Mixed
Balanced
60Speed · Below Avg

Is Barboach Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Water/Ground from Hoenn with AbilityOblivious. Trade-only. Whiscash at 30 gets the same typing as Swampert with lower stats. One weakness to Grass. If imported, handles Surge, Blaine, and Giovanni.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSTGBEEGGEGETTBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8BarboachTradeLoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Strong

Barboach resists most of Brock's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Tough

Misty's typing presses Barboach's defenses.

Even
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
Risky
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Good

Barboach has the type edge here and should clean up Lt. Surge's team.

You Win
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
You Win
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Even
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Bad

Erika's Pokemon outpace and outclass Barboach here.

Avoid
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Avoid
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Risky
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Even

Barboach trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Even
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Barboach trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
Even
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
Even
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

Barboach has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

Easy KO
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
You Win
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Even
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

Barboach has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
You Win
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
You Win
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Even
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Even

Barboach trades roughly evenly with Lorelei's team.

Risky
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
Even
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
Even
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
Even
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
Risky
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water AbsorbImmune to Water attacks
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Barboach has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
Even
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Even

Barboach trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.

Even
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
Even
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
Risky
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
You Win
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
Risky
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Tough

Lance's typing presses Barboach's defenses.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
Even
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Tough

Terry's team hits Barboach's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
You Win
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
Risky
Exeggutor
Lv 73
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Giga DrainPsychicSleep PowderLight Screen
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 73
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hydro PumpDragon DanceEarthquakeHyper Beam
Even
Charizard
Lv 75
FireFlying
Blaze
Fire BlastDragon ClawAerial AceEarthquake
Trade
Transfer-only
Type
WaterGround
Tier
E

Barboach cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. On GBA, cross-region trading unlocks post-game after Celio's Sevii Islands Ruby & Sapphire quest. The Switch re-release supports only one-way transfers out to Pokemon HOME.

View Barboach locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Misty
    • TM03WaterWater Pulse90100%20
  • After Erika
    • TM14IceBlizzard11070%5
    • TM13IceIce Beam90100%10
    • LV 31GroundEarthquake150100%10
    • LV 36PsychicFuture Sight120100%10
  • After Koga
    • HM03WaterSurf135100%15
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • Post-Game
    • HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

How to Get Barboach in FireRed & LeafGreen

Barboach doesn't spawn in FireRed or LeafGreen fishing data. Route 111's waterside or Route 120 in Hoenn are the sources, so trading from a Hoenn save is the way in.

How to Obtain Barboach in FRLG

  1. Barboach
    Step 1Barboach
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in Ruby & Sapphire via Super rod · Meteor Falls, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    from Emerald
    Available
    Catch in Emerald via Super rod · Meteor Falls, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Diamond & Pearl via Good rod · Route 227.
    HOME TRANSFER
    Not Tradeable
    Pokemon HOME on Switch FireRed & LeafGreen is permanently deposit-only — once it launches, Barboach can be sent from this game into HOME, but never transferred in.
  2. Whiscash
    Step 2Evolve into Whiscash

Barboach Weakness

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.

Barboach Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Poison, Rock, Steel
0x (Immune)Electric
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 Barboach Weak Against

Good
1Weak
4Resist
1Immune
Score+3
4xCritical
2xWeak
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Barboach Strong Against

6Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+5
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Barboach

Barboach Evolutions

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

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Barboach
WaterGround
Whiscash
WaterGround
HP
50
110+60
ATK
48
78+30
DEF
43
73+30
SP.ATK
46
76+30
SP.DEF
41
71+30
SPE
60
60
BST
288C-Tier
468C-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Barboach easily with 17 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group. Pass egg moves like Spark, Thrash, Whirlpool to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
3moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosoctillerymagikarpremoraidwailordrelicanthwailmerlanturnsharpedowhiscashseakingqwilfish

FRLG Barboach Best Moveset

Water/Ground with Electric immunity through Ground typing and AbilityOblivious preventing attraction. Whiscash improves the stats where the typing functions.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Oblivious
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Barboach

Barboach best EVs are Sp. Atk and Attack

EVs

Utility Moveset

  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • Ice Beam
  • Hidden Power Fire
  • ProtectFAST +4

Moves List

You'll want to breed for Spark and Thrash on Barboach. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Earthquake and Surf, they expand what Barboach can actually threaten in practice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Mud-Slap
D3010010Ground
Lv 6
Mud Sport
15Ground
Lv 6
Water Sport
15Water
Lv 11
Water Gun
D6010025Water
Lv 16
Magnitude
10030Ground
Lv 21
Amnesia
D20Psychic
Lv 26
Rest
C10Psychic
Lv 26
Snore
4010015Normal
Lv 31
Earthquake
S15010010Ground
Lv 36
Future Sight
12010010Psychic
Lv 41
Fissure
305Ground

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
D120705Ice
TM
Dive
D9010010Water
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
S15010010Ground
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM07
Hail
10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
B9510010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
B10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM39
Rock Tomb
D609510Rock
TM37
Sandstorm
D10Rock
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
HM03
Surf
A14210015Water
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
D9010020Water
HM07
Waterfall
D12010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Spark
D6510020Electric
Egg
Thrash
12010020Normal
Egg
Whirlpool
528515Water

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Double-Edge
D12010015Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP50
D
Attack48
D
Defense43
D
Sp. Atk46
D
Sp. Def41
D
Speed60
C
Total288
Details
Catch Rate
Easy190 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.4 m
Weight1.9 kg
Base XP58
Abilities
Oblivious
Prevents infatuation and protects against captivate.
Anticipation
Notifies all trainers upon entering battle if an opponent has a super-effective move, self destruct, explosion, or a one-hit KO move.
EV Yield
HP+1AtkDefSpASpDSpe
HP training source
Pokedex Entry

It probes muddy riverbeds with its two long whiskers. A slimy film protects its body.

Pokemon FireRed / Pokemon LeafGreen

Barboach FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Barboach isn't catchable in FireRed & LeafGreen. Catch one in Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald, then trade it to FireRed & LeafGreen.

Game Availability

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.

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