Gastrodon Best Moveset
Water/Ground at 111 HP with AbilityStorm Drain redirecting all Water moves to boost Sp. Atk. Held ItemLeftovers with NatureModest at 92 Sp. Atk fires Water TermStab that gets stronger every time an opponent uses a Water move. Only Grass hits super-effectively (4x). The moveset shuts down Water-types entirely and tanks everything else. B-Tier through defensive utility.
Water/Ground with Sticky Hold in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Same typing as Swampert but lower stats. Recover was the one edge over its competitor.
Wall Moveset
- Recover
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Earth Power
Recommended Teammates
Storm Drain redirected all Water moves and boosted Sp. Atk in Gen V (Black & White). In a format dominated by Rain teams, absorbing Water attacks was incredibly valuable.
Best Moves
Best Build
Gastrodon best EVs are HP and Defense
Wall Moveset
- Recover
- Scald
- Toxic
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Rain was nerfed to five turns in Gen VI (X & Y). Without permanent rain to absorb, Storm Drain lost most of its value and Gastrodon dropped back down.
Wall Moveset
- Scald
- Recover
- Earthquake
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Same problem in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Storm Drain without constant Water moves to redirect wasn't enough to justify the team slot.
Wall Moveset
- Recover
- Scald
- Toxic
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Recovered slightly in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Yawn plus Recover stalling and Storm Drain Water immunity gave it niche utility on defensive teams.
Wall Moveset
- Recover
- Scald
- Earth Power
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Rose in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Water/Ground with only Grass weakness, Storm Drain, and Recover. Reliable and frustrating to deal with.
Special Tank Moveset
- Earth Power
- Recover
- Ice Beam
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Gastrodon Weakness
Gastrodon's Water/Ground typing leaves it vulnerable to Grass. Grass hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Electric-type attacks completely. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Storm Drain grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. With 111 HP and balanced defenses, Gastrodon can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Poison, Rock, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
What is Gastrodon Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Gastrodon
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityCorrosion ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Gastrodon View Salazzle builds →Flamethrower12-14% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemChoice Specs NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Gastrodon View Magnezone builds →Flash Cannon20-23% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Gastrodon View Moltres builds →Flamethrower11-13% U Turn15-17% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityElectromorphosis ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves View Bellibolt builds →
| ||
Evolution
Gastrodon is the evolved form of Shellos. Breeding produces Shellos eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Shellos gave Gastrodon the biggest boost in HP (+35), bringing the total to 475 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Gastrodon
moderate rates across 10 locations for Gastrodon in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Gastrodon in SV
The path to Gastrodon starts with Shellos at Lv. 16-55 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch ShellosEast Province (Area One) - BeachLv.16-34OverworldRate 36%East SeaNorth Province (Area One) - BeachLv.16-34OverworldRate 36%East SeaSouth Province (Area Five) - BeachLv.16-34OverworldRate 36%East SeaWest Province (Area Two) - BeachLv.16-34OverworldRate 36%West SeaCasseroya Lake - BeachLv.30-55OverworldRate 8%West Sea
Step 2Gastrodon ✓Casseroya Lake - BeachLv.30-55OverworldRate 8%West SeaEast Province (Area One) - BeachLv.30-49OverworldRate 8%East SeaNorth Province (Area One) - BeachLv.30-49OverworldRate 8%East SeaSouth Province (Area Five) - BeachLv.30-49OverworldRate 8%East SeaWest Province (Area Two) - BeachLv.30-55OverworldRate 8%West Seaor evolve from Shellos (Step 1)
Gastrodon starts showing up in mid-game routes at decent spawn rates across 3 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Gastrodon in PLA
Shellos is your first catch on the way to Gastrodon. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 15-36 across 7 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch ShellosSandgem FlatsLv.15-18GrassRate 15%Ramanas IslandLv.26-29GrassRate 15%Seagrass HavenLv.26-29GrassRate 15%Tranquility CoveLv.31-34GrassRate 15%
Step 2Gastrodon ✓Sandgem FlatsLv.30-33GrassRate 15%Seagrass HavenLv.30-33GrassRate 15%Ramanas IslandLv.33-36GrassRate 15%or evolve from Shellos (Step 1)
Gastrodon's scattered across 18 spots in mid-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.
