Special
Support
400Average
105Fast
CTier

Kadabra sits in the middle of its evolution line — stronger than Abra but not yet at full power. Most trainers push through to Alakazam as fast as possible. Known as the Psi Pokemon. Its damage comes from the special side.

Sp. Atk leads and Defense gets almost nothing. That's Kadabra's stat line in a nutshell. 2 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Moderately hard to find and yields 2 Sp. Atk EVs.

Base Stats
400Above
HP40
D
Attack35
F
Defense30
F
Sp. Atk120
A
Sp. Def70
C
Speed105
B
Total400
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Kadabra yields +2 SpA
HPAtkDefSpA+2SpDSpe
Details
Catch100ModerateMedium Slow1.06M XP1.3m / 4'03"56.5kg / 124.6 lbs140Base XP
Pokedex Entries

When it closes its eyes, twice as many alpha particles come out of the surface of its body.

Crystal

Kadabra Weakness

Vulnerable

Kadabra is weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark-type moves. Kadabra's special bulk (base 70 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Gen II Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
  • Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
4xCriticali
None
½xResisti
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
3Weak
2Resist
0Immune
Scorei-4
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
SynchronizeCopies burns, paralysis, and poison received onto the Pokémon that inflicted them.
Inner FocusPrevents flinching.
Magic GuardHAProtects against damage not directly caused by a move.

Sitting between Abra and Alakazam, Kadabra is part of a chain that requires a trade. Not your typical level-up setup. HP has grown the most so far (+15), but there's still another 100 stats to gain in the final evolution.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Abra
Psychic
Kadabra
Psychic
Alakazam
Psychic
HP
25
40+15
55+15
ATK
20
35+15
50+15
DEF
15
30+15
45+15
SP.ATK
105
120+15
135+15
SP.DEF
55
70+15
95+25
SPE
90
105+15
120+15
BST
310D-Tier
400C-Tier+90
500B-Tier+100
ROLE
Attacker
Sweeper
Sweeper
TYPE
Special
Special
Special
Breeding
Easy

Breed with Kadabra to get Abra eggs easily using 15 partners from the Humanshape egg group. Notable egg moves include Barrier, Encore, Light Screen.

Egg Groups
Humanshape
Gender
75.0%25.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
3moves
Breed With (best first)
alakazammachamphypnokadabramachokedrowzeeabramachopelectabuzzmagmarmr-mimehitmonlee

Kadabra runs a standard attacker set. A nature nature with flexible EVs EVs shapes the build, while Leftovers brings passive recovery each turn. An ability supports the kit from the background.

Best Build

Utility
Ability
Not in Gen 2
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Nature
Not in Gen 2

Best Kadabra Moveset

  • PsychicSTAB
  • RecoverRecovery
  • SwaggerUtility
  • Ice Punch

Breeding opens up real options for Kadabra. Barrier and Encore come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Future Sight and Dream Eater and coverage across 8 types.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Confusion
5010025Psychic
Lv 1
Kinesis
8015Psychic
Lv 1
Teleport-6
20Psychic
Lv 16
Confusion
5010025Psychic
Lv 18
Disable
5520Normal
Lv 21
Psybeam
6510020Psychic
Lv 26
Recover
20Normal
Lv 31
Future Sight
12010010Psychic
Lv 38
Psychic
9010010Psychic
Lv 45
Reflect
20Psychic

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM03
Curse
10Ghost
TM28
Dig
6010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Dream Eater
10010015Psychic
TM01
Dynamic Punch
100505Fighting
TM20
Endure+4
10Normal
TM48
Fire Punch
7510015Fire
HM05
Flash
7020Normal
TM21
Frustration
10020Normal
TM02
Headbutt
7010015Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM33
Ice Punch
7510015Ice
TM50
Nightmare
10015Ghost
TM17
Protect+4
10Normal
TM09
Psych Up
10Normal
TM29
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
5Water
TM44
Rest
10Psychic
TM27
Return
10020Normal
TM30
Shadow Ball
8010015Ghost
TM35
Sleep Talk
10Normal
TM13
Snore
4010015Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
5Fire
TM34
Swagger
8515Normal
TM46
Thief
6010025Dark
TM41
Thunder Punch
7510015Electric
TM06
Toxic
8510Poison
TM07
Zap Cannon
100505Electric

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Barrier
30Psychic
Egg
Encore
1005Normal
Egg
Light Screen
30Psychic

Tutor Moves

Kadabra can't learn any Tutor moves

You'll want mid-game access before hunting Kadabra. Moderate rates across 1 encounter spots means the location matters. Sort by Best below and target the top-rated area first.

Where To Catch Kadabra in Crystal

The path to Kadabra starts with Abra at Lv. 5-18 via walking and gift encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Abra
    Step 1Catch Abra
    Route 34
    GrassLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 35
    GrassLv.10UncommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 24
    GrassLv.12UncommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 5
    GrassLv.12-14UncommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Goldenrod City - Game Corner
    Gift from NPCLv.5LimitedEarlyCityPurchase: 100 coins
    MODERATE
    Route 8
    GrassLv.16UncommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 7
    GrassLv.16RareMidRoute
    CHALLENGING
  2. Kadabra
    Step 2Kadabra
    Route 8
    GrassLv.18RareMidRoute
    CHALLENGING
    or evolve from Abra (Step 1)
  • Kadabra is meant to evolve into Alakazam. At 400 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.

  • Kadabra's biggest threats include Scyther (Bug), Misdreavus (Ghost), and Tyranitar (Dark), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Kadabra's base 105 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.

  • Abra evolves into Kadabra at level 16. Kadabra evolves into Alakazam by trading. Kadabra is a middle-stage evolution in the Abra line.

  • Base 105 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Kadabra is a special attacker with base 120 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Fragile — can't afford to take many hits. Best used as a support.

  • Kadabra appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.

One of the original 151, Kadabra has appeared in 21 games — nearly every mainline game. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.