Swift Swim in rain and Outrage from Platinum's tutors make Kingdra a devastating S-Tier sweeper. Dragon Dance sets up physical attacks, and Water/Dragon typing has few weaknesses.
Ability 1Swift SwimAbility 1Doubles Speed during rain.Ability 2SniperAbility 2Strengthens critical hits to inflict 3× damage rather than 2×.
540HP75Attack95Defense95Speed85Sp.Def95Sp.Atk95
Horsea
Seadra
Kingdra
Weak to
Mixed
Balanced
85Speed · Above Avg

Is Kingdra Good in Platinum Playthrough?

Trade Seadra holding Dragon Scale. Water/Dragon with AbilitySwift Swim doubling Speed in rain. Only weak to Dragon. The Horsea chain starts from postgame Route 226, making Kingdra a Battle Frontier exclusive.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSTEGEGGEGSGESGGERoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2FantinaGym 3MayleneGym 4Crasher WakeGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4JupiterBossMarsBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*SeadraCatchableKingdraEvolve
Roark
Gym 1
Strong

Seadra resists most of Roark's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
Easy KO
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Tough

Gardenia's team hits Seadra's weaknesses hard.

Even
Turtwig
Lv 20
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafSunny DayReflect
Risky
Cherrim
Lv 20
Grass
Flower Gift
Grass KnotLeech SeedMagical LeafSafeguard
Risky
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Fantina
Gym 3
Even

Seadra trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.

You Win
Duskull
Lv 24
Ghost
Levitate
Will O WispPursuitShadow SneakFuture Sight
You Win
Haunter
Lv 24
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow ClawSucker PunchHypnosisConfuse Ray
Risky
Mismagius
Lv 26
Ghost
Levitate
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Maylene
Gym 4
Good

Seadra has the type edge here and should clean up Maylene's team.

You Win
Meditite
Lv 28
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionRock TombFake Out
You Win
Machoke
Lv 29
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopRock TombStrengthFocus Energy
Even
Lucario
Lv 32
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 5
Even

Seadra trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 33
WaterFlying
Intimidate
WaterfallBrineBiteTwister
Even
Quagsire
Lv 34
WaterGround
Damp
Mud ShotRock TombWater PulseYawn
Risky
Floatzel
Lv 37
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangCrunchAqua Jet
Byron
Gym 6
Good

Seadra has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.

Even
Magneton
Lv 37
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Flash CannonThunderboltTri AttackMetal Sound
Easy KO
Steelix
Lv 38
SteelGround
Rock Head
Flash CannonIce FangEarthquakeSandstorm
You Win
Bastiodon
Lv 41
RockSteel
Sturdy
Metal BurstStone EdgeIron DefenseTaunt
Candice
Gym 7
Good

Seadra has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.

You Win
Sneasel
Lv 40
DarkIce
Inner Focus
SlashAerial AceFeint AttackIce Shard
Easy KO
Piloswine
Lv 40
IceGround
Oblivious
AvalancheStone EdgeEarthquakeHail
Risky
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerWater PulseFocus Blast
Even
Froslass
Lv 44
IceGhost
Snow Cloak
BlizzardDouble TeamShadow BallPsychic
Volkner
Gym 8
Even

Seadra trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.

Risky
Jolteon
Lv 46
Electric
Volt Absorb
Thunder WaveCharge BeamIron TailQuick Attack
Even
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamFocus BlastSignal BeamQuick Attack
Even
Luxray
Lv 48
Electric
Rivalry
Ice FangThunder FangCrunchFire Fang
Risky
Electivire
Lv 50
Electric
Motor Drive
Thunder PunchFire PunchQuick AttackGiga Impact
Aaron
Elite Four
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.

You Win
Yanmega
Lv 49
BugFlying
Speed Boost
Air SlashBug BuzzU TurnDouble Team
Even
Scizor
Lv 49
BugSteel
Swarm
Iron HeadX ScissorNight SlashQuick Attack
You Win
Vespiquen
Lv 50
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
Even
Heracross
Lv 51
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
Even
Drapion
Lv 53
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Strong

Kingdra resists most of Bertha's coverage and hits back hard.

You Win
Whiscash
Lv 50
WaterGround
Oblivious
Earth PowerAqua TailZen HeadbuttSandstorm
Easy KO
Gliscor
Lv 53
GroundFlying
Hyper Cutter
EarthquakeIce FangFire FangThunder Fang
Easy KO
Hippowdon
Lv 52
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchYawn
Easy KO
Golem
Lv 52
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeFire PunchThunder PunchSandstorm
Easy KO
Rhyperior
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
EarthquakeRock WreckerMegahornAvalanche
Flint
Elite Four
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.

Easy KO
Houndoom
Lv 52
DarkFire
Early Bird
FlamethrowerSludge BombDark PulseSunny Day
You Win
Flareon
Lv 55
Fire
Flash Fire
OverheatGiga ImpactQuick AttackWill O Wisp
Easy KO
Rapidash
Lv 53
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
You Win
Infernape
Lv 55
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
You Win
Magmortar
Lv 57
Fire
Flame Body
FlamethrowerThunderboltSolar BeamHyper Beam
Lucian
Elite Four
Even

Kingdra trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.

Even
Mr Mime
Lv 53
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
Even
Espeon
Lv 55
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallQuick AttackSignal Beam
Even
Bronzong
Lv 54
SteelPsychic
Levitate
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
Even
Alakazam
Lv 56
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Even
Gallade
Lv 59
PsychicFighting
Steadfast
Drain PunchPsycho CutLeaf BladeStone Edge
Jupiter
Commander
Strong

Kingdra resists most of Jupiter's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Zubat
Lv 21
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
You Win
Skuntank
Lv 23
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Mars
Commander
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Mars's team.

Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 38
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
You Win
Purugly
Lv 40
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Saturn
Commander
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Saturn's team.

You Win
Golbat
Lv 42
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBitePoison FangConfuse Ray
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 42
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
You Win
Toxicroak
Lv 44
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorFeint Attack
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Kingdra trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

You Win
Spiritomb
Lv 58
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindShadow Ball
Even
Roserade
Lv 58
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombToxicExtrasensory
You Win
Togekiss
Lv 60
NormalFlying
Hustle
Air SlashAura SphereWater PulseShock Wave
Even
Lucario
Lv 60
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereExtreme SpeedShadow BallStone Edge
Risky
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatDragon Pulse
You Win
Garchomp
Lv 62
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeFlamethrowerGiga Impact

Catch Seadra

Post-game only
Type
Water
Tier
E

Catch Seadra on Route 226 (Super Rod fishing, Lv 30-55, common).

View Seadra locations

Evolve Seadra to Kingdra

Trade holding Dragon Scale
Type
WaterDragon
Tier
S

Seadra evolves into Kingdra when traded. Trade it in the post-game, after you beat Cynthia.

Recommended Moves

  • STARTING (Lv 50)
    • LV 50WaterHydro PumpPower 180Accuracy 80%PP 5
  • After Fantina
  • After Crasher Wake
  • After Candice
    • TUTORDragonDraco MeteorPower 210Accuracy 90%PP 5Route 210
  • After Volkner
    • LV 57DragonDragon PulsePower 135Accuracy 100%PP 10
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORDragonOutragePower 180Accuracy 100%PP 15Survival Area
    • TUTORFlyingBouncePower 85Accuracy 85%PP 5Survival Area
    • TUTORSteelIron HeadPower 80Accuracy 100%PP 15Survival Area
    • TUTORBugSignal BeamPower 75Accuracy 100%PP 15Survival Area
    • TM42NormalFacadePower 70Accuracy 100%PP 20Survival Area

How to Get Kingdra in Platinum

Kingdra comes from trading a Seadra while it holds the Dragon Scale, never a wild catch. Fish a Horsea or Seadra up first, then arrange the held-item trade with a partner.

Wild Kingdra may be holding when caught:

Dragon Scale (5% chance) Traded on a Seadra: Holder evolves into Kingdra.

Catch Horsea or Seadra at any of these 1 spot to eventually evolve into Kingdra.

Encountered via fishing with a Rod

  1. 1
    Catch Horsea
  2. 2
    Evolve Seadraat Lv.32
  3. 3
    Evolve Kingdraby trading
Badge 8
Post-Game

How to Obtain Kingdra in Pt

  1. Seadra
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Seadra
    or evolve from Horsea (Step 1)
  2. Kingdra
    Step 3Kingdra ✓
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Horsea egg.

How to Get Shiny Kingdra in Platinum

Kingdra comes from trading a Seadra that holds a Dragon Scale, so breed a shiny Horsea through a foreign Ditto at 1 in 1,638 first. Compare Shiny Kingdra odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Kingdra in PlatinumNormal
Shiny Kingdra in Platinum Shiny
Color ShiftBlue
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Kingdra Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Platinum Shiny Kingdra Calculator

2 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Masuda Method, about 1 in 1,639 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Platinum

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

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

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 1,639Masuda Method
Chance By Now50.0%at 1,136 eggs hatchedAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few173----
25%one in four472----
50%coin flip1,136----
90%very likely3,773----
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

Curious how fast a hunt could go? Work out your Platinum shiny odds for Kingdra.

Kingdra Weakness

Type-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.

Kingdra Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Dragon
0.5x (Resist)Steel
0.25x (Resist)Fire, Water
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Kingdra Weak Against

Excellent
1Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Score+3
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
½xResist
¼xResist
0xImmune
None

What is Kingdra Strong Against

4Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+4
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Kingdra

Dialga
Dialga
SteelDragon
S
Palkia
Palkia
WaterDragon
S
Giratina
Giratina
GhostDragon
S
Garchomp
Garchomp
DragonGround
S
Altaria
Altaria
DragonFlying
C

Kingdra Evolutions

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

3 Forms
Horsea
#116Horsea
32
Level 32
Seadra
#117Seadra
Trade + Dragon Scale
Trade + Dragon Scale
Kingdra
#230Kingdra
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Horsea
Water
Seadra
Water
Kingdra
WaterDragon
HP
30
55+25
75+20
ATK
40
65+25
95+30
DEF
70
95+25
95
SP.ATK
70
95+25
95
SP.DEF
25
45+20
95+50
SPE
60
85+25
85
BST
295E-Tier
440E-Tier+145
540S-Tier+100
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Special
Special
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Kingdra to get Horsea eggs easily using 30 partners from the Dragon and Water 1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Aurora Beam, Disable, Dragon Breath and 5 more.

Egg Groups
DragonWater 1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
8moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosazumarillcharizardsceptileflygonmiloticblastoisegolduckferaligatrswampertaltariaslowbro

Pt Kingdra Best Moveset

Rain and AbilitySwift Swim double 85 Speed into a sweeping stat, and 95 in every stat except HP creates a balanced attacker with no glaring weakness. The moveset runs physical MoveWaterfall or special MoveSurf depending on the team, and Water/Dragon typing has almost no super-effective answers.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Sweeper
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
Choice SpecsPOWER
Best Nature for Kingdra
Modest+SPA

Kingdra best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Sweeper Moveset

  • Draco MeteorSTAB
  • Hydro PumpSTAB
  • SurfSTAB
  • Dragon PulseSTAB

Moves List

Breeding's the move. Aurora Beam and Disable 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.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bubble
—3010030Water
Lv 1
Leer
——10030Normal
Lv 1
Smokescreen
——10020Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
—6010025Water
Lv 1
Yawn
D——10Normal
Lv 4
Smokescreen
——10020Normal
Lv 8
Leer
——10030Normal
Lv 11
Water Gun
—6010025Water
Lv 14
Focus Energy
———30Normal
Lv 18
Bubble Beam
—9710020Water
Lv 23
Agility
C——30Psychic
Lv 26
Twister
—6010020Dragon
Lv 30
Brine
C9710010Water
Lv 40
Hydro Pump
B180805Water
Lv 48
Dragon Dance
A——20Dragon
Lv 57
Dragon Pulse
B13510010Dragon

TM Moves

27 of 28 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractAmity Squarebadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14
BlizzardLake Acuitybadge 3
C120705Ice
TM55C9710010Water
TM78
CaptivateRoute 204badge 2
——10020Normal
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM59
Dragon PulseVictory Roadnot until badge 8
B13510010Dragon
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
C7010020Normal
TM91
Flash CannonPrize for defeating Byronbadge 6
C8010010Steel
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM68
Giga ImpactVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
B150905Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D6010015Normal
TM15B150905Normal
TM13
Ice BeamRoute 216badge 3
C9510010Ice
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 3
D—10015Normal
TM17C——10Normal
TM44C——10Psychic
TM27D—10020Normal
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
HM03B14210015Water
TM87
SwaggerPokémon Mansionbadge 4
——9015Normal
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 4
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulseRavaged Pathbadge 5
C9010020Water
HM07
WaterfallFrom Jasmine in Sunyshore Citynot until badge 8
A12010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Aurora Beam
—6510020Ice
Egg
Disable
D—8020Normal
Egg
Dragon Breath
—9010020Dragon
Egg
Dragon Rage
——10010Dragon
Egg
Flail
D—10015Normal
Egg
Octazooka
—978510Water
Egg
Signal Beam
C7510015Bug
Egg
Splash
D——40Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Bounce
C85855Flying
Tutor
Dive
C12010010Water
Tutor
Draco Meteor
B210905Dragon
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Iron Head
C8010015Steel
Tutor
Outrage
A18010010Dragon
Tutor
Signal Beam
C7510015Bug
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal
Tutor
Swift
—60—20Normal
Tutor
Twister
—6010020Dragon

Base Stats

Base Stats
High
HP75
C
Attack95
B
Defense95
B
Sp. Atk95
B
Sp. Def95
B
Speed85
C
Total540
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.8 m
Weight152.0 kg
Base XP243
Abilities
Swift Swim
Doubles Speed during rain.
Sniper
Strengthens critical hits to inflict 3× damage rather than 2×.
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpA+1SpD+1Spe
Strong Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

It lives in caves on the seafloor and creates giant whirlpools every time it moves.

Pokemon Platinum

Kingdra Platinum Guide

  • Kingdra is obtained by trade-evolving Seadra. Catch or evolve a Seadra first, then trade. The Dragon Scale must be held during the trade. Bring one over from a sibling Gen 3 game if needed.

  • Yes. Kingdra is not available during the main story. It can only be obtained after entering the Hall of Fame. Kingdra becomes available after the main story is complete in Platinum.

  • In Platinum, Kingdra plays as a balanced. Speed is middling, so pick your spots carefully. Surf is the primary attack.

  • In Platinum, Kingdra pairs best with Bronzong, Ludicolo, and Tyranitar. Bronzong has Decent synergy and covers what Kingdra can't handle on its own.

  • In Platinum, Modest is the go-to nature for Kingdra. That's +Sp. Atk / -Attack. Pair it with 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe EVs. Fits the balanced role.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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