Shellder's spread isn't flashy. Defense leads, Sp. Def trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 1 Defense EV, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.
It is encased in a shell that is harder than diamond. Inside, however, it is surprisingly tender.
Clamping on to an opponent reveals its vulnerable parts, so it uses this move only as a last resort.
Type-wise, Shellder takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Shellder's physical bulk (base 100 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
Glimmet threatens a KO with Sludge Bomb (95-112%). Mudbray deals 40-48% with Earthquake.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWeakarmor ItemEviolite NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Shellder View Vullaby builds →Knock Off19-23% Heat Wave14-17% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemEviolite NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Shellder View Glimmet builds →Power Gem85-100%KO Sludge Bomb95-112%KO | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityStamina ItemEviolite NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Shellder View Mudbray builds →Earthquake40-48% Stone Edge27-32% Close Combat32-38% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemEviolite NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Shellder View Mienfoo builds →Knock Off13-15% U Turn14-17% High Jump Kick38-45% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVitalspirit ItemEviolite NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Shellder View Elekid builds →Psychic54-63% Volt Switch 2x126-149%KO Thunderbolt 2x161-190%KO Knock Off10-11% | ||
Evolving Shellder into Cloyster takes an evolution item. It's not a simple level-up, so check the chain details below. Evolving adds up to 220 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Shellder easily with 37 breeding partners from the Water3 egg group.
Still unevolved, still relevant. Shellder's Eviolite bulk with spread EVs creates a defensive profile that punches above its stage. Skilllink adds passive value. Liquidation gives it offensive presence.
Best Build
Shellder best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Rock Blast
- Icicle Spear
- Liquidation
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Toxic Spikes
- Spikes
- Aqua Ring
- Life Dew
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Shell Smash
- Ice Shard
- Rock Blast
Recommended Teammates
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
TMs define Shellder's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Hydro Pump and Surf, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it Normal and Ice coverage and more. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The egg pool carries weight here. Aqua Ring and Bubble Beam aren't available any other way for Shellder, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Hydro Pump and Surf for solid options.
The egg pool carries weight here. Aqua Ring and Bubble Beam aren't available any other way for Shellder, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Hydro Pump and Surf for solid options.
Shellder develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Ice Beam and Hydro Pump show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Shellder's scattered across 54 spots in early-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Best Locations to Catch Shellder in Scarlet & Violet
walking encounters for Shellder across 54 spots at Lv. 15-40. The catch is that Scarlet and Violet don't share every location, so compare what's available in your version.
moderate rates across 12 locations for Shellder in mid-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.
Best Locations to Catch Shellder in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Shellder's encounter pool splits between Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. You've got 12 fishing and walking spots at Lv. 20-63 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.
high spawn rates in early-game water routes across 28 locations. Shellder's one of the easier catches on the list. Two different catch methods are in play here. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations to Catch Shellder in Sword & Shield
You can catch Shellder through 28 surfing and fishing encounters from Lv. 8-43, but availability differs between Shield and Sword. Some spots are exclusive to one version.
Shellder starts showing up in late-game water routes at high spawn rates across 4 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Best Locations to Catch Shellder in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
Before you go hunting for Shellder, check which of the 4 spots belong to your version. Let's Go Eevee and Let's Go Pikachu each have different surfing encounters at Lv. 39-44.
Shellder evolves into Cloyster using a Water Stone. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 305 BST.
Shellder does the job early-game if you need a Water type on your team. Evolve it into Cloyster before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Shellder shows up in 20 games, making it one of the more widely available Pokemon in the series. First catchable in Scarlet & Violet, most recently in Yellow and Red & Blue.
Shellder appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Shellder has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
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