The Shellfish Pokemon. Import Kabuto into Emerald. Swift Swim and Battle Armor are solid abilities, and B-Tier Kabutops is a physical rain sweeper.
Ability 1Swift SwimAbility 1Doubles Speed during rain.Ability 2Battle ArmorAbility 2Protects against critical hits.
355HP30Attack80Defense90Speed55Sp.Def45Sp.Atk55
Kabuto
Kabutops
Weak to
Mixed
Balanced
55Speed · Slow

Is Kabuto Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Kabuto evolves into Kabutops at 40 from this FRLG fossil import. AbilitySwift Swim doubles Speed in rain. Rock/Water like Omastar but leaning physical instead of special. Same late evolution timing, different attack profile.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSTTSEGEEEEGEERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8KabutoTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Strong

Kabuto resists most of Roxanne's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
You Win
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Tough

Brawly's team hits Kabuto's weaknesses hard.

Even
Machop
Lv 16
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopLow KickSeismic TossBulk Up
Risky
Meditite
Lv 16
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Focus PunchLight ScreenReflectBulk Up
Even
Makuhita
Lv 19
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustVital ThrowReversalBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Tough

Wattson's team hits Kabuto's weaknesses hard.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSparkSelf DestructShock Wave
Even
Electrike
Lv 20
Electric
Static
Shock WaveLeerQuick AttackHowl
Avoid
Magneton
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicShock WaveThunder WaveSonic Boom
Risky
Manectric
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveShock WaveHowl
Flannery
Gym 4
Strong

Kabuto resists most of Flannery's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Numel
Lv 24
FireGround
Oblivious
OverheatTake DownMagnitudeSunny Day
Easy KO
Slugma
Lv 24
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
You Win
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Kabuto trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

You Win
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 27
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFacadeEncoreFeint Attack
You Win
Linoone
Lv 29
Normal
Pickup
SlashBelly DrumFacadeHeadbutt
Even
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
CounterYawnFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Good

Kabuto has the type edge here and should clean up Winona's team.

Easy KO
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
You Win
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
Even
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Even
Skarmory
Lv 31
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Even
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Even

Kabuto trades roughly evenly with Tate & Liza's team.

Even
Claydol
Lv 41
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
EarthquakeAncient PowerPsychicLight Screen
Even
Xatu
Lv 41
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
PsychicSunny DayConfuse RayCalm Mind
Even
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Even
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Juan
Gym 8
Even

Kabuto trades roughly evenly with Juan's team.

Even
Luvdisc
Lv 41
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
You Win
Whiscash
Lv 41
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 43
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Even
Crawdaunt
Lv 43
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
Water PulseCrabhammerTauntLeer
Risky
Kingdra
Lv 46
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
Water PulseDouble TeamIce BeamRest
Sidney
Elite Four
Even

Kabuto trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

Even
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarDouble EdgeSand AttackCrunch
Even
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
TormentDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Even
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Risky
Crawdaunt
Lv 48
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
SurfSwords DanceStrengthFacade
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceRock SlideSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Kabuto trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

You Win
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
Even
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Good

Kabuto has the type edge here and should clean up Glacia's team.

You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamHailIce Ball
You Win
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchIcy WindIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDouble EdgeHailBlizzard
You Win
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallExplosionHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamIce BeamSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Even

Kabuto trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectDouble Edge
You Win
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Double EdgeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Risky
Kingdra
Lv 53
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenDragon DanceSurfBody Slam
Even
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
Even
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Even

Kabuto trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

Risky
Wailord
Lv 57
Water
Water Veil
Rain DanceWater SpoutDouble EdgeBlizzard
Even
Tentacruel
Lv 55
WaterPoison
Clear Body
ToxicHydro PumpSludge BombIce Beam
Risky
Ludicolo
Lv 56
WaterGrass
Swift Swim
Giga DrainSurfLeech SeedDouble Team
Even
Whiscash
Lv 56
WaterGround
Oblivious
EarthquakeSurfAmnesiaHyper Beam
Even
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon DanceEarthquakeHyper BeamSurf
Risky
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverSurfIce BeamToxic

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
RockWater
Tier
E

Kabuto cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.

View Kabuto locations

How to Get Kabuto in Emerald

Kabuto has no fossil to revive in Emerald. Its Dome Fossil belongs to Kanto, so import a Kabuto directly. Hoenn digs up Lileep and Anorith in its place.

How to Obtain Kabuto in E

  1. Kabuto
    Step 1Kabuto ✓
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in FireRed & LeafGreen via Gift · Cinnabar Island · Revive Dome Fossil, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    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
    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
    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
    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.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Black & White via Gift · Nacrene City · Revive Dome Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Kabutops
    Step 2Evolve into Kabutops

How to Get Shiny Kabuto in Emerald

Kabuto hatches from no grass patch; trade one in from FireRed or LeafGreen, where the Dome Fossil is brought back to life, and the revived shine carries across the transfer. See every game where Shiny Kabuto can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Kabuto in EmeraldNormal
Shiny Kabuto in Emerald Shiny
Color ShiftBrowntoGreen
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Kabuto Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

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
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 Kabuto Weak Against

Vulnerable
4Weak
5Resist
0Immune
Score-4
4xCritical
¼xResist
0xImmune
None

What is Kabuto Strong Against

6Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+6
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Kabuto

Breloom
Breloom
GrassFighting
B
Hariyama
Hariyama
Fighting
B
Heracross
Heracross
BugFighting
A
Cacturne
Cacturne
GrassDark
B
B

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

2 Forms
Kabuto
#140Kabuto
40
Transfer Only
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
355E-Tier
495B-Tier+140
ROLE
Balanced
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Moderate

Breed Kabuto with 58 breeding partners from the Water 1 and Water 3 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Aurora Beam, Bubble Beam, Confuse Ray and 4 more to offspring.

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

E Kabuto Best Moveset

Rock/Water pre-evolution with AbilitySwift Swim for rain speed. AbilityBattle Armor blocks critical hits as an alternative. The moveset gains competitive function after evolving into Kabutops.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Sweeper
Ability
Battle Armor
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Kabuto
Naive+SPE

Kabuto best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Sweeper Moveset

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

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 7 types rounds out the picture alongside Surf and Waterfall.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Harden
C——30Normal
Lv 1
Scratch
D4010035Normal
Lv 13
Absorb
D2010020Grass
Lv 19
Leer
D—10030Normal
Lv 25
Mud Shot
D559515Ground
Lv 31
Sand Attack
D—10015Ground
Lv 37
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Lv 43
Metal Sound
——8540Steel
Lv 49
Mega Drain
D4010010Grass
Lv 55
Ancient Power
D901005Rock

TM Moves

All 24 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40D60—20Flying
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14D120705Ice
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
C6010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42D7010020Normal
TM21
FrustrationPacifidlog Townbadge 5
D—10020Normal
TM19
Giga DrainRoute 123badge 5
D751005Grass
TM07
HailShoal Cavebadge 6
———10Ice
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510010Ice
TM17B——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
HM06D2010015Fighting
TM39C909510Rock
TM37
SandstormRoute 111badge 4
D——10Rock
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
TM46
ThiefSlateport Citybadge 1
D6010025Dark
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulsePrize for defeating Juannot until badge 8
D9010020Water
HM07
WaterfallGiven by Wallace in Sootopolis Citynot until badge 7
C12010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Aurora Beam
—6510020Ice
Egg
Bubble Beam
D9710020Water
Egg
Confuse Ray
D—10010Ghost
Egg
Dig
C6010010Ground
Egg
Flail
D—10015Normal
Egg
Knock Off
D6510020Dark
Egg
Rapid Spin
B5010040Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Tutor
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Mimic
D——10Normal
Tutor
Rock Slide
S1129010Rock
Tutor
Rollout
—459020Rock
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D——10Normal
Tutor
Snore
—4010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C——10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D—9015Normal

Base Stats

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
Weight11.5 kg
Base XP71
Abilities
Swift Swim
Doubles Speed during rain.
Battle Armor
Protects against critical hits.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

It is a POKéMON that has been regenerated from a fossil. However, in rare cases, living examples have been discovered. KABUTO have not changed for 300 million years.

Pokemon Emerald

Kabuto Emerald Guide

  • No. Kabuto isn't catchable in Emerald. Revive it from a fossil in FireRed or LeafGreen, then trade it over.

  • In Emerald, Kabuto has 355 BST and evolves into Kabutops. Compare the two forms before you give either one a team slot.

  • In Emerald, Kabuto plays as a balanced. Not the fastest, so pick your spots carefully. Surf is the primary attack.

  • In Emerald, Naive is the go-to nature for Kabuto. That's +Speed / -Sp. Def. Pair it with 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe EVs. Fits the balanced role.

  • In Emerald, Kabuto pairs best with Dragonair, Minun, and Marshtomp. Dragonair has Excellent synergy and covers what Kabuto can't handle on its own.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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