Barboach's stats barely vary. None sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 1 HP EV, medium-fast 1M XP curve to max.
Its two whiskers provide a sensitive radar. Even in muddy waters, it can detect its prey’s location.
It probes muddy riverbeds with its two long whiskers. A slimy film protects its body.
Barboach's Water/Ground typing leaves it vulnerable to Grass. Grass hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Electric-type attacks completely. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Poison, Rock, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
Rillaboom can KO Barboach with Wood Hammer (357-420%). Sinistcha's Shadow Ball hits Barboach for 52-61%.
 Rillaboom Grass | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemAssault Vest NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Barboach View Rillaboom builds →Wood Hammer 4x357-420%KO | ||
 Sinistcha GrassGhost | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityHospitality ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Barboach View Sinistcha builds →Shadow Ball52-61% | ||
Barboach evolves into Whiscash. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 180 total stats over Barboach. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Barboach easily with 34 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group.
Earthquake is the main STAB option after a Dragon Dance boost. Eviolite gives Barboach a bulk boost that only works before full evolution to survive the setup turn, and spread EVs make the boosted hits count. Double STAB catches resists.
Best Build
Barboach best EVs are Speed and Attack
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Liquidation
- Waterfall
Recommended Teammates
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Without TMs, Barboach's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Normal and Psychic coverage and more on top of Hydro Pump and Earthquake for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Barboach's options are limited here. You've got Aqua Tail and Earth Power for STAB damage, but there isn't much beyond Water and Ground hitting power. TMs help fill gaps, though the kit stays tight.
You'll want to breed for Dragon Dance and Earth Power on Barboach. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Hydro Pump and Earthquake, they expand what Barboach can actually threaten in practice.
You'll want to breed for Flail and Spark on Barboach. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Hydro Pump and Earthquake, they expand what Barboach can actually threaten in practice.
Easy grab on Barboach with high spawn rates across 22 locations in mid-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations to Catch Barboach in Scarlet & Violet
Which version you're playing matters for Barboach. 22 walking spots at Lv. 16-34 spread across Violet and Scarlet, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.
decent spawn rates across 3 locations for Barboach in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Best Locations to Catch Barboach in Legends: Arceus
3 walking spots from walking for Barboach. Sorted by game progression with rates on each row, so you can compare without scrolling through everything.
Barboach's scattered across 46 spots in early-game fishing spots with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Best Locations to Catch Barboach in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
fishing and walking encounters for Barboach across 46 spots at Lv. 10-29. The catch is that Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl don't share every location, so compare what's available in your version.
high spawn rates in early-game water routes across 84 locations. Barboach's one of the easier catches on the list. Multiple catch methods are available, so check which ones match your setup. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations to Catch Barboach in Sword & Shield
You can catch Barboach through 84 surfing, fishing, and more encounters from Lv. 7-65, but availability differs between Shield and Sword. Some spots are exclusive to one version.
Get Barboach to Whiscash at level 30. At 288 BST, Barboach is just the starting point.
Level 30 gets you Whiscash. Not the fastest evolution, so consider Exp. Share or route grinding to speed it up.
Barboach does the job early-game if you need a Water/Ground type on your team. Evolve it into Whiscash before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
You won't have trouble finding Barboach. It's been around since Scarlet & Violet and appears in 16 games total. Latest appearances: Ruby & Sapphire and FireRed & LeafGreen.
Barboach first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 16 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
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 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
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