Transfer-only and F-Tier. Hyper Cutter prevents Attack drops, but Krabby's Water moves still run off Special in Gen 3's type system. Not worth importing.
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 Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

Not native to Hoenn. Trade from FireRed or LeafGreen. The physical/special type split still haunts Kingler in Gen 3: Water moves run off Special while Kingler's 130 Attack sits unused. AbilityHyper Cutter prevents Attack drops but the stat can't power the moves you want.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGETEEEETEEEEERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8KrabbyTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Good

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

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
You Win
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
TackleHardenRock ThrowRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Brawly's team.

Even
Machop
Lv 17
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopSeismic TossBulk Up
Even
Makuhita
Lv 18
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustKnock OffSand AttackBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Tough

Wattson's team hits Krabby's weaknesses hard.

Even
Magnemite
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomThunder ShockThunder Wave
Risky
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSelf DestructSparkSonic Boom
Risky
Magneton
Lv 23
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomShock WaveThunder Wave
Flannery
Gym 4
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Flannery's team.

Even
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
FlamethrowerRock SlideLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Torkoal
Lv 28
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatBody SlamFlailAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

Even
Slaking
Lv 28
Normal
Truant
EncoreFacadeYawnFeint Attack
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 30
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFeint AttackFacadeEncore
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

Even
Swellow
Lv 31
NormalFlying
Guts
Quick AttackAerial AceDouble TeamEndeavor
Risky
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Even
Skarmory
Lv 32
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
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Even
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Wallace
Gym 8
Tough

Wallace's typing presses Krabby's defenses.

Risky
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Even
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
Even
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Avoid
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Avoid
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Sidney
Elite Four
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

Even
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
Risky
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Risky
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Risky
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
You Win
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
Risky
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

Even
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
Even
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
Even
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
Risky
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

Risky
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
Risky
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
You Win
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
Even
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
Risky
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Steven
Champion
Even

Krabby trades roughly evenly with Steven's team.

Risky
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
You Win
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
Even
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
Even
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
You Win
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Risky
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam

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 Ruby & Sapphire

Krabby does not appear in Ruby or Sapphire; Corphish fills the river-crab niche instead. Trade one in to start the Kingler line.

How to Obtain Krabby in RS

  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 Ruby & Sapphire

Krabby never scuttles through Hoenn, so hook a shiny at Route 10 in FireRed or LeafGreen and trade it over. See every game where Shiny Krabby can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Krabby in Ruby & SapphireNormal
Shiny Krabby in Ruby & Sapphire 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
Roselia
Roselia
GrassPoison
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

RS Krabby Best Moveset

105 Attack where Water TermStab uses Sp. Atk (25) instead. AbilityHyper Cutter prevents Attack drops from Intimidate, but physical moves are the only honest option. Kingler improves marginally.

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
HM01D509530Normal
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
C6010010Ground
HM08
DiveMossdeep Citybadge 6
B9010010Water
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42S7010020Normal
TM07
HailShoal Cavebadge 6
———10Ice
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamAbandoned Shipbadge 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
HM06
Rock SmashMauville Citybadge 2
D2010015Fighting
TM39D609510Rock
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
HM04
StrengthRusturf Tunnelbadge 3
—8010015Normal
HM03
SurfPetalburg Citybadge 5
D14210015Water
TM46
ThiefSlateport Citybadge 1
C6010025Dark
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulsePrize for defeating Wallacenot 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

Krabby can't learn any Tutor moves

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 on beaches, burrowed inside holes dug into the sand. On sandy beaches with little in the way of food, these POKéMON can be seen squabbling with each other over territory.

Pokemon Ruby / Pokemon Sapphire

Krabby Ruby & Sapphire Guide

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

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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