Cubone (Pokémon)

← #103: Exeggutor

Pokémon

#105: Marowak →

Cubone カラカラ Karakara #104
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Ground ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Lonely Pokémon
Abilities Rock Head or Lightningrod Lightningrod Blue-Striped ----- Battle Armor Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #104 Johto #208 Hoenn #272 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 1'04" Imperial 0.4 m Metric 1'04"/0.4 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 14.3 lbs. Imperial 6.5 kg Metric 14.3 lbs./6.5 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Brown	Catch rate 190 (24.8%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Monster group 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 1 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 87 Battle Exp.: 871*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Cubone (Japanese: カラカラ Karakara) is a Template:Type2 Pokémon.

It evolves into Marowak starting at level 28.

Biology

Physiology

Cubone appears to be a small, brown theropod-like Pokémon, that constantly wears a skull (supposedly the skull of its mother) like a helmet. The skull masks its true face from view, which makes it a puzzlement for many Trainers and researchers. It carries another bone, which it uses to attack with moves like Bone Club.

Cubone has a plump body with a paler-colored underbelly, with strong, clawed limbs to carry its bone as a weapon around wherever it goes. Cubone has a single, nailed toe on each foot, with two spikes on its back. A small tail is also present for balance, but it can be used for attacking.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

It has the ability to wield its bone as an effective weapon, or throw it in the same manner as a boomerang.

Cubone, and its evolved form, Marowak, are the only known Pokémon that learn Bone Club and Bonemerang, and they used to be the only Pokémon that could learn Bone Rush until it was discovered Lucario could learn the move.

Behavior

It is constantly lonely, due to the fact that it's without its mother, and moans plaintively. It dislikes keeping company or making new friends, and its social skills are almost non-existent.

During the night, it cries for its lost mother and it is unable to let go of the memory of her. Its cries echo within the skull and it comes out as a pained and sad melody that can travel for miles around its mountain homeland. Sometimes, it can emit mournful sounds during the day. On the night of a full moon, its cries are the loudest - for it seems to recognize its mother's face in the moon.

The exact whereabouts of the mothers are unknown; however, the people of Lavender Town acknowledge that Marowak skulls are considered highly expensive. Team Rocket has been blamed for killing Marowak in exchange for money, and the claim is supported by the ghost of a Marowak haunting the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town. These deaths may set the basis of personality for all Cubone.

Habitat

File:Mountain.gif

Mountain Pokémon

Cubone live in rocky areas where they can easily find bones in old sediment that can be millions of years old. They use the bones they find as weapons. Sometimes, they prefer to live in dark caves where they can mourn alone. It is predominantly a Kanto-native Pokémon, but sightings in Sinnoh have been reported as well.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

Cubone in the anime

Major appearances

Cubone first appeared in The School of Hard Knocks under the ownership of Giselle. She used Cubone against Ash's Pikachu, where it lost.

A Cubone was among the four Pokémon that were causing trouble for Pikachu and co. during Pikachu's Vacation.

A Cubone was helping Meowth preparing his party in Pichu Bros. in Party Panic. This Cubone played drums in Meowth's band and got easily sad and gloomy when Meowth chewed it out, but it was also easily consolable.

Minor appearances

Cubone also appeared in A Chansey Operation as an injured Pokémon.

A Cubone was used by one of the students of the Pokémon Trainer's School in Gonna Rule The School!.

A Cubone appeared in Showdown at Linoone.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Cubone makes a cameo in Onix is On!, part of the Red, Green & Blue chapter, battling against Red's Bulbasaur as a Pewter Gym trainer's Pokémon.

Crystal owns a Cubone, who has a star-shaped crack in its skull. Cubone's main role in the team is to take out targets from afar using its bone-based attacks.

In the TCG

Main article: Cubone (TCG)

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

• In the Pokémon Stadium 2 stage, a Cubone can be seen on the Ground Terrain standing atop the highest platform built into a rock. Dugtrio and Pokémon fossils can also be seen on the Ground Terrain.

Merchandise

Cubone was one of the first four Pokémon designs revealed when the Pokémon 151 brand was first announced. In the shirt design, Cubone's skull is in the center of the shirt, with two Thick Clubs in crossing below it.

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Because it never removes its skull helmet, no one has ever seen this Pokémon's real face. Blue Yellow Wears the skull of its deceased mother. Its cries echo inside the skull and come out as a sad melody. Stadium Always wears the skull of its deceased mother on its head and never shows its face. It cries mournfully in the moonlight.
Generation II Gold If it is sad or lonely, the skull it wears shakes, and emits a plaintive and mournful sound. Silver It always wears the skull of its dead mother, so no one has any idea what its hidden face looks like. Crystal It lost its mother after its birth. It wears its mother's skull, never revealing its true face. Stadium 2 If it is sad or lonely, the skull it wears shakes, and emits a plaintive and mournful sound.
Generation III Ruby Cubone pines for the mother it will never see again. Seeing a likeness of its mother in the full moon, it cries. The stains on the skull the Pokémon wears are made by the tears it sheds. Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} Emerald It pines for the mother it will never see again. Seeing a likeness of its mother in the full moon, it cries. The stains on the skull it wears are from its tears. FireRed It wears the skull of its dead mother on its head. When it becomes lonesome, it is said to cry loudly. LeafGreen Because it never removes its skull helmet, no one has ever seen this Pokémon's real face.
Generation IV Diamond When it thinks of its dead mother, it cries. Its crying makes the skull it wears rattle hollowly. Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold If it is sad or lonely, the skull it wears shakes, and emits a plaintive and mournful sound. SoulSilver It always wears the skull of its dead mother, so no one has any idea what its hidden face looks like.
Generation V Black When it thinks of its dead mother, it cries. Its crying makes the skull it wears rattle hollowly. White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue Uncommon Pokémon Tower Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow Uncommon Pokémon Tower and Safari Zone
Generation II Gold Silver Common Rock Tunnel Crystal Unlimited Rock Tunnel, Goldenrod Game Corner
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen Rare Pokémon Tower and Sevault Canyon Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Swarm Route 203 Platinum Swarm Route 203 HeartGold SoulSilver Common Rock Tunnel, Safari Zone (Desert area) Pal Park Mountain Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Breed Marowak Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Channel	Ruins of Truth
Pokémon Pinball	Lavender Town
Pokémon Trozei!	Endless Level 11 Forever Level 11 Pair Trozei Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Starter Pokémon Southern Cavern (5F-10F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Northern Desert (1F-7F)
Pokémon Rumble	Eternal Tower

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Berry (100%)
Yellow*
Gold	Silver	Thick Club (8%)
Crystal
FireRed	LeafGreen	Thick Club (5%)
Diamond	Pearl	Thick Club (5%)
Platinum
HeartGold	SoulSilver	Thick Club (5%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 50		110 - 157	210 - 304
Attack: 50		49 - 112	94 - 218
Defense: 95		90 - 161	175 - 317
Sp. Atk: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Sp. Def: 50		49 - 112	94 - 218
Speed: 35		36 - 95	67 - 185
Total: 320	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. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 40.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 4/4 ★★★★	Power 2/5 ★★☆☆☆
Skill 3/3 ★★★	Stamina 2/3 ★★☆
Jump 3/3 ★★★	Total 14/18 ★★☆

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Growl Normal Status 0000— 100100% 40 033 Tail Whip Normal Status 0000— 100100% 30 077 Bone Club Ground Physical 06565 08585% 20 1111 Headbutt Normal Physical 07070 100100% 15 1313 Leer Normal Status 0000— 100100% 30 1717 Focus Energy Normal Status 0000— ——% 30 2121 Bonemerang Ground Physical 05050 09090% 10 2323 Rage Normal Physical 02020 100100% 20 2727 False Swipe Normal Physical 04040 100100% 40 3131 Thrash Normal Physical 120120 100100% 10 3333 Fling Dark Physical 0000— 100100% 10 3737 Bone Rush Ground Physical 02525 09090% 10 4141 Endeavor Normal Physical 0000— 100100% 5 4343 Double-Edge Normal Physical 120120 100100% 15 4747 Retaliate Normal Physical 07070 100100% 5

