Mid-stage Pokemon like Croconaw rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Feraligatr, which is where the real potential kicks in. Known as the Big Jaw Pokemon. Can go either physical or special depending on the set.
Croconaw's stats barely vary. 2 sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 2 Attack and Defense EVs, 1.06M XP medium-slow curve to max.
Once it bites down, it won’t let go until it loses its fangs. New fangs quickly grow into place.
Croconaw Weakness
GoodCroconaw's Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric and Grass moves. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.
Croconaw is the middle stage between Totodile and Feraligatr. It's a three-stage line with one more evolution to go. For breeding, average hatch time with plenty of partners via two egg groups. So far, Defense got the biggest boost (+16 from Totodile). The final form adds another 125 stats on top.
How to Evolve
Breed with Croconaw to get Totodile eggs easily using 81 partners from the Monster and Water1 egg groups.
Dark coverage is what separates a good sweep from a wasted boost. After Dragon Dance, Croconaw threatens a wide range with max Attack and Speed EVs and Life Orb backing every hit.
Best Build
Best Croconaw Moveset
- Ice Punch
- Dragon Dance
- Liquidation
- Crunch
Recommended Teammates
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Croconaw won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 12 types means it always has an effective option. Hydro Pump and Aqua Tail anchor the STAB core.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Without TMs, Croconaw's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 9 types on top of Hydro Pump and Muddy Water for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Croconaw won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 10 types means it always has an effective option. Hydro Pump and Aqua Tail anchor the STAB core.
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Croconaw won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 11 types means it always has an effective option. Hydro Pump and Aqua Tail anchor the STAB core.
No wild encounters for Croconaw in Scarlet & Violet. Bring Totodile over from Gold, Crystal, or Brilliant Diamond, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
Croconaw can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Totodile from Gold, Crystal, or Brilliant Diamond and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Croconaw doesn't appear wild. Catch Totodile instead, it shows up at moderate rates. Evolve it at level 18 to get Croconaw. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Croconaw in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The path to Croconaw starts with Totodile at Lv. 58-63 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch TotodileFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-game
Step 2Croconaw ✓
No wild encounters for Croconaw in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Bring Totodile over from Gold, Crystal, or Brilliant Diamond, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Croconaw in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Step 1Obtain TotodileCatch in the wild in:
Then trade to Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon to continue the evolution chain.
Also found in:
Step 2Croconaw ✓
Croconaw isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Feraligatr to unlock its full potential. At 405 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Totodile evolves into Croconaw at level 18. Croconaw evolves into Feraligatr at level 30. Croconaw is a middle-stage evolution in the Totodile line.
Run Sheer Force on Croconaw. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Croconaw also gets Torrent, but they don't compare.
Croconaw fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 80 Attack. At base 58 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Croconaw appears in 17 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Croconaw first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 17 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
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