Physical
Trick Room
40Speed · Very Slow

Is Ariados Good in Crystal Playthrough?

Better than Ledian but that bar is underground. Ariados has some Dark-type coverage through MoveNight Shade that helps against Will at the E4. Crystal makes it available to everyone, which doesn't change the fact that most teams find better options by Goldenrod.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEEETEEEEGGGTEEEEETEESpinarakCatchFalknerGym 1BugsyGym 2WhitneyGym 3AriadosEvolveMortyGym 4ChuckGym 5JasmineGym 6PryceGym 7ClairGym 8SurgeGym 9SabrinaGym 10ErikaGym 11JanineGym 12MistyGym 13BrockGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16WillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4
Falkner
Gym 1
Even

Spinarak trades roughly evenly with Falkner's team.

Even
Pidgey
Lv 7
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud Slap
Even
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
Even
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
Fairy
Cute Charm
Double SlapMimicEncoreMetronome
Risky
Miltank
Lv 20
Normal
Thick Fat
RolloutAttractStompMilk Drink
Morty
Gym 4
Tough

Morty's team hits Ariados's weaknesses hard.

Even
Gastly
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
LickSpiteMean LookCurse
Even
Haunter
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisMimicCurseNight Shade
Avoid
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.

You Win
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
You Win
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
You Win
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
Even
Magneton
Lv 40
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Lock OnDouble TeamSwiftZap Cannon
You Win
Electabuzz
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder PunchLight ScreenThunder
Sabrina
Gym 10
Good

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

You Win
Espeon
Lv 46
Psychic
Synchronize
Sand AttackQuick AttackSwiftPsychic
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 46
PsychicFairy
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
Even
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
Even
Ariados
Lv 33
BugPoison
Swarm
Scary FaceGiga DrainString ShotNight Shade
Risky
Venomoth
Lv 39
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ForesightDouble TeamGustPsychic
Misty
Gym 13
Even

Ariados trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.

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

Ariados trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.

Even
Graveler
Lv 41
RockGround
Rock Head
Defense CurlRock SlideRolloutEarthquake
Even
Rhyhorn
Lv 41
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackScary FaceEarthquakeHorn Drill
Even
Omastar
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
BiteSurfProtectSpike Cannon
Risky
Onix
Lv 44
RockGround
Rock Head
BindRock SlideBideSandstorm
Even
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
Risky
Rhydon
Lv 56
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackSandstormRock SlideEarthquake
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
TwisterHydro PumpRain DanceHyper Beam
Easy KO
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.

Risky
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
ReflectHypnosisEgg BombPsychic
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 41
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
CurseAmnesiaBody SlamPsychic
Risky
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
Risky
Venomoth
Lv 41
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsychicGustSupersonicToxic
Avoid
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
DigCounterTriple KickQuick Attack
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 42
Fighting
Limber
SwaggerDouble KickHigh Jump KickForesight
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 42
Fighting
Keen Eye
Thunder PunchIce PunchFire PunchMach Punch
Even
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Rock Head
SandstormDragon BreathRock SlideEarthquake
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 SporePetal DanceAcidMoonlight
Risky
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
Catch Spinarak
Available before Badge 1
Type
BugPoison
Tier
E

Catch Spinarak on Route 29 (Headbutt, Lv 10, uncommon).

View Spinarak locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Bugsy
    • TM28GroundDig80100%10
    • LV 17GhostNight Shade50100%15
  • After Whitney
    • TM13NormalSnore50100%15
    • LV 23BugLeech Life120100%10
  • After Jasmine
    • TM36PoisonSludge Bomb135100%10
    • TM10NormalHidden Power60100%15
    • TM46DarkThief60100%25
    • LV 53PsychicPsychic90100%10
Evolve Spinarak to Ariados
Level 22
Type
BugPoison
Tier
E

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

View Ariados locations

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 22)
    • LV 22GhostNight Shade50100%15
  • After Bugsy
    • TM28GroundDig80100%10
  • After Whitney
    • TM13NormalSnore50100%15
    • LV 25BugLeech Life120100%10
  • After Jasmine
    • TM36PoisonSludge Bomb135100%10
    • TM10NormalHidden Power60100%15
    • TM46DarkThief60100%25
    • LV 63PsychicPsychic90100%10

How to Get Ariados in Crystal

moderate rates is the best you'll get on Ariados in early-game routes. Use the sort toggle below. Best shows where the odds peak, Earliest shows where you can access it soonest in your playthrough.

Where To Catch Ariados in C

Spinarak is your first catch on the way to Ariados. You'll find headbutt and walking encounters from Lv. 3-15 across 17 total spots in the chain.

  1. Spinarak
    Step 1Catch Spinarak
    Route 30
    Lv.3Grass
    Rate 30%
    Night
    Route 2
    Lv.3Grass
    Rate 30%
    Night
    Route 31
    Lv.4Grass
    Rate 30%
    Night
    Route 36
    Lv.4Grass
    Rate 30%
    Night
    Route 37
    Lv.13Grass
    Rate 30%
    Night
    National Park
    Lv.14Floor
    Rate 20%
    Night
    Route 29
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 15%
    Route 30
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 15%
    Route 31
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 15%
    Route 34
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 15%
    Route 35
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 15%
    Route 36
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 15%
    Route 37
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 15%
    Route 38
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 15%
    Route 39
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 15%
  2. Ariados
    Step 2Ariados
    Route 2
    Lv.7Grass
    Rate 5%
    Night
    Route 37
    Lv.15Grass
    Rate 5%
    Night
    or evolve from Spinarak (Step 1)

Ariados Weakness

Ariados is weak to Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. 4 weaknesses is about average, nothing too hard to play around.

Ariados 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 Ariados Weak Against

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

What is Ariados Strong Against

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

Best Pokemon Against Ariados

Ariados Evolutions

Ariados is the evolved form of Spinarak. Breeding produces Spinarak eggs, and they're quick to hatch. Evolving from Spinarak gave Ariados the biggest boost in HP (+30), bringing the total to 400 stats. 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
250D-Tier
400C-Tier+150
ROLE
Balanced
Trick Room
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Ariados to get Spinarak eggs easily using 23 partners from the Bug egg group. Notable egg moves include Baton Pass, Disable, Psybeam and 2 more.

Egg Groups
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)
parasectparasshuckleforretressvenomothgligarbutterfreebeedrillledianyanmavenonatscyther

C Ariados Best Moveset

Bug/Poison with MoveSludge Bomb for modest Poison TermStab. Both types offer no offensive or defensive advantage in the current format. Held ItemLeftovers sustains, but the role itself doesn't justify the slot.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
Nothing
Best Nature for Ariados
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Sludge BombSTAB
  • Spider WebSTAB
  • AgilitySetup
  • Baton Pass

Moves List

Breeding opens up real options for Ariados. Baton Pass and Disable come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Sludge Bomb and Leech Life and Normal and Ghost coverage and more.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Constrict
1010035Normal
Lv 1
Poison Sting
D2210035Poison
Lv 1
Scary Face
9010Normal
Lv 1
String Shot
D9540Bug
Lv 6
Scary Face
9010Normal
Lv 11
Constrict
1010035Normal
Lv 17
Night Shade
D10015Ghost
Lv 25
Leech Life
C3010010Bug
Lv 34
Fury Swipes
D188015Normal
Lv 43
Spider Web
A10Bug
Lv 53
Agility
A30Psychic
Lv 63
Psychic
A9010010Psychic

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
D10015Normal
TM03
Curse
C10Ghost
TM28
Dig
C6010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM20
Endure+4
D10Normal
HM05
Flash
D7020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM19
Giga Drain
D751005Grass
TM10
Hidden Power
D6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM29
Psychic
A9010010Psychic
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM35
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM36
Sludge Bomb
B13510010Poison
TM13
Snore
4010015Normal
TM22
Solar Beam
C12010010Grass
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM34
Swagger
A8515Normal
TM46
Thief
D6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Baton Pass
A40Normal
Egg
Disable
D5520Normal
Egg
Psybeam
6510020Psychic
Egg
Pursuit
D4010020Dark
Egg
Sonic Boom
9020Normal

Tutor Moves

Ariados can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP70
C
Attack90
B
Defense70
C
Sp. Atk60
C
Sp. Def70
C
Speed40
D
Total400
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging90 / 255
Growth Rate
Fast800,000 XP
Height1.1 m
Weight33.5 kg
Base XP140
EV Yield
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

Rather than making a nest in one specific spot, it wanders in search of food after darkness falls.

Pokemon Crystal

Ariados Crystal Guide

  • In Crystal, Ariados's biggest threats include Charizard (Fire), Aerodactyl (Flying), and Espeon (Psychic), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Rock-type attackers are also a problem. At base 40 Speed, Ariados won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.

  • In Crystal, Ariados can work for a story run. 400 BST is average, but Bug/Poison typing fills a niche depending on your team composition.

  • In Crystal, Ariados has a 400 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a niche pick in Crystal's meta. It works best as a trick room. Sludge Bomb with Nothing is the standard set.

  • In Crystal, Ariados fills the trick room role. It's a physical attacker with base 90 Attack. Base 40 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.

  • For Crystal, the core moveset is Sludge Bomb, Spiderweb, Agility, and Baton Pass. Sludge Bomb leads at 0% usage. Agility lets it set up before sweeping.

Game Availability

Ariados first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 17 games across 9 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.

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