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.
The large pincer has 10000 hp of crushing power. However, its huge size makes it unwieldy to use.
Kingler Weakness
AvgKingler's Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric and Grass moves. Its Water typing keeps the defensive matchups simple. Kingler's physical bulk (base 115 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
- Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
- Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
- Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split
Evolve Krabby at level 28 to get Kingler. At 475 stats, this Water type caps the chain without any egg option. Evolving from Krabby gave Kingler the biggest boost in HP (+25), bringing the total to 475 stats.
How to Evolve
an item 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
- Hyper Beam
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
Without TMs, Kingler's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Normal and Ice coverage on top of Crabhammer and Surf for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
high spawn rates for Kingler across 8 locations in mid-game fishing spots. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Kingler in Red & Blue
The path to Kingler starts with Krabby at Lv. 15-39 via fishing and walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch KrabbyEASYFuchsia CityBlueSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyCityEASYFuchsia CityRedSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyCityEASYRoute 11BlueSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 11RedSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 12RedSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 12BlueSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 13BlueSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 13RedSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 17BlueSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 17RedSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 18BlueSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 18RedSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 24BlueSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 24RedSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 25BlueSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 25RedSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 6BlueSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 6RedSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYSafari Zone - CenterBlueSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyFacilityEASYSafari Zone - CenterRedSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyFacilityEASYSafari Zone - EastBlueSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyFacilityEASYSafari Zone - EastRedSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyFacilityEASYSafari Zone - NorthBlueSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyFacilityEASYSafari Zone - NorthRedSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyFacilityEASYSafari Zone - WestRedSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyFacilityEASYSafari Zone - WestBlueSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyFacilityEASYVermilion City - CityRedSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyCityEASYVermilion City - CityBlueSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyCityEASYVermilion City - HarborBlueSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyCityEASYVermilion City - HarborRedSuper RodLv.15CommonEarlyCityEFFORTLESSSeafoam Islands - B1FBlueGrassLv.30-32CommonMidWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - 1FBlueGrassLv.28-30UncommonMidWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B2FBlueGrassLv.28-30UncommonMidWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B3FBlueGrassLv.29-31UncommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSSeafoam Islands - B4FBlueGrassLv.31-33CommonLateWater
Step 2Kingler ✓EASYCerulean Cave - 1FBlueSuper RodLv.23CommonMidCaveEASYCerulean Cave - 1FRedSuper RodLv.23CommonMidCaveEASYCerulean Cave - B1FBlueSuper RodLv.23CommonMidCaveEASYCerulean Cave - B1FRedSuper RodLv.23CommonMidCaveEASYRoute 23RedSuper RodLv.23CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 23BlueSuper RodLv.23CommonMidRouteCHALLENGINGSeafoam Islands - B1FBlueGrassLv.37RareLateWaterCHALLENGINGSeafoam Islands - B3FBlueGrassLv.39RareLateWateror 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 B-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