Kabuto is technically a pre-evolution of Kabutops, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Swift Swim doubles its Speed in rain, adding extra value. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets. Part of the Gen 1 roster.
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.
A Pokémon that was recovered from a fossil. It used the eyes on its back while hiding on the seafloor.
Kabuto Weakness
VulnerableKabuto is weak to Grass, Electric, Fighting, and Ground-type moves. 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 is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Kabutops. Check the evolution method below. No compatible partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are slow to hatch. Evolving adds up to 140 stat points total.
How to Evolve
Breed Kabuto from the Water1 and Water3 egg groups.
Best Build
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Most of Kabuto's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Surf and Scald, but Normal and Grass and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Kabuto is handed to you at Cinnabar Island. No encounter rates or random spawns involved, so there's nothing to grind. Check the location details below for the exact conditions to trigger it.
Best Locations
At 355 BST, Kabuto is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Kabutops before bringing it to any serious fight.
Kabuto evolves into Kabutops at level 40. Kabuto is the base form of this evolutionary line.
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. But the speed tells the real story — at base 55 Speed, it won't be moving first often.
Kabuto appears in 19 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Present since Red & Blue, Kabuto appears in 19 games spanning 9 generations. Gen 1 originals like Kabuto have the longest track record of availability in the series.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A