Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Cranidos
Say it: CRA-ni-do-s
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Cranidos is the Head Butt Pokémon — Rock before Rampardos. In Pokémon GO it is usually candy on the way to Rampardos — not a finished raid attacker. Rock helps against Fire, Ice, Flying, and Bug; Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel hit Rock hard. Catch Cranidos from the wild, eggs, or events, then evolve. Smack Down from Cranidos Community Day belongs on Rampardos.
Say it: CRA-ni-do-s
Cranidos (#408) is a Rock Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the pre-evolution of Rampardos. Trainers almost never power Cranidos for raids; the value is candy and IVs for Rampardos (and Smack Down). Against Cranidos, lead with Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, or Steel. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Cranidos is a Rock-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0408. Use the Rock type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Do not sink Stardust into Cranidos. Keep high-IV or Shadow copies tagged for Rampardos. Save Elite TMs for Rampardos’s Smack Down if needed. Shadow Cranidos is the same — evolve toward Shadow Rampardos.
Type matchups
- Rock moves hit Fire, Ice, Flying, and Bug hard.
When Cranidos is your opponent, Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 218
- Defense
- 71
- Stamina
- 167
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Primal Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse — Primal lobby boost
- 2. Shadow Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse
- 3. Mega Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 4. Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse
- 5. Shadow Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 6. Shadow Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 7. Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 8. Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 9. Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 10. Samurott · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 11. Gyarados · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Tail
- 12. Empoleon · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 2. Gyarados · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Tail
- 3. Vaporeon · beats Water
Water Gun + Aqua Tail
- 4. Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 5. Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 6. Clawitzer · beats Water
Water Gun + Crabhammer
- 7. Floatzel · beats Water
Water Gun + Aqua Jet
- 8. Seismitoad · beats Water
Mud Shot + Hydro Pump
- 9. Carracosta · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Pump
- 10. Blastoise · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 11. Wailord · beats Water
Water Gun + Surf
- 12. Golisopod · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Jet
Recommended moves
Cranidos’s Game Master pool is temporary. Real investment is Rampardos (Smack Down + Rock Slide) — evolve before serious TMs and power-ups.
Fast
- Zen Headbutt · Standard
Psychic energy
- Take Down · Standard
Normal filler
Charged
- Ancient Power · Standard
Rock nuke
- Rock Tomb · Standard
Rock alternate
- Bulldoze · Standard
Ground coverage
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- zen headbutt
- take down
Charged
- rock tomb
- ancient power
- bulldoze
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #882 of 954 · CP 1482
Take Down + Rock Tomb
- Ultra League · rank #718 of 747 · CP 2058
Take Down + Rock Tomb
- Master League · rank #871 of 1023 · CP 2058
Take Down + Rock Tomb
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.