Is Cranidos Good in Platinum Playthrough?
Skull Fossil revival in Oreburgh at level 20. Rock-type with AbilityMold Breaker ignoring opposing abilities. Rampardos at level 30 has one of the highest Attack stats in the game. Glass cannon that smashes through fights when it survives the hit.
Cranidos has the type edge here and should clean up Roark's team.
Cranidos trades roughly evenly with Gardenia's team.
Cranidos has the type edge here and should clean up Fantina's team.
Maylene's team hits Rampardos's weaknesses hard.
Rampardos trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.
Rampardos trades roughly evenly with Byron's team.
Rampardos has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.
Rampardos has the type edge here and should clean up Volkner's team.
Rampardos has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.
Rampardos trades roughly evenly with Bertha's team.
Rampardos has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.
Rampardos trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.
Rampardos trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.
Cranidos can be revived from a fossil obtained on Oreburgh City. Revive Skull Fossil. Revive from Skull Fossil at the Mining Museum in Oreburgh City. Skull Fossil found in The Underground.
- After Gardenia
- TM26GroundEarthquake100100%10
- After Fantina
- TM38FireFire Blast11085%5
- LV 28RockAncient Power90100%5
- After Byron
- TM80RockRock Slide11390%10
- TM69RockRock Polish—100%20
- TM35FireFlamethrower90100%15
- LV 43RockHead Smash22580%5
- After Volkner
- TM71RockStone Edge15080%5
Your Cranidos should hit Level 30 before you reach Maylene, at typical leveling pace.
- From Start
- TM01FightingFocus Punch150100%20
- After Gardenia
- TM26GroundEarthquake100100%10
- After Fantina
- TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
- TM38FireFire Blast11085%5
- After Maylene
- TM68NormalGiga Impact15090%5
- After Byron
- TM80RockRock Slide11390%10
- After Volkner
- TM71RockStone Edge15080%5
- LV 52RockHead Smash22580%5
How to Get Cranidos in Platinum
Cranidos is a gift in this game. Pick it up at Oreburgh City — no wild encounters or spawn rates to deal with. The details below cover exactly when it becomes available.
How to Obtain Cranidos in Pt
Step 1Cranidos ✓Oreburgh City - Mining MuseumLv.20Gift from NPCLimitedRevive Skull Fossil
Step 2Evolve into RampardosBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Rampardos egg.
Cranidos Weakness
Cranidos is weak to Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. That's a lot of weak spots to cover so team support is important.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
What is Cranidos Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Cranidos
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
 Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Psyduck builds →Focus Punch 2x94-111%KO Water Gun 2x53-64% | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
 Turtwig Grass | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Turtwig builds →Razor Leaf 2x64-77% Rock Smash 2x32-38% | ||
 Piplup Water | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Piplup builds →Brick Break 2x49-60% Bubble 2x32-38% | ||
 Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x283-335%KO Earthquake 2x126-149%KO Leaf Blade 2x115-136%KO | ||
 Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x283-335%KO Earthquake 2x126-149%KO | ||
 Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x235-277%KO Earthquake 2x106-126%KO | ||
 Sandslash Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Sandslash builds →Focus Punch 2x156-185%KO Earthquake 2x159-188%KO | ||
 Monferno FireFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chimchar (Route 201 Gift) | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x287-337%KO Earthquake 2x127-151%KO Leaf Blade 2x116-137%KO | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x287-337%KO Earthquake 2x127-151%KO | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x237-280%KO Earthquake 2x107-126%KO | ||
Sandslash Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Sandslash builds →Focus Punch 2x158-187%KO Earthquake 2x160-189%KO | ||
 Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x287-337%KO Earthquake 2x127-151%KO Leaf Blade 2x116-137%KO | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x287-337%KO Earthquake 2x127-151%KO | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x237-280%KO Earthquake 2x107-126%KO | ||
Sandslash Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Sandslash builds →Focus Punch 2x158-187%KO Earthquake 2x160-189%KO | ||
Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x277-327%KO Earthquake 2x123-145%KO Leaf Blade 2x111-131%KO | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x277-327%KO Earthquake 2x123-145%KO | ||
 Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Toxicroak builds →Focus Punch 2x241-284%KO Earthquake 2x108-127%KO | ||
 Torterra GrassGround | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Turtwig (Route 201 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Torterra builds →Wood Hammer 2x198-234%KO Earthquake 2x166-196%KO Rock Smash 2x45-53% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x230-271%KO Earthquake 2x104-122%KO | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x278-327%KO Earthquake 2x123-145%KO Leaf Blade 2x112-132%KO | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x278-327%KO Earthquake 2x123-145%KO | ||
Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Toxicroak builds →Focus Punch 2x242-285%KO Earthquake 2x107-127%KO | ||
 Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chimchar (Route 201 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Infernape builds →Focus Punch 2x238-280%KO Solar Beam 2x150-177%KO Earthquake 2x107-126%KO Iron Tail 2x107-126%KO | ||
 Rhydon GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Rhydon builds →Focus Punch 2x191-225%KO Earthquake 2x192-226%KO Iron Tail 2x127-150%KO Surf 2x63-74% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x289-340%KO Earthquake 2x129-152%KO Leaf Blade 2x115-137%KO | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x289-340%KO Earthquake 2x129-152%KO | ||
Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Toxicroak builds →Focus Punch 2x251-296%KO Earthquake 2x112-132%KO | ||
Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chimchar (Route 201 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Infernape builds →Focus Punch 2x247-292%KO Solar Beam 2x158-186%KO Earthquake 2x110-130%KO Iron Tail 2x110-130%KO | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x201-237%KO Iron Tail 2x134-158%KO Brick Break 2x100-118%KO Surf 2x101-120%KO | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Breloom builds →Focus Punch 2x301-354%KO Seed Bomb 2x161-189%KO Iron Tail 2x134-158%KO | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x290-342%KO Earthquake 2x130-153%KO Leaf Blade 2x116-137%KO | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x290-342%KO Earthquake 2x130-153%KO | ||
Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Toxicroak builds →Focus Punch 2x253-298%KO Earthquake 2x113-133%KO | ||
Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chimchar (Route 201 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Infernape builds →Focus Punch 2x248-292%KO Solar Beam 2x160-189%KO Earthquake 2x110-130%KO Iron Tail 2x110-130%KO | ||
In Platinum, Garchomp can KO Cranidos with Earthquake (230-271%). Scizor threatens a KO with Superpower (303-356%). Venusaur's Giga Drain also KOs at 140-165%.
Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Recommended Build AbilitySandveil ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x230-271%KO Outrage138-162%KO Stone Edge76-90% | ||
 Scizor BugSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch 2x153-180%KO Superpower 2x303-356%KO U Turn133-156%KO Pursuit51-60% | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityOvergrow ItemBlack Sludge NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Venusaur builds →Giga Drain 2x140-165%KO Sludge Bomb42-49% | ||
 Machamp Fighting | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityNoguard ItemLum Berry NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Machamp builds →Payback42-50% Bullet Punch 2x68-80% | ||
Cranidos Evolutions
Cranidos evolves into Rampardos. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are slow to hatch. Evolving adds up to 145 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Pt Cranidos Best Moveset
125 Attack at 58 Speed and 30-40 across defenses. AbilityMold Breaker ignores defensive abilities, but the moveset can't outrun anything or survive a hit. Glass cannon at the pre-evolution stage. Evolve to Rampardos.
Best Build
Cranidos best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Wallbreaker Moveset
- Earthquake
- Pursuit
- Head Smash
- Fire Punch
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 10 types means almost nothing walls Cranidos cleanly, with Head Smash and Stone Edge anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.
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
A lifelong jungle dweller from 100 million years ago, it would snap obstructing trees with head butts.
Cranidos Platinum Guide
In Platinum, Cranidos isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Rampardos to unlock its full potential. At 350 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Revive from Skull Fossil at the Mining Museum in Oreburgh City. Skull Fossil found in The Underground.. Cranidos is revived at level 5. Give it Rare Candies or experience-share if you want it ready for the late-game. Note: this fossil is only available in Platinum. The other version of Platinum has a different fossil.
In Platinum, Run Mold Breaker on Cranidos. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche.
In Platinum, Cranidos fills the cannon role. It's a physical attacker with base 125 Attack. At base 58 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's fragile, can't afford to take many hits.
Game Availability
Cranidos first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 12 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
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 4DPDebut
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 8SwSh
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