DexDB

No. 0408

Cranidos

Head Butt Pokémon

Cranidos
Official art
Rock
Height
0.9 m 2′11″
Weight
31.5 kg 69.4 lbs
Base stat total
350 Higher than 31% of Pokémon
Introduced
Gen IV Diamond & Pearl
Abilities
Pokédex entryLegends: Arceus
An incredibly rare sight. They duel each other by ramming their heads together, and the resulting sound echoes throughout the area like the pealing of a bell.
See all 9 entries

Base stats

HP67142–174244–338
Atk125130–194229–383
Def4054–10176–196
SpA3045–9058–174
SpD3045–9058–174
Spe5870–121108–236
Total350Higher than 31% of Pokémon
HP67Atk125Def40Spe58SpD30SpA30

Ranges in Pokémon Champions at Lv 50: 0 Stat Points with a −10% Stat Alignment to 32 Stat Points with a +10% one (HP has no alignment).Ranges in the main games at Lv 100: 0 IV/EV with a hindering nature to 31 IV/252 EV with a helpful nature. EV yield: 1 Atk.

Stat calculatorChampions Stat Points & Stat Alignment, or EVs, IVs & nature
Calculate damage →

Type matchups

Weak to

2×
FightingGrassGroundSteelWater

Resists

½×
FireFlyingNormalPoison
Takes normal damage from 9 types
RockBugGhostElectricPsychicIceDragonDarkFairy

Speed tiers

The faster Pokémon moves first each turn, so knowing who you outspeed decides a lot of battles. These are its Speed values at Lv 50 in Pokémon Champions (base Speed 58); Scarf and Tailwind use the Max+ value.

Max+121Max110No SP78Min70Scarf181Tailwind242

At max Speed, Cranidos outspeeds 12 of the 30 most used Pokémon in Champions VGC on Showdown.

  1. 203Mega Garchomp ZModest · 32 SP · #21 on Showdown
  2. 200Mega GengarTimid · 32 SP · #26 on Showdown
  3. 190Mega Raichu YTimid · 23 SP · #13 on Showdown
  4. 189Mega SalamenceTimid · 32 SP · #4 on Showdown
  5. 184WhimsicottTimid · 32 SP · #23 on Showdown
  6. 178Mega MetagrossJolly · 32 SP · #28 on Showdown
  7. 178Mega StaraptorJolly · 32 SP · #29 on Showdown
  8. 172SneaslerAdamant · 32 SP · #2 on Showdown
  9. 169Mega FloetteTimid · 32 SP · #17 on Showdown
  10. 169GarchompJolly · 32 SP · #19 on Showdown
  11. 167Mega Charizard YTimid · 32 SP · #14 on Showdown
  12. 167Mega GardevoirTimid · 32 SP · #20 on Showdown
  13. 161IndeedeeTimid · 32 SP · #30 on Showdown
  14. 156Hisuian ArcanineJolly · 32 SP · #16 on Showdown
  15. 150ArchaludonTimid · 32 SP · #9 on Showdown
  16. 149GholdengoTimid · 32 SP · #8 on Showdown
  17. 143BasculegionJolly · 32 SP · #6 on Showdown
  18. 128PelipperTimid · 32 SP · #12 on Showdown
  19. 121Cranidos · Max+32 SP, Speed-raising alignment
  20. 120VolcaronaBold · 0 SP · #25 on Showdown
  21. 110Cranidos · Max32 SP, neutral alignment
  22. 105RillaboomAdamant · 0 SP · #1 on Showdown
  23. 101MiloticCalm · 0 SP · #15 on Showdown
  24. 95SylveonModest · 15 SP · #18 on Showdown
  25. 94Female IndeedeeRelaxed · 0 SP · #7 on Showdown
  26. 90PolitoedCalm · 0 SP · #22 on Showdown
  27. 90SinistchaBold · 0 SP · #24 on Showdown
  28. 85ArmarougeQuiet · 0 SP · #27 on Showdown
  29. 80IncineroarCareful · 0 SP · #3 on Showdown
  30. 80FarigirafBold · 0 SP · #11 on Showdown
  31. 78Cranidos · No SP0 SP, neutral alignment
  32. 70KingambitAdamant · 0 SP · #5 on Showdown
  33. 60Mega GolisopodAdamant · 0 SP · #10 on Showdown

Smogon · Showdown Others at their most common Speed investment in Champions VGC (Reg M-C · Doubles, Sep 2026); Pokémon holding a Mega Stone are shown as their Mega.

Abilities

Competitive

Smogon · Showdown On Showdown

Sep 2026
Other Showdown formats Scarlet & Violet, with Tera
SV SinglesLC

0.32% of teams · rank #76 · Singles, first stages at Lv 5 · 1630+ rating · 7,479 battles · Sep 2026

Most common build

Item
Choice Scarf
Ability
Nature
Adamant
EVs
140 HP / 236 Atk / 132 Spe
Tera Type
Rock
  1. Earthquake
  2. Hammer Arm
  3. Thunder Punch
  4. Stone Edge

Each part is the most used on its own, so not every team runs this exact set.

Usage by rating

  • All players4%
  • Rated 1500+2.14%
  • Rated 1630+0.32%
  • Rated 1760+0.04%

Usage by month

Oct 20250.32%

Moves

Items

Abilities

  • 75.4%
  • 24.6%

EV spreads

  • Adamant 140 HP / 236 Atk / 132 Spe44.4%
  • Brave 220 HP / 236 Atk / 36 SpD23.1%
  • Jolly 236 Atk / 36 SpD / 212 Spe18.9%
  • Adamant 236 Atk / 36 Def / 212 Spe6.2%
  • Adamant 236 Atk / 36 Def / 196 SpD2.3%

Tera types

  • Rock50.2%
  • Grass22.1%
  • Psychic11.2%
  • Steel8.3%

Common teammates

Evolution

  1. #0408CranidosRock
    1. Level 30
      #0409RampardosRock

Moves

Level up 12

1Headbutt30% chance to make the target flinch.NormalPhys70100%15
1LeerLowers the foe(s) Defense by 1.NormalStatus—100%30
6Focus EnergyRaises the user's critical hit ratio by 2.NormalStatus——30
10Rock Smash50% chance to lower the target's Defense by 1.FightingPhys40100%15
15Take DownHas 1/4 recoil.NormalPhys9085%20
19Scary FaceLowers the target's Speed by 2.NormalStatus—100%10
24AssurancePower doubles if target was damaged this turn.DarkPhys60100%10
28SlamNo additional effect.NormalPhys8075%20
33Ancient Power10% chance to raise all stats by 1 (not acc/eva).RockSpec60100%5
37Zen Headbutt20% chance to make the target flinch.PsychicPhys8090%15
42ScreechLowers the target's Defense by 2.NormalStatus—85%40
46Head SmashHas 1/2 recoil.RockPhys15080%5

TM / HM / TR 47

TM01Take DownHas 1/4 recoil.NormalPhys9085%20
TM05Mud-Slap100% chance to lower the target's accuracy by 1.GroundSpec20100%10
TM06Scary FaceLowers the target's Speed by 2.NormalStatus—100%10
TM07ProtectPrevents moves from affecting the user this turn.NormalStatus——10
TM18ThiefIf the user has no item, it steals the target's.DarkPhys60100%25
TM20Trailblaze100% chance to raise the user's Speed by 1.GrassPhys50100%20
TM25FacadePower doubles if user is burn/poison/paralyzed.NormalPhys70100%20
TM28Bulldoze100% chance lower adjacent Pkmn Speed by 1.GroundPhys60100%20
TM36Rock Tomb100% chance to lower the target's Speed by 1.RockPhys6095%15
TM43FlingFlings the user's item at the target. Power varies.DarkPhys—100%10
TM47EndureUser survives attacks this turn with at least 1 HP.NormalStatus——10
TM49Sunny DayFor 5 turns, intense sunlight powers Fire moves.FireStatus——5
TM50Rain DanceFor 5 turns, heavy rain powers Water moves.WaterStatus——5
TM51SandstormFor 5 turns, a sandstorm rages. Rock: 1.5× SpD.RockStatus——10
TM55DigDigs underground turn 1, strikes turn 2.GroundPhys80100%10
TM59Zen Headbutt20% chance to make the target flinch.PsychicPhys8090%15
TM66Body Slam30% chance to paralyze the target.NormalPhys85100%15
TM67Fire Punch10% chance to burn the target.FirePhys75100%15
TM68Thunder Punch10% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricPhys75100%15
TM70Sleep TalkUser must be asleep. Uses another known move.NormalStatus——10
TM76Rock BlastHits 2-5 times in one turn.RockPhys2590%10
TM84Stomping TantrumPower doubles if the user's last move failed.GroundPhys75100%10
TM85RestUser sleeps 2 turns and restores HP and status.PsychicStatus——5
TM86Rock Slide30% chance to make the foe(s) flinch.RockPhys7590%10
TM88Swords DanceRaises the user's Attack by 2.NormalStatus——20
TM99Iron Head30% chance to make the target flinch.SteelPhys80100%15
TM103SubstituteUser takes 1/4 its max HP to put in a substitute.NormalStatus——10
TM108Crunch20% chance to lower the target's Defense by 1.DarkPhys80100%15
TM115Dragon PulseNo additional effect.DragonSpec85100%10
TM116Stealth RockHurts foes on switch-in. Factors Rock weakness.RockStatus——20
TM125Flamethrower10% chance to burn the target.FireSpec90100%15
TM126Thunderbolt10% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec90100%15
TM133Earth Power10% chance to lower the target's Sp. Def by 1.GroundSpec90100%10
TM135Ice Beam10% chance to freeze the target.IceSpec90100%10
TM141Fire Blast10% chance to burn the target.FireSpec11085%5
TM143Blizzard10% chance to freeze foe(s). Can't miss in Snow.IceSpec11070%5
TM149EarthquakeHits adjacent Pokémon. Double damage on Dig.GroundPhys100100%10
TM150Stone EdgeHigh critical hit ratio.RockPhys10080%5
TM166Thunder30% chance to paralyze. Can't miss in rain.ElectricSpec11070%10
TM171Tera BlastIf Terastallized: Phys. if Atk > SpA, type = Tera.NormalSpec80100%10
TM172RoarForces the target to switch to a random ally.NormalStatus——20
TM179Smack DownRemoves the target's Ground immunity.RockPhys50100%15
TM191UproarLasts 3 turns. Active Pokémon cannot fall asleep.NormalSpec90100%10
TM204Double-EdgeHas 33% recoil.NormalPhys120100%15
TM205EndeavorLowers the target's HP to the user's HP.NormalPhys—100%5
TM224CurseCurses if Ghost, else -1 Spe, +1 Atk, +1 Def.GhostStatus——10
TM226Dragon CheerAlly: Crit ratio +1, or +2 if ally is Dragon type.DragonStatus——15

