Seel Best Moveset
Water at 45 Sp. Atk and 45 Speed. AbilityThick Fat halves Fire and Ice damage, but the stats behind it do nothing offensively. The moveset is pre-evolution filler. Evolve to Dewgong for 70 Sp. Atk and the bulk that lets Thick Fat matter.
Seel saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This was Seel's competitive peak. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 70.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Surf
- Body Slam
- Double Edge
- Bubble Beam
Seel was a niche pick at best in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation.
Utility Moveset
- Surf
- Waterfall
- Rain Dance
- Whirlpool
Seel saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Seel climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Thickfat with Sitrus Berry, favoring a Careful nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Encore
- Thief
- Perish Song
- Icy Wind
Recommended Teammates
Seel saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Seel maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Hydration with Oranberry, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Rest
- Surf
- Rain Dance
- Stockpile
Recommended Teammates
Seel saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Seel maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Icebody with Life Orb, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- Aqua Jet
- Ice Shard
- Waterfall
Recommended Teammates
Seel was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran thick fat with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Aqua Tail
- Surf
- Protect
- Dive
Seel saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Seel climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Thickfat with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Aqua Jet
- Fake Out
- Waterfall
- Drill Run
Seel saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Seel maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Thickfat with Leftovers, favoring a Brave nature.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Aqua Jet
- Ice Shard
- Fake Out
- Perish Song
Recommended Teammates
Seel Weakness
Type-wise, Seel takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. The Water typing picks up 4 resistances to work with. Thick Fat reduces Fire/Ice damage, further improving the defensive spread.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
What is Seel Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Seel
Kartana's Knock Off hits Seel for 44-52%. Rotom threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (125-147%).
 Kartana GrassSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Seel View Kartana builds →Knock Off44-52% | ||
 Rotom ElectricGhost | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Seel View Rotom builds →Volt Switch 2x97-114%KO Shadow Ball55-65% Thunderbolt 2x125-147%KO | ||
Evolution
Seel is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Dewgong. Check the evolution method below. A massive partner pool for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 150 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Seel
4 encounter spots for Seel at moderate rates starting from endgame routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Seel in SV
To get Seel, start by catching Seel through walking encounters at Lv. 50-80. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Seel ✓Polar BiomeLv.50-80OverworldPolar BiomeLv.66Overworld
high spawn rates across 6 locations for Seel in late-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Seel in BDSP
The path to Seel starts with Seel at Lv. 35-63 via walking and surfing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Seel ✓Route 226Lv.35-45Surfing on waterBrilliant DiamondRate 30%Route 230Lv.35-45Surfing on waterBrilliant DiamondRate 30%Fountainspring CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameGlacial CavernLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameIcy CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameWhiteout CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve into DewgongRoute 226Lv.40-55Surfing on waterBrilliant DiamondRate 5%Route 230Lv.40-55Surfing on waterBrilliant DiamondRate 5%Fountainspring CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameGlacial CavernLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameIcy CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameWhiteout CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameor evolve from Seel (Step 1)
A handful of locations for Seel with decent spawn rates across late-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Seel in LGPE
To get Seel, start by catching Seel through walking encounters at Lv. 39-44. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Seel ✓Seafoam Islands - Area 1Lv.39-44GrassRate 20%Seafoam Islands - Area 2Lv.39-44GrassRate 20%Seafoam Islands - Area 3Lv.39-44GrassRate 15%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into DewgongSeafoam Islands - Area 3Lv.39-44GrassRate 10%Seafoam Islands - Area 1Lv.39-44GrassRate 5%Seafoam Islands - Area 2Lv.39-44GrassRate 5%or evolve from Seel (Step 1)
Easy grab on Seel with high spawn rates across 8 locations in early-game water routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Where To Catch Seel in USUM
To get Seel, start by catching Seel through gift and surfing encounters at Lv. 15-55. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Seel ✓Seaward CaveLv.15-18Surfing on waterRate 30%Poké Pelago - Ula'ula Island reachedLv.21-27Gift from NPCPoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedLv.37-43Gift from NPCPoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedLv.49-55Gift from NPC
Step 2Evolve into Dewgong
Base Stats
You won't find a real weakness in Seel's stat line. It's well-rounded for the Sea Lion Pokemon, and what it does with that depends on moveset and items. Yields 1 Sp. Def EV, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
This Pokémon lives on icebergs. It uses the sharp point on its head to break up ice as it swims in the sea.
Seel Guide
For a casual playthrough, Seel works as a placeholder. Water coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Dewgong. That's where the stats start mattering.
Game Availability
Present since Red & Blue, Seel appears in 19 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Seel have the longest track record of availability in the series.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves