Swift Swim in rain makes Kingdra terrifyingly fast at A-Tier, and Water/Dragon's lone Dragon weakness keeps it hard to counter in Ruby & Sapphire.
Ability 1Swift SwimAbility 1Doubles Speed during rain.
540HP75Attack95Defense95Speed85Sp.Def95Sp.Atk95
Horsea
Seadra
Kingdra
Weak to
Special
Balanced
85Speed · Above Avg

Is Kingdra Good in Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

Trade Seadra with Dragon Scale, plus import from FRLG. AbilitySwift Swim doubles Speed in rain. Under Kyogre's AbilityDrizzle in Sapphire, Kingdra becomes one of the fastest and hardest-hitting Water/Dragon attackers. Two trade barriers but the rain payoff is enormous.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSGEGTEETEEEGGRoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8HorseaCatchableKingdraEvolveSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Strong

Horsea resists most of Roxanne's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Easy KO
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
TackleHardenRock ThrowRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

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

You Win
Machop
Lv 17
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopSeismic TossBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 18
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustKnock OffSand AttackBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Horsea trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

Even
Magnemite
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomThunder ShockThunder Wave
Even
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSelf DestructSparkSonic Boom
Risky
Magneton
Lv 23
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomShock WaveThunder Wave
Flannery
Gym 4
Good

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

You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
FlamethrowerRock SlideLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Torkoal
Lv 28
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatBody SlamFlailAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Tough

Norman's typing presses Horsea's defenses.

Risky
Slaking
Lv 28
Normal
Truant
EncoreFacadeYawnFeint Attack
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 30
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFeint AttackFacadeEncore
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Horsea trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

You Win
Swellow
Lv 31
NormalFlying
Guts
Quick AttackAerial AceDouble TeamEndeavor
Risky
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Even
Skarmory
Lv 32
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Even
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Even

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

Even
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
You Win
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Wallace
Gym 8
Tough

Wallace's typing presses Horsea's defenses.

Risky
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Even
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
Risky
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Risky
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Avoid
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Sidney
Elite Four
Even

Kingdra trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

You Win
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
Even
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
You Win
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Even
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Kingdra trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
You Win
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Kingdra trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

Even
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
Even
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
You Win
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
Easy KO
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
Easy KO
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
You Win
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Steven
Champion
Good

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

Even
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
Easy KO
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
Levitate
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
You Win
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
You Win
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
Easy KO
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Risky
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam

Catch Horsea

Available after Badge 8
Type
Water
Tier
F

Catch Horsea on Route 132 (Super Rod fishing, Lv 25-30, uncommon).

View Horsea locations

Evolve Horsea to Kingdra

Trade holding Dragon Scale
Type
WaterDragon
Tier
A

Seadra evolves into Kingdra when traded. Most players are ready to trade before reaching Sidney.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Kingdra in Ruby & Sapphire

Kingdra finishes the Horsea line through a trade: hand off a Seadra holding a Dragon Scale. Horsea is catchable in Hoenn and Seadra comes by leveling, so only that last trade happens off-region.

Wild Kingdra may be holding when caught:

Dragon Scale (5% chance) A strange scale held by DRAGON- type Pokemon.

Catch Horsea at any of these 3 spots 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

How to Obtain Kingdra in RS

To get Kingdra, start by catching Horsea through fishing encounters at Lv. 25-30. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.

  1. Seadra
    Step 2Evolve into Seadra
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave Kingdra with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Horsea egg.
  2. Kingdra
    Step 3Kingdra ✓

How to Get Shiny Kingdra in Ruby & Sapphire

Kingdra begins in the breeding pen, since it never appears wild; hatch its family for a shiny, raise the Seadra, and evolve it by trading while it holds a Dragon Scale. Compare Shiny Kingdra odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Kingdra in Ruby & SapphireNormal
Shiny Kingdra in Ruby & Sapphire Shiny
Color ShiftBlue
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Kingdra Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Ruby & Sapphire Shiny Kingdra Calculator

2 Methods
Shiny Odds

Both methods here share the same odds, about 1 in 8,192 on each try. Pick whichever fits how you play.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Ruby & Sapphire

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

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

Curious how fast a hunt could go? Work out your Ruby & Sapphire 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 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 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

Latios
Latios
DragonPsychic
S
Latias
Latias
DragonPsychic
S
Rayquaza
Rayquaza
DragonFlying
S
Salamence
Salamence
DragonFlying
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
295F-Tier
440E-Tier+145
540A-Tier+100
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Special
Special
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Kingdra to get Horsea eggs easily using 27 partners from the Dragon and Water 1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Aurora Beam, Disable, Dragon Breath and 4 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
7moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosazumarillcharizardsceptileflygonmiloticblastoisegolduckferaligatrswampertaltariaslowbro

RS Kingdra Best Moveset

Water/Dragon typing has one weakness (Dragon, which lacks strong moves), and rain-doubled Speed through AbilitySwift Swim turns Kingdra into a devastating attacker. MoveSurf boosted by rain and MoveIce Beam from 95 Sp. Atk. Held ItemLeftovers sustains. Near-unresisted typing on a rain attacker.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Attacker
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
Lum BerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Kingdra
Modest+SPA

Kingdra best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Attacker Moveset

  • Rain DanceSTAB
  • Ice Beam
  • SurfSTAB
  • Hidden Power Grass

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 already covers a decent range on top of Hydro Pump and Surf. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bubble
—3010030Water
Lv 1
Leer
D—10030Normal
Lv 1
Smokescreen
——10020Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
D6010025Water
Lv 8
Smokescreen
——10020Normal
Lv 15
Leer
D—10030Normal
Lv 22
Water Gun
D6010025Water
Lv 29
Twister
—6010020Dragon
Lv 40
Agility
C——30Psychic
Lv 51
Hydro Pump
B180805Water
Lv 62
Dragon Dance
C——20Dragon

TM Moves

All 19 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14C120705Ice
HM08
DiveMossdeep Citybadge 6
C9010010Water
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42C7010020Normal
TM07
HailShoal Cavebadge 6
———10Ice
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamLilycove Department Storebadge 5
B150905Normal
TM13
Ice BeamAbandoned Shipbadge 2
B9510010Ice
TM17C——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
B——5Water
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
HM03
SurfPetalburg Citybadge 5
B14210015Water
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulsePrize for defeating Wallacenot until badge 8
C9010020Water
HM07
WaterfallCave of Originnot until badge 7
C12010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Aurora Beam
—6510020Ice
Egg
Disable
D—5520Normal
Egg
Dragon Breath
C9010020Dragon
Egg
Dragon Rage
——10010Dragon
Egg
Flail
D—10015Normal
Egg
Octazooka
—978510Water
Egg
Splash
D——40Normal

Tutor Moves

Kingdra can't learn any Tutor moves

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.
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpA+1SpD+1Spe
Strong Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

KINGDRA lives at extreme ocean depths that are otherwise uninhabited. It has long been believed that the yawning of this POKéMON creates spiraling ocean currents.

KINGDRA sleeps on the seafloor where it is otherwise devoid of life. When a storm arrives, the POKéMON is said to awaken and wander about in search of prey.

Kingdra Ruby & Sapphire Guide

  • Kingdra is obtained by trade-evolving Seadra. Catch or evolve a Seadra first, then trade. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Seadra to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required. The Dragon Scale must be held during the trade. Bring one over from a sibling Gen 3 game if needed.

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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