That 4x Grass weakness is something every Kabutops user needs to plan around. A competitive option since Gen 1. Needs some investment to avoid getting outsped.
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.
Its sleek shape is perfect for swimming. It slashes prey with its claws and drains the body fluids.
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.
- Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
- Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
- Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split
You get Kabutops from Kabuto at level 40. This Rock/Water type hits 495 total but remains in the Undiscovered group. Evolving from Kabuto gave Kabutops the biggest boost in Attack (+35), bringing the total to 495 stats.
How to Evolve
Start with flexible EVs EVs. A nature nature gives Kabutops the right balanced lean, an item adds extra utility, and an ability works in the background. Surf is the main damage option.
Best Build
Best Kabutops Moveset
- Swords Dance
- Slash
- Hyper Beam
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Without TMs, Kabutops's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Grass and Normal coverage and more on top of Hydro Pump 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
No wild encounters for Kabutops. The 2-stage line runs through Kabuto, which you can catch but it's a rare spawn from the locations below. Evolve at level 40 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Kabutops in Red & Blue
Step 1Catch KabutoMODERATECinnabar Island - Pokémon LabRedGift from NPCLv.30LimitedMidWaterRevive Dome FossilMODERATECinnabar Island - Pokémon LabBlueGift from NPCLv.30LimitedMidWaterRevive 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.
Kabutops fills the wallbreaker role. It's a mixed attacker — base 115 Attack and 65 Sp. Atk. 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