sleep-talk), [Seed Bomb](https://pokee.si/moves/seed-bomb), [Thunder Wave](https://pokee.si/moves/thunder-wave), [Rest](https://pokee.si/moves/rest), [Taunt](https://pokee.si/moves/taunt), [Dark Pulse](https://pokee.si/moves/dark-pulse), [Power Gem](https://pokee.si/moves/power-gem), [Gunk Shot](https://pokee.si/moves/gunk-shot), [Substitute](https://pokee.si/moves/substitute), [Shadow Ball](https://pokee.si/moves/shadow-ball), [Hyper Voice](https://pokee.si/moves/hyper-voice), [Thunderbolt](https://pokee.si/moves/thunderbolt), [Play Rough](https://pokee.si/moves/play-rough), [Amnesia](https://pokee.si/moves/amnesia), [Helping Hand](https://pokee.si/moves/helping-hand), [Nasty Plot](https://pokee.si/moves/nasty-plot), [Giga Impact](https://pokee.si/moves/giga-impact), [Hyper Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/hyper-beam), [Thunder](https://pokee.si/moves/thunder), [Tera Blast](https://pokee.si/moves/tera-blast), [Roar](https://pokee.si/moves/roar), [Spite](https://pokee.si/moves/spite), [Knock Off](https://pokee.si/moves/knock-off), [Lash Out](https://pokee.si/moves/lash-out), [Pain Split](https://pokee.si/moves/pain-split), [Psych Up](https://pokee.si/moves/psych-up), [Double-Edge](https://pokee.si/moves/double-edge), [Endeavor](https://pokee.si/moves/endeavor), [Skitter Smack](https://pokee.si/moves/skitter-smack), [Throat Chop](https://pokee.si/moves/throat-chop). Egg moves (6), which Meowth can hatch knowing:[Covet](https://pokee.si/moves/covet), [Flail](https://pokee.si/moves/flail), [Hypnosis](https://pokee.si/moves/hypnosis), [Last Resort](https://pokee.si/moves/last-resort), [Spite](https://pokee.si/moves/spite), [Tail Whip](https://pokee.si/moves/tail-whip). ## Breeding & training - Gender: 50% male, 50% female. - Egg groups: Field. - Egg cycles: 20 (steps to hatch, Scarlet/Violet: 2,560). - 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: 154. ## Pokédex entries Its elegant and refined behavior clashes with that of the barbaric Perrserker. The relationship between the two is one of mutual disdain. *(Shield)* Getting this prideful Pokémon to warm up to you takes a lot of effort, and it will claw at you the moment it gets annoyed. *(Sword)* The gem in its forehead glows on its own! It walks with all the grace and elegance of a proud queen. *(Yellow, Let’s Go, Pikachu!, Let’s Go, Eevee!)* This Pokémon is popular with rich people. It's also targeted by hunters who are after the jewel in its forehead. *(Ultra Moon)* Although the jewel on its forehead appears to be a different color than those of Alolan Persian, it's mostly made of the same material. *(Ultra Sun)* It has a high opinion of itself, although not to the same extent as the Alolan Persian. It's quite difficult to make friends with this Pokémon. *(Moon)* ## Names around the world - **Japanese**: ペルシアン - **Romaji**: Persian - **French**: Persian - **German**: Snobilikat - **Spanish**: Persian - **Italian**: Persian - **Korean**: 페르시온 - **Chinese (Simplified)**: 猫老大 - **Chinese (Traditional)**: 貓老大 ## Trivia - Fastest Normal type in Gen 1: 115 Speed. - Taller than 47% of all Pokémon (1 m). - Heavier than 54% of all Pokémon (32 kg). - Base stat total 440, ranked #527 of 1,025. - Its best stat is Speed, ranked #52 of 1,025. - One of 131 Normal-type Pokémon (counting dual types). - One of 88 yellow Pokémon. - Number 53 of 151 Pokémon introduced in Generation 1 (Kanto). - Part of an evolution family of 3 Pokémon. - Can learn 69 different moves in Scarlet / Violet. - Catch rate 90: about 11.8% per Poké Ball at full health. - Has 1 alternate form. - Appears in 15 distinct Pokédex entries. ## Sources and fact-checking - Stats, types, abilities, moves, evolutions, forms and Pokédex entries: [PokéAPI](https://pokeapi.co) open game data. - Lore: written by pokee.si in our own words, researched from [Bulbapedia: Persian (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Persian_(Pok%C3%A9mon)), [Serebii: Persian (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/persian/). - Pronunciation (PUR-zhun): it follows how the English anime, games or official videos say it. **Last checked:** 19 October 2026. Every sentence of the lore was checked against Bulbapedia, Serebii and the game data. ## Explore [Normal-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/normal) · [Kanto region guide](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/kanto) · [Limber ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/limber) · [Technician ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/technician) · [Unnerve ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/unnerve) · [Compare Persian](https://pokee.si/compare?ids=53) · [Full Pokédex](https://pokee.si/pokedex) · [Type chart](https://pokee.si/types) · [All moves](https://pokee.si/moves) ## Browse similar Pokémon [Gen 1 Normal-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/normal/gen-1) · [Gen 1 Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/pokedex/gen-1) · [Yellow Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/colours/yellow) · [Field egg group](https://pokee.si/egg-groups/field) · [Pokémon that start with P](https://pokee.si/pokemon-names/p) · [Cat Pokémon](https://pokee.si/animals/cat) ← [Meowth](https://pokee.si/pokemon/meowth) | [Psyduck](https://pokee.si/pokemon/psyduck) → --- Source: https://pokee.si/pokemon/persian (HTML page). pokee.si is an unofficial fan site and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK or The Pokémon Company. Pokémon and all related names and images are © their respective owners.