Shelgon Best Moveset
95 Attack at 100 Defense on Dragon. AbilityOvercoat blocks weather damage and powder moves. Held ItemEviolite gives real physical bulk since Salamence exists. The moveset hits physically behind a defensive frame. One evolution from the 135 Attack and AbilityMoxie that make Salamence B-Tier.
Dragon pre-evolution with 100 Defense in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Borderline at the bottom. Overcoat blocked weather. Salamence waited above.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Double Edge
- Rock Slide
- Dragon Dance
- Brick Break
Recommended Teammates
Rose in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Dragon Dance existed. 100 Defense tanked physical hits. Before Eviolite, 420 BST Dragon with setup was functional.
Best Moves
Best Build
Shelgon best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Brick Break
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Shelgon saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). This was a decline from C-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Rockhead with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Double Edge
- Brick Break
Recommended Teammates
Shelgon saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Shelgon maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran rock head with Eviolite, favoring a Careful nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Dragon Rush
- Outrage
- Dragon Dance
- Draco Meteor
Shelgon saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Shelgon maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Rockhead with Eviolite, favoring a Impish nature.
Wall Moveset
- Dragon Claw
- Toxic
- Protect
- Wish
Recommended Teammates
Shelgon saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Shelgon maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Rockhead with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Double Edge
- Roar
- Dragon Dance
- Wish
Recommended Teammates
Shelgon saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Shelgon maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Overcoat with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Utility Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Iron Head
- Temper Flare
Recommended Teammates
Shelgon Weakness
Shelgon is weak to Ice, Dragon, and Fairy. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Shelgon's physical bulk (base 100 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ice, Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Electric, Grass |
What is Shelgon Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Shelgon
Clefable's Moonblast hits Shelgon for 77-90%.
 Dragonite Dragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMultiscale ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Shelgon View Dragonite builds →Extreme Speed24-28% Earthquake30-35% | ||
 Clefable Fairy | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Shelgon View Clefable builds →Moonblast 2x77-90% | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Shelgon View Lapras builds →Surf24-28% Thunderbolt15-18% | ||
Evolution
Shelgon is the middle stage between Bagon and Salamence. It's a three-stage line with one more evolution to go. For breeding, takes forever to hatch with plenty of partners via one egg group. Defense has grown the most so far (+40), but there's still another 180 stats to gain in the final evolution. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Shelgon to get Bagon eggs using 72 partners from the Dragon egg group.
How to Get Shelgon
Shelgon tops out at low spawn rates across 1 locations in late-game routes. The encounters below are sorted by rate so you can see exactly what you're working with.
Where To Catch Shelgon in SV
To get Shelgon, start by catching Bagon through walking encounters at Lv. 16-58. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch BagonSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainLv.16-28OverworldVioletRate 25%East Province (Area One) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%East Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%Glaseado MountainLv.16-38OverworldRate 5%North Province (Area One) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%North Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%North Province (Area Two) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%South Province (Area One) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%South Province (Area Six) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%West Province (Area One) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%West Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%West Province (Area Two) - CaveLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 5%East Province (Area Three) - MineLv.16-38OverworldVioletRate 2%
Step 2Shelgon ✓South Province (Area Six) - CaveLv.42-58OverworldVioletRate 3%or evolve from Bagon (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into SalamenceBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Salamence egg.
Shelgon doesn't appear wild. Catch Bagon instead, it shows up at moderate rates. Evolve it at level 50 to get Shelgon. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
3 encounter spots for Shelgon 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 Shelgon in BDSP
To get Shelgon, start by catching Bagon through walking and special encounters at Lv. 25-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch BagonRoute 210 - NorthLv.25-26Using PokeRadarShining PearlRate 22%Dazzling CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-game
Step 2Shelgon ✓Dazzling CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CaveShining PearlPost-gameor evolve from Bagon (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into Salamence
Shelgon doesn't appear wild. Catch Bagon instead, it shows up at moderate rates. Evolve it at level 50 to get Shelgon. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
Base Stats
Shelgon's spread isn't flashy. Defense leads, Sp. Def trails, 2 stats clear the bar. Tough to catch and worth 2 Defense EVs, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.
The cells within its shell transform with explosive speed, preparing it for evolution.
Shelgon Guide
Shelgon isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Salamence to unlock its full potential. At 420 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Rock Head is the go-to ability for Shelgon. It protects against recoil damage. Its hidden ability Overcoat can work in specific setups.
Shelgon fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 95 Attack. Base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Shelgon does the job early-game if you need a Dragon type on your team. Evolve it into Salamence before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Shelgon first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 16 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
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