Stats & Training
Cranidos's all-in on Attack at the expense of Sp. Atk. The physical lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 1 Attack EV and follows a standard growth curve.
It lived in jungles around a hundred million years ago. It used its skillful headbutts to combat Aerodactyl.
In rock layers where Cranidos fossils are found, the fossilized trunks of trees snapped in two are also often found.
Cranidos Weakness
Cranidos is weak to Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. That's a lot of weak spots to cover so team support is important.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying |
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Magnezone builds →Flash Cannon 2x192-226%KO Mirror Shot 2x156-184%KO Magnet Bomb 2x73-87% | ||
 Klinklang Steel | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Klinklang builds →Mirror Shot 2x95-112%KO Gear Grind 2x82-97% | ||
 Bewear NormalFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Bewear builds →Superpower 2x231-273%KO Hammer Arm 2x194-228%KO Brick Break 2x145-171%KO | ||
 Bastiodon RockSteel | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Shieldon (Route 8 Gift) | ||
 Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Passimian builds →Close Combat 2x224-264%KO Energy Ball 2x58-69% Brick Break 2x142-167%KO Rock Smash 2x77-91% | ||
In Sun & Moon, Cobalion can KO Cranidos with Close Combat (140-165%). Volcanion's Fire Blast also KOs at 98-115%.
 Cobalion SteelFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemFightiniumz NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Cobalion builds →Close Combat 2x140-165%KO Stone Edge39-46% | ||
 Ferrothorn GrassSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureSassy Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
 Volcanion FireWater | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Volcanion builds →Sludge Bomb53-63% Fire Blast98-115%KO | ||
 Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Infernape builds →Close Combat 2x143-169%KO Fire Blast73-86% | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityThickfat ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Mamoswine builds →Earthquake 2x214-252%KO Ice Shard43-51% Knock Off46-55% | ||
Sun & Moon Evolution
Cranidos evolves into Rampardos. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are slow to hatch. Evolving adds up to 145 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Cranidos with 79 breeding partners from the Monster egg group. Pass egg moves like Crunch, Curse, Double-Edge and 8 more to offspring.
Sun & Moon Cranidos Best Moveset
Cranidos runs a standard attacker set. Hardy nature with spread EVs shapes the build, while Apicotberry brings extra utility. Mold Breaker supports the kit from the background.
Best Build
Cranidos best EVs are HP and Defense
Bulky Support Moveset
- Thunder Punch
- Blizzard
- Earth Power
- Double Edge
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Breeding opens up real options for Cranidos. Crunch and Curse come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Head Smash and Stone Edge and coverage across 9 types.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Cranidos in Sun & Moon
Cranidos is handed to you at Route 8. No encounter rates or random spawns involved, so there's nothing to grind. Check the location details below for the exact conditions to trigger it.
Best Locations to Catch Cranidos in Sun & Moon
Cranidos Guide
In Sun & Moon, Cranidos isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Rampardos to unlock its full potential. At 350 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
In Sun & Moon, Run Sheer Force on Cranidos. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Cranidos also gets Mold Breaker, but they don't compare.
In Sun & Moon, Sheer Force is the hidden ability. It strengthens moves with extra effects to 1.3× their power, but prevents their extra effects. Worth hunting for if you want Cranidos to compete at a higher level.
In Sun & Moon, Cranidos fills the cannon role. It's a special attacker with base 30 Sp. Atk. At base 58 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's fragile, can't afford to take many hits.
Game Availability
Cranidos first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 12 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
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 4DPDebut
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