Special
Balanced
60Speed · Below Avg

Is Horsea Good in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Playthrough?

Underground Water-type. Kingdra via Dragon Scale trade is excellent, but Dragon Scale is postgame. Seadra itself is a weaker Water option. Only worth it if you plan to trade evolve.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSTETTGETGSGEERoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2MayleneGym 3Crasher WakeGym 4FantinaGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8HorseaCatchableKingdraEvolveAaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4CynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Strong

Horsea resists most of Roark's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockDefense CurlRolloutLeer
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Sturdy
Stealth RockRock ThrowBindHeadbutt
You Win
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
BulldozeLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Tough

Gardenia's team hits Horsea's weaknesses hard.

Even
Cherubi
Lv 19
Grass
Chlorophyll
Grass KnotGrowthDazzling GleamSafeguard
Even
Turtwig
Lv 19
Grass
Shell Armor
Grass KnotRazor LeafReflectWork Up
Risky
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Technician
Grass KnotPetal BlizzardPoison StingStun Spore
Maylene
Gym 3
Even

Horsea trades roughly evenly with Maylene's team.

You Win
Meditite
Lv 27
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchLight ScreenFlashBulk Up
Even
Machoke
Lv 27
Fighting
Guts
Low SweepKnock OffRock TombBulldoze
Even
Lucario
Lv 30
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchScreechMetal ClawBulk Up
Crasher Wake
Gym 4
Tough

Crasher Wake's typing presses Horsea's defenses.

Avoid
Gyarados
Lv 27
WaterFlying
Intimidate
BrineIce FangCrunchFlail
Even
Quagsire
Lv 27
WaterGround
Damp
Rain DanceHazeMud ShotScald
Avoid
Floatzel
Lv 30
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangBiteAqua Jet
Fantina
Gym 5
Tough

Fantina's team hits Horsea's weaknesses hard.

Even
Drifblim
Lv 32
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Strength SapHexFlyWill O Wisp
Risky
Gengar
Lv 34
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Shadow ClawConfuse RaySludge BombDazzling Gleam
Risky
Mismagius
Lv 36
Ghost
Levitate
Confuse RayPhantom ForceMagical LeafDazzling Gleam
Byron
Gym 6
Good

Horsea has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.

Even
Bronzor
Lv 36
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Confuse RaySandstormTrick RoomFlash Cannon
You Win
Steelix
Lv 36
SteelGround
Sturdy
Thunder FangEarthquakeSandstormGyro Ball
Even
Bastiodon
Lv 39
RockSteel
Sturdy
Iron DefenseThunderboltStone EdgeFlash Cannon
Candice
Gym 7
Even

Horsea trades roughly evenly with Candice's team.

Even
Snover
Lv 38
GrassIce
Snow Warning
MistRazor LeafWater PulseAvalanche
Even
Sneasel
Lv 38
DarkIce
Pickpocket
Metal ClawHone ClawsDigAvalanche
Even
Medicham
Lv 40
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Ice PunchBulk UpBrick BreakRock Slide
Risky
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
Aurora VeilGiga DrainEarthquakeBlizzard
Volkner
Gym 8
Tough

Volkner's team hits Horsea's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
NuzzleVolt SwitchSurfCharge Beam
Risky
Ambipom
Lv 47
Normal
Technician
Fake OutThunderboltDouble HitLast Resort
Avoid
Octillery
Lv 47
Water
Sniper
OctazookaFocus EnergyAurora BeamCharge Beam
Risky
Luxray
Lv 49
Electric
Intimidate
Thunder FangIce FangCrunchIron Tail
Aaron
Elite Four
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.

You Win
Dustox
Lv 53
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ToxicBug BuzzMoonlightLight Screen
Easy KO
Beautifly
Lv 53
BugFlying
Swarm
Bug BuzzShadow BallPsychicQuiver Dance
You Win
Vespiquen
Lv 54
BugFlying
Unnerve
AcrobaticsAttack OrderAerial AceDefend Order
You Win
Heracross
Lv 54
BugFighting
Guts
EarthquakeRock SlideFacadeBrick Break
Even
Drapion
Lv 57
PoisonDark
Sniper
Cross PoisonNight SlashEarthquakeX Scissor
Bertha
Elite Four
Strong

Kingdra resists most of Bertha's coverage and hits back hard.

You Win
Quagsire
Lv 55
WaterGround
Water AbsorbImmune to Water attacks
RecoverToxicEarthquakeSurf
Easy KO
Sudowoodo
Lv 56
Rock
Rock Head
Double EdgeHead SmashSucker PunchLow Kick
Easy KO
Golem
Lv 56
RockGround
Sturdy
Rock PolishHeavy SlamEarthquakeStone Edge
You Win
Whiscash
Lv 55
WaterGround
Hydration
BulldozeIce BeamHydro Pump
Easy KO
Hippowdon
Lv 59
Ground
Sand Stream
Ice FangEarthquakeCrunchRest
Flint
Elite Four
Good

Kingdra has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.

Easy KO
Rapidash
Lv 58
Fire
Flame Body
Flame ChargeIron TailPoison JabHypnosis
Easy KO
Steelix
Lv 57
SteelGround
Sheer Force
Thunder FangFire FangIron TailCrunch
Easy KO
Drifblim
Lv 58
GhostFlying
Unburden
Strength SapMinimizeBaton PassWill O Wisp
Even
Lopunny
Lv 57
Normal
Cute Charm
Mirror CoatHigh Jump KickQuick AttackFire Punch
You Win
Infernape
Lv 61
FireFighting
Iron Fist
Fire PunchThunder PunchClose CombatMach Punch
Lucian
Elite Four
Even

Kingdra trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.

You Win
Girafarig
Lv 59
NormalPsychic
Sap Sipper
Light ScreenReflectPsychicDazzling Gleam
You Win
Medicham
Lv 59
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Light ScreenPsychicThunderboltTrick Room
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 60
Psychic
Magic Guard
Zen HeadbuttHigh Jump KickThunder PunchIce Punch
Even
Bronzong
Lv 60
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Nasty PlotPsychicFuture SightShock Wave
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Kingdra trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

You Win
Spiritomb
Lv 61
GhostDark
Pressure
Shadow BallDark PulsePsychicSucker Punch
Even
Roserade
Lv 60
GrassPoison
Poison Point
Dazzling GleamShadow BallSludge BombEnergy Ball
You Win
Gastrodon
Lv 60
WaterGround
Storm DrainImmune to Water attacks
ScaldEarthquakeSludge BombRock Tomb
Even
Lucario
Lv 63
FightingSteel
Inner Focus
Aura SphereDragon PulseFlash CannonNasty Plot
Even
Milotic
Lv 63
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverMirror CoatIce BeamScald
You Win
Garchomp
Lv 66
DragonGround
Rough Skin
Dragon ClawEarthquakeSwords DancePoison Jab
Catchable
Post-game only
Type
Water

Catch Horsea on Route 226 (Good Rod fishing, Lv 10-25, common).

View Horsea locations

Evolve Horsea to Kingdra
Trade holding Dragon Scale
Type
WaterDragon

Most players are ready to trade before reaching Aaron.

How to Get Horsea in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

The chain to Horsea requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Horsea in the wild and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.

Where To Catch Horsea in BDSP

To get Horsea, start by catching Horsea through walking and fishing encounters at Lv. 10-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Horsea
    Step 1Horsea
    Route 226
    Lv.10-25Good Rod
    Rate 35%
    Fountainspring Cave
    Lv.58-63Cave
    Post-game
    Riverbank Cave
    Lv.58-63Cave
    Post-game
    Still-Water Cavern
    Lv.58-63Cave
    Post-game
  2. Seadra
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Seadra
    Route 226
    Lv.30-55Super Rod
    Rate 35%
    or evolve from Horsea (Step 1)
  3. Kingdra
    Step 3Evolve into Kingdra

Horsea Weakness

Horsea is weak to Electric and Grass. The Water typing picks up 4 resistances to work with. Horsea's physical bulk (base 70 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Horsea Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel

What is Horsea Weak Against

Good
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Horsea Strong Against

3Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score0
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Horsea

