The String Spit Pokemon. Spinarak appears at night in Crystal. Ariados at D-Tier has Baton Pass as its only real competitive niche.
250HP40Attack60Defense40Speed30Sp.Def40Sp.Atk40
Spinarak
Ariados
Weak to
Physical
Balanced
30Speed · Very Slow

Is Spinarak Good in Crystal Playthrough?

Available in Crystal without needing Gold version. Route 2 nighttime encounters. Ariados evolves at 22 and provides Poison/Bug coverage that no one is asking for. Crystal unlocks the access, not the performance.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEEEEEEEEGEGTGGEEETEETSpinarakCatchFalknerGym 1BugsyGym 2WhitneyGym 3AriadosEvolveMortyGym 4ChuckGym 5JasmineGym 6PryceGym 7ClairGym 8SurgeGym 9SabrinaGym 10ErikaGym 11JanineGym 12MistyGym 13BrockGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16WillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4LanceChamp*
Falkner
Gym 1
Even

Spinarak trades roughly evenly with Falkner's team.

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

Spinarak trades roughly evenly with Bugsy's team.

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

Spinarak trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.

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

Ariados trades roughly evenly with Morty's team.

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

Ariados trades roughly evenly with Chuck's team.

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

Ariados trades roughly evenly with Jasmine's team.

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

Ariados trades roughly evenly with Pryce's team.

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

Ariados trades roughly evenly with Clair's team.

Even
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
Good

Ariados has the type edge here and should clean up Lt. Surge's team.

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

Ariados 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
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 48
Psychic
Synchronize
RecoverFuture SightPsychicReflect
Erika
Gym 11
Good

Ariados has the type edge here and should clean up Erika's team.

You Win
Tangela
Lv 42
Grass
Chlorophyll
Vine WhipBindGiga DrainSleep Powder
Easy KO
Jumpluff
Lv 41
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Mega DrainLeech SeedCotton SporeGiga Drain
You Win
Victreebel
Lv 46
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisAcidRazor Leaf
You Win
Bellossom
Lv 46
Grass
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisPetal DanceSolar Beam
Janine
Gym 12
Tough

Janine's team hits Ariados's weaknesses hard.

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

Ariados has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.

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

Ariados has the type edge here and should clean up Brock's team.

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

Ariados trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.

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

Ariados trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

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

Ariados 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
You Win
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
Tough

Koga's team hits Ariados's weaknesses hard.

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

Ariados trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.

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

Ariados trades roughly evenly with Karen's team.

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

Lance's team hits Ariados's weaknesses hard.

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

Catchable

Available before Badge 1
Type
BugPoison
Tier
E

Catch Spinarak on Route 30 (walking, Lv 3, common).

View Spinarak locations

Evolve Spinarak to Ariados

Level 22
Type
BugPoison
Tier
E

Spinarak evolves into Ariados at Level 22. Your Spinarak should hit Level 22 before you reach Morty, at typical leveling pace.

View Ariados locations

Recommended Moves

How to Get Spinarak in Crystal

Spinarak works the night shift, common in dusk grass and uncommon in Headbutt trees across the early routes. It mirrors Ledyba's spread but trades morning for night.

11 locations to catch Spinarak

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 1
Headbutt
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8
Post-Game

How to Get Shiny Spinarak in Crystal

Spinarak spins through the night grass on Route 30 and Route 31 and the National Park; hunt after dark, when the little spider is a common sight. Compare Shiny Spinarak odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Spinarak in CrystalNormal
Shiny Spinarak in Crystal Shiny
Color ShiftGreentoBlue
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Spinarak Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Crystal Shiny Spinarak Calculator

2 Methods
Fastest Path

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

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 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.

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

Want exact numbers for your session? Calculate your shiny odds in Crystal with Spinarak preloaded.

Spinarak Weakness

Spinarak's Bug/Poison typing leaves it vulnerable to Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock. The Bug/Poison typing picks up 4 resistances to work with.

Spinarak Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fire, Flying, Psychic, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Poison, Bug
0.25x (Resist)Grass, Fighting
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 Spinarak Weak Against

Avg
4Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score-2
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
0xImmune
None

What is Spinarak Strong Against

3Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score0
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Spinarak

Zubat
Zubat
PoisonFlying
D
Pidgey
Pidgey
NormalFlying
D
D
Hoothoot
Hoothoot
NormalFlying
D

Spinarak Evolutions

Spinarak is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Ariados. Check the evolution method below. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. The evolved forms gain up to 150 total stats over Spinarak. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Spinarak
BugPoison
Ariados
BugPoison
HP
40
70+30
ATK
60
90+30
DEF
40
70+30
SP.ATK
40
60+20
SP.DEF
40
70+30
SPE
30
40+10
BST
250E-Tier
400E-Tier+150
ROLE
Balanced
Trick Room
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Spinarak easily with 23 breeding partners from the Bug egg group. Pass egg moves like Baton Pass, Disable, Psybeam and 2 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Bug
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
15 cycles·3,855 steps
Quick~4 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
5moves
Breed With (best first)
parasectparasshuckleforretressvenomothgligarariadosbutterfreebeedrillledianyanmavenonat

C Spinarak Best Moveset

Bug/Poison pre-evolution. No competitive role exists at these stats. Ariados provides marginal improvement.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Spinarak
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Sludge BombSTAB
  • Leech LifeSTAB
  • AgilitySetup
  • Poison StingSTAB

Moves List

The natural movepool does the job, but Baton Pass and Disable from the egg pool give Spinarak something extra.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Poison Sting
S2210035Poison
Lv 1
String Shot
D—9540Bug
Lv 6
Scary Face
——9010Normal
Lv 11
Constrict
—1010035Normal
Lv 17
Night Shade
D—10015Ghost
Lv 23
Leech Life
S3010010Bug
Lv 30
Fury Swipes
D188015Normal
Lv 37
Spider Web
D——10Bug
Lv 45
Agility
S——30Psychic
Lv 53
Psychic
D9010010Psychic

TM Moves

15 of 21 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45D—10015Normal
TM28
DigNational Parkbadge 2
D6010010Ground
TM32———15Normal
TM20
Endure+4Burned Towerbadge 4
D——10Normal
HM05D—7020Normal
TM19D751005Grass
TM10D6010015Normal
TM17C——10Normal
TM29D9010010Psychic
TM44
RestIce Pathnot until badge 7
C——10Psychic
TM36S13510010Poison
TM13
SnoreMoomoo Farmbadge 3
—4010015Normal
TM22
Solar BeamRoute 27not until badge 8
D12010010Grass
TM11C——5Fire
TM34
SwaggerOlivine Lighthousebadge 4
C—8515Normal
TM46D6010025Dark
TM06C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Baton Pass
C——40Normal
Egg
Disable
D—5520Normal
Egg
Psybeam
—6510020Psychic
Egg
Pursuit
D4010020Dark
Egg
Sonic Boom
——9020Normal

Tutor Moves

Spinarak can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP40
D
Attack60
C
Defense40
D
Sp. Atk40
D
Sp. Def40
D
Speed30
F
Total250
Details
Catch Rate
Guaranteed255 / 255
Growth Rate
Fast800,000 XP
Height0.5 m
Weight8.5 kg
Base XP50
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

If prey becomes ensnared in its nest of spun string, it waits motionlessly until it becomes dark.

Pokemon Crystal

Spinarak Crystal Guide

  • In Crystal, for a casual playthrough, Spinarak works as a placeholder. Bug/Poison coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Ariados. That's where the stats start mattering.

Game Availability

Debuting in Gold & Silver, Spinarak appears in 17 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.

Explore

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