Stats & Training
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.
If it loses a fang, a new one grows back in its place. There are always 48 fangs lining its mouth.
It opens its huge jaws wide when attacking. If it loses any fangs while biting, they grow back in.
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 |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Magnezone can KO Croconaw with Thunderbolt (159-187%).
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Croconaw View Magnezone builds →Thunderbolt 2x159-187%KO Explosion54-63% | ||
 Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves View Roserade builds →
| ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver 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
Breeding
Breed with Croconaw to get Totodile eggs easily using 63 partners from the Monster and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Aqua Jet, Crunch and 9 more.
HeartGold & SoulSilver Croconaw Best Moveset
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Croconaw in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Can't catch Croconaw directly. Start with Totodile but it's a rare spawn from the locations below, then evolve at level 18. The 2-stage line from Totodile to Croconaw is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Croconaw in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Step 1Catch TotodileNew Bark TownSoulSilverGift from NPC Lv.5 CityLimitedEarlyStarter choiceNew Bark TownHeartGoldGift from NPC Lv.5 CityLimitedEarlyStarter choice
Step 2Croconaw ✓
Croconaw Guide
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Totodile evolves into Croconaw at level 18. Croconaw evolves into Feraligatr at level 30. Croconaw is a middle-stage evolution in the Totodile line.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.
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 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
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