Physical
Attacker
325Low
50Slow
DTier

Krabby is technically a pre-evolution of Kingler, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Sheer Force drops secondary effects for a straight power boost, adding extra value. Only weak to Electric and Grass.

The stat bars tell the story: Attack carries everything and Sp. Atk's dead weight. But this River Crab Pokemon still yields 1 Attack EV per fight on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.

Base Stats
325Avg
HP30
F
Attack105
B
Defense90
B
Sp. Atk25
F
Sp. Def25
F
Speed50
D
Total325
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Krabby yields +1 Atk
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Details
Catch225EasyMedium Fast1M XP0.4m / 1'04"6.5kg / 14.3 lbs65Base XP
Pokedex Entries

It can be found near the sea. The large pincers grow back if they are torn out of their sockets.

Sword

If it senses danger approaching, it cloaks itself with bubbles from its mouth so it will look bigger.

Shield

Krabby Weakness

Good

Type-wise, Krabby takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. The Water typing picks up 4 resistances to work with. Krabby's physical bulk (base 90 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

4xCriticali
None
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Scorei0
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
Hyper CutterPrevents Attack from being lowered by other Pokémon.
Shell ArmorProtects against critical hits.
Sheer ForceHAStrengthens moves with extra effects to 1.3× their power, but prevents their extra effects.

Krabby is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Kingler. Check the evolution method below. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 150 stat points total.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Krabby
Water
Kingler
Water
HP
30
55+25
ATK
105
130+25
DEF
90
115+25
SP.ATK
25
50+25
SP.DEF
25
50+25
SPE
50
75+25
BST
325C-Tier
475C-Tier+150
ROLE
Attacker
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Physical
Physical
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed Krabby easily with 32 breeding partners from the Water3 egg group. Pass egg moves like Ancient Power, Hammer Arm, Knock Off and 2 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Water3
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
5moves
Breed With (best first)
drapionclawitzergolisopodcursolacrawdauntcorsolaskorupiclaunchercorphisharcheopsomastarkabutops

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

The egg pool carries weight here. Ancient Power and Hammer Arm aren't available any other way for Krabby, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Crabhammer and Surf for solid options.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
10030Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 4
Harden
30Normal
Lv 8
Metal Claw
509535Steel
Lv 12
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Lv 16
Protect+4
10Normal
Lv 20
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Lv 24
Stomp
6510020Normal
Lv 29
Flail
10015Normal
Lv 32
Razor Shell
759510Water
Lv 36
Slam
807520Normal
Lv 40
Swords Dance
20Normal
Lv 44
Crabhammer
1009010Water
Lv 48
Guillotine
305Normal

TM Moves

Src
TR12
Agility
30Psychic
TR83
Ally Switch+2
15Psychic
TR17
Amnesia
20Psychic
TM31
Attract
10015Normal
TR06
Blizzard
110705Ice
TR01
Body Slam
8510015Normal
TM43
Brick Break
7510015Fighting
TM55
Brine
6510010Water
TM15
Dig
8010010Ground
TM45
Dive
8010010Water
TR26
Endure+4
10Normal
TM39
Facade
7010020Normal
TM94
False Swipe
4010040Normal
TM59
Fling
10010Dark
TM35
Hail
10Ice
TR05
Ice Beam
9010010Ice
TM27
Icy Wind
559515Ice
TR46
Iron Defense
15Steel
TR98
Liquidation
8510010Water
TM53
Mud Shot
559515Ground
TM25
Protect+4
10Normal
TM33
Rain Dance
5Water
TM83
Razor Shell
759510Water
TM21
Rest
10Psychic
TM22
Rock Slide
759010Rock
TM48
Rock Tomb
609515Rock
TM76
Round
6010015Normal
TR84
Scald
8010015Water
TR27
Sleep Talk
10Normal
TM24
Snore
5010015Normal
TR20
Substitute
10Normal
TR39
Superpower
1201005Fighting
TR04
Surf
9010015Water
TM
Swords Dance
20Normal
TM23
Thief
6010025Dark
TM36
Whirlpool
358515Water
TR60
X-Scissor
8010015Bug

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Ancient Power
601005Rock
Egg
Hammer Arm
1009010Fighting
Egg
Knock Off
6510020Dark
Egg
Night Slash
7010015Dark
Egg
Slash
7010020Normal

Tutor Moves

Krabby can't learn any Tutor moves

Krabby is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 44 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.

Best Locations

Krabby's encounter pool splits between Sword and Shield. You've got 44 walking and fishing spots at Lv. 7-28 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.

