Kadabra's 120 Special stat dominates in Yellow even without trading for Alakazam. A legitimate Psychic-type option for players without a trade partner.
450HP40Attack35Defense30Speed105Sp.Def120Sp.Atk120
Abra
Kadabra
Alakazam
Weak to
Special
Support
105Speed · Fast

Is Kadabra Good in Yellow Playthrough?

Psychic type in Gen 1 has almost no real counters. Kadabra is fast enough to go first and strong enough to one-shot most opponents without needing to evolve further. Plenty of players clear Yellow's E4 with Kadabra alone and never feel the need to trade for Alakazam.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadBEESSEGGEGSEEBrockGym 1AbraCatchableKadabraEvolveMistyGym 2AlakazamEvolveSurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4BlueChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Bad

Brock's Pokemon outpace and outclass Abra here.

Avoid
Geodude
Lv 10
RockGround
Rock Head
Tackle
Avoid
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleScreechBindBide
Misty
Gym 2
Even

Kadabra trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.

You Win
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleWater Gun
Risky
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
TackleWater GunHardenBubble Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Even

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

Even
Raichu
Lv 28
Electric
Static
ThunderboltMega PunchMega KickGrowl
Erika
Gym 4
Strong

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

You Win
Tangela
Lv 30
Grass
Chlorophyll
ConstrictBindMega DrainVine Whip
Easy KO
Weepinbell
Lv 32
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Razor LeafSleep PowderStun SporeAcid
Easy KO
Gloom
Lv 32
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Petal DanceStun SporeSleep PowderAcid
Koga
Gym 5
Strong

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

Easy KO
Venonat
Lv 44
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicTackleSleep PowderPsychic
Easy KO
Venonat
Lv 46
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicPsybeamSupersonicPsychic
Easy KO
Venonat
Lv 48
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicDouble EdgeSleep PowderPsychic
Easy KO
Venomoth
Lv 50
BugPoison
Shield Dust
Leech LifeDouble TeamPsychicToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Abra
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
Flash
Even
Kadabra
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
KinesisRecoverPsychicPsywave
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
PsywaveRecoverPsychicReflect
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

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

You Win
Ninetales
Lv 48
Fire
Flash Fire
FlamethrowerTail WhipQuick AttackConfuse Ray
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
StompGrowlFire SpinTake Down
Even
Arcanine
Lv 54
Fire
Intimidate
FlamethrowerFire BlastReflectTake Down
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

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

You Win
Dugtrio
Lv 50
Ground
Sand Veil
DigSand AttackFissureEarthquake
You Win
Persian
Lv 53
Normal
Limber
ScreechDouble TeamFury SwipesSlash
Easy KO
Nidoqueen
Lv 53
PoisonGround
Poison Point
EarthquakeTail WhipThunderDouble Kick
Easy KO
Nidoking
Lv 55
PoisonGround
Poison Point
EarthquakeLeerThunderDouble Kick
Even
Rhydon
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Rock SlideFury AttackHorn DrillEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Even

Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Lorelei's team.

You Win
Dewgong
Lv 54
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Bubble BeamAurora BeamRestTake Down
You Win
Cloyster
Lv 53
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SupersonicClampIce BeamSpike Cannon
Risky
Slowbro
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
PsychicSurfWithdrawAmnesia
Risky
Jynx
Lv 56
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapIce PunchLovely KissThrash
Even
Lapras
Lv 56
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Body SlamConfuse RayBlizzardHydro Pump
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Onix
Lv 53
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock SlideScreechSlamDig
Easy KO
Hitmonchan
Lv 55
Fighting
Keen Eye
Ice PunchThunder PunchFire PunchDouble Team
Easy KO
Hitmonlee
Lv 55
Fighting
Limber
Double KickMega KickHigh Jump KickDouble Team
You Win
Onix
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock SlideScreechSlamEarthquake
Easy KO
Machamp
Lv 58
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopStrengthSubmission
Agatha
Elite Four
Strong

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

Easy KO
Gengar
Lv 56
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RaySubstituteLickMega Drain
Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 56
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
SupersonicToxicWing AttackLeech Life
Easy KO
Haunter
Lv 55
GhostPoison
Levitate
Confuse RayLickHypnosisDream Eater
Easy KO
Arbok
Lv 58
Poison
Intimidate
WrapGlareScreechAcid
You Win
Gengar
Lv 60
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayPsychicHypnosisDream Eater
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSlamThunderboltHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
Bubble BeamWrapIce BeamHyper Beam
Even
Aerodactyl
Lv 60
RockFlying
Rock Head
Wing AttackSwiftFlyHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 62
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
BlizzardFire BlastThunderHyper Beam
Blue
Champion
Even

Alakazam trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

You Win
Sandslash
Lv 61
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashPoison StingEarthquakeFury Swipes
Even
Alakazam
Lv 59
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsychicKinesis
Risky
Exeggutor
Lv 61
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
BarrageHypnosisStompLeech Seed
You Win
Cloyster
Lv 61
WaterIce
Shell Armor
Ice BeamClampAurora BeamSpike Cannon
You Win
Ninetales
Lv 63
Fire
Flash Fire
Confuse RayTail WhipQuick AttackFire Spin
Even
Jolteon
Lv 65
Electric
Volt Absorb
Pin MissileThunder WaveQuick AttackThunder

Catch Abra

Available after Badge 1
Type
Psychic
Tier
E

Catch Abra on Route 5 (walking, Lv 7, uncommon).

