sableye #302
Type Matchups
Weak to (2x damage):
Resistant to (½x damage):
Immune to (0x damage):
sableye
Generation III · #0302 — Darkness Pokémon
Sableye, known as the Darkness Pokémon and classified under National Pokédex number #302, is a dual-type Dark/Ghost Pokémon introduced in Generation III. This small, humanoid creature stands merely 0.5 meters tall and weighs only 11.0 kilograms, making it one of the more diminutive Pokémon despite its fearsome reputation. With a base stat total of 380, Sableye possesses balanced offensive and defensive capabilities, though it excels particularly in Attack and Defense, each boasting a base stat of 75. Despite its modest stature and stats, Sableye has earned a notable place in Pokémon lore and competitive play, particularly following the introduction of Mega Evolution, which transforms it into a far more formidable opponent with increased bulk and the powerful Magic Bounce ability.
Base Stats
Height
0.5m
Weight
11.0kg
Category
Darkness Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
purple
Shape
humanoid
Habitat
cave
Abilities
Prevents accuracy from being lowered.
Makes the Pokémon move last within its move's priority bracket.
Raises non-damaging moves' priority by one stage.
Sableye Biology & Physical Characteristics
Sableye is a bipedal humanoid Pokémon with a distinctive dark purple body, armed with sharp teeth and wickedly pointed claws that it uses to excavate through soil and stone. The most striking feature of Sableye's anatomy is its pale blue, gemstone-like eyes, which possess the remarkable ability to see clearly in absolute darkness and shimmer with jeweled brilliance when light reflects upon them. According to Pokédex entries from FireRed and LeafGreen, the creature's eyes have literally transformed into gemstones as a direct result of its unique diet. Beyond its eyes, Sableye's body is adorned with multiple gemstone formations—a red gemstone on its chest, and both blue and green gemstones on its back, alongside an additional red gem. These crystalline protrusions are not fixed genetic features but rather the result of consuming rocks and raw gemstones, meaning that each individual Sableye can potentially develop infinite unique patterns of gemstone formations across its body throughout its lifetime, making every Sableye physically distinct.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Sableye Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Sableye exhibits a perfectly balanced gender distribution of 50% male and 50% female, making the species equally likely to be encountered as either sex in the wild or bred through Pokémon breeding mechanics. The species belongs to the Human-Like egg group, which encompasses Pokémon with humanoid body structures and allows breeding between compatible partners within this classification. When breeding Sableye, trainers can expect eggs to hatch after 25 cycles, which translates to approximately 6,169 to 6,425 steps depending on various in-game factors. Sableye exhibits a medium-slow growth rate, meaning it requires moderately more experience points than average Pokémon to reach higher levels, though not as much as those with slow growth rates. The species has a notably low base happiness value of 35, which is lower than the normal baseline of 50—this reduced friendliness reflects Sableye's solitary nature and somewhat unsettling demeanor. This lower happiness creates interesting gameplay implications for trainers seeking to optimize their Sableye's performance, as certain moves and mechanics in the Pokémon games are affected by friendship values.
Held Items
Sprites
Held Items
wide-lens
held-items
Held: Provides a 1/10 (10%) boost in accuracy to the holder.
Cost: 4000
wide-lens
held-items
Held: Provides a 1/10 (10%) boost in accuracy to the holder.
Cost: 4000
wide-lens
held-items
Held: Provides a 1/10 (10%) boost in accuracy to the holder.
Cost: 4000
wide-lens
held-items
Held: Provides a 1/10 (10%) boost in accuracy to the holder.
Cost: 4000
wide-lens
held-items
Held: Provides a 1/10 (10%) boost in accuracy to the holder.
Cost: 4000
wide-lens
held-items
Held: Provides a 1/10 (10%) boost in accuracy to the holder.
Cost: 4000
TMs & HMs
tm00
sword shield
tm01
yellow
tm01
gold silver
tm01
crystal
tm01
red blue
tm01
platinum
tm01
emerald
tm01
diamond pearl
tm01
firered leafgreen
tm01
ruby sapphire
tm01
xd
tm01
colosseum
tm01
heartgold soulsilver
tm01
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm01
blue japan
tm01
red green japan
tm01
sword shield
tm02
crystal
tm02
gold silver
tm02
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
+861 more TMs/HMs
Sableye Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Sableye stands as a unique Pokémon in that it does not evolve into or from any other species, representing a complete evolutionary line by itself. However, Sableye gained access to Mega Evolution beginning in Generation VI with the introduction of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. When exposed to the Sablenite Mega Stone, Sableye undergoes a dramatic transformation into Mega Sableye, experiencing a remarkable physical and statistical overhaul. Mega Sableye's most notable change is its defense-oriented nature—its Defense stat skyrockets from 75 to 125, while its Special Defense increases substantially from 65 to 115, effectively doubling its defensive capabilities. Conversely, its Speed drops from 50 to 20, reflecting a deliberate shift toward a slower, bulkier playstyle. Its ability transforms from either Keen Eye or Stall to Magic Bounce, a highly competitive ability that reflects non-damaging moves used against it back toward the opponent, fundamentally changing how Mega Sableye functions in battle. This evolution increased Sableye's base stat total from 380 to 480, making it a considerably more viable competitive option and cementing its viability in modern Pokémon battling.
Where to Find
cave of origin
hoenn
+21 more
granite cave
hoenn
+17 more
sky pillar
hoenn
+9 more
hoenn victory road
hoenn
+3 more
iron island
sinnoh
+27 more
kanto route 9
kanto
challengers cave
unova
+3 more
reflection cave
kalos
+13 more
ten carat hill
alola
+1 more
vast poni canyon
alola
+5 more
Sableye Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Sableye leads a solitary, nocturnal existence deep within caverns and underground networks, emerging only under the cover of darkness. The Pokédex entries from Ruby describe these creatures as leading quiet lives in subterranean depths, though they carry an ominous reputation among those who encounter them—locals fear Sableye because the Pokémon are believed to steal the spirits of people when their eyes burn with sinister glow in the darkness. This behavior pattern and the fear surrounding it likely stems from their gemstone-like eyes' eerie luminescence in pitch-black caves. According to Emerald's Pokédex entry, Sableye actively digs branching tunnel systems through caves using its sharp claws in relentless search of its primary food source: raw gems and mineral deposits. The species shows particular interest in Carbink as prey, though encounters between the two are rare as Gabite typically claims such meals first. Their shy nature and preference for deep cave systems mean that sightings of Sableye are exceptionally uncommon, adding to the mystique and fear surrounding this mysterious Pokémon.
Pokedex Entries
Generation III
SABLEYE lead quiet lives deep inside caverns. They are feared, however, because these POKéMON are thought to steal the spirits of people when their eyes burn with a sinister glow in the darkness.
SABLEYE digs the ground with sharpened claws to find rocks that it eats. Substances in the eaten rocks crystallize and rise up to the POKéMON’s body surface.
It digs branching holes in caves using its sharp claws in search of food--raw gems. A SABLEYE lurks in darkness and is seen only rarely.
It feeds on gemstone crystals. In darkness, its eyes sparkle with the glitter of jewels.
Generation IV
It hides in the darkness of caves. Its diet of gems has transformed its eyes into gemstones.
It dwells in the darkness of caves. It uses its sharp claws to dig up gems to nourish itself.
Generation V
It hides in the darkness of caves. Its diet of gems has transformed its eyes into gemstones.
It hides in the darkness of caves. Its diet of gems has transformed its eyes into gemstones.
Generation VI
It hides in the darkness of caves. Its diet of gems has transformed its eyes into gemstones.
It dwells in the darkness of caves. It uses its sharp claws to dig up gems to nourish itself.
Sableye lead quiet lives deep inside caverns. They are feared, however, because these Pokémon are thought to steal the spirits of people when their eyes burn with a sinister glow in the darkness.
Sableye digs the ground with sharpened claws to find rocks that it eats. Substances in the eaten rocks crystallize and rise up to the Pokémon’s body surface.
Generation VII
It’s a fiend for gemstones, so it stalks Carbink. Unfortunately, Gabite almost always grabs them first.
It digs through the ground with its hard claws and crunches down gems with its thick pointy teeth. Carbink is its favorite food.
This Pokémon is feared. When its gemstone eyes begin to glow with a sinister shine, it’s believed that Sableye will steal people’s spirits away.
Materials from gems it has eaten float to the surface of its body and can form an infinite number of patterns among individuals.
Generation VIII
This Pokémon is feared. When its gemstone eyes begin to glow with a sinister shine, it’s believed that Sableye will steal people’s spirits away.
It feeds on gemstone crystals. In darkness, its eyes sparkle with the glitter of jewels.
Sableye Name Origin & Design Inspiration
Sableye's design draws inspiration from multiple sources, most notably the archetypal cave-dwelling goblin or imp found throughout folklore and fantasy literature, combined with the concept of a gem-eating creature. The name itself appears to derive from 'sable,' referring to the dark coloration of the Pokémon's body, combined with 'eye,' emphasizing the distinctive glowing gemstone eyes that serve as its most recognizable feature. Its Japanese name, Yamirami (ヤミラミ), combines 'yami' (闇), meaning darkness, with a repetitive sound suggesting the creature's mysterious and enigmatic nature. The design philosophy emphasizes contrast—the dark purple body against brilliant gem-like eyes creates a striking visual that immediately communicates the Pokémon's dual Dark/Ghost nature while reinforcing its cave-dwelling, nocturnal habits. The humanoid bipedal structure gives Sableye an almost mischievous appearance that aligns with trickster folklore archetypes, while the sharp claws and teeth, combined with the gemstone formations across its body, create an aesthetically unique Pokémon that stands apart from other Dark-types introduced in Generation III.
Learnable Moves
Sableye can learn 103 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aerial ace | flying | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| astonish | ghost | Physical | 30 | 100 | 15 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| brick break | fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| bulk up | fighting | Status | — | — | 20 |
| calm mind | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| confuse ray | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| counter | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| cut | normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| detect | fighting | Status | — | — | 5 |
| dig | ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| disable | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| drain punch | fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| dream eater | psychic | Special | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| dynamic punch | fighting | Physical | 100 | 50 | 5 |
| embargo | dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| encore | normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| energy ball | grass | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fake out | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| feint | normal | Physical | 30 | 100 | 10 |
| feint attack | dark | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| fire punch | fire | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| flash | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| flatter | dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| fling | dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| focus punch | fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 |
| foresight | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| fury cutter | bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 |
| fury swipes | normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| giga drain | grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| giga impact | normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| headbutt | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| helping hand | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| ice punch | ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| icy wind | ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| imprison | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| knock off | dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| leer | normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| light screen | psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| low kick | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| magic coat | psychic | Status | — | — | 15 |
| mean look | normal | Status | — | — | 5 |
| mega kick | normal | Physical | 120 | 75 | 5 |
| mega punch | normal | Physical | 80 | 85 | 20 |
| metal burst | steel | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| metal claw | steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 |
| metronome | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| mimic | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| moonlight | fairy | Status | — | — | 5 |
| mud shot | ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| nasty plot | dark | Status | — | — | 20 |
| night shade | ghost | Special | — | 100 | 15 |
| nightmare | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| pain split | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| payback | dark | Physical | 50 | 100 | 10 |
| power gem | rock | Special | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psybeam | psychic | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| psych up | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psychic | psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| punishment | dark | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| recover | normal | Status | — | — | 5 |
| reflect | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| rock tomb | rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| role play | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| scratch | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| seismic toss | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| shadow ball | ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| shadow claw | ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| shock wave | electric | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| signal beam | bug | Special | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| skill swap | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snatch | dark | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| spite | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| taunt | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| thunder punch | electric | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| thunder wave | electric | Status | — | 90 | 20 |
| torment | dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| trick | psychic | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| water pulse | water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| will o wisp | fire | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
Sableye Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive Pokémon battling, standard Sableye occupies a unique niche despite its modest base stat total of 380, primarily due to its access to the hidden ability Prankster, which increases the priority of non-damaging moves by one stage. This ability grants Sableye exceptional utility, allowing it to reliably use moves like Trick, Knock Off, and Will-O-Wisp before most opponents can act, making it an excellent support Pokémon and effective utility wall. Its balanced Attack and Defense stats of 75 each provide adequate offensive presence while maintaining defensive stability, though neither stat reaches truly threatening levels. However, Mega Sableye represents a significant leap in competitive viability, transforming the species into a legitimate defensive threat with a base stat total of 480. The Mega Evolution's Magic Bounce ability reflects non-damaging moves back to the opponent, creating a defensive wall that punishes common utility moves such as Stealth Rock, Spikes, and status moves—this reflects many popular competitive strategies while dealing damage. With 125 Defense and 115 Special Defense, Mega Sableye can survive substantial punishment from both physical and special attackers, though its severely reduced Speed of 20 necessitates careful team building and prediction. The species finds its greatest success in defensive-oriented metagames where its bulk and ability shine, though specialized teams can exploit its unique defensive utility to great effect.
Commonly Asked Questions About Sableye
What type is Sableye?
Sableye is a dark and ghost type Pokemon.
What does Sableye evolve from?
Sableye does not evolve.
What are Sableye's weaknesses?
Sableye is weak to fighting and fairy type moves.
Where can I find Sableye?
Sableye can be found in cave of origin (hoenn), granite cave (hoenn) and sky pillar (hoenn) and 7 other locations.
Sableye Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Sableye has developed a modest but dedicated following within the Pokémon community since its introduction in Generation III, appealing to trainers who favor unconventional designs and unique typing combinations. The species' haunting Pokédex entries describing spirit-stealing and its folklore-inspired appearance have made it a popular choice for trainers building thematically dark or supernatural teams, particularly those seeking genuinely eerie Pokémon rather than the more cartoonish approaches of other Ghost-types. Its significant jump in competitive viability following the introduction of Mega Evolution in Generation VI rekindled interest in the species and established Mega Sableye as a respected competitive threat in several formats, leading to increased visibility in tournament play and online battling communities. The design's visual distinctiveness—particularly the gemstone eyes—has made Sableye recognizable and memorable across the broader Pokémon franchise, leading to consistent appearances in spin-off games and media featuring diverse character rosters. Among competitive players and design enthusiasts alike, Sableye represents an example of a Pokémon that gained substantial competitive relevance through strategic ability design and Mega Evolution mechanics, transforming a relatively obscure Generation III Pokémon into a respected strategic option.
Where to Find Sableye in Every Pokémon Game
Sableye's availability varies significantly across Pokémon generations and game regions, though the species has appeared in the majority of core-series titles since its Generation III introduction. In the original Ruby and Sapphire versions, Sableye appears as local Pokédex number #68, making it relatively accessible during the early-to-mid game in cave environments. The species maintains relatively consistent availability throughout subsequent generations, appearing in cave systems and underground areas in Diamond and Pearl, returning to cave locations in Black 2 and White 2, and continuing to appear in cave-based areas throughout the X and Y, Sun and Moon, Sword and Shield, and Scarlet and Violet generations. In Pokémon X and Y, Sableye appears as local Pokédex number #123 within the Coastal Kalos region, while later games assign it different local Pokédex numbers reflecting regional availability shifts. The species demonstrates moderate catchability with a capture rate of 45, making it neither particularly difficult nor trivial to catch in the wild. Additionally, Sableye has received consistent representation in spin-off titles and Pokémon GO, where it remains a relevant capture option for trainers building varied collections. Its consistent availability across generations reflects its solid design appeal and competitive utility, ensuring that trainers seeking Sableye can typically obtain one without excessive hunting or trading requirements.