The River Crab Pokemon. Krabby is import-only and F-Tier in Emerald. Hyper Cutter prevents Attack drops, but D-Tier Kingler's wasted Attack isn't worth it.
Ability 1Hyper CutterAbility 1Prevents Attack from being lowered by other Pokémon.Ability 2Shell ArmorAbility 2Protects against critical hits.
325HP30Attack105Defense90Speed50Sp.Def25Sp.Atk25
Krabby
Kingler
Weak to
Special
Attacker
50Speed · Slow

Is Krabby Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Import from FRLG. Krabby evolves into Kingler at 28 with AbilityHyper Cutter preventing Attack drops. The catch: Water is Special in Gen 3, so Kingler's massive Attack stat doesn't power Water moves. Physical/special mismatch wastes its defining feature.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGETGEEETEEETTRoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8KrabbyTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Good

Krabby has the type edge here and should clean up Roxanne's team.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
You Win
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Brawly's team.

Even
Machop
Lv 16
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopLow KickSeismic TossBulk Up
Even
Meditite
Lv 16
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Focus PunchLight ScreenReflectBulk Up
Even
Makuhita
Lv 19
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustVital ThrowReversalBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Tough

Wattson's team hits Krabby's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSparkSelf DestructShock Wave
Risky
Electrike
Lv 20
Electric
Static
Shock WaveLeerQuick AttackHowl
Even
Magneton
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicShock WaveThunder WaveSonic Boom
Avoid
Manectric
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveShock WaveHowl
Flannery
Gym 4
Good

Krabby has the type edge here and should clean up Flannery's team.

You Win
Numel
Lv 24
FireGround
Oblivious
OverheatTake DownMagnitudeSunny Day
You Win
Slugma
Lv 24
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
Even
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

You Win
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 27
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFacadeEncoreFeint Attack
You Win
Linoone
Lv 29
Normal
Pickup
SlashBelly DrumFacadeHeadbutt
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
CounterYawnFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

You Win
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
Even
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
Risky
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Even
Skarmory
Lv 31
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Risky
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Tate & Liza's team.

Even
Claydol
Lv 41
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
EarthquakeAncient PowerPsychicLight Screen
Risky
Xatu
Lv 41
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
PsychicSunny DayConfuse RayCalm Mind
Even
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Even
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Juan
Gym 8
Tough

Juan's typing presses Krabby's defenses.

Even
Luvdisc
Lv 41
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Even
Whiscash
Lv 41
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
Even
Sealeo
Lv 43
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Risky
Crawdaunt
Lv 43
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
Water PulseCrabhammerTauntLeer
Avoid
Kingdra
Lv 46
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
Water PulseDouble TeamIce BeamRest
Sidney
Elite Four
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

Even
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarDouble EdgeSand AttackCrunch
Risky
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
TormentDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Even
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Risky
Crawdaunt
Lv 48
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
SurfSwords DanceStrengthFacade
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceRock SlideSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

You Win
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
Risky
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

Even
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamHailIce Ball
Even
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchIcy WindIce Beam
Even
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDouble EdgeHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallExplosionHailIce Beam
Risky
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamIce BeamSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Tough

Drake's typing presses Krabby's defenses.

Risky
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectDouble Edge
Risky
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Double EdgeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Avoid
Kingdra
Lv 53
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenDragon DanceSurfBody Slam
Even
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
Risky
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Tough

Wallace's team hits Krabby's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Wailord
Lv 57
Water
Water Veil
Rain DanceWater SpoutDouble EdgeBlizzard
Risky
Tentacruel
Lv 55
WaterPoison
Clear Body
ToxicHydro PumpSludge BombIce Beam
Risky
Ludicolo
Lv 56
WaterGrass
Swift Swim
Giga DrainSurfLeech SeedDouble Team
Risky
Whiscash
Lv 56
WaterGround
Oblivious
EarthquakeSurfAmnesiaHyper Beam
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon DanceEarthquakeHyper BeamSurf
Avoid
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverSurfIce BeamToxic

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
Water
Tier
E

Krabby cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.

View Krabby locations

How to Get Krabby in Emerald

No wild crab scuttles the local beaches, so Krabby has to be traded in. Corphish fills that fresh-water crustacean slot on the regional water instead.

