Cranidos Best Moveset
125 Attack on Rock at 58 Speed. AbilitySheer Force boosts secondary-effect moves by 30% with AbilityMold Breaker ignoring opposing abilities as an alternative. The Attack is enormous for a pre-evolution but the Speed and 40/30 defenses fold to anything. Evolve to Rampardos for 165 Attack.
Cranidos saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). This was Cranidos's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Mold Breaker with Choice Band, favoring a Adamant nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Cranidos best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Wallbreaker Moveset
- Earthquake
- Pursuit
- Head Smash
- Fire Punch
Recommended Teammates
Cranidos saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Cranidos maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Mold Breaker with Choice Scarf, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Zen Headbutt
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Fire Punch
Recommended Teammates
Cranidos saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Cranidos maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sheerforce with Choice Scarf, favoring a Serious nature.
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Superpower
- Earthquake
- Double Edge
- Head Smash
Recommended Teammates
Cranidos saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Cranidos maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sheerforce with Choice Scarf, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Fire Punch
- Rock Polish
Recommended Teammates
Cranidos saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Cranidos maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sheerforce with Choice Scarf, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Rock Slide
- Fire Punch
- Zen Headbutt
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Cranidos Weakness
Cranidos is weak to Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. That's a lot of weak spots to cover so team support is important.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying |
What is Cranidos Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Cranidos
Greninja can KO Cranidos with Surf (266-313%). Mienfoo's High Jump Kick also KOs at 172-203%.
 Greninja WaterDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse119-140%KO Ice Beam89-104%KO Surf 2x266-313%KO | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemEviolite NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Foongus builds →Venoshock12-14% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemEviolite NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Mienfoo builds →Knock Off43-51% U Turn47-55% High Jump Kick 2x172-203%KO | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityStamina ItemEviolite NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Mudbray builds →Earthquake 2x106-125%KO | ||
D | ||
Recommended Build AbilityOvercoat ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves View Vullaby builds →
| ||
Evolution
Cranidos evolves into Rampardos. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are slow to hatch. Evolving adds up to 145 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Cranidos with 81 breeding partners from the Monster egg group.
How to Get Cranidos
moderate rates for Cranidos across 1 locations in endgame routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Cranidos in SV
Step 1Cranidos ✓Canyon BiomeLv.50-80OverworldScarlet
Step 2Evolve into RampardosBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Rampardos egg.
decent spawn rates for Cranidos across 1 locations in endgame routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Cranidos in PLA
Step 1Cranidos ✓Space-Time Distortion - Mount CoronetLv.48-62CaveRate 15%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into RampardosSpace-Time Distortion - Mount CoronetLv.48-62CaveRate 5%or evolve from Cranidos (Step 1)
No wild encounters for Cranidos in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Bring Cranidos over from Diamond & Pearl, Platinum, or Scarlet & Violet, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Cranidos in BDSP
Step 1Cranidos ✓CARTRIDGE TRADEfrom Legends: ArceusAvailableCatch in Legends: Arceus via Walking · Space-Time Distortion, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Gift · Oreburgh City · Revive Skull Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Gift · Oreburgh City · Revive Skull Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Gift · Pewter City · Revive Skull Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Gift · Nacrene City · Revive Skull Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Gift · Nacrene City · Revive Skull Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom X & YNot TradeableAppears in X & Y via Gift · Ambrette Town · Revive Skull Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Rampardos
Cranidos is a gift in this game. Pick it up at Route 8 — no wild encounters or spawn rates to deal with. The details below cover exactly when it becomes available.
How to Obtain Cranidos in USUM
Step 1Cranidos ✓Route 8 - Fossil Restoration CenterLv.15Gift from NPCRevive Skull Fossil
Step 2Evolve into Rampardos
Base Stats
Cranidos's all-in on Attack at the expense of Sp. Atk. The physical lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 1 Attack EV and follows a standard growth curve.
An incredibly rare sight. They duel each other by ramming their heads together, and the resulting sound echoes throughout the area like the pealing of a bell.
Cranidos Guide
Cranidos isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Rampardos to unlock its full potential. At 350 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Run Sheer Force on Cranidos. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Cranidos also gets Mold Breaker, but they don't compare.
Sheer Force is the hidden ability. It strengthens moves with extra effects to 1.3× their power, but prevents their extra effects. Worth hunting for if you want Cranidos to compete at a higher level.
Cranidos fills the cannon role. It's a physical attacker with base 125 Attack. At base 58 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's fragile, can't afford to take many hits.
Game Availability
Cranidos first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 12 games across 7 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 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves