Lightning Rod redirects Electric moves and boosts its Sp. Atk, letting Marowak hit way above its stat class. Ground typing helps — Electric moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively. A competitive option since Gen 1.
Marowak's spread favors physical bulk over offense. Defense leads the defensive side, Speed eats the cost. Yields 2 Defense EVs per defeat. Medium-fast 1M XP curve to level.
The bones it uses have been in its possession since it was born. It has a ferocious nature.
Marowak Weakness
AvgWater, Grass, and Ice-type moves hit Marowak for super-effective damage. The upside? Electric-type moves can't touch it at all. Lightning Rod grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Marowak's physical bulk (base 110 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
Marowak is the evolved form of Cubone. Breeding produces Cubone eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Cubone gave Marowak the biggest boost in Attack (+30), bringing the total to 425 stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Marowak to get Cubone eggs easily using 81 partners from the Monster egg group.
The recommended build leans into Marowak's strengths as a physical attacker. Thickclub provides extra utility, and max HP and Attack EVs back that up. Lightningrod rounds out the package.
Best Build
Best Marowak Moveset
- Bonemerang
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Detect
Recommended Teammates
Without TMs, Marowak's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 9 types on top of Earthquake and Earth Power for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Don't skip the egg moves. Marowak picks up Ancient Power and Belly Drum only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Earthquake and Dig while coverage across 8 types adds range.
Don't skip the egg moves. Marowak picks up Ancient Power and Belly Drum only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Earthquake and Earth Power while coverage across 9 types adds range.
Marowak develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Thrash and Double-Edge show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Marowak can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Cubone from Red, Yellow, or Let's Go Pikachu and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Can't catch Marowak directly. Start with Cubone at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 28. The 2-stage line from Cubone to Marowak is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Marowak in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The path to Marowak starts with Cubone at Lv. 4-63 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch CuboneEFFORTLESSRoute 203Shining PearlGrassLv.440%EarlyRouteSwarm activeEFFORTLESSRoute 203Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.440%EarlyRouteSwarm activeBig Bluff CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameBig Bluff CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameDazzling CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameDazzling CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRocky CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRocky CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStargleam CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStargleam CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-game
Step 2Marowak ✓
Marowak doesn't appear wild. Catch Cubone instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it at level 28 to get Marowak. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Marowak in Sword & Shield
Cubone is your first catch on the way to Marowak. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 16-21 across 18 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch CuboneEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveOvercastEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveSnowstormEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveSnowstormEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveThunderstormEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveIntense SunEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveThunderstormEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveSnowingEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveIntense SunEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveSandstormEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveSnowingEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveRainingEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveSandstormEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveHeavy FogEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveRainingEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelShieldOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveOvercastEFFORTLESSWarm-Up TunnelSwordOverworldLv.16-2132%MidCaveHeavy Fog
Step 2Marowak ✓
No wild encounters for Marowak here. It's available through an NPC trade at Fuchsia City. Check the location details below for what Pokemon the trader wants in return.
How to Obtain Marowak in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
Cubone is your first catch on the way to Marowak. You'll find walking and trade encounters from Lv. 18-38 across 14 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch CuboneMODERATEPokémon Tower - 1FLet's Go EeveeGrassLv.27-3210%MidBuildingMODERATEPokémon Tower - 1FLet's Go PikachuGrassLv.27-3210%MidBuildingMODERATEPokémon Tower - 2FLet's Go EeveeGrassLv.27-3210%MidBuildingMODERATEPokémon Tower - 2FLet's Go PikachuGrassLv.27-3210%MidBuildingMODERATEPokémon Tower - 3FLet's Go PikachuGrassLv.27-3210%MidBuildingMODERATEPokémon Tower - 3FLet's Go EeveeGrassLv.27-3210%MidBuildingMODERATEPokémon Tower - 4FLet's Go PikachuGrassLv.27-3210%MidBuildingMODERATEPokémon Tower - 4FLet's Go EeveeGrassLv.27-3210%MidBuildingMODERATERock Tunnel - 1FLet's Go PikachuGrassLv.18-239%MidCaveMODERATERock Tunnel - 1FLet's Go EeveeGrassLv.18-239%MidCaveMODERATERock Tunnel - B1FLet's Go PikachuGrassLv.18-239%MidCaveMODERATERock Tunnel - B1FLet's Go EeveeGrassLv.18-239%MidCave
Step 2Marowak ✓Fuchsia CityLet's Go PikachuIn-game tradeLv.38LateCityTrade for (give Marowak)Fuchsia CityLet's Go EeveeIn-game tradeLv.38LateCityTrade for (give Marowak)or evolve from Cubone (Step 1)
Don't let Marowak's 425 base stat total fool you. Lightning Rod is what makes it tick — it punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier.
Run Lightning Rod on Marowak. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Marowak also gets Rock Head and Battle Armor, but they don't compare.
Marowak fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 80 Attack. Base 45 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Marowak appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Marowak first appeared in Red & Blue and spans 20 games across 9 generations. It later gained an Alolan form in Generation 7, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A