At 355 BST, Kabuto is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Kabutops before bringing it to any serious fight.

What is Kabuto weak to?

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Kabuto's biggest threats include Venusaur (Grass), Jolteon (Electric), and Hitmonlee (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Venusaur is the most dangerous since Grass moves deal 4x damage. Ground-type attackers are also a problem.

What is the best ability for Kabuto?

Kabuto gets Swift Swim, Battle Armor, and Weak Armor. But Swift Swim is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.

What role does Kabuto play in battle?

Kabuto is a physical attacker with base 80 Attack. Fragile, can't afford to take many hits, too. Speed tells the real story. At base 55 Speed, it won't be moving first often.

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, For a casual playthrough, Kabuto works as a placeholder. Rock/Water coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Kabutops . That's where the stats start mattering.

Kabuto - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Balanced

DTier

55Speed · Slow

Stats & Training

Nothing fancy in Kabuto's spread. It leans physical with Defense out front. And you'll get 1 Defense EV per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.

Base Stats

Avg

HP30

Attack80

Defense90

Sp. Atk55

Sp. Def45

Speed55

Total355

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging45 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height0.5 m

Weight11.5 kg

Base XP71

Abilities

Swift Swim

Doubles Speed during rain.

Battle Armor

Protects against critical hits.

Weak ArmorHANot in game

Raises Speed and lowers Defense by one stage each upon being hit by a physical move.

EV Yield

HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe

Defense training source

Pokedex Entries

On rare occasions, some have been found as fossils which they became while hiding on the ocean floor.

Kabuto Weakness

Kabuto is weak to Grass, Electric, Fighting, and Ground. Watch out for Grass attacks, those deal 4x damage. The Rock/Water typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Kabuto's physical bulk (base 90 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Kabuto Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
4x (Critical)	Grass
2x (Weak)	Electric, Fighting, Ground
0.5x (Resist)	Normal, Ice, Poison, Flying
0.25x (Resist)	Fire

Type ChartVulnerable

4Weak

5Resist

0Immune

Score-4

Gen IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

Grass

2xWeak

Electric Fighting Ground

½xResist

Normal Ice Poison Flying

¼xResist

Fire

0xImmune

None

STAB (6)

Fire Ice Flying Bug Ground Rock

How to Beat Kabuto in HeartGold & SoulSilver (Best Counters)

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 438-516%KO Energy Ball 4x 331-391%KO Vine Whip 4x 112-133%KO Bullet Seed 4x 65-77% View Carnivine builds →
Tangela Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 26 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 480-565%KO Energy Ball 4x 362-426%KO Vine Whip 4x 77-91% Mega Drain 4x 165-195%KO View Tangela builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 278-328%KO Energy Ball 4x 213-251%KO Magical Leaf 4x 142-167%KO Razor Leaf 4x 83-98% View Chikorita builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 DigTM28 Giga DrainLv. 33 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 266-314%KO Energy Ball 4x 201-237%KO Dig 2x 49-58% Giga Drain 4x 171-202%KO View Paras builds →
Sunkern Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Razor LeafLv. 29 Mega DrainLv. 5 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 207-244%KO Energy Ball 4x 159-188%KO Razor Leaf 4x 65-77% Mega Drain 4x 77-91% View Sunkern builds →

HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution

Kabuto is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Kabutops. Check the evolution method below. Plenty of partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are slow to hatch. Evolving adds up to 140 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms

#140Kabuto

Level 40

#141Kabutops

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Kabuto

RockWater

Kabutops

RockWater

60+30

ATK

115+35

DEF

105+15

SP.ATK

65+10

SP.DEF

70+25

SPE

80+25

BST

355D-Tier

495C-Tier+140

ROLE

Balanced

Wallbreaker

TYPE

Physical

Breeding

Moderate

Breed Kabuto with 69 breeding partners from the Water1 and Water3 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Aurora Beam, Bubble Beam, Confuse Ray and 7 more to offspring.

