Crustle Best Moveset
One-turn gamble. MoveShell Smash boosts +2 Attack, Sp. Atk, and Speed while cutting defenses, and 105 Attack behind Bug/Rock TermStab hits hard after the setup. AbilitySturdy guarantees surviving one hit to get the boost off. E-tier because the defensive drops make it fragile as paper after boosting.
Shell Smash boosted Attack, Sp. Atk, and Speed by +2 each in Gen V (Black & White). Sturdy guaranteed surviving one hit to set up. Bug/Rock with 95 Attack swept after one boost.
Best Moves
Best Build
Crustle best EVs are Attack and HP
Physical Tank Moveset
- X Scissor
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Dropped in Gen VI (X & Y). Priority moves bypassed the Shell Smash Speed boost, and Sturdy didn't protect against multi-hit moves. The setup was too fragile.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Shell Smash
- X Scissor
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Three gens of decline by Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Shell Smash was still powerful but Crustle's base 95 Attack wasn't enough post-boost to break through dedicated walls.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
- X Scissor
Recommended Teammates
Fell to the bottom in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Shell Smash on Bug/Rock was outclassed by better boosters. Stealth Rock plus Spikes was the only remaining utility.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Shell Smash
- X Scissor
- Rock Blast
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Crustle Weakness
Type-wise, Crustle takes extra damage from Water, Rock, and Steel. Crustle's physical bulk (base 125 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Rock, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Poison |
What is Crustle Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Crustle
Scizor's Bullet Punch hits Crustle for 64-76%. Greninja threatens a KO with Surf (147-173%). Tyranitar's Stone Edge also KOs at 162-191%.
 Scizor BugSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Crustle View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch 2x64-76% Knock Off34-41% U Turn56-65% Close Combat63-75% | ||
 Greninja WaterDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Crustle View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse65-77% Ice Beam49-58% Surf 2x147-173%KO | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Crustle View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off53-62% Stone Edge 2x162-191%KO | ||
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemScizorite NatureAdamant Moves View Scizor-Mega builds →
| ||
Evolution
Crustle is the evolved form of Dwebble. Breeding produces Dwebble eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Dwebble gave Crustle the biggest boost in Attack (+40), bringing the total to 485 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Crustle
Crustle starts showing up in late-game routes at high spawn rates across 6 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Crustle in SwSh
Dwebble is your first catch on the way to Crustle. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 7-40 across 88 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch DwebbleWest Lake AxewellLv.8-14OverworldRate 60%SandstormRolling FieldsLv.7-10GrassShieldRate 40%SandstormRolling FieldsLv.7-9GrassSwordRate 40%SandstormEast Lake AxewellLv.8-12CaveRate 40%SandstormWest Lake AxewellLv.8-14OverworldRate 40%Intense SunNorth Lake MilochLv.14-16GrassRate 40%SandstormSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldRate 35%SandstormWatchtower RuinsLv.11-14FloorRate 30%SandstormSouth Lake MilochLv.14-16OverworldRate 25%SandstormCourageous CavernLv.13-18OverworldRate 5%RainingCourageous CavernLv.13-18OverworldRate 5%SnowstormCourageous CavernLv.13-18OverworldRate 5%Intense SunCourageous CavernLv.13-18OverworldRate 5%Heavy FogCourageous CavernLv.13-18OverworldRate 5%SnowingCourageous CavernLv.13-18OverworldRate 5%OvercastCourageous CavernLv.13-18OverworldRate 5%SandstormCourageous CavernLv.13-18OverworldRate 5%ThunderstormCourageous CavernLv.13-18OverworldRate 5%Normal WeatherStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 45%Normal WeatherGiant's SeatLv.30-35GrassRate 40%Intense SunStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 35%Intense SunStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 35%SnowingStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 35%SandstormStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 35%RainingHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 25%SandstormStony WildernessLv.28-30OverworldRate 15%SandstormStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 15%OvercastStony Wilderness - 3Lv.28-30OverworldRate 15%SandstormGiant's SeatLv.30-35GrassRate 15%SandstormNorth Lake MilochLv.26-28OverworldRate 10%Intense SunStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 10%SnowstormStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 10%Heavy FogLoop LagoonLv.16-21OverworldRate 5%SnowstormLoop LagoonLv.16-21OverworldRate 5%Intense SunLoop LagoonLv.16-21OverworldRate 5%Heavy FogLoop LagoonLv.16-21OverworldRate 5%SnowingLoop LagoonLv.16-21OverworldRate 5%OvercastLoop LagoonLv.16-21OverworldRate 5%SandstormLoop LagoonLv.16-21OverworldRate 5%ThunderstormLoop LagoonLv.16-21OverworldRate 5%Normal WeatherLoop LagoonLv.16-21OverworldRate 5%RainingNorth Lake MilochLv.26-28OverworldRate 5%Sandstorm
Step 2Crustle ✓Axew's EyeLv.36-40OverworldRate 60%Intense SunAxew's EyeLv.35-40GrassRate 30%SandstormAxew's EyeLv.36-40OverworldRate 10%Sandstormor evolve from Dwebble (Step 1)
Crustle is a fixed encounter, not a random spawn. Walk up to it, interact, and the battle starts immediately. Head to Ultra Space Wilds when your team is ready for the fight.
How to Obtain Crustle in USUM
Step 1Obtain Dwebble- Step 2Crustle ✓Ultra Space Wilds - CaveLv.60Interact with Pokemonor evolve from Dwebble (Step 1)
No wild encounters for Crustle in Sun & Moon. Bring Dwebble over from Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, or Sword & Shield, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Crustle in SM
- Step 1Obtain DwebbleBREEDINGAvailableLeave Crustle with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Dwebble egg.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Walking · Route 18. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Walking · Desert Resort. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom X & YNot TradeableAppears in X & Y via Rock smash · Route 12. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Walking · Route 111 · DexNav chain. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Sword & ShieldNot TradeableAppears in Sword & Shield via Overworld · West Lake Axewell · Sandstorm. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Crustle ✓
moderate rates is the best you'll get on Crustle in late-game areas. Use the sort toggle below. Best shows where the odds peak, Earliest shows where you can access it soonest in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Crustle in ORAS
Dwebble is your first catch on the way to Crustle. You'll find rock smash and walking encounters from Lv. 23-37 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch DwebbleRoute 111 - DesertLv.23GrassRate 35%DexNav chain
Step 2Crustle ✓Mirage Spots - Area 23Lv.37Smashing rocksRate 5%Mirage Spots - Area 24Lv.37Smashing rocksRate 5%or evolve from Dwebble (Step 1)
Base Stats
Crustle's all-in on Defense at the expense of Speed. The physical lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 2 Defense EVs and follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Its thick claws are its greatest weapons. They’re mighty enough to crack Rhyperior’s carapace.
Crustle Guide
Crustle has a 485 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a situational pick that fills a niche. It works best as an attacker. Base 125 Defense is where it shines.
Sturdy is the go-to ability for Crustle. It prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Its hidden ability Weak Armor can work in specific setups. Shell Armor is the other option. Pick based on what your team needs.
Crustle fills the attacker role. It's a physical attacker with base 105 Attack. Base 45 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
The core moveset is Shellsmash, Xscissor, Earthquake, and Stone Edge. Shellsmash leads at 0% usage. This set covers the attacker role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Introduced in Black & White, Crustle has appeared in 7 games across 6 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves