Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Kabuto
Say it: KA-bu-to
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Kabuto is the Shellfish Pokémon — Rock and Water before Kabutops. In Pokémon GO it is usually candy on the way to Kabutops — not a finished raid attacker. Rock/Water hits Fire, Flying, and Ice angles; Grass and Electric (and Fighting/Ground) punish it. Revive from Fossils, eggs, or events, then evolve.
Say it: KA-bu-to
Kabuto (#140) is a Rock / Water Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the baby stage of Kabutops. Trainers almost never power Kabuto for raids; the value is candy and IVs for Kabutops. Against Kabuto, lead with Grass, Electric, Fighting, or Ground. 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
Kabuto is a Rock / Water-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0140. Use the Rock/Water 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 Kabuto. Keep high-IV copies for Kabutops. Shadow Kabuto is the same — evolve toward Shadow Kabutops.
Type matchups
- Rock moves hit Fire, Ice, Flying, and Bug hard.
- Water moves hit Fire, Ground, and Rock hard.
When Kabuto is your opponent, Electric, Grass, Fighting, Ground hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 148
- Defense
- 140
- Stamina
- 102
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. Zekrom · beats Electric
Charge Beam + Fusion Bolt
- 2. Shadow Zekrom · beats Electric
Charge Beam + Fusion Bolt
- 3. Shadow Raikou · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 4. Xurkitree · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Discharge
- 5. Therian Thundurus · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Thunderbolt
- 6. Mega Manectric · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 7. Raikou · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 8. Electivire · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 9. Shadow Electabuzz · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Thunder Punch
- 10. Zapdos · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Thunderbolt
- 11. Magnezone · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
- 12. Luxray · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Electivire · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 2. Luxray · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
- 3. Manectric · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 4. Jolteon · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Thunderbolt
- 5. Ampharos · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Zap Cannon
- 6. Zebstrika · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
- 7. Galvantula · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Discharge
- 8. Eelektross · beats Electric
Spark + Thunderbolt
- 9. Heliolisk · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Thunderbolt
- 10. Stunfisk · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Discharge
- 11. Raichu · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 12. Magneton · beats Electric
Spark + Discharge
Recommended moves
Kabuto’s Game Master pool is temporary. Real investment is Kabutops — evolve before serious TMs and power-ups.
Fast
- Mud Shot · Standard
Ground energy
- Scratch · Standard
Normal filler
Charged
- Ancient Power · Standard
Rock nuke
- Aqua Jet · Standard
Water / bait
- Rock Tomb · Standard
Rock alternate
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
- scratch
- mud shot
Charged
- ancient power
- aqua jet
- rock tomb
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #241 of 954 · CP 1495
Mud Shot + Aqua Jet
- Ultra League · rank #644 of 747 · CP 1549
Mud Shot + Aqua Jet
- Master League · rank #594 of 1023 · CP 1549
Mud Shot + Aqua Jet
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.