Shelgon is D-Tier mid-stage in Ruby & Sapphire. Rock Head helps with Double-Edge recoil, and S-Tier Salamence at level 50 is worth the long grind.
Ability 1Rock HeadAbility 1Protects against recoil damage.
420HP65Attack95Defense100Speed50Sp.Def50Sp.Atk60
Bagon
Shelgon
Salamence
Weak to
Special
Balanced
50Speed · Slow

Is Shelgon Good in Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

Rock/Dragon mid-stage from 30 to 50. AbilityRock Head for recoil-free attacks. Shelgon has high Defense but slow Speed during the long grind. Drake uses one. Keep pushing to 50 for Salamence.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEGEGEETEGEGGERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8BagonCatchableShelgonEvolveSidneyE4PhoebeE4SalamenceEvolveGlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Even

Bagon trades roughly evenly with Roxanne's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
TackleHardenRock ThrowRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

Bagon has the type edge here and should clean up Brawly's team.

Even
Machop
Lv 17
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopSeismic TossBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 18
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustKnock OffSand AttackBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Bagon trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

You Win
Magnemite
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomThunder ShockThunder Wave
Even
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSelf DestructSparkSonic Boom
Even
Magneton
Lv 23
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomShock WaveThunder Wave
Flannery
Gym 4
Good

Bagon has the type edge here and should clean up Flannery's team.

You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
FlamethrowerRock SlideLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Torkoal
Lv 28
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatBody SlamFlailAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Bagon trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

Even
Slaking
Lv 28
Normal
Truant
EncoreFacadeYawnFeint Attack
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 30
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFeint AttackFacadeEncore
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Bagon trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

Even
Swellow
Lv 31
NormalFlying
Guts
Quick AttackAerial AceDouble TeamEndeavor
Even
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Even
Skarmory
Lv 32
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Risky
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Tough

Tate & Liza's typing presses Bagon's defenses.

Risky
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Even
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Wallace
Gym 8
Even

Bagon trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

Even
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Risky
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
Even
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Even
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Risky
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Sidney
Elite Four
Good

Shelgon has the type edge here and should clean up Sidney's team.

You Win
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
Even
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
You Win
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
You Win
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
You Win
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Shelgon trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

You Win
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
Even
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Good

Salamence has the type edge here and should clean up Glacia's team.

You Win
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
You Win
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Good

Salamence has the type edge here and should clean up Drake's team.

Easy KO
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
You Win
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
You Win
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
You Win
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
You Win
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Steven
Champion
Even

Salamence trades roughly evenly with Steven's team.

Even
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
You Win
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
Even
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
You Win
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
You Win
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Risky
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam

Catch Bagon

Available after Badge 8
Type
Dragon
Tier
E

Catch Bagon on Meteor Falls (walking, Lv 25-35, common).

View Bagon locations

Evolve Bagon to Shelgon

Level 30
Type
Dragon
Tier
E

Bagon evolves into Shelgon at Level 30. Your Bagon should hit Level 30 before you reach Sidney, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves

  • After Brawly
  • After Wattson
  • After Norman
    • LV 38DragonDragon BreathPower 90Accuracy 100%PP 20
  • After Tate & Liza
    • LV 56DarkCrunchPower 80Accuracy 100%PP 15
    • LV 69DragonDragon ClawPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 15
    • LV 78NormalDouble-EdgePower 120Accuracy 100%PP 15

Evolve Shelgon to Salamence

Level 50
Type
DragonFlying
Tier
S

Shelgon evolves into Salamence at Level 50. Your Shelgon should hit Level 50 before you reach Glacia, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Shelgon in Ruby & Sapphire

Shelgon never appears wild. Level a Bagon to 30 and it becomes one, which means that long climb down to the cliffside den is where the line really starts.

Wild Shelgon may be holding when caught:

Dragon Scale (5% chance) A strange scale held by DRAGON- type Pokemon.

Catch Bagon at any of these 1 spot to eventually evolve into Shelgon.

Encountered via tall grass encounters

  1. 1
    Catch Bagon
  2. 2
    Evolve Shelgonat Lv.30
  3. 3
    Evolve Salamenceat Lv.50
Badge 3

How to Obtain Shelgon in RS

  1. Shelgon
    Step 2Shelgon ✓
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave Salamence with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Bagon egg.
  2. Salamence
    Step 3Evolve into Salamence

How to Get Shiny Shelgon in Ruby & Sapphire

Shelgon comes from Bagon, so catch a shiny Bagon in Meteor Falls and evolve it into Shelgon. Compare Shiny Shelgon odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Shelgon in Ruby & SapphireNormal
Shiny Shelgon in Ruby & Sapphire Shiny
Color ShiftWhitetoGreen
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Shelgon Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Ruby & Sapphire Shiny Shelgon Calculator

2 Methods
Shiny Odds

Both methods here share the same odds, about 1 in 8,192 on each try. Pick whichever fits how you play.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Ruby & Sapphire

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Breeding: Hatch eggs of this line; each egg rolls at the base shiny rate (no Masuda before Gen IV).

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 8,192Full Odds
Chance By Now50.0%at 5,678 encountersAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few864----
25%one in four2,357----
50%coin flip5,678----
90%very likely18,862----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Curious how fast a hunt could go? Work out your Ruby & Sapphire shiny odds for Shelgon.

Shelgon Weakness

Shelgon is weak to Ice and Dragon. 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.

Shelgon Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ice, Dragon
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Electric, Grass
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Shelgon Weak Against

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

What is Shelgon Strong Against

1Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score0
2xStrong
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Shelgon

Bagon
Bagon
Dragon
C

Shelgon Evolutions

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 a decent partner pool 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

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Bagon
Dragon
Shelgon
Dragon
Salamence
DragonFlying
HP
45
65+20
95+30
ATK
75
95+20
135+40
DEF
60
100+40
80-20
SP.ATK
40
60+20
110+50
SP.DEF
30
50+20
80+30
SPE
50
50
100+50
BST
300E-Tier
420E-Tier+120
600S-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Sweeper
TYPE
Physical
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Moderate

Breed with Shelgon to get Bagon eggs using 27 partners from the Dragon egg group. Notable egg moves include Dragon Dance, Dragon Rage, Hydro Pump and 2 more.

Egg Groups
Dragon
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
5moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradoscharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticaltariaarbokseadrasevipercharmeleonmagikarp

RS Shelgon Best Moveset

Middle-stage Dragon with 100 Defense but low Speed. AbilityRock Head eliminates recoil from MoveDouble-Edge. MoveDragon Claw and physical coverage at moderate power. Salamence is one evolution from the top tier.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Setup Sweeper
Ability
Rock Head
Item
Lum BerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Shelgon

Shelgon best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • Double Edge
  • Rock Slide
  • Dragon DanceSTAB
  • Brick Break

Moves List

Egg moves make a real difference. Shelgon gets Dragon Dance and Dragon Rage exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 7 types rounds out the picture alongside Dragon Claw and Dragon Breath.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bite
D6010025Dark
Lv 1
Headbutt
C7010015Normal
Lv 1
Leer
D—10030Normal
Lv 1
Rage
—2010020Normal
Lv 5
Bite
D6010025Dark
Lv 9
Leer
D—10030Normal
Lv 17
Headbutt
C7010015Normal
Lv 21
Focus Energy
D——30Normal
Lv 25
Ember
—4010025Fire
Lv 30
Protect+4
C——10Normal
Lv 38
Dragon Breath
D9010020Dragon
Lv 47
Scary Face
——9010Normal
Lv 56
Crunch
C8010015Dark
Lv 69
Dragon Claw
C12010015Dragon
Lv 78
Double-Edge
S12010015Normal

TM Moves

All 22 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40D60—20Flying
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM31
Brick BreakSootopolis Citynot until badge 7
B7510015Fighting
HM01D509530Normal
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM02
Dragon ClawMeteor Fallsnot until badge 8
C12010015Dragon
TM42C7010020Normal
TM38
Fire BlastLilycove Department Storebadge 5
D120855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510015Fire
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM17C——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6Route 114badge 3
C——20Normal
HM06
Rock SmashMauville Citybadge 2
D2010015Fighting
TM39D609510Rock
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
HM04
StrengthRusturf Tunnelbadge 3
—8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Dragon Dance
B——20Dragon
Egg
Dragon Rage
——10010Dragon
Egg
Hydro Pump
D120805Water
Egg
Thrash
—12010020Normal
Egg
Twister
—6010020Dragon

Tutor Moves

Shelgon can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP65
C
Attack95
B
Defense100
B
Sp. Atk60
C
Sp. Def50
D
Speed50
D
Total420
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.1 m
Weight110.5 kg
Base XP147
Abilities
Rock Head
Protects against recoil damage.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+2SpASpDSpe
Defense training target
Pokedex Entry

Inside SHELGON’s armor-like shell, cells are in the midst of transformation to create an entirely new body. This POKéMON’s shell is extremely heavy, making its movements sluggish.

Covering SHELGON’s body are outgrowths much like bones. The shell is very hard and bounces off enemy attacks. When awaiting evolution, this POKéMON hides away in a cavern.

Shelgon Ruby & Sapphire Guide

  • Shelgon is obtained in Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire by evolving Bagon under specific conditions.

Game Availability

Shelgon first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 16 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.

Explore

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