The Boxing Pokémon Crabrawler is one of many options available to players in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, and it is thankfully not an incredibly difficult Pokémon to find. Crabrawler can bring a lot of muscle to any team, so catching one can be a significant benefit, especially once it evolves. Its uniqueness could also help it find a spot on several teams.
Despite its design being based on a crab, Crabrawler is actually a FIghting-type rather than a Water-type. This makes it a unique entry among Pokémon in the series. In addition, Crabrawler's design and fighting style are influenced by boxing, as seen from its Iron Fist ability and the variety of punching moves it can learn. Now that Pokémon can fight independently in Scarlet & Violet, Crabrawler seems like a natural candidate for such a mechanic. It's a relatively recent addition to the series, hailing from Generation 7's Alola, but it's already a memorable part of the roster.
Crabrawler's Location in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Crabrawler can be found in several locations around Alola. According to the Pokemon Database, it can be found in Areas One and Three of North Province, Areas One and Two of East Province, Areas One and Five of South Province, Areas One and Two of West Province, Casseroya Lake, East Paldean Sea, and Glasedo Mountain. As one may expect from a crab, Crabrawler can usually be found near beaches with a 30% spawn rate. But, more surprisingly, in a situation as odd as some of Pokémon's strangest learnable moves, it also has a 2% spawn rate in snowy areas. This is due to its Ice-type evolution, Crabominable.
When it comes to catching Crabrawler, it has a relatively high catch rate of 225, making it easier to catch than most. It will be somewhere between Levels 10-40, so it's likely to be useful for whatever period of the game that player happens to be in. As a pure Fighting-type, Crabrawler is weak to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy-type attacks. However, its Attack is relatively high for an unevolved Pokémon, so one would be wise not to send Pokémon with weak defense against it. Also of note is that Crabrawlers level 37 or above could potentially have the devastating Water-type move Crabhammer at their disposal, fittingly for one of Pokémon's many crab-based Pokémon.
When it comes to battle strategy, Crabrawler is very straightforward. Before level 40, it only learns two moves that don't deal damage, Leer and Protect. Therefore, one can expect to take a hit almost every turn when facing it. Due to most of its moveset being Normal and Fighting-type, a Ghost Pokémon may seem like a good idea. However, be wary that at level 29, Crabrawler learns the Dark-type Payback, which can put a Ghost-type Pokémon in serious jeopardy. Ghosts are good before Crabrawler hits Level 29, but another strategy may be needed afterward. Although considering that one of Paldea's new ghost types has Scarlet & Violet's scariest new move, that may not be necessary.
Crabrawler may not be the hardest Pokémon to find, but it'll give the player quite a battle if they're looking to catch one. While not the strongest Pokémon that one can pick up in Paldea, it offers a respectable amount of power and can be a solid Fighting-type choice. With a little effort, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet players can catch their own Crabrawler.