Barbaracle's built to absorb hits, not race for knockouts. Physical bulk with Defense doing the heavy lifting. And the medium-fast 1M XP curve means it won't take forever to bring up, worth 2 Attack EVs.
Seven Binacle come together to form one Barbaracle. The Binacle that serves as the head gives orders to those serving as the limbs.
Having an eye on each palm allows it to keep watch in all directions. In a pinch, its limbs start to act on their own to ensure the enemy’s defeat.
Grass, Electric, Fighting, and Ground moves hit Barbaracle for super-effective damage. Grass hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. The Rock/Water typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Barbaracle's physical bulk (base 115 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Grass |
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Fighting, Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Ice, Poison, Flying |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fire |
Tyranitar can KO Barbaracle with Earthquake (114-135%).
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Barbaracle View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off56-66% Stone Edge86-101%KO Pursuit35-41% Earthquake 2x114-135%KO | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves View Talonflame builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySynchronize ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Umbreon builds →
| ||
 Ariados BugPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilitySniper ItemFocus Sash NatureAdamant Moves View Ariados builds →
| ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Barbaracle View Audino builds →Knock Off10-12% | ||
Barbaracle is what Binacle becomes. Breed it for Binacle eggs (average hatch time). A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolution from Binacle pushed Barbaracle to 500 total stats. Attack saw the largest single gain at +53. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Barbaracle to get Binacle eggs easily using 37 partners from the Water3 egg group.
The recommended build leans into Barbaracle's strengths as a physical attacker. Barbaracite provides extra utility, and max Attack and Speed EVs back that up. Toughclaws rounds out the package.
Best Build
Barbaracle best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Liquidation
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Liquidation
- Stone Edge
- Low Kick
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Rock Slide
- Protect
- Shell Smash
- Razor Shell
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Liquidation
- Stone Edge
- Razor Shell
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Rock Polish
- Rock Slide
- Protect
- Poison Jab
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Liquidation
- Stone Edge
- Razor Shell
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Rock Polish
- Rock Slide
- Protect
- Poison Jab
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Barbaracle's coverage across 9 types all comes from technical machines, built on top of Meteor Beam and Stone Edge for same-type damage. Stone Edge and Close Combat are the payoff moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Coverage runs deep. Barbaracle can hit 10 types beyond STAB, including Ground and Normal. The offense anchors on Meteor Beam and Stone Edge while TMs handle everything else.
Coverage runs deep. Barbaracle can hit 11 types beyond STAB, including Normal and Ground. The offense anchors on Stone Edge and Surf while TMs handle everything else.
Coverage runs deep. Barbaracle can hit 11 types beyond STAB, including Normal and Ground. The offense anchors on Stone Edge and Surf while TMs handle everything else.
No wild encounters for Barbaracle in Legends: Z-A. Bring Binacle over from X, Omega Ruby, or Sword, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Barbaracle in Legends: Z-A
Step 1Obtain BinacleAlso found in:
Step 2Barbaracle ✓
A handful of locations for Barbaracle with high spawn rates across late-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Barbaracle in Sword & Shield
To get Barbaracle, start by catching Binacle through walking encounters at Lv. 20-52. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch BinacleBridge FieldShieldGrass Lv.26-2830%MidRainingBridge FieldSwordGrass Lv.26-2830%MidRainingMotostoke RiverbankShieldGrass Lv.26-2830%MidRainingMotostoke RiverbankSwordGrass Lv.26-2830%MidRainingBridge FieldShieldGrass Lv.26-2825%MidThunderstormBridge FieldSwordGrass Lv.26-2825%MidThunderstormGalar Mine No. 2ShieldOverworld Lv.20-24 Cave15%MidAll WeatherGalar Mine No. 2SwordOverworld Lv.20-24 Cave15%MidAll WeatherGalar Mine No. 2ShieldGrass Lv.20-24 Cave10%MidThunderstormGalar Mine No. 2ShieldGrass Lv.20-24 Cave10%MidIntense SunGalar Mine No. 2ShieldGrass Lv.20-24 Cave10%MidSnowingGalar Mine No. 2ShieldGrass Lv.20-24 Cave10%MidSandstormGalar Mine No. 2ShieldGrass Lv.20-24 Cave10%MidRainingGalar Mine No. 2ShieldGrass Lv.20-24 Cave10%MidHeavy FogGalar Mine No. 2SwordGrass Lv.20-24 Cave10%MidAll WeatherGalar Mine No. 2ShieldGrass Lv.20-24 Cave10%MidOvercastGalar Mine No. 2ShieldGrass Lv.20-24 Cave10%MidSnowstorm
Step 2Barbaracle ✓Dusty BowlShieldGrass Lv.40-4530%LateRainingDusty BowlSwordGrass Lv.40-4530%LateRainingRoute 9 - in Circhester BayShieldOverworld Lv.39-43 Route20%LateAll WeatherRoute 9 - in Circhester BaySwordOverworld Lv.39-43 Route10%LateAll WeatherLake of OutrageShieldGrass Lv.50-52 Water2%PostRainingLake of OutrageSwordGrass Lv.50-52 Water2%PostRainingor evolve from Binacle (Step 1)
Barbaracle waits at a fixed spot in this game. Head to Ultra Space Wilds for a one-time encounter. No random spawns or encounter rates involved — it's a set battle at a known location.
How to Obtain Barbaracle in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
- Step 1Obtain Binacle
- Step 2Barbaracle ✓Ultra Space Wilds - WaterfallUltra SunInteract with Pokemon Lv.60 DistortionPostUltra Space Wilds - WaterfallUltra MoonInteract with Pokemon Lv.60 DistortionPostor evolve from Binacle (Step 1)
No wild encounters for Barbaracle in Sun & Moon. Bring Binacle over from X, Omega Ruby, or Sword, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Barbaracle in Sun & Moon
- Step 1Obtain Binacle
Also found in:
- Step 2Barbaracle ✓
Barbaracle looks average on paper at 500 BST. But Tough Claws is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier attacker on our tier list.
Yes. Mega Barbaracle is the evolved form, sitting at 600 BST. Big power spike over base Barbaracle (500). Equip the Mega Stone and it transforms in battle.
Barbaracle gets Tough Claws, Sniper, and Pickpocket. But Tough Claws is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Barbaracle is a physical attacker with base 105 Attack. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. At base 68 Speed, it won't be moving first often. Fits the attacker role.
Available since X & Y, Barbaracle appears in 6 games spanning 5 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained a Mega form in Generation 6.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XYDebut
X & Y - Gen 6ORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves