Kingdra's stats are solid on their own, but Swift Swim is what pushes it over the line. It doubles its Speed in rain. Only weak to Dragon and Fairy. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets. A longtime staple going back to Gen 2.
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.
With the arrival of a storm at sea, this Pokémon will show itself on the surface. When a Kingdra and a Dragonite meet, a fierce battle ensues.
Scales shed by this Pokémon have such a splendorous gleam to them that they’ve been given to royalty as gifts.
Kingdra Weakness
GoodType-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.
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 60 partners from the Dragon and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Aurora Beam, Clear Smog, Disable and 4 more.
Flying coverage keeps opponents guessing about Kingdra's real targets. Wide Lens provides extra utility while flexible EVs EVs and Modest nature handle the stat profile. Swiftswim ties it together.
Best Build
Best Kingdra Moveset
- Draco Meteor
- Hurricane
- Muddy Water
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 HorseaMODERATEInsular SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterNormal WeatherMODERATEInsular SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterOvercastMODERATEInsular SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSnowstormMODERATEInsular SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterNormal WeatherMODERATEInsular SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSnowstormMODERATEInsular SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterIntense SunMODERATEInsular SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSnowingMODERATEInsular SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterIntense SunMODERATEInsular SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSandstormMODERATEInsular SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSnowingMODERATEInsular SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterRainingMODERATEInsular SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterSandstormMODERATEInsular SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterHeavy FogMODERATEInsular SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterRainingMODERATEInsular SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterOvercastMODERATEInsular SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4520%LateWaterHeavy FogMODERATEInsular SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4516%LateWaterThunderstormMODERATEInsular SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4516%LateWaterThunderstorm
Step 2Evolve into Seadra- 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 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 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.
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