Dottler

Like a ladybird pupa covered by a dome, Dottler remains almost motionless while it changes inside. Its shell resembles a radome, the covering that protects certain radar equipment, which also gives it the category of Radome Pokémon. Beneath that yellow surface, it develops Psychic powers: it does not need to emerge to keep watch over what is happening outside.

Pokédex entries describe it as lively despite barely moving, and shut away in its shell without eating or drinking. As it grows, it examines the outside world with its powers and prepares to evolve. This behaviour sets it apart from Blipbug, which is smaller and more active, and foreshadows the form of Orbeetle, which takes the idea of an insect protected by a technological structure much further.

Dottler occupies the middle stage of a three-species evolutionary line. It appears when Blipbug reaches level 10 and retains the Bug and Psychic types until reaching its final evolution at level 30. Its body measures 0.4 m and weighs 19.5 kg, a combination that makes the shell seem much heavier than its limited mobility would suggest.

Dottler has no established competitive use. Its 50 HP, 80 Defense and 90 Special Defense let it take special hits better than physical ones, but its 35 Attack, 50 Special Attack and 30 Speed leave little room to move first or deal consistent damage. Its total of 335 also falls short compared with fully evolved Pokémon.

Compound Eyes is its most practical Ability: it raises the Accuracy of moves. In a regular playthrough, this makes it possible to take advantage of moves with secondary effects or imperfect accuracy, although Dottler lacks an offensive stat capable of turning that advantage into a serious threat. Swarm powers up its Bug-type moves when it is in trouble, while Telepathy prevents it from taking damage from its allies' moves, a useful option in Double Battles.

Its types give it resistances to Grass, Ground, Fighting and Psychic, but they also stack weaknesses to Fire, Flying, Rock, Bug, Ghost and Dark. Light Screen and Reflect let it support the team, while Psychic, Bug Buzz and Leech Life cover its offensive options. Iron Defense together with Body Press makes use of its Defense, but its low Speed and modest HP mean it needs to come in against specific opponents. In the story, it works as temporary defensive support, especially before evolving.

Dottler belongs to the Bug Egg Group and has a 50% female ratio. Its Eggs need 15 cycles to hatch, equivalent to around 4080 steps using the usual conversion from cycles to steps. It has no Egg Moves that affect its breeding.

Its evolution is straightforward: Blipbug evolves into Dottler upon reaching level 10, and Dottler evolves into Orbeetle upon reaching level 30. It does not need a stone, a specific friendship level or a special area.

Its catch rate is 120, so catching it is relatively easy, although not as simple as catching a species with a rate of 255. In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, it is obtained as part of Blipbug's evolutionary line. It has no specific habitat associated with it in the Pokédex information, so its presence depends on the locations and encounters defined by those games.