Croconaw Best Moveset
80 Attack at 58 Speed on Water. AbilitySheer Force adds damage to secondary-effect moves, but the base Attack needs one more evolution. Held ItemEviolite gives bulk. The moveset is functional but everything Feraligatr does better, Feraligatr does with Sheer Force plus real power.
Croconaw saw minimal competitive use in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal). This marked Croconaw's competitive debut.
Utility Moveset
- Surf
- Rock Slide
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Recommended Teammates
Croconaw saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Croconaw maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Torrent with Leftovers, favoring a Hardy nature.
Mixed Attacker Moveset
- Roar
- Hydro Pump
- Protect
- Hidden Power Electric
Recommended Teammates
Croconaw sat at D-Tier in Gen IV. This was Croconaw's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Torrent with Leftovers, favoring a Adamant nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Croconaw best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Ice Punch
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
- Crunch
Recommended Teammates
Croconaw saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). This was a decline from D-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Torrent with Mysticwater, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Aqua Jet
- Waterfall
- Ice Punch
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Croconaw saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Croconaw maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Torrent with Nothing, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Surf
- Aqua Jet
- Aqua Tail
- Blizzard
Recommended Teammates
Croconaw saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Croconaw maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sheerforce with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
- Ice Punch
- Crunch
Recommended Teammates
Croconaw saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Croconaw maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sheerforce with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Liquidation
- Dragon Dance
- Ice Punch
- Crunch
Recommended Teammates
Croconaw Weakness
Croconaw's Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
What is Croconaw Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Croconaw
Rillaboom can KO Croconaw with Wood Hammer (164-193%). Regieleki's Volt Switch hits Croconaw for 53-63%.
 Rillaboom Grass | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Croconaw View Rillaboom builds →Knock Off30-35% U Turn32-38% Wood Hammer 2x164-193%KO | ||
 Regieleki Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTransistor ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Croconaw View Regieleki builds →Volt Switch 2x53-63% Rapid Spin9-10% Rapid Spin9-10% Volt Switch 2x53-63% | ||
Evolution
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Croconaw
Can't catch Croconaw directly. Start with Totodile at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 30. The 3-stage chain from Totodile to Croconaw is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Croconaw in SV
Step 1Catch TotodileSavanna BiomeLv.50-80Overworld
Step 2Croconaw ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave Feraligatr with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Croconaw egg.
Step 3Evolve into Feraligatr
Can't catch Croconaw directly. Start with Totodile at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 30. The 3-stage chain from Totodile to Croconaw is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Croconaw in LZA
- Step 1Catch TotodileWild Zone 20Lv.54-55OverworldLegends: Z-A
- Step 2Croconaw ✓
- Step 3Evolve into Feraligatr
Croconaw doesn't appear wild. Catch Totodile instead, it shows up at moderate rates. Evolve it at level 30 to get Croconaw. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Croconaw in BDSP
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 CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRiverbank CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStill-Water CavernLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Croconaw ✓
Step 3Evolve into Feraligatr
No wild encounters for Croconaw in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Bring Totodile over from Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Legends: Z-A, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Croconaw in USUM
Step 1Obtain TotodileCARTRIDGE TRADEfrom Sun & MoonAvailableCatch in Sun & Moon via Walking · Seaward Cave · Island Scan; Monday, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Gift · New Bark Town. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Gift · New Bark Town · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Gift · Littleroot Town · Gift from Professor Birch (complete Hoenn Pokédex). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Gift · New Bark Town · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Gift · Route 101 · Post-Elite Four. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl via Walking · Fountainspring Cave · After National Dex obtained. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.- Step 2Croconaw ✓
Step 3Evolve into Feraligatr
Base Stats
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 Guide
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.
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's hidden ability is Sheer Force. Strengthens moves with extra effects to 1.3× their power, but prevents their extra effects. Better than the standard options for competitive play.
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.
Game Availability
Croconaw first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 17 games across 9 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 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
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