Stats & Training
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.
A lifelong jungle dweller from 100 million years ago, it would snap obstructing trees with head butts.
A lifelong jungle dweller from 100 million years ago, it would snap obstructing trees with head butts.
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 |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Riolu Fighting | D | |
 Psyduck Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Psyduck builds →Water Gun 2x53-64% Rock Smash 2x28-34% | ||
 Sewaddle BugGrass | D | |
 Snivy Grass | D | |
Obtain MethodAspertia City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Snivy builds →Energy Ball 2x91-109%KO Vine Whip 2x43-51% | ||
 Oshawott Water | D | |
Obtain MethodAspertia City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Oshawott builds →Water Gun 2x53-64% Rock Smash 2x28-34% | ||
 Whimsicott Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Whimsicott builds →Energy Ball 2x132-155%KO Mega Drain 2x63-75% | ||
 Lilligant Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Lilligant builds →Energy Ball 2x170-200%KO Mega Drain 2x80-95% | ||
 Magnemite ElectricSteel | D | |
Riolu Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Riolu builds →Force Palm 2x72-85% Rock Smash 2x50-60% | ||
Psyduck Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Psyduck builds →Water Pulse 2x80-95% Water Gun 2x55-65% Rock Smash 2x28-33% | ||
 Sandslash Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Sandslash builds →Dig 2x128-152%KO Rock Smash 2x44-52% Sand Tomb 2x60-71% | ||
 Trapinch Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Trapinch builds →Dig 2x128-152%KO Bulldoze 2x97-115%KO Rock Smash 2x44-52% Sand Tomb 2x60-71% | ||
 Krokorok GroundDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Krokorok builds →Dig 2x111-131%KO Rock Smash 2x38-45% Sand Tomb 2x51-61% Mud-Slap 2x25-30% | ||
Magnemite ElectricSteel | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Magnemite builds →Mirror Shot 2x120-142%KO Magnet Bomb 2x48-57% | ||
 Baltoy GroundPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Baltoy builds →Dig 2x69-81% Mud-Slap 2x22-27% | ||
 Heracross BugFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Heracross builds →Close Combat 2x221-261%KO Dig 2x100-118%KO Brick Break 2x140-165%KO Bulldoze 2x74-88% | ||
Sandslash Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Sandslash builds →Dig 2x124-147%KO Brick Break 2x78-92% Bulldoze 2x94-111%KO Rock Smash 2x42-50% | ||
Krokorok GroundDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Krokorok builds →Dig 2x107-126%KO Brick Break 2x68-80% Bulldoze 2x81-96% Rock Smash 2x37-44% | ||
 Scraggy DarkFighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Scraggy builds →High Jump Kick 2x160-189%KO Dig 2x66-78% Brick Break 2x94-111%KO Rock Smash 2x51-60% | ||
Magnemite ElectricSteel | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Magnemite builds →Mirror Shot 2x117-138%KO Magnet Bomb 2x45-54% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Heracross builds →Close Combat 2x220-260%KO Dig 2x99-117%KO Brick Break 2x140-165%KO Bulldoze 2x75-88% | ||
Sandslash Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Sandslash builds →Dig 2x124-146%KO Brick Break 2x78-92% Bulldoze 2x95-112%KO Rock Smash 2x42-50% | ||
 Gurdurr Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Gurdurr builds →Dynamic Punch 2x160-188%KO Dig 2x85-101%KO Brick Break 2x121-143%KO Wake-Up Slap 2x112-133%KO | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Onix builds →Dig 2x70-82% Bulldoze 2x54-64% Rock Smash 2x24-28% Sand Tomb 2x31-37% | ||
Krokorok GroundDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Krokorok builds →Dig 2x105-125%KO Brick Break 2x67-80% Bulldoze 2x81-96% Rock Smash 2x35-42% | ||
 Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x202-239%KO Dig 2x164-193%KO Brick Break 2x101-120%KO Bulldoze 2x123-145%KO | ||
 Skarmory Steel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Skarmory builds →Steel Wing 2x93-109%KO Rock Smash 2x36-42% | ||
 Cobalion SteelFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 13 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Cobalion builds →Sacred Sword 2x132-155%KO Iron Head 2x117-138%KO Metal Claw 2x74-88% Rock Smash 2x59-70% | ||
 Virizion GrassFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 11 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Virizion builds →Sacred Sword 2x132-155%KO Energy Ball 2x158-186%KO Giga Drain 2x132-155%KO Magical Leaf 2x106-125%KO | ||
Heracross BugFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Heracross builds →Close Combat 2x227-267%KO Dig 2x101-120%KO Brick Break 2x143-169%KO Bulldoze 2x77-91% | ||
 Terrakion RockFighting | A | |
Obtain MethodRoute 22 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Terrakion builds →Sacred Sword 2x180-211%KO Bulldoze 2x80-94% Rock Smash 2x80-95% Double Kick 2x61-72% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x206-243%KO Dig 2x165-194%KO Brick Break 2x104-123%KO Bulldoze 2x125-148%KO | ||
Cobalion SteelFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 13 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Cobalion builds →Sacred Sword 2x132-156%KO Iron Head 2x118-139%KO Metal Claw 2x75-89% Rock Smash 2x61-72% | ||
Virizion GrassFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 11 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Virizion builds →Sacred Sword 2x132-156%KO Energy Ball 2x159-188%KO Giga Drain 2x132-156%KO Magical Leaf 2x108-127%KO | ||
Heracross BugFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Heracross builds →Close Combat 2x231-273%KO Dig 2x104-123%KO Brick Break 2x145-171%KO Bulldoze 2x77-92% | ||
In Black 2 & White 2, Excadrill can KO Cranidos with Earthquake (249-293%). Jirachi's U-turn hits Cranidos for 37-44%. Politoed's Scald also KOs at 142-167%.
Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySandforce ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x249-293%KO Rapid Spin21-24% Rock Slide62-73% | ||
 Jirachi SteelPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySerenegrace ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Jirachi builds →U Turn37-44% | ||
 Politoed Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Politoed builds →Scald 2x142-167%KO | ||
 Conkeldurr Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Conkeldurr builds →Drain Punch 2x210-248%KO Mach Punch 2x113-133%KO | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Breloom builds →Mach Punch 2x140-164%KO Bullet Seed 2x88-103%KO | ||
Black 2 & White 2 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 67 breeding partners from the Monster egg group. Pass egg moves like Crunch, Curse, Double-Edge and 8 more to offspring.
Black 2 & White 2 Cranidos Best Moveset
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 5.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 10 types means almost nothing walls Cranidos cleanly, with Head Smash and Stone Edge anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Cranidos in Black 2 & White 2
No searching required for Cranidos. You receive it at Nacrene City from an NPC. No wild encounters exist in this game, so just head to the right spot when you're ready and it's yours.
Best Locations to Catch Cranidos in Black 2 & White 2
Cranidos Guide
In Black 2 & White 2, 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.
In Black 2 & White 2, 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.
In Black 2 & White 2, 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.
In Black 2 & White 2, 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 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 4DPDebut
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