High risk, high reward with Rampardos. The offense is outstanding but the bulk won't survive much — 50 base Sp. Def is the weak link. 5 type weaknesses to keep in mind. Known as the Head Butt Pokemon. Introduced in Gen 4.
Attack leads and Sp. Def gets almost nothing. That's Rampardos's stat line in a nutshell. 2 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Tough to catch and yields 2 Attack EVs.
Its skull withstands impacts of any magnitude. As a result, its brain never gets the chance to grow.
Rampardos Weakness
FragileWater, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel-type moves hit Rampardos for super-effective damage. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. 5 weaknesses means you'll want teammates that can handle the coverage gaps.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
Evolved from Cranidos. Rampardos is the final form in this two-stage line. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are slow to hatch. Attack grew the most through evolution (+40 over Cranidos), and Rampardos peaks at 495 total stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Rampardos to get Cranidos eggs using 63 partners from the Monster egg group. Notable egg moves include Crunch, Curse, Double-Edge and 6 more.
Ground coverage gives Rampardos answers even while choice-locked. Choice Scarf provides speed patching through item lock, and max Attack and Speed EVs with Mold Breaker mean every prediction that lands hits hard.
Best Build
Best Rampardos Moveset
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
- Head Smash
- Thunder Punch
Recommended Teammates
Coverage runs deep. Rampardos can hit 11 types beyond STAB, including Normal and Dark. The offense anchors on Head Smash and Stone Edge while TMs handle everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
You're catching Cranidos first, not Rampardos. Cranidos appears but it's a rare spawn in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Rampardos in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Step 1Catch CranidosMODERATEPewter City - Museum of ScienceSoulSilverGift from NPCLv.20LimitedMidCityRevive Skull FossilMODERATEPewter City - Museum of ScienceHeartGoldGift from NPCLv.20LimitedMidCityRevive Skull Fossil
Step 2Rampardos ✓
Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Rampardos. The 495 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a cannon.
Cranidos evolves into Rampardos at level 30. Rampardos is the fully evolved form. At 495 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
Sheer Force is what you want on Rampardos. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Mold Breaker) work on paper but Sheer Force is what makes Rampardos worth using.
At base 58 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Rampardos is a physical attacker with base 165 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a cannon.
Rampardos appears in 12 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.
Available in 12 titles since its debut in Diamond & Pearl, Rampardos spans 6 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in a solid number of games.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDPDebut
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