Pokemon

Larvitar (#0246) | Stats, Evolutions, Moveset, Locations, Battle Strategies

Larvitar is a dino-like Pokémon belonging to the rock and ground type category. It features a rather intimidating look with a scowl permanently featured on its head. Being an offspring of a rather aggressive Pokémon, it is certain to break milestones in childhood itself.

Coming from a rock-ground background, it is rather immune to electric attacks while providing strength against fire, poison, and flying types. However, it’s just as weak towards water, grass, and fighting types.

Intrigued to learn more about this rocky beast? 

Follow through the end as we delve into the origin, evolution, and strengths of this Pokemon.

About Larvitar

National Pokedex No.	#0246
Type	Rock	Ground
Species	Rock Skin Pokemon
Height	0.6m (2’00”)
Weight	72.0 kg (158.7 lbs)
Abilities	Guts Sand Veil (Hidden Ability)
Other Names	English: Larvitar Japanese: ヨーギラス (Yogiras) French: Embrylex Korean: 애버라스 (aebeoraseu)

Larvitar appeared first in Generation II, in its egg form. There onwards, it continues to make certain visiting till the last generation. Here is a quick table of its Pokedex number in different generations, categorized as per their region and series.

Generation	Region	Series		Pokedex No.
Gen II	Johto	Gold/Silver/Crystal		#244
Gen III	Hoenn	Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald		#381
Gen IV	Johto	HeartGold/SoulSilver		#249
Gen V	Unova	Black 2/White 2		#292
Gen VI	Mountain Kalos	X/Y		#102
Gen VII	Alola	Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon		#247
Gen VII	Akala	Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon		#148
Gen VIII	Galar	Sword/Shield		#383
Gen VIII	Crown Tundra	Sword/Shield		#139
Gen IX	Paldea	Scarlet/Violet		#316
It has no index in the Kanto, Sinnoh, Isle of Armor, and, Hisui regions.

Origins and Lore

Larvitar seems to have traits in common with both Kaiju and Dinosaurs. Its fondness for gobbling up fences, mountains, and pretty much anything else could also bring its roots in the Tarasque tale. Thus, it is assumed that the name may be derived from two words: larva and Tarasque.

Every series, from Gen II, witnesses this Poke monster’s new story and background. The multitude of stories related to its origin can be found in the Pokedex entries of several regions.

Pokedex Entries
Generation II
Gold	It feeds on soil. After it has eaten a large mountain, it will fall asleep so it can grow.
Silver	It is born deep underground. It can’t emerge until it has entirely consumed the soil around it.
Crystal	Born deep underground, this POKéMON becomes a pupa after eating enough dirt to make a mountain.
Generation III
FireRed	It is born deep underground. It can’t emerge until it has entirely consumed the soil around it.
LeafGreen	It feeds on soil. After it has eaten a large mountain, it will fall asleep so it can grow.
Emerald	A LARVITAR is born deep under the ground. It must eat its way through the soil above and reach the surface for it to see its parents’ faces.
Ruby	LARVITAR is born deep under the ground. To come up to the surface, this POKéMON must eat its way through the soil above. Until it does so, LARVITAR cannot see its parent’s face.
Sapphire
Generation IV
Diamond	A Pokémon that eats soil. Once it has eaten a large mountain, it goes to sleep so it can grow.
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold	It feeds on soil. After it has eaten a large mountain, it falls asleep so it can grow.
SoulSilver	It is born deep underground. It can’t emerge until it has entirely consumed the soil around it.
Generation V
Black	A Pokémon that eats soil. Once it has eaten a large mountain, it goes to sleep so it can grow.
White
Black 2	Born deep underground, it comes aboveground and becomes a pupa once it has finished eating the surrounding soil.
White 2
Generation VI
X	It feeds on soil. After it has eaten a large mountain, it falls asleep so it can grow.
Y	Born deep underground, it comes aboveground and becomes a pupa once it has finished eating the surrounding soil.
Omega Ruby	A Pokémon that eats soil. Once it has eaten a large mountain, it goes to sleep so it can grow.
Alpha Sapphire
Generation VII
Ultra Sun	Born underground, it eats its way through dirt to the surface, where its parents are. It doesn’t deal well with the bright light it finds there.
Ultra Moon	Raised on nutrients it finds in the dirt, it eats roughly a mountain’s worth of dirt before it becomes a pupa.
Generation VIII
Sword	Born deep underground, it comes aboveground and becomes a pupa once it has finished eating the surrounding soil.
Shield	It feeds on soil. After it has eaten a large mountain, it will fall asleep so it can grow.
Brilliant Diamond	This Pokémon eats soil. Once it has eaten a large mountain, it goes to sleep so it can grow.
Shining Pearl
Generation IX
Scarlet	Born deep underground, this Pokémon becomes a pupa after eating enough dirt to make a mountain.
Violet	It is born deep underground. It can’t emerge until it has entirely consumed the soil around it.

Biology and Behavior

Having a small structure and rocky skin, Larvitar is a green reptile Pokémon. Its features include a short, rounded snout with a protruding spike on top of its head. Moreover, it sports triangular, black markings on the upper corners and bottom of its red eyes. 

Its belly resembles a diamond with multiple tiny holes in the form of diamonds across the body, all covered in red scales. Each of its feet has a single toenail, while its small arms are devoid of digits. Lastly, it has a tail that resembles a tunnel-boring machine, with a conical center encircled by a ring of plate-like scales.

Details for Starters
Catch Rate	45 (5.9% using PokeBall on full HP)
Growth Rate	Slow
Base Exp. Points	67 (Gen 2-4), 60 (Gen 5-9)
Total Exp. Points	1,250,000
Base Friendship (Happiness)	Gen 2: 70, Gen 3-9: 35 (Low)
EV Yield	1

EV Yield Distribution
HP	Attack	Defense	Sp. Attack	Sp. Defense	Speed
0	1	0	0	0	0

Base Stats

In every generation, Larvitar has equal base stats with a total of 300 values. However, these stats can be greatly impacted by nature and held items of the caught Larvitar.

There’s an approximate range of stat values that is usually present at a certain level. However, depending on your version, the stats may decrease when your Pokemon faints.

Range
Stats	At Level 50		At Level 100
	Minimum	Maximum	Minimum	Maximum
HP	110	157	210	304
Attack	62	127	119	249
Defense	49	112	94	218
Sp. Attack	45	106	85	207
Sp. Defense	49	112	94	218
Speed	41	102	78	199
Min. stats are calculated as per a Larvitar with 0 EVs, 0 IVs, and a hindering nature. Max. stats are calculated as per a Larvitar with 252 EVs, 31 IVs, and a beneficial nature.

Evolutionary Line

Larvitar evolves into Pupitar, a hard shell Pokemon, at Level 30. Later, Pupitar evolves into Tyranitar, an armor Pokemon, at Level 55. Players can level up their Pokemon battling trainers and wild Pokemon, or in hasty circumstances, by using rare candies. 

However, if the Pokemon is holding an everstone, it will not evolve even after reaching the level. For that, take away the stone and level it up once again.

Pupitar
National Pokedex No.	#0247
Type	Rock	Ground
Species	Hard Shell Pokemon
Height	1.2 m (3′11″)
Weight	152.0 kg (335.1 lbs)
Abilities	Shed Skin
EV Yield	2 Attack
Catch Rate	45 (5.9% using PokeBall on full HP)
Base Exp. Points	144

Tyranitar
National Pokedex No.	#0248
Type	Rock	Ground
Species	Armor Pokemon
Height	2.0 m (6′07″)
Weight	202.0 kg (445.3 lbs)
Abilities	Sand StreamUnnerve (Hidden Ability)
EV Yield	3 Attack
Catch Rate	45 (5.9% using PokeBall on full HP)
Base Exp. Points	300

Mega Tyranitar
National Pokedex No.	#0248
Type	Rock	Ground
Species	Armor Pokemon
Height	2.5 m (8′02″)
Weight	255.0 kg (562.2 lbs)
Abilities	Sand Stream
EV Yield	3 Attack
Catch Rate	45 (5.9% using PokeBall on full HP)
Base Exp. Points	315

Breeding

Female Larvitar can be bred with different male species to create stronger offspring. This can be useful to learn certain egg moves, like Ancient Power and Curse, that can not be learned otherwise.

Egg Groups	Monster
Gender Ratio	50% Male, 50% Female
Egg cycles	40
Approx. Steps	10,024–10,280 steps

After hatching, the Pokemon may or may not know any egg move. This depends on the male parent and how it passes down the certain move. Some egg moves come right after hatching, some by level-up, while some become accessible by TM.

Egg Moves	Compatible Parents
	After Level Up	After Using TM	After Hatching
Ancient Power	Cranidos Ramparados Shieldon Bastiodon	—	Charmander Charmeleon Charizard Lapras Chikorita Totodile Larvitar Pupitar Tyranitar Mudkip
Assurance	Treecko Grovyle Sceptile Cranidos Rampardos Axew Fraxure Haxorus	—	Heracross Larvitar Pupitar Tyranitar
Curse	Slowpoke Galarian Slowpoke Slowbro Galarian Slowbro Slowking Galarian Slowking Turwig Grotle Torterra Bergmite Avalugg Hisuian Avalugg	Bulbasaur Ivysaur Venusaur Rhyhorn Rhydon Lapras Chikorita Bayleef Meganium Totodile Croconaw Feraligator Mudkip Marshtomp Swampert Cranidos Rampardos Shieldon Bastiodon Rhyperior	Bulbasaur Rhyhorn Lapras Larvitar Pupitar Tyranitar Mudkip Tropius
Dragon Dance	Axew Fraxure Haxorus	Charmander Charmeleon Charizard Lapras Totodile Croconaw Feraligatr Larvitar Pupitar Tyranitar Sceptile Tropius Axew Fraxure Haxorus	Larvitar Pupitar Tyranitar Tropius
Focus Energy	Cranidos Rampardos Axew Fraxure Haxorus	—	Larvitar Pupitar Tyranitar Shieldon
Iron Defense	Squirtle Wartortle Blastoise Tyranitar Shieldon Bastiodon Bergmite Avalugg Hisuian Avalugg	Slowking Galarian Slowking Larvitar Pupitar Tyranitar Torterra Shieldon Bastiodon Rhyperior Bergmite Avalugg Hisuian Avalugg Drednaw	Larvitar Pupitar Tyranitar
Iron Head	Shieldon Bastiodon	Lapras Snorlax Larvitar Pupitar Tyranitar Turtwig Grotle Torterra Cranidos Rampardos Shieldon Bastiodon Gible Gabite Garchomp Rhyperior Axew Fraxure Haxorus Avalugg Hisuian Avalugg	Larvitar Pupitar Tyranitar
Outrage	Tropius Axew Fraxure Haxorus	Charmander Charmeleon Charizard Rhydon Lapras Snorlax Meganium Feraligator Ampharos Larvitar Pupitar Tyranitar Sceptile Swampert Tropius Torterra Rampardos Bastiodon Gible Gabite Garchomp Abomasnow Rhyperior Axew Fraxure Haxorus	Larvitar Pupitar Tyranitar
Stomp	Rhyhorn Rhydon Tropius Rhyperior	—	Slowpoke Galarian Slowpoke Slowbro Galarian Slowbro Slowking Galarian Slowking Larvitar Pupitar Tyranitar Mudkip Cranidos Snover Abomasnow

One thing to note is that the male parent must know the particular egg move before breeding. What’s good is that if you’re playing the Scarlet/Violet version, you can breed with any Pokemon having the egg move, in picnics.

In-Game Availability

Every version, based on Gen II or later, allows players to obtain a Larvitar directly or indirectly. However, it is unobtainable in Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu!, Let’s Go Eevee!, and Legends: Arceus.

Version		Game Locations
Gold	Silver	Mt. Silver Cave
Crystal		Mt. Silver Cave (MorningDay) Celadon Game Corner
Ruby	Sapphire	Trade
Emerald		Trade
FireRed	LeafGreen	Sevault Canyon
Colosseum		Trade
XD		Trade Wooper to Duking in Pyrite Town
Diamond		Route 207 (Poké Radar)
Pearl		Trade
Platinum		Route 206 (Swarm)
HeartGold	SoulSilver	Safari Zone (Mountain, defaultMorningDay, and with 5 Peak points) Mt. Silver Cave
Pal Park		Mountain
Black	White	Breed Pupitar or Tyranitar
Black 2	White 2	Breed Pupitar or Tyranitar
Dream World		Rugged Mountain
X		Breed Pupitar or Tyranitar
Y		Terminus Cave (Horde Encounter)
Omega Ruby	Alpha Sapphire	Trade
Sun	Moon	Trade
Ultra Sun	Ultra Moon	Diglett’s Tunnel
Sword		Trade, use Dynamax Crystal ★And15 at Watchtower Lair, Wild Area News
Shield		Lake of Outrage Giant’s Seat, Rolling Fields, Stony Wilderness (Max Raid Battle)
Expansion Pass		Roaring-Sea Caves
Brilliant Diamond		Route 207 (Poké Radar) Grand Underground – Rocky Cave, Big Bluff Cavern (After obtaining the National Pokédex)
Shining Pearl		Trade
Scarlet		South Province: Area Five, Alfornada Cavern East Province: Area Three West Province: Area One, Asado Desert North Province: Dalizapa Passage Tera Raid Battles (3★)
Violet		Union Circle Tera Raid Battle Search (3★)

Sprites in Different Generations

Every generation introduced its modified sprites, with some featuring both normal and shiny variants.

Generation	Normal Larvitar	Shiny Larvitar
Gen II
Gen III
Gen IV
Gen V
Gen VI
Gen VII
Gen VIII		—
Gen IX		—

Training and Battling — Type Effectiveness

Larvitar is a beneficial party Pokemon that requires proper training and strategic movesets. However, once you learn to utilize its strong points, it can be worth the effort.

Damage Taken	Type	Status
0x	Electric	Immune
¼x	Poison	Highly Resists
½x	Flying	Weakly Resists
	Normal	Weakly Resists
	Rock	Weakly Resists
	Fire	Weakly Resists
1x	Bug	Normally Affected
	Ghost	Normally Affected
	Psychic	Normally Affected
	Dark	Normally Affected
	Fairy	Normally Affected
	Dragon	Normally Affected
2x	Fighting	Weak
	Ground	Weak
	Steel	Weak
	Ice	Weak
4x	Grass	Very Weak
	Water	Very Weak

Moves and Abilities

Being a rock and ground type Pokemon, Larvitar comes equipped with 2 useful abilities – Guts and Sand Veil.

Guts
Battle Effect	Raises the user’s Attack by 50% if the user is suffering from a status ailment (poison, burn, paralysis, freeze, or sleep). If burnt, the user’s Attack does not decrease as usual.
Sand Veil
Battle Effect	Ups the user’s evasion by 20% during a Sandstorm.
External Effect	If a Pokemon with Sand Veil is leading the party in a sandstorm, wild Pokemon are half as likely to show up.

Larvitar’s moves went through a slight change from generation to generation. The major change was the level caps required to learn a certain move. Here’s the latest move chart for Larvitar as per Generation IX.

Gen IX Moves
By Level Up
Level	Move	Type	Category	Power	Acc.	PP
1	Leer	Normal	Status	—	100	30
1	Tackle	Normal	Physical	40	100	35
3	Rock Throw	Rock	Physical	50	90	15
6	Payback	Dark	Physical	50	100	10
9	Bite	Dark	Physical	60	100	25
12	Scary Face	Normal	Status	—	100	10
15	Rock Slide	Rock	Physical	75	90	10
18	Stomping Tantrum	Ground	Physical	75	100	10
21	Screech	Normal	Status	—	85	40
24	Smack Down	Rock	Physical	50	100	15
27	Crunch	Dark	Physical	80	100	15
31	Earthquake	Ground	Physical	100	100	10
33	Stone Edge	Rock	Physical	100	80	5
36	Thrash	Normal	Physical	120	100	10
39	Sandstorm	Rock	Status	—	—	10
42	Hyper Beam	Normal	Special	150	90	5
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Larvitar. Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Larvitar.

By Breeding
Move	Type	Category	Power	Acc.	PP
Ancient Power	Rock	Special	60	100	5
Assurance	Dark	Physical	60	100	10
Curse	Ghost	Status	–	–	10
Dragon Dance	Dragon	Status	–	–	20
Focus Energy	Normal	Status	–	–	30
Iron Defense	Steel	Status	–	–	15
Iron Head	Steel	Physical	80	100	15
Outrage	Dragon	Physical	120	100	10
Stomp	Normal	Physical	65	100	20
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Larvitar. Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Larvitar.

By TM (Technical Machine)
TM	Move	Type	Category	Power	Acc.	PP
01	Take Down	Normal	Physical	90	85	20
05	Mud-Slap	Ground	Special	20	—	10
06	Scary Face	Normal	Status	—	100	10
07	Protect	Normal	Status	—	100	10
25	Facade	Normal	Physical	70	100	20
28	Bulldoze	Ground	Physical	60	100	20
30	Snarl	Dark	Special	55	85	15
35	Mud Shot	Ground	Special	55	100	15
36	Rock Tomb	Rock	Physical	60	100	15
47	Endure	Normal	Status	—	—	10
49	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	—	—	5
50	Rain Dance	Water	Status	—	90	5
51	Sandstorm	Rock	Status	—	100	10
55	Dig	Ground	Physical	80	100	10
58	Brick Break	Fighting	Physical	75	—	15
66	Body Slam	Normal	Physical	85	—	15
70	Sleep Talk	Normal	Status	—	—	10
76	Rock Blast	Rock	Physical	25	100	10
84	Stomping Tantrum	Ground	Physical	75	—	10
85	Rest	Psychic	Status	—	85	5
86	Rock Slide	Rock	Physical	75	100	10
87	Taunt	Dark	Status	—	90	20
94	Dark Pulse	Dark	Special	80	100	15
99	Iron Head	Steel	Physical	80	100	15
100	Dragon Dance	Dragon	Status	—	—	20
103	Substitute	Normal	Status	—	—	10
104	Iron Defense	Steel	Status	—	85	15
108	Crunch	Dark	Physical	80	100	15
116	Stealth Rock	Rock	Status	—	90	20
130	Helping Hand	Normal	Status	—	100	20
133	Earth Power	Ground	Special	90	100	10
149	Earthquake	Ground	Physical	100	100	10
150	Stone Edge	Rock	Physical	100	100	5
152	Giga Impact	Normal	Physical	150	100	5
156	Outrage	Dragon	Physical	120	100	10
163	Hyper Beam	Normal	Special	150	100	5
171	Tera Blast	Normal	Special	80	100	10
176	Sand Tomb	Ground	Physical	35	85	15
177	Spite	Ghost	Status	—	100	10
179	Smack Down	Rock	Physical	50	100	15
204	Double-Edge	Normal	Physical	120	100	15
224	Curse	Ghost	Status	—	—	10
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Larvitar. Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Larvitar.

Competitive Usage & Strategies

Larvitar or any of its evolution can be a great battle companion if you acknowledge its strong and weak points. This can help you utilize different held items with its advantages while protecting the fragile spots. 

Black/ White/ Black 2/ White 2
Boosting Sweeper
Moveset	Dragon Dance/Rock Polish	Earthquake
	Stone Edge/Rock Slide	Crunch/Facade
Held Item	Flame Orb
Nature	Jolly/Adamant
EVs	36 HP, 244 Attack, 36 Defense, 188 Speed
X/Y/Sun/M
Dragon Dance
Moveset	Dragon Dance	Stone Edge/Rock Slide
	Earthquake	Superpower
Held Item	Eviolite/Flame Orb
Nature	Jolly
EVs	244 Attack, 36 Defense, 36 Sp. Def., 188 Speed
Choice Scarf
Moveset	Crunch/ Pursuit	Stone Edge/Rock Slide
	Earthquake	Superpower
Held Item	Choice Scarf
Nature	Jolly
EVs	36 HP, 244 Attack, 36 Defense, 188 Speed

Avoid switching your Larvitar into a match with a Water-type, as they will deal 2x damage. Moves such as Aqua Jet, Water Pulse, and Scald can be OHKO (One Hit Knock Off) on your Larvitar. Moreover, fighting-type moves such as Mach Punch and steel-type moves such as Bullet Punch can surely cause greater damage. 

Role in the Pokemon World

Major Appearance – Original Series

Ep. 258 – Hatch Me If You Can

Plot

Larvitar hatched from the egg given to Ash to be taken to Professor Elm. Once hatched, the Larvitar was unwell, being high on temperature and unusually silent. Later, it was taken to the Pokemon Center, where it eventually recovered and joined Ash on his journey. However, it was only till Larvitar was returned to its mother at Mt. Silver.

Other episodes with Larvitar’s minor appearances include:

• In Off the Unbeaten Path, a Trainer’s Larvitar participated in the Pokémon Orienteering competition.
• It was a part of Jessie’s fantasy in Three Jynx and a Baby!
• Appeared in Not on MY Watch Ya Don’t!
• Showed up in Jessie’s fantasy in One Big Happiny Family!
• In Challenging a Towering Figure!, a Trainer’s Larvitar battled Dawn’s Piplup.
• It appeared in Meloetta’s Moonlight Serenade.
• Several Larvitar appeared in The Power of Us.
• A Trainer’s Larvitar appeared in Thank You, Alola! The Journey Continues!
• A Trainer’s Larvitar appeared in Settling the Scorbunny!. The same one  reappeared in The Spectral Express!
• A Larvitar appeared in a flashback in Time After Time!
• In a flashback in Trials of a Budding Master!, a Trainer’s Larvitar battled Ash in a World Coronation Series match.

Fun Trivia

Larvitar’s sprite animation is seen changing between Pokémon Diamond/Pearl and Pokémon Platinum, but its static sprite remains the same.

Having a Larvitar in your party can give you quite a competitive edge. Given its future evolutions being so powerful, training it can be worth the time. Being immune to electric and fire-type attacks, Larvitar can easily swipe you up in a lot of battles, even a few gym matches. Besides that, its ability – Guts, is enough to power you up and turn the tables of any battle.