Where To Catch Gastrodon in BDSP
Shellos is your first catch on the way to Gastrodon. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 7-53 across 38 total spots in the chain.
- Step 1Catch ShellosRoute 205 - SouthLv.8-10GrassRate 45%Valley WindworksLv.7-9FloorRate 30%Route 205 - NorthLv.11GrassRate 10%Route 213Lv.20-22GrassRate 50%NightRoute 213Lv.20-22GrassRate 40%Morning/dayFuego IronworksLv.28FloorRate 20%Route 218Lv.28GrassRate 20%Fountainspring CaveLv.16-20CaveRoute 221Lv.28GrassRate 10%Route 224Lv.23GrassRate 1%
- Step 2Gastrodon ✓Route 221Lv.28-30GrassShining PearlRate 30%Route 218Lv.28-30GrassRate 20%Fuego IronworksLv.29-30FloorRate 15%Fountainspring CaveLv.16-20CaveRoute 221Lv.29-30GrassBrilliant DiamondRate 10%Route 222Lv.40-42GrassBrilliant DiamondRate 40%NightRoute 222Lv.40-42GrassBrilliant DiamondRate 30%Morning/dayRoute 222Lv.40-42GrassShining PearlRate 20%NightRoute 222Lv.41-42GrassShining PearlRate 10%Morning/dayRoute 224Lv.52-53GrassRate 30%NightRoute 224Lv.53GrassRate 20%Morning/dayRoute 230Lv.51GrassRate 5%or evolve from Shellos (Step 1)
Gastrodon starts showing up in late-game routes at high spawn rates across 4 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Gastrodon in SwSh
Shellos is your first catch on the way to Gastrodon. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 20-44 across 30 total spots in the chain.
- Step 1Catch ShellosMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28GrassRate 35%ThunderstormGiant's CapLv.26-28GrassRate 30%RainingGiant's MirrorLv.26-28GrassRate 30%RainingStony WildernessLv.26-28GrassRate 30%RainingGalar Mine No. 2Lv.20-24OverworldRate 25%All WeatherBridge FieldLv.26-28GrassRate 25%RainingBridge FieldLv.26-28GrassRate 20%ThunderstormGiant's CapLv.26-28GrassRate 20%ThunderstormGalar Mine No. 2Lv.20-24CaveShieldRate 10%Normal WeatherGalar Mine No. 2Lv.20-24CaveSwordRate 10%All WeatherGalar Mine No. 2Lv.20-24CaveShieldRate 10%RainingGalar Mine No. 2Lv.20-24CaveShieldRate 10%Intense SunGalar Mine No. 2Lv.20-24CaveShieldRate 10%SnowstormGalar Mine No. 2Lv.20-24CaveShieldRate 10%Heavy FogGalar Mine No. 2Lv.20-24CaveShieldRate 10%SnowingGalar Mine No. 2Lv.20-24CaveShieldRate 10%OvercastGalar Mine No. 2Lv.20-24CaveShieldRate 10%SandstormGalar Mine No. 2Lv.20-24CaveShieldRate 10%Thunderstorm
- Step 2Gastrodon ✓Route 9 - in Circhester BayLv.39-43GrassRate 30%All WeatherRoute 9Lv.41-44OverworldRate 15%All Weatheror evolve from Shellos (Step 1)
Base Stats
Gastrodon's spread is anchored by HP, with balanced defenses backing it up. Speed is the clear weak point. Worth 2 HP EVs per KO, and the medium-fast 1M XP curve keeps leveling painless.
It appears on beaches where the waters are shallow. Once it catches prey, it will slowly melt them with its mucus before slurping them up.
Gastrodon Guide
Don't let Gastrodon's 475 base stat total fool you. Storm Drain is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier as a trick room.
Watch for Roserade (Grass) when using Gastrodon. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Roserade is the most dangerous since Grass moves deal 4x damage. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. At base 39 Speed, Gastrodon won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Run Storm Drain on Gastrodon. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Gastrodon also gets Sticky Hold and Sand Force, but they don't compare.
Gastrodon fills the trick room role. It's a special attacker with base 92 Sp. Atk. Base 39 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Run Earthpower, Recover, Ice Beam, and Surf on Gastrodon. Earthpower is the most common pick at 0% usage. Surf provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Gastrodon first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 13 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
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 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
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