Physical
Balanced
DTier
55Speed · Slow

Kabuto Best Moveset

80 Attack and 90 Defense on a Rock/Water pre-evo with AbilitySwift Swim for rain Speed doubling. Hidden AbilityWeak Armor trades Defense for Speed. The moveset has physical presence but can't compete at 55 Speed without rain. One evolution from Kabutops.

SABCDEFEEEEEEEERed, Blue & YellowIRB/YPEAKGold, Silver & CrystalIIGS/CRuby, Sapphire & EmeraldIIIRS/EDiamond, Pearl & PlatinumIVDP/PtBlack & White / B2W2VBW/B2W2X & Y / ORASVIXY/ORASSun & Moon / USUMVIISM/USUMSword & Shield / BDSPVIIISS/BDSPCURRENT
★Gen I — Red, Blue & YellowE

Kabuto saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This was Kabuto's competitive peak. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 45.

Had a combined Special stat of 45

Best Moves

SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Tutor
Body Slam
Normal85POPULARCoverage
HM3
Surf
Water90POPULARSTAB
TM14
Blizzard
Ice110POPULARCoverage
Xfer
Hydro Pump
Water110POPULARSTAB
Kabuto Red & Blue MovesKabuto Yellow Moves

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Kabuto
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Body Slam
  • SurfSTAB
  • BlizzardCoverage
  • Hydro PumpSTAB
→Gen II — Gold, Silver & CrystalE

Kabuto saw minimal competitive use in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal). Kabuto maintained its position from the previous generation.

SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Egg
Bubble Beam
Water65POPULARSTAB
Tutor
Ice Beam
Ice90POPULARCoverage
Lv 55
Ancient Power
Rock60POPULARSTAB
TM6
Toxic
Poison—POPULARUtility
Kabuto Gold & Silver MovesKabuto Crystal Moves
Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Kabuto
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Bubble BeamSTAB
  • Ice Beam
  • Ancient PowerSTAB
  • ToxicUtility
→Gen III — Ruby, Sapphire & EmeraldE

Kabuto saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Kabuto maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Battlearmor with Leftovers, favoring a Naive nature.

Received Swift Swim and Battle Armor
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
HM3
Surf
Water90POPULARSTAB
Tutor
Rock Slide
Rock75POPULARSTAB
TM17
Protect
Normal—COMMONPriority
Egg
Rapid Spin
Normal50COMMONCoverage
TM10
Hidden Power (Ground)
Ground60COMMONCoverage
Tutor
Double-Edge
Normal120COMMONCoverage
Kabuto Ruby & Sapphire MovesKabuto Emerald Moves
Experimental
Special Sweeper
Ability
Battle Armor
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Kabuto
Naive+SPE
EVs

Special Sweeper Moveset

  • SurfSTAB
  • Rock SlideSTAB
  • ProtectFAST +4
  • Rapid Spin

Recommended Teammates

Dragonair
DragonairExcellent
Minun
MinunGood
Marshtomp
MarshtompGood
→Gen IV — Diamond, Pearl & PlatinumE

Kabuto saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Kabuto maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Battlearmor with Leftovers, favoring a Impish nature.

Physical/Special split overhauled move damage
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 31
Aqua Jet
Water40POPULARSTAB
TM80
Rock Slide
Rock75COMMONSTAB
Lv 6
Absorb
Grass20COMMONCoverage
TM13
Ice Beam
Ice90COMMONCoverage
TM76
Stealth Rock
Rock—COMMONSTAB
Egg
Rapid Spin
Normal50COMMONCoverage
Lv 46
Ancient Power
Rock60COMMONSTAB
Kabuto Diamond & Pearl MovesKabuto Platinum Moves
Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Battle Armor
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Kabuto
Impish+DEF
EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • Aqua JetSTAB
  • Rock SlideSTAB
  • AbsorbCoverage
  • Ice Beam

Recommended Teammates

Castform
CastformExcellent
Slaking
SlakingGood
Ditto
DittoGood
→Gen V — Black & White / B2W2E

Kabuto saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Kabuto maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Battlearmor with Eviolite, favoring a Impish nature.

Gained Weak Armor as hidden abilityHidden Abilities became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Egg
Rapid Spin
Normal50POPULARCoverage
Egg
Knock Off
Dark65COMMONCoverage
Tutor
Stealth Rock
Rock—COMMONSTAB
TM55
Scald
Water80COMMONSTAB
TM80
Rock Slide
Rock75COMMONSTAB
TM6
Toxic
Poison—RAREUtility
Kabuto Black & White MovesKabuto Black 2 & White 2 Moves
Experimental
Hazard Setter
Ability
Battle Armor
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Kabuto
Impish+DEF
EVs

Hazard Setter Moveset

  • Rapid Spin
  • Knock Off
  • Stealth RockSTAB
  • ScaldSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Duosion
DuosionDecent
Dragonair
DragonairDecent
Victreebel
VictreebelDecent
→Gen VI — X & Y / ORASE

Kabuto saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Kabuto maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Swiftswim with Choice Band, favoring a Adamant nature.

Fairy type added to the gameMega Evolution became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TM80
Rock Slide
Rock75POPULARSTAB
HM5
Waterfall
Water80POPULARSTAB
Egg
Knock Off
Dark65COMMONCoverage
Xfer
Body Slam
Normal85COMMONCoverage
Lv 31
Aqua Jet
Water40RARESTAB
Egg
Rapid Spin
Normal50RARECoverage
Kabuto X & Y MovesKabuto ORAS Moves
Experimental
Utility
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
Choice BandPOWER
Best Nature for Kabuto
Adamant+ATK
EVs

Utility Moveset

  • Rock SlideSTAB
  • WaterfallSTAB
  • Knock Off
  • Body Slam

Recommended Teammates

Magnemite
MagnemiteGood
Omanyte
OmanyteGood
Horsea
HorseaGood
→Gen VII — Sun & Moon / USUME

Kabuto saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Kabuto maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Weakarmor with Focus Sash, favoring a Adamant nature.

Z-Moves became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Egg
Knock Off
Dark65COMMONCoverage
TM80
Rock Slide
Rock75COMMONSTAB
Xfer
Hone Claws
Dark—COMMONUtility
Lv 31
Aqua Jet
Water40COMMONSTAB
Tutor
Stealth Rock
Rock—RARESTAB
TM98
Waterfall
Water80RARESTAB
Lv 26
Endure
Normal—RAREPriority
Egg
Rapid Spin
Normal50RARECoverage
Kabuto Sun & Moon MovesKabuto Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Moves
Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Weak Armor
Item
Focus SashSURVIVAL
Best Nature for Kabuto
Adamant+ATK
EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • Knock Off
  • Rock SlideSTAB
  • Hone Claws
  • Aqua JetSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Pansage
PansageGood
Cascoon
CascoonGood
Hoothoot
HoothootGood
→Gen VIII — Sword & Shield / BDSPE

Kabuto saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Kabuto maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran swift swim with Eviolite, favoring a Modest nature.

Gigantamax became availableDynamax became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Tutor
Meteor Beam
Rock120POPULARSTAB
TR3
Hydro Pump
Water110POPULARSTAB
TR5
Ice Beam
Ice90POPULARCoverage
TM31
Attract
Normal—POPULARUtility
Kabuto Sword & Shield MovesKabuto BDSP Moves
Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Kabuto
Modest+SPA
EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • Meteor BeamSTAB
  • Hydro PumpSTAB
  • Ice Beam
  • AttractUtility

Kabuto Weakness

Kabuto is weak to Grass, Electric, Fighting, and Ground. Watch out for Grass attacks, those deal 4x damage. The Rock/Water typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Kabuto's physical bulk (base 90 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Kabuto Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Grass
2x (Weak)Electric, Fighting, Ground
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Ice, Poison, Flying
0.25x (Resist)Fire

What is Kabuto Weak Against

Vulnerable
4Weak
5Resist
0Immune
Score-4
4xCritical
Grass
2xWeak
ElectricFightingGround
½xResist
NormalIcePoisonFlying
¼xResist
Fire
0xImmune
None

What is Kabuto Strong Against

6Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+6
2xStrong
FireIceGroundFlyingBugRock
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Kabuto

Jolteon can KO Kabuto with Thunderbolt (365-430%). Machamp threatens a KO with Close Combat (234-276%).

Evolution

Kabuto is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Kabutops. Check the evolution method below. A massive partner pool for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are slow to hatch. Evolving adds up to 140 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Kabuto
#140Kabuto
40
Level 40
Kabutops
#141Kabutops
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Kabuto
RockWater
Kabutops
RockWater
HP
30
60+30
ATK
80
115+35
DEF
90
105+15
SP.ATK
55
65+10
SP.DEF
45
70+25
SPE
55
80+25
BST
355D-Tier
495C-Tier+140
ROLE
Balanced
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Moderate

Breed Kabuto with 114 breeding partners from the Water1 and Water3 egg groups.

Egg Groups
Water 1Water 3
Gender
♂87.5%♀12.5%
Hatch Time
30 cycles·7,710 steps
Moderate~8 min with Flame Body
Breed With (best first)
azumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertdrapionclawitzergolisopodcursolaslowbroslowking
12 of 114·

How to Get Kabuto

All 19 games

Kabuto can't be caught in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Transfer Kabuto from Red & Blue, Yellow, or Sword & Shield and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.

How to Obtain Kabuto in BDSP

  1. Kabuto
    Step 1Kabuto ✓
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    from Sword & Shield
    Available
    Catch in Sword & Shield via Surfing · Roaring-Sea Caves · Overcast, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Red & Blue
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Red & Blue via Gift · Cinnabar Island · Revive Dome Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Yellow
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Yellow via Gift · Cinnabar Island · Revive Dome Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from FireRed & LeafGreen
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Gift · Cinnabar Island · Revive Dome Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Diamond & Pearl
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Diamond & Pearl via Gift · Oreburgh City · Revive Dome Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Platinum
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Platinum via Gift · Oreburgh City · Revive Dome Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from HeartGold & SoulSilver
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Gift · Pewter City · Revive Dome Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Kabutops
    Step 2Evolve into Kabutops

Base Stats

Nothing fancy in Kabuto's spread. It leans physical with Defense out front. And you'll get 1 Defense EV per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.

Base Stats
Avg
HP30
F
Attack80
C
Defense90
B
Sp. Atk55
D
Sp. Def45
D
Speed55
D
Total355
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.5 m
1'08"Tiny
Weight11.5 kg
25.4 lbsFeather
Base XP71
Low Yield
Abilities
Swift Swim
Doubles Speed during rain.
Battle Armor
Protects against critical hits.
Weak ArmorHidden Ability
Raises Speed and lowers Defense by one stage each upon being hit by a physical move.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

This species is almost entirely extinct. Kabuto molt every three days, making their shells harder and harder.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Kabuto Guide

  • At 355 BST, Kabuto is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Kabutops before bringing it to any serious fight.

  • Kabuto's biggest threats include Venusaur (Grass), Jolteon (Electric), and Hitmonlee (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Venusaur is the most dangerous since Grass moves deal 4x damage. Ground-type attackers are also a problem.

  • Kabuto gets Swift Swim, Battle Armor, and Weak Armor. But Swift Swim is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.

  • Kabuto is a physical attacker with base 80 Attack. Fragile, can't afford to take many hits, too. Speed tells the real story. At base 55 Speed, it won't be moving first often.

  • For a casual playthrough, Kabuto works as a placeholder. Rock/Water coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Kabutops. That's where the stats start mattering.

Game Availability

Present since Red & Blue, Kabuto appears in 19 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Kabuto have the longest track record of availability in the series.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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