---
title: "Cubone (#0104): Stats, Weaknesses, Moves & Lore | pokee.si"
url: "https://pokee.si/pokemon/cubone"
description: "Cubone (#0104): Ground-type Lonely Pokémon from Kanto. Base stat total 320. Stats, matchups, evolutions, moves, every Pokédex entry and lore on pokee.si."
last_updated: "2026-10-21"
publisher: "pokee.si: a Pokédex for families (unofficial fan site)"
last_checked: "2026-10-19"
---

#0104 · Kanto · Generation 1

# Cubone

Lonely Pokémon · Ground-type

![Cubone official artwork](https://pokee.si/img/art/104.webp)

Cubone is a [Ground](https://pokee.si/types/ground)-type Pokémon, the Lonely Pokémon, number 104 (#0104) in the National Pokédex. It was introduced in Generation 1 and comes from the [Kanto](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/kanto) region. It is 0.4 m tall and weighs 6.5 kg.

Cubone is the Lonely Pokémon, a small Ground type that wears its dead mother's skull as a helmet. The Pokédex says nobody has ever seen its face, and that each tear it sheds makes it stronger.

## How to pronounce Cubone

Cubone is pronounced **KYOO-bohn**. The capital letters show the stressed syllable.

Listen to Cubone said out loud:

[Listen](https://pokee.si/audio/names/104.mp3)

In Japanese it is カラカラ (Karakara).

Hear every other name on the [Pokémon pronunciation guide](https://pokee.si/pronounce).

## Lore

### Biology

Cubone is a small, dinosaur-like Pokémon with brown hide, a cream belly, two small spikes along its back and a stubby tail. It is 0.4 m tall and weighs 6.5 kg. The skull has two rounded horns and hides everything except its black eyes. The stains on it are said to come from its tears.

### Behaviour

Cubone keeps to itself and mourns its mother, mostly at night. The Pokédex says it sees her likeness in the full moon, and that its dreams make it cry even in its sleep. Its crying is said to draw Mandibuzz, its natural enemy. According to some entries, it evolves when it accepts the loss.

### Habitat

Its Pokédex habitat is Mountain, and Bulbapedia says it lives in rocky places such as mountains and caves. It cannot be found in Scarlet and Violet, but in Legends: Z-A it appears in the Mega Dimension DLC's Hyperspace Lumiose.

### Powers

Rock Head stops recoil damage, which suits Double-Edge, and Lightning Rod pulls single-target Electric moves towards it and raises its Special Attack. Its hidden Ability, Battle Armor, blocks critical hits. It swings its bone with Bone Rush and Bonemerang. Its 50 base Attack is low, but its 95 Defense is sturdy for its size.

### Name origin

Cubone combines 'cub' and 'bone'. The Japanese name is Karakara (カラカラ), a word for a light, dry clattering sound that contrasts with the heavier rattle in Marowak's name.

### Design inspiration

Bulbapedia says Cubone looks loosely based on bipedal dinosaurs, and may recall cultures that wore bones as decoration or used them as weapons. Its move Bonemerang appears to nod to the boomerang's original use as a hunting tool by Indigenous Australian peoples. These are fan readings.

### Evolution notes

Cubone becomes Marowak at level 28. If it levels up at night in Alola from level 28, it becomes Alolan Marowak instead.

### In the games

Mr. Fuji looks after an orphaned Cubone in Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed and LeafGreen. Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! give that Cubone a bigger role, including a rescue from Team Rocket's hideout.

### In the anime

Cubone debuted in 'The School of Hard Knocks' under Giselle, who used it against Ash's Pikachu. Goh caught one in 'A Snow Day for Searching!' after helping it get its stolen bone back.

### Fun facts

- Bulbapedia says no known Pokémon other than Cubone and Marowak can use the Thick Club item.
- Although the Pokédex says Cubone wears its dead mother's skull, Bulbapedia notes that Cubone already wear one when they hatch from Eggs.
- A Japanese trading card showing Cubone using Growl partly reveals its face.

Sources: [Bulbapedia: Cubone (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Cubone_(Pok%C3%A9mon)) · [Serebii: Cubone (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/cubone/)

## Base stats

- HP: **50**
- Attack: **50**
- Defense: **95**
- Sp. Atk: **40**
- Sp. Def: **50**
- Speed: **35**

Cubone’s base stat total is **320**. Its highest stat is Defense.

## Type matchups

### What is Cubone weak to?

Cubone takes extra damage from [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water) (2×), [Grass](https://pokee.si/types/grass) (2×), [Ice](https://pokee.si/types/ice) (2×) moves.

It resists [Poison](https://pokee.si/types/poison) (½×), [Rock](https://pokee.si/types/rock) (½×).

It is immune to [Electric](https://pokee.si/types/electric) moves.

## Evolution

### How does Cubone evolve?

Cubone evolves into [Marowak](https://pokee.si/pokemon/marowak) (Level 28; Alolan Marowak: Level 28, at night, in Alola).

The whole family: **Cubone**, [Marowak](https://pokee.si/pokemon/marowak).

## Abilities

- [Rock Head](https://pokee.si/abilities/rock-head): Protects against recoil damage.
- [Lightning Rod](https://pokee.si/abilities/lightning-rod): Redirects single-target Electric moves to this Pokémon where possible. Absorbs Electric moves, raising Special Attack one stage.
- [Battle Armor](https://pokee.si/abilities/battle-armor) (hidden ability): Protects against critical hits.

## Moves

### Moves Cubone learns by level up in Sword / Shield

| Level | Move | Type | Category | Power |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Mud-Slap](https://pokee.si/moves/mud-slap) | Ground | Special | 20 |
| 1 | [Growl](https://pokee.si/moves/growl) | Normal | Status | — |
| 4 | [Tail Whip](https://pokee.si/moves/tail-whip) | Normal | Status | — |
| 8 | [False Swipe](https://pokee.si/moves/false-swipe) | Normal | Physical | 40 |
| 12 | [Headbutt](https://pokee.si/moves/headbutt) | Normal | Physical | 70 |
| 16 | [Retaliate](https://pokee.si/moves/retaliate) | Normal | Physical | 70 |
| 20 | [Fling](https://pokee.si/moves/fling) | Dark | Physical | — |
| 24 | [Stomping Tantrum](https://pokee.si/moves/stomping-tantrum) | Ground | Physical | 75 |
| 29 | [Bone Rush](https://pokee.si/moves/bone-rush) | Ground | Physical | 25 |
| 32 | [Focus Energy](https://pokee.si/moves/focus-energy) | Normal | Status | — |
| 36 | [Endeavor](https://pokee.si/moves/endeavor) | Normal | Physical | — |
| 40 | [Bonemerang](https://pokee.si/moves/bonemerang) | Ground | Physical | 50 |
| 44 | [Thrash](https://pokee.si/moves/thrash) | Normal | Physical | 120 |
| 48 | [Double-Edge](https://pokee.si/moves/double-edge) | Normal | Physical | 120 |

### TM moves (44)

Cubone can learn 44 moves from TMs in Sword / Shield: [Mega Punch](https://pokee.si/moves/mega-punch), [Mega Kick](https://pokee.si/moves/mega-kick), [Fire Punch](https://pokee.si/moves/fire-punch), [Thunder Punch](https://pokee.si/moves/thunder-punch), [Dig](https://pokee.si/moves/dig), [Screech](https://pokee.si/moves/screech), [Rest](https://pokee.si/moves/rest), [Rock Slide](https://pokee.si/moves/rock-slide), [Thief](https://pokee.si/moves/thief), [Snore](https://pokee.si/moves/snore), [Protect](https://pokee.si/moves/protect), [Icy Wind](https://pokee.si/moves/icy-wind), [Attract](https://pokee.si/moves/attract), [Sandstorm](https://pokee.si/moves/sandstorm), [Sunny Day](https://pokee.si/moves/sunny-day), [Facade](https://pokee.si/moves/facade), [Swift](https://pokee.si/moves/swift), [Brick Break](https://pokee.si/moves/brick-break), [Rock Tomb](https://pokee.si/moves/rock-tomb), [Fling](https://pokee.si/moves/fling), [Round](https://pokee.si/moves/round), [Retaliate](https://pokee.si/moves/retaliate), [Bulldoze](https://pokee.si/moves/bulldoze), [False Swipe](https://pokee.si/moves/false-swipe), [Brutal Swing](https://pokee.si/moves/brutal-swing), [Stomping Tantrum](https://pokee.si/moves/stomping-tantrum), [Swords Dance](https://pokee.si/moves/swords-dance), [Body Slam](https://pokee.si/moves/body-slam), [Flamethrower](https://pokee.si/moves/flamethrower), [Ice Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/ice-beam), [Blizzard](https://pokee.si/moves/blizzard), [Low Kick](https://pokee.si/moves/low-kick), [Earthquake](https://pokee.si/moves/earthquake), [Focus Energy](https://pokee.si/moves/focus-energy), [Fire Blast](https://pokee.si/moves/fire-blast), [Substitute](https://pokee.si/moves/substitute), [Endure](https://pokee.si/moves/endure), [Sleep Talk](https://pokee.si/moves/sleep-talk), [Iron Tail](https://pokee.si/moves/iron-tail), [Uproar](https://pokee.si/moves/uproar), [Iron Defense](https://pokee.si/moves/iron-defense), [Earth Power](https://pokee.si/moves/earth-power), [Iron Head](https://pokee.si/moves/iron-head), [Stealth Rock](https://pokee.si/moves/stealth-rock).

