Color Change switches Kecleon's type to match the last hit at C-Tier in Emerald. Invisible on Route 119 and 120, and an interesting gimmick in practice.
Ability 1Color ChangeAbility 1Changes type to match when hit by a damaging move.
440HP60Attack90Defense70Speed40Sp.Def120Sp.Atk60
Weak to
Physical
Trick Room
40Speed · Very Slow

Is Kecleon Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Route 120 invisible encounter via Devon Scope. AbilityColor Change shifts Kecleon's type to match whatever hit it. Sounds defensive but creates unpredictable weaknesses. Decent Attack for Normal-type moves. The gimmick entertains without contributing to serious fights.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEGEGEGEGGTEGERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5KecleonCatchableWinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8SidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Even

Kecleon trades roughly evenly with Roxanne's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Even
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

Kecleon has the type edge here and should clean up Brawly's team.

Easy KO
Machop
Lv 16
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopLow KickSeismic TossBulk Up
Even
Meditite
Lv 16
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Focus PunchLight ScreenReflectBulk Up
Easy KO
Makuhita
Lv 19
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustVital ThrowReversalBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Kecleon 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
Good

Kecleon has the type edge here and should clean up Flannery's team.

Easy KO
Numel
Lv 24
FireGround
Oblivious
OverheatTake DownMagnitudeSunny Day
Easy KO
Slugma
Lv 24
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
You Win
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Kecleon trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

You Win
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
Even
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

Kecleon has the type edge here and should clean up Winona's team.

You Win
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
Easy KO
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
Easy KO
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Risky
Skarmory
Lv 31
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
You Win
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Even

Kecleon trades roughly evenly with Tate & Liza's team.

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

Kecleon has the type edge here and should clean up Juan's team.

You Win
Luvdisc
Lv 41
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Easy KO
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

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

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

Phoebe's typing presses Kecleon's defenses.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
Risky
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
Risky
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Kecleon trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamHailIce Ball
You Win
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchIcy WindIce Beam
Even
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDouble EdgeHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallExplosionHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamIce BeamSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Good

Kecleon has the type edge here and should clean up 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
You Win
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
You Win
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Even

Kecleon 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
You Win
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon DanceEarthquakeHyper BeamSurf
Even
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverSurfIce BeamToxic

Catchable

Available after Badge 5
Type
Normal
Tier
C

Catch Kecleon on Route 118 (walking, Lv 25, rare).

View Kecleon locations

Emerald Kecleon Locations

Kecleon has a double life in Emerald. It shows up as a rare level 25 walker on a handful of eastern routes, but the famous ones are the invisible level 30 blockers you only reveal with the Devon Scope. Without that item, those stand right past you unseen.

Wild Kecleon may be holding when caught:

Persim Berry (5% chance) A hold item that heals confusion in battle.

5 locations to catch Kecleon

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 5
Badge 6

Best Locations to Catch Kecleon in Emerald

Catching Kecleon takes patience. The 7 walking and fixed encounters at Lv. 25-30 all have low spawn rates, so pick one location and stay put for the best odds.

How to Get Shiny Kecleon in Emerald

Kecleon appears only rarely in the tall grass along Route 118, Route 119, Route 120, Route 121, and Route 123; pick one stretch and work the grass, catching or fleeing every battle until this camouflaged sneak turns up shiny. Compare Shiny Kecleon odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Kecleon in EmeraldNormal
Shiny Kecleon in Emerald Shiny
Color ShiftGreen
Shiny TierA Tier Shiny

Shiny Kecleon Evolution

Does Not Evolve
Kecleon does not evolve
Single-stage PokemonView Full Evolution Chart

Emerald Shiny Kecleon Calculator

3 Methods
Shiny Odds

Every method here shares the same odds, about 1 in 8,192 on each try. Pick whichever fits how you play.

Step 1 · Encounter Method3 in Emerald

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

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

Breeding: Hatch eggs of this line; each egg rolls at the base shiny rate (no Masuda before Gen IV).

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 8,192Full Odds
Chance By Now50.0%at 5,678 encountersAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few864----
25%one in four2,357----
50%coin flip5,678----
90%very likely18,862----
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

For time estimates and charm math, open the Emerald shiny odds calculator with Kecleon already selected.

Kecleon Weakness

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

Kecleon Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fighting
0x (Immune)Ghost
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 Kecleon Weak Against

Good
1Weak
0Resist
1Immune
Score+1
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
½xResist
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Kecleon Strong Against

0Strong
2Resisted
1Immune
Score-3
2xStrong
None
½xResisted
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Kecleon

Hariyama
Hariyama
Fighting
B
Breloom
Breloom
GrassFighting
B
Machoke
Machoke
Fighting
C
Combusken
Combusken
FireFighting
C

Kecleon Evolutions

Kecleon is what you get. No evolutions, but it breeds through one egg group with a massive partner pool. Its eggs take an average time to hatch. It's got 3 egg moves worth looking into. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Kecleon
#352Kecleon
Does not evolve

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Kecleon easily with 102 breeding partners from the Field egg group. Pass egg moves like Disable, Magic Coat, Trick to offspring.

Egg Groups
Field
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
3moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosrhydondewgongarbokquagsirenidorinofarfetchdflaaffy

E Kecleon Best Moveset

AbilityColor Change shifts Kecleon's type to match the last move that hit it, creating unpredictable defensive matchups that opponents cannot plan around. 120 base Sp. Def tanks special hits, and the moveset works best with MoveShadow Ball and MoveReturn to force type changes on the opponent's terms.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Wallbreaker
Ability
Color Change
Item
Choice BandPOWER
Best Nature for Kecleon

Kecleon best EVs are HP and Attack

EVs

Physical Wallbreaker Moveset

  • TrickUtility
  • Thunder Wave
  • Double EdgeSTAB
  • Shadow Ball

Moves List

The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 14 types means almost nothing walls Kecleon cleanly, with Double-Edge and Mega Kick anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Astonish
D3010015Ghost
Lv 1
Lick
D2010030Ghost
Lv 1
Scratch
D6010035Normal
Lv 1
Tail Whip
——10030Normal
Lv 1
Thief
D6010025Dark
Lv 4
Bind
—227520Normal
Lv 7
Feint Attack
—60—20Dark
Lv 12
Fury Swipes
D278015Normal
Lv 17
Psybeam
—6510020Psychic
Lv 24
Screech
D—8540Normal
Lv 31
Slash
C10510020Normal
Lv 40
Substitute
C——10Normal
Lv 49
Ancient Power
D601005Rock

TM Moves

34 of 35 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40D60—20Flying
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14D120705Ice
TM31
Brick BreakSootopolis Citynot until badge 7
A7510015Fighting
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
C6010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42C10510020Normal
TM38
Fire BlastLilycove Department Storebadge 5
D120855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510015Fire
HM05——7020Normal
TM01
Focus Punch-3Route 115badge 5
B15010020Fighting
TM21
FrustrationPacifidlog Townbadge 5
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—9010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510010Ice
TM23
Iron TailMeteor Fallsnot until badge 8
C1007515Steel
TM17C——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
HM06D2010015Fighting
TM39D609510Rock
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—10510020Normal
TM30
Shadow BallMt. Pyrebadge 5
A8010015Ghost
TM34D60—20Electric
TM48
Skill SwapMt. Pyrebadge 5
———10Psychic
TM49
Snatch+4S.S. Tidal
———10Dark
TM22
Solar BeamSafari Zonebadge 5
C12010010Grass
HM04—12010015Normal
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM46
ThiefSlateport Citybadge 1
D6010025Dark
TM25D1207010Electric
TM24D9510015Electric
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulsePrize for defeating Juannot until badge 8
D6010020Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Disable
D—5520Normal
Egg
Magic Coat+4
D——15Psychic
Egg
Trick
B—10010Psychic

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
C12710015Normal
Tutor
Counter-5
D—10020Fighting
Tutor
Defense Curl
D——40Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
A18010015Normal
Tutor
Dynamic Punch
D100505Fighting
Tutor
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Tutor
Fire Punch
C7510015Fire
Tutor
Fury Cutter
—109520Bug
Tutor
Ice Punch
C7510015Ice
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Mega Kick
B180755Normal
Tutor
Mega Punch
—1208520Normal
Tutor
Metronome
D——10Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D——10Normal
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Psych Up
D——10Normal
Tutor
Rock Slide
C759010Rock
Tutor
Rollout
—309020Rock
Tutor
Seismic Toss
A—10020Fighting
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D——10Normal
Tutor
Snore
—6010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C——10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D—9015Normal
Tutor
Swift
—90—20Normal
Tutor
Thunder Punch
C7510015Electric
Tutor
Thunder Wave
B—10020Electric

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP60
C
Attack90
B
Defense70
C
Sp. Atk60
C
Sp. Def120
A
Speed40
D
Total440
Details
Catch Rate
Easy200 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.0 m
Weight22.0 kg
Base XP154
Abilities
Color Change
Changes type to match when hit by a damaging move.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpD+1Spe
Special Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

A POKéMON that has the ability to alter its body colors to match its surroundings. A KECLEON reverts to its original colors if it is startled.

Pokemon Emerald

Kecleon Emerald Guide

  • Kecleon is a static encounter at Route 119 in Emerald. Kecleon appears at level 30. Prerequisite: Requires Devon Scope. Save before the encounter. These one-shot Pokemon don't respawn if you knock them out or run out of Poke Balls.

  • Yes. Wild Kecleon in Emerald can hold Persim Berry (5%). Use Thief (TM46) or Covet to swipe the held item without affecting your catch chance. Quickest way to farm rare items like Persim Berry.

  • In Emerald, Kecleon can work for a story run. It rates C-Tier, a middle-of-the-pack pick, so the Normal typing decides whether it earns a team slot.

  • In Emerald, Kecleon plays as a trick room. It's slow, so Trick Room or priority moves are key. so pick your spots carefully.

  • In Emerald, Adamant is the go-to nature for Kecleon. That's +Attack / -Sp. Atk. Pair it with 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD EVs. Fits the trick room role.

Game Availability

Available in 14 titles since its debut in Ruby & Sapphire, Kecleon spans 7 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in a solid number of games.

Explore

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