Horsea starts the path to Kingdra in Crystal. Trade Seadra with a Dragon Scale for a Water/Dragon type with almost no weaknesses.
295HP30Attack40Defense70Speed60Sp.Def25Sp.Atk70
Horsea
Seadra
Kingdra
Weak to
Special
Balanced
60Speed · Below Avg

Is Horsea Good in Crystal Playthrough?

Whirl Islands fishing. Kingdra requires trading a Seadra with a Dragon Scale, which limits it for solo Crystal players. Without the trade, Seadra at level 32 is an average Water-type. With the trade, Water/Dragon is one of the best typings in the game.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGGEETGEEEEGGESSGGGGGGFalknerGym 1BugsyGym 2WhitneyGym 3MortyGym 4ChuckGym 5JasmineGym 6HorseaCatchablePryceGym 7SeadraEvolveClairGym 8KingdraEvolveSurgeGym 9SabrinaGym 10ErikaGym 11JanineGym 12MistyGym 13BrockGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16WillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4LanceChamp*
Falkner
Gym 1
Good

Horsea has the type edge here and should clean up Falkner's team.

You Win
Pidgey
Lv 7
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud Slap
You Win
Pidgeotto
Lv 9
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud SlapGust
Bugsy
Gym 2
Good

Horsea has the type edge here and should clean up Bugsy's team.

You Win
Metapod
Lv 14
Bug
Shed Skin
TackleString ShotHarden
You Win
Kakuna
Lv 14
BugPoison
Shed Skin
Poison StingString ShotHarden
Even
Scyther
Lv 16
BugFlying
Swarm
Quick AttackLeerFury Cutter
Whitney
Gym 3
Even

Horsea trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.

You Win
Clefairy
Lv 18
Normal
Cute Charm
Double SlapMimicEncoreMetronome
Even
Miltank
Lv 20
Normal
Thick Fat
RolloutAttractStompMilk Drink
Morty
Gym 4
Even

Horsea trades roughly evenly with Morty's team.

You Win
Gastly
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
LickSpiteMean LookCurse
Even
Haunter
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisMimicCurseNight Shade
Risky
Gengar
Lv 25
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
HypnosisShadow BallMean LookDream Eater
Even
Haunter
Lv 23
GhostPoison
Levitate
SpiteMean LookMimicNight Shade
Chuck
Gym 5
Tough

Chuck's typing presses Horsea's defenses.

Even
Primeape
Lv 27
Fighting
Vital Spirit
LeerRageKarate ChopFury Swipes
Avoid
Poliwrath
Lv 30
WaterFighting
Water Absorb
HypnosisMind ReaderSurfDynamic Punch
Jasmine
Gym 6
Good

Horsea has the type edge here and should clean up Jasmine's team.

Even
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Even
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Easy KO
Steelix
Lv 35
SteelGround
Rock Head
ScreechSunny DayRock ThrowIron Tail
Pryce
Gym 7
Even

Horsea trades roughly evenly with Pryce's team.

Even
Seel
Lv 27
Water
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
Risky
Dewgong
Lv 29
WaterIce
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
You Win
Piloswine
Lv 31
IceGround
Oblivious
Icy WindFury AttackMistBlizzard
Clair
Gym 8
Even

Seadra trades roughly evenly with Clair's team.

Even
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSurfSlamDragon Breath
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveThunderboltSlamDragon Breath
Even
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveIce BeamSlamDragon Breath
Risky
Kingdra
Lv 40
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenSurfHyper BeamDragon Breath
Lt. Surge
Gym 9
Even

Kingdra trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Raichu
Lv 44
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveQuick AttackThunderboltThunder
Even
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
You Win
Magneton
Lv 40
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Lock OnDouble TeamSwiftZap Cannon
Even
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
Even
Electabuzz
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder PunchLight ScreenThunder
Sabrina
Gym 10
Even

