Cubone is transfer-only in Ruby & Sapphire. Rock Head prevents recoil, and Lightning Rod draws Electric moves. A-Tier Marowak with Thick Club is the prize.
Ability 1Rock HeadAbility 1Protects against recoil damage.Ability 2Lightning RodAbility 2Redirects single-target electric moves to this Pokémon where possible. Absorbs Electric moves, raising Special Attack one stage.
320HP50Attack50Defense95Speed35Sp.Def50Sp.Atk40
Cubone
Marowak
Weak to
Physical
Balanced
35Speed · Very Slow

Is Cubone Good in Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

Not native to Hoenn. Trade from FireRed or LeafGreen. AbilityRock Head negates recoil and AbilityLightning Rod draws Electric attacks. Marowak's physical Ground coverage handles Wattson and Flannery if imported, but Hoenn has Sandslash and Camerupt natively.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGEGGETBEEEEEERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8CuboneTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Good

Cubone has the type edge here and should clean up Roxanne's team.

You Win
Geodude
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
You Win
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
TackleHardenRock ThrowRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Even

Cubone trades roughly evenly with Brawly's team.

Even
Machop
Lv 17
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopSeismic TossBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 18
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustKnock OffSand AttackBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Good

Cubone has the type edge here and should clean up Wattson's team.

Easy KO
Magnemite
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomThunder ShockThunder Wave
You Win
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSelf DestructSparkSonic Boom
You Win
Magneton
Lv 23
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomShock WaveThunder Wave
Flannery
Gym 4
Good

Cubone has the type edge here and should clean up Flannery's team.

You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
FlamethrowerRock SlideLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Torkoal
Lv 28
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatBody SlamFlailAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Cubone trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

Even
Slaking
Lv 28
Normal
Truant
EncoreFacadeYawnFeint Attack
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 30
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFeint AttackFacadeEncore
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Tough

Winona's team hits Cubone's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Swellow
Lv 31
NormalFlying
Guts
Quick AttackAerial AceDouble TeamEndeavor
Risky
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Risky
Skarmory
Lv 32
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Even
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Bad

Tate & Liza's Pokemon outpace and outclass Cubone here.

Avoid
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Avoid
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Wallace
Gym 8
Even

Cubone trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

Even
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Risky
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
Even
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Risky
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Risky
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Sidney
Elite Four
Even

Cubone trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

You Win
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
Risky
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Risky
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Even
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Cubone trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
Even
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Cubone trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

Even
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
Even
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
Even
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
Risky
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Even

Cubone trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
Even
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
Even
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
Even
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
Risky
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Steven
Champion
Even

Cubone trades roughly evenly with Steven's team.

Risky
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
Risky
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
You Win
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
Even
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
Even
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Even
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
Ground
Tier
E

Cubone cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.

View Cubone locations

How to Get Cubone in Ruby & Sapphire

Cubone does not appear in Ruby or Sapphire. It joins your team only through a player trade from another game.

How to Obtain Cubone in RS

  1. Cubone
    Step 1Cubone ✓
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Pokémon Tower, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Red & Blue via Walking · Pokémon Tower · Not catchable. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Yellow
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Yellow via Walking · Safari Zone. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Rock Tunnel. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Crystal
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Crystal via Walking · Rock Tunnel. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Route 203 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Platinum via Walking · Route 203 · Swarm (daily, announced in Sandgem Town). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Marowak
    Step 2Evolve into Marowak

How to Get Shiny Cubone in Ruby & Sapphire

Cubone leaves no bones in Hoenn, so catch a shiny in Sevault Canyon over in FireRed or LeafGreen and trade it home. See every game where Shiny Cubone can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Cubone in Ruby & SapphireNormal
Shiny Cubone in Ruby & Sapphire Shiny
Color ShiftBrown
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Cubone Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

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.

Cubone Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Grass, Ice
0.5x (Resist)Poison, Rock
0x (Immune)Electric
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Cubone Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
2Resist
2Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
None

What is Cubone Strong Against

5Strong
2Resisted
1Immune
Score+2

Best Pokemon Against Cubone

Tropius
Tropius
GrassFlying
C
Cacturne
Cacturne
GrassDark
B
Pelipper
Pelipper
WaterFlying
C
B
Roselia
Roselia
GrassPoison
C

Cubone Evolutions

Cubone is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Marowak. Check the evolution method below. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs take an average time to hatch. Evolving adds up to 105 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Cubone
#104Cubone
28
Transfer Only
Marowak
#105Marowak
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Cubone
Ground
Marowak
Ground
HP
50
60+10
ATK
50
80+30
DEF
95
110+15
SP.ATK
40
50+10
SP.DEF
50
80+30
SPE
35
45+10
BST
320E-Tier
425A-Tier+105
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Cubone easily with 49 breeding partners from the Monster egg group. Pass egg moves like Ancient Power, Belly Drum, Perish Song and 4 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Monster
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
7moves
Breed With (best first)
venusaurcharizardblastoisenidokingmeganiumferaligatrampharossceptileswampertslowbrorhydonslowking

RS Cubone Best Moveset

Pre-evolution stats where AbilityRock Head removes MoveDouble-Edge recoil and AbilityLightning Rod draws Electric moves. Marowak with Held ItemThick Club is the enormous power jump waiting after evolution.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Attacker
Ability
Lightning Rod
Item
Thick Club
Best Nature for Cubone

Cubone best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Attacker Moveset

  • BonemerangSTAB
  • Swords Dance
  • Focus Punch
  • Ancient Power

Moves List

Breeding opens up real options for Cubone. Ancient Power and Belly Drum come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Earthquake and Dig and coverage across 8 types.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
D—10040Normal
Lv 5
Tail Whip
——10030Normal
Lv 9
Bone Club
—978520Ground
Lv 13
Headbutt
D7010015Normal
Lv 17
Leer
D—10030Normal
Lv 21
Focus Energy
D——30Normal
Lv 25
Bonemerang
S759010Ground
Lv 29
Rage
—2010020Normal
Lv 33
False Swipe
—4010040Normal
Lv 37
Thrash
—12010020Normal
Lv 41
Bone Rush
—379010Ground
Lv 45
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal

TM Moves

All 26 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40D60—20Flying
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14D120705Ice
TM31
Brick BreakSootopolis Citynot until badge 7
D7510015Fighting
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
C9010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM26
EarthquakeSeafloor Cavernnot until badge 7
C15010010Ground
TM42D7010020Normal
TM38
Fire BlastLilycove Department Storebadge 5
D120855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510015Fire
TM01
Focus Punch-3Route 115badge 5
B15010020Fighting
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamAbandoned Shipbadge 2
D9510010Ice
TM23
Iron TailMeteor Fallsnot until badge 8
D1007515Steel
TM17C——10Normal
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
HM06
Rock SmashMauville Citybadge 2
D2010015Fighting
TM39D609510Rock
TM37
SandstormRoute 111badge 4
D——10Rock
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
HM04
StrengthRusturf Tunnelbadge 3
—8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM46
ThiefSlateport Citybadge 1
D6010025Dark
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Ancient Power
B601005Rock
Egg
Belly Drum
C——10Normal
Egg
Perish Song
C——5Normal
Egg
Rock Slide
A759010Rock
Egg
Screech
D—8540Normal
Egg
Skull Bash
—10010010Normal
Egg
Swords Dance
B——30Normal

Tutor Moves

Cubone can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP50
D
Attack50
D
Defense95
B
Sp. Atk40
D
Sp. Def50
D
Speed35
F
Total320
Details
Catch Rate
Easy190 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.4 m
Weight6.5 kg
Base XP64
Abilities
Rock Head
Protects against recoil damage.
Lightning Rod
Redirects single-target electric moves to this Pokémon where possible. Absorbs Electric moves, raising Special Attack one stage.
Lightning Rod grants Electric immunity
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

CUBONE pines for the mother it will never see again. Seeing a likeness of its mother in the full moon, it cries. The stains on the skull the POKéMON wears are made by the tears it sheds.

Pokemon Ruby / Pokemon Sapphire

Cubone Ruby & Sapphire Guide

  • No. Cubone isn't catchable in Ruby & Sapphire. Catch one in FireRed or LeafGreen, then trade it over.

Game Availability

Present since Red & Blue, Cubone appears in 20 games spanning 9 generations. Gen 1 originals like Cubone have the longest track record of availability in the series.

Explore

Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Want to tell us more?
What was most useful?
What could be improved?
Thanks for your feedback