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.
Even sealed in its shell, it can move freely. Hard and fast, it has outstanding destructive power.
It will not stay still, even while it’s a pupa. It already has arms and legs under its solid shell.
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.
Partway through Larvitar's chain. Pupitar still has another evolution ahead before reaching Tyranitar. For breeding, takes forever to hatch with plenty of partners 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 58 partners from the Monster egg group. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Curse, Stomp.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
The natural movepool does the job, but Ancient Power and Curse from the egg pool give Pupitar something extra.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
You'll want endgame access before hunting Pupitar. Low spawn rates across 2 encounter spots means the location matters. Sort by Best below and target the top-rated area first.
Where To Catch Pupitar in Sword & Shield
The path to Pupitar starts with Larvitar at Lv. 50-65 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch LarvitarMODERATERoaring-Sea CavesOverworldLv.60-6510%PostCaveAll WeatherCHALLENGINGLake of OutrageGrassLv.50-525%PostWaterIntense SunCHALLENGINGLake of OutrageGrassLv.50-525%PostWaterOvercast
Step 2Pupitar ✓HARDLake of OutrageGrassLv.50-522%PostWaterSandstormCHALLENGINGLake of OutrageOverworldLv.55-582%PostWaterSandstormor evolve from Larvitar (Step 1)
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