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.
It can hardly lift its massive, overgrown pincer. The pincer’s size makes it difficult to aim properly.
Its pincers grow peculiarly large. If it lifts the pincers too fast, it loses its balance and staggers.
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
A solid number of locations for Kingler with decent spawn rates across late-game fishing spots. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Kingler in Gold & Silver
To get Kingler, start by catching Krabby through fishing, rock smash, and more encounters at Lv. 10-40. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
- Step 1Catch KrabbyEASYBurned Tower - 1FGoldSmashing rocksLv.15CommonEarlyBuildingEASYBurned Tower - 1FSilverSmashing rocksLv.15CommonEarlyBuildingEASYCianwood CityGoldSmashing rocksLv.15CommonEarlyCityEASYCianwood CitySilverSmashing rocksLv.15CommonEarlyCityEASYDark Cave - EastSilverSmashing rocksLv.15CommonEarlyCaveEASYDark Cave - EastGoldSmashing rocksLv.15CommonEarlyCaveEASYDark Cave - WestSilverSmashing rocksLv.15CommonEarlyCaveEASYDark Cave - WestGoldSmashing rocksLv.15CommonEarlyCaveEASYRoute 40SilverSmashing rocksLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 40GoldSmashing rocksLv.15CommonEarlyRouteMODERATECherrygrove CityGoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATECherrygrove CitySilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATECianwood CityGoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATECianwood CitySilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEOlivine CityGoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEOlivine CitySilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATERoute 34GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 34SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 40GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 40SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 41GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 41SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATEWhirl Islands - 1FGoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - 1FSilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2FSilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2FGoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveGoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveSilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyWaterMODERATECerulean CitySilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATECerulean CityGoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATECinnabar Island - GymGoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyWaterMODERATECinnabar Island - GymSilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyWaterMODERATERoute 19GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 19SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 20GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 20SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 21SilverOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 21GoldOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteEASYCherrygrove CityGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYCherrygrove CitySilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYCianwood CityGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYCianwood CitySilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYOlivine CityGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYOlivine CitySilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYRoute 34GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 34SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 40GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 40SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 41GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 41SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYWhirl Islands - 1FGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYWhirl Islands - 1FSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2FSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2FGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYCerulean CityGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYCerulean CitySilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYCinnabar Island - GymGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYCinnabar Island - GymSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYRoute 19GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 19SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 20GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 20SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 21SilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 21GoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - 1FGoldGrassLv.22-24CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - 1FSilverGrassLv.22-24CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B1FGoldGrassLv.23-25CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B1FSilverGrassLv.23-25CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B2FGoldGrassLv.23-25CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B2FSilverGrassLv.23-25CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveGoldGrassLv.24-26CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveSilverGrassLv.24-26CommonMidWaterEASYCherrygrove CityGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYCherrygrove CitySilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYCianwood CityGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYCianwood CitySilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYOlivine CityGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYOlivine CitySilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYRoute 34GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 34SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 40GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 40SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 41SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 41GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYWhirl Islands - 1FGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYWhirl Islands - 1FSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2FSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2FGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYCerulean CityGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYCerulean CitySilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYCinnabar Island - GymSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYCinnabar Island - GymGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYRoute 19GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 19SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 20GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 20SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 21SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 21GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
- Step 2Kingler ✓MODERATECherrygrove CitySilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATECherrygrove CityGoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATECianwood CitySilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATECianwood CityGoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATEOlivine CitySilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATEOlivine CityGoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATERoute 34SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 34GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 40GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 40SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 41GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 41SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATEWhirl Islands - 1FGoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - 1FSilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2FSilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2FGoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveSilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveGoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATECerulean CityGoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATECerulean CitySilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATECinnabar Island - GymGoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATECinnabar Island - GymSilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateWaterMODERATERoute 19SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 19GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 20SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 20GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 21SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 21GoldSuper 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