Physical
Balanced
41Speed · Very Slow

Is Larvitar Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?

Larvitar appears in the Wild Area at Lake of Outrage, needing the water bike to reach. Shield exclusive (Sword gets Deino instead). Rock/Ground evolving into Tyranitar at level 55 is a late investment, but 600 BST makes it one of the best returns in the game if you start early enough.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEGSTEGEEEEMiloGym 1NessaGym 2KabuGym 3BeaGym 4OpalGym 5GordieGym 6LarvitarCatchablePupitarEvolvePiersGym 7RaihanGym 8BedeGym 9TyranitarEvolveLeonChamp*
Milo
Gym 1
Even

Larvitar trades roughly evenly with Milo's team.

Even
Gossifleur
Lv 19
Grass
Regenerator
Magical LeafRoundRapid Spin
Risky
Eldegoss
Lv 20
Grass
Regenerator
Magical LeafLeafageRound
Nessa
Gym 2
Good

Larvitar has the type edge here and should clean up Nessa's team.

Even
Goldeen
Lv 22
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseWhirlpoolHorn AttackAgility
You Win
Arrokuda
Lv 23
Water
Swift Swim
Aqua JetBiteWhirlpoolFury Attack
You Win
Drednaw
Lv 24
WaterRock
Swift Swim
Razor ShellWater GunBiteHeadbutt
Kabu
Gym 3
Strong

Larvitar resists most of Kabu's coverage and hits back hard.

You Win
Ninetales
Lv 25
Fire
Flash Fire
Will O WispFire SpinQuick AttackEmber
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 25
Fire
Intimidate
Will O WispFlame WheelBiteAgility
Easy KO
Centiskorch
Lv 27
FireBug
Flash Fire
Flame WheelCoilBug BiteSmokescreen
Bea
Gym 4
Tough

Bea's team hits Larvitar's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Hitmontop
Lv 34
Fighting
Technician
Triple KickQuick AttackCounterRevenge
Risky
Pangoro
Lv 34
FightingDark
Mold Breaker
Bullet PunchCircle ThrowNight SlashWork Up
Risky
Sirfetchd
Lv 35
Fighting
Steadfast
DetectSwords DanceBrutal SwingRevenge
Risky
Machamp
Lv 36
Fighting
Guts
Scary FaceRevengeKnock OffStrength
Opal
Gym 5
Even

Larvitar trades roughly evenly with Opal's team.

Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
SludgeFairy WindTackle
You Win
Mawile
Lv 36
SteelFairy
Intimidate
Draining KissCrunchIron DefenseAstonish
Even
Togekiss
Lv 37
FairyFlying
Hustle
Air SlashDraining KissAncient Power
Even
Alcremie
Lv 38
Fairy
Sweet Veil
Draining KissAcid ArmorSweet Kiss
Gordie
Gym 6
Good

Larvitar has the type edge here and should clean up Gordie's team.

Even
Barbaracle
Lv 40
RockWater
Tough Claws
Shell SmashRock TombRazor Shell
Easy KO
Shuckle
Lv 40
BugRock
Contrary
Power SplitStone EdgeStruggle BugRock Tomb
You Win
Stonjourner
Lv 41
Rock
Power Spot
Stealth RockRock TombBody SlamWonder Room
Easy KO
Coalossal
Lv 42
RockFire
Steam Engine
Tar ShotStealth RockHeat CrashRock Tomb
Piers
Gym 7
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Piers's team.

Risky
Scrafty
Lv 44
DarkFighting
Intimidate
Fake OutSand AttackBrick BreakPayback
Even
Malamar
Lv 45
DarkPsychic
Contrary
Night SlashFoul PlayPsycho CutPayback
You Win
Skuntank
Lv 45
PoisonDark
Aftermath
Sucker PunchScreechToxicSnarl
Even
Obstagoon
Lv 46
DarkNormal
Reckless
ObstructThroat ChopCounterShadow Claw
Raihan
Gym 8
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Raihan's team.

You Win
Gigalith
Lv 46
Rock
Sand Stream
Stealth RockSand TombRock BlastBody Press
Risky
Flygon
Lv 47
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Thunder PunchBreaking SwipeCrunchSteel Wing
Risky
Sandaconda
Lv 46
Ground
Sand Spit
ProtectGlareFire FangEarth Power
Even
Duraludon
Lv 48
SteelDragon
Heavy Metal
Breaking SwipeBody PressStone EdgeIron Head
Bede
Gym 9
Even

Pupitar trades roughly evenly with Bede's team.

Even
Mawile
Lv 51
SteelFairy
Intimidate
Play RoughIron HeadCrunch
Even
Gardevoir
Lv 51
PsychicFairy
Synchronize
Dazzling GleamPsychicCalm MindWish
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 52
Fire
Pastel Veil
Psycho CutTake DownDazzling GleamQuick Attack
Even
Hatterene
Lv 53
PsychicFairy
Anticipation
PsychicDazzling GleamCalm MindMystical Fire
Leon
Champion
Even

Tyranitar trades roughly evenly with Leon's team.

Even
Aegislash
Lv 62
SteelGhost
Stance Change
Kings ShieldShadow BallSacred SwordFlash Cannon
You Win
Dragapult
Lv 62
DragonGhost
Clear Body
Shadow BallFlamethrowerThunderboltDragon Breath
Even
Haxorus
Lv 63
Dragon
Mold Breaker
Poison JabIron TailOutrageEarthquake
Even
Rhyperior
Lv 64
GroundRock
Solid Rock
EarthquakeStone EdgeMegahornHeat Crash
Even
Rillaboom
Lv 64
Grass
Overgrow
Drum BeatingKnock OffHigh HorsepowerEndeavor
You Win
Charizard
Lv 65
FireFlying
Blaze
Fire BlastAir SlashSolar BeamAncient Power
Catchable
Available after Badge 6
Type
RockGround
Tier
E

Catch Larvitar on Lake of Outrage (walking, Lv 50-52). Overcast.

View Larvitar locations

Evolve Larvitar to Pupitar
Level 30
Type
RockGround
Tier
E

Your Larvitar should hit Level 30 before you reach Piers, at typical leveling pace.

View Pupitar locations

Evolve Pupitar to Tyranitar
Level 55
Type
RockDark
Tier
S

Your Pupitar should hit Level 55 before you reach Leon, at typical leveling pace.

How to Get Larvitar in Sword & Shield

moderate rates across 3 locations for Larvitar in endgame routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.

Shield Exclusive — Trade with Sword for Bagon

Where To Catch Larvitar in SwSh

The path to Larvitar starts with Larvitar at Lv. 50-65 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Larvitar
    Step 1Larvitar
    Roaring-Sea Caves
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    ShieldRate 10%
    All Weather
    Lake of Outrage
    Lv.50-52Grass
    ShieldRate 5%
    Overcast
    Lake of Outrage
    Lv.50-52Grass
    ShieldRate 5%
    Intense Sun
  2. Pupitar
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Pupitar
    Lake of Outrage
    Lv.50-52Grass
    ShieldRate 2%
    Sandstorm
    Lake of Outrage
    Lv.55-58Overworld
    ShieldRate 2%
    Sandstorm
    or evolve from Larvitar (Step 1)
  3. Tyranitar
    Step 3Evolve into Tyranitar
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Tyranitar egg.

Larvitar Weakness

Type-wise, Larvitar takes extra damage from Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. Watch out for Water and Grass attacks, those deal 4x damage. Electric moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. It resists 5 types, giving it decent defensive coverage.

Larvitar Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Water, Grass
2x (Weak)Ice, Fighting, Ground, Steel
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Fire, Flying, Rock
0.25x (Resist)Poison
0x (Immune)Electric

What is Larvitar Weak Against

Fragile
6Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score-7

What is Larvitar Strong Against

8Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+8
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Larvitar

Larvitar Evolutions

Larvitar is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Pupitar first, then eventually reaches Tyranitar. For breeding, takes forever to hatch with plenty of partners via one egg group. Evolving adds up to 300 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Larvitar
RockGround
Pupitar
RockGround
Tyranitar
RockDark
HP
50
70+20
100+30
ATK
64
84+20
134+50
DEF
50
70+20
110+40
SP.ATK
45
65+20
95+30
SP.DEF
50
70+20
100+30
SPE
41
51+10
61+10
BST
300D-Tier
410D-Tier+110
600B-Tier+190
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Utility
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Moderate

Breed Larvitar with 64 breeding partners from the Monster egg group. Pass egg moves like Ancient Power, Curse, Stomp to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
3moves
Breed With (best first)
venusaurcharizardblastoisenidokingsceptileswampertrhyperiorslowbrorhydonslowkingexploudabomasnow

SwSh Larvitar Best Moveset

Rock/Ground pre-evo with 50 across most stats. AbilityGuts boosts Attack on status, but 64 Attack boosted is still too low for the moveset to matter. Two evolutions from Tyranitar, where 134 Attack and AbilitySand Stream create an S-tier force.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Tank
Ability
Guts
Item
Flame Orb
Best Nature for Larvitar

Larvitar best EVs are Attack and HP

EVs

Physical Tank Moveset

  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • ProtectFAST +4
  • Rock SlideSTAB
  • SandstormUtility

Moves List

Breeding's the move. Ancient Power and Curse give Larvitar options it can't learn any other way, and Normal and Dark coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Earthquake and Stone Edge. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
10030Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D4010035Normal
Lv 3
Rock Throw
759015Rock
Lv 6
Payback
D5010010Dark
Lv 9
Bite
D6010025Dark
Lv 12
Scary Face
D10010Normal
Lv 15
Rock Slide
B1129010Rock
Lv 18
Stomping Tantrum
C11210010Ground
Lv 21
Screech
D8540Normal
Lv 24
Dark Pulse
D8010015Dark
Lv 27
Crunch
D8010015Dark
Lv 31
Earthquake
S15010010Ground
Lv 33
Stone Edge
B150805Rock
Lv 36
Thrash
C12010010Normal
Lv 39
Sandstorm
B10Rock
Lv 42
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM58
Assurance
6010010Dark
TM31
Attract
C10015Normal
TR01
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
TM43
Brick Break
D7510015Fighting
TM81
Bulldoze
9010020Ground
TR32
Crunch
D8010015Dark
TR58
Dark Pulse
D8010015Dark
TM15
Dig
C12010010Ground
TR51
Dragon Dance
C20Dragon
TR67
Earth Power
C13510010Ground
TR10
Earthquake
S15010010Ground
TR26
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM39
Facade
B7010020Normal
TR13
Focus Energy
C30Normal
TM08
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TR46
Iron Defense
C15Steel
TR74
Iron Head
D8010015Steel
TR31
Iron Tail
D1007515Steel
TR45
Muddy Water
D908510Water
TR24
Outrage
B12010010Dragon
TM57
Payback
D5010010Dark
TM25
Protect+4
B10Normal
TM33
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM21
Rest
C10Psychic
TM79
Retaliate
D701005Normal
TM22
Rock Slide
B1129010Rock
TM48
Rock Tomb
D909515Rock
TM76
Round
D6010015Normal
TM49
Sand Tomb
D528515Ground
TM32
Sandstorm
B10Rock
TM26
Scary Face
D10010Normal
TM16
Screech
D8540Normal
TR27
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM85
Snarl
D559515Dark
TM24
Snore
D5010015Normal
TR76
Stealth Rock
C20Rock
TM98
Stomping Tantrum
C11210010Ground
TR75
Stone Edge
B150805Rock
TR20
Substitute
C10Normal
TM34
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TR39
Superpower
C1201005Fighting
TR37
Taunt
C10020Dark
TR35
Uproar
D9010010Normal

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Ancient Power
D901005Rock
Egg
Curse
C10Ghost
Egg
Stomp
6510020Normal

Tutor Moves

Larvitar can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP50
D
Attack64
C
Defense50
D
Sp. Atk45
D
Sp. Def50
D
Speed41
D
Total300
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height0.6 m
Weight72.0 kg
Base XP60
Abilities
Guts
Increases Attack to 1.5× with a major status ailment.
Sand VeilHidden Ability
Increases evasion to 1.25× during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

Born deep underground, it comes aboveground and becomes a pupa once it has finished eating the surrounding soil.

It feeds on soil. After it has eaten a large mountain, it will fall asleep so it can grow.

Larvitar Sword & Shield Guide

  • In Sword & Shield, Larvitar does the job early-game if you need a Rock/Ground type on your team. Evolve it into Pupitar before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.

Game Availability

Larvitar first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 18 games across 9 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.

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