Is Kabuto Good in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Playthrough?
Fossil revival. Kabutops is a physical Rock/Water attacker with AbilitySwift Swim for rain. Faster than Omastar and hits the physical side harder. Same late availability problem.
Kabuto resists most of Roark's coverage and hits back hard.
Gardenia's team hits Kabuto's weaknesses hard.
Kabuto trades roughly evenly with Maylene's team.
Kabuto trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.
Kabuto trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.
Kabuto trades roughly evenly with Byron's team.
Kabuto trades roughly evenly with Candice's team.
Volkner's team hits Kabuto's weaknesses hard.
Kabutops has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.
Kabutops has the type edge here and should clean up Bertha's team.
Kabutops has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.
Kabutops trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.
Kabutops trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.
Kabuto can be revived from a fossil obtained on Oreburgh City. Revive Dome Fossil at Oreburgh Mining Museum
Your Kabuto should hit Level 40 before you reach Aaron, at typical leveling pace.
How to Get Kabuto in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
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
Step 1Kabuto ✓CARTRIDGE TRADEfrom Sword & ShieldAvailableCatch in Sword & Shield via Surfing · Roaring-Sea Caves · Overcast, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Red & BlueNot TradeableAppears in Red & Blue via Gift · Cinnabar Island · Revive Dome Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom YellowNot TradeableAppears in Yellow via Gift · Cinnabar Island · Revive Dome Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Gift · Cinnabar Island · Revive Dome Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Gift · Oreburgh City · Revive Dome Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Gift · Oreburgh City · Revive Dome Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Gift · Pewter City · Revive Dome Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Kabutops
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Grass |
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Fighting, Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Ice, Poison, Flying |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fire |
What is Kabuto Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Kabuto
 Machop Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Machop builds →Focus Punch 2x147-175%KO Earthquake 2x64-78% | ||
 Cubone Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x78-92% Focus Punch 2x75-89% | ||
 Budew GrassPoison | D | |
 Phanpy Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Phanpy builds →Earthquake 2x83-100%KO Rock Smash 2x28-33% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Geodude builds →Earthquake 2x97-117%KO Focus Punch 2x97-117%KO | ||
Machop Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Machop builds →Focus Punch 2x161-189%KO Earthquake 2x71-84% | ||
Cubone Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x79-95% Focus Punch 2x79-95% | ||
 Pachirisu Electric | C | |
Budew GrassPoison | D | |
 Luxio Electric | D | |
 Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x178-210%KO Earthquake 2x81-96% | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x101-121%KO Focus Punch 2x101-119%KO | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x106-125%KO Rock Smash 2x30-36% | ||
Budew GrassPoison | D | |
 Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x140-166%KO Thunder Fang 2x63-75% Rock Smash 2x40-48% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x101-121%KO Focus Punch 2x101-119%KO | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x178-210%KO Earthquake 2x81-96% | ||
 Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodGreat Marsh Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x106-125%KO Focus Punch 2x106-125%KO | ||
Budew GrassPoison | D | |
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x106-125%KO Rock Smash 2x30-36% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x101-119%KO Focus Punch 2x97-115%KO | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x176-208%KO Earthquake 2x79-95% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodGreat Marsh Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x104-123%KO Focus Punch 2x104-123%KO | ||
Budew GrassPoison | D | |
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x104-123%KO Rock Smash 2x29-36% | ||
 Roselia GrassPoison | C | |
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x173-204%KO Earthquake 2x79-93% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodGreat Marsh Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x102-121%KO Focus Punch 2x101-119%KO | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x96-114%KO Focus Punch 2x96-114%KO | ||
 Snover GrassIce | D | |
 Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
 Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Abomasnow builds →Solar Beam 4x430-507%KO Focus Punch 2x107-127%KO Earthquake 2x71-84% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodGreat Marsh Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x101-120%KO Focus Punch 2x100-118%KO | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x172-203%KO Earthquake 2x77-91% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x96-113%KO Focus Punch 2x96-113%KO | ||
Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Abomasnow builds →Solar Beam 4x430-507%KO Focus Punch 2x107-127%KO Earthquake 2x71-84% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodGreat Marsh Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x101-120%KO Focus Punch 2x100-118%KO | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x172-203%KO Earthquake 2x77-91% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x96-113%KO Focus Punch 2x96-113%KO | ||
Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
 Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Vileplume builds →Petal Dance 4x517-609%KO Drain Punch 2x50-59% | ||
 Cacturne GrassDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Cacturne builds →Solar Beam 4x536-631%KO Focus Punch 2x131-154%KO | ||
 Victreebel GrassPoison | C | |
Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Abomasnow builds →Wood Hammer 4x263-309%KO Focus Punch 2x108-128%KO Earthquake 2x72-85% | ||
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Jolteon can KO Kabuto with Thunderbolt (179-210%). Machamp threatens a KO with Close Combat (133-156%). Venusaur's Giga Drain also KOs at 267-314%.
 Jolteon Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x179-210%KO Shadow Ball53-63% Volt Switch 2x139-164%KO | ||
 Machamp Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemFlame Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Machamp builds →Bullet Punch15-18% Knock Off24-28% Close Combat 2x133-156%KO | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemLife Orb NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Kabuto View Venusaur builds →Giga Drain 4x267-314%KO | ||
Kabuto Evolutions
Kabuto is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Kabutops. Check the evolution method below. Plenty of partners 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
Breeding
Breed Kabuto with 69 breeding partners from the Water1 and Water3 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Aurora Beam, Bubble Beam, Confuse Ray and 8 more to offspring.
BDSP 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.
Best Build
Kabuto best EVs are Sp. Atk and Sp. Def
Bulky Support Moveset
- Meteor Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Attract
Moves List
Egg moves make a real difference. Kabuto gets Aurora Beam and Bubble Beam exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 8 types rounds out the picture alongside Stone Edge and Surf.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
It is thought to have inhabited beaches 300 million years ago. It is protected by a sturdy shell.
Kabuto Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Guide
At 355 BST, Kabuto is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Kabutops before bringing it to any serious fight.
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 special attacker with base 55 Sp. Atk. 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.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, 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
- 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