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.
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
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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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 63 partners from the Monster and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Aqua Jet, Crunch and 9 more.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
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
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 TotodileMODERATENew Bark TownSoulSilverGift from NPCLv.5LimitedEarlyCityStarter choiceMODERATENew Bark TownHeartGoldGift from NPCLv.5LimitedEarlyCityStarter choice
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