Horsea Evolutions

Horsea kicks off a three-stage evolution line through Seadra all the way to Kingdra. For breeding, average hatch time with a decent partner pool via two egg groups. Evolving adds up to 245 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Horsea
#116Horsea
32
Level 32
Seadra
#117Seadra
Trade + Dragon Scale
Trade + Dragon Scale
Kingdra
#230Kingdra
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Horsea
Water
Seadra
Water
Kingdra
WaterDragon
HP
30
55+25
75+20
ATK
40
65+25
95+30
DEF
70
95+25
95
SP.ATK
70
95+25
95
SP.DEF
25
45+20
95+50
SPE
60
85+25
85
BST
295C-Tier
440C-Tier+145
540C-Tier+100
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Special
Special
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Horsea easily with 30 breeding partners from the Dragon and Water1 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Aurora Beam, Clear Smog, Disable and 6 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
9moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosazumarillcharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticblastoisegolduckferaligatrswampertaltaria

BDSP Horsea Best Moveset

AbilitySwift Swim for rain Speed doubling and AbilitySniper boosting critical hits on a Water pre-evo. 70 Sp. Atk at 60 Speed can't compete. The moveset waits for Kingdra where Dragon/Water dual TermStab at better stats creates a genuine threat.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Sniper
Item
Scope Lens
Best Nature for Horsea
Timid+SPE

Horsea best EVs are Speed and Sp. Atk

EVs

Utility Moveset

  • ScaldSTAB
  • Ice Beam
  • Focus Energy
  • Flash Cannon

Recommended Teammates

Moves List

Egg moves make a real difference. Horsea gets Aurora Beam and Clear Smog exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Dragon and Ice coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Hydro Pump and Surf.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
10030Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
D6010025Water
Lv 5
Smokescreen
D10020Normal
Lv 10
Twister
D4010020Dragon
Lv 15
Focus Energy
B30Normal
Lv 20
Dragon Breath
6010020Dragon
Lv 25
Bubble Beam
C9710020Water
Lv 30
Agility
A30Psychic
Lv 35
Laser Focus
30Normal
Lv 40
Dragon Pulse
D8510010Dragon
Lv 45
Hydro Pump
C165805Water
Lv 50
Dragon Dance
C20Dragon
Lv 55
Rain Dance
C5Water

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
C10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
D110705Ice
TM55
Brine
C9710010Water
TM32
Double Team
D15Normal
TM59
Dragon Pulse
D8510010Dragon
TM58
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM91
Flash Cannon
B8010010Steel
TM07
Hail
C10Ice
TM13
Ice Beam
S9010010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM49
Scald
S12010015Water
TM82
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
TM95
Surf
C13510015Water
TM87
Swagger
D8515Normal
TM03
Water Pulse
C9010020Water
TM99
Waterfall
D12010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Aurora Beam
6510020Ice
Egg
Clear Smog
D5015Poison
Egg
Disable
C10020Normal
Egg
Dragon Breath
6010020Dragon
Egg
Flail
D10015Normal
Egg
Muddy Water
C1358510Water
Egg
Octazooka
978510Water
Egg
Outrage
D12010010Dragon
Egg
Splash
D40Normal

Tutor Moves

Horsea can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP30
F
Attack40
D
Defense70
C
Sp. Atk70
C
Sp. Def25
F
Speed60
C
Total295
Details
Catch Rate
Easy225 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.4 m
Weight8.0 kg
Base XP59
Abilities
Swift Swim
Doubles Speed during rain.
Sniper
Strengthens critical hits to inflict 3× damage rather than 2×.
DampHidden Ability
Prevents self destruct, explosion, and aftermath from working while the Pokémon is in battle.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+1SpDSpe
Special Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

It makes its nest in the shade of corals. If it senses danger, it spits black ink and flees.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond / Pokemon Shining Pearl

Horsea Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Guide

  • In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, For a casual playthrough, Horsea works as a placeholder. Water coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Seadra. That's where the stats start mattering.

Game Availability

Present since Red & Blue, Horsea appears in 20 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Horsea have the longest track record of availability in the series.

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