---
title: "Kabuto (#0140): Stats, Weaknesses, Moves & Lore | pokee.si"
url: "https://pokee.si/pokemon/kabuto"
description: "Kabuto (#0140): Rock/Water-type Shellfish Pokémon from Kanto. Base stat total 355. 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"
---

#0140 · Kanto · Generation 1 · fossil

# Kabuto

Shellfish Pokémon · Rock/Water-type

![Kabuto official artwork](https://pokee.si/img/art/140.webp)

Kabuto is a [Rock](https://pokee.si/types/rock)/[Water](https://pokee.si/types/water)-type Pokémon, the Shellfish Pokémon, number 140 (#0140) in the National Pokédex. It was introduced in Generation 1 and comes from the [Kanto](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/kanto) region. It is 0.5 m tall and weighs 11.5 kg.

Kabuto is the Shellfish Pokémon, a Rock and Water type revived from a Dome Fossil that looks like a flat brown shell. The Pokédex says it has not changed in 300 million years, and a few living ones have even been found.

## How to pronounce Kabuto

Kabuto is pronounced **kuh-BOO-toh**. The capital letters show the stressed syllable.

Listen to Kabuto said out loud:

[Listen](https://pokee.si/audio/names/140.mp3)

In Japanese it is カブト.

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

## Lore

### Biology

Kabuto is 0.5 m tall and 11.5 kg. Bulbapedia says it resembles a horseshoe crab: a mostly flat brown shell with two small black eyes on top, and underneath four stubby yellow legs and another set of red eyes. The Pokédex says it sees through the eyes on its back when it lies hidden on the seabed.

### Behaviour

Kabuto lurks on the sea floor and relies on its stiff shell for protection. The Sword Pokédex says it moults every three days, and each moult leaves its shell harder.

### Habitat

The Diamond and Pearl Pokédex says it is thought to have lived on beaches 300 million years ago, and its habitat category is Sea. The Ultra Moon entry says it died out everywhere except a few areas.

### Powers

Kabuto can have Swift Swim or Battle Armor, with Weak Armor hidden. It learns Aqua Jet, Ancient Power, Leech Life, Liquidation and Stone Edge. With base Attack 80 and Defense 90 but only 30 HP, it is a physical attacker with a thick shell and a thin health bar.

### Name origin

Kabuto may come from 兜 kabuto ('helmet') and 兜蟹 kabutogani ('horseshoe crab'). The Japanese name is Kabuto (カブト).

### Design inspiration

Kabuto appears to mix the horseshoe crab, a living fossil, with the trilobite, an extinct arthropod that lived from the Cambrian to the Permian.

### Evolution notes

Kabuto evolves into Kabutops at level 40.

### In the games

Kabuto is the Pokémon revived from the Dome Fossil, first at the Pokémon Lab on Cinnabar Island in Red and Blue. It appears in the wild in Shield's Expansion Pass areas, but is unobtainable in Scarlet and Violet and in Legends: Z-A.

### In the anime

In 'Shell Shock!', an island built of Kabuto fossils comes to life when the moon glows red, and it collapses because the fossils had been holding it together. In 'Dealing With Defensive Types!', a Kabuto uses Aqua Jet to blast Team Rocket away from the Canalave Gym kitchen.

### Fun facts

- Kabuto and Kabutops share the category Shellfish Pokémon with Blastoise, according to Bulbapedia.
- In the Red and Green beta its English name was Att and Kabutops was Lantis, which Bulbapedia says both come from Atlantis.
- In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Brock is given a Kabuto as thanks for rescuing the Pewter City Museum staff, and it later evolves into a Kabutops.

Sources: [Bulbapedia: Kabuto (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Kabuto_(Pok%C3%A9mon)) · [Bulbapedia: Pokémon Red and Green beta](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Red_and_Green_beta)

## Base stats

- HP: **30**
- Attack: **80**
- Defense: **90**
- Sp. Atk: **55**
- Sp. Def: **45**
- Speed: **55**

Kabuto’s base stat total is **355**. Its highest stat is Defense.

## Type matchups

### What is Kabuto weak to?

Kabuto takes extra damage from [Grass](https://pokee.si/types/grass) (4×), [Electric](https://pokee.si/types/electric) (2×), [Fighting](https://pokee.si/types/fighting) (2×), [Ground](https://pokee.si/types/ground) (2×) moves.

It resists [Fire](https://pokee.si/types/fire) (¼×), [Normal](https://pokee.si/types/normal) (½×), [Ice](https://pokee.si/types/ice) (½×), [Poison](https://pokee.si/types/poison) (½×), [Flying](https://pokee.si/types/flying) (½×).

## Evolution

### How does Kabuto evolve?

Kabuto evolves into [Kabutops](https://pokee.si/pokemon/kabutops) at level 40.

The whole family: **Kabuto**, [Kabutops](https://pokee.si/pokemon/kabutops).

## Abilities

- [Swift Swim](https://pokee.si/abilities/swift-swim): Doubles Speed during rain.
- [Battle Armor](https://pokee.si/abilities/battle-armor): Protects against critical hits.
- [Weak Armor](https://pokee.si/abilities/weak-armor) (hidden ability): Raises Speed and lowers Defense by one stage each upon being hit by a physical move.

## Moves

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

| Level | Move | Type | Category | Power |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Absorb](https://pokee.si/moves/absorb) | Grass | Special | 20 |
| 1 | [Harden](https://pokee.si/moves/harden) | Normal | Status | — |
| 5 | [Scratch](https://pokee.si/moves/scratch) | Normal | Physical | 40 |
| 10 | [Sand Attack](https://pokee.si/moves/sand-attack) | Ground | Status | — |
| 15 | [Aqua Jet](https://pokee.si/moves/aqua-jet) | Water | Physical | 40 |
| 20 | [Leer](https://pokee.si/moves/leer) | Normal | Status | — |
| 25 | [Mud Shot](https://pokee.si/moves/mud-shot) | Ground | Special | 55 |
| 30 | [Ancient Power](https://pokee.si/moves/ancient-power) | Rock | Special | 60 |
| 35 | [Brine](https://pokee.si/moves/brine) | Water | Special | 65 |
| 41 | [Protect](https://pokee.si/moves/protect) | Normal | Status | — |
| 45 | [Leech Life](https://pokee.si/moves/leech-life) | Bug | Physical | 80 |
| 50 | [Liquidation](https://pokee.si/moves/liquidation) | Water | Physical | 85 |
| 55 | [Metal Sound](https://pokee.si/moves/metal-sound) | Steel | Status | — |
| 60 | [Stone Edge](https://pokee.si/moves/stone-edge) | Rock | Physical | 100 |

### TM moves (36)

Kabuto can learn 36 moves from TMs in Sword / Shield: [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), [Giga Drain](https://pokee.si/moves/giga-drain), [Attract](https://pokee.si/moves/attract), [Sandstorm](https://pokee.si/moves/sandstorm), [Rain Dance](https://pokee.si/moves/rain-dance), [Hail](https://pokee.si/moves/hail), [Whirlpool](https://pokee.si/moves/whirlpool), [Facade](https://pokee.si/moves/facade), [Rock Tomb](https://pokee.si/moves/rock-tomb), [Mud Shot](https://pokee.si/moves/mud-shot), [Rock Blast](https://pokee.si/moves/rock-blast), [Brine](https://pokee.si/moves/brine), [Round](https://pokee.si/moves/round), [Body Slam](https://pokee.si/moves/body-slam), [Hydro Pump](https://pokee.si/moves/hydro-pump), [Surf](https://pokee.si/moves/surf), [Ice Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/ice-beam), [Blizzard](https://pokee.si/moves/blizzard), [Waterfall](https://pokee.si/moves/waterfall), [Leech Life](https://pokee.si/moves/leech-life), [Substitute](https://pokee.si/moves/substitute), [Endure](https://pokee.si/moves/endure), [Sleep Talk](https://pokee.si/moves/sleep-talk), [Iron Defense](https://pokee.si/moves/iron-defense), [Earth Power](https://pokee.si/moves/earth-power), [Stone Edge](https://pokee.si/moves/stone-edge), [Stealth Rock](https://pokee.si/moves/stealth-rock), [Scald](https://pokee.si/moves/scald), [Liquidation](https://pokee.si/moves/liquidation).

Egg moves (8):[Aurora Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/aurora-beam), [Bubble Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/bubble-beam), [Confuse Ray](https://pokee.si/moves/confuse-ray), [Flail](https://pokee.si/moves/flail), [Knock Off](https://pokee.si/moves/knock-off), [Mega Drain](https://pokee.si/moves/mega-drain), [Rapid Spin](https://pokee.si/moves/rapid-spin), [Take Down](https://pokee.si/moves/take-down).

Move tutor moves (1): [Meteor Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/meteor-beam).

## Breeding & training

- Gender: 87.5% male, 12.5% female.
- Egg groups: Water 1, Water 3.
- Egg cycles: 30 (steps to hatch, Scarlet/Violet: 3,840).
- Catch rate: 45 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: 71.

## Pokédex entries

While some say this species has gone extinct, Kabuto sightings are apparently fairly common in some places. *(Shield)*

This species is almost entirely extinct. Kabuto molt every three days, making their shells harder and harder. *(Sword)*

A Pokémon that was recovered from a fossil. It used the eyes on its back while hiding on the seafloor. *(Let’s Go, Pikachu!, Let’s Go, Eevee!)*

This Pokémon became extinct everywhere, except in a few areas. It protects itself with its hard shell. *(Ultra Moon)*

This Pokémon thrived 300 million years ago. It's said that living specimens can still be seen in a certain region—a rare sight. *(Ultra Sun)*

Kabuto is a Pokémon that has been regenerated from a fossil. However, in extremely rare cases, living examples have been discovered. The Pokémon has not changed at all for 300 million years. *(Ruby, Sapphire, Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire)*

## Names around the world

- **Japanese**: カブト
- **Romaji**: Kabuto
- **French**: Kabuto
- **German**: Kabuto
- **Spanish**: Kabuto
- **Italian**: Kabuto
- **Korean**: 투구
- **Chinese (Simplified)**: 化石盔
- **Chinese (Traditional)**: 化石盔

## Trivia

- Taller than 19% of all Pokémon (0.5 m).
- Heavier than 30% of all Pokémon (11.5 kg).
- Base stat total 355, ranked #691 of 1,025.
- One of 11 Pokémon that are both Rock and Water.
- One of 147 brown Pokémon.
- Number 140 of 151 Pokémon introduced in Generation 1 (Kanto).
- Part of an evolution family of 2 Pokémon.
- Can learn 53 different moves in Sword / Shield.
- Catch rate 45: about 5.9% 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: Kabuto (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Kabuto_(Pok%C3%A9mon)), [Bulbapedia: Pokémon Red and Green beta](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Red_and_Green_beta).
- Pronunciation (kuh-BOO-toh): 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

[Rock-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/rock) · [Water-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/water) · [Rock/Water weaknesses and matchups](https://pokee.si/types/water-rock) · [Kanto region guide](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/kanto) · [Swift Swim ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/swift-swim) · [Battle Armor ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/battle-armor) · [Weak Armor ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/weak-armor) · [Compare Kabuto](https://pokee.si/compare?ids=140) · [Full Pokédex](https://pokee.si/pokedex) · [Type chart](https://pokee.si/types) · [All moves](https://pokee.si/moves)

## Browse similar Pokémon

[Gen 1 Rock-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/rock/gen-1) · [Gen 1 Water-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/water/gen-1) · [Gen 1 Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/pokedex/gen-1) · [Brown Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/colours/brown) · [Water 1 egg group](https://pokee.si/egg-groups/water-1) · [Water 3 egg group](https://pokee.si/egg-groups/water-3) · [Pokémon that start with K](https://pokee.si/pokemon-names/k) · [Crab and Crustacean Pokémon](https://pokee.si/animals/crab)

← [Omastar](https://pokee.si/pokemon/omastar) | [Kabutops](https://pokee.si/pokemon/kabutops) →

---

Source: https://pokee.si/pokemon/kabuto (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.