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.
Blue-striped Basculin used to be a common food source. They apparently have an inoffensive, light flavor.
Known for their violence, these Pokémon have the most fights with schools of red-striped Basculin.
Basculin Weakness
GoodType-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.
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
Breed Basculin with 20 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group. Pass egg moves like Bubble Beam, Endeavor to offspring.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
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TMs carry this one. Basculin learns Hydro Pump and Aqua Tail 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
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Basculin is available from early-game water routes onward at high spawn rates. 64 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations
64 surfing and fishing encounters at Lv. 14-65 for Basculin across Shield and Sword. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
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 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 mixed attacker — base 92 Attack and 80 Sp. Atk.
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.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBWDebut
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A