Mixed
Balanced
50Speed · Slow

Is Carbink Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?

Carbink spawns in the Wild Area under sandstorm. Rock/Fairy with 150/150 defenses is incredibly bulky. 50 Attack and 50 Special Attack mean it can't fight back. A wall with no weapons. Stalls fights indefinitely without winning them. Defensive gimmick at best.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGGGGGGGEEEMiloGym 1NessaGym 2KabuGym 3BeaGym 4OpalGym 5GordieGym 6PiersGym 7RaihanGym 8BedeGym 9CarbinkCatchableLeonChamp*
Milo
Gym 1
Good

Carbink has the type edge here and should clean up Milo's team.

You Win
Gossifleur
Lv 19
Grass
Regenerator
Magical LeafRoundRapid Spin
You Win
Eldegoss
Lv 20
Grass
Regenerator
Magical LeafLeafageRound
Nessa
Gym 2
Good

Carbink has the type edge here and should clean up Nessa's team.

You Win
Goldeen
Lv 22
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseWhirlpoolHorn AttackAgility
You Win
Arrokuda
Lv 23
Water
Swift Swim
Aqua JetBiteWhirlpoolFury Attack
You Win
Drednaw
Lv 24
WaterRock
Swift Swim
Razor ShellWater GunBiteHeadbutt
Kabu
Gym 3
Good

Carbink has the type edge here and should clean up Kabu's team.

You Win
Ninetales
Lv 25
Fire
Flash Fire
Will O WispFire SpinQuick AttackEmber
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 25
Fire
Intimidate
Will O WispFlame WheelBiteAgility
Easy KO
Centiskorch
Lv 27
FireBug
Flash Fire
Flame WheelCoilBug BiteSmokescreen
Bea
Gym 4
Good

Carbink has the type edge here and should clean up Bea's team.

You Win
Hitmontop
Lv 34
Fighting
Technician
Triple KickQuick AttackCounterRevenge
You Win
Pangoro
Lv 34
FightingDark
Mold Breaker
Bullet PunchCircle ThrowNight SlashWork Up
You Win
Sirfetchd
Lv 35
Fighting
Steadfast
DetectSwords DanceBrutal SwingRevenge
You Win
Machamp
Lv 36
Fighting
Guts
Scary FaceRevengeKnock OffStrength
Opal
Gym 5
Good

Carbink has the type edge here and should clean up Opal's team.

You Win
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
SludgeFairy WindTackle
You Win
Mawile
Lv 36
SteelFairy
Intimidate
Draining KissCrunchIron DefenseAstonish
You Win
Togekiss
Lv 37
FairyFlying
Hustle
Air SlashDraining KissAncient Power
Even
Alcremie
Lv 38
Fairy
Sweet Veil
Draining KissAcid ArmorSweet Kiss
Gordie
Gym 6
Good

Carbink has the type edge here and should clean up Gordie's team.

You Win
Barbaracle
Lv 40
RockWater
Tough Claws
Shell SmashRock TombRazor Shell
Easy KO
Shuckle
Lv 40
BugRock
Contrary
Power SplitStone EdgeStruggle BugRock Tomb
You Win
Stonjourner
Lv 41
Rock
Power Spot
Stealth RockRock TombBody SlamWonder Room
Easy KO
Coalossal
Lv 42
RockFire
Steam Engine
Tar ShotStealth RockHeat CrashRock Tomb
Piers
Gym 7
Good

Carbink has the type edge here and should clean up Piers's team.

You Win
Scrafty
Lv 44
DarkFighting
Intimidate
Fake OutSand AttackBrick BreakPayback
You Win
Malamar
Lv 45
DarkPsychic
Contrary
Night SlashFoul PlayPsycho CutPayback
You Win
Skuntank
Lv 45
PoisonDark
Aftermath
Sucker PunchScreechToxicSnarl
Easy KO
Obstagoon
Lv 46
DarkNormal
Reckless
ObstructThroat ChopCounterShadow Claw
Raihan
Gym 8
Even

Carbink trades roughly evenly with Raihan's team.

