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.
One claw grew massively and as hard as steel. It has 10,000-HP strength. However, it is too heavy.
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
Kingler's scattered across 8 spots in early-game fishing spots with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Where To Catch Kingler in Yellow
To get Kingler, start by catching Krabby through walking and fishing encounters at Lv. 10-35. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch KrabbyEASYRoute 25Super RodLv.10-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 10Super RodLv.15-20CommonEarlyRouteEASYSeafoam Islands - B4FSuper RodLv.25CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSSeafoam Islands - 1FGrassLv.25-27CommonMidWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B3FSuper RodLv.25CommonMidWaterEFFORTLESSSeafoam Islands - B1FGrassLv.26-28CommonMidWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B2FGrassLv.27-29UncommonMidWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B3FGrassLv.29-31UncommonMidWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B4FGrassLv.30UncommonMidWater
Step 2Kingler ✓EASYRoute 25Super RodLv.15-25CommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 10Super RodLv.25UncommonMidRouteEASYSeafoam Islands - B2FGrassLv.28UncommonMidWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B3FGrassLv.30UncommonMidWaterCHALLENGINGSeafoam Islands - B1FGrassLv.28RareMidWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B4FGrassLv.32UncommonLateWaterMODERATESeafoam Islands - B4FSuper RodLv.35UncommonLateWaterMODERATESeafoam Islands - B3FSuper RodLv.35UncommonLateWateror 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