As far as Water-type Pokemon are concerned, Luvdisc is one of the weaker species to exist. It's a speedy Pokemon, but its base stat total leaves much to be desired. Fortunately, in Pokemon GO, Luvdisc's mediocre stats won't be an issue thanks to GO's battle system, and trainers will not want to pass on this little fish Pokemon.
Luvdisc's heart-shaped body makes it an ideal symbol for Pokemon GO' s Valentine's Day Event. While it may not appear in the wild, it can show up as a reward for completing research tasks. Trainers will want to hurry and complete Valentine-exclusive Field Research before the event comes to a close for 2023.
Where to Find Luvdisc in Pokemon GO
From February 11th - February 14th, 2023, 8 PM local, there's an in-game Valentine's Day event. Pokemon GO players will get extra candy from Transferring or Trading Pokemon. By doing Limited/Timed Research Tasks, they can also receive a bonus that doubles the amount of Candy or EXP from catching a Pokemon. While both the male and female Frillish are obtainable from Limited/Timed Research (and can be caught in the wild), Luvdisc is exclusive to Field Research.
Unlike Limited/Timed Research, Field Research Tasks are obtained by spinning PokeStop photodiscs. Alternatively, players can receive a Field Research Task daily at 12 AM local. However, it's not enough to get a Field Research Task.
Players will want the specific Field Research Task "Send 3 Gifts to Friends and add a Sticker to each." The reward for completing this Task should be a Random Encounter (identified by the? Icon). Players will know if the Field Research Task is exclusive to the event because it will be labeled Event instead of (for example) bonus. It will also and have an orange outline/background instead of a Blue (AR Scanning tasks) or Green (bonus tasks).
Fortunately for Shiny Hunters, Luvdisc is not Shiny Locked. If lucky, they may be able to obtain a literal heart of gold Shiny Luvdisc.
Luvdisc's Moves in Pokemon GO
Luvdisc's two Fast Attacks are Water Gun and Splash. Although a Normal-type Move in the mainline Pokemon games, Splash is a Water-type move in Pokemon GO. It's also not very useful. Water Gun, while not alarmingly powerful, will deal 5 damage, which is much better than Splash's 0.
Pokemon GO players serious about using Luvdisc will want to use a Fast TM on Luvdisc if it has Splash. While Splash does generate more EPS than Water Gun, its 0 damage output will literally chip away at the opponent's health, making it the worse contender of the two.
For Charged Attacks, Luvdisc has Water Pulse, Aqua Jet, and Draining Kiss:
- Water Pulse is Luvdisc's best/strongest Charge Attack in Pokemon GO. It also will give Luvdisc Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB).
- Draining Kiss, a Fairy-type Move, is good against (most) Dragon, Fighting, and Dark-type Pokemon. However, Luvdisc won't get STAB from Draining Kiss (due to being a Water-type). GO players are better off having an actual Fairy-type Pokemon that can get STAB from Draining Kiss.
- Finally, there's Aqua Jet, which deals 40 damage. It requires the least amount of EPS, meaning it charges faster than Water Pulse and even Draining Kiss. However, Luvdisc is going to need to deal as much damage as possible with its Charge Attack, thus making Water Pulse the preferred Charge Move.
Players can unlock Luvdisc's second Charge Attack with 50 Luvdisc Candy and 50,000 Stardust.
Pokemon GO is available for mobile devices.