Physical
Balanced
DTier
65Speed · Below Avg

Carvanha Best Moveset

Glass in every sense. 90 Attack fires hard Water and Dark TermStab for a first stage, but 45 HP at 20/20 defenses crumbles on contact from anything. The moveset lands one big hit then goes down. Mega Sharpedo's 140 Attack is one evolution ahead.

SABCDEFEEEFEERuby, Sapphire & EmeraldIIIRS/EPEAKDiamond, Pearl & PlatinumIVDP/PtBlack & White / B2W2VBW/B2W2X & Y / ORASVIXY/ORASTHE FALLSun & Moon / USUMVIISM/USUMTHE RISESword & Shield / BDSPVIIISS/BDSPCURRENT
★Gen III — Ruby, Sapphire & EmeraldE

Carvanha saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). This was Carvanha's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Rough Skin with Salacberry, favoring a Hasty nature.

Received Rough Skin

Best Moves

SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Egg
Hydro Pump
Water110POPULARSTAB
TM27
Return
Normal—POPULARCoverage
Tutor
Endure
Normal—POPULARPriority
TM10
Hidden Power (Fighting)
Fighting60POPULARCoverage
Carvanha Ruby & Sapphire MovesCarvanha Emerald Moves

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Rough Skin
Item
Salac BerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Carvanha
Hasty+SPE

Carvanha best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • Hydro PumpSTAB
  • ReturnCoverage
  • EndureFAST +4
  • Hidden Power Fighting

Recommended Teammates

Marshtomp
MarshtompExcellent
Kingler
KinglerExcellent
Sealeo
SealeoExcellent
→Gen IV — Diamond, Pearl & PlatinumE

Carvanha saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Carvanha maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Rough Skin with Life Orb, favoring a Adamant nature.

Physical/Special split overhauled move damage
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 28
Crunch
Dark80POPULARSTAB
Lv 31
Aqua Jet
Water40POPULARSTAB
Tutor
Zen Headbutt
Psychic80COMMONCoverage
TM90
Substitute
Normal—COMMONUtility
TM12
Taunt
Dark—RARESTAB
HM7
Waterfall
Water80RARESTAB
Carvanha Diamond & Pearl MovesCarvanha Platinum Moves
Experimental
Utility
Ability
Rough Skin
Item
Life OrbPOWER
Best Nature for Carvanha
Adamant+ATK
EVs

Utility Moveset

  • CrunchSTAB
  • Aqua JetSTAB
  • Zen Headbutt
  • SubstituteUtility

Recommended Teammates

Gloom
GloomGood
Banette
BanetteGood
Ariados
AriadosGood
→Gen V — Black & White / B2W2E

Carvanha saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Carvanha maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Speed Boost with Life Orb, favoring a Adamant nature.

Gained Speed Boost as hidden abilityHidden Abilities became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 16
Ice Fang
Ice65POPULARCoverage
Lv 28
Crunch
Dark80POPULARSTAB
HM5
Waterfall
Water80POPULARSTAB
TM17
Protect
Normal—COMMONPriority
Carvanha Black & White MovesCarvanha Black 2 & White 2 Moves
Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Speed Boost
Item
Life OrbPOWER
Best Nature for Carvanha
Adamant+ATK
EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • Ice Fang
  • CrunchSTAB
  • WaterfallSTAB
  • ProtectFAST +4

Recommended Teammates

Duskull
DuskullExcellent
Budew
BudewExcellent
Lairon
LaironExcellent
↓Gen VI — X & Y / ORASF

Carvanha was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Speed Boost with Focus Sash, favoring a Jolly nature.

Fairy type added to the gameMega Evolution became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 25
Ice Fang
Ice65POPULARCoverage
Egg
Destiny Bond
Ghost—POPULARUtility
HM5
Waterfall
Water80POPULARSTAB
TM17
Protect
Normal—POPULARPriority
Carvanha X & Y MovesCarvanha ORAS Moves
Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Speed Boost
Item
Focus SashSURVIVAL
Best Nature for Carvanha
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • Ice Fang
  • Destiny Bond
  • WaterfallSTAB
  • ProtectFAST +4

Recommended Teammates

Cottonee
CottoneeExcellent
Claydol
ClaydolExcellent
Aurorus
AurorusExcellent
↑Gen VII — Sun & Moon / USUME

Carvanha saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Carvanha climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Speed Boost with Focus Sash, favoring a Adamant nature.