You Win
Gigalith
Lv 46
Rock
Sand Stream
Stealth RockSand TombRock BlastBody Press
Even
Flygon
Lv 47
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Thunder PunchBreaking SwipeCrunchSteel Wing
Even
Sandaconda
Lv 46
Ground
Sand Spit
ProtectGlareFire FangEarth Power
Risky
Duraludon
Lv 48
SteelDragon
Heavy Metal
Breaking SwipeBody PressStone EdgeIron Head
Bede
Gym 9
Even

Carbink trades roughly evenly with Bede's team.

Even
Mawile
Lv 51
SteelFairy
Intimidate
Play RoughIron HeadCrunch
Even
Gardevoir
Lv 51
PsychicFairy
Synchronize
Dazzling GleamPsychicCalm MindWish
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 52
Fire
Pastel Veil
Psycho CutTake DownDazzling GleamQuick Attack
You Win
Hatterene
Lv 53
PsychicFairy
Anticipation
PsychicDazzling GleamCalm MindMystical Fire
Leon
Champion
Even

Carbink trades roughly evenly with Leon's team.

Risky
Aegislash
Lv 62
SteelGhost
Stance Change
Kings ShieldShadow BallSacred SwordFlash Cannon
You Win
Dragapult
Lv 62
DragonGhost
Clear Body
Shadow BallFlamethrowerThunderboltDragon Breath
Even
Haxorus
Lv 63
Dragon
Mold Breaker
Poison JabIron TailOutrageEarthquake
Risky
Rhyperior
Lv 64
GroundRock
Solid Rock
EarthquakeStone EdgeMegahornHeat Crash
Risky
Rillaboom
Lv 64
Grass
Overgrow
Drum BeatingKnock OffHigh HorsepowerEndeavor
Even
Charizard
Lv 65
FireFlying
Blaze
Fire BlastAir SlashSolar BeamAncient Power
Catchable
Post-game only
Type
RockFairy
Tier
E

Catch Carbink on Tunnel to the Top (overworld, Lv 60-65). All Weather.

View Carbink locations

Sword & Shield Carbink Locations

A handful of locations for Carbink with decent spawn rates across endgame routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.

Best Locations to Catch Carbink in Sword & Shield

You can find Carbink through 3 walking encounters at Lv. 60-65. The list is sorted by game progression, so the earliest accessible spots show up first.

Roaring-Sea Caves
Lv.60-65Overworld
Rate 24%
All Weather
Tunnel to the Top
Lv.60-65Overworld
Rate 24%
All Weather
Lakeside Cave
Lv.60-65Overworld
Rate 15%
All Weather

Carbink Weakness

Carbink's Rock/Fairy typing leaves it vulnerable to Steel, Water, Grass, and Ground. Steel hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Dragon-type attacks completely. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Carbink's overall bulk (50/150/150) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.

Carbink Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Steel
2x (Weak)Water, Grass, Ground
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Fire, Flying, Bug, Dark
0x (Immune)Dragon

What is Carbink Weak Against

Avg
4Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score-2
4xCritical
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Carbink Strong Against

7Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+6
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Carbink

Carbink Evolutions

Breeding is the whole story for Carbink. No compatible partners through two egg groups, eggs are average hatch time, and you won't need to evolve anything. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Carbink
#703Carbink
Does not evolve

Breeding

Challenging

Carbink is genderless and can only breed with Ditto. Part of the Fairy and Mineral egg groups.

Egg Groups
Gender
GenderlessDittoDitto only
Hatch Time
25 cycles·6,425 steps
Moderate~6 min with Flame Body

SwSh Carbink Best Moveset

150 in both defenses on 50 HP with Rock/Fairy typing and AbilitySturdy from the hidden slot surviving one hit. The moveset tanks hits and supports the team, but 50 in both offenses means zero offensive pressure. E-tier because opponents set up freely in front of the defensive presence.

