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.
When its natural enemy attacks, it oozes purple fluid and escapes.
It apparently had a huge shell for protection in ancient times. It lives in shallow tidal pools.
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.
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 from the Indeterminate and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Acid Armor, Amnesia, Brine and 13 more.
Quiet nature gives Gastrodon the slow special lean it needs to trade hits effectively. Leftovers adds passive recovery each turn, a spread EV build EVs split the difference, and the remaining moves punishes anything trying to wall it. Recover keeps it topped off between trades.
Best Build
Best Gastrodon Moveset
- Earth Power
- Scald
- Recover
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
The natural movepool does the job, but Acid Armor and Amnesia from the egg pool give Gastrodon something extra. Pair those with Earthquake and Muddy Water for STAB and coverage across 7 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
Gastrodon can't be caught in X & Y. Transfer Shellos from Diamond, Platinum, or Sword and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
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 B-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