Z-Moves became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 36
Crunch
Dark80COMMONSTAB
Egg
Destiny Bond
Ghost—COMMONUtility
TM17
Protect
Normal—COMMONPriority
TM98
Waterfall
Water80COMMONSTAB
Lv 11
Aqua Jet
Water40RARESTAB
Carvanha Sun & Moon MovesCarvanha Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Moves
Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Speed Boost
Item
Focus SashSURVIVAL
Best Nature for Carvanha
Adamant+ATK
EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • CrunchSTAB
  • Destiny Bond
  • ProtectFAST +4
  • WaterfallSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Whirlipede
WhirlipedeDecent
Avalugg
AvaluggDecent
Gourgeist-Small
Gourgeist-SmallDecent
→Gen VIII — Sword & Shield / BDSPE

Carvanha saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Carvanha maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Speed Boost with Focus Sash, favoring a Adamant nature.

Gigantamax became availableDynamax became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TM25
Protect
Normal—COMMONPriority
Lv 32
Crunch
Dark80COMMONSTAB
Egg
Destiny Bond
Ghost—COMMONUtility
Lv 40
Liquidation
Water85COMMONSTAB
Lv 1
Aqua Jet
Water40RARESTAB
Lv 20
Ice Fang
Ice65RARECoverage
Xfer
Toxic
Poison—RAREUtility
Carvanha Sword & Shield MovesCarvanha BDSP Moves
Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Speed Boost
Item
Focus SashSURVIVAL
Best Nature for Carvanha
Adamant+ATK
EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • ProtectFAST +4
  • CrunchSTAB
  • Destiny Bond
  • LiquidationSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Togedemaru
TogedemaruDecent

Carvanha Weakness

Type-wise, Carvanha takes extra damage from Electric, Grass, Fighting, Bug, and Fairy. Psychic moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. 6 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that.

Carvanha Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass, Fighting, Bug, Fairy
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Ghost, Dark, Steel
0x (Immune)Psychic

What is Carvanha Weak Against

Avg
5Weak
6Resist
1Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
ElectricGrassFightingBugFairy
½xResist
FireWaterIceGhostDarkSteel
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
Psychic

What is Carvanha Strong Against

5Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+5
2xStrong
FireGroundPsychicRockGhost
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Carvanha

Scizor can KO Carvanha with Close Combat (577-680%). Kartana's Knock Off hits Carvanha for 61-72%. Conkeldurr's Drain Punch also KOs at 382-449%.

Evolution

Carvanha evolves into Sharpedo. 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. Evolving adds up to 155 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Carvanha
#318Carvanha
30
Level 30
Sharpedo
#319Sharpedo
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Carvanha
WaterDark
Sharpedo
WaterDark
HP
45
70+25
ATK
90
120+30
DEF
20
40+20
SP.ATK
65
95+30
SP.DEF
20
40+20
SPE
65
95+30
BST
305D-Tier
460C-Tier+155
ROLE
Balanced
Cannon
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Carvanha easily with 34 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group.

Egg Groups
Water 2
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosoctillerymalamarmagikarpremoraidinkaywailordrelicanthalomomolapalafinwailmerfinizen
12 of 34·

How to Get Carvanha

All 15 games

A few locations for Carvanha with moderate rates across mid-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 Carvanha in LZA

To get Carvanha, start by catching Carvanha through walking encounters at Lv. 30-43. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Carvanha
    Step 1Carvanha ✓
    Wild Zone 10
    Lv.30-31Overworld
    Legends: Z-A
  2. Sharpedo
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Sharpedo
    Wild Zone 10
    Lv.30-32Overworld
    Legends: Z-A
    Wild Zone 10
    Lv.41-43Overworld
    Legends: Z-A
    or evolve from Carvanha (Step 1)

Base Stats

Carvanha's spread isn't flashy. Attack leads, Defense trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Easy to catch and worth 1 Attack EV, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.

Base Stats
Avg
HP45
D
Attack90
B
Defense20
F
Sp. Atk65
C
Sp. Def20
F
Speed65
C
Total305
Details
Catch Rate
Easy225 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height0.8 m
2'07"Small
Weight20.8 kg
45.9 lbsFeather
Base XP61
Low Yield
Abilities
Rough Skin
Damages attacking Pokémon for 1/8 their max HP on contact.
Speed BoostHidden Ability
Raises Speed one stage after each turn.
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

It won’t attack while it’s alone—not even if it spots prey. Instead, it waits for other Carvanha to join it, and then the Pokémon attack as a group.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Carvanha Guide

  • Carvanha does the job early-game if you need a Water/Dark type on your team. Evolve it into Sharpedo before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.

Game Availability

Carvanha first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 15 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

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