Egg moves (8):[Ancient Power](https://pokee.si/moves/ancient-power), [Belly Drum](https://pokee.si/moves/belly-drum), [Curse](https://pokee.si/moves/curse), [Detect](https://pokee.si/moves/detect), [Double Kick](https://pokee.si/moves/double-kick), [Leer](https://pokee.si/moves/leer), [Perish Song](https://pokee.si/moves/perish-song), [Skull Bash](https://pokee.si/moves/skull-bash).

Move tutor moves (1): [Scorching Sands](https://pokee.si/moves/scorching-sands).

## Breeding & training

- Gender: 50% male, 50% female.
- Egg groups: Monster.
- Egg cycles: 20 (steps to hatch, Scarlet/Violet: 2,560).
- Catch rate: 190 out of 255.
- Base friendship (Gen 8 onward): 50.
- Growth rate: Medium (1,000,000 experience points to reach level 100).
- Defeating it gives 1 Defense effort value.
- Base experience yield: 64.

## Pokédex entries

This Pokémon wears the skull of its deceased mother. Sometimes Cubone's dreams make it cry, but each tear Cubone sheds makes it stronger. *(Shield)*

When the memory of its departed mother brings it to tears, its cries echo mournfully within the skull it wears on its head. *(Sword)*

Wears the skull of its deceased mother. Its cries echo inside the skull and come out as a sad melody. *(Yellow, Let’s Go, Pikachu!, Let’s Go, Eevee!)*

It wears its mother's skull on its head, so no one knows what its bare face looks like. However, it's clear that it's always crying. *(Ultra Moon)*

At night, it weeps loudly for its dead mother, but those cries only attract its natural enemy—Mandibuzz. *(Ultra Sun)*

The skull it wears on its head is that of its dead mother. According to some, it will evolve when it comes to terms with the pain of her death. *(Moon)*

## Names around the world

- **Japanese**: カラカラ
- **Romaji**: Karakara
- **French**: Osselait
- **German**: Tragosso
- **Spanish**: Cubone
- **Italian**: Cubone
- **Korean**: 탕구리
- **Chinese (Simplified)**: 卡拉卡拉
- **Chinese (Traditional)**: 卡拉卡拉

## Trivia

- Taller than 11% of all Pokémon (0.4 m).
- Heavier than 19% of all Pokémon (6.5 kg).
- Base stat total 320, ranked #772 of 1,025.
- One of 75 Ground-type Pokémon (counting dual types).
- One of 147 brown Pokémon.
- Number 104 of 151 Pokémon introduced in Generation 1 (Kanto).
- Part of an evolution family of 2 Pokémon.
- Can learn 62 different moves in Sword / Shield.
- Catch rate 190: about 24.8% per Poké Ball at full health.
- Appears in 15 distinct Pokédex entries.

## Sources and fact-checking

- Stats, types, abilities, moves, evolutions, forms and Pokédex entries: [PokéAPI](https://pokeapi.co) open game data.
- Lore: written by pokee.si in our own words, researched from [Bulbapedia: Cubone (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Cubone_(Pok%C3%A9mon)), [Serebii: Cubone (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/cubone/).
- Pronunciation (KYOO-bohn): it follows how the English anime, games or official videos say it.

**Last checked:** 19 October 2026. Every sentence of the lore was checked against Bulbapedia, Serebii and the game data.

## Explore

[Ground-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/ground) · [Kanto region guide](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/kanto) · [Rock Head ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/rock-head) · [Lightning Rod ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/lightning-rod) · [Battle Armor ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/battle-armor) · [Compare Cubone](https://pokee.si/compare?ids=104) · [Full Pokédex](https://pokee.si/pokedex) · [Type chart](https://pokee.si/types) · [All moves](https://pokee.si/moves)

## Browse similar Pokémon

[Gen 1 Ground-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/ground/gen-1) · [Gen 1 Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/pokedex/gen-1) · [Brown Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/colours/brown) · [Monster egg group](https://pokee.si/egg-groups/monster) · [Pokémon that start with C](https://pokee.si/pokemon-names/c) · [Dinosaur Pokémon](https://pokee.si/animals/dinosaur)

← [Exeggutor](https://pokee.si/pokemon/exeggutor) | [Marowak](https://pokee.si/pokemon/marowak) →

---

Source: https://pokee.si/pokemon/cubone (HTML page). pokee.si is an unofficial fan site and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK or The Pokémon Company. Pokémon and all related names and images are © their respective owners.