Is Cranidos Good in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Playthrough?
Brilliant Diamond fossil from the Mining Museum. Rampardos has 165 Attack, the highest of any non-legendary. Pure Rock with terrible defenses means it either KOs the opponent or goes down. High-risk, high-reward.
Cranidos has the type edge here and should clean up Roark's team.
Cranidos trades roughly evenly with Gardenia's team.
Cranidos trades roughly evenly with Maylene's team.
Crasher Wake's team hits Cranidos's weaknesses hard.
Rampardos trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.
Rampardos trades roughly evenly with Byron's team.
Rampardos trades roughly evenly with Candice's team.
Volkner's team hits Rampardos's weaknesses hard.
Rampardos has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.
Bertha's team hits Rampardos's weaknesses hard.
Rampardos trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.
Rampardos trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.
Rampardos trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.
Cranidos is given to you as a gift on Oreburgh City at Lv 1. Revive Skull Fossil at Oreburgh Mining Museum
Your Cranidos should hit Level 30 before you reach Fantina, at typical leveling pace.
How to Get Cranidos in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
No wild encounters for Cranidos in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Bring Cranidos over from Diamond & Pearl, Platinum, or Scarlet & Violet, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Cranidos in BDSP
Step 1Cranidos ✓CARTRIDGE TRADEfrom Legends: ArceusAvailableCatch in Legends: Arceus via Walking · Space-Time Distortion, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Gift · Oreburgh City · Revive Skull Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Gift · Oreburgh City · Revive Skull Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Gift · Pewter City · Revive Skull Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Gift · Nacrene City · Revive Skull Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Gift · Nacrene City · Revive Skull Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom X & YNot TradeableAppears in X & Y via Gift · Ambrette Town · Revive Skull Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Rampardos
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 |
What is Cranidos Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Cranidos
 Machop Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Machop builds →Focus Punch 2x183-217%KO Earthquake 2x83-98% | ||
 Cubone Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x96-115%KO Focus Punch 2x94-111%KO Iron Tail 2x64-77% | ||
 Phanpy Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Phanpy builds →Earthquake 2x109-128%KO Iron Tail 2x72-85% Rock Smash 2x32-38% | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x85-102%KO Iron Tail 2x57-68% Rock Smash 2x23-30% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Geodude builds →Earthquake 2x123-147%KO Focus Punch 2x121-145%KO | ||
Machop Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Machop builds →Focus Punch 2x202-239%KO Earthquake 2x92-110%KO | ||
 Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Bibarel builds →Focus Punch 2x145-171%KO Waterfall 2x118-141%KO Iron Tail 2x96-114%KO | ||
Cubone Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x104-122%KO Focus Punch 2x100-118%KO Iron Tail 2x69-82% | ||
Phanpy Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Phanpy builds →Earthquake 2x114-135%KO Iron Tail 2x76-90% Rock Smash 2x35-41% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x98-116%KO Iron Tail 2x65-78% Rock Smash 2x31-37% | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x134-158%KO Focus Punch 2x134-157%KO Iron Tail 2x89-106%KO | ||
 Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x237-280%KO Earthquake 2x107-126%KO | ||
 Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x185-219%KO Iron Tail 2x124-146%KO Rock Smash 2x51-61% | ||
 Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Floatzel builds →Focus Punch 2x165-196%KO Waterfall 2x134-158%KO Iron Tail 2x110-130%KO | ||
 Probopass RockSteel | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Probopass builds →Flash Cannon 2x122-145%KO Earthquake 2x69-81% Rock Smash 2x28-34% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x134-158%KO Focus Punch 2x134-157%KO Iron Tail 2x89-106%KO | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x237-280%KO Earthquake 2x107-126%KO | ||
Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x185-219%KO Iron Tail 2x124-146%KO Rock Smash 2x51-61% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Floatzel builds →Focus Punch 2x165-196%KO Waterfall 2x134-158%KO Dig 2x89-106%KO Iron Tail 2x110-130%KO | ||
 Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodGreat Marsh Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x139-165%KO Focus Punch 2x139-164%KO Aqua Tail 2x128-152%KO Iron Tail 2x93-110%KO | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x133-157%KO Focus Punch 2x130-154%KO Iron Tail 2x89-105%KO | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x237-280%KO Earthquake 2x107-126%KO | ||
 Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x172-203%KO Iron Tail 2x114-135%KO Rock Smash 2x47-55% Water Pulse 2x56-67% | ||
Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x184-217%KO Iron Tail 2x123-145%KO Rock Smash 2x50-59% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Floatzel builds →Focus Punch 2x163-192%KO Waterfall 2x130-154%KO Dig 2x87-103%KO Iron Tail 2x110-130%KO | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x128-151%KO Focus Punch 2x127-150%KO Iron Tail 2x85-101%KO | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x230-271%KO Earthquake 2x104-122%KO | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x169-199%KO Iron Tail 2x112-133%KO Rock Smash 2x46-55% Water Pulse 2x55-65% | ||
Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x178-210%KO Iron Tail 2x119-140%KO Rock Smash 2x50-58% | ||
 Roselia GrassPoison | C | |
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x131-154%KO Focus Punch 2x129-152%KO Iron Tail 2x87-102%KO | ||
 Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x231-273%KO Earthquake 2x103-122%KO | ||
 Steelix SteelGround | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Steelix builds →Earthquake 2x135-159%KO Iron Tail 2x135-159%KO Rock Smash 2x37-45% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Floatzel builds →Focus Punch 2x160-188%KO Waterfall 2x128-151%KO Dig 2x85-101%KO Iron Tail 2x107-126%KO | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x131-154%KO Focus Punch 2x129-152%KO Iron Tail 2x87-102%KO | ||
Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x231-273%KO Earthquake 2x103-122%KO | ||
Steelix SteelGround | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Steelix builds →Earthquake 2x135-159%KO Iron Tail 2x135-159%KO Rock Smash 2x37-45% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Floatzel builds →Focus Punch 2x160-188%KO Waterfall 2x128-151%KO Dig 2x85-101%KO Iron Tail 2x107-126%KO | ||
 Hariyama Fighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Hariyama builds →Focus Punch 2x276-324%KO Earthquake 2x123-145%KO Surf 2x57-67% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x133-157%KO Focus Punch 2x132-155%KO Iron Tail 2x89-104%KO | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x198-233%KO Iron Tail 2x132-155%KO Brick Break 2x99-117%KO Surf 2x95-112%KO | ||
Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x237-279%KO Earthquake 2x105-124%KO | ||
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Garchomp can KO Cranidos with Earthquake (242-285%). Machamp threatens a KO with Close Combat (319-375%). Scizor's Bullet Punch also KOs at 107-127%.
Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x242-285%KO | ||
 Machamp Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemFlame Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Machamp builds →Bullet Punch 2x72-84% Knock Off57-68% Close Combat 2x319-375%KO | ||
 Scizor BugSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch 2x107-127%KO Knock Off57-68% | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemLife Orb NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Cranidos View Venusaur builds →Giga Drain 2x261-308%KO | ||
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
BDSP Cranidos Best Moveset
125 Attack with AbilityMold Breaker ignoring defensive abilities and hidden AbilitySheer Force boosting moves with secondary effects. Rock TermStab at that power hits hard. But 67/40/30 bulk at 58 Speed means the moveset rarely survives to use it. Glass cannon pre-evo.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
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
It lived in jungles around 100 million years ago. Its skull is as hard as iron.
It was resurrected from an iron-ball-like fossil. It downs prey with its headbutts.
Cranidos Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Guide
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, 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.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Cranidos's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Exeggutor (Grass), and Blaziken (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Ground and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Run Sheer Force on Cranidos. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Cranidos also gets Mold Breaker, but they don't compare.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Sheer Force is the hidden ability. It strengthens moves with extra effects to 1.3× their power, but prevents their extra effects. Worth hunting for if you want Cranidos to compete at a higher level.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, 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