Mid-stage Pokemon like Pupitar rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Tyranitar, which is where the real potential kicks in. Relies on priority moves or Scarf to keep up. Electric moves can't touch it, which offsets the 6 weaknesses somewhat.
Attack and HP carry most of Pupitar's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 2 Attack EVs. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
A PUPITAR creates a gas inside its body that it ejects under compression to propel itself like a jet. Its body can withstand a collision with solid steel.
Pupitar Weakness
FragilePupitar's Rock/Ground typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Ground, and Steel moves. Water and Grass hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Electric-type attacks completely. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
Partway through Larvitar's chain. Pupitar still has another evolution ahead before reaching Tyranitar. For breeding, takes forever to hatch with a decent partner pool via one egg group. So far, HP got the biggest boost (+20 from Larvitar). The final form adds another 190 stats on top.
How to Evolve
Breed with Pupitar to get Larvitar eggs using 49 partners from the Monster egg group. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Curse, Dragon Dance and 4 more.
The game plan is straightforward: click Dragon Dance, then sweep. Softsand and Shedskin support the setup turn. EVs go into max Attack and Speed so Pupitar hits hard once it's boosted.
Best Build
Best Pupitar Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power Bug
Recommended Teammates
The natural movepool does the job, but Ancient Power and Curse from the egg pool give Pupitar something extra. Pair those with Earthquake and Dig for STAB and Dark and Normal coverage and more for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
No wild encounters for Pupitar in Emerald. Bring Larvitar over from Gold, Crystal, or Scarlet, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
Pupitar is meant to evolve into Tyranitar. At 410 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Watch for Starmie (Water), Exeggutor (Grass), and Cloyster (Ice) when using Pupitar. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Starmie is the most dangerous since Water moves deal 4x damage. Fighting, Ground, and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Shed Skin has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn — that's the one you want on Pupitar. It's the only ability Pupitar has.
At base 51 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Pupitar is a physical attacker with base 84 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Pupitar appears in 18 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Available in 18 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Pupitar spans 8 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through catching or hatching as a base form in most mainline games.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
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 VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A