Relicanth's all-in on Defense at the expense of Sp. Atk. The physical lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 2 HP and Defense EVs and follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
This rare Pokémon was discovered during a deep-sea exploration. It has not changed in over 100 million years.
This rare Pokémon was discovered during a deep-sea exploration. It has not changed in over 100 million years.
Grass, Electric, Fighting, and Ground moves hit Relicanth for super-effective damage. Grass hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It resists 5 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Relicanth's physical bulk (base 130 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Grass |
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Fighting, Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Ice, Poison, Flying |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fire |
Jolteon can KO Relicanth with Thunderbolt (138-163%). Annihilape's Drain Punch hits Relicanth for 39-46%. Krookodile deals 60-71% with Earthquake.
 Jolteon Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x138-163%KO Volt Switch 2x108-127%KO Shadow Ball41-48% | ||
 Annihilape FightingGhost | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityDefiant ItemSitrus Berry NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Annihilape builds →Drain Punch 2x39-46% | ||
 Krookodile GroundDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMoxie ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 2x60-71% Knock Off20-23% Close Combat 2x48-57% | ||
 Whimsicott GrassFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemCovert Cloak NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Whimsicott builds →Moonblast29-34% | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemToxic Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Breloom builds →Mach Punch 2x29-34% Bullet Seed 4x36-43% | ||
What you see is what you get. Relicanth sits outside any evolution chain, so focus on the egg moves and a massive partner pool from two egg groups. Eggs are takes forever to hatch. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Relicanth with 114 breeding partners from the Water1 and Water2 egg groups.
Ground coverage gives Relicanth answers even while choice-locked. Choice Band provides raw power at the cost of move flexibility, and max HP and Attack EVs with Rockhead mean every prediction that lands hits hard.
Best Build
Relicanth best EVs are HP and Defense
Bulky Support Moveset
- Head Smash
- Earthquake
- Liquidation
- Zen Headbutt
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Earthquake
- Body Press
- Liquidation
- Head Smash
Recommended Teammates
Bulky Support Moveset
- Head Smash
- Earthquake
- Liquidation
- Zen Headbutt
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Earthquake
- Body Press
- Liquidation
- Head Smash
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Head Smash
- Aqua Tail
- Earthquake
- Zen Headbutt
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Head Smash
- Earthquake
- Waterfall
- Double Edge
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Head Smash
- Aqua Tail
- Earthquake
- Zen Headbutt
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Head Smash
- Earthquake
- Waterfall
- Double Edge
Moves
Without TMs, Relicanth's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Normal and Ice coverage and more on top of Head Smash and Hydro Pump for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Without TMs, Relicanth's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 7 types on top of Head Smash and Meteor Beam for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Don't skip the egg moves. Relicanth picks up Amnesia and Aqua Tail only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Head Smash and Hydro Pump while Normal and Ice coverage and more adds range.
Don't skip the egg moves. Relicanth picks up Amnesia and Aqua Tail only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Head Smash and Hydro Pump while Normal and Ice coverage and more adds range.
Relicanth sits at moderate rates across 2 spots in late-game fishing spots. Pick one from the sorted list and commit to it. Jumping between areas wastes more time than waiting in the right location.
Best Locations to Catch Relicanth in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
moderate rates is the best you'll get on Relicanth in endgame water routes. Use the sort toggle below. Best shows where the odds peak, Earliest shows where you can access it soonest in your playthrough.
Best Locations to Catch Relicanth in Sword & Shield
Before you go hunting for Relicanth, check which of the 12 spots belong to your version. Shield and Sword each have different surfing encounters at Lv. 60-65.
moderate rates for Relicanth across 8 locations in early-game fishing spots. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Best Locations to Catch Relicanth in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Bring Super Rod for Relicanth. There are 8 fishing encounters from Lv. 10-49 with no walking alternatives. Pick the spot with the best rate and settle in.
4 encounter spots for Relicanth at moderate rates starting from early-game fishing spots. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Best Locations to Catch Relicanth in Sun & Moon
Catching Relicanth here means fishing. All 4 encounters require Super Rod at Lv. 10-43, and there aren't any overworld spawns in this game.
Don't let Relicanth's 485 base stat total fool you. Swift Swim is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier.
Run Swift Swim on Relicanth. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Relicanth also gets Rock Head and Sturdy, but they don't compare.
Relicanth fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 90 Attack. At base 55 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's tanky enough to absorb a few hits.
Relicanth has answers, but so do you. Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Grass, Electric, and Fighting-type attackers hit hardest.
Relicanth first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 14 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves