Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Pupitar
Say it: PU-pi-ta-r
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Pupitar is the Hard Shell Pokémon — Rock and Ground middle stage between Larvitar and Tyranitar. In Pokémon GO it is usually candy on the way to Tyranitar — not a finished raid attacker. Rock/Ground hits Fire, Electric, Ice, and Flying well; Water and Grass hit it for 4×. Evolve Larvitar up the line. Smack Down from Larvitar Community Day belongs on Tyranitar.
Say it: PU-pi-ta-r
Pupitar (#247) is a Rock / Ground Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the middle evolution of Larvitar. Trainers almost never power Pupitar for raids; the value is candy and IVs for Tyranitar (and Mega Tyranitar). Against Pupitar, lead with Water or Grass (best). 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
Pupitar is a Rock / Ground-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0247. Use the Rock/Ground 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 Pupitar. Keep high-IV copies for Tyranitar. Shadow Pupitar is the same — evolve toward Shadow Tyranitar.
Type matchups
- Rock moves hit Fire, Ice, Flying, and Bug hard.
- Ground moves hit Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel hard.
When Pupitar is your opponent, Water, Grass, Ice, 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
- 155
- Defense
- 133
- Stamina
- 172
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
Pupitar’s Game Master pool is temporary. Real investment is Tyranitar — evolve before serious TMs and power-ups.
Fast
- Bite · Standard
Dark damage
- Rock Smash · Standard
Fighting energy
Charged
- Ancient Power · Standard
Rock nuke
- Crunch · Standard
Dark coverage
- Dig · 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
- bite
- rock smash
Charged
- dig
- crunch
- ancient power
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #705 of 954 · CP 1488
Rock Smash + Crunch
- Ultra League · rank #669 of 747 · CP 1996
Rock Smash + Crunch
- Master League · rank #807 of 1023 · CP 1996
Rock Smash + Crunch
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.