Zubat (Japanese: ズバット Zubat) is a dual-type Poison/Flying Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

It evolves into Golbat starting at level 22, which evolves into Crobat when leveled up with high friendship.

(Specifics may differ in past games. Refer to Game data→Evolution data for these details.)

Biology

Zubat is a blue, chiropteran Pokémon. While it lacks eyes, it has pointed ears with purple insides and a mouth with two sharp teeth on each jaw. A male will have larger fangs than a female. It has purple wing membranes supported by two, elongated fingers, and two long, thin tails.

Zubat lives in abundance in dark caves, although it has also been known to dwell in forests and under the eaves of old buildings. Due to its habitat, Zubat has evolved to have neither eyes nor nostrils. It instead navigates through dark environments and tight caves with echolocation, emitting ultrasonic cries to detect targets and obstacles. The frequency of these cries can vary slightly between Zubat colonies. As demonstrated in the anime, it will leave its abode at night with a mass of other Zubat in order to seek prey. Zubat is nocturnal, and sleeps hanging upside down during the daytime, avoiding sunlight at all costs. Daylight causes Zubat to become unhealthy, and prolonged exposure can even burn its skin. However, captured and trained Zubat have been recorded as being much more tenacious in the daytime, even when directly exposed to sunbeams. While sleeping, or in colder conditions, Zubat gathers with others of its kind for warmth.

  • Zubat hanging upside-down

    Zubat hanging upside-down

  • Zubat using its echolocation

    Zubat using its echolocation

Evolution

Zubat evolves into Golbat, which evolves into Crobat.

(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)

Game data

NPC appearances

Pokédex entries

Generation I Kanto
#041
Red(JPN) (This entry was originally untranslated in English until it was reused in Pokémon FireRed.)
Green
Red(ENG) Forms colonies in perpetually dark places. Uses ultrasonic waves to identify and approach targets.
Blue
Yellow Emits ultrasonic cries while it flies. They act as a sonar used to check for objects in its way.
Stadium It has neither eyes nor a nose. It emits ultrasonic cries that bounce back to its large ears, enabling it to fly safely.
Generation II Johto
#037
Gold While flying, it constantly emits ultrasonic waves from its mouth to check its surroundings.
Silver Capable of flying safely in dark places, it emits ultrasonic cries to check for any obstacles.
Crystal During the day, it gathers with others and hangs from the ceilings of old buildings and caves.
Stadium 2 While flying, it constantly emits ultrasonic waves from its mouth to check its surroundings.
Generation III Hoenn
#063 		Kanto
#041
Ruby Zubat remains quietly unmoving in a dark spot during the bright daylight hours. It does so because prolonged exposure to the sun causes its body to become slightly burned.
Sapphire Zubat avoids sunlight because exposure causes it to become unhealthy. During the daytime, it stays in caves or under the eaves of old houses, sleeping while hanging upside down.
Emerald While living in pitch-black caverns, their eyes gradually grew shut and deprived them of vision. They use ultrasonic waves to detect obstacles.
FireRed It has no eyes. Instead, it relies on its ultrasonic cries for echo location to flit about in darkness.
LeafGreen It forms colonies in perpetually dark places and uses ultrasonic waves to identify and approach targets.
Generation IV Sinnoh
#028 		Johto
#037
Diamond Even though it has no eyes, it can sense obstacles using ultrasonic waves it emits from it mouth.
Pearl Disliking sunlight, it sleeps deep in forests and caves until sundown.
Platinum It checks its surroundings and location using reflections of the ultrasonic waves from its mouth.
HeartGold While flying, it constantly emits ultrasonic waves from its mouth to check its surroundings.
SoulSilver Capable of flying safely in dark places, it emits ultrasonic cries to check for any obstacles.
Generation V Unova
 B2  W2 : #061
Black It checks its surroundings and location using reflections of the ultrasonic waves from its mouth.
White
Black 2 It does not need eyes, because it emits ultrasonic waves to check its surroundings while it flies.
White 2
Generation VI Kalos
Central #145 		Hoenn
#065
X Even though it has no eyes, it can sense obstacles using ultrasonic waves it emits from it mouth.
Y It has no eyes. Instead, it relies on its ultrasonic cries for echolocation to flit about in darkness.
Omega Ruby Zubat remains quietly unmoving in a dark spot during the bright daylight hours. It does so because prolonged exposure to the sun causes its body to become slightly burned.
Alpha Sapphire Zubat avoids sunlight because exposure causes it to become unhealthy. During the daytime, it stays in caves or under the eaves of old houses, sleeping while hanging upside down.
Generation VII Alola
 S  M : #068 		Alola
 US  UM : #080 		Kanto
#041
Sun It sleeps in caves during the day. It has no eyes, so to check its surroundings while flying, it emits ultrasonic waves.
Moon When exposed to sunlight, they suffer burns. The frequency of their ultrasonic waves can differ slightly from colony to colony.
Ultra Sun It has no eyeballs, so it can't see. It checks its surroundings via the ultrasonic waves it emits from its mouth.
Ultra Moon Their skin is so thin that they'll be burned if sunlight hits them. When it gets cold out, they gather together to warm one another's bodies.
Let's Go Pikachu Emits ultrasonic cries while it flies. They act as a sonar used to check for objects in its way.
Let's Go Eevee
Generation VIII Galar
Crown Tundra #144 		Sinnoh
#028 		Hisui
#034
Sword It emits ultrasonic waves from its mouth to check its surroundings. Even in tight caves, Zubat flies around with skill.
Shield Zubat live in caves, down where the sun's light won't reach. In the morning, they gather together to keep each other warm as they sleep.
Brilliant Diamond Even though it has no eyes, it can sense obstacles using ultrasonic waves it emits from its mouth.
Shining Pearl Disliking sunlight, it sleeps deep in forests and caves until sundown.
Legends: Arceus Makes its home in gloomy caves. Atrophied eyes have left this Pokémon blind, so it scans its surroundings via sound waves that it emits from its mouth as it flies.

Game locations

Generation I
Generation II
Gold Silver
Rock Tunnel, Whirl Islands, Ilex Forest, Mt. Moon, Dark Cave, Ice Path, Mt. Mortar, Union Cave, Tohjo Falls, Burned Tower, Slowpoke Well (all times)
Routes 3, 4, 32, 33, and 42Night
Crystal
Rock Tunnel, Whirl Islands, Mt. Moon, Dark Cave, Ice Path, Mt. Mortar, Union Cave, Tohjo Falls, Burned Tower, Slowpoke Well (all times)
Routes 3, 4, 9, 10, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 42Night
Generation III
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
Iron Island, Oreburgh Mine, Wayward Cave, Lost Tower (walking; all times)
Routes 203, 204, 206, 207, 208, 209, 211, 216, and 217, Acuity Lakefront (tall grass)Night
Ravaged Path, Oreburgh Gate, Mt. Coronet (Surfing and walking; all times)
Platinum
Iron Island, Oreburgh Mine, Wayward Cave, Lost Tower (walking; all times)
Routes 203, 204, 206, 207, 208, 209, 211, 214, 216 (tall grass)Night
Ravaged Path, Oreburgh Gate, Mt. Coronet (Surfing and walking; all times)
HeartGold SoulSilver
Dark Cave, Union Cave, Slowpoke Well, Ilex Forest, Burned Tower, Mt. Mortar, Ice Path, Whirl Islands, Mt. Moon, Rock Tunnel, Seafoam Islands, Tohjo Falls (all times)
Routes 3, 4, 32, and 33, 42, Cliff CaveNight
Safari ZoneNight (Mountain and Savannah, default; tall grass in Rocky Beach, default)
Pal Park
Pokéwalker
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Generation VIII
Sword Shield
Expansion Pass
Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
Iron Island, Oreburgh Mine, Wayward Cave, Lost Tower (walking; all times)
Routes 203, 204, 206, 207, 208, 209, 211, 216, and 217, Acuity Lakefront (tall grass)Night
Ravaged Path, Oreburgh Gate, Mt. Coronet (Surfing and walking; all times)
Grand Underground - Spacious Cave, Grassland Cave, Swampy Cave, Sunlit Cavern, Bogsunk Cavern
Legends: Arceus
Obsidian Fieldlands: Worn BridgeNight, Deertrack PathNight, Deertrack HeightsNight, Windswept RunNight, Nature's PantryNight, Tidewater DamNight, The HeartwoodNight, Oreburrow TunnelNight, near Obsidian FallsNight, massive mass outbreaks
Crimson Mirelands: Cloudpool RidgeNight, near Diamond SettlementNight, Diamond HeathNight, Bolderoll SlopeNight
Coronet Highlands: Heavenward LookoutNight, Wayward WoodNight, Wayward Cave, near Ancient QuarryNight
Alabaster Icelands: Snowpoint Temple
Generation IX

In side games

Generation I
Generation II
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
Generation III
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Generation VIII
Cross-Generation

In events

Held items

Pokémon caught in Generation I must be traded to a Generation II game in order for a held item to appear.

Stats

Base stats

Pokéathlon stats

Speed
4/5 ★★★★☆
Jump
5/5 ★★★★★

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Immune to:
Resistant to:

Learnset

Zubat is available in Sword and Shield Version 1.3.0+, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

By leveling up

SwShBDSP

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

LA

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

By TM/TR

SwSh

Generation VIII
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zubat
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Zubat
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

BDSP

Generation VIII
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zubat
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Zubat
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

SwSh

Generation VIII
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Zubat in Generation VIII
  • 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 Zubat in that game.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zubat
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Zubat
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

BDSP

Generation VIII
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Zubat in Generation VIII
  • 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 Zubat in that game.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zubat
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Zubat
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

SwShBDSP

Generation VIII
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zubat
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Zubat
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

LA

Generation VIII
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zubat
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Zubat
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By transfer from another generation

Generation VIII
  • Transferred Pokémon only retain these moves in Pokémon Sword and Shield
  • A striped background indicates a generation in which the move can only be obtained via event or as a special move
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Zubat
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Zubat
  • × indicates a move that cannot be used in Sword and Shield
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see transfer-only moves for other generations

Side game data

Evolution data

Zubat evolves into Golbat starting at level 22, which evolves into Crobat when leveled up with high friendship. Golbat cannot evolve into Crobat in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen until the player obtains the National Pokédex, as its evolution will be interrupted. Golbat also cannot evolve into Crobat in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, as Crobat is not present in those games.

Sprites

Generation I
Generation II
Generation III
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Generation VIII
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation IX.
Cross-Generation

In the anime

Main series

Major appearances

Brock's Zubat

Zubat debuted in Clefairy and the Moon Stone, where it was seen attacking a Scientist named Seymour at Mt. Moon, alongside many others of its kind. Brock was later revealed to have caught this Zubat. It later evolved into a Golbat and then into a Crobat during the Johto saga.

Other

In Hassle in the Castle, Dr. Anna uses a Zubat nicknamed Mimi for its Supersonic sound-waves, meant to scan her patients.

In Leading a Stray!, multiple Zubat assisted a Luxio in its efforts to help a Wailmer trapped in the sewers.

Three Zubat appeared in Alola to New Adventure!, under the ownership of Rapp. One of them made further appearances in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon.

Minor appearances

In The Power of One, multiple Zubat sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.

A Zubat appeared in the Japanese credits of Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.

In Wired for Battle!, a Trainer's Zubat came up as an image in Shingo's laptop.

A Zubat appeared in Take the Lombre Home.

Multiple Zubat appeared in A Six Pack Attack!.

In Who's Flying Now?, a Zubat was featured in the Fortree City Feather Festival.

Multiple Zubat appeared in Destiny Deoxys.

A Zubat appeared in The Ole' Berate and Switch!, under the ownership of a Team Rocket Grunt.

In Once More With Reeling!, a Coordinator's Zubat competed in the Terracotta Contest.

In A Rivalry to Gible On!, multiple Zubat were residents of Mt. Shady.

A Zubat appeared in Battles in the Sky!, under the ownership of a Sky Trainer.

In Lillie's Egg-xhilarating Challenge!, a Zubat was playing in Lillie's garden. It reappeared in The Ol' Raise and Switch!.

In To Top a Totem!, multiple Zubat were flying in the air just as a Psyduck fell from the sky.

In I Choose You!, a Zubat was under the control of Marshadow.

In Securing the Future!, a Trainer's Zubat joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its normal form.

A Trainer's Zubat appeared in To Train, or Not to Train!. It reappeared in Breaking the Ice!.

In The Mew from Here!, multiple Zubat were seen on Faraway Island.

A Zubat appeared in The Same Moon, Now and Forever!.

Pokédex entries

Pokémon Origins

In File 3: Giovanni, a Zubat was in Silph Co.

Pokémon Generations

In a flashback in The Legacy, a Team Rocket Grunt used a Zubat to help Team Rocket invade the Goldenrod Radio Tower.

Pokémon Evolutions

Multiple swarms of Zubat appeared in The Discovery, disrupting Green and Trace's attempts to explore Cerulean Cave.

In the manga

Ash & Pikachu

Similar to her anime counterpart, Anna owns a Zubat nicknamed Mimi. It appeared in Treasure Hunting?! Try The Maze!.

Magical Pokémon Journey

A Zubat appeared in How Do You Do, Pikachu?.

Pocket Monsters DP

A Zubat appeared in PMDP60, under the ownership of Charon.

Pokémon Adventures

Zubat makes a few cameos, first as a resident of Mt. Moon in Raging Rhydon.

A Zubat appeared as a silhouette when Green talks about Mew in The Jynx Jinx.

A Zubat was seen hanging and then flying in Union Cave in Off Course with Corsola.

Multiple Zubat appeared in Chinchou in Charge, where they attacked Misty, Brock, and Erika in the Tohjo Falls alongside multiple Golbat and Crobat.

A flock of Zubat attacked Ruby in Granite Cave in Guile from Mawile.

Multiple Zubat appeared in Mashing Makuhita.

In Belligerent Bronzor, a Zubat appears under Commander Mars' ownership.

A Zubat appeared in Passing by Probopass and Maneuvering around Magnezone and Perturbed by Pachirisu.

Multiple Zubat appeared in Lucky Lucario I.

A Zubat appeared in the Fortunately for Feraligatr, under the ownership of Executive Proton.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!

B-2 has a Zubat, which appeared in Hareta's Very First Pokémon Battle!!.

Mars also has a Zubat, which had the ability to see in the dark after her Purugly turned off the power in The Mystery Boy, Jun!!. A Team Galactic Grunt also had one in the same chapter.

A Zubat appeared in Beauty Contest: The Pokémon Super Contest!!.

Hareta caught a Zubat on Iron Island in Serious Training on Iron Island!!.

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

A Zubat appeared in Falkner The Bird Keeper's Challenge!!.

A Zubat appeared in Extreme Power!! The Friday Pokémon.

A Zubat appeared in The New Pokémon Is Hatched!!.

Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All

Shu caught a Zubat in Battle in the Smokescreen.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blazing Exploration Team

A Zubat appeared in BET1.

Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition ~ Ranse's Color Picture Scroll ~

Multiple Zubat appeared in The Yellow Scroll: Hanbei vs Kanbei.

A Zubat appeared in The Scarlet Scroll: Kunoichi's Situation, under the ownership of Kunoichi.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Green caught a Golbat after it evolved from a Zubat in Receive the Moon Stone!!.

Pokémon Zensho

A Zubat appeared in a fantasy in PZ03, under the ownership of a Team Rocket Grunt.

In the TCG

Main article: Zubat (TCG)

In the TFG

One Zubat figure has been released.

Other sprites

Trivia

  • No other Pokémon has the same type combination as Zubat and its evolved forms.
    • Zubat and Golbat are the only Pokémon introduced in Generation I to currently have a unique type combination.
    • Zubat and its evolved forms are the only Poison-type Pokémon in the Flying Egg Group.
  • Zubat and its evolved forms share their category with Woobat. They are all known as the Bat Pokémon.
  • Zubat's evolutionary family has several similarities with Woobat's.
    • All of the members of both lines are called the Bat Pokémon (excluding Swoobat), live in caves or other dark places, and have no visible eyes at their respective unevolved states.
    • Members of both lines reach their respective fully evolved forms by friendship and both have similar Shiny forms (with green main bodies).
    • Woobat and Zubat have somewhat similar English names, both having rhyming prefixes and bat as a suffix.
  • Zubat can also be seen as a parallel to Noibat, as they are both Flying-type Pokémon based on bats and can have Infiltrator as a possible Ability. They also share the same base stats, with their Attack and Special Attack switched around.
  • Zubat has the lowest base Special Attack stat of all Flying-type Pokémon, tying with Taillow, Starly, Combee, and Pikipek.
  • Despite its lack of eyes, Zubat is still capable of learning Mean Look.
  • Due to its lack of eyes, Zubat is the only Pokémon whose Alpha form in Legends: Arceus does not bear glowing red eyes.

Origin

Zubat seems to be based on a bat, particularly vampire bats, which bite other animals to feed on their blood. Its Poison type may be inspired by either the anticoagulant properties of vampire bat saliva or the fact that bats are infamous for spreading deadly diseases such as rabies. Its lack of eyes could be a reference to troglomorphism and may additionally be influenced by the misconception that bats are blind due to their use of echolocation to navigate. The claim that Zubat will suffer burns when exposed to sunlight may be inspired by mythological vampires.

Name origin

Zubat may be a combination of bat and ずばっと zubatto (piercingly).

In other languages

More languages
India Flag.png Hindi ज़ूबैट Zubat Transcription of English name
Lithuania Flag.png Lithuanian Zubatas From the English name
Russia Flag.png Russian Зубат Zubat Transcription of English name
Thailand Flag.png Thai ซูแบท Subaet Transcription of Japanese name

Related articles

External links