Carracosta was practically built for Trick Room teams. Swift Swim doubles its Speed in rain, and 133 base Defense gives it real offensive presence. Introduced in Gen 5. Watch the Grass matchup though — quadruple damage means one hit can end it.
Defense leads and Speed gets almost nothing. That's Carracosta's stat line in a nutshell. 3 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Tough to catch and yields 2 Defense EVs.
Carracosta completely devours its prey—bones, shells, and all. Because of this, Carracosta’s own shell grows thick and sturdy.
This Pokémon emerges from the water in search of prey despite the fact that it moves more slowly on land.
Carracosta Weakness
VulnerableGrass, Electric, Fighting, and Ground-type moves hit Carracosta for super-effective damage. Grass hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Solid Rock reduces SE moves damage, further improving the defensive spread. Carracosta's physical bulk (base 133 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
Evolved from Tirtouga. Carracosta is the final form in this two-stage line. Plenty of partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are slow to hatch. Attack grew the most through evolution (+30 over Tirtouga), and Carracosta peaks at 495 total stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Carracosta to get Tirtouga eggs using 74 partners from the Water1 and Water3 egg groups.
Carracosta leads with Focus Sash insurance. Even if it can't take a hit naturally, it'll survive long enough to deal early damage. Max Attack and Speed EVs go all-in on offense since bulk doesn't matter here.
Best Build
Best Carracosta Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Rock Slide
- Aqua Jet
- Waterfall
Recommended Teammates
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Carracosta. TMs unlock coverage across 7 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Meteor Beam and Hydro Pump into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Can't catch Carracosta directly. Start with Tirtouga at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 37. The 2-stage line from Tirtouga to Carracosta is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Carracosta in Sword & Shield
The path to Carracosta starts with Tirtouga at Lv. 60-65 via surfing and walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch TirtougaCHALLENGINGFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-6510%PostWaterNormal WeatherMODERATEFrigid SeaSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostWaterNormal WeatherMODERATEFrigid SeaShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostWaterRainingCHALLENGINGFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-6510%PostWaterSnowstormMODERATEFrigid SeaSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostWaterSnowstormMODERATEFrigid SeaShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostWaterHeavy FogCHALLENGINGFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-6510%PostWaterThunderstormMODERATEFrigid SeaShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostWaterOvercastCHALLENGINGFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-6510%PostWaterSnowingMODERATEFrigid SeaShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostWaterNormal WeatherCHALLENGINGFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-6510%PostWaterRainingMODERATEFrigid SeaShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostWaterSnowstormCHALLENGINGFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-6510%PostWaterHeavy FogCHALLENGINGFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-6510%PostWaterThunderstormMODERATEFrigid SeaSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostWaterThunderstormCHALLENGINGFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-6510%PostWaterOvercastCHALLENGINGFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-6510%PostWaterSnowingMODERATEFrigid SeaSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostWaterSnowingCHALLENGINGFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-6510%PostWaterNormal WeatherCHALLENGINGFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-6510%PostWaterRainingMODERATEFrigid SeaSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostWaterRainingCHALLENGINGFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-6510%PostWaterSnowstormCHALLENGINGFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-6510%PostWaterHeavy FogMODERATEFrigid SeaSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostWaterHeavy FogMODERATEFrigid SeaShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostWaterThunderstormCHALLENGINGFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-6510%PostWaterOvercastMODERATEFrigid SeaSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostWaterOvercastMODERATEFrigid SeaShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostWaterSnowing
Step 2Carracosta ✓
Swift Swim changes the entire equation for Carracosta. The 495 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a trick room.
Watch for Exeggutor (Grass), Raikou (Electric), and Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Carracosta. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Exeggutor is the most dangerous since Grass moves deal 4x damage. Ground-type attackers are also a problem. At base 32 Speed, Carracosta won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Tirtouga evolves into Carracosta at level 37. Carracosta is the fully evolved form. At 495 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
Swift Swim is what you want on Carracosta. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Solid Rock, Sturdy) work on paper but Swift Swim is what makes Carracosta worth using.
Base 32 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Carracosta is a physical attacker with base 108 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a trick room.
Carracosta appears in 7 games, including Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, and X & Y.
Carracosta joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 7 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