kingler
Generation I · #0099 — Pincer Pokémon
Kingler, the Pincer Pokémon, is a Water-type Pokémon from Generation I that represents the final evolution of Krabby, achieved at level 28. As National Pokédex entry #99, Kingler stands 1.3 meters tall and weighs 60 kilograms, making it a moderately sized crustacean Pokémon with distinctive features that have fascinated trainers since the earliest games. With a base stat total of 475, Kingler is characterized by exceptional physical prowess, boasting an outstanding Attack stat of 130 paired with solid defensive capabilities, though its special stats remain modest at 50 each. The Pokédex consistently emphasizes Kingler's most remarkable trait: its oversized left pincer, which possesses a remarkable 10,000 horsepower of crushing power and is as hard as steel, though this very feature often becomes a burden outside of battle due to its immense weight and unwieldiness.
Base Stats
Height
1.3m
Weight
60.0kg
Category
Pincer Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
red
Shape
armor
Habitat
waters-edge
Abilities
Prevents Attack from being lowered by other Pokémon.
Protects against critical hits.
Strengthens moves with extra effects to 1.3× their power, but prevents their extra effects.
Kingler Biology & Physical Characteristics
Kingler is a crustacean Pokémon with a distinctive crustacean-inspired design that clearly draws from real-world crabs and lobsters. Its body features a deep red upper half topped with six prominent spikes resembling a crown, which gives the Pokémon its regal appearance and contributes to its name. The lower portion of its body, rendered in light tan, functions both as additional body armor and as a jaw structure, complete with six overlapping fangs where two outer fangs are dramatically oversized, each roughly half the height of Kingler's entire body. Its frame is supported by four long, thin legs, each ending in a single claw-like foot, while its light tan arms are firmly connected to its upper body. The most striking feature is undoubtedly Kingler's two orange pincers—the left claw is approximately twice as large as its right counterpart and functions as both a weapon and a communication tool. This asymmetrical design is so pronounced that it affects the Pokémon's balance and mobility, a theme that recurs throughout Kingler's Pokédex entries across multiple generations.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Kingler Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Kingler exhibits an equal gender ratio, with 50% of all individuals being male and 50% being female, allowing for straightforward breeding in most contexts without gender-specific complications. This species belongs to the Water 3 Egg Group, which includes various aquatic and semi-aquatic Pokémon that share reproductive compatibility, facilitating breeding combinations with other Water 3 members. When bred successfully, Kingler eggs require 20 hatch cycles to develop, equivalent to approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps of travel before the egg is ready to hatch. Kingler possesses a base happiness value of 70 in most generations, indicating moderate friendliness toward trainers, though this was adjusted to 50 in certain later game iterations. The species follows a medium-fast growth rate, meaning Kingler reaches its maximum level more quickly than Pokémon with medium growth rates but slower than those with fast growth rates, providing a balanced progression for trainers investing in this Pokémon's development. As with all Pokémon, Kingler's breeding potential and gender ratio make it accessible to all trainers regardless of the gender of their captured specimen.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm01
black white
tm01
black 2 white 2
tm01
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm01
omega ruby alpha sapphire
tm01
x y
tm02
crystal
tm02
gold silver
tm03
yellow
tm03
crystal
tm03
gold silver
tm03
ruby sapphire
tm03
red blue
tm03
platinum
tm03
firered leafgreen
tm03
heartgold soulsilver
tm03
diamond pearl
tm03
emerald
tm03
xd
tm03
colosseum
tm03
blue japan
+655 more TMs/HMs
Kingler Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Kingler evolves from Krabby when exposed to a Water Stone or, in traditional level-based systems, when reaching level 28, representing a significant power increase across most of Kingler's combat statistics. The evolution represents not just physical growth but a fundamental transformation in the Pokémon's physiology, as Krabby's more balanced two-clawed design evolves into Kingler's dramatically asymmetrical form dominated by the oversized left pincer. In addition to traditional evolution, Kingler possesses the ability to Gigantamax in games where this mechanic is available, such as Pokémon Sword and Shield, transforming into Gigantamax Kingler, which exceeds 19 meters in height and gains access to the exclusive G-Max move, G-Max Foam Burst. This Gigantamax form amplifies Kingler's already imposing presence and offensive capabilities, making it a formidable force in competitive Dynamax battles. The evolutionary line demonstrates a clear progression from the smaller, more agile Krabby to the powerful but increasingly specialized Kingler, ultimately culminating in the colossal Gigantamax form that represents the pinnacle of this crustacean's transformation.
