In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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. Crabhammer with Focus Sash is the standard set.

What is Kingler weak to?

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, watch for Raikou (Electric) and Venusaur (Grass) when using Kingler. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

What is the best ability for Kingler?

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.

What role does Kingler play in battle?

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.

What are the best moves for Kingler?

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, run Crabhammer, Swords Dance, Xscissor, and Superpower on Kingler. Crabhammer is the most common pick at 25% usage. Crabhammer provides reliable STAB damage.

Kingler - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Wallbreaker

CTier

75Speed · Below Avg

Stats & Training

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.

Base Stats

Above

HP55

Attack130

Defense115

Sp. Atk50

Sp. Def50

Speed75

Total475

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging60 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height1.3 m

Weight60.0 kg

Base XP166

Abilities

Hyper CutterTop Pick

Prevents Attack from being lowered by other Pokémon.

Shell ArmorNiche

Protects against critical hits.

Sheer ForceHANot in game

Strengthens moves with extra effects to 1.3× their power, but prevents their extra effects.

EV Yield

HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe

Attack training target

Pokedex Entries

It can hardly lift its massive, overgrown pincer. The pincer’s size makes it difficult to aim properly.

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.

Kingler Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)	Fire, Water, Ice, Steel

Type ChartGood

2Weak

4Resist

0Immune

Score0

Gen IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Grass

½xResist

Fire Water Ice Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (3)

Fire Ground Rock

How to Beat Kingler in HeartGold & SoulSilver (Best Counters)

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 165-195%KO Energy Ball 2x 125-147%KO Vine Whip 2x 38-45% Bullet Seed 2x 24-28% View Carnivine builds →
Tangela Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 26 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 180-212%KO Energy Ball 2x 137-161%KO Vine Whip 2x 26-31% Mega Drain 2x 62-74% View Tangela builds →
Weepinbell GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Razor LeafLv. 39 Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 158-187%KO Energy Ball 2x 120-142%KO Razor Leaf 2x 42-51% Vine Whip 2x 36-42% View Weepinbell builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainLv. 37 Mega DrainLv. 21 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 144-170%KO Energy Ball 2x 108-127%KO Giga Drain 2x 91-108%KO Mega Drain 2x 50-59% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 106-125%KO Energy Ball 2x 79-93% Magical Leaf 2x 55-65% Razor Leaf 2x 28-34% View Chikorita builds →

HeartGold & SoulSilver 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

2 Forms

#098Krabby

Level 28

#099Kingler

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Krabby

Water

Kingler

Water

55+25

ATK

105

130+25

DEF

115+25

SP.ATK

50+25

SP.DEF

50+25

SPE

75+25

BST

325C-Tier

475C-Tier+150

ROLE

Attacker

Wallbreaker

TYPE

Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

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.

Egg Groups

Water3

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

10moves

Breed With (best first)

HeartGold & SoulSilver Kingler Best Moveset

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

Experimental

Physical Tank

Ability

Hyper Cutter

Item

Focus SashSURVIVAL

Best Nature for Kingler

Adamant+ATK

Kingler best EVs are Attack and Defense

EVs

Atk

Def

Spe

Physical Tank Moveset

CrabhammerSTAB
Swords Dance
X Scissor
SuperpowerCoverage

Recommended Teammates

DonphanDecent

TogekissDecent

Moves

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

Lv 1

Bubble

—2010030Water

Lv 1

Mud Sport

———15Ground

Lv 1

Vise Grip

C5510030Normal

Lv 5

Vise Grip

C5510030Normal

Lv 9

Leer

——10030Normal

Lv 11

Harden

———30Normal

Lv 15

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Lv 19

Mud Shot

—559515Ground

Lv 21

Metal Claw

—509535Steel

Lv 25

Stomp

—6510020Normal

Lv 32

Protect+4

C——10Normal

Lv 37

Guillotine

——305Normal

Lv 44

Slam

—807520Normal

Lv 51

Brine

D6510010Water

Lv 56

Crabhammer

S1008510Water

Lv 63

Flail

——10015Normal

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

D120705Ice

TM31

Brick Break

C7510015Fighting

TM55

Brine

D6510010Water

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

HM01

Cut

—509530Normal

TM28

Dig

C8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM42

Facade

C7010020Normal

TM54

False Swipe

—4010040Normal

TM56

Fling

——10010Dark

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM68

Giga Impact

B150905Normal

TM07

Hail

D——10Ice

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM15

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

D9510010Ice

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM80

Rock Slide

B759010Rock

HM06

Rock Smash

D4010015Fighting

TM39

Rock Tomb

C609510Rock

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

HM04

Strength

C8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

HM03

Surf

C9510015Water

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM75

Swords Dance

S——30Normal

TM46

Thief

—6010025Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—8510Poison

TM03

Water Pulse

D6010020Water

HM05

Whirlpool

D358515Water

TM81

X-Scissor

A8010015Bug

Egg Moves

Egg

Agility

A——30Psychic

Egg

Amnesia

———20Psychic

Egg

Ancient Power

D601005Rock

Egg

Dig

C8010010Ground

Egg

Flail

——10015Normal

Egg

Haze

D——30Ice

Egg

Knock Off

C6510020Dark

Egg

Slam

—807520Normal

Egg

Swords Dance

S——30Normal

Egg

Tickle

——10020Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Ancient Power

D601005Rock

Tutor

Dive

B8010010Water

Tutor

Fury Cutter

—109520Bug

Tutor

Icy Wind

D559515Ice

Tutor

Iron Defense

D——15Steel

Tutor

Knock Off

C6510020Dark

Tutor

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Tutor

Snore

D4010015Normal

Tutor

Superpower

A1201005Fighting

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Body Slam

C8510015Normal

Gen 3

Double-Edge

B12010015Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

How to Get Kingler in HeartGold & SoulSilver

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 Krabby
Cianwood City
SoulSilverSmashing rocks Lv.15-24 City
80%Early
Cianwood City
HeartGoldSmashing rocks Lv.15-24 City
80%Early
Whirl Islands - 1F
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Water
15%Early
Whirl Islands - 1F
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Water
15%Early
Whirl Islands - B2F
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Water
15%Early
Whirl Islands - B2F
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Water
15%Early
Seafoam Islands - B4F
SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Water
15%Early
Seafoam Islands - B4F
HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Water
15%Early
Whirl Islands - 1F
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Water
50%Mid
Whirl Islands - 1F
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Water
50%Mid
Whirl Islands - B2F
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Water
50%Mid
Whirl Islands - B2F
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Water
50%Mid
Cliff Cave - B1F
HeartGoldSmashing rocks Lv.20-26 Cave
CommonMid
Cliff Cave - B1F
SoulSilverSmashing rocks Lv.20-26 Cave
CommonMid
Whirl Islands - 1F
HeartGoldGrass Lv.22-24 Water
CommonMid
Whirl Islands - 1F
SoulSilverGrass Lv.22-24 Water
CommonMid
Whirl Islands - B1F
SoulSilverGrass Lv.22-24 Water
CommonMid
Whirl Islands - B1F
HeartGoldGrass Lv.22-24 Water
CommonMid
Whirl Islands - B2F
SoulSilverGrass Lv.22-24 Water
CommonMid
Whirl Islands - B2F
HeartGoldGrass Lv.22-24 Water
CommonMid
Whirl Islands - B3F
HeartGoldGrass Lv.23-25 Water
CommonMid
Whirl Islands - B3F
SoulSilverGrass Lv.23-25 Water
CommonMid
Route 19
HeartGoldSmashing rocks Lv.24-27 Route
CommonMid
Route 19
SoulSilverSmashing rocks Lv.24-27 Route
CommonMid
Seafoam Islands - B4F
HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Water
20%Mid
Seafoam Islands - B4F
SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Water
20%Mid
Cliff Cave - 1F
SoulSilverGrass Lv.20 Cave
UncommonMid
Cliff Cave - 1F
HeartGoldGrass Lv.20 Cave
UncommonMid
Cliff Cave - 2F
HeartGoldGrass Lv.20 Cave
UncommonMid
Cliff Cave - 2F
SoulSilverGrass Lv.20 Cave
UncommonMid
Cliff Cave - B1F
HeartGoldGrass Lv.20 Cave
UncommonMid
Cliff Cave - B1F
SoulSilverGrass Lv.20 Cave
UncommonMid
Whirl Islands - 1F
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Water
40%Late
Whirl Islands - 1F
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Water
40%Late
Whirl Islands - B2F
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Water
40%Late
Whirl Islands - B2F
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Water
40%Late
Train until Level 28
Step 2Kingler ✓
Cliff Cave - 1F
SoulSilverGrass Lv.22 Cave
UncommonMid
Cliff Cave - 1F
HeartGoldGrass Lv.22 Cave
UncommonMid
Cliff Cave - 2F
SoulSilverGrass Lv.22 Cave
UncommonMid
Cliff Cave - 2F
HeartGoldGrass Lv.22 Cave
UncommonMid
Cliff Cave - B1F
HeartGoldGrass Lv.22 Cave
UncommonMid
Cliff Cave - B1F
SoulSilverGrass Lv.22 Cave
UncommonMid
Cliff Cave - B1F
HeartGoldSmashing rocks Lv.28-31 Cave
UncommonMid
Cliff Cave - B1F
SoulSilverSmashing rocks Lv.28-31 Cave
UncommonMid
Route 19
HeartGoldSmashing rocks Lv.28-31 Route
UncommonMid
Route 19
SoulSilverSmashing rocks Lv.28-31 Route
UncommonMid
Whirl Islands - 1F
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Water
20%Late
Whirl Islands - 1F
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Water
20%Late
Whirl Islands - B2F
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Water
20%Late
Whirl Islands - B2F
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Water
20%Late
Seafoam Islands - B4F
HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Water
15%Late
Seafoam Islands - B4F
SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Water
15%Late
or evolve from Krabby (Step 1)

Kingler Guide

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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. Crabhammer with Focus Sash is the standard set.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, watch for Raikou (Electric) and Venusaur (Grass) when using Kingler. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, run Crabhammer, Swords Dance, Xscissor, and Superpower on Kingler. Crabhammer is the most common pick at 25% 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

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Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Kingler Razor Leaf 2x 39-48% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Kingler Vine Whip 2x 39-48% View Bellsprout builds →
Plusle Electric	D
Upcoming Move Moves SparkLv. 15 Learns Spark at Level 15 View Plusle builds →
Minun Electric	D
Upcoming Move Moves SparkLv. 15 Learns Spark at Level 15 View Minun builds →
Shinx Electric	D
Upcoming Move Moves SparkLv. 13 Learns Spark at Level 13 View Shinx builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Vine Whip 2x 42-50% Bullet Seed 2x 25-31% View Carnivine builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Kingler Bullet Seed 2x 21-25% Absorb 2x 31-38% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 6 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Razor Leaf 2x 31-38% Bullet Seed 2x 21-25% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Vine Whip 2x 35-44% Bullet Seed 2x 21-25% View Bellsprout builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
TM Move Moves Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Bullet Seed 2x 21-25% View Paras builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 166-197%KO Energy Ball 2x 126-150%KO Vine Whip 2x 43-52% Bullet Seed 2x 26-31% View Carnivine builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 145-171%KO Energy Ball 2x 109-129%KO Bullet Seed 2x 17-21% Absorb 2x 29-36% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 109-129%KO Energy Ball 2x 83-98% Magical Leaf 2x 57-67% Razor Leaf 2x 29-36% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 140-166%KO Energy Ball 2x 105-124%KO Vine Whip 2x 34-41% Bullet Seed 2x 21-26% View Bellsprout builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 105-124%KO Energy Ball 2x 78-93% Bullet Seed 2x 21-26% View Paras builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 167-197%KO Energy Ball 2x 127-150%KO Vine Whip 2x 40-47% Bullet Seed 2x 24-30% View Carnivine builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 21 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 146-171%KO Energy Ball 2x 113-133%KO Mega Drain 2x 50-60% Bullet Seed 2x 17-21% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 109-129%KO Energy Ball 2x 83-99% Magical Leaf 2x 57-69% Razor Leaf 2x 29-34% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 137-163%KO Energy Ball 2x 104-124%KO Vine Whip 2x 31-39% Bullet Seed 2x 21-26% View Bellsprout builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 104-124%KO Energy Ball 2x 80-94% Bullet Seed 2x 21-26% View Paras builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 163-193%KO Energy Ball 2x 124-146%KO Vine Whip 2x 39-46% Bullet Seed 2x 24-29% View Carnivine builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 21 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 142-168%KO Energy Ball 2x 108-129%KO Mega Drain 2x 51-61% Bullet Seed 2x 14-18% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 102-121%KO Energy Ball 2x 79-93% Magical Leaf 2x 54-64% Razor Leaf 2x 26-32% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 136-161%KO Energy Ball 2x 102-121%KO Vine Whip 2x 33-39% Bullet Seed 2x 20-25% View Bellsprout builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kingler Solar Beam 2x 100-118%KO Energy Ball 2x 75-89% Bullet Seed 2x 18-21% View Paras builds →

Zapdos ElectricFlying	A
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves ThunderboltSTAB RoostRecovery Hidden Power Ice Heat Wave Damage vs Kingler Thunderbolt 2x 163-191%KO Heat Wave 28-33% View Zapdos builds →
Roserade GrassPoison	B
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves Toxic Spikes Hidden Power Fire SpikesHazard Sleep Powder View Roserade builds →