Kabutops's spread isn't flashy. Attack leads, HP trails, 3 stats clear the bar. Tough to catch and worth 2 Attack EVs, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It is thought that this Pokémon came onto land because its prey adapted to life on land.
It is thought that this Pokémon came onto land because its prey adapted to life on land.
Grass, Electric, Fighting, and Ground moves hit Kabutops for super-effective damage. Grass hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It resists 5 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Kabutops's physical bulk (base 105 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 |
Jolteon can KO Kabutops with Thunderbolt (201-237%). Annihilape's Drain Punch hits Kabutops for 72-85%. Krookodile's Earthquake also KOs at 112-132%.
 Jolteon Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Kabutops View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x201-237%KO Volt Switch 2x156-184%KO Shadow Ball59-70% | ||
 Annihilape FightingGhost | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityDefiant ItemSitrus Berry NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Kabutops View Annihilape builds →Drain Punch 2x72-85% | ||
 Krookodile GroundDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMoxie ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Kabutops View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 2x112-132%KO Knock Off36-43% Close Combat 2x90-106%KO | ||
 Whimsicott GrassFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemCovert Cloak NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Kabutops View Whimsicott builds →Moonblast43-51% | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemToxic Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Kabutops View Breloom builds →Mach Punch 2x54-63% Bullet Seed 4x68-80% | ||
Kabutops is the evolved form of Kabuto. Breeding produces Kabuto eggs, and they're slow to hatch. Evolving from Kabuto gave Kabutops the biggest boost in Attack (+35), bringing the total to 495 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Kabutops to get Kabuto eggs using 114 partners from the Water1 and Water3 egg groups.
One boost from Swords Dance and Kabutops gets dangerous fast. The Adamant nature targets max Attack and Speed, and Swiftswim backs the whole approach. Stone Edge and the remaining moves handle most of what's left standing.
Best Build
Kabutops best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Stone Edge
- Waterfall
- Rapid Spin
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Attacker Moveset
- Liquidation
- Rock Slide
- Protect
- Aqua Jet
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Waterfall
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Stone Edge
- Waterfall
- Rapid Spin
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Attacker Moveset
- Liquidation
- Rock Slide
- Protect
- Aqua Jet
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Waterfall
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
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.
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Liquidation
- Rock Slide
- Aqua Jet
- X Scissor
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Aqua Jet
- Liquidation
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Without TMs, Kabutops's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 8 types on top of Stone Edge and Surf for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Without TMs, Kabutops's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 9 types on top of Meteor Beam and Hydro Pump for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Kabutops develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Blizzard and Hyper Beam show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Without breeding, Kabutops misses out on Aurora Beam and Bubble Beam. That's 12 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Hydro Pump and Stone Edge, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.
Kabutops can't be caught in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Transfer Kabuto from Red, Yellow, or Shield and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Kabutops doesn't appear wild. Catch Kabuto instead, it shows up at decent rates. Evolve it at level 40 to get Kabutops. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Kabutops in Sword & Shield
To get Kabutops, start by catching Kabuto through surfing encounters at Lv. 60-65. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch KabutoRoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave24%PostNormal WeatherRoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave24%PostThunderstormRoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave24%PostIntense SunRoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave24%PostRainingRoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave24%PostHeavy FogRoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave24%PostOvercastRoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave20%PostSnowstormRoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave20%PostSnowing
Step 2Kabutops ✓
Can't catch Kabutops directly. Start with Kabuto at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 40. The 2-stage line from Kabuto to Kabutops is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Kabutops in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
Step 1Catch KabutoCinnabar Island - Pokémon LabLet's Go PikachuGift from NPC Lv.44 WaterLateRevive Dome FossilCinnabar Island - Pokémon LabLet's Go EeveeGift from NPC Lv.44 WaterLateRevive Dome Fossil
Step 2Kabutops ✓
Can't catch Kabutops directly. Start with Kabuto at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 40. The 2-stage line from Kabuto to Kabutops is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Kabutops in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Step 1Catch KabutoRoute 8 - Fossil Restoration CenterUltra SunGift from NPC Lv.15 RouteEarlyRevive Dome FossilRoute 8 - Fossil Restoration CenterUltra MoonGift from NPC Lv.15 RouteEarlyRevive Dome Fossil
Step 2Kabutops ✓
Don't let Kabutops's 495 base stat total fool you. Swift Swim is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier as a wallbreaker.
Run Swift Swim on Kabutops. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Kabutops also gets Battle Armor and Weak Armor, but they don't compare. On wall sets, Swift Swim pairs with Kabutops's base 105 Defense to absorb physical hits on the switch.
Kabutops fills the wallbreaker role. It's a physical attacker with base 115 Attack. Base 80 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Kabutops has answers, but so do you. Status moves (Toxic, Will-O-Wisp) wear it down. Setup sweepers can use it as a boost opportunity. Special attackers bypass its physical bulk.
Kabutops has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 19 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves