Cubone Best Moveset
Outstanding physical bulk for a pre-evolution at 95 Defense. 50 Attack behind Ground TermStab pokes at moderate damage while 35 Speed stretches cooldowns near maximum length. The moveset tanks physical hits between slow recharges, building toward Marowak's stronger stat spread.
Cubone saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This was Cubone's competitive peak. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 40.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Water Gun
- Mega Punch
Recommended Teammates
Thick Club doubled Attack in Gen II (Gold & Silver). 50 base became 100 effective. A pre-evolution hitting like an evolved Pokemon on one item.
Utility Moveset
- Blizzard
- Earthquake
- Body Slam
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
Same Thick Club sets in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). 35 Speed was glacial. Marowak existed and did the same trick from higher HP and Defense.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Bonemerang
- Swords Dance
- Focus Punch
- Ancient Power
Recommended Teammates
Cubone saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Cubone maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Rockhead with Thickclub, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Earthquake
- Double Edge
- Fire Punch
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Cubone saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Cubone maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Battlearmor with Thickclub, favoring a Adamant nature.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Swords Dance
- Bonemerang
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Cubone saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Cubone maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Rockhead with Focus Sash, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Protect
- Power Up Punch
- Counter
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
Cubone saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Cubone maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Rockhead with Thickclub, favoring a Adamant nature.
Utility Moveset
- Bonemerang
- Knock Off
- Fire Punch
- Rock Slide
Cubone saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Cubone maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Lightningrod with Focus Sash, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Endeavor
Recommended Teammates
Cubone Weakness
Cubone is weak to Water, Grass, and Ice. On the flip side, it's immune to Electric-type moves entirely. Lightning Rod grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Cubone's physical bulk (base 95 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Ice |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Rock |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
What is Cubone Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Cubone
Urshifu can KO Cubone with Close Combat (101-119%). Venusaur threatens a KO with Giga Drain (151-178%). Lapras's Surf also KOs at 138-162%.
 Urshifu FightingDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnseenfist ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cubone View Urshifu builds →Close Combat101-119%KO Close Combat101-119%KO | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemLife Orb NatureNaive Moves
Damage vs Cubone View Venusaur builds →Giga Drain 2x151-178%KO Sludge Bomb45-53% | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Cubone View Lapras builds →Surf 2x138-162%KO | ||
Evolution
Cubone is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Marowak. Check the evolution method below. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 105 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Cubone easily with 81 breeding partners from the Monster egg group.
How to Get Cubone
No wild encounters for Cubone in Legends: Z-A. Bring Cubone over from Red & Blue, Yellow, or Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Cubone in LZA
- Step 1Cubone ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Red & BlueNot TradeableAppears in Red & Blue via Walking · Pokémon Tower. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom YellowNot TradeableAppears in Yellow via Walking · Safari Zone. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Rock Tunnel. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Walking · Rock Tunnel. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Pokémon Tower. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Walking · Rock Tunnel. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Marowak
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 14 locations. Cubone's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Where To Catch Cubone in BDSP
Cubone is your first catch on the way to Cubone. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 4-63 across 14 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Cubone ✓Route 203Lv.4GrassRate 40%Swarm activeBig Bluff CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameDazzling CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRiverbank CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRocky CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameStill-Water CavernLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Evolve into Marowak
Cubone's scattered across 18 spots in mid-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Where To Catch Cubone in SwSh
Cubone is your first catch on the way to Cubone. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 16-21 across 18 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Cubone ✓Warm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 32%RainingWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 32%SnowstormWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 32%Intense SunWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 32%Heavy FogWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 32%SnowingWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 32%OvercastWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 32%SandstormWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 32%ThunderstormWarm-Up TunnelLv.16-21OverworldRate 32%Normal WeatherAvailable in-game· 2 pathsPick one
moderate rates across 12 locations for Cubone in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Cubone in LGPE
The path to Cubone starts with Cubone at Lv. 18-32 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Base Stats
Nothing fancy in Cubone's spread. It leans mixed with Defense out front. And you'll get 1 Defense EV per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
When the memory of its departed mother brings it to tears, its cries echo mournfully within the skull it wears on its head.
Cubone Guide
For a casual playthrough, Cubone works as a placeholder. Ground coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Marowak. That's where the stats start mattering.
Game Availability
Present since Red & Blue, Cubone appears in 20 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Cubone have the longest track record of availability in the series.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
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