Carkol Best Moveset
Rock/Fire at 60 offenses and 90 Defense with AbilitySteam Engine boosting Speed on Fire/Water hits. AbilityFlame Body burns on contact. Held ItemEviolite adds bulk since Coalossal exists. The moveset tanks physical hits building toward evolution. One step from 120 Defense and Coalossal.
Carkol saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). This was Carkol's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Steamengine with Eviolite, favoring a Impish nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Carkol best EVs are Attack and Defense
Physical Tank Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Blast
- High Horsepower
- Iron Head
Recommended Teammates
Carkol saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Carkol maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Flashfire with Eviolite, favoring a Careful nature.
Wall Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Will O Wisp
- Body Press
Recommended Teammates
Carkol Weakness
Type-wise, Carkol takes extra damage from Water, Ground, Fighting, and Rock. Watch out for Water and Ground attacks, those deal 4x damage. With 7 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Flash Fire grants an additional Fire immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Water, Ground |
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fire |
What is Carkol Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Carkol
Greninja can KO Carkol with Surf (121-142%). Excadrill threatens a KO with Earthquake (135-160%). Conkeldurr deals 52-61% with Drain Punch.
 Greninja WaterDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse27-31% Ice Beam10-12% Surf 4x121-142%KO | ||
 Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySandrush ItemAir Balloon NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 4x135-160%KO Rapid Spin6-7% | ||
 Conkeldurr Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemFlame Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Conkeldurr builds →Drain Punch 2x52-61% Mach Punch 2x28-33% Knock Off15-18% | ||
 Rhyperior GroundRock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemAssault Vest NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Rhyperior builds →Earthquake 4x140-165%KO Stone Edge 2x70-82% | ||
Evolution
Partway through Rolycoly's chain. Carkol still has another evolution ahead before reaching Coalossal. For breeding, quick to hatch with plenty of partners via one egg group. HP has grown the most so far (+50), but there's still another 100 stats to gain in the final evolution. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Carkol to get Rolycoly eggs easily using 84 partners from the Mineral egg group.
How to Get Carkol
decent spawn rates across 2 locations for Carkol in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Carkol in SV
The path to Carkol starts with Rolycoly at Lv. 5-34 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch RolycolyEast Province (Area Three) - MineLv.5-23OverworldRate 30%East Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.5-23OverworldRate 10%
Step 2Carkol ✓East Province (Area Three) - MineLv.25-34OverworldRate 18%or evolve from Rolycoly (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into CoalossalBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Coalossal egg.
Carkol starts showing up in mid-game routes at high spawn rates across 12 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Carkol in SwSh
Rolycoly is your first catch on the way to Carkol. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 10-65 across 48 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch RolycolyRoute 3 - GarbageLv.10-13OverworldRate 99%All WeatherGalar MineLv.11-14OverworldRate 35%All WeatherGalar MineLv.11-15CaveRate 30%All WeatherGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 50%Intense SunGiant's Cap - 3Lv.29-32OverworldRate 50%Intense SunMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 10%SandstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 10%Intense SunMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 10%SandstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 5%Intense SunGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldRate 60%OvercastGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldRate 60%SandstormGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldRate 60%Intense SunGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldRate 60%Heavy FogGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldRate 60%Normal WeatherGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 30%RainingGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 30%SnowstormGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 30%ThunderstormGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 30%SnowingGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 10%SnowstormGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 10%ThunderstormGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 10%SnowingGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 10%Raining
Step 2Carkol ✓Stony WildernessLv.26-28GrassRate 40%Intense SunGiant's CapLv.28-30OverworldRate 40%Intense SunGiant's CapLv.28-30OverworldRate 40%SandstormBridge FieldLv.26-28GrassRate 10%Intense SunBallimere LakeLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%Intense SunLakeside CaveLv.60-65OverworldRate 15%All Weatheror evolve from Rolycoly (Step 1)
Step 3Catch or Evolve into CoalossalDusty BowlLv.40-45GrassRate 2%Intense SunLake of OutrageLv.50-52GrassRate 25%Intense Sunor evolve from Carkol (Step 2)
Base Stats
Bulk defines Carkol's stat line. Defense and HP anchor the defensive side, but Speed can't keep up offensively. Common in the wild and worth 2 Defense EVs.
Due to the coal tar created inside it, the heap of coal on Carkol’s back never falls apart, even when the Pokémon rolls around at high speeds.
Carkol Guide
Carkol is meant to evolve into Coalossal. At 410 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Carkol's biggest threats include Greninja (Water), Excadrill (Ground), and Conkeldurr (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Greninja is the most dangerous since Water moves deal 4x damage. Rock-type attackers are also a problem.
Flash Fire is what you want on Carkol. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Steam Engine, Flame Body) work on paper but Flash Fire is what makes Carkol worth using.
Flash Fire is the hidden ability. It protects against fire moves. Worth hunting for if you want Carkol to compete at a higher level.
Base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Carkol is a physical attacker with base 60 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Game Availability
Carkol joined the series in Sword & Shield and has been available in 2 titles so far. With 3 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShDebut
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves