Sp.Atk dominates even without trading at A-Tier, and the Move Tutor's coverage options make Kadabra even harder to wall in Crystal.
400HP40Attack35Defense30Speed105Sp.Def70Sp.Atk120
Abra
Kadabra
Alakazam
Weak to
Special
Support
105Speed · Fast

Is Kadabra Good in Crystal Playthrough?

Dominates Crystal's mid-game with raw special power. Kadabra handles Chuck, Koga at the E4, and most of Kanto without breaking a sweat. Trade for Alakazam if you can, but Kadabra alone is one of the best Pokemon in the game.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadBBESSEGGEESSGGGEGSSGSFalknerGym 1AbraCatchableBugsyGym 2KadabraEvolveWhitneyGym 3AlakazamEvolveMortyGym 4ChuckGym 5JasmineGym 6PryceGym 7ClairGym 8SurgeGym 9SabrinaGym 10ErikaGym 11JanineGym 12MistyGym 13BrockGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16WillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4LanceChamp*
Falkner
Gym 1
Bad

Falkner's Pokemon outpace and outclass Abra here.

Avoid
Pidgey
Lv 7
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud Slap
Avoid
Pidgeotto
Lv 9
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud SlapGust
Bugsy
Gym 2
Bad

Bugsy's Pokemon outpace and outclass Abra here.

Avoid
Metapod
Lv 14
Bug
Shed Skin
TackleString ShotHarden
Avoid
Kakuna
Lv 14
BugPoison
Shed Skin
Poison StingString ShotHarden
Avoid
Scyther
Lv 16
BugFlying
Swarm
Quick AttackLeerFury Cutter
Whitney
Gym 3
Even

Kadabra trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.

You Win
Clefairy
Lv 18
Normal
Cute Charm
Double SlapMimicEncoreMetronome
Even
Miltank
Lv 20
Normal
Thick Fat
RolloutAttractStompMilk Drink
Morty
Gym 4
Strong

Alakazam resists most of Morty's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Gastly
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
LickSpiteMean LookCurse
Easy KO
Haunter
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisMimicCurseNight Shade
You Win
Gengar
Lv 25
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
HypnosisShadow BallMean LookDream Eater
Easy KO
Haunter
Lv 23
GhostPoison
Levitate
SpiteMean LookMimicNight Shade
Chuck
Gym 5
Strong

Alakazam resists most of Chuck's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Primeape
Lv 27
Fighting
Vital Spirit
LeerRageKarate ChopFury Swipes
Easy KO
Poliwrath
Lv 30
WaterFighting
Water Absorb
HypnosisMind ReaderSurfDynamic Punch
Jasmine
Gym 6
Even

Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Jasmine's team.

Even
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Even
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Risky
Steelix
Lv 35
SteelGround
Rock Head
ScreechSunny DayRock ThrowIron Tail
Pryce
Gym 7
Good

Alakazam has the type edge here and should clean up Pryce's team.

Easy KO
Seel
Lv 27
Water
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
You Win
Dewgong
Lv 29
WaterIce
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
You Win
Piloswine
Lv 31
IceGround
Oblivious
Icy WindFury AttackMistBlizzard
Clair
Gym 8
Good

Alakazam has the type edge here and should clean up Clair's team.

You Win
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSurfSlamDragon Breath
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveThunderboltSlamDragon Breath
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveIce BeamSlamDragon Breath
Even
Kingdra
Lv 40
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenSurfHyper BeamDragon Breath
Lt. Surge
Gym 9
Even

Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

You Win
Raichu
Lv 44
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveQuick AttackThunderboltThunder
Even
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
You Win
Magneton
Lv 40
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Lock OnDouble TeamSwiftZap Cannon
Even
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
You Win
Electabuzz
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder PunchLight ScreenThunder
Sabrina
Gym 10
Even

Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Espeon
Lv 46
Psychic
Synchronize
Sand AttackQuick AttackSwiftPsychic
Even
Mr Mime
Lv 46
Psychic
Soundproof
BarrierReflectBaton PassPsychic
Even
Alakazam
Lv 48
Psychic
Synchronize
RecoverFuture SightPsychicReflect
Erika
Gym 11
Strong

