That 4x Grass weakness is something every Kabutops user needs to plan around. Swift Swim doubles its Speed in rain, which helps. A competitive option since Gen 1. Known as the Shellfish Pokemon.
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.
Kabutops Weakness
VulnerableGrass, Electric, Fighting, and Ground-type 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.
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.
How to Evolve
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
Best Kabutops Moveset
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Aqua Jet
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
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 KabutoEASYRoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on waterLv.60-6524%PostCaveNormal WeatherEASYRoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on waterLv.60-6524%PostCaveThunderstormEASYRoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on waterLv.60-6524%PostCaveIntense SunEASYRoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on waterLv.60-6524%PostCaveRainingEASYRoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on waterLv.60-6524%PostCaveHeavy FogEASYRoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on waterLv.60-6524%PostCaveOvercastMODERATERoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on waterLv.60-6520%PostCaveSnowstormMODERATERoaring-Sea CavesSurfing on waterLv.60-6520%PostCaveSnowing
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 NPCLv.44LateWaterRevive Dome FossilCinnabar Island - Pokémon LabLet's Go EeveeGift from NPCLv.44LateWaterRevive 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 NPCLv.15EarlyRouteRevive Dome FossilRoute 8 - Fossil Restoration CenterUltra MoonGift from NPCLv.15EarlyRouteRevive 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.
Kabuto evolves into Kabutops at level 40. Kabutops is the fully evolved form. At 495 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
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 appears in 19 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Kabutops has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 19 titles across all 9 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
- 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