Best Build

Experimental
Wall
Ability
Sturdy
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Carbink

Carbink best EVs are HP and Sp. Def

EVs

Wall Moveset

  • MoonblastSTAB
  • Iron Defense
  • Body Press
  • RestRecovery

Moves List

Level-up moves are just the starting point for Carbink. TMs unlock Normal and Fighting coverage and more and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Meteor Beam and Stone Edge into something with actual range.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Harden
D30Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D4010035Normal
Lv 5
Guard Split
10Psychic
Lv 10
Smack Down
D7510015Rock
Lv 15
Flail
D10015Normal
Lv 20
Ancient Power
D901005Rock
Lv 25
Rock Polish
A20Rock
Lv 30
Light Screen
C30Psychic
Lv 35
Rock Slide
D1129010Rock
Lv 40
Skill Swap
D10Psychic
Lv 45
Power Gem
A12010020Rock
Lv 50
Stealth Rock
A20Rock
Lv 55
Moonblast
B14210015Fairy
Lv 60
Stone Edge
C150805Rock

TM Moves

TM
TR83
Ally Switch+2
15Psychic
TR99
Body Press
B8010010Fighting
TR49
Calm Mind
C20Psychic
TM29
Charm
D10020Fairy
TR92
Dazzling Gleam
C12010010Fairy
TR67
Earth Power
D9010010Ground
TR26
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM39
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM61
Guard Swap
10Psychic
TR52
Gyro Ball
D1005Steel
TM35
Hail
C10Ice
TR46
Iron Defense
B15Steel
TM17
Light Screen
C30Psychic
TR63
Power Gem
A12010020Rock
TM25
Protect+4
C10Normal
TR11
Psychic
D9010010Psychic
TM18
Reflect
C20Psychic
TM21
Rest
B10Psychic
TM22
Rock Slide
D1129010Rock
TM48
Rock Tomb
D909515Rock
TM76
Round
D6010015Normal
TM19
Safeguard
D25Normal
TM49
Sand Tomb
D358515Ground
TM32
Sandstorm
C10Rock
TR40
Skill Swap
D10Psychic
TR27
Sleep Talk
A10Normal
TM24
Snore
D5010015Normal
TR76
Stealth Rock
A20Rock
TM98
Stomping Tantrum
D7510010Ground
TR75
Stone Edge
C150805Rock
TR20
Substitute
C10Normal
TM34
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM70
Trick Room-7
C5Psychic
TM71
Wonder Room
10Psychic

Egg Moves

Carbink doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Meteor Beam
C1809010Rock
Tutor
Misty Explosion
C1501005Fairy
Tutor
Terrain Pulse
D5010010Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
High
HP50
D
Attack50
D
Defense150
S
Sp. Atk50
D
Sp. Def150
S
Speed50
D
Total500
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging60 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height0.3 m
Weight5.7 kg
Base XP100
Abilities
Clear Body
Prevents stats from being lowered by other Pokémon.
SturdyHidden Ability
Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpD+1Spe
Defense training target
Pokedex Entry

When beset by attackers, Carbink wipes them all out by firing high-energy beams from the gems embedded in its body.

It’s said that somewhere in the world, there’s a mineral vein housing a large pack of slumbering Carbink. It’s also said that this pack has a queen.

Carbink Sword & Shield Guide

  • For Sword & Shield, we rate Carbink C-Tier: a niche pick in Sword & Shield's meta. At 500 BST, the stats are spread pretty evenly. Moonblast with Leftovers is the standard set.

  • In Sword & Shield, watch for Steelix (Steel), Milotic (Water), and Venusaur (Grass) when using Carbink. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Steelix is the most dangerous since Steel moves deal 4x damage. Ground-type attackers are also a problem. Carbink has enough bulk to absorb a hit, but don't push the matchup. Pivot to a teammate that resists.

  • Clear Body prevents stats from being lowered by other Pokémon. That's the one you want on Carbink. Sturdy is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.

  • Base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Carbink is a mixed attacker with base 50 Attack and 50 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Tanky enough to absorb a few hits.

  • In Sword & Shield, run Moonblast, Iron Defense, Bodypress, and Rest on Carbink. Moonblast is the most common pick at 0% usage. Moonblast provides reliable STAB damage.

Game Availability

Carbink joined the series in X & Y and has been available in 7 titles so far. With 5 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.

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