Physical
Balanced
55Speed · Slow

Is Ekans Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

FireRed only. AbilityIntimidate lowers the opponent's Attack on switch-in, giving Ekans something it never had in the originals: utility beyond its own stats. Arbok with Intimidate weakens physical attackers before your real threats take the field. Poison typing doesn't threaten any gym leader directly, but the Attack drop on entry supports everything else.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTEGGEEGEGGEEEBrockGym 1EkansCatchableMistyGym 2ArbokEvolveSurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Tough

Brock's typing presses Ekans's defenses.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Risky
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Even

Ekans trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.

Even
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
Even
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Good

Arbok has the type edge here and should clean up Lt. Surge's team.

You Win
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
You Win
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Even
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Good

Arbok has the type edge here and should clean up Erika's team.

Even
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Easy KO
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Even
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Even

Arbok trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Risky
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Arbok trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
Even
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
Even
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

Arbok has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

Easy KO
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Easy KO
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Even

Arbok trades roughly evenly with Giovanni's team.

You Win
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Risky
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
Even
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Risky
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
You Win
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Good

Arbok has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.

You Win
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
You Win
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
Even
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
Even
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Arbok has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

You Win
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
You Win
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
Even
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Even

Arbok trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.

Even
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
Even
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
Risky
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
Even
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
Risky
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Arbok trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
Risky
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
Even
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Even

Arbok trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.

Even
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
Even
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
Risky
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
Even
Gyarados
Lv 73
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hydro PumpDragon DanceEarthquakeHyper Beam
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 73
Fire
Intimidate
Extreme SpeedOverheatAerial AceIron Tail
Even
Venusaur
Lv 75
GrassPoison
Overgrow
Solar BeamSludge BombEarthquakeSunny Day
Catchable
Available after Badge 1
Type
Poison
Tier
E

Catch Ekans on Route 4 (walking, Lv 6-12, common).

View Ekans locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM28GroundDig80100%10
  • After Erika
    • TM36PoisonSludge Bomb135100%10
    • TM23SteelIron Tail10075%15
    • HM04NormalStrength80100%15
    • TM19GrassGiga Drain75100%10
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
    • TM26GroundEarthquake100100%10
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Evolve Ekans to Arbok
Level 22
Type
Poison
Tier
E

Your Ekans should hit Level 22 before you reach Lt. Surge, at typical leveling pace.

View Arbok locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM28GroundDig80100%10
  • After Erika
    • TM36PoisonSludge Bomb135100%10
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • HM04NormalStrength80100%15
    • TM19GrassGiga Drain75100%10
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
    • TM26GroundEarthquake100100%10
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

How to Get Ekans in FireRed & LeafGreen

FireRed exclusive. Ekans has six grass encounters across early and mid-game routes, common enough that you'll spot it without trying.

FireRed Exclusive — Trade with LeafGreen for Sandshrew

6 locations to catch Ekans

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8

Where To Catch Ekans in FRLG

To get Ekans, start by catching Ekans through walking encounters at Lv. 6-46. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

Ekans Weakness

Ekans's Poison typing leaves it vulnerable to Ground and Psychic. The Poison typing picks up 4 resistances to work with. Ekans's Poison typing only leaves 2 gaps to cover.

Ekans Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ground, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Fighting, Poison, Bug
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 Ekans Weak Against

Avg
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Ekans Strong Against

1Strong
4Resisted
1Immune
Score-4
2xStrong
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Ekans

Ekans Evolutions

Ekans is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Arbok. Check the evolution method below. A decent partner pool for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 160 total stats over Ekans. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Ekans
Poison
Arbok
Poison
HP
35
60+25
ATK
60
95+35
DEF
44
69+25
SP.ATK
40
65+25
SP.DEF
54
79+25
SPE
55
80+25
BST
288C-Tier
448C-Tier+160
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Ekans easily with 27 breeding partners from the Dragon and Ground egg groups. Pass egg moves like Beat Up, Poison Fang, Pursuit and 2 more to offspring.

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

FRLG Ekans Best Moveset

Poison type carrying AbilityIntimidate for Attack drops on switch-in, the one useful contribution. The moveset can't threaten anything competitively, but the Intimidate support at least helps the team.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Shed Skin
Item
Oran BerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Ekans
HardyNEUTRAL

Ekans best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • WrapCoverage
  • Poison StingSTAB
  • LeerUtility
  • BiteCoverage

Moves List

The natural movepool does the job, but Beat Up and Poison Fang from the egg pool give Ekans something extra.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
S10030Normal
Lv 1
Wrap
S158520Normal
Lv 8
Poison Sting
S2210035Poison
Lv 13
Bite
A6010025Dark
Lv 20
Glare
D7530Normal
Lv 25
Screech
D8540Normal
Lv 32
Acid
D6010030Poison
Lv 37
Spit Up
D10010Normal
Lv 37
Stockpile
D20Normal
Lv 37
Swallow
10Normal
Lv 44
Haze
C30Ice

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM28
Dig
D6010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
C10010010Ground
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM19
Giga Drain
D751005Grass
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM23
Iron Tail
D1007515Steel
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM36
Sludge Bomb
D13510010Poison
TM49
Snatch+4
10Dark
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM46
Thief
D6010025Dark
TM41
Torment
D10015Dark
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Beat Up
D10010Dark
Egg
Poison Fang
7510015Poison
Egg
Pursuit
D4010020Dark
Egg
Slam
807520Normal
Egg
Spite
10010Ghost

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Rock Slide
D759010Rock
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP35
F
Attack60
C
Defense44
D
Sp. Atk40
D
Sp. Def54
D
Speed55
D
Total288
Details
Catch Rate
Guaranteed255 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height2.0 m
Weight6.9 kg
Base XP58
Abilities
Intimidate
Lowers opponents' Attack one stage upon entering battle.
Shed Skin
Has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn.
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

A very common sight in grassland, etc. It flicks its tongue in and out to sense danger in its surroundings.

Moving silently and stealthily, it eats the eggs of birds, such as PIDGEY and SPEAROW, whole.

Ekans FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Why can't I find Ekans in LeafGreen?

    Ekans is exclusive to Pokemon FireRed. LeafGreen players have to trade for one.

    Pokemon FireRed cover art

    FireRed exclusive

    Trade with a player who has Pokemon FireRed to obtain Ekans.

    See the Locations section above for where to find Ekans in FireRed.

    How to trade in FireRed and LeafGreen

    GBA cartridges: You need a Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable and both players' FireRed/LeafGreen cartridges. Trade at the Cable Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, which opens up shortly after Oak gives you the Pokedex.
    Nintendo Switch (2026 release): Trading uses local wireless only. There is no online play, and no Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required. Both players head to the Pokemon Wireless Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, then step into a Union Room. Up to four other players can join. Available once you have the Pokedex from Professor Oak.

Game Availability

Present since Red & Blue, Ekans appears in 20 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Ekans have the longest track record of availability in the series.

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