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cubone Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Cubone Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: I - 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
	TM13	Ice Beam	Ice	Special	09595	100}}100%	10
	TM14	Blizzard	Ice	Special	120120	070}}70%	5
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	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
	TM35	Flamethrower	Fire	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	TM37	Sandstorm	Rock	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM38	Fire Blast	Fire	Special	120120	085}}85%	5
	TM39	Rock Tomb	Rock	Physical	05050	080}}80%	10
	TM40	Aerial Ace	Flying	Physical	06060	—}}—%	20
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM45	Attract	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM46	Thief	Dark	Physical	04040	100}}100%	10
	TM48	Round	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM49	Echoed Voice	Normal	Special	04040	100}}100%	15
	TM54	False Swipe	Normal	Physical	04040	100}}100%	40
	TM56	Fling	Dark	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	10
	TM59	Incinerate	Fire	Special	03030	100}}100%	15
	TM67	Retaliate	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	5
	TM75	Swords Dance	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	30
	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
	HM04	Strength	Normal	Physical	08080	100}}100%	15
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cubone Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Cubone 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
	Belly Drum	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
	Chip Away	Normal	Physical	70	100%	20
	Detect	Fighting	Status	—	—%	5
	Double Kick	Fighting	Physical	30	100%	30
	Endure	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
	Iron Head	Steel	Physical	80	100%	15
	Perish Song	Normal	Status	—	—%	5
	Screech	Normal	Status	—	85%	40
	Skull Bash	Normal	Physical	100	100%	15
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Cubone 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 Cubone in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cubone Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Cubone 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
This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Cubone can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Cubone cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cubone Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Cubone Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball     Acquisition: Catch		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 10.5% Friend Area: Mt. Deepgreen Phrases 51%-100% HP I feel lonesome, but I'll work hard for my mother's sake! 26%-50% HP I only have half my HP left... 1%-25% HP It's no good. I have no energy left... Level up Yay! I leveled up! I don't feel as lonesome! 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 Yay! I leveled up! I don't feel as lonesome!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.2% IQ group: F
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A 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.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Unevolved Cubone  Ground

Level 28 →

First Evolution Marowak  Ground

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
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 Cubone images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

Cubone with its face partially revealed

• Cubone's name for English audiences was originally going to be "Orphon," a reference to how it's orphaned at birth.
• Despite the Pokédex's statement that it wears the skull of its dead mother, Cubone can be bred in the games with no ill effects on its mother. This is due to Cubone being created before breeding in the games was possible.
• Cubone is one of the Pokémon that appears in the Pokémon 151 clothing line.
• Cubone and its evolution, Marowak, used to be the Pokémon with the most signature moves: Bone Rush, Bone Club, and Bonemerang. As of Generation IV, Lucario can learn Bone Rush and it is no longer a signature move.
• Despite not being Ghost-type, it is still encountered as a ghost in the Pokémon Tower without the aid of a Silph Scope.

Origin

Cubone is possibly based on a dinosaur or a dinosaur fossil, and, like dinosaurs, nobody has ever seen a Cubone's real face; only its mother's skull. It also could be based off of primitive cultures that wore bones for decoration and used them for weapons.

Name origin

Cubone's name might be a combination of cute and bone, cub and bone, or cue ball (a reference to its pale white head, or to the fact that its bone resembles a billiards or snooker cue) and bone. Karakara may be taken to mean からから, clattering. It is worth noting that karakara denotes lighter clattering than garagara. Cubone's name could also be a combination of the Latin word "cubo", meaning "recluse", and "bone". This can refer to its lonely nature.

In other languages

Language Name Name Origin German Tragosso A combination of tragen or tragisch, and oss, a form of the Latin word for bone. French Osselait A combination of osselet and lait, referring to the young age and need for a mother. Korean 탕구리 Tangguri Chinese (Mandarin) 可拉可拉 Kě Lā Kě Lā Transliteration of its Japanese name. Chinese (Cantonese) 卡拉卡拉 Ka Lai Ka Lai Transliteration of its Japanese name.

Notes

First partner trios

Kanto

Bulbasaur

Charmander

Squirtle

Johto

Chikorita

Cyndaquil

Totodile

Hoenn

Treecko

Torchic

Mudkip

Sinnoh

Turtwig

Chimchar

Piplup

Unova

Snivy

Tepig

Oshawott

Kalos

Chespin

Fennekin

Froakie

Alola

Rowlet

Litten

Popplio

Galar

Grookey

Scorbunny

Sobble

Paldea

Sprigatito

Fuecoco

Quaxly

See also: List of the player's first Pokémon • Pikachu (Yellow) • Partner Pokémon (LGPE) • Hisui first partner Pokémon

← #103: Exeggutor

Pokémon

#105: Marowak →

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