Stats & Training
Arbok's stats barely vary. 2 sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 2 Attack EVs, medium-fast 1M XP curve to max.
Transfixing prey with the face-like pattern on its belly, it binds and poisons the frightened victim.
With a very vengeful nature, it won’t give up the chase, no matter how far, once it targets its prey.
Arbok Weakness
Arbok is weak to Ground and Psychic. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting, Poison, Bug |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Whiscash builds →Zen Headbutt 2x53-63% Mud-Slap 2x22-28% | ||
 Meditite FightingPsychic | D | |
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Whiscash builds →Zen Headbutt 2x53-63% Mud Bomb 2x58-70% Mud-Slap 2x20-25% | ||
 Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Bronzor builds →Extrasensory 2x37-45% Confusion 2x25-30% | ||
 Wooper WaterGround | D | |
Obtain MethodRuins Of Alph Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Wooper builds →Mud Bomb 2x33-40% Mud Shot 2x28-35% | ||
 Spoink Psychic | D | |
 Drowzee Psychic | D | |
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Bronzor builds →Extrasensory 2x34-41% Confusion 2x23-28% | ||
 Numel FireGround | D | |
 Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Sandshrew builds →Dig 2x72-86% Sand Tomb 2x34-41% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x112-133%KO Dig 2x89-105%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Bronzor builds →Extrasensory 2x34-40% Confusion 2x23-28% | ||
Numel FireGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Numel builds →Earth Power 2x68-80% Dig 2x63-74% | ||
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Sandshrew builds →Dig 2x75-90% Sand Tomb 2x34-40% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x107-126%KO Dig 2x85-101%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Bronzor builds →Extrasensory 2x32-38% Confusion 2x21-25% | ||
Numel FireGround | D | |
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Sandshrew builds →Dig 2x72-85% Sand Tomb 2x35-41% | ||
 Gligar Ground | C | |
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x111-131%KO Dig 2x90-106%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Bronzor builds →Future Sight 2x48-57% Extrasensory 2x32-38% Confusion 2x23-27% | ||
Numel FireGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Numel builds →Earth Power 2x66-79% Dig 2x65-76% | ||
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Flygon can KO Arbok with Earthquake (143-168%). Azelf threatens a KO with Explosion (113-133%). Alakazam's Psychic also KOs at 141-167%.
 Flygon GroundDragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x143-168%KO Outrage85-100%KO U Turn16-20% | ||
 Azelf Psychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Azelf builds →Explosion113-133%KO U Turn16-19% | ||
 Alakazam Psychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySynchronize ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Arbok View Alakazam builds →Psychic 2x141-167%KO Focus Blast31-37% Shadow Ball42-49% | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | C | |
Ground is super effective against ArbokView Garchomp → | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution
Arbok is the evolved form of Ekans. Breeding produces Ekans eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Ekans gave Arbok the biggest boost in HP (+25), bringing the total to 438 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
Breeding
Breed with Arbok to get Ekans eggs easily using 30 partners from the Dragon and Ground egg groups. Notable egg moves include Beat Up, Disable, Poison Fang and 6 more.
HeartGold & SoulSilver Arbok Best Moveset
Ground coverage gives Arbok answers even while choice-locked. Choice Scarf provides speed patching through item lock, and max Attack and Speed EVs with Intimidate mean every prediction that lands hits hard.
Best Build
Arbok best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Earthquake
- Switcheroo
- Gunk Shot
- Aqua Tail
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 10 types means almost nothing walls Arbok cleanly, with Gunk Shot and Sludge Bomb anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Arbok in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Arbok is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 4 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Where To Catch Arbok in HeartGold & SoulSilver
To get Arbok, start by catching Ekans through walking and gift encounters at Lv. 4-30. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch EkansRoute 32SoulSilverGrass Lv.4 RouteCommonEarlyRoute 33SoulSilverGrass Lv.7 RouteCommonEarlyMorning/dayRoute 3SoulSilverGrass Lv.8 RouteUncommonEarlyRoute 4SoulSilverGrass Lv.8 RouteUncommonEarlyGoldenrod City - Game CornerHeartGoldGift from NPC Lv.15 CityLimitedEarlyPurchase: 700 coins
Step 2Arbok ✓Route 3Grass Lv.10 RouteRareEarlyRoute 4Grass Lv.10 RouteRareEarlyRoute 27Grass Lv.28 RouteCommonMidRoute 26Grass Lv.30 RouteRareMidor evolve from Ekans (Step 1)
Arbok Guide
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Ekans evolves into Arbok at level 22. Arbok is the fully evolved form. It sits at 438 BST in its evolved form.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Arbok can work for a story run. 438 BST is average, but Poison typing fills a niche depending on your team composition.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Don't let Arbok's 438 base stat total fool you. Intimidate is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier. Earthquake with Choice Scarf is the standard set.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Run Intimidate on Arbok. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Arbok also gets Shed Skin and Unnerve, but they don't compare.
Game Availability
Arbok has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves