Kingler Best Moveset
130 base Attack is one of the highest among Water-types, and AbilitySheer Force paired with Held ItemLife Orb removes recoil from most of its moves. Kingler's always been held back by terrible Speed and Sp. Def. This moveset goes NatureAdamant with physical Water attacks to hit as hard as possible before the poor defensive stats catch up.
130 Attack was wasted in Gen I (Red & Blue). All Water moves used the Special stat, and Kingler's 50 Special meant its own STAB hit soft.
Utility Moveset
- Swords Dance
- Crabhammer
- Hyper Beam
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
Still no physical Water STAB in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Swords Dance boosted the 130 Attack that couldn't use its own typing. Normal moves were the only physical option.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Swords Dance
- Crabhammer
- Double Edge
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
Three gens of the same problem in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). 130 Attack, no physical Water moves. Kingler hit hard with Return and nothing else.
Wall Moveset
- Rest
- Hidden Power Fighting
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
The physical/Special split finally let Waterfall hit from 130 Attack in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Kingler became a real physical threat overnight.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Crabhammer
- Swords Dance
- X Scissor
- Superpower
Recommended Teammates
Sheer Force boosted moves with secondary effects in Gen V (Black & White). Waterfall and Rock Slide hit harder without triggering side effects. The offense finally matched the Attack stat.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Crabhammer
- Rock Slide
- X Scissor
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Held position in Gen VI (X & Y). Sheer Force Kingler wallbroke effectively, but 75 Speed left it outsped by most of the metagame. Hitting hard and moving second.
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Crabhammer
- Knock Off
- X Scissor
- Superpower
Recommended Teammates
Rose to the borderline between tiers in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Agility patched the Speed, and Sheer Force Liquidation did the rest. Best competitive standing ever.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Knock Off
- Crabhammer
- Liquidation
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Held the borderline tier in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Eight gens from STAB-less to legitimate physical wallbreaker. The physical/Special split was the turning point.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Knock Off
- Liquidation
- Swords Dance
- High Horsepower
Recommended Teammates
Kingler Weakness
Kingler's Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Kingler's physical bulk (base 115 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
What is Kingler Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Kingler
Rillaboom can KO Kingler with Wood Hammer (222-262%). Regieleki's Volt Switch also KOs at 132-155%.
 Rillaboom Grass | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Kingler View Rillaboom builds →Knock Off40-47% U Turn43-51% Wood Hammer 2x222-262%KO | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Kingler View Gliscor builds →Earthquake25-29% Knock Off16-19% | ||
 Regieleki Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTransistor ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Kingler View Regieleki builds →Volt Switch 2x132-155%KO Rapid Spin12-14% Rapid Spin12-14% Volt Switch 2x132-155%KO | ||
Evolution
Kingler is the evolved form of Krabby. Breeding produces Krabby eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Krabby gave Kingler the biggest boost in HP (+25), bringing the total to 475 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Kingler to get Krabby eggs easily using 37 partners from the Water3 egg group.
How to Get Kingler
Kingler can't be caught in Winds & Waves. Transfer Krabby from Red & Blue, Yellow, or Gold & Silver and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Kingler in WW
Step 1Obtain KrabbyLATER APPEARANCEfrom Red & BlueNot TradeableAppears in Red & Blue via Super rod · Route 6. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom YellowNot TradeableAppears in Yellow via Super rod · Route 25. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Super rod · Route 34. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.- Step 2Kingler ✓
No wild encounters for Kingler. The 2-stage line runs through Krabby, which you can catch at solid rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 28 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Kingler in BDSP
The path to Kingler starts with Krabby at Lv. 52-63 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch KrabbyRoute 226Lv.52GrassRate 40%Swarm activeDazzling CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Kingler ✓
Kingler appears at decent spawn rates across 8 spots in late-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Kingler in SwSh
Krabby is your first catch on the way to Kingler. You'll find walking and fishing encounters from Lv. 7-42 across 52 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch KrabbyWest Lake AxewellLv.7-11CaveRate 40%OvercastWest Lake AxewellLv.7-11CaveRate 30%Heavy FogWest Lake AxewellLv.7-11CaveRate 30%Normal WeatherSouth Lake MilochLv.14-16OverworldRate 30%ThunderstormSouth Lake MilochLv.14-15OverworldShieldRate 30%Normal WeatherSouth Lake MilochLv.14-16OverworldSwordRate 30%Normal WeatherWest Lake AxewellLv.7-11CaveRate 20%ThunderstormWest Lake AxewellLv.7-11CaveRate 20%RainingFields of HonorLv.10-15OverworldRate 20%ThunderstormFields of HonorLv.10-15OverworldRate 20%RainingFields of HonorLv.13-18GrassRate 15%RainingFields of HonorLv.13-18GrassRate 15%ThunderstormWest Lake AxewellLv.8-14OverworldRate 10%RainingWest Lake AxewellLv.8-14OverworldRate 10%Normal WeatherSouth Lake MilochLv.14-16OverworldRate 10%OvercastSouth Lake MilochLv.14-16OverworldRate 10%SnowingSouth Lake MilochLv.14-16OverworldRate 10%RainingWest Lake AxewellLv.8-14OverworldRate 5%SnowstormGiant's CapLv.26-28Super RodRate 35%Loop LagoonLv.16-21OverworldRate 20%RainingLoop LagoonLv.16-21OverworldRate 20%ThunderstormLoop LagoonLv.19-24GrassRate 15%ThunderstormLoop LagoonLv.19-24GrassRate 15%Raining
Step 2Kingler ✓Axew's EyeLv.36-40OverworldRate 25%Normal WeatherRoute 9Lv.38-42GrassRate 25%All WeatherAxew's EyeLv.36-40OverworldRate 10%ThunderstormAxew's EyeLv.36-40OverworldRate 5%Overcastor evolve from Krabby (Step 1)
You'll want late-game access before hunting Kingler. Moderate rates across 4 encounter spots means the location matters. Sort by Best below and target the top-rated area first.
Where To Catch Kingler in LGPE
The path to Kingler starts with Krabby at Lv. 18-38 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch KrabbyRoute 10Lv.18-23GrassRate 10%Route 12Lv.31-36GrassRate 15%Route 13Lv.33-38GrassRate 15%
Step 2Kingler ✓Route 12Lv.31-36GrassRate 5%Route 13Lv.33-38GrassRate 5%or evolve from Krabby (Step 1)
Base Stats
Kingler's all-in on Attack at the expense of Sp. Atk. The physical lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 2 Attack EVs and follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
The flow of Gigantamax energy has spurred this Pokémon’s left pincer to grow to an enormous size. That claw can pulverize anything.
Kingler Guide
Don't let Kingler's 475 base stat total fool you. Sheer Force is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier as a wallbreaker.
Run Sheer Force on Kingler. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Kingler also gets Hyper Cutter and Shell Armor, but they don't compare. On wall sets, Sheer Force pairs with Kingler's base 115 Defense to absorb physical hits on the switch.
Kingler fills the wallbreaker role. It's a physical attacker with base 130 Attack. Base 75 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Run Rock Slide, Knock Off, Crabhammer, and Liquidation on Kingler. Rock Slide is the most common pick at 0% usage. Crabhammer provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Kingler first appeared in Red & Blue and spans 20 games across 10 generations. It later gained a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves