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 good prediction 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 stat exp. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
Its shell is as hard as sheet rock, and it is also very strong. Its THRASHING can topple a mountain.
Even sealed in its shell, it can move freely. Hard and fast, it has outstanding destructive power.
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
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
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 36 partners from the Monster egg group. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Focus Energy, Outrage and 2 more.
Best Build
Gen 2 build content has limited support (no abilities).
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The natural movepool does the job, but Ancient Power and Focus Energy from the egg pool give Pupitar something extra. Pair those with Earthquake and Dig for STAB and Dark and Normal coverage for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Pupitar doesn't appear wild. Catch Larvitar instead, it shows up at moderate rates. Evolve it at level 30 to get Pupitar. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Pupitar in Gold & Silver
Larvitar is your first catch on the way to Pupitar. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 15-20 across 8 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch LarvitarCHALLENGINGMt. Silver - 1FGoldGrassLv.15-20RareEarlyCaveCHALLENGINGMt. Silver - 1FSilverGrassLv.15-20RareEarlyCaveCHALLENGINGMt. Silver - 2FGoldGrassLv.15-20RareEarlyCaveCHALLENGINGMt. Silver - 2FSilverGrassLv.15-20RareEarlyCaveCHALLENGINGMt. Silver - Side chambersSilverGrassLv.15-20RareEarlyCaveCHALLENGINGMt. Silver - Side chambersGoldGrassLv.15-20RareEarlyCaveCHALLENGINGMt. Silver - SummitSilverGrassLv.15-20RareEarlyCaveCHALLENGINGMt. Silver - SummitGoldGrassLv.15-20RareEarlyCave
Step 2Pupitar ✓
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.
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