Kingler punches above its weight class thanks to Sheer Force. It drops secondary effects for a straight power boost, which is enough to make up for stats that don't impress on their own. Only weak to Electric and Grass. Known as the Pincer Pokemon.
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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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 21 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Agility, Amnesia, Ancient Power and 7 more.
One boost from Swords Dance and Kingler gets dangerous fast. The Adamant nature targets max Attack without Speed, and Hypercutter backs the whole approach. Crabhammer and Fighting coverage handle most of what's left standing.
Best Build
Best Kingler Moveset
- Crabhammer
- Swords Dance
- X Scissor
- Superpower
Recommended Teammates
You'll want to breed for Agility and Amnesia 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
Transfer Moves
decent spawn rates for Kingler across 16 locations in mid-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Kingler in HeartGold & SoulSilver
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 KrabbyEASYCianwood CitySoulSilverSmashing rocksLv.15-24CommonEarlyCityEASYCianwood CityHeartGoldSmashing rocksLv.15-24CommonEarlyCityCHALLENGINGWhirl Islands - 1FHeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyWaterCHALLENGINGWhirl Islands - 1FSoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyWaterCHALLENGINGWhirl Islands - B2FHeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyWaterCHALLENGINGWhirl Islands - B2FSoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyWaterCHALLENGINGSeafoam Islands - B4FSoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyWaterCHALLENGINGSeafoam Islands - B4FHeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyWaterEASYCliff Cave - B1FHeartGoldSmashing rocksLv.20-26CommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - B1FSoulSilverSmashing rocksLv.20-26CommonMidCaveEASYWhirl Islands - 1FHeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYWhirl Islands - 1FSoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2FSoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2FHeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - 1FHeartGoldGrassLv.22-24CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - 1FSoulSilverGrassLv.22-24CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B1FSoulSilverGrassLv.22-24CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B1FHeartGoldGrassLv.22-24CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B2FSoulSilverGrassLv.22-24CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B2FHeartGoldGrassLv.22-24CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B3FHeartGoldGrassLv.23-25CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSWhirl Islands - B3FSoulSilverGrassLv.23-25CommonMidWaterEASYRoute 19HeartGoldSmashing rocksLv.24-27CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 19SoulSilverSmashing rocksLv.24-27CommonMidRouteEASYCliff Cave - 1FSoulSilverGrassLv.20UncommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - 1FHeartGoldGrassLv.20UncommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - 2FHeartGoldGrassLv.20UncommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - 2FSoulSilverGrassLv.20UncommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - B1FHeartGoldGrassLv.20UncommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - B1FSoulSilverGrassLv.20UncommonMidCaveHARDSeafoam Islands - B4FHeartGoldGood RodLv.20RareMidWaterHARDSeafoam Islands - B4FSoulSilverGood RodLv.20RareMidWaterEASYWhirl Islands - 1FHeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYWhirl Islands - 1FSoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2FSoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWaterEASYWhirl Islands - B2FHeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateWater
Step 2Kingler ✓EASYCliff Cave - 1FSoulSilverGrassLv.22UncommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - 1FHeartGoldGrassLv.22UncommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - 2FSoulSilverGrassLv.22UncommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - 2FHeartGoldGrassLv.22UncommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - B1FHeartGoldGrassLv.22UncommonMidCaveEASYCliff Cave - B1FSoulSilverGrassLv.22UncommonMidCaveMODERATECliff Cave - B1FHeartGoldSmashing rocksLv.28-31UncommonMidCaveMODERATECliff Cave - B1FSoulSilverSmashing rocksLv.28-31UncommonMidCaveMODERATERoute 19HeartGoldSmashing rocksLv.28-31UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 19SoulSilverSmashing rocksLv.28-31UncommonMidRouteEXTREMEWhirl Islands - 1FHeartGoldSuper RodLv.40RareLateWaterEXTREMEWhirl Islands - 1FSoulSilverSuper RodLv.40RareLateWaterEXTREMEWhirl Islands - B2FHeartGoldSuper RodLv.40RareLateWaterEXTREMEWhirl Islands - B2FSoulSilverSuper RodLv.40RareLateWaterEXTREMESeafoam Islands - B4FHeartGoldSuper RodLv.40RareLateWaterEXTREMESeafoam Islands - B4FSoulSilverSuper RodLv.40RareLateWateror 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.
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 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