Swift Swim in rain turns Kabutops into a fast physical attacker at B-Tier in Emerald. Swords Dance makes it even scarier. Import from FRLG.
Ability 1Swift SwimAbility 1Doubles Speed during rain.Ability 2Battle ArmorAbility 2Protects against critical hits.
495HP60Attack115Defense105Speed80Sp.Def70Sp.Atk65
Kabuto
Kabutops
Weak to
Mixed
Wallbreaker
80Speed · Above Avg

Is Kabutops Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Physical counterpart to Omastar. Rock/Water with AbilitySwift Swim and strong Attack. The problem: Water is Special in Gen 3, so Kabutops's best stat doesn't power Water moves. Rock moves use Attack and hit hard. Half the typing works, half doesn't.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSEESGGGGGGGEERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8KabutopsTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Strong

Kabutops 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
Even

Kabutops trades roughly evenly with Brawly's team.

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
Even

Kabutops trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

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

Kabutops 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
Easy KO
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
You Win
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Good

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

You Win
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
You Win
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

Kabutops 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
You Win
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
Good

Kabutops has the type edge here and should clean up Tate & Liza's team.

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

Kabutops has the type edge here and should clean up 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
Even
Kingdra
Lv 46
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
Water PulseDouble TeamIce BeamRest
Sidney
Elite Four
Good

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

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

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

You Win
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
You Win
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

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

Easy KO
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

Kabutops trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

You Win
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectDouble Edge
You Win
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Double EdgeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Even
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

Kabutops trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

Even
Wailord
Lv 57
Water
Water Veil
Rain DanceWater SpoutDouble EdgeBlizzard
Even
Tentacruel
Lv 55
WaterPoison
Clear Body
ToxicHydro PumpSludge BombIce Beam
Even
Ludicolo
Lv 56
WaterGrass
Swift Swim
Giga DrainSurfLeech SeedDouble Team
You Win
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
B

Kabutops 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. Alternatively, transfer the pre-evolution and level it up to Lv 40.

View Kabutops locations

How to Get Kabutops in Emerald

You will not find a wild Kabutops in Emerald. Raise an imported Kabuto to level 40 to reach the scythe form, as no local fossil revives this line.

How to Obtain Kabutops in E

  1. Kabuto
    Step 1Obtain Kabuto
    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 2Kabutops ✓

How to Get Shiny Kabutops in Emerald

Kabutops isn't obtainable in Emerald; bring a shiny Kabuto over from a Generation 3 game with the Dome Fossil and evolve it at level 40, or transfer a finished Kabutops whose shine stays put. See every game where Shiny Kabutops can be hunted

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

Shiny Kabutops Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Kabutops Weakness

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.

Kabutops 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 Kabutops Weak Against

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

What is Kabutops Strong Against

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

Best Pokemon Against Kabutops

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

Kabutops Evolutions

Kabutops is the evolved form of Kabuto. Breeding produces Kabuto eggs, and they are 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

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 with Kabutops to get Kabuto eggs using 58 partners from the Water 1 and Water 3 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Aurora Beam, Bubble Beam, Confuse Ray and 4 more.

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 Kabutops Best Moveset

Kabutops brings physical offense to rain teams, with AbilitySwift Swim doubling Speed while MoveSwords Dance doubles the 115 Attack. The moveset creates one of the format's most explosive sweep conditions after a single boost in rain. Rock TermStab from MoveRock Slide and physical coverage threaten teams that lack priority moves to interrupt the sweep.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Setup Sweeper
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
Salac BerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Kabutops

Kabutops best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • Rock SlideSTAB
  • Swords Dance
  • Brick Break
  • FlailCoverage

Recommended Teammates

Moves List

Without breeding, Kabutops misses out on Aurora Beam and Bubble Beam. That's 7 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Surf and Dive, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Absorb
D2010020Grass
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
A——10Normal
Lv 40
Slash
C7010020Normal
Lv 46
Metal Sound
——8540Steel
Lv 55
Mega Drain
D4010010Grass
Lv 65
Ancient Power
D901005Rock

TM Moves

All 28 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40C60—20Flying
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14D120705Ice
TM31
Brick BreakSootopolis Citynot until badge 7
B7510015Fighting
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
C6010010Ground
HM08B9010010Water
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42C7010020Normal
TM21
FrustrationPacifidlog Townbadge 5
D—10020Normal
TM19
Giga DrainRoute 123badge 5
D751005Grass
TM07
HailShoal Cavebadge 6
———10Ice
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamLilycove Department Storebadge 5
C150905Normal
TM13
Ice BeamMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510010Ice
TM17C——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
C6010025Dark
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
B12010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Aurora Beam
—6510020Ice
Egg
Bubble Beam
C9710020Water
Egg
Confuse Ray
D—10010Ghost
Egg
Dig
C6010010Ground
Egg
Flail
A—10015Normal
Egg
Knock Off
C6510020Dark
Egg
Rapid Spin
D5010040Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Tutor
Endure+4
A——10Normal
Tutor
Fury Cutter
—109520Bug
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Mega Kick
C120755Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D——10Normal
Tutor
Rock Slide
B1129010Rock
Tutor
Rollout
—459020Rock
Tutor
Seismic Toss
D—10020Fighting
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D——10Normal
Tutor
Snore
—4010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C——10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D—9015Normal
Tutor
Swords Dance
B——30Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP60
C
Attack115
B
Defense105
B
Sp. Atk65
C
Sp. Def70
C
Speed80
C
Total495
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.3 m
Weight40.5 kg
Base XP173
Abilities
Swift Swim
Doubles Speed during rain.
Battle Armor
Protects against critical hits.
EV Yield
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

KABUTOPS once swam underwater to hunt for prey. It was apparently evolving from being a water dweller to living on land as evident from changes in its gills and legs.

Pokemon Emerald

Kabutops Emerald Guide

  • In Emerald, use Kabutops as a wallbreaker. Splits damage between physical and special. Speed is middling,

  • For Emerald, build your team around Kingdra. These have the highest co-usage rates with Kabutops in competitive formats. They cover each other's weaknesses.

  • For Emerald, run Adamant on Kabutops. +Attack is what matters, and the -Sp. Atk cut doesn't hurt this set. Fits the wallbreaker role.

  • Kabutops isn't catchable in Emerald. Obtain one in FireRed or LeafGreen, then trade it to Emerald.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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