Kingdra trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Espeon
Lv 46
Psychic
Synchronize
Sand AttackQuick AttackSwiftPsychic
Even
Mr Mime
Lv 46
Psychic
Soundproof
BarrierReflectBaton PassPsychic
Even
Alakazam
Lv 48
Psychic
Synchronize
RecoverFuture SightPsychicReflect
Erika
Gym 11
Good

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

You Win
Tangela
Lv 42
Grass
Chlorophyll
Vine WhipBindGiga DrainSleep Powder
Easy KO
Jumpluff
Lv 41
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Mega DrainLeech SeedCotton SporeGiga Drain
You Win
Victreebel
Lv 46
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisAcidRazor Leaf
You Win
Bellossom
Lv 46
Grass
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisPetal DanceSolar Beam
Janine
Gym 12
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Janine's team.

You Win
Crobat
Lv 36
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
ScreechSupersonicConfuse RayWing Attack
Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
You Win
Ariados
Lv 33
BugPoison
Swarm
Scary FaceGiga DrainString ShotNight Shade
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 39
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ForesightDouble TeamGustPsychic
Misty
Gym 13
Even

Kingdra trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.

Even
Golduck
Lv 42
Water
Damp
SurfDisablePsych UpPsychic
You Win
Quagsire
Lv 42
WaterGround
Damp
SurfAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance
Even
Lapras
Lv 44
WaterIce
Water Absorb
SurfPerish SongBlizzardRain Dance
Even
Starmie
Lv 47
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SurfConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam
Brock
Gym 14
Strong

Kingdra resists most of Brock's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Graveler
Lv 41
RockGround
Rock Head
Defense CurlRock SlideRolloutEarthquake
Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 41
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackScary FaceEarthquakeHorn Drill
You Win
Omastar
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
BiteSurfProtectSpike Cannon
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 44
RockGround
Rock Head
BindRock SlideBideSandstorm
You Win
Kabutops
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
SlashSurfEndureGiga Drain
Blaine
Gym 15
Strong

Kingdra resists most of Blaine's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Magcargo
Lv 45
FireRock
Magma Armor
CurseSmogFlamethrowerRock Slide
Easy KO
Magmar
Lv 45
Fire
Flame Body
Thunder PunchFire PunchSunny DayConfuse Ray
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
Quick AttackFire SpinFury AttackFire Blast
Blue
Gym 16
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Blue's team.

You Win
Pidgeot
Lv 56
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
Quick AttackWhirlwindWing AttackMirror Move
Even
Alakazam
Lv 54
Psychic
Synchronize
DisableRecoverPsychicReflect
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 56
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackSandstormRock SlideEarthquake
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
TwisterHydro PumpRain DanceHyper Beam
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 58
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayLeech SeedEgg BombSolar Beam
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 58
Fire
Intimidate
RoarSwiftFlamethrowerExtreme Speed
Will
Elite Four
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Will's team.

You Win
Xatu
Lv 40
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
Even
Jynx
Lv 41
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapLovely KissIce PunchPsychic
You Win
Exeggutor
Lv 41
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
ReflectLeech SeedEgg BombPsychic
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 41
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
CurseAmnesiaBody SlamPsychic
You Win
Xatu
Lv 42
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
Koga
Elite Four
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

You Win
Ariados
Lv 40
BugPoison
Swarm
Double TeamSpider WebBaton PassGiga Drain
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 41
BugPoison
Shield Dust
SupersonicGustPsychicToxic
Even
Forretress
Lv 43
BugSteel
Sturdy
ProtectSwiftExplosionSpikes
You Win
Muk
Lv 42
Poison
Stench
MinimizeAcid ArmorSludge BombToxic
You Win
Crobat
Lv 44
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Double TeamQuick AttackWing AttackToxic
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Hitmontop
Lv 42
Fighting
Intimidate
PursuitQuick AttackDigDetect
You Win
Hitmonlee
Lv 42
Fighting
Limber
SwaggerDouble KickHigh Jump KickForesight
You Win
Hitmonchan
Lv 42
Fighting
Keen Eye
Thunder PunchIce PunchFire PunchMach Punch
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Rock Head
BindEarthquakeSandstormRock Slide
You Win
Machamp
Lv 46
Fighting
Guts
Rock SlideForesightVital ThrowCross Chop
Karen
Elite Four
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.