View Abra locations

Evolve Abra to Kadabra

Level 16
Type
Psychic
Tier
C

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

View Kadabra locations

Recommended Moves

Evolve Kadabra to Alakazam

Trade
Type
Psychic
Tier
S

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

Recommended Moves

How to Get Kadabra in Yellow

Wild Kadabra sits at a single spot at rare odds, one of the few you're likelier to evolve into than stumble on. An Abra hits Kadabra at level 16.

1 location to catch Kadabra

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 3

Where To Catch Kadabra in Y

Abra gets you Kadabra sooner: catch it (before Badge 2) and evolve it at Lv 16. Wild Kadabra first appears at Route 8 (after Badge 3).

  1. Kadabra
    Step 2Kadabra ✓
    or evolve from Abra (Step 1)
  2. Alakazam
    Step 3Evolve into Alakazam

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

Kadabra Weakness

Kadabra is weak to Bug. On the flip side, it's immune to Ghost-type moves entirely. Kadabra's special bulk (base 120 Special) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Kadabra Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Bug
0.5x (Resist)Fighting, Psychic
0x (Immune)Ghost
Gen I Type Chart
  • 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

What is Kadabra Weak Against

Good
1Weak
2Resist
1Immune
Score+3
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Kadabra Strong Against

2Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+1
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Kadabra

Parasect
Parasect
BugGrass
C
Venomoth
Venomoth
BugPoison
C

Kadabra Evolutions

Kadabra sits between Abra and Alakazam in this three-stage chain. A Psychic type at 450 stats that can't breed. Special has grown the most so far (+65), but there's still another 50 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
400C-Tier+90
500S-Tier+100
ROLE
Attacker
Sweeper
Sweeper
TYPE
Special
Special
Special
Breeding not available · Introduced in Gen 2

Y Kadabra Best Moveset

No trade evolution needed to access 120 Special and 105 Speed behind MovePsychic in a format where nothing resists the type. MoveThunder Wave cripples whatever survives the Psychic damage. Does 90%% of Alakazam's job at zero trade cost, making it one of the most practical picks available.

Best Build

Experimental
Support
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Kadabra
HardyNEUTRAL

Support Moveset

  • RecoverRecovery
  • PsychicSTAB
  • Thunder Wave
  • Tri Attack

Moves List

TMs carry this one. Kadabra learns Psychic and Psybeam naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Fighting and beyond give it real matchup play.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Kinesis
——8015Psychic
Lv 1
Teleport-6
———20Psychic
Lv 16
Confusion
—7510025Psychic
Lv 20
Disable
A—5520Normal
Lv 27
Psybeam
C9710020Psychic
Lv 31
Recover
B——20Normal
Lv 38
Psychic
B13510010Psychic
Lv 42
Reflect
C——20Psychic

TM Moves

All 25 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM34D——10Normal
TM08
Body SlamS.S. Annebadge 2
D8510015Normal
TM18
Counter-5Celadon Department Storebadge 3
D—10020Fighting
TM32
Double TeamSafari Zonebadge 3
———15Normal
TM10
Double-EdgeRocket Hideoutbadge 3
D12010015Normal
HM05D—7020Normal
TM05
Mega KickCeladon Department Storebadge 3
D120755Normal
TM01
Mega PunchMt. Moonbadge 1
D808520Normal
TM35
MetronomePokémon Labbadge 6
D——10Normal
TM31
MimicSaffron Citybadge 5
D——10Normal
TM29
PsychicSaffron Citybadge 5
B13510010Psychic
TM46——10015Psychic
TM20
RageRoute 15badge 3
D2010020Normal
TM33
ReflectKanto Power Plantbadge 3
C——20Psychic
TM44
RestS.S. Annebadge 2
C——10Psychic
TM19
Seismic TossRoute 25badge 1
D—10020Fighting
TM40
Skull BashSafari Zonebadge 4
D10010010Normal
TM17
SubmissionCeladon Department Storebadge 3
D808025Fighting
TM50
SubstituteRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM09
Take DownSilph Co.badge 3
D908520Normal
TM30
Teleport-6Route 9badge 2
———20Psychic
TM45
Thunder WaveRoute 24badge 1
B—10020Electric
TM06C—9010Poison
TM49B8010010Normal

Tutor Moves

Kadabra can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP40
D
Attack35
F
Defense30
F
Sp. Atk120
A
Sp. Def120
A
Speed105
B
Total450
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

Many odd things happen if this POKéMON is close by. For example, it makes clocks run backwards.

Pokemon Yellow

Kadabra Yellow Guide

  • Kadabra evolves into Alakazam via trade.

  • For Yellow, you can run Kadabra through the first few routes without issues. 450 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Alakazam as fast as you can.

  • In Yellow, 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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