Stats & Training
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.
A rare Pokémon discovered during a deep-sea exploration. It has not changed in over 100 million years.
A rare Pokémon discovered during a deep-sea exploration. It has not changed in over 100 million years.
Relicanth Weakness
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 |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x100-118%KO Brick Break 2x54-64% Rock Smash 2x30-38% | ||
 Turtwig Grass | D | |
Obtain MethodLake Verity Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Turtwig builds →Razor Leaf 4x54-64% Rock Smash 2x14-18% Absorb 4x36-43% | ||
 Lotad WaterGrass | D | |
 Seedot Grass | D | |
 Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift | ||
Turtwig Grass | D | |
Obtain MethodLake Verity Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Turtwig builds →Razor Leaf 4x49-59% Rock Smash 2x12-15% Bullet Seed 4x24-29% Absorb 4x30-37% | ||
 Cherubi Grass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Cherubi builds →Magical Leaf 4x80-95% Bullet Seed 4x18-22% | ||
Lotad WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lotad builds →Mega Drain 4x43-51% Bullet Seed 4x18-22% Absorb 4x24-29% | ||
 Budew GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Budew builds →Mega Drain 4x49-59% Bullet Seed 4x18-22% Absorb 4x30-37% | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lileep builds →Solar Beam 4x154-182%KO Giga Drain 4x98-116%KO Bullet Seed 4x18-22% | ||
 Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 4x154-182%KO Giga Drain 4x98-116%KO Brick Break 2x21-26% Razor Leaf 4x51-61% | ||
 Snover GrassIce | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Snover builds →Solar Beam 4x159-187%KO Giga Drain 4x103-121%KO Razor Leaf 4x47-55% Bullet Seed 4x23-28% | ||
Turtwig Grass | D | |
Obtain MethodLake Verity Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Turtwig builds →Solar Beam 4x126-149%KO Giga Drain 4x83-99% Razor Leaf 4x51-61% Mega Drain 4x47-55% | ||
Cherubi Grass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Cherubi builds →Solar Beam 4x159-187%KO Giga Drain 4x103-121%KO Magical Leaf 4x83-99% Bullet Seed 4x18-22% | ||
 Carnivine Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Carnivine builds →Solar Beam 4x210-248%KO Giga Drain 4x130-154%KO Vine Whip 4x56-66% Bullet Seed 4x32-39% | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lileep builds →Solar Beam 4x154-182%KO Giga Drain 4x98-116%KO Bullet Seed 4x18-22% | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 4x154-182%KO Dig 2x23-28% Giga Drain 4x98-116%KO Brick Break 2x21-26% | ||
Snover GrassIce | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Snover builds →Solar Beam 4x159-187%KO Giga Drain 4x103-121%KO Razor Leaf 4x47-55% Bullet Seed 4x23-28% | ||
 Exeggcute GrassPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Exeggcute builds →Solar Beam 4x154-182%KO Giga Drain 4x98-116%KO Bullet Seed 4x18-22% | ||
Carnivine Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Carnivine builds →Solar Beam 4x202-237%KO Giga Drain 4x126-149%KO Vine Whip 4x51-60% Bullet Seed 4x31-37% | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lileep builds →Solar Beam 4x153-181%KO Giga Drain 4x98-116%KO Bullet Seed 4x19-23% | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 4x150-177%KO Dig 2x22-26% Giga Drain 4x95-112%KO Brick Break 2x21-25% | ||
Snover GrassIce | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Snover builds →Wood Hammer 4x91-107%KO Solar Beam 4x153-181%KO Giga Drain 4x98-116%KO Razor Leaf 4x43-51% | ||
Exeggcute GrassPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Exeggcute builds →Solar Beam 4x150-177%KO Giga Drain 4x95-112%KO Bullet Seed 4x19-23% | ||
Carnivine Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Carnivine builds →Solar Beam 4x198-233%KO Giga Drain 4x128-151%KO Vine Whip 4x51-60% Bullet Seed 4x29-35% | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lileep builds →Solar Beam 4x147-173%KO Giga Drain 4x95-112%KO Bullet Seed 4x18-22% | ||
 Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 4x147-173%KO Brick Break 2x17-20% Drain Punch 2x17-20% Giga Drain 4x91-108%KO | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 4x147-173%KO Dig 2x22-26% Giga Drain 4x91-108%KO Brick Break 2x20-24% | ||
Snover GrassIce | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Snover builds →Wood Hammer 4x88-104%KO Solar Beam 4x150-177%KO Giga Drain 4x95-112%KO Razor Leaf 4x44-52% | ||
Carnivine Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Carnivine builds →Solar Beam 4x195-230%KO Giga Drain 4x123-145%KO Vine Whip 4x51-60% Bullet Seed 4x30-36% | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lileep builds →Solar Beam 4x147-173%KO Giga Drain 4x92-109%KO Bullet Seed 4x17-20% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 4x144-169%KO Brick Break 2x15-19% Drain Punch 2x15-19% Giga Drain 4x92-109%KO | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 4x144-169%KO Dig 2x21-26% Giga Drain 4x92-109%KO Brick Break 2x20-24% | ||
Snover GrassIce | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Snover builds →Wood Hammer 4x85-101%KO Solar Beam 4x150-177%KO Giga Drain 4x95-113%KO Razor Leaf 4x41-48% | ||
Carnivine Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Carnivine builds →Power Whip 4x127-150%KO Solar Beam 4x203-239%KO Giga Drain 4x127-150%KO Vine Whip 4x51-61% | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lileep builds →Solar Beam 4x148-175%KO Giga Drain 4x94-111%KO Bullet Seed 4x18-21% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 4x148-175%KO Brick Break 2x16-19% Drain Punch 2x16-19% Giga Drain 4x94-111%KO | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 4x148-175%KO Dig 2x22-26% Giga Drain 4x94-111%KO Brick Break 2x21-25% | ||
Snover GrassIce | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Snover builds →Wood Hammer 4x88-104%KO Solar Beam 4x152-179%KO Giga Drain 4x97-114%KO Razor Leaf 4x42-50% | ||
In Diamond & Pearl, Infernape's Close Combat hits Relicanth for 60-71%. Flygon's Earthquake hits Relicanth for 49-57%. Zapdos's Thunderbolt also KOs at 91-107%.
 Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Infernape builds →Close Combat 2x60-71% U Turn12-14% Fire Blast11-12% | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x49-57% Outrage29-34% U Turn11-13% | ||
 Zapdos Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Zapdos builds →Thunderbolt 2x91-107%KO Heat Wave8-9% | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureAdamant Moves View Breloom builds →
| ||
 Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves View Roserade builds →
| ||
Diamond & Pearl Evolution
What you see is what you get. Relicanth sits outside any evolution chain, so focus on the egg moves and plenty of partners from two egg groups. Eggs are takes forever to hatch. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Relicanth with 69 breeding partners from the Water1 and Water2 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Amnesia, Aqua Tail, Magnitude and 6 more to offspring.
Diamond & Pearl Relicanth Best Moveset
Rockhead helps Relicanth stick around while dealing real damage. Leftovers for passive recovery each turn, flexible EVs for the right balance, and Waterfall as the main threat. Not the fastest, but it doesn't need to be.
Best Build
Relicanth best EVs are Defense and Attack
Bulky Support Moveset
- Head Smash
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Double Edge
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
Diamond & Pearl Relicanth Locations
Relicanth appears at decent spawn rates across 2 spots in late-game fishing spots. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Best Locations to Catch Relicanth in Diamond & Pearl
Relicanth Guide
In Diamond & Pearl, 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. Head Smash with Leftovers is the standard set.
In Diamond & Pearl, 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.
In Diamond & Pearl, 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.
In Diamond & Pearl, run Head Smash, Waterfall, Earthquake, and Double Edge on Relicanth. Head Smash is the most common pick at 25% usage. Waterfall provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
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