Egg moves 4

EggHammer ArmLowers the user's Speed by 1.FightingPhys10090%10
EggStomp30% chance to make the target flinch.NormalPhys65100%20
EggThrashLasts 2-3 turns. Confuses the user afterwards.NormalPhys120100%10
EggWhirlwindForces the target to switch to a random ally.NormalStatus——20

Biology

Cranidos and its evolution have been revived from 100 million year old fossils. It used its thick skull to break trees and fight against Aerodactyl. It hardens its head further by headbutting other Cranidos.

Adapted from Wikipedia: List of generation IV Pokémon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited.

Pokédex entries

Head Butt Pokémon
Sinnoh · Diamond & Pearl
Color
Blue
—
Pal Park area
Mountain
Original Sinnoh#036Extended Sinnoh#036Original Alola#188Original Akala#115Updated Alola#235Updated Akala#136Hisui#208Blueberry#107

  1. An incredibly rare sight. They duel each other by ramming their heads together, and the resulting sound echoes throughout the area like the pealing of a bell.

    Legends: Arceus

  2. Its hard skull is its distinguishing feature. It snapped trees by headbutting them, and then it fed on their ripe berries.

    Ultra Moon

  3. A primeval Pokémon, it possesses a hard and sturdy skull, lacking any intelligence within.

    Ultra Sun

  4. In rock layers where Cranidos fossils are found, the fossilized trunks of trees snapped in two are also often found.

    Moon

  5. It lived in jungles around a hundred million years ago. It used its skillful headbutts to combat Aerodactyl.

    Sun

  6. CRANIDOS toughen up their already rock-hard heads by headbutting one another.

    HeartGold · SoulSilver

  7. A lifelong jungle dweller from 100 million years ago, it would snap obstructing trees with head butts.

    Platinum · Black · White · Black 2 · White 2 · Y · Alpha Sapphire

  8. It was resurrected from an iron ball-like fossil. It downs prey with its head butts.

    Pearl · X · Omega Ruby

  9. It lived in jungles around 100 million years ago. Its skull is as hard as iron.

    Diamond

Names around the world

English
Cranidos
Japanese
ズガイドス
Japanese (romaji)
Zugaidos
Korean
두개도스
Chinese (Traditional)
頭蓋龍
Chinese (Simplified)
头盖龙
French
Kranidos
German
Koknodon
Spanish
Cranidos
Italian
Cranidos

Sprites

Artwork and 3D models

Gen IX · Gen VIII · Gen VII · Gen VI

Generation V

Generation IV

Training

1 Atk
45 ≈5.9% with a Poké Ball at full HP
70
70
Erratic

Breeding

Monster
♂ 87.5%♀ 12.5%
30 egg cycles ≈7,905 steps (Gen IV–VII)

Where to find

Ultra Moon 1 area
  • Route 8Receive as a gift · Lv 15
Ultra Sun 1 area
  • Route 8Receive as a gift · Lv 15
Moon 1 area
  • Route 8Receive as a gift · Lv 15
Sun 1 area
  • Route 8Receive as a gift · Lv 15
White 2 1 area
  • Nacrene MuseumReceive as a gift · Lv 25
Black 2 1 area
  • Nacrene MuseumReceive as a gift · Lv 25
White 1 area
  • Nacrene MuseumReceive as a gift · Lv 25
Black 1 area
  • Nacrene MuseumReceive as a gift · Lv 25
SoulSilver 1 area
  • Pewter Museum of ScienceReceive as a gift · Lv 20
HeartGold 1 area
  • Pewter Museum of ScienceReceive as a gift · Lv 20
Platinum 1 area
  • Oreburgh Mining MuseumReceive as a gift · Lv 20
Pearl 1 area
  • Oreburgh Mining MuseumReceive as a gift · Lv 20
Diamond 1 area
  • Oreburgh Mining MuseumReceive as a gift · Lv 20

Locations cover Red & Blue to Sword & Shield (with its DLC) and Let’s Go. We don’t have them yet for Legends: Arceus, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Scarlet & Violet and Legends: Z-A.