Pupitar is C-Tier cocoon stage in Crystal between Larvitar and S-Tier Tyranitar. The level 55 evolution threshold is one of the longest waits in the game.
410HP70Attack84Defense70Speed51Sp.Def70Sp.Atk65
Larvitar
Pupitar
Tyranitar
Weak to
Physical
Balanced
51Speed · Slow

Is Pupitar Good in Crystal Playthrough?

Middle stage from level 30 to 55. Pupitar sits here through the bulk of Crystal's postgame content. Keep grinding past Red if you're committed to reaching Tyranitar for the Battle Tower.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGEGGTGEESETGEESEEGTGEFalknerGym 1BugsyGym 2WhitneyGym 3MortyGym 4ChuckGym 5JasmineGym 6PryceGym 7ClairGym 8SurgeGym 9SabrinaGym 10ErikaGym 11JanineGym 12MistyGym 13BrockGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16PupitarCatchableWillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4LanceChamp*
Falkner
Gym 1
Good

Pupitar has the type edge here and should clean up Falkner's team.

You Win
Pidgey
Lv 7
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud Slap
You Win
Pidgeotto
Lv 9
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud SlapGust
Bugsy
Gym 2
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Bugsy's team.

You Win
Metapod
Lv 14
Bug
Shed Skin
TackleString ShotHarden
You Win
Kakuna
Lv 14
BugPoison
Shed Skin
Poison StingString ShotHarden
Risky
Scyther
Lv 16
BugFlying
Swarm
Quick AttackLeerFury Cutter
Whitney
Gym 3
Good

Pupitar has the type edge here and should clean up Whitney's team.

You Win
Clefairy
Lv 18
Normal
Cute Charm
Double SlapMimicEncoreMetronome
Even
Miltank
Lv 20
Normal
Thick Fat
RolloutAttractStompMilk Drink
Morty
Gym 4
Good

Pupitar has the type edge here and should clean up Morty's team.

Easy KO
Gastly
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
LickSpiteMean LookCurse
You Win
Haunter
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisMimicCurseNight Shade
Even
Gengar
Lv 25
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
HypnosisShadow BallMean LookDream Eater
Easy KO
Haunter
Lv 23
GhostPoison
Levitate
SpiteMean LookMimicNight Shade
Chuck
Gym 5
Tough

Chuck's team hits Pupitar's weaknesses hard.

Even
Primeape
Lv 27
Fighting
Vital Spirit
LeerRageKarate ChopFury Swipes
Risky
Poliwrath
Lv 30
WaterFighting
Water Absorb
HypnosisMind ReaderSurfDynamic Punch
Jasmine
Gym 6
Good

Pupitar has the type edge here and should clean up Jasmine's team.

Easy KO
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Easy KO
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Even
Steelix
Lv 35
SteelGround
Rock Head
ScreechSunny DayRock ThrowIron Tail
Pryce
Gym 7
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Pryce's team.

You Win
Seel
Lv 27
Water
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
You Win
Dewgong
Lv 29
WaterIce
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
Even
Piloswine
Lv 31
IceGround
Oblivious
Icy WindFury AttackMistBlizzard
Clair
Gym 8
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Clair's team.

Risky
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSurfSlamDragon Breath
Even
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveThunderboltSlamDragon Breath
Even
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveIce BeamSlamDragon Breath
Risky
Kingdra
Lv 40
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenSurfHyper BeamDragon Breath
Lt. Surge
Gym 9
Strong

Pupitar resists most of Lt. Surge's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Raichu
Lv 44
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveQuick AttackThunderboltThunder
Easy KO
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
Easy KO
Magneton
Lv 40
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Lock OnDouble TeamSwiftZap Cannon
Easy KO
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
You Win
Electabuzz
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder PunchLight ScreenThunder
Sabrina
Gym 10
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Espeon
Lv 46
Psychic
Synchronize
Sand AttackQuick AttackSwiftPsychic
Even
Mr Mime
Lv 46
Psychic
Soundproof
BarrierReflectBaton PassPsychic
Even
Alakazam
Lv 48
Psychic
Synchronize
RecoverFuture SightPsychicReflect
Erika
Gym 11
Tough

Erika's team hits Pupitar's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Tangela
Lv 42
Grass
Chlorophyll
Vine WhipBindGiga DrainSleep Powder
Even
Jumpluff
Lv 41
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Mega DrainLeech SeedCotton SporeGiga Drain
Risky
Victreebel
Lv 46
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisAcidRazor Leaf
Risky
Bellossom
Lv 46
Grass
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisPetal DanceSolar Beam
Janine
Gym 12
Good

Pupitar has the type edge here and should clean up Janine's team.

You Win
Crobat
Lv 36
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
ScreechSupersonicConfuse RayWing Attack
You Win
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
You Win
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
You Win
Ariados
Lv 33
BugPoison
Swarm
Scary FaceGiga DrainString ShotNight Shade
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 39
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ForesightDouble TeamGustPsychic
Misty
Gym 13
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.

Even
Golduck
Lv 42
Water
Damp
SurfDisablePsych UpPsychic
Even
Quagsire
Lv 42
WaterGround
Damp
SurfAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance
You Win
Lapras
Lv 44
WaterIce
Water Absorb
SurfPerish SongBlizzardRain Dance
Risky
Starmie
Lv 47
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SurfConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam
Brock
Gym 14
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.

Even
Graveler
Lv 41
RockGround
Rock Head
Defense CurlRock SlideRolloutEarthquake
You Win
Rhyhorn
Lv 41
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackScary FaceEarthquakeHorn Drill
Even
Omastar
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
BiteSurfProtectSpike Cannon
Even
Onix
Lv 44
RockGround
Rock Head
BindRock SlideBideSandstorm
Even
Kabutops
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
SlashSurfEndureGiga Drain
Blaine
Gym 15
Strong

Pupitar resists most of Blaine's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Magcargo
Lv 45
FireRock
Magma Armor
CurseSmogFlamethrowerRock Slide
Easy KO
Magmar
Lv 45
Fire
Flame Body
Thunder PunchFire PunchSunny DayConfuse Ray
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
Quick AttackFire SpinFury AttackFire Blast
Blue
Gym 16
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

You Win
Pidgeot
Lv 56
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
Quick AttackWhirlwindWing AttackMirror Move
Even
Alakazam
Lv 54
Psychic
Synchronize
DisableRecoverPsychicReflect
Even
Rhydon
Lv 56
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackSandstormRock SlideEarthquake
Even
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
TwisterHydro PumpRain DanceHyper Beam
Risky
Exeggutor
Lv 58
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayLeech SeedEgg BombSolar Beam
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 58
Fire
Intimidate
RoarSwiftFlamethrowerExtreme Speed
Will
Elite Four
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Will's team.

Even
Xatu
Lv 40
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
You Win
Jynx
Lv 41
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapLovely KissIce PunchPsychic
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 41
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
ReflectLeech SeedEgg BombPsychic
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 41
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
CurseAmnesiaBody SlamPsychic
Even
Xatu
Lv 42
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
Koga
Elite Four
Good

Pupitar has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

You Win
Ariados
Lv 40
BugPoison
Swarm
Double TeamSpider WebBaton PassGiga Drain
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 41
BugPoison
Shield Dust
SupersonicGustPsychicToxic
Even
Forretress
Lv 43
BugSteel
Sturdy
ProtectSwiftExplosionSpikes
Easy KO
Muk
Lv 42
Poison
Stench
MinimizeAcid ArmorSludge BombToxic
Even
Crobat
Lv 44
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Double TeamQuick AttackWing AttackToxic
Bruno
Elite Four
Tough

Bruno's team hits Pupitar's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Hitmontop
Lv 42
Fighting
Intimidate
PursuitQuick AttackDigDetect
Risky
Hitmonlee
Lv 42
Fighting
Limber
SwaggerDouble KickHigh Jump KickForesight
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 42
Fighting
Keen Eye
Thunder PunchIce PunchFire PunchMach Punch
Even
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Rock Head
BindEarthquakeSandstormRock Slide
Risky
Machamp
Lv 46
Fighting
Guts
Rock SlideForesightVital ThrowCross Chop
Karen
Elite Four
Good

Pupitar has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.

Even
Umbreon
Lv 42
Dark
Synchronize
Sand AttackConfuse RayFeint AttackMean Look
Even
Vileplume
Lv 42
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidMoonlightPetal Dance
Easy KO
Gengar
Lv 45
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
LickSpiteCurseDestiny Bond
You Win
Murkrow
Lv 44
DarkFlying
Insomnia
Quick AttackWhirlwindPursuitFeint Attack
You Win
Houndoom
Lv 47
DarkFire
Early Bird
RoarPursuitFlamethrowerCrunch
Lance
Champion
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 44
WaterFlying
Intimidate
FlailRain DanceSurfHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterThunderHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterBlizzardHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 46
RockFlying
Rock Head
Wing AttackAncient PowerRock SlideHyper Beam
You Win
Charizard
Lv 46
FireFlying
Blaze
FlamethrowerWing AttackSlashHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 50
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Fire BlastSafeguardOutrageHyper Beam

Catchable

Post-game only
Type
RockGround
Tier
C

Catch Pupitar in Mt. Silver (walking, Lv 20, rare).

View Pupitar locations

How to Get Pupitar in Crystal

Wild Pupitar is a single rare Mt. Silver spawn, buried in the postgame. Leveling a Larvitar to 30 is the only sane way up the pseudo line before then.

1 location to catch Pupitar

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 8
Post-Game

Where To Catch Pupitar in C

Larvitar gets you Pupitar sooner: pick up it on Celadon City (before Badge 9) and evolve it at Lv 30. Wild Pupitar first appears at Mt. Silver (after Badge 8).

  1. Pupitar
    Step 2Pupitar ✓
    or evolve from Larvitar (Step 1)
  2. Tyranitar
    Step 3Evolve into Tyranitar
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Larvitar egg.

Want the exact numbers? Work out your catch odds in Crystal for Pupitar.

How to Get Shiny Pupitar in Crystal

Pupitar shells up on Mt. Silver in the morning and daytime around level 20, but it is a rare table entry, so the summit grind runs long. Compare Shiny Pupitar odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Pupitar in CrystalNormal
Shiny Pupitar in Crystal Shiny
Color ShiftGraytoPurple
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Pupitar Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Crystal Shiny Pupitar Calculator

3 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Breed w/ Shiny Parent, about 1 in 64 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method3 in Crystal

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Breed w/ Shiny Parent: Eggs inherit stats from a shiny parent, so about 1 in 64 hatch shiny. A shiny Ditto helps every egg, and any other shiny parent (the red Gyarados works) helps only eggs of the opposite gender.

Soft Reset: Save in front of a static, gift, or legendary encounter, then reset until it sparkles.

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 64Breed w/ Shiny Parent
Chance By Now50.8%at 45 eggs hatchedAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few7----
25%one in four19----
50%coin flip45----
90%very likely147----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Curious how fast a hunt could go? Work out your Crystal shiny odds for Pupitar.

Pupitar Weakness

Pupitar's Rock/Ground typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. 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.

Pupitar Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Water, Grass
2x (Weak)Ice, Fighting, Ground, Steel
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Fire, Flying, Rock
0.25x (Resist)Poison
0x (Immune)Electric
Gen II Type Chart
  • 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

What is Pupitar Weak Against

Fragile
6Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score-7

What is Pupitar Strong Against

8Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+8
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Pupitar

Celebi
Celebi
PsychicGrass
C
Tangela
Tangela
Grass
C
Suicune
Suicune
Water
B
Vileplume
Vileplume
GrassPoison
C
Victreebel
Victreebel
GrassPoison
C

Pupitar Evolutions

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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Larvitar
RockGround
Pupitar
RockGround
Tyranitar
RockDark
HP
50
70+20
100+30
ATK
64
84+20
134+50
DEF
50
70+20
110+40
SP.ATK
45
65+20
95+30
SP.DEF
50
70+20
100+30
SPE
41
51+10
61+10
BST
300E-Tier
410C-Tier+110
600S-Tier+190
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Utility
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Moderate

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.

Egg Groups
Monster
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
5moves
Breed With (best first)
venusaurcharizardblastoisenidokingmeganiumferaligatrampharosslowbrorhydonslowkingivysaurcharmeleon

C Pupitar Best Moveset

Rock/Ground middle stage with stats improving toward Tyranitar. MoveEarthquake at reduced power. One evolution from the top of the competitive hierarchy.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Pupitar
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • RestRecovery
  • Rock SlideSTAB

Moves List

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

Lv 1
Bite
D6010025Dark
Lv 1
Leer
——10030Normal
Lv 1
Sandstorm
D——10Rock
Lv 1
Screech
D—8540Normal
Lv 8
Sandstorm
D——10Rock
Lv 15
Screech
D—8540Normal
Lv 22
Rock Slide
S1129010Rock
Lv 29
Thrash
—12010020Normal
Lv 38
Scary Face
——9010Normal
Lv 47
Crunch
C8010015Dark
Lv 56
Earthquake
S15010010Ground
Lv 65
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal

TM Moves

17 of 22 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45D—10015Normal
TM43
Detect+4Lake of Ragebadge 6
D——5Fighting
TM28
DigNational Parkbadge 2
C9010010Ground
TM32———15Normal
TM26
EarthquakeVictory Roadnot until badge 8
S15010010Ground
TM20
Endure+4Burned Towerbadge 4
D——10Normal
TM02D7010015Normal
TM10D6010015Normal
TM15C150905Normal
TM31D3010010Ground
TM17C——10Normal
TM18C——5Water
TM44
RestIce Pathnot until badge 7
S——10Psychic
TM37
SandstormRoute 27not until badge 8
D——10Rock
TM13
SnoreMoomoo Farmbadge 3
—4010015Normal
TM11C——5Fire
TM34
SwaggerOlivine Lighthousebadge 4
C—8515Normal
TM06C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Ancient Power
D901005Rock
Egg
Focus Energy
———30Normal
Egg
Outrage
C12010010Dragon
Egg
Pursuit
D4010020Dark
Egg
Stomp
—6510020Normal

Tutor Moves

Pupitar can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP70
C
Attack84
C
Defense70
C
Sp. Atk65
C
Sp. Def70
C
Speed51
D
Total410
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.2 m
Weight152.0 kg
Base XP144
EV Yield
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

It will not stay still, even while it’s a pupa. It already has arms and legs under its solid shell.

Pokemon Crystal

Pupitar Crystal Guide

  • Yes. Pupitar is a post-game Pokemon. You need to defeat the Elite Four and enter the Hall of Fame first. Pupitar becomes available after the main story is complete in Crystal.

  • In Crystal, Pupitar has 410 BST and evolves into Tyranitar. Compare the two forms before you give either one a team slot.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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