Pupitar is the mid-stage grind to S-Tier Tyranitar in Emerald. Shed Skin helps with status at C-Tier, and the evolution comes at level 55.
Ability 1Shed SkinAbility 1Has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn.
410HP70Attack84Defense70Speed51Sp.Def70Sp.Atk65
Larvitar
Pupitar
Tyranitar
Weak to
Physical
Balanced
51Speed · Slow

Is Pupitar Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Rock/Ground mid-stage with AbilityShed Skin. Pupitar is the long wait between Larvitar and the level 55 Tyranitar payoff. Decent Defense for surviving the grind. The endpoint justifies the patience, but Salamence exists natively at the same power level.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadETESGETEEEGEERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8PupitarTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Roxanne's team.

You Win
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
You Win
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Even
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Tough

Brawly's team hits Pupitar's weaknesses hard.

Even
Machop
Lv 16
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopLow KickSeismic TossBulk Up
Risky
Meditite
Lv 16
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Focus PunchLight ScreenReflectBulk Up
Risky
Makuhita
Lv 19
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustVital ThrowReversalBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

You Win
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSparkSelf DestructShock Wave
You Win
Electrike
Lv 20
Electric
Static
Shock WaveLeerQuick AttackHowl
Risky
Magneton
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicShock WaveThunder WaveSonic Boom
Even
Manectric
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveShock WaveHowl
Flannery
Gym 4
Strong

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

Easy KO
Numel
Lv 24
FireGround
Oblivious
OverheatTake DownMagnitudeSunny Day
Easy KO
Slugma
Lv 24
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
Easy KO
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
You Win
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Good

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

You Win
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
You Win
Vigoroth
Lv 27
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFacadeEncoreFeint Attack
You Win
Linoone
Lv 29
Normal
Pickup
SlashBelly DrumFacadeHeadbutt
Even
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
CounterYawnFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

You Win
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
Even
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
Even
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Risky
Skarmory
Lv 31
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Even
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Tough

Tate & Liza's team hits Pupitar's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Claydol
Lv 41
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
EarthquakeAncient PowerPsychicLight Screen
Even
Xatu
Lv 41
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
PsychicSunny DayConfuse RayCalm Mind
Risky
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Risky
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Juan
Gym 8
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Juan's team.

Even
Luvdisc
Lv 41
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Risky
Whiscash
Lv 41
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 43
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Even
Crawdaunt
Lv 43
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
Water PulseCrabhammerTauntLeer
Risky
Kingdra
Lv 46
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
Water PulseDouble TeamIce BeamRest
Sidney
Elite Four
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

You Win
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarDouble EdgeSand AttackCrunch
Even
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
TormentDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Even
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Even
Crawdaunt
Lv 48
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
SurfSwords DanceStrengthFacade
You Win
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceRock SlideSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

You Win
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
Even
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Good

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

Easy KO
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamHailIce Ball
You Win
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchIcy WindIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDouble EdgeHailBlizzard
You Win
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallExplosionHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamIce BeamSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectDouble Edge
Even
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Double EdgeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Risky
Kingdra
Lv 53
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenDragon DanceSurfBody Slam
Avoid
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
Even
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

Even
Wailord
Lv 57
Water
Water Veil
Rain DanceWater SpoutDouble EdgeBlizzard
You Win
Tentacruel
Lv 55
WaterPoison
Clear Body
ToxicHydro PumpSludge BombIce Beam
Risky
Ludicolo
Lv 56
WaterGrass
Swift Swim
Giga DrainSurfLeech SeedDouble Team
Risky
Whiscash
Lv 56
WaterGround
Oblivious
EarthquakeSurfAmnesiaHyper Beam
Even
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon DanceEarthquakeHyper BeamSurf
Risky
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverSurfIce BeamToxic

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
RockGround
Tier
C

Pupitar cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four. Alternatively, transfer the pre-evolution and level it up to Lv 30.

View Pupitar locations

How to Get Pupitar in Emerald

Pupitar comes from a Larvitar leveled to 30, but Larvitar never spawns in Emerald. With the base locked behind a transfer, the hard-shell middle stage depends on importing the line before you can grow it.