Egg Groups

Water1Water3

Gender

♂87.5%♀12.5%

Hatch Time

30 cycles·7,710 steps

Moderate~8 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

10moves

Breed With (best first)

HeartGold & SoulSilver Kabuto Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves

Egg moves make a real difference. Kabuto gets Aurora Beam and Bubble Beam exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 7 types rounds out the picture alongside Surf and Waterfall.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Harden

———30Normal

Lv 1

Scratch

—4010035Normal

Lv 6

Absorb

—2010025Grass

Lv 11

Leer

——10030Normal

Lv 16

Mud Shot

—559515Ground

Lv 21

Sand Attack

D—10015Ground

Lv 26

Endure+4

———10Normal

Lv 31

Aqua Jet+1

D4010020Water

Lv 36

Mega Drain

—4010015Grass

Lv 41

Metal Sound

——8540Steel

Lv 46

Ancient Power

D601005Rock

Lv 51

Wring Out

——1005Normal

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

D120705Ice

TM55

Brine

D6510010Water

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

TM28

Dig

C8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM19

Giga Drain

D6010010Grass

TM07

Hail

D——10Ice

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

D9510010Ice

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM69

Rock Polish

C——20Rock

TM80

Rock Slide

C759010Rock

HM06

Rock Smash

D4010015Fighting

TM39

Rock Tomb

C609510Rock

TM37

Sandstorm

———10Rock

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM76

Stealth Rock

C——20Rock

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

HM03

Surf

C9510015Water

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM46

Thief

—6010025Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—8510Poison

TM03

Water Pulse

D6010020Water

HM07

Waterfall

C8010015Water

HM05

Whirlpool

D358515Water

Egg Moves

Egg

Aurora Beam

—6510020Ice

Egg

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Egg

Confuse Ray

D—10010Ghost

Egg

Dig

C8010010Ground

Egg

Flail

——10015Normal

Egg

Icy Wind

D559515Ice

Egg

Knock Off

D6510020Dark

Egg

Mud Shot

—559515Ground

Egg

Rapid Spin

D5010040Normal

Egg

Screech

——8540Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Ancient Power

D601005Rock

Tutor

Earth Power

D9010010Ground

Tutor

Icy Wind

D559515Ice

Tutor

Iron Defense

D——15Steel

Tutor

Knock Off

D6510020Dark

Tutor

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Tutor

Rollout

—309020Rock

Tutor

Snore

D4010015Normal

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Aerial Ace

D60—20Flying

Gen 3

Body Slam

C8510015Normal

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

How to Get Kabuto in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Kabuto is a gift in this game. Pick it up at Pewter City — no wild encounters or spawn rates to deal with. The details below cover exactly when it becomes available.

Best Locations to Catch Kabuto in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Pewter City - Museum of Science

SoulSilverGift from NPC Lv.20 City

LimitedMid

Revive Dome Fossil

Pewter City - Museum of Science

HeartGoldGift from NPC Lv.20 City

LimitedMid

Revive Dome Fossil

Kabuto Guide

At 355 BST, Kabuto is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Kabutops before bringing it to any serious fight.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Kabuto's biggest threats include Venusaur (Grass), Jolteon (Electric), and Hitmonlee (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Venusaur is the most dangerous since Grass moves deal 4x damage. Ground-type attackers are also a problem.
Kabuto gets Swift Swim, Battle Armor, and Weak Armor. But Swift Swim is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Kabuto is a physical attacker with base 80 Attack. Fragile, can't afford to take many hits, too. Speed tells the real story. At base 55 Speed, it won't be moving first often.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, For a casual playthrough, Kabuto works as a placeholder. Rock/Water coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Kabutops. That's where the stats start mattering.

Game Availability

Present since Red & Blue, Kabuto appears in 19 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Kabuto have the longest track record of availability in the series.

Click a game to view version-specific details

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Want to tell us more?

What was most useful?

About:

What could be improved?

About:

Thanks for your feedback

Whiscash WaterGround	C
Available Move Moves Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Kabuto Mud-Slap 2x 37-44% View Whiscash builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Kabuto Razor Leaf 4x 93-111%KO View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Kabuto Vine Whip 4x 111-133%KO View Bellsprout builds →
Meditite FightingPsychic	D
Upcoming Move Moves Force PalmLv. 29 Learns Force Palm at Level 29 View Meditite builds →
Plusle Electric	D
Upcoming Move Moves SparkLv. 15 Learns Spark at Level 15 View Plusle builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kabuto Vine Whip 4x 113-135%KO Bullet Seed 4x 75-90% View Carnivine builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 6 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kabuto Razor Leaf 4x 88-105%KO Bullet Seed 4x 50-60% View Chikorita builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
TM Move Moves Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kabuto Bullet Seed 4x 63-75% View Paras builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Kabuto Bullet Seed 4x 50-60% Absorb 4x 75-90% View Oddish builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kabuto Vine Whip 4x 100-120%KO Bullet Seed 4x 63-75% View Bellsprout builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 425-500%KO Energy Ball 4x 329-388%KO Vine Whip 4x 117-138%KO Bullet Seed 4x 73-88% View Carnivine builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 275-325%KO Energy Ball 4x 213-250%KO Magical Leaf 4x 148-175%KO Razor Leaf 4x 94-113%KO View Chikorita builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Brick BreakTM31 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 275-325%KO Energy Ball 4x 213-250%KO Brick Break 2x 48-58% Bullet Seed 4x 63-75% View Paras builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 371-438%KO Energy Ball 4x 285-338%KO Bullet Seed 4x 52-63% Absorb 4x 73-88% View Oddish builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 360-425%KO Energy Ball 4x 275-325%KO Vine Whip 4x 94-113%KO Bullet Seed 4x 63-75% View Bellsprout builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 428-505%KO Energy Ball 4x 330-389%KO Vine Whip 4x 116-137%KO Bullet Seed 4x 70-84% View Carnivine builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 286-337%KO Energy Ball 4x 214-253%KO Magical Leaf 4x 151-179%KO Razor Leaf 4x 89-105%KO View Chikorita builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 DigTM28 Brick BreakTM31 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 268-316%KO Energy Ball 4x 205-242%KO Dig 2x 49-60% Brick Break 2x 47-56% View Paras builds →
Sunkern Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 5 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 214-253%KO Energy Ball 4x 160-189%KO Mega Drain 4x 79-95% Bullet Seed 4x 35-42% View Sunkern builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 21 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 384-453%KO Energy Ball 4x 286-337%KO Mega Drain 4x 133-158%KO Bullet Seed 4x 44-53% View Oddish builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 428-504%KO Energy Ball 4x 325-383%KO Vine Whip 4x 110-130%KO Bullet Seed 4x 65-78% View Carnivine builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 272-322%KO Energy Ball 4x 206-243%KO Magical Leaf 4x 139-165%KO Razor Leaf 4x 81-96% View Chikorita builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 DigTM28 Brick BreakTM31 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 258-304%KO Energy Ball 4x 199-235%KO Dig 2x 49-58% Brick Break 2x 46-55% View Paras builds →
Sunkern Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Razor LeafLv. 29 Mega DrainLv. 5 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 206-243%KO Energy Ball 4x 155-183%KO Razor Leaf 4x 65-78% Mega Drain 4x 74-87% View Sunkern builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 21 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Kabuto Solar Beam 4x 370-435%KO Energy Ball 4x 280-330%KO Mega Drain 4x 132-157%KO Bullet Seed 4x 43-52% View Oddish builds →

Magnezone ElectricSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves ThunderboltSTAB Hidden Power Fire Thunder Wave Explosion Damage vs Kabuto Thunderbolt 2x 275-324%KO Explosion 32-38% View Magnezone builds →
Roserade GrassPoison	B
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves Toxic Spikes Hidden Power Fire SpikesHazard Sleep Powder View Roserade builds →
Gliscor GroundFlying	B
Recommended Build AbilityHypercutter ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves EarthquakeSTAB RoostRecovery TauntUtility Ice Fang Damage vs Kabuto Earthquake 2x 114-134%KO Ice Fang 12-14% View Gliscor builds →
Heracross BugFighting	B
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves Close Combat MegahornSTAB Stone Edge Sleep Talk Damage vs Kabuto Close Combat 2x 208-245%KO Megahorn 104-122%KO Stone Edge 58-68% View Heracross builds →
Venusaur GrassPoison	C
Recommended Build AbilityOvergrow ItemBlack Sludge NatureCalm Moves Sleep Powder Leech Seed Giga Drain Sludge Bomb Damage vs Kabuto Giga Drain 4x 312-367%KO Sludge Bomb 46-55% View Venusaur builds →