You won't find a real weakness in Kingdra's stat line. It's well-rounded for the Dragon Pokemon, and what it does with that depends on moveset and items. Yields 3 Attack and Sp. Atk and Sp. Def EVs, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It lives in caves on the seafloor and creates giant whirlpools every time it moves.
It lives in caves on the seafloor and creates giant whirlpools every time it moves.
Type-wise, Kingdra takes extra damage from Dragon and Fairy. Not many exploitable gaps in the Water/Dragon typing defensive chart. With 75 HP and balanced defenses, Kingdra can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Steel |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fire, Water |
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Kingdra View Coalossal builds →Rapid Spin10-12% Flamethrower7-9% Scald4-5% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityImmunity ItemEviolite NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Kingdra View Gligar builds →Knock Off13-16% Earthquake31-36% U Turn14-17% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Kingdra View Moltres builds →Flamethrower10-12% U Turn16-20% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureImpish Moves View Altaria builds →
| ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Kingdra View Sableye builds →Knock Off20-24% | ||
Kingdra evolved from Horsea's chain using a trade. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Horsea eggs (average hatch time). The evolution from Horsea pushed Kingdra to 540 total stats. Sp.Def saw the largest single gain at +70. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Kingdra to get Horsea eggs easily using 72 partners from the Dragon and Water1 egg groups.
Flying coverage keeps opponents guessing about Kingdra's real targets. Life Orb provides extra damage on every hit for a health trade while max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs and Modest nature handle the stat profile. Swiftswim ties it together.
Best Build
Kingdra best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Draco Meteor
- Protect
- Hurricane
- Muddy Water
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Draco Meteor
- Focus Energy
- Surf
- Hurricane
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Draco Meteor
- Focus Energy
- Agility
- Surf
Doubles Special Attacker Moveset
- Draco Meteor
- Hurricane
- Muddy Water
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Surf
- Flip Turn
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Attacker Moveset
- Draco Meteor
- Hurricane
- Muddy Water
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Surf
- Flip Turn
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Draco Meteor
- Ice Beam
- Muddy Water
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Draco Meteor
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Hydro Pump
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Most of Kingdra's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Draco Meteor and Wave Crash, but Ice and Normal and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Breeding's the move. Aurora Beam and Clear Smog give Kingdra options it can't learn any other way, and Ice and Normal coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Draco Meteor and Outrage. The egg moves push it further.
Breeding's the move. Aurora Beam and Clear Smog give Kingdra options it can't learn any other way, and Ice and Normal coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Outrage and Hydro Pump. The egg moves push it further.
Breeding's the move. Aurora Beam and Clear Smog give Kingdra options it can't learn any other way, and Ice and Normal coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Draco Meteor and Outrage. The egg moves push it further.
Kingdra isn't available in the wild in Scarlet & Violet. Start by transferring Horsea from Red, Yellow, or Ruby. The evolution path from Horsea to Kingdra is covered in the steps below.
The chain to Kingdra requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Horsea at solid rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
How to Obtain Kingdra in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Kingdra, start by catching Horsea through walking and fishing encounters at Lv. 10-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch HorseaRoute 226Shining PearlGood Rod Lv.10-25 Route35%EarlyRoute 226Brilliant DiamondGood Rod Lv.10-25 Route35%EarlyFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve SeadraRoute 226Shining PearlSuper Rod Lv.30-55 Route35%MidRoute 226Brilliant DiamondSuper Rod Lv.30-55 Route35%Midor evolve from Horsea (Step 1)
Step 3Kingdra ✓
Kingdra's 3-stage chain starts with Horsea, which appears at decent rates in the locations below. Level through 3 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.
How to Obtain Kingdra in Sword & Shield
Horsea is your first catch on the way to Kingdra. You'll find surfing encounters from Lv. 40-45 across 18 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch HorseaInsular SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateNormal WeatherInsular SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateOvercastInsular SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateSnowstormInsular SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateNormal WeatherInsular SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateSnowstormInsular SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateIntense SunInsular SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateSnowingInsular SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateIntense SunInsular SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateSandstormInsular SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateSnowingInsular SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateRainingInsular SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateSandstormInsular SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateHeavy FogInsular SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateRainingInsular SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateOvercastInsular SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water20%LateHeavy FogInsular SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water16%LateThunderstormInsular SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water16%LateThunderstorm
Step 2Evolve into Seadra
Step 3Kingdra ✓
A trade step sits in Kingdra's 3-stage chain from Horsea. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Horsea shows up at moderate rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
Kingdra looks average on paper at 540 BST. But Swift Swim is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. B-Tier on our tier list.
Kingdra gets Swift Swim, Sniper, and Damp. But Swift Swim is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Kingdra is leaning toward the physical side (base 95 Attack). Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 85 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.
Best way to handle Kingdra: Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Dragon and Fairy-type attackers hit hardest.
Since Gold & Silver, Kingdra has been in 17 games. Requiring a trade evolution to obtain means it's consistently available but requires more effort than simply catching it in the wild.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves