Physical
Balanced
460Average
98Moderate
BTier

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

These Pokémon form schools with others of the same color. The greatest foe of a school of blue Basculin is a school of red Basculin.

Scarlet

The power of its jaws is immense—enough to leave teeth marks in iron sheets. Its personality is also extremely vicious.

Violet

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.

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

2 Forms
Basculin
#550Basculin
Female Only
Basculegion
#902Basculegion
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Basculin
Water
Basculegion
WaterGhost
HP
70
120+50
ATK
92
112+20
DEF
65
65
SP.ATK
80
80
SP.DEF
55
75+20
SPE
98
78-20
BST
460B-Tier
530A-Tier+70
ROLE
Balanced
Tank
TYPE
Mixed
Physical
Breeding
Moderate

Breed Basculin with 20 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group. Pass egg moves like Bubble Beam, Endeavor 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
2moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosmalamarmagikarpinkayalomomolafinizenoverqwilbarraskewdalanturnwhiscashlumineonbruxish
12 of 20·

Basculin's locked into one move per switch-in with Choice Scarf, trading flexibility for speed patching through item lock. Flip Turn is the go-to spam option, with the remaining moves keeping switch-ins honest.

Best Build

Physical Revenge Killer
Ability
Adaptability
Item
Choice ScarfSPEED
Nature
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Best Basculin Moveset

  • Flip TurnSTAB
  • Wave CrashSTAB
  • Aqua JetSTAB
  • Psychic Fangs

Recommended Teammates

Mesprit
MespritDecent
Jolteon
JolteonDecent

TMs carry this one. Basculin learns Wave Crash and Hydro Pump naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Dark and beyond give it real matchup play.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Tail Whip
—10030Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 4
Tackle
4010035Normal
Lv 8
Flail
—10015Normal
Lv 12
Aqua Jet+1
4010020Water
Lv 16
Bite
6010025Dark
Lv 20
Scary Face
—10010Normal
Lv 24
Headbutt
7010015Normal
Lv 28
Soak
—10020Water
Lv 32
Crunch
8010015Dark
Lv 36
Take Down
908520Normal
Lv 40
Final Gambit
—1005Fighting
Lv 44
Wave Crash
12010010Water
Lv 48
Thrash
12010010Normal
Lv 52
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Lv 56
Head Smash
150805Rock

TM Moves

Src
TM04
Agility
——30Psychic
TM143
Blizzard
110705Ice
TM22
Chilling Water
5010020Water
TM108
Crunch
8010015Dark
TM204
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
TM205
Endeavor
—1005Normal
TM47
Endure+4
——10Normal
TM25
Facade
7010020Normal
TM196
Flip Turn
6010020Water
TM152
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TM142
Hydro Pump
110805Water
TM163
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM135
Ice Beam
9010010Ice
TM10
Ice Fang
659515Ice
TM34
Icy Wind
559515Ice
TM110
Liquidation
8510010Water
TM35
Mud Shot
559515Ground
TM209
Muddy Water
908510Water
TM07
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM63
Psychic Fangs
8510010Psychic
TM50
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM85
Rest
——5Psychic
TM134
Reversal
—10015Fighting
TM200
Scale Shot
259020Dragon
TM06
Scary Face
—10010Normal
TM70
Sleep Talk
——10Normal
TM52
Snowscape
——10Ice
TM103
Substitute
——10Normal
TM123
Surf
9010015Water
TM32
Swift
60—20Normal
TM01
Take Down
908520Normal
TM87
Taunt
—10020Dark
TM171
Tera Blast
8010010Normal
TM11
Water Pulse
6010020Water
TM77
Waterfall
8010015Water
TM208
Whirlpool
358515Water
TM59
Zen Headbutt
809015Psychic

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Egg
Endeavor
—1005Normal

Tutor Moves

Basculin can't learn any Tutor moves

Basculin's scattered across 120 spots in early-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.

Best Locations

Basculin appears in 120 walking locations at Lv. 15-40 across Scarlet and Violet. Not all encounters show up in every version, so check which ones match your game.

Asado Desert - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyDesert
EFFORTLESS
Asado Desert - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyDesert
EFFORTLESS
Asado Desert - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyDesert
EFFORTLESS
Asado Desert - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyDesert
EFFORTLESS
Casseroya Lake - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
Casseroya Lake - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
Casseroya Lake - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
Casseroya Lake - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
Casseroya Lake - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
Casseroya Lake - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
Casseroya Lake - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
Casseroya Lake - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area One) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area One) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area One) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area One) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Three) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Three) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Three) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Three) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Three) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Three) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Three) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Three) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Two) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Two) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Two) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
East Province (Area Two) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyCave
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area One) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area One) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area One) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area One) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area One) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area One) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area One) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area One) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area Three) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area Three) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area Three) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area Three) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area Two) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area Two) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area Two) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
North Province (Area Two) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Paldean Sea - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
South Paldean Sea - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
South Paldean Sea - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
South Paldean Sea - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyWater
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Five) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Five) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Five) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Five) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Five) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Five) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Five) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Five) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Four) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Four) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Four) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Four) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Four) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Four) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Four) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Four) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area One) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area One) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area One) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area One) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area One) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area One) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area One) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area One) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Six) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Six) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Six) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Six) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Six) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Six) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Six) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Six) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Two) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Two) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Two) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
South Province (Area Two) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
Tagtree Thicket - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyForest
EFFORTLESS
Tagtree Thicket - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyForest
EFFORTLESS
Tagtree Thicket - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyForest
EFFORTLESS
Tagtree Thicket - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyForest
EFFORTLESS
Tagtree Thicket - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyForest
EFFORTLESS
Tagtree Thicket - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyForest
EFFORTLESS
Tagtree Thicket - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyForest
EFFORTLESS
Tagtree Thicket - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyForest
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area One) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area One) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area One) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area One) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Three) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Three) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Three) - Lake
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Three) - Lake
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Three) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Three) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Three) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Three) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Two) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Two) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Two) - River
ScarletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS
West Province (Area Two) - River
VioletOverworldLv.15-4036%EarlyRoute
EFFORTLESS

  • 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.