Special
Balanced
85Speed · Above Avg

Is Kingdra Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Seadra trade evolution with a Dragon Scale. Kingdra is Water/Dragon with only one weakness: Dragon. AbilitySwift Swim doubles Speed in rain. Drake uses a Kingdra in the E4. Getting your own turns the Dragon fight from hard to manageable. The best trade evolution payoff in Emerald.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSGTSEEEGGGEGERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7HorseaIn-Game TradeKingdraEvolveJuanGym 8SidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Strong

Horsea resists most of Roxanne's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
You Win
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

Horsea has the type edge here and should clean up Brawly's team.

You Win
Machop
Lv 16
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopLow KickSeismic TossBulk Up
Even
Meditite
Lv 16
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Focus PunchLight ScreenReflectBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 19
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustVital ThrowReversalBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Tough

Wattson's team hits Horsea's weaknesses hard.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSparkSelf DestructShock Wave
Even
Electrike
Lv 20
Electric
Static
Shock WaveLeerQuick AttackHowl
Risky
Magneton
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicShock WaveThunder WaveSonic Boom
Risky
Manectric
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveShock WaveHowl
Flannery
Gym 4
Strong

Horsea resists most of Flannery's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Numel
Lv 24
FireGround
Oblivious
OverheatTake DownMagnitudeSunny Day
Easy KO
Slugma
Lv 24
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
Easy KO
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
You Win
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Horsea trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

Even
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 27
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFacadeEncoreFeint Attack
Even
Linoone
Lv 29
Normal
Pickup
SlashBelly DrumFacadeHeadbutt
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
CounterYawnFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Horsea trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

You Win
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
Even
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
Risky
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Even
Skarmory
Lv 31
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Risky
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Even

Horsea trades roughly evenly with Tate & Liza's team.

Even
Claydol
Lv 41
GroundPsychic
Levitate
EarthquakeAncient PowerPsychicLight Screen
Even
Xatu
Lv 41
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
PsychicSunny DayConfuse RayCalm Mind
Even
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Even
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Juan
Gym 8
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Juan's team.

You Win
Luvdisc
Lv 41
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
You Win
Whiscash
Lv 41
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 43
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
You Win
Crawdaunt
Lv 43
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
Water PulseCrabhammerTauntLeer
Even
Kingdra
Lv 46
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
Water PulseDouble TeamIce BeamRest
Sidney
Elite Four
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Sidney's team.

You Win
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarDouble EdgeSand AttackCrunch
You Win
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
TormentDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
You Win
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Even
Crawdaunt
Lv 48
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
SurfSwords DanceStrengthFacade
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceRock SlideSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Phoebe's team.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
You Win
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Kingdra trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamHailIce Ball
Even
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchIcy WindIce Beam
Even
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDouble EdgeHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallExplosionHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamIce BeamSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Drake's team.

You Win
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectDouble Edge
You Win
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Double EdgeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
You Win
Kingdra
Lv 53
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenDragon DanceSurfBody Slam
Easy KO
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
Even
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Even

Kingdra trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

Even
Wailord
Lv 57
Water
Water Veil
Rain DanceWater SpoutDouble EdgeBlizzard
Even
Tentacruel
Lv 55
WaterPoison
Clear Body
ToxicHydro PumpSludge BombIce Beam
Even
Ludicolo
Lv 56
WaterGrass
Swift Swim
Giga DrainSurfLeech SeedDouble Team
You Win
Whiscash
Lv 56
WaterGround
Oblivious
EarthquakeSurfAmnesiaHyper Beam
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon DanceEarthquakeHyper BeamSurf
Risky
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverSurfIce BeamToxic
Trade Horsea
Available after Badge 7
Type
Water
Tier
F

Horsea can be received through an in-game trade on Pacifidlog Town. Trade Bagon. Trade a Bagon to a Deep Sea Diver in Pacifidlog Town

View Horsea locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Wattson
    • TM13IceIce Beam90100%10
  • After Norman
    • HM03WaterSurf135100%15
  • After Winona
    • TM14IceBlizzard11070%5
  • After Tate & Liza
    • HM08WaterDive120100%10
    • HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
    • LV 43WaterHydro Pump16580%5
  • After Juan
    • TM03WaterWater Pulse90100%20
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
Evolve Horsea to Kingdra
Trade holding Dragon Scale
Type
WaterDragon
Tier
A

Most players are ready to trade before reaching Juan.

Recommended Moves
  • After Wattson
    • TM13IceIce Beam90100%10
  • After Norman
    • HM03WaterSurf135100%15
  • After Winona
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
  • After Tate & Liza
    • HM08WaterDive120100%10
    • HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
  • After Juan
    • TM03WaterWater Pulse90100%20
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
    • LV 51WaterHydro Pump16580%5

How to Get Kingdra in Emerald

Kingdra's 3-stage chain starts with Horsea, which appears at decent rates in the locations below. Level through 3 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.

Catch Horsea at any of these 4 spots to eventually evolve into Kingdra.

Encountered via fishing with a Rod

  1. 1
    Catch Horsea
  2. 2
    Evolve Seadraat Lv.32
  3. 3
    Evolve Kingdraby trading
Badge 8

How to Obtain Kingdra in E

Horsea is your first catch on the way to Kingdra. You'll find fishing and trade encounters from Lv. 25-30 across 4 total spots in the chain.

  1. Horsea
    Step 1Catch Horsea
    Route 132
    Lv.25-30Super Rod
    Rate 15%
    Route 133
    Lv.25-30Super Rod
    Rate 15%
    Route 134
    Lv.25-30Super Rod
    Rate 15%
    Pacifidlog Town
    In-game trade
    Limited
    Trade for (give Bagon)
  2. Seadra
    Step 2Evolve into Seadra
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave Kingdra with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Seadra egg.
  3. Kingdra
    Step 3Kingdra

Kingdra Weakness

Type-wise, Kingdra takes extra damage from Dragon. Not many exploitable gaps in the Water/Dragon typing defensive chart. With 75 HP and balanced defenses, Kingdra can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.

Kingdra Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Dragon
0.5x (Resist)Steel
0.25x (Resist)Fire, Water
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Kingdra Weak Against

Excellent
1Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Score+3
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
½xResist
¼xResist
0xImmune
None

What is Kingdra Strong Against

4Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+4
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Kingdra

Kingdra Evolutions

Kingdra evolved from Horsea's chain using a trade. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Horsea eggs (average hatch time). The evolution from Horsea pushed Kingdra to 540 total stats. Sp.Def saw the largest single gain at +70. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Horsea
#116Horsea
32
Level 32
Seadra
#117Seadra
Trade + Dragon Scale
Trade + Dragon Scale
Kingdra
#230Kingdra
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Horsea
Water
Seadra
Water
Kingdra
WaterDragon
HP
30
55+25
75+20
ATK
40
65+25
95+30
DEF
70
95+25
95
SP.ATK
70
95+25
95
SP.DEF
25
45+20
95+50
SPE
60
85+25
85
BST
295C-Tier
440C-Tier+145
540C-Tier+100
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Special
Special
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Kingdra to get Horsea eggs easily using 27 partners from the Dragon and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Aurora Beam, Disable, Dragon Breath and 4 more.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
7moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosazumarillcharizardsceptileflygonmiloticblastoisegolduckferaligatrswampertaltariaslowbro

E Kingdra Best Moveset

Water/Dragon typing leaves only Dragon as a weakness, and AbilitySwift Swim in rain doubles Kingdra's Speed to outrun everything on the field. The moveset becomes devastating on rain teams where special Water TermStab hits everything that Dragon misses.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Attacker
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
Lum BerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Kingdra
Modest+SPA

Kingdra best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Attacker Moveset

  • Rain DanceSTAB
  • Ice Beam
  • SurfSTAB
  • Hidden Power Grass

Moves List

Breeding's the move. Aurora Beam and Disable give Kingdra options it can't learn any other way, and Ice and Normal coverage already covers a decent range on top of Hydro Pump and Surf. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bubble
3010030Water
Lv 1
Leer
D10030Normal
Lv 1
Smokescreen
10020Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
D6010025Water
Lv 8
Smokescreen
10020Normal
Lv 15
Leer
D10030Normal
Lv 22
Water Gun
D6010025Water
Lv 29
Twister
6010020Dragon
Lv 40
Agility
C30Psychic
Lv 51
Hydro Pump
B180805Water
Lv 62
Dragon Dance
C20Dragon

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
C120705Ice
HM08
Dive
C9010010Water
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM07
Hail
10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
B9510010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
B5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
HM03
Surf
B14210015Water
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
C9010020Water
HM07
Waterfall
C12010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Aurora Beam
6510020Ice
Egg
Disable
D5520Normal
Egg
Dragon Breath
C9010020Dragon
Egg
Dragon Rage
10010Dragon
Egg
Flail
D10015Normal
Egg
Octazooka
978510Water
Egg
Splash
D40Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Endure+4
C10Normal
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D10Normal
Tutor
Snore
4010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D9015Normal
Tutor
Swift
6020Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
High
HP75
C
Attack95
B
Defense95
B
Sp. Atk95
B
Sp. Def95
B
Speed85
C
Total540
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.8 m
Weight152.0 kg
Base XP243
Abilities
Swift Swim
Doubles Speed during rain.
Sniper
Strengthens critical hits to inflict 3× damage rather than 2×.
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpA+1SpD+1Spe
Strong Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

It sleeps quietly, deep on the seafloor. When it comes up to the surface, it creates a huge whirlpool that can swallow even ships.

Pokemon Emerald

Kingdra Emerald Guide

  • In Emerald, Kingdra looks average on paper at 540 BST. But Swift Swim is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. B-Tier on our tier list. Raindance with Lum Berry is the standard set.

  • In Emerald, Kingdra's biggest threats include Dragonite (Dragon), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Kingdra is obtained by trade-evolving Seadra. Catch or evolve a Seadra first, then trade. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Seadra to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required. The Dragon Scale must be held during the trade. Bring one over from a sibling Gen 3 game if needed.

  • Kingdra gets Swift Swim and Sniper. But Swift Swim is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.

  • Kingdra is a special attacker with base 95 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 85 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.

Game Availability

Since Gold & Silver, Kingdra has been in 17 games. Requiring a trade evolution to obtain means it's consistently available but requires more effort than simply catching it in the wild.

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