Physical
Balanced
460Average
98Moderate
CTier

Basculin is technically a pre-evolution of Basculegion, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Adaptability boosts same-type moves from 1.5x to 2x damage, adding extra value. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets.

The stat budget goes to damage. Speed and Attack carry the offense, Sp. Def doesn't even come close. A Hostile Pokemon on a medium-fast 1M XP curve, worth 2 Speed EVs per KO.

Base Stats
460Above
HP70
C
Attack92
B
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk80
C
Sp. Def55
D
Speed98
B
Total460
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Basculin yields +2 Spe
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Details
Catch25Difficult•Medium Fast1M XP•1m / 3'03"•18kg / 39.7 lbs•161Base XP
Pokedex Entries

Red and blue Basculin get along so poorly, they’ll start fighting instantly. These Pokémon are very hostile.

Black

Red and blue Basculin usually do not get along, but sometimes members of one school mingle with the other’s school.

White

Basculin Weakness

Good

Type-wise, Basculin takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Basculin leans offensive (base 92 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.

Gen V Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
ElectricGrass
½xResisti
FireWaterIceSteel
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
STAB (3)i
FireGroundRock
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Scorei0
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
RecklessStrengthens recoil moves to 1.2× their power.
AdaptabilityIncreases the same-type attack bonus from 1.5× to 2×.
Mold BreakerHABypasses targets' abilities if they could hinder or prevent a move.

Basculin doesn't evolve by leveling. You'll need a unique condition to push it forward to Basculegion. Evolving adds up to 70 stat points total.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Basculin
#550BasculinDoes not evolve
Breeding
Moderate

Breed Basculin with 20 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group. Pass egg moves like Agility, Brine, Bubble Beam and 6 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Water2
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
9moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosoctillerymagikarpremoraidwailordrelicanthalomomolawailmerlanturnsharpedowhiscashlumineon
12 of 20·

Basculin's locked into one move per switch-in with Choice Band, trading flexibility for raw power at the cost of move flexibility. Aqua Jet is the go-to spam option, with Water, Dark, and Normal coverage keeping switch-ins honest.

Best Build

Physical Sweeper
Ability
Adaptability
Item
Choice BandPOWER
Nature
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Best Basculin Moveset

  • Aqua JetSTAB
  • WaterfallCoverage
  • BiteCoverage
  • HeadbuttCoverage

Recommended Teammates

Mienshao
MienshaoGood
Serperior
SerperiorGood
Bisharp
BisharpGood

Breeding's the move. Agility and Brine give Basculin options it can't learn any other way, and Normal and Dark coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Aqua Tail and Surf. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Tackle
5010035Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 4
Uproar
9010010Normal
Lv 7
Headbutt
7010015Normal
Lv 10
Bite
6010025Dark
Lv 13
Aqua Jet+1
4010020Water
Lv 16
Chip Away
7010020Normal
Lv 20
Take Down
908520Normal
Lv 24
Crunch
8010015Dark
Lv 28
Aqua Tail
909010Water
Lv 32
Soak
—10020Water
Lv 36
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Lv 41
Scary Face
—10010Normal
Lv 46
Flail
—10015Normal
Lv 51
Final Gambit
—1005Fighting
Lv 56
Thrash
12010010Normal

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
—10015Normal
HM01
Cut
509530Normal
HM06
Dive
8010010Water
TM32
Double Team
——15Normal
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
—10020Normal
TM07
Hail
——10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
9510010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM44
Rest
——10Psychic
TM27
Return
—10020Normal
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM55
Scald
8010015Water
TM90
Substitute
——10Normal
HM03
Surf
9510015Water
TM87
Swagger
—9015Normal
TM12
Taunt
—10020Dark
TM06
Toxic
—9010Poison
HM05
Waterfall
8010015Water

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Agility
——30Psychic
Egg
Brine
6510010Water
Egg
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Egg
Mud Shot
559515Ground
Egg
Muddy Water
958510Water
Egg
Rage
2010020Normal
Egg
Revenge-4
6010010Fighting
Egg
Swift
60—20Normal
Egg
Whirlpool
358515Water

Tutor Moves

Basculin can't learn any Tutor moves

Basculin is available from early-game water routes onward at high spawn rates. 146 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.

Best Locations

Basculin's encounter pool splits between Black and White. You've got 146 surfing, fishing, and more spots at Lv. 5-70 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.

Lostlorn Forest
BlackSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyForestAnyShaking spot
EASY
Lostlorn Forest
BlackSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyForestAny
EASY
Lostlorn Forest
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyForestAnyShaking spot
EASY
Lostlorn Forest
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyForestAny
EASY
Pinwheel Forest - inside
BlackSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyForestAnyShaking spot
EASY
Pinwheel Forest - inside
BlackSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyForestAny
EASY
Pinwheel Forest - inside
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyForestAnyShaking spot
EASY
Pinwheel Forest - inside
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyForestAny
EASY
Route 1
BlackSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 1
BlackSurfing on waterLv.5-15CommonEarlyRouteAny
EASY
Route 1
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 1
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.5-15CommonEarlyRouteAny
EASY
Route 3
BlackSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 3
BlackSurfing on waterLv.5-15CommonEarlyRouteAny
EASY
Route 3
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 3
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.5-15CommonEarlyRouteAny
EASY
Striaton City
BlackSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyCityAnyShaking spot
EASY
Striaton City
BlackSurfing on waterLv.5-15CommonEarlyCityAny
EASY
Striaton City
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyCityAnyShaking spot
EASY
Striaton City
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.5-15CommonEarlyCityAny
EASY
Wellspring Cave - 1F
BlackSurfing on waterLv.5-15CommonEarlyCaveAny
EASY
Wellspring Cave - 1F
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Wellspring Cave - 1F
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.5-15CommonEarlyCaveAny
EASY
Wellspring Cave - 1F
BlackSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Wellspring Cave - B1F
BlackSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Wellspring Cave - B1F
BlackSurfing on waterLv.5-15CommonEarlyCaveAny
EASY
Wellspring Cave - B1F
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.5-20CommonEarlyCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Wellspring Cave - B1F
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.5-15CommonEarlyCaveAny
EASY
Route 6
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteAny
EASY
Route 6
BlackSurfing on waterLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 6
BlackSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyRouteAny
EASY
Route 6
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.10-30CommonEarlyRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
BlackSurfing on waterLv.15-40CommonEarlyBuildingAnyShaking spot
EASY
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
BlackSurfing on waterLv.15-35CommonEarlyBuildingAny
EASY
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.15-40CommonEarlyBuildingAnyShaking spot
EASY
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.15-35CommonEarlyBuildingAny
EASY
Victory Road - 1F
BlackSurfing on waterLv.20-50CommonMidCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Victory Road - 1F
BlackSurfing on waterLv.20-45CommonMidCaveAny
EASY
Victory Road - 1F
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.20-50CommonMidCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Victory Road - 1F
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.20-45CommonMidCaveAny
EASY
Victory Road - 3F
BlackSurfing on waterLv.20-50CommonMidCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Victory Road - 3F
BlackSurfing on waterLv.20-45CommonMidCaveAny
EASY
Victory Road - 3F
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.20-50CommonMidCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Victory Road - 3F
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.20-45CommonMidCaveAny
EASY
Abundant Shrine
BlackSurfing on waterLv.25-60CommonMidRuinsAnyShaking spot
EASY
Abundant Shrine
BlackSurfing on waterLv.25-55CommonMidRuinsAny
EASY
Abundant Shrine
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.25-60CommonMidRuinsAnyShaking spot
EASY
Abundant Shrine
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.25-55CommonMidRuinsAny
EASY
Challenger's Cave - B2F
BlackSurfing on waterLv.25-70CommonMidCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Challenger's Cave - B2F
BlackSurfing on waterLv.25-55CommonMidCaveAny
EASY
Challenger's Cave - B2F
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.25-70CommonMidCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Challenger's Cave - B2F
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.25-55CommonMidCaveAny
EASY
Giant Chasm - Cave
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.25-55CommonMidIceAny
EASY
Giant Chasm - Cave
BlackSurfing on waterLv.25-60CommonMidIceAnyShaking spot
EASY
Giant Chasm - Cave
BlackSurfing on waterLv.25-55CommonMidIceAny
EASY
Giant Chasm - Cave
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.25-60CommonMidIceAnyShaking spot
EASY
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
BlackSurfing on waterLv.25-60CommonMidIceAnyShaking spot
EASY
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
BlackSurfing on waterLv.25-55CommonMidIceAny
EASY
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.25-60CommonMidIceAnyShaking spot
EASY
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.25-55CommonMidIceAny
EASY
Route 11
BlackSurfing on waterLv.25-55CommonMidRouteAny
EASY
Route 11
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.25-60CommonMidRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 11
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.25-55CommonMidRouteAny
EASY
Route 11
BlackSurfing on waterLv.25-60CommonMidRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 14
BlackSurfing on waterLv.25-60CommonMidRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 14
BlackSurfing on waterLv.25-55CommonMidRouteAny
EASY
Route 14
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.25-60CommonMidRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 14
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.25-55CommonMidRouteAny
EASY
Village Bridge
BlackSurfing on waterLv.25-70CommonMidAnyShaking spot
EASY
Village Bridge
BlackSurfing on waterLv.25-55CommonMidAny
EASY
Village Bridge
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.25-70CommonMidAnyShaking spot
EASY
Village Bridge
WhiteSurfing on waterLv.25-55CommonMidAny
EASY
Driftveil City
