Intimidate gives Arbok a support angle in Emerald, but D-Tier stats mean it can't take enough hits or deal enough damage to justify importing.
Ability 1IntimidateAbility 1Lowers opponents' Attack one stage upon entering battle.Ability 2Shed SkinAbility 2Has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn.
438HP60Attack85Defense69Speed80Sp.Def79Sp.Atk65
Ekans
Arbok
Weak to
Physical
Balanced
80Speed · Above Avg

Is Arbok Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Arbok with AbilityIntimidate lowers Attack on entry. Helpful against Wallace's Gyarados and Drake's physical Dragons in the E4. Won't deal much damage on its own, but Intimidate lets your real threats survive hits they would otherwise take harder.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEGEGEETGGTGEERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8ArbokTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Even

Arbok trades roughly evenly with Roxanne's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

Arbok has the type edge here and should clean up Brawly's team.

You Win
Machop
Lv 16
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopLow KickSeismic TossBulk Up
You Win
Meditite
Lv 16
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Focus PunchLight ScreenReflectBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 19
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustVital ThrowReversalBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Arbok trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

You Win
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSparkSelf DestructShock Wave
You Win
Electrike
Lv 20
Electric
Static
Shock WaveLeerQuick AttackHowl
Risky
Magneton
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicShock WaveThunder WaveSonic Boom
Even
Manectric
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveShock WaveHowl
Flannery
Gym 4
Good

Arbok has the type edge here and should clean up Flannery's team.

You Win
Numel
Lv 24
FireGround
Oblivious
OverheatTake DownMagnitudeSunny Day
Easy KO
Slugma
Lv 24
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
Even
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Arbok trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

You Win
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 27
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFacadeEncoreFeint Attack
Even
Linoone
Lv 29
Normal
Pickup
SlashBelly DrumFacadeHeadbutt
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
CounterYawnFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Arbok trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

You Win
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
Easy KO
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
You Win
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Risky
Skarmory
Lv 31
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Risky
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Tough

Tate & Liza's team hits Arbok's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Claydol
Lv 41
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
EarthquakeAncient PowerPsychicLight Screen
Even
Xatu
Lv 41
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
PsychicSunny DayConfuse RayCalm Mind
Risky
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Risky
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Juan
Gym 8
Good

Arbok has the type edge here and should clean up Juan's team.

You Win
Luvdisc
Lv 41
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Even
Whiscash
Lv 41
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 43
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
You Win
Crawdaunt
Lv 43
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
Water PulseCrabhammerTauntLeer
Even
Kingdra
Lv 46
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
Water PulseDouble TeamIce BeamRest
Sidney
Elite Four
Good

Arbok has the type edge here and should clean up Sidney's team.

Even
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarDouble EdgeSand AttackCrunch
You Win
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
TormentDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Easy KO
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
You Win
Crawdaunt
Lv 48
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
SurfSwords DanceStrengthFacade
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceRock SlideSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Tough

Phoebe's team hits Arbok's weaknesses hard.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
Risky
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
Risky
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Good

Arbok has the type edge here and should clean up Glacia's team.

You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamHailIce Ball
You Win
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchIcy WindIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDouble EdgeHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallExplosionHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamIce BeamSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Even

Arbok trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectDouble Edge
Even
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Double EdgeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Even
Kingdra
Lv 53
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenDragon DanceSurfBody Slam
Avoid
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
Even
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Even

Arbok trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

You Win
Wailord
Lv 57
Water
Water Veil
Rain DanceWater SpoutDouble EdgeBlizzard
Even
Tentacruel
Lv 55
WaterPoison
Clear Body
ToxicHydro PumpSludge BombIce Beam
Easy KO
Ludicolo
Lv 56
WaterGrass
Swift Swim
Giga DrainSurfLeech SeedDouble Team
Even
Whiscash
Lv 56
WaterGround
Oblivious
EarthquakeSurfAmnesiaHyper Beam
Even
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon DanceEarthquakeHyper BeamSurf
Even
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverSurfIce BeamToxic

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
Poison
Tier
E

Arbok cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four. Alternatively, transfer the pre-evolution and level it up to Lv 22.

View Arbok locations

How to Get Arbok in Emerald

Arbok will not show up wild in Emerald. Bring an Ekans over and raise it to level 22. There is no local source for the cobra line.

How to Obtain Arbok in E

  1. Ekans
    Step 1Obtain Ekans
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Route 11, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Red & Blue via Walking · Route 11. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Gold & Silver via Gift · Goldenrod City · 700 Coins. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Crystal
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Crystal via Walking · Route 42. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Route 212 · Dual-slot: FireRed. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Platinum via Walking · Route 212 · Dual-slot: FireRed. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Walking · Safari Zone. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Arbok
    Step 2Arbok ✓

How to Get Shiny Arbok in Emerald

Arbok only appears in FireRed, coiling through Victory Road and Route 23; hunt its shiny there, or evolve a traded shiny Ekans, then carry it across into Emerald. See every game where Shiny Arbok can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Arbok in EmeraldNormal
Shiny Arbok in Emerald Shiny
Color ShiftPurpletoYellow
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Arbok Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Arbok Weakness

Arbok is weak to Ground and Psychic. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.

Arbok Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ground, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Fighting, Poison, Bug
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Arbok Weak Against

Avg
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Arbok Strong Against

1Strong
4Resisted
1Immune
Score-4
2xStrong
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Arbok

Deoxys
Deoxys
Psychic
A
Latios
Latios
DragonPsychic
S
Metagross
Metagross
SteelPsychic
S
Latias
Latias
DragonPsychic
S
Groudon
Groudon
Ground
S

Arbok Evolutions

Arbok is the evolved form of Ekans. Breeding produces Ekans eggs, and they take an average time to hatch. Evolving from Ekans gave Arbok the biggest boost in HP (+25), bringing the total to 438 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Ekans
#023Ekans
22
Transfer Only
Arbok
#024Arbok
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Ekans
Poison
Arbok
Poison
HP
35
60+25
ATK
60
95+35
DEF
44
69+25
SP.ATK
40
65+25
SP.DEF
54
79+25
SPE
55
80+25
BST
288E-Tier
448E-Tier+160
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Arbok to get Ekans eggs easily using 27 partners from the Dragon and Field egg groups. Notable egg moves include Beat Up, Poison Fang, Pursuit and 2 more.

Egg Groups
DragonField
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
5moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosraichupikachucharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticnidokinggolduckampharosaltaria

E Arbok Best Moveset

Physical check that drops opponent Attack through AbilityIntimidate on every switch-in. 95 Attack fires MoveSludge Bomb for physical Poison TermStab. The moveset supports the team defensively through Intimidate while threatening with enough physical output to punish what it blocks. Modest stats limit the ceiling.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Intimidate
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Arbok
Jolly+SPE

Arbok best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • Sludge BombSTAB
  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • Body Slam
  • GlareUtility

Moves List

Breeding opens up real options for Arbok. Beat Up and Poison Fang come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Sludge Bomb and Poison Fang and Dark and Normal coverage and more.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bite
D6010025Dark
Lv 1
Leer
D—10030Normal
Lv 1
Poison Sting
D2210035Poison
Lv 1
Wrap
D158520Normal
Lv 8
Poison Sting
D2210035Poison
Lv 13
Bite
D6010025Dark
Lv 20
Glare
A—7530Normal
Lv 28
Screech
A—8540Normal
Lv 38
Acid
D6010030Poison
Lv 46
Spit Up
D—10010Normal
Lv 46
Stockpile
D——20Normal
Lv 46
Swallow
———10Normal
Lv 56
Haze
C——30Ice

TM Moves

21 of 22 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
C6010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM26
EarthquakeSeafloor Cavernnot until badge 7
B10010010Ground
TM42D7010020Normal
TM21
FrustrationPacifidlog Townbadge 5
D—10020Normal
TM19
Giga DrainRoute 123badge 5
D751005Grass
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamLilycove Department Storebadge 5
C150905Normal
TM23
Iron TailMeteor Fallsnot until badge 8
C1007515Steel
TM17A——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
TM36
Sludge BombDewford Townbadge 5
B13510010Poison
TM49
Snatch+4S.S. Tidal
———10Dark
HM04—8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM46
ThiefSlateport Citybadge 1
D6010025Dark
TM41
TormentSlateport Citybadge 1
D—10015Dark
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Beat Up
D—10010Dark
Egg
Poison Fang
—7510015Poison
Egg
Pursuit
D4010020Dark
Egg
Slam
—807520Normal
Egg
Spite
——10010Ghost

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
B8510015Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D——10Normal
Tutor
Rock Slide
D759010Rock
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D——10Normal
Tutor
Snore
—4010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C——10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D—9015Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP60
C
Attack85
C
Defense69
C
Sp. Atk65
C
Sp. Def79
C
Speed80
C
Total438
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging90 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height3.5 m
Weight65.0 kg
Base XP157
Abilities
Intimidate
Lowers opponents' Attack one stage upon entering battle.
Shed Skin
Has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn.
EV Yield
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

This POKéMON has a terrifically strong constricting power. It can even flatten steel oil drums. Once it wraps its body around its foe, escaping is impossible.

Pokemon Emerald

Arbok Emerald Guide

  • No. Arbok isn't catchable in Emerald. Catch one in FireRed, then trade it over.

  • Honestly, in Emerald Arbok is a tough sell. It rates just E-Tier, and stronger Poison options exist. Fun pick, not a practical one.

  • In Emerald, Arbok plays as a balanced. Speed is middling, so pick your spots carefully.

  • In Emerald, Jolly is the go-to nature for Arbok. That's +Speed / -Sp. Atk. Pair it with 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe EVs. Fits the balanced role.

  • In Emerald, Arbok pairs best with Crobat, Seviper, and Tentacruel. Crobat has Good synergy and covers what Arbok can't handle on its own.

Game Availability

Arbok has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 9 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.

Explore

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