West Lake Axewell
SwordGrassLv.7-1140%EarlyCaveOvercast
EFFORTLESS
West Lake Axewell
ShieldGrassLv.7-1140%EarlyCaveOvercast
EFFORTLESS
West Lake Axewell
SwordGrassLv.7-1130%EarlyCaveHeavy Fog
EFFORTLESS
West Lake Axewell
ShieldGrassLv.7-1130%EarlyCaveHeavy Fog
EFFORTLESS
West Lake Axewell
SwordGrassLv.7-1130%EarlyCaveNormal Weather
EFFORTLESS
West Lake Axewell
ShieldGrassLv.7-1130%EarlyCaveNormal Weather
EFFORTLESS
South Lake Miloch
SwordOverworldLv.14-1630%EarlyWaterNormal Weather
EFFORTLESS
South Lake Miloch
ShieldOverworldLv.14-1530%EarlyWaterNormal Weather
EFFORTLESS
South Lake Miloch
SwordOverworldLv.14-1630%EarlyWaterThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
South Lake Miloch
ShieldOverworldLv.14-1630%EarlyWaterThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
West Lake Axewell
SwordGrassLv.7-1120%EarlyCaveThunderstorm
EASY
West Lake Axewell
ShieldGrassLv.7-1120%EarlyCaveThunderstorm
EASY
West Lake Axewell
SwordGrassLv.7-1120%EarlyCaveRaining
EASY
West Lake Axewell
ShieldGrassLv.7-1120%EarlyCaveRaining
EASY
Fields of Honor
SwordOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyThunderstorm
EASY
Fields of Honor
ShieldOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyThunderstorm
EASY
Fields of Honor
SwordOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyRaining
EASY
Fields of Honor
ShieldOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyRaining
EASY
Fields of Honor
ShieldGrassLv.13-1815%EarlyThunderstorm
EASY
Fields of Honor
SwordGrassLv.13-1815%EarlyRaining
EASY
Fields of Honor
ShieldGrassLv.13-1815%EarlyRaining
EASY
Fields of Honor
SwordGrassLv.13-1815%EarlyThunderstorm
EASY
West Lake Axewell
SwordOverworldLv.8-1410%EarlyCaveRaining
MODERATE
West Lake Axewell
ShieldOverworldLv.8-1410%EarlyCaveRaining
MODERATE
West Lake Axewell
SwordOverworldLv.8-1410%EarlyCaveNormal Weather
MODERATE
West Lake Axewell
ShieldOverworldLv.8-1410%EarlyCaveNormal Weather
MODERATE
South Lake Miloch
SwordOverworldLv.14-1610%EarlyWaterRaining
MODERATE
South Lake Miloch
ShieldOverworldLv.14-1610%EarlyWaterRaining
MODERATE
South Lake Miloch
SwordOverworldLv.14-1610%EarlyWaterOvercast
MODERATE
South Lake Miloch
ShieldOverworldLv.14-1610%EarlyWaterOvercast
MODERATE
South Lake Miloch
SwordOverworldLv.14-1610%EarlyWaterSnowing
MODERATE
South Lake Miloch
ShieldOverworldLv.14-1610%EarlyWaterSnowing
MODERATE
West Lake Axewell
SwordOverworldLv.8-145%EarlyCaveSnowstorm
MODERATE
West Lake Axewell
ShieldOverworldLv.8-145%EarlyCaveSnowstorm
MODERATE
Giant's Cap
SwordSuper RodLv.26-2835%Mid
EASY
Giant's Cap
ShieldSuper RodLv.26-2835%Mid
EASY
Loop Lagoon
SwordOverworldLv.16-2120%MidThunderstorm
EASY
Loop Lagoon
ShieldOverworldLv.16-2120%MidThunderstorm
EASY
Loop Lagoon
SwordOverworldLv.16-2120%MidRaining
EASY
Loop Lagoon
ShieldOverworldLv.16-2120%MidRaining
EASY
Loop Lagoon
SwordGrassLv.19-2415%MidThunderstorm
EASY
Loop Lagoon
ShieldGrassLv.19-2415%MidThunderstorm
EASY
Loop Lagoon
SwordGrassLv.19-2415%MidRaining
EASY
Loop Lagoon
ShieldGrassLv.19-2415%MidRaining
EASY
  • At 325 BST, Krabby is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Kingler before bringing it to any serious fight.

  • Krabby's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric) and Exeggutor (Grass), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Krabby evolves into Kingler at level 28. Krabby is the base form of this evolutionary line.

  • Krabby gets Sheer Force, Hyper Cutter, and Shell Armor. But Sheer Force is the one that matters — it's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.

  • Krabby is a physical attacker with base 105 Attack. Fragile — can't afford to take many hits, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. Fits the attacker role.

  • Krabby appears in 19 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.

Present since Red & Blue, Krabby appears in 19 games spanning 9 generations. Gen 1 originals like Krabby have the longest track record of availability in the series.