Alakazam resists most of Erika's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Tangela
Lv 42
Grass
Chlorophyll
Vine WhipBindGiga DrainSleep Powder
Easy KO
Jumpluff
Lv 41
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Mega DrainLeech SeedCotton SporeGiga Drain
Easy KO
Victreebel
Lv 46
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisAcidRazor Leaf
You Win
Bellossom
Lv 46
Grass
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisPetal DanceSolar Beam
Janine
Gym 12
Strong

Alakazam resists most of Janine's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Crobat
Lv 36
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
ScreechSupersonicConfuse RayWing Attack
Easy KO
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
Easy KO
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
Easy KO
Ariados
Lv 33
BugPoison
Swarm
Scary FaceGiga DrainString ShotNight Shade
Easy KO
Venomoth
Lv 39
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ForesightDouble TeamGustPsychic
Misty
Gym 13
Good

Alakazam has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.

Easy KO
Golduck
Lv 42
Water
Damp
SurfDisablePsych UpPsychic
You Win
Quagsire
Lv 42
WaterGround
Damp
SurfAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance
You Win
Lapras
Lv 44
WaterIce
Water Absorb
SurfPerish SongBlizzardRain Dance
Even
Starmie
Lv 47
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SurfConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam
Brock
Gym 14
Good

Alakazam has the type edge here and should clean up Brock's team.

Even
Graveler
Lv 41
RockGround
Rock Head
Defense CurlRock SlideRolloutEarthquake
You Win
Rhyhorn
Lv 41
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackScary FaceEarthquakeHorn Drill
You Win
Omastar
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
BiteSurfProtectSpike Cannon
You Win
Onix
Lv 44
RockGround
Rock Head
BindRock SlideBideSandstorm
You Win
Kabutops
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
SlashSurfEndureGiga Drain
Blaine
Gym 15
Good

Alakazam has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

Easy KO
Magcargo
Lv 45
FireRock
Magma Armor
CurseSmogFlamethrowerRock Slide
You Win
Magmar
Lv 45
Fire
Flame Body
Thunder PunchFire PunchSunny DayConfuse Ray
Even
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
Quick AttackFire SpinFury AttackFire Blast
Blue
Gym 16
Even

Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

You Win
Pidgeot
Lv 56
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
Quick AttackWhirlwindWing AttackMirror Move
Even
Alakazam
Lv 54
Psychic
Synchronize
DisableRecoverPsychicReflect
Even
Rhydon
Lv 56
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackSandstormRock SlideEarthquake
You Win
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
TwisterHydro PumpRain DanceHyper Beam
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 58
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayLeech SeedEgg BombSolar Beam
Even
Arcanine
Lv 58
Fire
Intimidate
RoarSwiftFlamethrowerExtreme Speed
Will
Elite Four
Good

Alakazam has the type edge here and should clean up Will's team.

You Win
Xatu
Lv 40
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
Even
Jynx
Lv 41
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapLovely KissIce PunchPsychic
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 41
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
ReflectLeech SeedEgg BombPsychic
Even
Slowbro
Lv 41
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
CurseAmnesiaBody SlamPsychic
You Win
Xatu
Lv 42
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
Koga
Elite Four
Strong

Alakazam resists most of Koga's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Ariados
Lv 40
BugPoison
Swarm
Double TeamSpider WebBaton PassGiga Drain
Easy KO
Venomoth
Lv 41
BugPoison
Shield Dust
SupersonicGustPsychicToxic
You Win
Forretress
Lv 43
BugSteel
Sturdy
ProtectSwiftExplosionSpikes
Easy KO
Muk
Lv 42
Poison
Stench
MinimizeAcid ArmorSludge BombToxic
Easy KO
Crobat
Lv 44
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Double TeamQuick AttackWing AttackToxic
Bruno
Elite Four
Strong

Alakazam resists most of Bruno's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Hitmontop
Lv 42
Fighting
Intimidate
PursuitQuick AttackDigDetect
Easy KO
Hitmonlee
Lv 42
Fighting
Limber
SwaggerDouble KickHigh Jump KickForesight
Easy KO
Hitmonchan
Lv 42
Fighting
Keen Eye
Thunder PunchIce PunchFire PunchMach Punch
You Win
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Rock Head
BindEarthquakeSandstormRock Slide
Easy KO
Machamp
Lv 46
Fighting
Guts
Rock SlideForesightVital ThrowCross Chop
Karen
Elite Four
Good

Alakazam has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.