How to Obtain Pupitar in E

  1. Larvitar
    Step 1Obtain Larvitar
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Sevault Canyon, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Mt. Silver. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Crystal
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Crystal via Walking · Mt. Silver. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Diamond & Pearl via Pokeradar · Route 207. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Platinum via Walking · Route 206 · Swarm (daily, announced in Sandgem Town). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Walking · Mt. Silver. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from X & Y
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in X & Y via Horde · Terminus Cave · Horde battle. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Pupitar
    Step 2Pupitar ✓
  3. Tyranitar
    Step 3Evolve into Tyranitar

How to Get Shiny Pupitar in Emerald

Pupitar has no Emerald encounter, so bring one from a Generation 3 game that carries Larvitar's line, or evolve a shiny Larvitar you traded in at level 30; the recolor holds through both the evolution and the trade. See every game where Shiny Pupitar can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Pupitar in EmeraldNormal
Shiny Pupitar in Emerald Shiny
Color ShiftGraytoPurple
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Pupitar Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

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 III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

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

Kyogre
Kyogre
Water
S
Groudon
Groudon
Ground
S
Breloom
Breloom
GrassFighting
B
Hariyama
Hariyama
Fighting
B
Heracross
Heracross
BugFighting
A

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
Larvitar
#246Larvitar
30
Transfer Only
Pupitar
#247Pupitar
55
Transfer Only
Tyranitar
#248Tyranitar
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 49 partners from the Monster egg group. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Curse, Dragon Dance and 4 more.

Egg Groups
Monster
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
7moves
Breed With (best first)
venusaurcharizardblastoisenidokingmeganiumferaligatrampharossceptileswampertslowbrorhydonslowking

E Pupitar Best Moveset

AbilityShed Skin gives a 30%% chance to heal status each turn, but Pupitar's middling stats keep it off competitive teams. The moveset should run physical Rock and Ground moves while building toward Tyranitar.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Setup Sweeper
Ability
Shed Skin
Item
Soft Sand
Best Nature for Pupitar
Jolly+SPE

Pupitar best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • Dragon Dance
  • Rock SlideSTAB
  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • Hidden Power Bug

Moves List

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

Lv 1
Bite
D6010025Dark
Lv 1
Leer
D—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
B15010010Ground
Lv 65
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal

TM Moves

All 20 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM31
Brick BreakSootopolis Citynot until badge 7
C7510015Fighting
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
C9010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM26
EarthquakeSeafloor Cavernnot until badge 7
B15010010Ground
TM42D7010020Normal
TM21
FrustrationPacifidlog Townbadge 5
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamLilycove Department Storebadge 5
C150905Normal
TM17C——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
HM06D2010015Fighting
TM37
SandstormRoute 111badge 4
D——10Rock
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM12
TauntTrick Housebadge 6
C—10020Dark
TM41
TormentSlateport Citybadge 1
D—10015Dark
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Ancient Power
D901005Rock
Egg
Curse
C——10Ghost
Egg
Dragon Dance
S——20Dragon
Egg
Focus Energy
D——30Normal
Egg
Outrage
C12010010Dragon
Egg
Pursuit
D4010020Dark
Egg
Stomp
D6510020Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D——10Normal
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D3010010Ground
Tutor
Rock Slide
S1129010Rock
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D——10Normal
Tutor
Snore
—4010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C——10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D—9015Normal

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
Abilities
Shed Skin
Has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn.
EV Yield
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

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.

Pokemon Emerald

Pupitar Emerald Guide

  • Pupitar isn't catchable in Emerald. Obtain one in FireRed or LeafGreen, then trade it to Emerald.

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

  • In Emerald, use Pupitar as a balanced. Physical side carries the damage. Not the fastest, Earthquake is the primary attack.

  • For Emerald, run Jolly on Pupitar. +Speed is what matters, and the -Sp. Atk cut doesn't hurt this set. Fits the balanced role.

  • For Emerald, build your team around Tyranitar, Registeel, and Salamence. These have the highest co-usage rates with Pupitar in competitive formats. They cover each other's weaknesses.

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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