Nothing fancy in Cobalion's spread. It leans mixed with Defense out front. And you'll get 3 Defense EVs per KO for it. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
This Pokémon appears in a legend alongside Terrakion and Virizion, fighting against humans in defense of the Unova region’s Pokémon.
From the moment it’s born, this Pokémon radiates the air of a leader. Its presence will calm even vicious foes.
Type-wise, Cobalion takes extra damage from Fire, Fighting, and Ground. Poison moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. It resists 8 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Cobalion's physical bulk (base 129 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Fighting, Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Grass, Ice, Dragon, Dark, Steel |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Bug, Rock |
| 0x (Immune) | Poison |
Tyranitar deals 75-88% with Earthquake.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cobalion View Ambipom builds →U Turn3-4% Knock Off6-7% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemAssault Vest NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Cobalion View Cyclizar builds →Rapid Spin5-6% U Turn2-3% Knock Off4-5% Draco Meteor23-27% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cobalion View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off18-21% Stone Edge14-17% Pursuit11-13% Earthquake 2x75-88% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves View Blissey builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityProtean ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cobalion View Meowscarada builds →Knock Off15-17% U Turn5-6% Play Rough27-32% | ||
No breeding, no evolution. Cobalion is a Steel/Fighting legendary with 580 base stat total that you obtain once and build around. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Click Volt Switch, bring in a teammate, repeat. Cobalion's pivot game is backed by Rocky Helmet for chip damage on every physical hit received and flexible EVs. Justified works in the background while the remaining moves covers bad matchups.
Best Build
Cobalion best EVs are Speed and Defense
Pivot Moveset
- Body Press
- Volt Switch
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Body Press
- Protect
- Iron Defense
- Heavy Slam
Recommended Teammates
Special Stallbreaker Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Body Press
- Taunt
- Steel Beam
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Iron Head
- Thunder Wave
- Close Combat
- Flash Cannon
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Iron Head
- Sacred Sword
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Pivot Moveset
- Body Press
- Volt Switch
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Body Press
- Protect
- Iron Defense
- Heavy Slam
Special Stallbreaker Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Body Press
- Taunt
- Steel Beam
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Iron Head
- Thunder Wave
- Close Combat
- Flash Cannon
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Iron Head
- Sacred Sword
- Protect
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Close Combat
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Physical Stallbreaker Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Close Combat
- Iron Head
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Sacred Sword
- Steel Beam
- Protect
- Air Slash
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Iron Head
- Close Combat
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Iron Head
- Close Combat
- Stealth Rock
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Most of Cobalion's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Steel Beam and Close Combat, but Normal and Flying and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Most of Cobalion's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Steel Beam and Close Combat, but Normal and Flying and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Most of Cobalion's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Close Combat and Focus Blast, but Normal and Flying and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Most of Cobalion's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Close Combat and Focus Blast, but Normal and Flying and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Cobalion can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Bring it over from Black, Black 2, or Ultra Sun instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Cobalion is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also found in:
No wild encounters for Cobalion in Legends: Z-A. It's available in Black, Black 2, or Ultra Sun and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Cobalion is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also found in:
Cobalion doesn't appear in Sword & Shield. Transfer it from Black, Black 2, or Ultra Sun to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Cobalion is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also found in:
You'll find Cobalion at Ultra Space Wilds as a set encounter. It's always there at that location, so come prepared for the battle. The location details below cover exact positioning.
Best Locations to Catch Cobalion in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Cobalion is a Legendary Pokemon rated B-Tier. At 580 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a pivot. That 129 base Defense does the heavy lifting.
Cobalion's biggest threats include Infernape (Fire), Conkeldurr (Fighting), and Excadrill (Ground), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.
Justified is the go-to ability for Cobalion. It raises Attack one stage upon taking damage from a dark move. It's Cobalion's only ability.
Cobalion is leaning toward the physical side (base 90 Attack). Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 108 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the pivot role.
The core moveset is Bodypress, Volt Switch, Stealth Rock, and Thunder Wave. Bodypress leads at 20% usage. This set covers the pivot role with a mix of damage and utility.
Since Black & White, Cobalion has appeared in 9 games. Legendary Pokemon like Cobalion are usually found through story events or special post-game areas rather than random encounters.
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 5BWDebut
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