Even
Umbreon
Lv 42
Dark
Synchronize
Sand AttackConfuse RayFeint AttackMean Look
Easy KO
Vileplume
Lv 42
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidMoonlightPetal Dance
Easy KO
Gengar
Lv 45
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
LickSpiteCurseDestiny Bond
You Win
Murkrow
Lv 44
DarkFlying
Insomnia
Quick AttackWhirlwindPursuitFeint Attack
Even
Houndoom
Lv 47
DarkFire
Early Bird
RoarPursuitFlamethrowerCrunch
Lance
Champion
Strong

Alakazam resists most of Lance's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Gyarados
Lv 44
WaterFlying
Intimidate
FlailRain DanceSurfHyper Beam
Easy KO
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterThunderHyper Beam
Easy KO
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterBlizzardHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 46
RockFlying
Rock Head
Wing AttackAncient PowerRock SlideHyper Beam
You Win
Charizard
Lv 46
FireFlying
Blaze
FlamethrowerWing AttackSlashHyper Beam
Easy KO
Dragonite
Lv 50
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Fire BlastSafeguardOutrageHyper Beam

Catch Abra

Available after Badge 1
Type
Psychic
Tier
E

Catch Abra on Route 34 (walking, Lv 10, uncommon).

View Abra locations

Evolve Abra to Kadabra

Level 16
Type
Psychic
Tier
A

Abra evolves into Kadabra at Level 16. Your Abra should hit Level 16 before you reach Whitney, at typical leveling pace.

View Kadabra locations

Recommended Moves

  • STARTING (Lv 16)
    • LV 16PsychicConfusionPower 75Accuracy 100%PP 25
  • After Bugsy
    • LV 21PsychicPsybeamPower 98Accuracy 100%PP 20
  • After Morty
    • LV 31PsychicFuture SightPower 120Accuracy 90%PP 15
    • LV 38PsychicPsychicPower 135Accuracy 100%PP 10
  • After Lt. Surge

Evolve Kadabra to Alakazam

Trade
Type
Psychic
Tier
S

Kadabra evolves into Alakazam when traded. Most players are ready to trade before reaching Morty.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Kadabra in Crystal

One rare wild Kadabra waits on Route 8, and that's the entire wild presence. Catching an Abra and leveling it to 16 is the sane route to one.

1 location to catch Kadabra

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 8
Post-Game

Where To Catch Kadabra in C

The only way to get Kadabra during the story is evolving Abra (Lv 16).

  1. Kadabra
    Step 2Kadabra ✓
    or evolve from Abra (Step 1)
  2. Alakazam
    Step 3Evolve into Alakazam
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Abra egg.

Not landing the catch? Calculate Kadabra catch rates for Crystal by ball, status, and HP.

How to Get Shiny Kadabra in Crystal

Kadabra is a rare Route 8 spawn at any time of day in Kanto, so patience is mandatory; hunting Abra near Goldenrod and evolving at level 16 goes far quicker. Compare Shiny Kadabra odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Kadabra in CrystalNormal
Shiny Kadabra in Crystal Shiny
Color ShiftBrown
Shiny TierC Tier Shiny

Shiny Kadabra Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Crystal Shiny Kadabra Calculator

3 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Breed w/ Shiny Parent, about 1 in 64 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method3 in Crystal

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Breed w/ Shiny Parent: Eggs inherit stats from a shiny parent, so about 1 in 64 hatch shiny. A shiny Ditto helps every egg, and any other shiny parent (the red Gyarados works) helps only eggs of the opposite gender.

Soft Reset: Save in front of a static, gift, or legendary encounter, then reset until it sparkles.

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 64Breed w/ Shiny Parent
Chance By Now50.8%at 45 eggs hatchedAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few7----
25%one in four19----
50%coin flip45----
90%very likely147----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Want exact numbers for your session? Calculate your shiny odds in Crystal with Kadabra preloaded.

Kadabra Weakness

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

Kadabra Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Bug, Ghost, Dark
0.5x (Resist)Fighting, Psychic
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

What is Kadabra Weak Against

Vulnerable
3Weak
2Resist
0Immune
Score-4
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Kadabra Strong Against

2Strong
2Resisted
1Immune
Score-1
½xResisted
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Kadabra

Tyranitar
Tyranitar
RockDark
S
Houndoom
Houndoom
DarkFire
B
Sneasel
Sneasel
DarkIce
B
Murkrow
Murkrow
DarkFlying
C
B

Kadabra Evolutions

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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

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
310E-Tier
400A-Tier+90
500S-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 Human-Like egg group. Notable egg moves include Barrier, Encore, Light Screen.

Egg Groups
Human-Like
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)
alakazammachamphypnomachokedrowzeeabramachopelectabuzzmagmarmr-mimehitmonleehitmonchan

C Kadabra Best Moveset

120 Sp. Atk and 105 Speed without a trade evolution make Kadabra one of the most accessible top-tier attackers. MovePsychic hits nearly everything for real damage, and MoveThunder Wave cripples whatever survives. Held ItemLeftovers sustains. Zero trade cost for 90%% of Alakazam's output.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Kadabra
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • PsychicSTAB
  • RecoverRecovery
  • SwaggerUtility
  • Ice Punch

Moves List

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
C7510025Psychic
Lv 1
Kinesis
——8015Psychic
Lv 1
Teleport-6
———20Psychic
Lv 16
Confusion
C7510025Psychic
Lv 18
Disable
D—5520Normal
Lv 21
Psybeam
—9710020Psychic
Lv 26
Recover
S——20Normal
Lv 31
Future Sight
B18010010Psychic
Lv 38
Psychic
S13510010Psychic
Lv 45
Reflect
B——20Psychic

TM Moves

21 of 28 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45D—10015Normal
TM28
DigNational Parkbadge 2
D6010010Ground
TM32———15Normal
TM42
Dream EaterViridian City
B15010015Psychic
TM01
Dynamic PunchPrize for defeating Chuckbadge 5
D100505Fighting
TM20
Endure+4Burned Towerbadge 4
D——10Normal
TM48D7510015Fire
HM05D—7020Normal
TM02D7010015Normal
TM10C6010015Normal
TM33B7510015Ice
TM50——10015Ghost
TM17C——10Normal
TM29S13510010Psychic
TM18C——5Water
TM44
RestIce Pathnot until badge 7
C——10Psychic
TM30
Shadow BallPrize for defeating Mortybadge 4
C8010015Ghost
TM13
SnoreMoomoo Farmbadge 3
—4010015Normal
TM11C——5Fire
TM34
SwaggerOlivine Lighthousebadge 4
B—8515Normal
TM46D6010025Dark
TM41
Thunder PunchGoldenrod Department Storebadge 2
D7510015Electric
TM06C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Barrier
B——30Psychic
Egg
Encore
C—1005Normal
Egg
Light Screen
C——30Psychic

Tutor Moves

Kadabra can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP40
D
Attack35
F
Defense30
F
Sp. Atk120
A
Sp. Def70
C
Speed105
B
Total400
Details
Catch Rate
Moderate100 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.3 m
Weight56.5 kg
Base XP140
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+2SpDSpe
Special Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

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

Pokemon Crystal

Kadabra Crystal Guide

  • Kadabra evolves into Alakazam via trade.

  • For Crystal, you can run Kadabra through the first few routes without issues. 400 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Alakazam as fast as you can.

  • In Crystal, Kadabra plays as a support. It outspeeds most threats, so it can pressure opponents before they move. Psychic is the primary attack.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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