Stats & Training
Attack and HP carry most of Pupitar's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 2 Attack EVs. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
PUPITAR creates a gas inside its body that it compresses and forcefully ejects to propel itself like a jet. The body is very durable - it avoids damage even if it hits solid steel.
PUPITAR creates a gas inside its body that it compresses and forcefully ejects to propel itself like a jet. The body is very durable - it avoids damage even if it hits solid steel.
Pupitar Weakness
Pupitar's Rock/Ground typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. Water and Grass hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Electric-type attacks completely. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Water, Grass |
| 2x (Weak) | Ice, Fighting, Ground, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Fire, Flying, Rock |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Poison |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
In Ruby & Sapphire, Forretress's Earthquake hits Pupitar for 63-75%. Heracross threatens a KO with Megahorn (91-107%). Gyarados's Earthquake also KOs at 111-131%.
 Forretress BugSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Pupitar View Forretress builds →Rapid Spin8-9% Explosion39-46% Earthquake 2x63-75% | ||
 Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySwarm ItemSalacberry NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Pupitar View Heracross builds →Megahorn91-107%KO Rock Slide19-22% | ||
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Pupitar View Gyarados builds →Earthquake 2x111-131%KO | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Pupitar View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x103-122%KO Rock Slide13-15% | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityEffect Spore ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Pupitar View Breloom builds →Mach Punch 2x63-75% | ||
Ruby & Sapphire Evolution
Partway through Larvitar's chain. Pupitar still has another evolution ahead before reaching Tyranitar. For breeding, takes forever to hatch with a decent partner pool via one egg group. So far, HP got the biggest boost (+20 from Larvitar). The final form adds another 190 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Pupitar to get Larvitar eggs using 49 partners from the Monster egg group. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Curse, Dragon Dance and 4 more.
Ruby & Sapphire Pupitar Best Moveset
The game plan is straightforward: click Dragon Dance, then sweep. Softsand and Shedskin support the setup turn. EVs go into max Attack and Speed so Pupitar hits hard once it's boosted.
Best Build
Pupitar best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power Bug
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The natural movepool does the job, but Ancient Power and Curse from the egg pool give Pupitar something extra. Pair those with Earthquake and Dig for STAB and Dark and Normal coverage and more for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Pupitar in Ruby & Sapphire
Pupitar isn't available in the wild in Ruby & Sapphire. Start by transferring Larvitar from Gold, Crystal, or Scarlet. The evolution path from Larvitar to Pupitar is covered in the steps below.
Pupitar Guide
Pupitar is meant to evolve into Tyranitar. At 410 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
In Ruby & Sapphire, watch for Starmie (Water), Exeggutor (Grass), and Cloyster (Ice) when using Pupitar. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Starmie is the most dangerous since Water moves deal 4x damage. Fighting, Ground, and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Shed Skin has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn. That's the one you want on Pupitar. It's the only ability Pupitar has.
At base 51 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Pupitar is a physical attacker with base 84 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Game Availability
Available in 18 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Pupitar spans 9 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through catching or hatching as a base form in most mainline games.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
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