Cranidos is technically a pre-evolution of Rampardos, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Sheer Force drops secondary effects for a straight power boost, adding extra value. 5 type weaknesses to keep in mind.
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.
Cranidos Weakness
FragileCranidos is weak to Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel-type moves. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. That's a lot of weak spots to cover so team support is important.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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.
How to Evolve
Breed Cranidos with 63 breeding partners from the Monster egg group. Pass egg moves like Crunch, Double-Edge, Hammer Arm and 5 more to offspring.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.
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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
Cranidos is a gift in this game. Pick it up at Oreburgh City — no wild encounters or spawn rates to deal with. The details below cover exactly when it becomes available.
Best Locations
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.
Cranidos evolves into Rampardos at level 30. Cranidos is the base form of this evolutionary line.
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.
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.
Cranidos appears in 12 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.
Cranidos first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 12 games across 6 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A