Pupitar (Pokémon)

Larvitar #246: Larvitar
Pokémon
#248: Tyranitar Tyranitar
Pupitar
サナギラス Sanagiras
#247
247Pupitar.png
Art by Ken Sugimori from HeartGold and SoulSilver
Type
Rock Ground
Category
Hard Shell Pokémon
Ability
Shed Skin
Exp. at Lv. 100
1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers
Johto
#250
Hoenn
#382
Unova
#293
Regional Browser numbers
Fiore
R-194
Almia
R-121
Oblivia
R-217 N-088
Height
3'11″
Imperial
1.2 m
Metric
Weight
335.1 lbs.
Imperial
152.0 kg
Metric
Dex color
Gray
Catch rate
45 (5.9%)
Body style
Body02.png BodyUnknown.png
Blue-Striped
Footprint
 F247.png   F487O.png
Blue-Striped
Gender ratio
50% male, 50% female
Breeding
Monster group 41 cycles
(10455 minimum steps)
EV yield
HP
0
Atk
2
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
Base Exp.: 144 Battle Exp.: 1441*

Pupitar (Japanese: サナギラス Sanagiras) is a dual-type Rock/Ground Pokémon.

It evolves from Larvitar starting at level 30 and evolves into Tyranitar starting at level 55.

Biology

Physiology

Pupitar are somewhat large Pokémon that are encased inside a thick shell made of grayish-blue rock. They have several spikes and holes for eyes and what appears to be eyebrows, but are actually triangular openings. Since its arms and legs are developing inside the shell, Pupitar are capable of venting gas to propel themselves around.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

It is one of the few Pokémon not at its last stage of evolution to be able to wield a Hyper Beam. Pupitar is also capable of propelling itself through the air by venting pressurized gas.

Behavior

Pupitar creates a gas inside its body that it compresses and forcefully ejects to propel itself like a jet or rocket.

Habitat

Despite being encased in a hard shell, Pupitar live and move freely around harsh mountain ranges. They can be found in Mt Silver and Unova's Route 15.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

 
Pupitar in the anime

Major appearances

Ritchie has a Pupitar named Cruise which is seen from The Mystery is History! to A Promise is a Promise.

Minor appearances

Rico, a Pokémon Poacher, had a Pupitar that evolved into a Tyranitar in A Poached Ego!.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry
EP220 Pupitar Ash's Pokédex Pupitar, the Hard Shell Pokémon. Pupitar is encased in a nearly indestructible shell and has enough power to topple a mountain.

In the manga

 
Pupitar in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Pupitar first appeared in one of Lance's flashbacks in Volume 12, where he first encountered Silver. He switched out Pupitar to counter the Pursuit from Silver's Murkrow.

In the TCG

Main article: Pupitar (TCG)

Game data

NPC appearances

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation I
Red {{{redbluedex}}}
Blue
Yellow {{{yellowdex}}}
Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II
Gold Its shell is as hard as sheet rock, and it is also very strong. Its thrashing can topple a mountain.
Silver Even sealed in its shell, it can move freely. Hard and fast, it has outstanding destructive power.
Crystal It will not stay still, even while it's a pupa. It already has arms and legs under its solid shell.
Stadium 2 Its shell is as hard as sheet rock, and it is also very strong. Its thrashing can topple a mountain.
Generation III
Ruby Pupitar creates a gas inside its body that it compresses and forcefully ejects to propel itself like a jet. The body is very durable - it avoids damage even if it hits solid steel.
Sapphire
Emerald A Pupitar creates a gas inside its body that it ejects under compression to propel itself like a jet. Its body can withstand a collision with solid steel.
FireRed Even sealed in its shell, it can move freely. Hard and fast, it has outstanding destructive power.
LeafGreen Its shell is as hard as sheet rock, and it is also very strong. Its thrashing can topple a mountain.
Generation IV
Diamond Its body is as hard as bedrock. By venting pressurized gas, it can launch itself like a rocket.
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold Its shell is as hard as sheet rock, and it is also very strong. Its thrashing can topple a mountain.
SoulSilver Even sealed in its shell, it can move freely. Hard and fast, it has outstanding destructive power.
Generation V
Black Its body is as hard as bedrock. By venting pressurized gas, it can launch itself like a rocket.
White
Black 2 This pupa flies around wildly by venting with great force the gas pressurized inside its body.
White 2
Generation VI
X Unknown
Y Unknown


Game locations

  This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: B2W2 rarity
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation I
Red Blue
None Trade
Blue (Japan)
None Trade
Yellow
None Trade
Generation II
Gold Silver
None Evolve Larvitar
Crystal
Rare Silver Cave
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire
None Trade
Emerald
None Trade
FireRed LeafGreen
None Evolve Larvitar
Colosseum
None Trade
XD
None Evolve Larvitar
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
None Evolve Larvitar (Diamond only)
Platinum
None Evolve Larvitar
HeartGold SoulSilver
Rare Mt. Silver
Pal Park
Mountain
Pokéwalker
None
Generation V
Black White
Rare Route 15
Black 2 White 2
Unknown Route 15
Dream World
None
Generation VI
X Y
None Trade



In side games

Game Location
Pokémon Trozei! Endless Level 63
Endless Level 70
Forever Level 13
Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red/Blue Rescue Team
Mt. Freeze (3F-5F)
Buried Relic (60F-70F)
Southern Cavern (37F-45F)
Joyous Tower (62F-66F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time/Darkness
Quicksand Cave (B1-B10)
Quicksand Pit (B1)
Pokémon Ranger Sekra Range
Pokémon Ranger:
Shadows of Almia
Chroma Ruins
Pokémon Ranger:
Guardian Signs
Faldera Island
Pokémon Rumble Blast Cave: Rugged Flats
Pokémon Conquest Terrera
Cragspur

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
70
130 - 177 250 - 344
84
80 - 149 155 - 293
70
67 - 134 130 - 262
65
63 - 128 121 - 251
70
67 - 134 130 - 262
51
50 - 113 96 - 221
Total:
410
Other Pokémon with this total
  • Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
  • Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed
3/4 ★★★
Power
4/4 ★★★★
Skill
1/1
Stamina
3/4 ★★★
Jump
2/4 ★★☆☆
Total
13/17 ★★


Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Normal ½×
Fighting
Flying ½×
Poison ¼×
Ground
Rock ½×
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire ½×
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Weak to:
Normal ½×
Fighting
Flying ½×
Poison ¼×
Ground
Rock ½×
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire ½×
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Immune to:
Normal ½×
Fighting
Flying ½×
Poison ¼×
Ground
Rock ½×
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire ½×
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Resistant to:
Normal ½×
Fighting
Flying ½×
Poison ¼×
Ground
Rock ½×
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire ½×
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Notes:

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
00Start Bite Dark Physical 06060 100100% 25
00Start Leer Normal Status 0000 100100% 30
00Start Sandstorm Rock Status 0000 —% 10
00Start Screech Normal Status 0000 08585% 40
055 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000 —% 10
1010 Screech Normal Status 0000 08585% 40
1414 Chip Away Normal Physical 07070 100100% 20
1919 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 09090% 10
2323 Scary Face Normal Status 0000 100100% 10
2828 Thrash Normal Physical 120120 100100% 10
3434 Dark Pulse Dark Special 08080 100100% 15
4141 Payback Dark Physical 05050 100100% 10
4747 Crunch Dark Physical 08080 100100% 15
5454 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100100% 10
6060 Stone Edge Rock Physical 100100 08080% 5
6767 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 09090% 5
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Pupitar
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Pupitar
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
  TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000 090}}90% 10
  TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 0000 100}}100% 15
  TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000 —}}—% 5
  TM12 Taunt Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 20
  TM15 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5
  TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
  TM18 Rain Dance Water Status 0000 —}}—% 5
  TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
  TM23 Smack Down Rock Physical 05050 100}}100% 15
  TM26 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100}}100% 10
  TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
  TM28 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10
  TM31 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15
  TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 15
  TM37 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000 —}}—% 10
  TM39 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 05050 080}}80% 10
  TM41 Torment Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 15
  TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
  TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000 —}}—% 10
  TM45 Attract Normal Status 0000 100}}100% 15
  TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
  TM66 Payback Dark Physical 05050 100}}100% 10
  TM67 Retaliate Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 5
  TM69 Rock Polish Rock Status 0000 —}}—% 20
  TM71 Stone Edge Rock Physical 100100 080}}80% 5
  TM78 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20
  TM80 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10
  TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000 090}}90% 15
  TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
  TM94 Rock Smash Fighting Physical 04040 100}}100% 15
  TM95 Snarl Dark Special 05555 095}}95% 15
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Pupitar
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Pupitar
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Father   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
AncientPower Rock Special 60 100% 5
Assurance Dark Physical 50 100% 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
Iron Tail Steel Physical 100 75% 15
Outrage Dragon Physical 120 100% 10
Pursuit Dark Physical 40 100% 20
Stealth Rock Rock Status —% 20
Stomp Normal Physical 65 100% 20
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Pupitar in Generation V
  • Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
  • Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Pupitar in that game.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Pupitar
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Pupitar
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
B W B2 W2 Dark Pulse Dark Special 80 100% 15
B W B2 W2 Earth Power Ground Special 90 100% 10
B W B2 W2 Iron Defense Steel Status —% 15
B W B2 W2 Iron Head Steel Physical 80 100% 15
B W B2 W2 Iron Tail Steel Physical 100 75% 15
B W B2 W2 Outrage Dragon Physical 120 100% 10
B W B2 W2 Sleep Talk Normal Status —% 10
B W B2 W2 Snore Normal Special 40 100% 15
B W B2 W2 Spite Ghost Status —% 10
B W B2 W2 Stealth Rock Rock Status —% 20
B W B2 W2 Superpower Fighting Physical 120 100% 5
B W B2 W2 Uproar Normal Status 90 100% 10
  • A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Pupitar can be tutored the move in that game
  • A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Pupitar cannot be tutored the move in that game
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Pupitar
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Pupitar
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By a prior evolution

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Stage   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
  Stealth Rock Rock Status —% 20
  Superpower Fighting Physical 120 100% 5
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Pupitar
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Pupitar
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Pinball RS
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Trozei!
   
Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
File:MDP RT 247.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate: -19%%
Friend Area: Mt. Cleft
Phrases
51%-100% HP I'm in a pupal stage, but I can jump around. No problem!
26%-50% HP Listen, my HP is down about halfway now.
1%-25% HP I'm pooped. I can't even hop about anymore...
Level up I leveled up! My shell grew even harder, too!
Partner phrases
51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%.
26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%.
1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%.
Level up I leveled up! My shell grew even harder, too!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness
,
and Explorers of Sky
  Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 0.5%%
IQ group: C
Pokémon Ranger
Group:  Ground  Poké Assist:  
( Rock )
Field move: None
Loops: 13 Min. exp.: 45 Max. exp.: 59
Browser entry  
Pupitar tackles with its spiky body and makes numerous rocks tumble down.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Group:  Ground  Poké Assist:  
( Ground )
Field move:  
(Crush ×2)
Browser entry  
It leaps around incredibly quickly while ramming to attack.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group: Poké Assist: Field move:
 Ground   
( Ground )
Past
 
( Normal )
 
(Crush ×3)
Past
 
(Electrify ×1)
Browser entry  
It triggers tremors and opens fissures that make Pokémon Paused.
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack ●●●
Defense ●●●
Speed ●●●
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
  PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
  Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}}
PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
  HP: ★★★ Move: Rock Slide
Attack: ★★★ Ability 1: Shed Skin
Defense: ★★★ Ability 2: Jagged Edge
Speed: ★★ Ability 3: Shield
Evolves from Larvitar when its Attack is 74 or higher

Evolves into Tyranitar when its Attack is 132 or higher

Range: 3 Perfect Links: Kageie, Katsuyori, and Sōun

Evolution

 
Unevolved
Larvitar
 Rock  Ground 
 
Level 30


 
First evolution
Pupitar
 Rock  Ground 
 
Level 55


 
Second evolution
Tyranitar
 Rock  Dark 


Sprites

Gen Game
I Red Blue Yellow Red (Ja) Green Back
This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II Gold Silver Crystal   Back
       
       
III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Back
       
       
IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back
       
       
V Black White Black 2 White 2 Back
     
     
  For other sprites and images, please see Pupitar images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Japanese sprites

 
 
Gold and Silver back sprites

Trivia

  • Despite having no visible teeth, it is able to learn Bite and Crunch via level-up.
    • Also, although having no visible feet and tail, which are presumably sealed within its shell, it is able to learn Stomp and Iron Tail via breeding.
  • Pupitar, along with Shelgon, are the only non-Bug Pokémon to go through metamorphosis-like evolution, as well as being pupa-like Pokémon. Both are able to learn Iron Defense via tutor-move. Both of their final forms (Tyranitar and Salamence) are pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
    • Despite this, its evolution line can still learn this move, but only via breeding.
    • Also, it is only Pokémon that undergoes metamorphosis-like evolution whose Defense base stat is not higher than its Attack. Instead, its Attack base stat is its highest stat.
  • Pupitar is one of five Pokémon without a Hidden Ability that evolves from and into a Pokémon with a Hidden Ability. The others are Metapod, Kakuna, Silcoon, and Cascoon.
    • Also, they are all based off of cocoons and their only known Ability is Shed Skin.

Origin

Pupitar is based on a pupa, as it is between its evolutionary line's larval stage (Larvitar) and adulthood (Tyranitar).

Name origin

Pupitar is derived from pupa, the stage in some insects between the larval stage and adulthood.

Sanagiras may be a combination of 蛹 sanagi (pupa) and 嫌い kirai (hate). Giras may derive from Gojira, the Japanese name for the character Godzilla, or Angiras, the Japanese name for the character Anguirus. Both are dinosaur-like tokusatsu movie monsters that share some characteristics with Tyranitar, its evolution.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning
  Japanese サナギラス Sanagiras From sanagi, 嫌い kirai, Godzilla, and Angiras
  French Ymphect From nymph and infecte. It may also have been named that way to resemble insecte
  Spanish Pupitar Same as English name
  German Pupitar Same as English name
  Italian Pupitar Same as English name
  Korean 데기라스 Degiraseu From 번데기 beondegi and Angiras.
  Mandarin Chinese 沙基拉 Shājīlā Transliteration of its Japanese name. May also be from 安基拉斯 Ānjīlāsī. Contains shā
  Cantonese Chinese


External links

  #246: Larvitar
Pokémon
#248: Tyranitar  


  This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.