Kabutops is the Rock/Water Shellfish Pokémon introduced in Generation 1, sitting at National Pokédex number 0141. It is the evolved form of the fossil Pokémon Kabuto, built around high physical Attack and Speed rather than bulk or special offense. Its sleek body and scythe-like arms reflect a creature that hunted prey underwater and was beginning to adapt to life on land.
Quick answer: Kabutops evolves from Kabuto at level 40. To get a Kabuto in the first place, revive it from the Dome Fossil at the relevant fossil lab in your game, then level it to 40.
How to get Kabutops (revive Kabuto, evolve at level 40)
Kabutops is not found in the wild in most games. You obtain it by evolving Kabuto once it reaches level 40, and Kabuto itself comes from the Dome Fossil revived at a research institute. Each region uses a different lab, so the revival point changes from game to game even though the evolution requirement stays the same.
Where Kabuto appears differs by title. In games where it cannot be encountered, you bring one over by trade or migration and then evolve it.
| Game | How to obtain Kabuto |
|---|---|
| Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, LeafGreen, Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee | Cinnabar Island |
| Diamond, Pearl, Platinum | Oreburgh City |
| HeartGold, SoulSilver | Pewter City |
| Black, White, Black 2, White 2 | Nacrene City |
| X, Y | Ambrette Town |
| Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire | Rustboro City |
| Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon | Route 8 |
| Shield | Roaring-Sea Caves |
| Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Sword, Sun, Moon | Trade or migrate from another game |
| Legends: Arceus | Not available |
You know the evolution worked when Kabuto reaches level 40 and the evolution animation plays, leaving you with Kabutops in your party. In Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Kabutops also learns Slash the moment it evolves.
Kabutops Pokédex data and base stats
Kabutops is a fast physical attacker. Its base stat total of 495 leans heavily on Attack and Speed, while its special stats stay low. It yields 2 Attack EVs when defeated and has a Medium Fast growth rate.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| National № | 0141 |
| Type | Rock / Water |
| Species | Shellfish Pokémon |
| Height / Weight | 1.3 m / 40.5 kg |
| Abilities | Swift Swim, Battle Armor, Weak Armor (hidden) |
| Catch rate | 45 |
| EV yield | 2 Attack |
| Base Exp. | 173 |
| Egg Groups | Water 1, Water 3 |
| Gender | 87.5% male, 12.5% female |
| Stat | Base |
|---|---|
| HP | 60 |
| Attack | 115 |
| Defense | 105 |
| Sp. Atk | 65 |
| Sp. Def | 70 |
| Speed | 80 |
| Total | 495 |
Kabutops type matchups and weaknesses
The Rock/Water typing gives Kabutops a mix of useful resistances and a glaring vulnerability. It takes only a quarter of the damage from Fire and resists Normal, Ice, and Poison. The trade-off is a double weakness to Grass, plus standard weaknesses to Electric, Fighting, and Ground.
| Effectiveness | Types |
|---|---|
| 4× damage | Grass |
| 2× damage | Electric, Fighting, Ground |
| ½ damage | Normal, Ice, Poison |
| ¼ damage | Fire |
Because Grass hits for quadruple damage, a single Grass move can knock Kabutops out instantly, so keep it away from Grass attackers in every format.
Kabutops moves and learnset (Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl)
Kabutops leans on physical Rock and Water attacks backed by its strong Attack stat. The level-up list builds toward Stone Edge at level 70, with Liquidation and Leech Life filling out its physical options. Swords Dance is available by TM for setting up.
| Lv. | Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Night Slash | Dark | Physical | 70 | 100 |
| 1 | Slash | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 |
| 15 | Aqua Jet | Water | Physical | 40 | 100 |
| 25 | Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 |
| 30 | Ancient Power | Rock | Special | 60 | 100 |
| 35 | Brine | Water | Special | 65 | 100 |
| 49 | Leech Life | Bug | Physical | 80 | 100 |
| 56 | Liquidation | Water | Physical | 85 | 100 |
| 70 | Stone Edge | Rock | Physical | 100 | 80 |
Useful TM coverage includes Stone Edge, Rock Slide, X-Scissor, Brick Break, Dig, Waterfall, Surf, and Swords Dance. Egg moves such as Knock Off and Rapid Spin add extra utility if you breed for them.
Kabutops in Pokémon GO (CP, best moveset, counters)
In Pokémon GO, Kabutops carries the same Rock/Water typing and evolves from Kabuto for 50 Candy. Its maximum CP is 3,067 at level 50, and a shiny form is available. Encounters are boosted during Partly Cloudy and Rain weather.
| GO stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Attack | 220 |
| Defense | 186 |
| Stamina (HP) | 155 |
| Max CP (Lvl 40) | 2,713 |
| Max CP (Lvl 50) | 3,067 |
| Raid/Egg CP (Lvl 20) | 1,550 |
| Research CP (Lvl 15) | 1,162 |
| Buddy distance | 5 km |
For offense, the strongest setup is Waterfall paired with Stone Edge, which produces the highest damage output for gym and PvP use. Ancient Power is a cheaper Rock charged move that can boost Kabutops's own stats, while Water Pulse and Aqua Jet are alternative Water charged options.
When facing a Kabutops, lead with Grass attackers for the double weakness, with Electric, Fighting, and Ground also dealing heavy damage. It is not a recommended raid attacker or gym defender, since its low Stamina of 155 and Grass vulnerability make it fragile, and other Rock and Water Pokémon outperform it.
Across both the main series and Pokémon GO, Kabutops rewards a focus on physical pressure and Speed. Revive its fossil, push Kabuto to level 40, and build it around Stone Edge and a strong Water move to make the most of its Attack stat while steering clear of Grass coverage.