How to Obtain Krabby in E

  1. Krabby
    Step 1Krabby ✓
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Red & Blue via Super rod · Route 6. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Yellow
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Yellow via Super rod · Route 25. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Gold & Silver via Rock smash · Cianwood City. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Kingler
    Step 2Evolve into Kingler

How to Get Shiny Krabby in Emerald

Krabby pinches no Emerald shoreline, so bring one from FireRed or LeafGreen; a Good Rod off Cerulean City or Route 10 works in either, and LeafGreen adds Super Rod spots like Bond Bridge, so fish the shine there first. See every game where Shiny Krabby can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Krabby in EmeraldNormal
Shiny Krabby in Emerald Shiny
Color ShiftRedtoYellow
Shiny TierC Tier Shiny

Shiny Krabby Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Krabby Weakness

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.

Krabby Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Krabby Weak Against

Good
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Krabby Strong Against

3Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score0
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Krabby

Ludicolo
Ludicolo
WaterGrass
C
B
Cacturne
Cacturne
GrassDark
B
Vileplume
Vileplume
GrassPoison
C
C

Krabby Evolutions

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 take an average time to hatch. Evolving adds up to 150 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Krabby
#098Krabby
28
Transfer Only
Kingler
#099Kingler
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
325E-Tier
475E-Tier+150
ROLE
Attacker
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Krabby easily with 19 breeding partners from the Water 3 egg group. Pass egg moves like Amnesia, Dig, Flail and 4 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Water 3
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
7moves
Breed With (best first)
crawdauntcorsolacorphishomastarkabutopsomanytekabutotentacruelcloysterstarmiekinglerstaryu

E Krabby Best Moveset

105 Attack is impressive for a pre-evolution, but Water TermStab runs off the weaker special stat. AbilityHyper Cutter protects Attack from drops. The moveset cannot compete without evolution.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Wallbreaker
Ability
Hyper Cutter
Item
Choice BandPOWER
Best Nature for Krabby

Krabby best EVs are Attack and HP

EVs

Physical Wallbreaker Moveset

  • FacadeCoverage
  • Body Slam
  • Mud Shot
  • Hidden Power Fighting

Moves List

The egg pool carries weight here. Amnesia and Dig 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
Bubble
—3010030Water
Lv 5
Leer
D—10030Normal
Lv 12
Vise Grip
D5510030Normal
Lv 16
Harden
C——30Normal
Lv 23
Mud Shot
S559515Ground
Lv 27
Stomp
C6510020Normal
Lv 34
Guillotine
——305Normal
Lv 41
Protect+4
C——10Normal
Lv 45
Crabhammer
B1508510Water

TM Moves

All 23 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14D120705Ice
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
C6010010Ground
HM08B9010010Water
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42S7010020Normal
TM21
FrustrationPacifidlog Townbadge 5
D—10020Normal
TM07
HailShoal Cavebadge 6
———10Ice
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510010Ice
TM17C——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
HM06D2010015Fighting
TM39D609510Rock
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
HM04—8010015Normal
TM46
ThiefSlateport Citybadge 1
C6010025Dark
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulsePrize for defeating Juannot until badge 8
D9010020Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Amnesia
D——20Psychic
Egg
Dig
C6010010Ground
Egg
Flail
D—10015Normal
Egg
Haze
C——30Ice
Egg
Knock Off
C6510020Dark
Egg
Slam
—807520Normal
Egg
Swords Dance
C——30Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
S8510015Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Tutor
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Tutor
Fury Cutter
—109520Bug
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Mimic
D——10Normal
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D——10Normal
Tutor
Snore
—4010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C——10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D—9015Normal
Tutor
Swords Dance
C——30Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP30
F
Attack105
B
Defense90
B
Sp. Atk25
F
Sp. Def25
F
Speed50
D
Total325
Details
Catch Rate
Easy225 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.4 m
Weight6.5 kg
Base XP65
Abilities
Hyper Cutter
Prevents Attack from being lowered by other Pokémon.
Shell Armor
Protects against critical hits.
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

KRABBY live in holes dug into beaches. On sandy shores with little in the way of food, they can be seen squabbling with each other over territory.

Pokemon Emerald

Krabby Emerald Guide

  • No. Krabby isn't catchable in Emerald. Catch one in FireRed or LeafGreen, then trade it over.

  • In Emerald, Krabby has 325 BST and evolves into Kingler. Compare the two forms before you give either one a team slot.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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