The Shellfish Pokemon. Kabuto revives from a fossil transfer in Platinum. Swift Swim doubles Speed in rain, and A-Tier Kabutops is the physical Rock/Water 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 Platinum Playthrough?

Dome Fossil from the Underground, revived in Oreburgh. Rock/Water with AbilitySwift Swim for rain. Kabutops at level 40 has strong physical Attack after the split. Competes with Omastar for the same niche.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSTETEGGEGGGESGGERoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2FantinaGym 3MayleneGym 4Crasher WakeGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8KabutoFossilKabutopsEvolveAaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4JupiterBossMarsBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Strong

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

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
Easy KO
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Tough

Gardenia's team hits Kabuto's weaknesses hard.

Even
Turtwig
Lv 20
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafSunny DayReflect
Risky
Cherrim
Lv 20
Grass
Flower Gift
Grass KnotLeech SeedMagical LeafSafeguard
Risky
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Fantina
Gym 3
Even

Kabuto trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.

You Win
Duskull
Lv 24
Ghost
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Will O WispPursuitShadow SneakFuture Sight
Even
Haunter
Lv 24
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow ClawSucker PunchHypnosisConfuse Ray
Risky
Mismagius
Lv 26
Ghost
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Maylene
Gym 4
Tough

Maylene's team hits Kabuto's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Meditite
Lv 28
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionRock TombFake Out
Risky
Machoke
Lv 29
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopRock TombStrengthFocus Energy
Risky
Lucario
Lv 32
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 5
Even

Kabuto trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 33
WaterFlying
Intimidate
WaterfallBrineBiteTwister
You Win
Quagsire
Lv 34
WaterGround
Damp
Mud ShotRock TombWater PulseYawn
Risky
Floatzel
Lv 37
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangCrunchAqua Jet
Byron
Gym 6
Good

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

Even
Magneton
Lv 37
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Flash CannonThunderboltTri AttackMetal Sound
You Win
Steelix
Lv 38
SteelGround
Rock Head
Flash CannonIce FangEarthquakeSandstorm
You Win
Bastiodon
Lv 41
RockSteel
Sturdy
Metal BurstStone EdgeIron DefenseTaunt
Candice
Gym 7
Good

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

Easy KO
Sneasel
Lv 40
DarkIce
Inner Focus
SlashAerial AceFeint AttackIce Shard
You Win
Piloswine
Lv 40
IceGround
Oblivious
AvalancheStone EdgeEarthquakeHail
Even
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerWater PulseFocus Blast
You Win
Froslass
Lv 44
IceGhost
Snow Cloak
BlizzardDouble TeamShadow BallPsychic
Volkner
Gym 8
Even

Kabuto trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.

Even
Jolteon
Lv 46
Electric
Volt Absorb
Thunder WaveCharge BeamIron TailQuick Attack
Even
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamFocus BlastSignal BeamQuick Attack
Even
Luxray
Lv 48
Electric
Rivalry
Ice FangThunder FangCrunchFire Fang
Even
Electivire
Lv 50
Electric
Motor Drive
Thunder PunchFire PunchQuick AttackGiga Impact
Aaron
Elite Four
Good

Kabutops has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.

Easy KO
Yanmega
Lv 49
BugFlying
Speed Boost
Air SlashBug BuzzU TurnDouble Team
You Win
Scizor
Lv 49
BugSteel
Swarm
Iron HeadX ScissorNight SlashQuick Attack
Easy KO
Vespiquen
Lv 50
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
You Win
Heracross
Lv 51
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
You Win
Drapion
Lv 53
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Good

Kabutops has the type edge here and should clean up Bertha's team.

You Win
Whiscash
Lv 50
WaterGround
Oblivious
Earth PowerAqua TailZen HeadbuttSandstorm
You Win
Gliscor
Lv 53
GroundFlying
Hyper Cutter
EarthquakeIce FangFire FangThunder Fang
You Win
Hippowdon
Lv 52
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchYawn
You Win
Golem
Lv 52
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeFire PunchThunder PunchSandstorm
You Win
Rhyperior
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
EarthquakeRock WreckerMegahornAvalanche
Flint
Elite Four
Good

Kabutops has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.

Easy KO
Houndoom
Lv 52
DarkFire
Early Bird
FlamethrowerSludge BombDark PulseSunny Day
Easy KO
Flareon
Lv 55
Fire
Flash Fire
OverheatGiga ImpactQuick AttackWill O Wisp
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 53
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
You Win
Infernape
Lv 55
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
You Win
Magmortar
Lv 57
Fire
Flame Body
FlamethrowerThunderboltSolar BeamHyper Beam
Lucian
Elite Four
Even

Kabutops trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.

You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 53
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
You Win
Espeon
Lv 55
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallQuick AttackSignal Beam
Even
Bronzong
Lv 54
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 56
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Even
Gallade
Lv 59
PsychicFighting
Steadfast
Drain PunchPsycho CutLeaf BladeStone Edge
Jupiter
Commander
Strong

Kabutops resists most of Jupiter's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Zubat
Lv 21
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
Easy KO
Skuntank
Lv 23
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Mars
Commander
Good

Kabutops has the type edge here and should clean up Mars's team.

Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 38
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
You Win
Purugly
Lv 40
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Saturn
Commander
Good

Kabutops has the type edge here and should clean up Saturn's team.

Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 42
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBitePoison FangConfuse Ray
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 42
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
You Win
Toxicroak
Lv 44
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorFeint Attack
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Kabutops trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

You Win
Spiritomb
Lv 58
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindShadow Ball
Even
Roserade
Lv 58
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombToxicExtrasensory
You Win
Togekiss
Lv 60
NormalFlying
Hustle
Air SlashAura SphereWater PulseShock Wave
Even
Lucario
Lv 60
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereExtreme SpeedShadow BallStone Edge
Even
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatDragon Pulse
Even
Garchomp
Lv 62
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeFlamethrowerGiga Impact

Fossil

Post-game only
Type
RockWater
Tier
E

Kabuto can be revived from a fossil obtained in Oreburgh City. Revive Dome Fossil. Revive from Dome Fossil at the Mining Museum. Found in The Underground after National Dex.

View Kabuto locations

Evolve Kabuto to Kabutops

Level 40
Type
RockWater
Tier
A

Kabuto evolves into Kabutops at Level 40. Your Kabuto should hit Level 40 before you reach Aaron, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Kabuto in Platinum

Kabuto is revived from the Dome Fossil at the Oreburgh lab, arriving at level 20. You dig fossils up in the Underground, but only one type sticks per run, so taking the Dome means skipping the Helix.

1 location to catch Kabuto

Badge 1

How to Obtain Kabuto in Pt

  1. Kabutops
    Step 2Evolve into Kabutops
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Kabuto egg.

How to Get Shiny Kabuto in Platinum

Kabuto also revives from a fossil at Oreburgh City, so breed one with a foreign Ditto and hatch until the 1 in 1,638 shiny appears. Compare Shiny Kabuto odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Kabuto in PlatinumNormal
Shiny Kabuto in Platinum Shiny
Color ShiftBrowntoGreen
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Kabuto Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Platinum Shiny Kabuto Calculator

2 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Masuda Method, about 1 in 1,639 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Platinum

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

Soft Reset: Save in front of a static, gift, or legendary encounter, then reset until it sparkles.

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 1,639Masuda Method
Chance By Now50.0%at 1,136 eggs hatchedAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few173----
25%one in four472----
50%coin flip1,136----
90%very likely3,773----
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

Curious how fast a hunt could go? Work out your Platinum shiny odds for Kabuto.

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 IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

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

Cubone
Cubone
Ground
C
Turtwig
Turtwig
Grass
C
Geodude
Geodude
RockGround
C
Shinx
Shinx
Electric
C
Onix
Onix
RockGround
C

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
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
495A-Tier+140
ROLE
Balanced
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Moderate

Breed Kabuto with 69 breeding partners from the Water 1 and Water 3 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Aurora Beam, Bubble Beam, Confuse Ray and 7 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
10moves
Breed With (best first)
azumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertdrapionslowbroslowkingoctilleryludicolodewgong

Pt Kabuto Best Moveset

Rock/Water with physical stats at 80 Attack and 90 Defense. AbilitySwift Swim doubles Speed in rain, but the moveset can't compete at 55 Speed without it. Evolve to Kabutops.

Best Build

Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Battle Armor
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Kabuto
Impish+DEF

Kabuto best EVs are HP and Defense

EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • Aqua JetSTAB
  • Rock SlideSTAB
  • AbsorbCoverage
  • Ice Beam

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. Normal and Grass coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Surf and Waterfall.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Harden
D——30Normal
Lv 1
Scratch
—4010035Normal
Lv 6
Absorb
B2010025Grass
Lv 11
Leer
——10030Normal
Lv 16
Mud Shot
D559515Ground
Lv 21
Sand Attack
D—10015Ground
Lv 26
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Lv 31
Aqua Jet+1
S6010020Water
Lv 36
Mega Drain
—4010015Grass
Lv 41
Metal Sound
——8540Steel
Lv 46
Ancient Power
B901005Rock
Lv 51
Wring Out
——1005Normal

TM Moves

31 of 33 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractAmity Squarebadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14
BlizzardLake Acuitybadge 3
D120705Ice
TM55D9710010Water
TM78
CaptivateRoute 204badge 2
——10020Normal
TM28
DigManiac Tunnelbadge 3
C8010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
D7010020Normal
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM19
Giga DrainRoute 209badge 5
D6010010Grass
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D6010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamRoute 216badge 3
B9510010Ice
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 3
D—10015Normal
TM17C——10Normal
TM44C——10Psychic
TM27D—10020Normal
TM69
Rock PolishMt. Coronetbadge 6
C——20Rock
TM80
Rock SlideMt. Coronetnot until badge 7
B1129010Rock
HM06D4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock TombRavaged Pathbadge 1
C909510Rock
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM76
Stealth RockPrize for defeating Roarkbadge 1
B——20Rock
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
HM03C14210015Water
TM87
SwaggerPokémon Mansionbadge 4
——9015Normal
TM46
ThiefEterna Citybadge 2
D6010025Dark
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 4
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulseRavaged Pathbadge 5
D9010020Water
HM07
WaterfallFrom Jasmine in Sunyshore Citynot until badge 8
C12010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Aurora Beam
—6510020Ice
Egg
Bubble Beam
—9710020Water
Egg
Confuse Ray
C—10010Ghost
Egg
Dig
C8010010Ground
Egg
Flail
D—10015Normal
Egg
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Egg
Knock Off
D6510020Dark
Egg
Mud Shot
D559515Ground
Egg
Rapid Spin
B5010040Normal
Egg
Screech
——8540Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Ancient Power
B901005Rock
Tutor
Earth Power
D9010010Ground
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Iron Defense
C——15Steel
Tutor
Knock Off
D6510020Dark
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Rollout
—459020Rock
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal

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 thought to have inhabited beaches 300 million years ago. It is protected by a stiff shell.

Pokemon Platinum

Kabuto Platinum Guide

  • Revive from Dome Fossil at the Mining Museum. Found in The Underground after National Dex.. Kabuto is revived at level 5. Give it Rare Candies or experience-share if you want it ready for the late-game. Note: this fossil is only available in Platinum. The other version of Platinum has a different fossil.

  • Yes. Kabuto is not available during the main story. It can only be obtained after entering the Hall of Fame. Kabuto becomes available after the main story is complete in Platinum.

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

  • In Platinum, Kabuto plays as a balanced. Not the fastest, so pick your spots carefully.

  • In Platinum, Impish is the go-to nature for Kabuto. That's +Defense / -Sp. Atk. Pair it with 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe EVs. Fits the balanced role.

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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