WhiteIn-game tradeLv.25LimitedMidCityAnyTrade for (give Minccino)
LEGENDARY
Driftveil City
BlackIn-game tradeLv.25LimitedMidCityAnyTrade for (give Minccino)
LEGENDARY
Abundant Shrine
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRuinsAny
EASY
Abundant Shrine
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateRuinsAnyShaking spot
EASY
Abundant Shrine
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRuinsAny
EASY
Abundant Shrine
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateRuinsAnyShaking spot
EASY
Challenger's Cave - B2F
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Challenger's Cave - B2F
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
EASY
Challenger's Cave - B2F
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Challenger's Cave - B2F
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
EASY
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateBuildingAnyShaking spot
EASY
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateBuildingAny
EASY
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateBuildingAnyShaking spot
EASY
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateBuildingAny
EASY
Giant Chasm - Cave
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
EASY
Giant Chasm - Cave
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
EASY
Giant Chasm - Cave
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
EASY
Giant Chasm - Cave
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
EASY
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
EASY
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
EASY
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateIceAnyShaking spot
EASY
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateIceAny
EASY
Lostlorn Forest
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateForestAnyShaking spot
EASY
Lostlorn Forest
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateForestAny
EASY
Lostlorn Forest
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateForestAnyShaking spot
EASY
Lostlorn Forest
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateForestAny
EASY
Pinwheel Forest - inside
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateForestAnyShaking spot
EASY
Pinwheel Forest - inside
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateForestAny
EASY
Pinwheel Forest - inside
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateForestAnyShaking spot
EASY
Pinwheel Forest - inside
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateForestAny
EASY
Route 1
BlackSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 1
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Route 1
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 1
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Route 11
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 11
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Route 11
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 11
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Route 14
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 14
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 14
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Route 3
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Route 3
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 3
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Route 3
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 6
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 6
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Route 6
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateRouteAnyShaking spot
EASY
Route 6
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateRouteAny
EASY
Striaton City
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCityAnyShaking spot
EASY
Striaton City
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCityAny
EASY
Striaton City
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCityAnyShaking spot
EASY
Striaton City
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCityAny
EASY
Victory Road - 1F
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Victory Road - 1F
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
EASY
Victory Road - 1F
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Victory Road - 1F
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
EASY
Victory Road - 3F
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Victory Road - 3F
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
EASY
Victory Road - 3F
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Victory Road - 3F
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
EASY
Village Bridge
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateAnyShaking spot
EASY
Village Bridge
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateAny
EASY
Village Bridge
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateAnyShaking spot
EASY
Village Bridge
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateAny
EASY
Wellspring Cave - 1F
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Wellspring Cave - 1F
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
EASY
Wellspring Cave - 1F
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Wellspring Cave - 1F
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
EASY
Wellspring Cave - B1F
BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Wellspring Cave - B1F
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
EASY
Wellspring Cave - B1F
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateCaveAnyShaking spot
EASY
Wellspring Cave - B1F
WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateCaveAny
EASY
Route 14
BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateRouteAny
EXTREME

  • Basculin is meant to evolve into Basculegion. At 460 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.

  • Basculin's biggest threats include Manectric (Electric) and Roserade (Grass), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Basculin evolves into Basculegion through a special method. Basculin is the base form of this evolutionary line.

  • Adaptability is what you want on Basculin. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Reckless, Mold Breaker) work on paper but Adaptability is what makes Basculin worth using.

  • Base 98 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Basculin is a physical attacker with base 92 Attack.

  • Basculin appears in 9 games, including Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, and X & Y.

Basculin joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 9 titles so far. With 5 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.