Where to Find
cerulean cave
kanto
+13 more
kanto route 23
kanto
+5 more
seafoam islands
kanto
+9 more
kanto route 10
kanto
kanto route 25
kanto
olivine city
johto
+8 more
cianwood city
johto
+8 more
johto sea route 40
johto
+8 more
cherrygrove city
johto
+8 more
kanto sea route 19
kanto
+11 more
union cave
johto
+8 more
whirl islands
johto
+14 more
johto route 34
johto
+8 more
water path
kanto
trainer tower
kanto
tanoby ruins
kanto
one island
kanto
five island
kanto
green path
kanto
outcast island
kanto
+20 more locations in other games
Kingler Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Kingler typically inhabits the edges of bodies of water, with a strong preference for oceanic environments where its aquatic nature can be fully expressed. According to multiple Pokédex entries, Kingler uses its enormous left claw to communicate with other members of its species, waving it through the air in elaborate gestures, though the weight of this appendage quickly causes the Pokémon to tire from such exertions. The oversized pincer presents a curious paradox in Kingler's daily life: while incredibly powerful and useful during combat, the claw becomes a significant hindrance during non-battle situations, frequently getting in the way and making even routine activities cumbersome. Kingler's difficulty in managing its own anatomy is a recurring theme, with entries noting that the Pokémon can hardly lift its massive pincer and struggles to aim attacks properly due to the disproportionate weight distribution. Outside of combat scenarios, Kingler must carefully manage how quickly it lifts its pincers, as doing so too rapidly can cause it to lose balance and stagger, revealing a vulnerable side beneath its formidable exterior.
Pokedex Entries
The large pincer has 10000 hp of crushing power. However, its huge size makes it unwieldy to use.
One claw grew massively and as hard as steel. It has 10,000-HP strength. However, it is too heavy.
It can hardly lift its massive, overgrown pincer. The pincer's size makes it difficult to aim properly.
Its pincers grow peculiarly large. If it lifts the pincers too fast, it loses its bal ance and staggers.
Its oversized claw is very powerful, but when it's not in battle, the claw just gets in the way.
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.
It waves its huge, oversized claw in the air to communicate with others. But since the claw is so heavy, this POKéMON quickly tires.
Its large and hard pincer has 10,000- horsepower strength. However, being so big, it is unwieldy to move.
The large pincer has 10,000-horsepower crushing force. However, its huge size makes it unwieldy to use.
The larger pincer has 10,000- horsepower strength. However, it is so heavy, it is difficult to aim.
It can hardly lift its massive, overgrown pincer. The pincer’s size makes it difficult to aim properly.
Its pincers grow peculiarly large. If it lifts the pincers too fast, it loses its balance and staggers.
The larger pincer has 10,000- horsepower strength. However, it is so heavy, it is difficult to aim.
The larger pincer has 10,000- horsepower strength. However, it is so heavy, it is difficult to aim.
Its large and hard pincer has 10,000-horsepower strength. However, being so big, it is unwieldy to move.
Its pincers grow peculiarly large. If it lifts the pincers too fast, it loses its balance and staggers.
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.
One claw grew massively and is as hard as steel. It has 10,000-horsepower strength. However, it is too heavy.
Its large and hard pincer has 10,000-horsepower strength. However, being so big, it is unwieldy to move.
Its oversized claw is very powerful, but when it’s not in battle, the claw just gets in the way.
Kingler Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Kingler is derived from the word 'king,' reflecting the crown-like spikes adorning the top of its head, combined with 'cgler,' which suggests a combination of claw and pincer terminology. This naming convention perfectly encapsulates the Pokémon's regal appearance and its most defining characteristic—its powerful pincers that serve as the creature's primary identity marker. The design itself draws clear inspiration from real-world crabs and lobsters, particularly the asymmetrical claw development seen in certain crustacean species, though Kingler's left claw is exaggerated to cartoonish and fantastical proportions that exceed anything found in nature. The visual inspiration extends to the crown-like spikes, which evoke both the actual appearance of certain crab species and the symbolic imagery of royalty, further reinforcing the 'king' aspect of the nomenclature. The color scheme of deep red and light tan reflects traditional crab coloration while providing strong visual contrast that makes Kingler immediately recognizable and visually distinct from other Water-type Pokémon of its generation.
Learnable Moves
Kingler can learn 76 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| agility | psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| amnesia | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| ancient power | rock | Special | 60 | 100 | 5 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| bide | normal | Physical | — | — | 10 |
| blizzard | ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| brick break | fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| brine | water | Special | 65 | 100 | 10 |
| bubble | water | Special | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| bubble beam | water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| captivate | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| crabhammer | water | Physical | 100 | 90 | 10 |
| curse | ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
| cut | normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| dig | ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| dive | water | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| false swipe | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 |
| flail | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| fling | dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| fury cutter | bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 |
| giga impact | normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| guillotine | normal | Physical | — | 30 | 5 |
| hail | ice | Status | — | — | 10 |
| hammer arm | fighting | Physical | 100 | 90 | 10 |
| harden | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| headbutt | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hone claws | dark | Status | — | — | 15 |
| hydro pump | water | Special | 110 | 80 | 5 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| ice beam | ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| icy wind | ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| iron defense | steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| knock off | dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| leer | normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| metal claw | steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 |
| mimic | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| mud shot | ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| mud sport | ground | Status | — | — | 15 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| natural gift | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| rage | normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| rock slide | rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| rock tomb | rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| slam | normal | Physical | 80 | 75 | 20 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| stomp | normal | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| strength | normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| superpower | fighting | Physical | 120 | 100 | 5 |
| surf | water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| swords dance | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| vise grip | normal | Physical | 55 | 100 | 30 |
| water gun | water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| water pulse | water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| whirlpool | water | Special | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| wide guard | rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| x scissor | bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
Kingler Competitive Battle Guide
Kingler's competitive viability is heavily shaped by its exceptional Attack stat of 130, positioning it as a potent physical attacker capable of dealing significant damage with moves like Crabhammer, X-Scissor, and Stone Edge. Its Defense stat of 115 provides respectable bulk that allows Kingler to absorb physical hits while maintaining offensive pressure, creating a favorable balance for a physical attacker type. However, Kingler's special stats of only 50 in both Special Attack and Special Defense leave it vulnerable to special attacks, while its Speed stat of 75 places it in the middle range—fast enough to outspeed many bulky opponents but slow enough that it frequently finds itself outsped by dedicated speed threats. Kingler's ability roster significantly impacts its competitive applications: Hyper Cutter prevents its Attack from being lowered by opponents, Shell Armor blocks critical hit damage, while the hidden ability Sheer Force boosts moves with secondary effects by 1.3 times their power while eliminating those effects. The Sheer Force ability is particularly notable, as it amplifies already-powerful moves like Stone Edge and Dragon Dance-boosted attacks, making Kingler a genuine threat in specialized sets. Kingler's access to useful moves including Aqua Jet for priority offense, Swords Dance for physical sweeping setup, and various coverage moves provides legitimate competitive strategies, though its vulnerability to special attacks and moderate speed require careful team building to maximize its potential.
Commonly Asked Questions About Kingler
What type is Kingler?
Kingler is a water type Pokemon.
What does Kingler evolve from?
Kingler evolved from krabby.
What are Kingler's weaknesses?
Kingler is weak to grass and electric type moves.
Where can I find Kingler?
Kingler can be found in cerulean cave (kanto), kanto route 23 (kanto) and seafoam islands (kanto) and 37 other locations.
Kingler Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Kingler has maintained a consistent presence in Pokémon media since the franchise's inception in Generation I, appearing in numerous animated episodes and manga adaptations where it has established itself as a memorable Water-type Pokémon. One of Kingler's most iconic appearances comes through Ash Ketchum's team, where his Kingler appears as a battle-tested and loyal companion that demonstrates the Pokémon's considerable combat abilities and personality. The species has been featured in various TCG cards throughout the Pokémon Trading Card Game's long history, establishing itself as a recognizable and collectible presence in that medium. Kingler's unique visual design—particularly its dramatically oversized left claw—has made it instantly recognizable to fans, contributing to its status as one of the more memorable Kanto-region Pokémon despite not achieving the iconic status of creatures like Pikachu or Charizard. The Pokémon's appearance in POKÉMON Detective Pikachu and other cinematic adaptations has further solidified its place in broader Pokémon culture, introducing the species to audiences beyond traditional gaming contexts. The contrast between Kingler's immense power and its comical disadvantage caused by its own oversized appendage has made it a subject of fan humor and affection, creating a unique appeal that distinguishes it from other powerful Pokémon.
Where to Find Kingler in Every Pokémon Game
Kingler's availability in Pokémon games has been consistent throughout the franchise's history, remaining accessible in nearly every generation since its introduction in Generation I. In the earliest games—Red, Blue, and Yellow versions—Kingler can be obtained by catching Krabby in water routes and training it to level 28, making it obtainable relatively early in a player's journey through Kanto. Subsequent generations have continued to include Kingler or its pre-evolution in their regional Pokédexes and wild encounters, though specific availability varies between games; for example, it is available in Gold, Silver, and Crystal (Johto games), FireRed and LeafGreen (Generation III Kanto remakes), HeartGold and SoulSilver (Generation IV Johto remakes), and modern generation games including Sword and Shield. In more recent titles such as Pokémon Sword and Shield, Kingler appears with its Gigantamax form available, expanding its competitive and collector appeal. The catch rate of 60 means Kingler is moderately difficult to capture compared to common Pokémon but significantly easier than legendary creatures, making it accessible to trainers with standard Poké Balls and patience. Its base experience yield of 166 (or 206 in Generations I-IV) provides reasonable experience growth, making Kingler a viable team member for progression through any game in which it appears, ensuring its continued relevance across decades of Pokémon games.