Lightning Rod redirects Electric moves and boosts its Sp. Atk, letting Marowak hit way above its stat class. Ground typing helps — Electric moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively. A competitive option since Gen 1.
Marowak's spread favors physical bulk over offense. Defense leads the defensive side, Speed eats the cost. Yields 2 Defense EVs per defeat. Medium-fast 1M XP curve to level.
It is small and was originally very weak. Its temperament turned ferocious when it began using bones.
The bone it holds is its key weapon. It throws the bone skillfully like a boomerang to KO targets.
Marowak Weakness
AvgWater, Grass, and Ice-type moves hit Marowak for super-effective damage. The upside? Electric-type moves can't touch it at all. Lightning Rod grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Marowak's physical bulk (base 110 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
Marowak is the evolved form of Cubone. Breeding produces Cubone eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Cubone gave Marowak the biggest boost in Attack (+30), bringing the total to 425 stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Marowak to get Cubone eggs easily using 49 partners from the Monster egg group. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Belly Drum, Perish Song and 4 more.
Marowak runs Swords Dance to boost before sweeping. Rockhead and Adamant nature shape the build, with max HP and Attack EVs to capitalize after one turn of setup, plus the remaining moves to back it up.
Best Build
Best Marowak Moveset
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Focus Punch
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Don't skip the egg moves. Marowak picks up Ancient Power and Belly Drum only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Earthquake and Dig while coverage across 8 types adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
8 encounter spots for Marowak at decent spawn rates starting from late-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Marowak in FireRed & LeafGreen
To get Marowak, start by catching Cubone through walking encounters at Lv. 15-52. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch CuboneCHALLENGINGPokémon Tower - 3FFireRedGrassLv.15-17RareEarlyBuildingCHALLENGINGPokémon Tower - 3FLeafGreenGrassLv.15-17RareEarlyBuildingCHALLENGINGPokémon Tower - 4FFireRedGrassLv.15-17RareEarlyBuildingCHALLENGINGPokémon Tower - 4FLeafGreenGrassLv.15-17RareEarlyBuildingCHALLENGINGPokémon Tower - 5FLeafGreenGrassLv.15-17RareEarlyBuildingCHALLENGINGPokémon Tower - 5FFireRedGrassLv.15-17RareEarlyBuildingEASYPokémon Tower - 7FLeafGreenGrassLv.17-19UncommonMidBuildingEASYPokémon Tower - 7FFireRedGrassLv.17-19UncommonMidBuildingCHALLENGINGPokémon Tower - 6FLeafGreenGrassLv.17-19RareMidBuildingCHALLENGINGPokémon Tower - 6FFireRedGrassLv.17-19RareMidBuildingEASYSevault CanyonLeafGreenGrassLv.46UncommonPostEASYSevault CanyonFireRedGrassLv.46UncommonPost
Step 2Marowak ✓CHALLENGINGVictory Road - 1FFireRedGrassLv.44-46RareLateCaveCHALLENGINGVictory Road - 1FLeafGreenGrassLv.44-46RareLateCaveCHALLENGINGVictory Road - 3FLeafGreenGrassLv.44-46RareLateCaveCHALLENGINGVictory Road - 3FFireRedGrassLv.44-46RareLateCaveEASYSevault CanyonFireRedGrassLv.52UncommonPostEASYSevault CanyonLeafGreenGrassLv.52UncommonPostCHALLENGINGVictory Road - 2FLeafGreenGrassLv.46-48RarePostCaveCHALLENGINGVictory Road - 2FFireRedGrassLv.46-48RarePostCaveor evolve from Cubone (Step 1)
Don't let Marowak's 425 base stat total fool you. Lightning Rod is what makes it tick — it punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier.
Run Lightning Rod on Marowak. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Marowak also gets Rock Head and Battle Armor, but they don't compare.
Marowak fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 80 Attack. Base 45 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Marowak appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Marowak first appeared in Red & Blue and spans 20 games across 9 generations. It later gained an Alolan form in Generation 7, 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 VIISMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A