Cranidos in Pokémon Platinum: locations, stats and moves

Generation IV identity and base stats

Cranidos is Sinnoh #036 and National #408. Its Platinum typing is Rock. The stats below describe its standard Platinum form on the original Nintendo DS cartridge. Later Fairy typing, stat buffs and Hidden Abilities are excluded.

The existing Platinum sprite shows its standard Platinum form; gender, cloak or alternate forms can have different appearances.

Where to obtain it in Platinum

In Platinum, an odd Trainer ID makes Skull Fossils available in the Underground. Revive one at Oreburgh Mining Museum for level-20 Cranidos. The Diamond/Pearl fossil version split is different.

These records are filtered to Platinum. Time, Poké Radar, swarm, GBA insertion, daily and story conditions remain separate. Postgame areas require their story access; no listed area is promised to be open on a fresh save.

Encounter methods · Legendaries, gifts and historical requirements · Sinnoh map and routes

Evolution family and Generation IV requirements

Friendship evolution uses the original threshold of 220. Held-item trades need a compatible second game and system. Platinum uses special rocks, Mt. Coronet magnetic evolutions, learned-move requirements and Beauty rather than later replacement methods.

Evolution, forms and Pokédex completion

Original abilities, breeding and training

Hidden Abilities did not exist in Generation IV. The table restores original ability slots where a species changed in later games; an ability’s modern behavior must not be assumed to match Platinum.

The Solaceon Town Day Care supports breeding before the League. Undiscovered species cannot produce Eggs. Some baby forms require the matching incense on a parent, while trade evolutions still need the trade rather than only a Day Care level.

Platinum breeding, EV, IV and nature rules

Platinum level-up moves

Every row uses the Platinum version group. Level 1 moves include starting and reminder moves; a later caught specimen need not already know every entry. Evolution timing affects which stage learns a move. Pastoria’s Move Reminder charges a Heart Scale.

Compatible Platinum TMs and HMs

Platinum TMs are single-use: teaching one consumes that copy. HMs are reusable and require the Move Deleter to be forgotten. Defog is HM05 and Rock Climb is HM08; these are the Generation IV field moves, with their own badge requirements.

All Platinum TM/HM locations and field badges

Egg moves and Platinum Move Tutors

Recorded Platinum Egg moves: Crunch, Double-Edge, Hammer Arm, Leer, Slam, Stomp, Thrash, Whirlwind.

Recorded Platinum tutor compatibility: AncientPower, Earth Power, Endeavor, Fire Punch, Iron Head, Mud Slap, Snore, Spite, Superpower, ThunderPunch, Uproar, Zen Headbutt.

Tutor compatibility does not mean every listed technique comes from the same shard tutor. Starter ultimate moves, Draco Meteor and other special services have their own requirements.

Tutor locations, shard costs, special tutors and the Move Reminder

Related species and return to the Pokédex

Return to Cranidos in the illustrated Sinnoh Pokédex.

• Rampardos: locations, stats and moves