Kingdra doesn't stand out in any single area, but it gets the job done for in-game teams. Only weak to Dragon. Been around since Gen 2. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets. It sits at a decent but contested Speed tier.
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 is said that it usually hides in underwater caves. It can create whirlpools by yawning.
It sleeps deep on the ocean floor to build its energy. It is said to cause tornadoes as it wakes.
Kingdra Weakness
ExcellentType-wise, Kingdra takes extra damage from Dragon. 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.
- 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
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Kingdra to get Horsea eggs easily using 13 partners from the Dragon and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Aurora Beam, Disable, Dragon Rage and 3 more.
the remaining moves keeps opponents guessing about Kingdra's real targets. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn while flexible EVs EVs and a nature nature handle the stat profile. An ability ties it together.
Best Build
Best Kingdra Moveset
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Dragon Breath
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Breeding's the move. Aurora Beam and Disable give Kingdra options it can't learn any other way, and Ice and Normal coverage already covers a decent range on top of Hydro Pump and Surf. The egg moves push it further.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 Gold & Silver
To get Kingdra, start by catching Horsea through fishing and surfing encounters at Lv. 15-40. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch HorseaEASYWhirl Islands - 1FGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-19CommonEarlyWaterEASYWhirl Islands - 1FSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-19CommonEarlyWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2FGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2FSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveGoldSurfing on waterLv.20-24CommonMidWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveSilverSurfing on waterLv.20-24CommonMidWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - 1FSilverGood RodLv.20UncommonMidWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - 1FGoldGood RodLv.20UncommonMidWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2FGoldGood RodLv.20UncommonMidWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2FSilverGood RodLv.20UncommonMidWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveGoldGood RodLv.20UncommonMidWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveSilverGood RodLv.20UncommonMidWaterEASYWhirl Islands - 1FGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYWhirl Islands - 1FSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2FGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2FSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWater
Step 2Catch or Evolve SeadraMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveSilverSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveGoldSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - 1FGoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - 1FSilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2FGoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2FSilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveSilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveGoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWateror evolve from Horsea (Step 1)- Step 3Kingdra ✓
Kingdra looks average on paper at 540 BST. But Swift Swim is why it sees play — build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier support on our tier list.
Kingdra's biggest threats include Dragonite (Dragon), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Kingdra is a special attacker with base 95 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 85 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. Fits the support role.
Kingdra appears in 17 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
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.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A