Nothing about Kingler screams competitive powerhouse, and that's fine. Water means only weak to Electric and Grass. Known as the Pincer Pokemon. The stat spread favors raw physical power.
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.
Its oversized claw is very powerful, but when it’s not in battle, the claw just gets in the way.
Kingler Weakness
GoodKingler's Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric and Grass moves. 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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Kingler to get Krabby eggs easily using 13 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Amnesia, Dig, Flail and 2 more.
Leftovers and an ability form the backbone. Kingler invests flexible EVs EVs to play its setup attacker role properly, and a nature nature pushes higher. Crabhammer handles the heavy lifting on offense. The remaining moves rounds it out.
Best Build
Best Kingler Moveset
- Swords Dance
- Crabhammer
- Double Edge
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
You'll want to breed for Amnesia and Dig 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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
decent spawn rates across 15 locations for Kingler in late-game fishing spots. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Kingler in Crystal
The path to Kingler starts with Krabby at Lv. 10-40 via fishing, walking, and more encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
- Step 1Catch KrabbyEASYBurned Tower - 1FSmashing rocksLv.15CommonEarlyBuildingEASYCianwood CitySmashing rocksLv.15CommonEarlyCityEASYDark Cave - EastSmashing rocksLv.15CommonEarlyCaveEASYDark Cave - WestSmashing rocksLv.15CommonEarlyCaveEASYRoute 40Smashing rocksLv.15CommonEarlyRouteMODERATECherrygrove CityOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATECianwood CityOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEOlivine CityOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATERoute 34Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 40Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 41Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATEUnion Cave - B2FOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCaveMODERATEWhirl Islands - 1FOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2FOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyWaterMODERATECerulean CityOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATECinnabar Island - GymOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyWaterMODERATERoute 19Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 20Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 21Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteEASYCherrygrove CityGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYCianwood CityGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYOlivine CityGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYRoute 34Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 40Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 41Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYUnion Cave - B2FGood RodLv.20CommonMidCaveEASYWhirl Islands - 1FGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2FGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYCerulean CityGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYCinnabar Island - GymGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYRoute 19Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 20Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 21Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - 1FGrassLv.22-24CommonMidWaterMorning/dayEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - 1FGrassLv.22-24CommonMidWaterNightEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B1FGrassLv.23-25CommonMidWaterMorning/dayEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B1FGrassLv.23-25CommonMidWaterNightEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B2FGrassLv.24-26CommonMidWaterMorning/dayEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B2FGrassLv.24-26CommonMidWaterNightEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveGrassLv.25-27CommonMidWaterMorning/dayEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveGrassLv.25-27CommonMidWaterNightEASYCherrygrove CitySuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYCianwood CitySuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYOlivine CitySuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYRoute 34Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 40Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 41Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYUnion Cave - B2FSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCaveEASYWhirl Islands - 1FSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2FSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYCerulean CitySuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYCinnabar Island - GymSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYRoute 19Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 20Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 21Super RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
- Step 2Kingler ✓MODERATECherrygrove CitySuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATECianwood CitySuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATEOlivine CitySuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATERoute 34Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 40Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 41Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATEUnion Cave - B2FSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCaveMODERATEWhirl Islands - 1FSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2FSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATECerulean CitySuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATECinnabar Island - GymSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATERoute 19Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 20Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 21Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteor 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.
Krabby evolves into Kingler at level 28. Kingler is the fully evolved form. It sits at 475 BST in its evolved form.
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 appears in 19 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Kingler first appeared in Red & Blue and spans 19 games across 9 generations. It later gained a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
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 VIIISwShGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A