---
title: "Kingler (#0099): Stats, Weaknesses, Moves & Lore | pokee.si"
url: "https://pokee.si/pokemon/kingler"
description: "Kingler (#0099): Water-type Pincer Pokémon from Kanto. Base stat total 475. 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"
---

#0099 · Kanto · Generation 1

# Kingler

Pincer Pokémon · Water-type

![Kingler official artwork](https://pokee.si/img/art/99.webp)

Kingler is a [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water)-type Pokémon, the Pincer Pokémon, number 99 (#0099) in the National Pokédex. It was introduced in Generation 1 and comes from the [Kanto](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/kanto) region. It is 1.3 m tall and weighs 60 kg.

Kingler is the Pincer Pokémon, a spiky-crowned crab with one gigantic claw that the Pokédex credits with 10,000 horsepower. A Gigantamax form turns that claw into something even more fearsome.

## How to pronounce Kingler

Kingler is pronounced **KING-ler**. The capital letters show the stressed syllable.

Listen to Kingler said out loud:

[Listen](https://pokee.si/audio/names/99.mp3)

In Japanese it is キングラー.

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

## Lore

### Biology

Kingler is a crab with a red shell, a tan underside and a crown of six tall, thin spikes. It is 1.3 m tall and weighs 60 kg. Its left claw has swollen to about twice the size of the other and, the Pokédex says, is as hard as steel. Six fangs line its lower jaw, and the outer two are roughly half as tall as its body.

### Behaviour

The huge claw is as much a burden as a weapon. The Pokédex says Kingler tires quickly, staggers if it lifts the claw too fast and finds it hard to aim. It signals to other Kingler by waving the claw about.

### Habitat

It lives at the water's edge, usually the ocean. In Sword and Shield it is found on Route 9, in Axew's Eye and around the lakes, and in the Let's Go games on Routes 12 and 13. It is not available in Scarlet and Violet or Legends: Z-A.

### Powers

Kingler has Hyper Cutter, Shell Armor and the hidden Sheer Force. It hits with Crabhammer, X-Scissor, Superpower and Knock Off, and can boost with Swords Dance. A base Attack of 130 and Defense of 115 make it a powerful, tough physical attacker, though it is held back by 50 in both special stats. Gigantamax Kingler grows a spikier body, a vast left pincer and a beard of foam; it is the only known Pokémon that can use G-Max Foam Burst, and the Pokédex says its strongly alkaline bubbles can melt what they strike.

### Name origin

Kingler may combine 'king crab' and 'angler', and may also involve 'fiddler crab'. Its Japanese name is the same word, Kingler (キングラー).

### Design inspiration

Kingler resembles a fiddler crab or a land crab from the Cardisoma genus, where one claw is usually bigger than the other, and it may also borrow from pliers and hammers. The Gigantamax form may take after Japanese spider crabs, with bubbles forming its beard. These are fan readings.

### Evolution notes

Kingler is the final stage of its line and evolves from Krabby at level 28.

### In the games

Kingler has been a Kanto Water type since Generation I and gained a Gigantamax form in Sword and Shield. In Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl you get one by evolving a Krabby.

### In the anime

Kingler debuted in 'Showdown at Dark City' among the Kaz Gym's Pokémon. Ash's Krabby evolved into one in 'Round One - Begin!' by beating Mandi's Exeggutor in the opening battle of the Indigo Plateau Conference.

### Fun facts

- Bulbapedia points out that horsepower measures power, not crushing force, so the Pokédex's 10,000 horsepower claim does not really make sense as a unit.
- Scizor shares the Pincer Pokémon category with Kingler, even though Scizor was first called the Scissors Pokémon.
- In the Red and Green beta, Kingler's English name was Kingle.
- In 'Love, Pokémon Style', three rolling Voltorb shock Ash's Kingler so badly that it misses the Silver Conference.

Sources: [Bulbapedia: Kingler (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Kingler_(Pok%C3%A9mon)) · [Serebii: Kingler (Sword/Shield Pokédex; no Scarlet/Violet page)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-swsh/kingler/)

## Base stats

- HP: **55**
- Attack: **130**
- Defense: **115**
- Sp. Atk: **50**
- Sp. Def: **50**
- Speed: **75**

Kingler’s base stat total is **475**. Its highest stat is Attack.

## Type matchups

### What is Kingler weak to?

Kingler takes extra damage from [Electric](https://pokee.si/types/electric) (2×), [Grass](https://pokee.si/types/grass) (2×) moves.

It resists [Fire](https://pokee.si/types/fire) (½×), [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water) (½×), [Ice](https://pokee.si/types/ice) (½×), [Steel](https://pokee.si/types/steel) (½×).

## Evolution

### What does Kingler evolve from?

Kingler evolves from [Krabby](https://pokee.si/pokemon/krabby) at level 28.

Kingler is the final stage of its evolution family.

The whole family: [Krabby](https://pokee.si/pokemon/krabby), **Kingler**.

## Forms

- **Gigantamax Kingler** (Gigantamax): [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water)-type, base stat total 475 (HP 55, Attack 130, Defense 115, Sp. Atk 50, Sp. Def 50, Speed 75). Abilities: [Hyper Cutter](https://pokee.si/abilities/hyper-cutter), [Shell Armor](https://pokee.si/abilities/shell-armor), [Sheer Force](https://pokee.si/abilities/sheer-force) (hidden).

## Abilities

- [Hyper Cutter](https://pokee.si/abilities/hyper-cutter): Prevents Attack from being lowered by other Pokémon.
- [Shell Armor](https://pokee.si/abilities/shell-armor): Protects against critical hits.
- [Sheer Force](https://pokee.si/abilities/sheer-force) (hidden ability): Strengthens moves with extra effects to 1.3× their power, but prevents their extra effects.

## Moves

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

| Level | Move | Type | Category | Power |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Wide Guard](https://pokee.si/moves/wide-guard) | Rock | Status | — |
| 1 | [Hammer Arm](https://pokee.si/moves/hammer-arm) | Fighting | Physical | 100 |
| 1 | [Water Gun](https://pokee.si/moves/water-gun) | Water | Special | 40 |
| 1 | [Leer](https://pokee.si/moves/leer) | Normal | Status | — |
| 1 | [Harden](https://pokee.si/moves/harden) | Normal | Status | — |
| 1 | [Metal Claw](https://pokee.si/moves/metal-claw) | Steel | Physical | 50 |
| 12 | [Mud Shot](https://pokee.si/moves/mud-shot) | Ground | Special | 55 |
| 16 | [Protect](https://pokee.si/moves/protect) | Normal | Status | — |
| 20 | [Bubble Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/bubble-beam) | Water | Special | 65 |
| 24 | [Stomp](https://pokee.si/moves/stomp) | Normal | Physical | 65 |
| 31 | [Flail](https://pokee.si/moves/flail) | Normal | Physical | — |
| 36 | [Razor Shell](https://pokee.si/moves/razor-shell) | Water | Physical | 75 |
| 42 | [Slam](https://pokee.si/moves/slam) | Normal | Physical | 80 |
| 48 | [Swords Dance](https://pokee.si/moves/swords-dance) | Normal | Status | — |
| 54 | [Crabhammer](https://pokee.si/moves/crabhammer) | Water | Physical | 100 |
| 60 | [Guillotine](https://pokee.si/moves/guillotine) | Normal | Physical | — |

### TM moves (43)

Kingler can learn 43 moves from TMs in Sword / Shield: [Hyper Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/hyper-beam), [Giga Impact](https://pokee.si/moves/giga-impact), [Dig](https://pokee.si/moves/dig), [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), [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), [Brick Break](https://pokee.si/moves/brick-break), [Dive](https://pokee.si/moves/dive), [Rock Tomb](https://pokee.si/moves/rock-tomb), [Mud Shot](https://pokee.si/moves/mud-shot), [Brine](https://pokee.si/moves/brine), [Fling](https://pokee.si/moves/fling), [Round](https://pokee.si/moves/round), [Razor Shell](https://pokee.si/moves/razor-shell), [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), [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), [Agility](https://pokee.si/moves/agility), [Amnesia](https://pokee.si/moves/amnesia), [Substitute](https://pokee.si/moves/substitute), [Endure](https://pokee.si/moves/endure), [Sleep Talk](https://pokee.si/moves/sleep-talk), [Superpower](https://pokee.si/moves/superpower), [Iron Defense](https://pokee.si/moves/iron-defense), [X-Scissor](https://pokee.si/moves/x-scissor), [Ally Switch](https://pokee.si/moves/ally-switch), [Scald](https://pokee.si/moves/scald), [High Horsepower](https://pokee.si/moves/high-horsepower), [Liquidation](https://pokee.si/moves/liquidation).

Egg moves (5), which Krabby can hatch knowing:[Ancient Power](https://pokee.si/moves/ancient-power), [Hammer Arm](https://pokee.si/moves/hammer-arm), [Knock Off](https://pokee.si/moves/knock-off), [Night Slash](https://pokee.si/moves/night-slash), [Slash](https://pokee.si/moves/slash).

## Breeding & training

- Gender: 50% male, 50% female.
- Egg groups: Water 3.
- Egg cycles: 20 (steps to hatch, Scarlet/Violet: 2,560).
- Catch rate: 60 out of 255.
- Base friendship (Gen 8 onward): 50.
- Growth rate: Medium (1,000,000 experience points to reach level 100).
- Defeating it gives 2 Attack effort values.
- Base experience yield: 166.

## Pokédex entries

Its oversized claw is very powerful, but when it's not in battle, the claw just gets in the way. *(Crystal, Shield)*

Its large and hard pincer has 10,000horsepower strength. However, being so big, it is unwieldy to move. *(FireRed, X, Sword)*

One claw grew massively and is as hard as steel. It has 10,000-horsepower strength. However, it is too heavy. *(Let’s Go, Pikachu!, Let’s Go, Eevee!)*

Kingler has an enormous, oversized claw. It waves this huge claw in the air to communicate with others. However, because the claw is so heavy, the Pokémon quickly tires. *(Ruby, Sapphire, Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire)*

Its pincers grow peculiarly large. If it lifts the pincers too fast, it loses its balance and staggers. *(Silver, SoulSilver, Y)*

The larger pincer has 10,000horsepower strength. However, it is so heavy, it is difficult to aim. *(Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Black, White, Black 2, White 2)*

## Names around the world

- **Japanese**: キングラー
- **Romaji**: Kingler
- **French**: Krabboss
- **German**: Kingler
- **Spanish**: Kingler
- **Italian**: Kingler
- **Korean**: 킹크랩
- **Chinese (Simplified)**: 巨钳蟹
- **Chinese (Traditional)**: 巨鉗蟹

## Trivia

- Highest Attack among Water types: 130.
- Highest Attack among Water types in Gen 1: 130.
- Taller than 64% of all Pokémon (1.3 m).
- Heavier than 71% of all Pokémon (60 kg).
- Base stat total 475, ranked #431 of 1,025.
- Its best stat is Attack, ranked #42 of 1,025.
- One of 154 Water-type Pokémon (counting dual types).
- One of 97 red Pokémon.
- Number 99 of 151 Pokémon introduced in Generation 1 (Kanto).
- Part of an evolution family of 2 Pokémon.
- Can learn 59 different moves in Sword / Shield.
- Catch rate 60: about 7.8% per Poké Ball at full health.
- Has 1 alternate form.
- Appears in 11 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: Kingler (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Kingler_(Pok%C3%A9mon)), [Serebii: Kingler (Sword/Shield Pokédex; no Scarlet/Violet page)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-swsh/kingler/).
- Pronunciation (KING-ler): 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

[Water-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/water) · [Kanto region guide](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/kanto) · [Hyper Cutter ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/hyper-cutter) · [Shell Armor ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/shell-armor) · [Sheer Force ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/sheer-force) · [Compare Kingler](https://pokee.si/compare?ids=99) · [Full Pokédex](https://pokee.si/pokedex) · [Type chart](https://pokee.si/types) · [All moves](https://pokee.si/moves)

## Browse similar Pokémon

[Gen 1 Water-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/water/gen-1) · [Gen 1 Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/pokedex/gen-1) · [Red Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/colours/red) · [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)

← [Krabby](https://pokee.si/pokemon/krabby) | [Voltorb](https://pokee.si/pokemon/voltorb) →

---

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