So you've got this dopey-looking camel Pokémon with lava bubbling in its hump? Yeah, Numel's kinda weird but also awesome. I remember first using one in Pokémon Emerald – thought it was useless until it evolved. Then BAM! Camerupt changed everything. Let's cut through the fluff and talk real strategy about numel evolution level and what it means for your team.
Exactly When Numel Evolves (No Guesswork)
Straight answer: Numel evolves into Camerupt at level 33. Period. Not level 32 or 34. Thirty-three. Doesn't matter if you're playing Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, or Alpha Sapphire. Same deal in Pokémon GO (except there it's candy-based, but we'll cover that).
Funny story – my cousin wasted 3 hours grinding Numel to level 40 because he misread a forum post. Don't be like Dave. Level 33 is the magic number.
Why Level 33 Feels Perfect
Game Freak nailed this evolution timing. By level 33, Numel learns Lava Plume (level 32), giving it a solid STAB move before evolving. It’s like the game’s saying: "Here’s one last fire-breathing hoorah before you become a volcano camel."
Step-by-Step Evolution Guide
Evolving Numel’s dead simple if you avoid common pitfalls:
- Don't use an Everstone (obvious, but people forget)
- Do cancel evolution if it tries to learn a move you want (Camerupt learns moves slower)
- Never evolve before level 28 if you want Earth Power (Numel-only move)
Optimal Training Spots by Game
| Game Version | Best Grinding Location | Enemy Levels | Exp Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald | Route 113 (ash battles) | Lv 14-17 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire | Seafloor Cavern | Lv 38-41 | ★★★★☆ |
| Pokémon X/Y | Frost Cavern | Lv 30-35 | ★★★★☆ |
| Pokémon GO | Desert biomes / Events | N/A | ★★☆☆☆ (candy dependent) |
Pro tip: Slap an Exp. Share on Numel while your starter handles tough battles. Or be lazy like me – camp outside Fallarbor Town and fight every passing trainer.
Camerupt Unleashed: Stats & Changes
Holy damage spike. Check this transformation:
| Stat | Numel | Camerupt | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP | 60 | 70 | +10 |
| Attack | 60 | 100 | +40! |
| Defense | 40 | 70 | +30 |
| Sp. Atk | 65 | 105 | +40! |
| Sp. Def | 45 | 75 | +30 |
| Speed | 35 | 40 | +5 (lol) |
Notice anything? Yeah, Camerupt hits like a truck but moves like one too. That speed stat is tragic. Still, those Special Attack gains? Chef’s kiss.
Honest opinion: Camerupt’s design is top-tier – a walking volcano with magma-spewing humps? 10/10. But competitively? It’s niche. Water types murder it. Still love mine though.
Abilities That Actually Matter
- Magma Armor: Prevents freezing (meh)
- Solid Rock: Reduces super-effective damage (game-changer)
- Anger Point (Hidden): Critical hit = max attack (gimmicky but fun)
Solid Rock is why I keep Camerupt around. That 4x water weakness drops to 3x damage. Still hurts, but lets you survive one stray Bubblebeam.
Movesets: Pre and Post Evolution
Numel’s movepool is surprisingly decent. Here’s what to aim for before hitting that numel evolution level threshold:
| Level | Move | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Lv 1 | Growl | Forget immediately |
| Lv 5 | Ember | Early STAB |
| Lv 11 | Magnitude | Ground coverage |
| Lv 21 | Focus Energy | Skip this |
| Lv 28 | Earth Power | MUST-HAVE before evolving |
| Lv 32 | Lava Plume | Best fire move pre-evolution |
Post-evolution at level 33? Camerupt learns Rock Slide immediately. Keep it – coverage against flyers is gold.
Endgame Moveset Recommendations
- Casual Play: Earth Power / Flamethrower / Rock Slide / Strength
- Competitive (Gen 6+):
- Fire Blast (sheer power)
- Earth Power (STAB)
- Stealth Rock (utility)
- Protect (scouting)
Mega Camerupt (ORAS only) wants Sheer Force ability with Life Orb. Insane damage but dies fast. High risk, high reward.
Mega Evolution: Is It Worth It?
Got Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire? Mega Stone’s in Scorched Slab. Stats shift dramatically:
| Stat | Normal Camerupt | Mega Camerupt |
|---|---|---|
| HP | 70 | 70 |
| Attack | 100 | 120 |
| Defense | 70 | 100 |
| Sp. Atk | 105 | 145 |
| Sp. Def | 75 | 105 |
| Speed | 40 | 20 (ouch) |
That Special Attack melts faces. But 20 speed? You’ll move after tectonic plates shift. Requires trick room support to function. Without it? Meh.
Numel in Pokémon GO: Different Rules
No levels here. Evolution requires 50 Numel candies. But listen:
- Don’t evolve until you have one with 15 ATK IV
- Wait for Incinerate fast move during events
- Elite TM for Earth Power recommended
Camerupt raids? Decent budget fire attacker. But outclassed by Reshiram/Darmanitan. Still fun for gyms though!
Competitive Viability: The Harsh Truth
Love Camerupt? Me too. Is it meta? Rarely. Here’s why:
- Pros:
- Hits stupidly hard with Sheer Force
- Surprisingly bulky with Solid Rock
- Amazing dual STAB coverage
- Cons:
- 4x weak to water (every team has a water move)
- Slowest thing since geological epochs
- Common weaknesses (ground/fighting)
It shines in mono-fire teams or trick room setups. Outside that? You’re fighting uphill. Still, watching it one-shot Ferrothorn with Fire Blast? Priceless.
Alternatives to Camerupt
If Camerupt’s weaknesses scare you, consider these fire/ground types:
| Pokémon | Key Advantage | Where It Beats Camerupt | Where It Loses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primal Groudon | Broken stats | Everything | Availability |
| Mamoswine | Ice coverage | Speed | Lacks fire STAB |
| Heatran | Steel typing | Resists water | Weak to ground |
But hey – none have Camerupt’s swagger. That volcano hump aesthetic? Unbeatable.
Numel Evolution Level FAQ
Can Numel evolve earlier with a Fire Stone?
Nope. Stones don't work. Level 33 or bust.
What if I miss Earth Power at level 28?
You're screwed. Move relearner can teach it for a Heart Scale though.
Is Camerupt better in sun teams?
Absolutely. Drought Ninetales + Camerupt = nuclear eruptions.
Why does my Camerupt die so fast?
Probably facing water types. Switch immediately if you see Squirtle.
Can I use Camerupt in ranked battles?
In lower tiers yes. Master tier? Only if you're memeing.
What nature is best?
Modest (+SpA, -Atk) or Quiet (+SpA, -Spe) for trick room.
Final Thoughts: Should You Bother?
Here’s my take after 15 years using Camerupt: It’s a B-tier Pokémon with A-tier design. Reaching that numel evolution level feels rewarding. Watching it erupt all over Winona’s Altaria? Chef’s kiss. But competitively, it’s outclassed. Use it for playthroughs, nostalgia runs, or when you wanna style on friends with a volcano camel. Solid 7/10 Pokémon.
Oh – and nickname yours "Tectonic" or "Magma". Basic names for a basic lava-spitter.
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