On paper, Gastrodon looks underwhelming. In practice, Storm Drain redirects Water moves and boosts its Sp. Atk — and that's the whole story. Water/Ground typing means Electric moves can't touch it, and only a single type hits it super-effectively. Known as the Sea Slug Pokemon.
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.
Long ago, its entire back was shielded with a sturdy shell. There are traces of it left in its cells.
Gastrodon Weakness
GoodGastrodon's Water/Ground typing leaves it vulnerable to Grass moves. 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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Gastrodon to get Shellos eggs easily using 31 partners from the Indeterminate and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Amnesia, Counter, Curse and 7 more.
Stickyhold gives Gastrodon passive value while it walls. Careful nature boosts Sp. Def, max HP and Sp. Def EVs maximize the special wall profile, and Leftovers keeps it in the game.
Best Build
Best Gastrodon Moveset
- Recover
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Earth Power
Recommended Teammates
The natural movepool does the job, but Amnesia and Counter from the egg pool give Gastrodon something extra. Pair those with Earthquake and Muddy Water for STAB and Normal and Ice coverage and more for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Gastrodon is available from mid-game water routes onward at high spawn rates. 13 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Where To Catch Gastrodon in Platinum
Shellos is your first catch on the way to Gastrodon. You'll find surfing and walking encounters from Lv. 9-55 across 25 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch ShellosEFFORTLESSRoute 205 - SouthGrassLv.9-12CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSValley WindworksGrassLv.9-12CommonEarlyPower-plantEASYCanalave CitySurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidCityEASYFuego IronworksSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidPower-plantEASYPastoria CitySurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidCityEASYRoute 205 - SouthSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 212 - SouthSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 218Surfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYValley WindworksSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidPower-plantEFFORTLESSRoute 212 - SouthGrassLv.23-26CommonMidRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 213GrassLv.24-26CommonMidRouteHARDRoute 213Surfing on waterLv.20-30RareMidRoute
Step 2Gastrodon ✓EFFORTLESSFuego IronworksGrassLv.28-31CommonMidPower-plantNightEFFORTLESSRoute 218GrassLv.28-30CommonMidRouteEASYFuego IronworksGrassLv.30-31UncommonMidPower-plantMorning/dayHARDCanalave CitySurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidCityHARDFuego IronworksSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidPower-plantHARDPastoria CitySurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidCityHARDRoute 205 - SouthSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 212 - SouthSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 213Surfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 218Surfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDValley WindworksSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidPower-plantMODERATERoute 224Surfing on waterLv.35-55UncommonLateRouteEASYRoute 224GrassLv.49UncommonPostRouteor evolve from Shellos (Step 1)
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.
Shellos evolves into Gastrodon at level 30. Gastrodon is the fully evolved form. It sits at 475 BST in its evolved form.
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 mixed attacker — base 83 Attack and 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.
Gastrodon appears in 13 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.
Gastrodon first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 13 games across 6 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
- 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 IVDPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
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