You Win
Umbreon
Lv 42
Dark
Synchronize
Sand AttackConfuse RayFeint AttackMean Look
You Win
Vileplume
Lv 42
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidMoonlightPetal Dance
You Win
Gengar
Lv 45
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
LickSpiteCurseDestiny Bond
Easy KO
Murkrow
Lv 44
DarkFlying
Insomnia
Quick AttackWhirlwindPursuitFeint Attack
Easy KO
Houndoom
Lv 47
DarkFire
Early Bird
RoarPursuitFlamethrowerCrunch
Lance
Champion
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 44
WaterFlying
Intimidate
FlailRain DanceSurfHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterThunderHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterBlizzardHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 46
RockFlying
Rock Head
Wing AttackAncient PowerRock SlideHyper Beam
Easy KO
Charizard
Lv 46
FireFlying
Blaze
FlamethrowerWing AttackSlashHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonite
Lv 50
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Fire BlastSafeguardOutrageHyper Beam

Catchable

Available after Badge 6
Type
Water
Tier
F

Catch Horsea on Whirl Islands (Good Rod fishing, Lv 20, uncommon).

View Horsea locations

Evolve Horsea to Seadra

Level 32
Type
Water
Tier
E

Horsea evolves into Seadra at Level 32. Your Horsea should hit Level 32 before you reach Clair, at typical leveling pace.

View Seadra locations

Recommended Moves

Evolve Seadra to Kingdra

Trade holding Dragon Scale
Type
WaterDragon
Tier
A

Seadra evolves into Kingdra when traded. Most players are ready to trade before reaching Lt. Surge.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Horsea in Crystal

Every wild Horsea lives in the Whirl Islands, reached by rod or surf. Nine encounters, one location, so the islands are your only fishing ground for it.

Wild Horsea may be holding when caught:

Dragon Scale (2% chance) A rare dragon-type item.

1 location to catch Horsea

Encountered via fishing with a Rod, Surfing

Badge 6
Surf

How to Get Shiny Horsea in Crystal

Horsea bubbles up all around the Whirl Islands, common while surfing and on the Super Rod at level 40; one dungeon holds the entire hunt, so post up inside. Compare Shiny Horsea odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Horsea in CrystalNormal
Shiny Horsea in Crystal Shiny
Color ShiftBlue
Shiny TierD Tier Shiny

Shiny Horsea Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Crystal Shiny Horsea Calculator

2 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Breed w/ Shiny Parent, about 1 in 64 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Crystal

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Breed w/ Shiny Parent: Eggs inherit stats from a shiny parent, so about 1 in 64 hatch shiny. A shiny Ditto helps every egg, and any other shiny parent (the red Gyarados works) helps only eggs of the opposite gender.

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 64Breed w/ Shiny Parent
Chance By Now50.8%at 45 eggs hatchedAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few7----
25%one in four19----
50%coin flip45----
90%very likely147----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

For time estimates and charm math, open the Crystal shiny odds calculator with Horsea already selected.

Horsea Weakness

Horsea is weak to Electric and Grass. The Water typing picks up 4 resistances to work with. Horsea's physical bulk (base 70 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Horsea Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Gen II Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
  • Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def

What is Horsea Weak Against

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

What is Horsea Strong Against

3Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score0
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Horsea

Magneton
Magneton
ElectricSteel
C
Raikou
Raikou
Electric
S
Jolteon
Jolteon
Electric
A
Electabuzz
Electabuzz
Electric
C
Electrode
Electrode
Electric
B

Horsea Evolutions

Horsea kicks off a three-stage evolution line through Seadra all the way to Kingdra. For breeding, average hatch time with a small partner pool via two egg groups. Evolving adds up to 245 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Horsea
#116Horsea
32
Level 32
Seadra
#117Seadra
Trade + Dragon Scale
Trade + Dragon Scale
Kingdra
#230Kingdra
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Horsea
Water
Seadra
Water
Kingdra
WaterDragon
HP
30
55+25
75+20
ATK
40
65+25
95+30
DEF
70
95+25
95
SP.ATK
70
95+25
95
SP.DEF
25
45+20
95+50
SPE
60
85+25
85
BST
295F-Tier
440E-Tier+145
540A-Tier+100
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Special
Special
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Horsea easily with 13 breeding partners from the Dragon and Water 1 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Aurora Beam, Disable, Dragon Rage and 3 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
DragonWater 1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosazumarillcharizardkingdrablastoisegolduckferaligatrslowbroslowkingoctillerydewgongarbok

C Horsea Best Moveset

Water pre-evolution heading toward Kingdra, the new Dragon/Water evolution with near-unresisted typing. Nothing competitive at this stage. MoveSurf from low Sp. Atk barely registers.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
MiracleBerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Horsea
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • SurfSTAB
  • Hydro PumpSTAB
  • WaterfallCoverage
  • OctazookaSTAB

Moves List

Egg moves make a real difference. Horsea gets Aurora Beam and Disable exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Dragon and Ice coverage rounds out the picture alongside Hydro Pump and Surf.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bubble
—3010030Water
Lv 8
Smokescreen
D—10020Normal
Lv 15
Leer
——10030Normal
Lv 22
Water Gun
D6010025Water
Lv 29
Twister
—4010020Dragon
Lv 36
Agility
C——30Psychic
Lv 43
Hydro Pump
S180805Water

TM Moves

18 of 22 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45D—10015Normal
TM14D120705Ice
TM32———15Normal
TM24
Dragon BreathPrize for defeating Clairnot until badge 8
D6010020Dragon
TM20
Endure+4Burned Towerbadge 4
D——10Normal
TM02D7010015Normal
TM10D6010015Normal
TM16
Icy WindPrize for defeating Prycenot until badge 7
D559515Ice
TM17C——10Normal
TM18C——5Water
TM44
RestIce Pathnot until badge 7
C——10Psychic
TM13
SnoreMoomoo Farmbadge 3
—4010015Normal
HM03
SurfEcruteak Citybadge 3
S14210015Water
TM34
SwaggerOlivine Lighthousebadge 4
C—8515Normal
TM39
SwiftUnion Cavebadge 1
D60—20Normal
TM06C—8510Poison
HM07
WaterfallIce Pathnot until badge 7
S12010015Water
HM06D528515Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Aurora Beam
—6510020Ice
Egg
Disable
D—5520Normal
Egg
Dragon Rage
——10010Dragon
Egg
Flail
D—10015Normal
Egg
Octazooka
S978510Water
Egg
Splash
D——40Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Ice Beam
C9510010Ice

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP30
F
Attack40
D
Defense70
C
Sp. Atk70
C
Sp. Def25
F
Speed60
C
Total295
Details
Catch Rate
Easy225 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.4 m
Weight8.0 kg
Base XP59
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+1SpDSpe
Special Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

When they’re in a safe location, they can be seen playfully tangling their tails together.

Pokemon Crystal

Horsea Crystal Guide

  • Yes. Wild Horsea in Crystal can hold Dragon Scale (2%). Use Thief (TM46) or Covet to swipe the held item without affecting your catch chance. Quickest way to farm rare items like Dragon Scale.

  • In Crystal, for a casual playthrough, Horsea works as a placeholder. Water coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Seadra. That's where the stats start mattering.

Game Availability

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

Explore

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