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 larger pincer has 10,000-horsepower strength. However, it is so heavy, it is difficult to aim.
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 |
| Pokemon | Threatens With | Tier |
|---|---|---|
 Rillaboom Grass | Grass | S |
 Raging Bolt ElectricDragon | Electric | S |
Electric | A |
Kingler resists or is immune to these Pokemon's primary attacks.
| Pokemon | Resists | Tier |
|---|---|---|
 Incineroar FireDark | Fire½x | S |
 Greninja WaterDark | Water½x | S |
 Gholdengo SteelGhost | Steel½x | S |
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.
One boost from Agility and Kingler gets dangerous fast. The Adamant nature targets max Attack and Speed, and Sheerforce backs the whole approach. Liquidation and double STAB handle most of what's left standing.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 10.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Knock Off
- Liquidation
- Swords Dance
- High Horsepower
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Liquidation
- High Horsepower
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
Physical Tank Moveset
- Knock Off
- Liquidation
- Swords Dance
- High Horsepower
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Liquidation
- High Horsepower
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
You'll want to breed for Agility and Ally Switch on Kingler. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Crabhammer and Surf, they expand what Kingler can actually threaten in practice.
You'll want to breed for Ancient Power and Hammer Arm on Kingler. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Hydro Pump and Crabhammer, they expand what Kingler can actually threaten in practice.
Kingler develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Crabhammer and Blizzard show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Kingler can't be caught in Winds & Waves. Transfer Krabby from Red, Yellow, or Gold and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
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 Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
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 226Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.52 Route40%PostSwarm activeRoute 226Shining PearlGrass Lv.52 Route40%PostSwarm activeDazzling CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameDazzling CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSpacious CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSpacious CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStargleam CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStargleam CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-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 Sword & Shield
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 AxewellSwordGrass Lv.7-11 Cave40%EarlyOvercastWest Lake AxewellShieldGrass Lv.7-11 Cave40%EarlyOvercastWest Lake AxewellSwordGrass Lv.7-11 Cave30%EarlyHeavy FogWest Lake AxewellShieldGrass Lv.7-11 Cave30%EarlyHeavy FogWest Lake AxewellSwordGrass Lv.7-11 Cave30%EarlyNormal WeatherWest Lake AxewellShieldGrass Lv.7-11 Cave30%EarlyNormal WeatherSouth Lake MilochSwordOverworld Lv.14-16 Water30%EarlyNormal WeatherSouth Lake MilochShieldOverworld Lv.14-15 Water30%EarlyNormal WeatherSouth Lake MilochSwordOverworld Lv.14-16 Water30%EarlyThunderstormSouth Lake MilochShieldOverworld Lv.14-16 Water30%EarlyThunderstormWest Lake AxewellSwordGrass Lv.7-11 Cave20%EarlyThunderstormWest Lake AxewellShieldGrass Lv.7-11 Cave20%EarlyThunderstormWest Lake AxewellSwordGrass Lv.7-11 Cave20%EarlyRainingWest Lake AxewellShieldGrass Lv.7-11 Cave20%EarlyRainingFields of HonorSwordOverworld Lv.10-1520%EarlyThunderstormFields of HonorShieldOverworld Lv.10-1520%EarlyThunderstormFields of HonorSwordOverworld Lv.10-1520%EarlyRainingFields of HonorShieldOverworld Lv.10-1520%EarlyRainingFields of HonorShieldGrass Lv.13-1815%EarlyThunderstormFields of HonorSwordGrass Lv.13-1815%EarlyRainingFields of HonorShieldGrass Lv.13-1815%EarlyRainingFields of HonorSwordGrass Lv.13-1815%EarlyThunderstormWest Lake AxewellSwordOverworld Lv.8-14 Cave10%EarlyRainingWest Lake AxewellShieldOverworld Lv.8-14 Cave10%EarlyRainingWest Lake AxewellSwordOverworld Lv.8-14 Cave10%EarlyNormal WeatherWest Lake AxewellShieldOverworld Lv.8-14 Cave10%EarlyNormal WeatherSouth Lake MilochSwordOverworld Lv.14-16 Water10%EarlyRainingSouth Lake MilochShieldOverworld Lv.14-16 Water10%EarlyRainingSouth Lake MilochSwordOverworld Lv.14-16 Water10%EarlyOvercastSouth Lake MilochShieldOverworld Lv.14-16 Water10%EarlyOvercastSouth Lake MilochSwordOverworld Lv.14-16 Water10%EarlySnowingSouth Lake MilochShieldOverworld Lv.14-16 Water10%EarlySnowingWest Lake AxewellSwordOverworld Lv.8-14 Cave5%EarlySnowstormWest Lake AxewellShieldOverworld Lv.8-14 Cave5%EarlySnowstormGiant's CapSwordSuper Rod Lv.26-2835%MidGiant's CapShieldSuper Rod Lv.26-2835%MidLoop LagoonSwordOverworld Lv.16-2120%MidThunderstormLoop LagoonShieldOverworld Lv.16-2120%MidThunderstormLoop LagoonSwordOverworld Lv.16-2120%MidRainingLoop LagoonShieldOverworld Lv.16-2120%MidRainingLoop LagoonSwordGrass Lv.19-2415%MidThunderstormLoop LagoonShieldGrass Lv.19-2415%MidThunderstormLoop LagoonSwordGrass Lv.19-2415%MidRainingLoop LagoonShieldGrass Lv.19-2415%MidRaining
Step 2Kingler ✓Axew's EyeShieldOverworld Lv.36-4025%LateNormal WeatherAxew's EyeSwordOverworld Lv.36-4025%LateNormal WeatherRoute 9SwordGrass Lv.38-42 Route25%LateAll WeatherRoute 9ShieldGrass Lv.38-42 Route25%LateAll WeatherAxew's EyeSwordOverworld Lv.36-4010%LateThunderstormAxew's EyeShieldOverworld Lv.36-4010%LateThunderstormAxew's EyeShieldOverworld Lv.36-405%LateOvercastAxew's EyeSwordOverworld Lv.36-405%LateOvercastor 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 Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
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 10Let's Go EeveeGrass Lv.18-23 Route10%MidRoute 10Let's Go PikachuGrass Lv.18-23 Route10%MidRoute 12Let's Go EeveeGrass Lv.31-36 Route15%LateRoute 12Let's Go PikachuGrass Lv.31-36 Route15%LateRoute 13Let's Go PikachuGrass Lv.33-38 Route15%LateRoute 13Let's Go EeveeGrass Lv.33-38 Route15%Late
Step 2Kingler ✓Route 12Let's Go EeveeGrass Lv.31-36 Route5%LateRoute 12Let's Go PikachuGrass Lv.31-36 Route5%LateRoute 13Let's Go EeveeGrass Lv.33-38 Route5%LateRoute 13Let's Go PikachuGrass Lv.33-38 Route5%Lateor evolve from Krabby (Step 1)
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 C-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.
Kingler's hidden ability is Sheer Force. Strengthens moves with extra effects to 1.3× their power, but prevents their extra effects. Better than the standard options for competitive play.
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 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves