Is Carkol Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?
Carkol picks up Fire typing at evolution. Rock/Fire handles Milo and Melony (Shield). AbilitySteam Engine Speed boost from Fire or Water hits makes it situationally fast. Evolves into Coalossal at level 34.
Milo's team hits Rolycoly's weaknesses hard.
Nessa's team hits Carkol's weaknesses hard.
Carkol trades roughly evenly with Kabu's team.
Bea's team hits Coalossal's weaknesses hard.
Coalossal trades roughly evenly with Opal's team.
Coalossal trades roughly evenly with Gordie's team.
Coalossal trades roughly evenly with Piers's team.
Raihan's team hits Coalossal's weaknesses hard.
Coalossal trades roughly evenly with Bede's team.
Coalossal trades roughly evenly with Leon's team.
Catch Rolycoly on Route 3 (overworld, Lv 10-13). All Weather.
Your Rolycoly should hit Level 18 before you reach Nessa, at typical leveling pace.
Your Carkol should hit Level 34 before you reach Bea, at typical leveling pace.
How to Get Carkol in Sword & Shield
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)
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
 Mudbray Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Mudbray builds →Bulldoze 4x112-132%KO Rock Smash 2x25-29% | ||
 Pancham Fighting | D | |
 Onix RockGround | C | |
 Diggersby NormalGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Diggersby builds →Mud Shot 4x75-88% Double Kick 2x15-18% | ||
 Tympole Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Tympole builds →Bubble Beam 4x90-106%KO Mud Shot 4x50-59% | ||
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodHoneycalm Island Surfing | ||
 Drednaw WaterRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Drednaw builds →Razor Shell 4x142-167%KO Rock Tomb 2x57-68% Sand Tomb 4x47-56% | ||
 Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Quagsire builds →Mud Shot 4x84-99% Water Gun 4x65-76% | ||
Mudbray Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Mudbray builds →Bulldoze 4x103-122%KO Rock Smash 2x23-28% | ||
 Stunfisk GroundElectric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Stunfisk builds →Mud Shot 4x96-114%KO Water Gun 4x47-56% Revenge 2x25-30% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodHoneycalm Island Surfing | ||
Drednaw WaterRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Drednaw builds →Razor Shell 4x139-164%KO Rock Tomb 2x55-65% Sand Tomb 4x45-55% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Quagsire builds →Mud Shot 4x81-95% Water Gun 4x64-75% | ||
 Sawk Fighting | C | |
 Dugtrio Ground | C | |
 Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Excadrill builds →Dig 4x169-200%KO Rock Slide 2x52-61% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodHoneycalm Island Surfing | ||
 Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Hippowdon builds →Dig 4x143-168%KO Revenge 2x37-44% | ||
 Mudsdale Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Mudsdale builds →High Horsepower 4x188-221%KO Low Sweep 2x43-51% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Quagsire builds →Aqua Tail 4x129-153%KO Dig 4x116-137%KO | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Excadrill builds →Dig 4x170-200%KO Rock Slide 2x52-62% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodHoneycalm Island Surfing | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Hippowdon builds →Dig 4x144-170%KO Revenge 2x37-43% | ||
Mudsdale Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Mudsdale builds →High Horsepower 4x187-220%KO Low Sweep 2x43-50% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Quagsire builds →Aqua Tail 4x132-155%KO Dig 4x114-135%KO | ||
 Rhydon GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Rhydon builds →Dig 4x158-186%KO Hammer Arm 2x65-77% Smack Down 2x50-59% Whirlpool 4x28-33% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Excadrill builds →Dig 4x162-191%KO Brick Break 2x52-61% Rock Slide 2x52-61% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodHoneycalm Island Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Gyarados builds →Aqua Tail 4x170-200%KO Bulldoze 4x77-91% | ||
Mudsdale Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Mudsdale builds →Earthquake 4x189-223%KO Low Sweep 2x41-48% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Hippowdon builds →Dig 4x139-164%KO Revenge 2x36-42% | ||
Rhydon GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Rhydon builds →Dig 4x159-187%KO Rock Slide 2x75-89% Hammer Arm 2x66-78% Whirlpool 4x27-32% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Excadrill builds →Dig 4x162-191%KO Brick Break 2x51-61% Rock Slide 2x51-61% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodHoneycalm Island Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Gyarados builds →Aqua Tail 4x173-204%KO Bulldoze 4x78-93% | ||
 Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Golisopod builds →Liquidation 4x162-191%KO Brick Break 2x48-57% Rock Slide 2x48-57% Mud Shot 4x49-58% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 4x173-204%KO Rock Slide 2x44-52% Revenge 2x36-42% | ||
Rhydon GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 4x201-238%KO Rock Slide 2x75-89% Hammer Arm 2x67-79% Whirlpool 4x27-32% | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Flygon builds →Earthquake 4x160-189%KO Superpower 2x64-75% Rock Slide 2x41-48% | ||
 Kingler Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Kingler builds →Dive 4x160-189%KO Dig 4x107-126%KO Hammer Arm 2x67-79% Rock Slide 2x50-59% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Excadrill builds →Dig 4x167-197%KO Brick Break 2x52-62% Rock Slide 2x52-62% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodHoneycalm Island Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Gyarados builds →Aqua Tail 4x174-205%KO Bulldoze 4x80-94% | ||
Rhydon GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 4x201-237%KO Stone Edge 2x100-118%KO Hammer Arm 2x67-79% Whirlpool 4x27-32% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 4x206-242%KO Brick Break 2x52-61% Rock Slide 2x52-61% | ||
 Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 4x184-217%KO Brick Break 2x46-54% Rock Slide 2x46-54% | ||
Flygon GroundDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Flygon builds →Earthquake 4x160-189%KO Superpower 2x64-75% Rock Slide 2x40-48% | ||
Kingler Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Kingler builds →Crabhammer 4x201-237%KO Dig 4x107-126%KO Hammer Arm 2x67-79% Rock Slide 2x50-59% | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 4x201-237%KO Brick Break 2x50-59% Rock Slide 2x50-59% Whirlpool 4x40-47% | ||
Rhydon GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 4x201-237%KO Stone Edge 2x100-118%KO Hammer Arm 2x67-79% Hydro Pump 4x78-92% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 4x206-242%KO Brick Break 2x52-61% Rock Slide 2x52-61% | ||
Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 4x184-217%KO Close Combat 2x73-86% Rock Slide 2x46-54% | ||
Flygon GroundDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Flygon builds →Earthquake 4x160-189%KO Superpower 2x64-75% Rock Slide 2x40-48% | ||
Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 4x201-237%KO Brick Break 2x50-59% Rock Slide 2x50-59% Whirlpool 4x40-47% | ||
Rhydon GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 4x201-237%KO Stone Edge 2x100-118%KO Hammer Arm 2x67-79% Hydro Pump 4x78-92% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 4x206-242%KO Brick Break 2x52-61% Rock Slide 2x52-61% | ||
Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 4x184-217%KO Close Combat 2x73-86% Rock Slide 2x46-54% | ||
Flygon GroundDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Flygon builds →Earthquake 4x160-189%KO Superpower 2x64-75% Rock Slide 2x40-48% | ||
In Sword & Shield, Excadrill can KO Carkol with Earthquake (117-138%). Conkeldurr's Drain Punch hits Carkol for 50-59%. Rhyperior's Earthquake also KOs at 100-118%.
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySandrush ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 4x117-138%KO Rapid Spin5-6% | ||
 Conkeldurr Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemFlame Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Conkeldurr builds →Mach Punch 2x27-32% Drain Punch 2x50-59% Knock Off14-17% Facade8-9% | ||
 Rhyperior GroundRock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemWeakness Policy NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Carkol View Rhyperior builds →Earthquake 4x100-118%KO Avalanche5-6% | ||
Carkol Evolutions
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
SwSh Carkol Best Moveset
Rock/Fire middle evolution with AbilitySteam Engine for +6 Speed on Fire or Water hits. 60/90/70 defensive stats give some bulk to survive the triggering hit. 60 Attack at 50 Speed is too low. One evolution from Coalossal.
Best Build
Carkol best EVs are Attack and Defense
Physical Tank Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Blast
- High Horsepower
- Iron Head
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Breeding's the move. Block and Explosion give Carkol options it can't learn any other way, and Normal and Fighting coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Burn Up and Overheat. The egg moves push it further.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
It forms coal inside its body. Coal dropped by this Pokémon once helped fuel the lives of people in the Galar region.
By rapidly rolling its legs, it can travel at over 18 mph. The temperature of the flames it breathes exceeds 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Carkol Sword & Shield 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.
In Sword & Shield, 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.
In Sword & Shield, 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. Best used as a hazard setter.
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