What does Shellder evolve into?

Shellder evolves into Cloyster using a Water Stone. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 305 BST.

Should I use Shellder?

In Diamond & Pearl, 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.

Where can you catch Shellder?

Shellder is catchable in Diamond & Pearl. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 19 other games across the series.

What games is Shellder in?

Shellder is available in Diamond & Pearl. Across the full series, it appears in 20 games total.

Shellder - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Balanced

DTier

40Speed · Very Slow

Stats & Training

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.

Base Stats

Avg

HP30

Attack65

Defense100

Sp. Atk45

Sp. Def25

Speed40

Total305

Details

Catch Rate

Easy190 / 255

Growth Rate

Slow1.25M XP

Height0.3 m

Weight4.0 kg

Base XP61

Abilities

Shell Armor

Protects against critical hits.

Skill Link

Extends two-to-five-hit moves and triple kick to their full length every time.

OvercoatHANot in game

Protects against damage from weather.

EV Yield

HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe

Defense training source

Pokedex Entries

It swims backward by opening and closing its two shells. Its large tongue is always kept hanging out.

Shellder Weakness

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.

Shellder Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)	Fire, Water, Ice, Steel

Type ChartGood

2Weak

4Resist

0Immune

Score0

Gen IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Grass

½xResist

Fire Water Ice Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (3)

Fire Ground Rock

How to Beat Shellder in Diamond & Pearl (Best Counters)

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Wood HammerLv. 36 Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Damage vs Shellder Wood Hammer 2x 118-139%KO Solar Beam 2x 306-361%KO Giga Drain 2x 194-229%KO Razor Leaf 2x 57-68% View Abomasnow builds →
Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 304-357%KO Giga Drain 2x 190-225%KO Vine Whip 2x 51-61% Bullet Seed 2x 30-36% View Carnivine builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 330-389%KO Giga Drain 2x 208-246%KO Magical Leaf 2x 167-196%KO Mega Drain 2x 112-132%KO View Roselia builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 224-264%KO Giga Drain 2x 142-168%KO Bullet Seed 2x 18-21% View Lileep builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 5 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 221-261%KO Giga Drain 2x 139-164%KO Bullet Seed 2x 20-25% Absorb 2x 39-46% View Lombre builds →

Diamond & Pearl Evolution

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

2 Forms

#090Shellder

Water Stone

#091Cloyster

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Shellder

Water

Cloyster

WaterIce

50+20

ATK

95+30

DEF

100

180+80

SP.ATK

85+40

SP.DEF

45+20

SPE

70+30

BST

305B-Tier

525B-Tier+220

ROLE

Balanced

TYPE

Physical

Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Shellder easily with 21 breeding partners from the Water3 egg group. Pass egg moves like Barrier, Bubble Beam, Icicle Spear and 4 more to offspring.

Egg Groups

Water3

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

7moves

Breed With (best first)

Diamond & Pearl Shellder Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves

The egg pool carries weight here. Barrier and Bubble Beam aren't available any other way for Shellder, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Surf and Brine for solid options.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Tackle

—3510035Normal

Lv 4

Withdraw

———40Water

Lv 8

Supersonic

——5520Normal

Lv 13

Icicle Spear

—2510030Ice

Lv 16

Protect+4

C——10Normal

Lv 20

Leer

——10030Normal

Lv 25

Clamp

—358510Water

Lv 28

Ice Shard+1

D4010030Ice

Lv 32

Aurora Beam

—6510020Ice

Lv 37

Whirlpool

D358515Water

Lv 40

Iron Defense

D——15Steel

Lv 44

Brine

D6510010Water

Lv 49

Ice Beam

D9510010Ice

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

D120705Ice

TM55

Brine

D6510010Water

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM64

Explosion

B2501005Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM07

Hail

D——10Ice

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

D9510010Ice

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM66

Payback

D5010010Dark

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

HM03

Surf

C9510015Water

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM06

Toxic

C—8510Poison

TM03

Water Pulse

D6010020Water

Egg Moves

Egg

Barrier

———30Psychic

Egg

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Egg

Icicle Spear

—2510030Ice

Egg

Mud Shot

—559515Ground

Egg

Rapid Spin

D5010040Normal

Egg

Screech

——8540Normal

Egg

Take Down

—908520Normal

Tutor Moves

Shellder can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Diamond & Pearl Shellder Locations

moderate rates across 6 encounter spots for Shellder. That's the kind of hunt where you pick one location and settle in. Sort by Best below to see where the odds are highest.

Best Locations to Catch Shellder in Diamond & Pearl

Bring Super Rod for Shellder. There are 6 fishing encounters from Lv. 20-40 with no walking alternatives. Pick the spot with the best rate and settle in.

Fuego Ironworks

DiamondSuper Rod Lv.20-40 Power-plant

RareMid

Fuego Ironworks

PearlSuper Rod Lv.20-40 Power-plant

RareMid

Route 205 - South

DiamondSuper Rod Lv.20-40 Route

RareMid

Route 205 - South

PearlSuper Rod Lv.20-40 Route

RareMid

Valley Windworks

PearlSuper Rod Lv.20-40 Power-plant

RareMid

Valley Windworks

DiamondSuper Rod Lv.20-40 Power-plant

RareMid

Shellder Guide

Shellder evolves into Cloyster using a Water Stone. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 305 BST.
In Diamond & Pearl, 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 is catchable in Diamond & Pearl. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 19 other games across the series.
Shellder is available in Diamond & Pearl. Across the full series, it appears in 20 games total.

Game Availability

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

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Pachirisu Electric	C
Available Move Moves SparkLv. 13 Damage vs Shellder Spark 2x 47-58% View Pachirisu builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodLake Verity Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 13 AbsorbLv. 9 Damage vs Shellder Razor Leaf 2x 47-58% Absorb 2x 33-42% View Turtwig builds →
Lotad WaterGrass	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 5 Damage vs Shellder Absorb 2x 33-42% View Lotad builds →
Elekid Electric	D
Available Move Moves Thunder ShockLv. 7 Damage vs Shellder Thunder Shock 2x 78-92% View Elekid builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Upcoming Move Moves Energy BallLv. 50 Learns Energy Ball at Level 50 View Lileep builds →

Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift TM Move Moves Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Bullet Seed 2x 19-23% View Lileep builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodLake Verity Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 13 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 9 Damage vs Shellder Razor Leaf 2x 48-58% Bullet Seed 2x 23-29% Absorb 2x 33-40% View Turtwig builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 13 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Shellder Mega Drain 2x 67-81% Bullet Seed 2x 19-23% Absorb 2x 38-46% View Budew builds →
Cherubi Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Magical LeafLv. 19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Magical Leaf 2x 112-133%KO Bullet Seed 2x 19-23% View Cherubi builds →
Lotad WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Mega DrainLv. 19 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 5 Damage vs Shellder Mega Drain 2x 58-69% Bullet Seed 2x 19-23% Absorb 2x 33-40% View Lotad builds →

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 307-363%KO Giga Drain 2x 194-228%KO Razor Leaf 2x 60-72% Bullet Seed 2x 30-36% View Abomasnow builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 224-264%KO Giga Drain 2x 143-170%KO Bullet Seed 2x 18-22% View Lileep builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 224-264%KO Giga Drain 2x 143-170%KO Razor Leaf 2x 49-58% Bullet Seed 2x 25-31% View Nuzleaf builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodLake Verity Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 13 Mega DrainLv. 25 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 185-219%KO Giga Drain 2x 118-139%KO Razor Leaf 2x 49-58% Mega Drain 2x 64-76% View Turtwig builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Mega DrainLv. 13 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 197-233%KO Giga Drain 2x 125-148%KO Mega Drain 2x 67-81% Bullet Seed 2x 18-22% View Budew builds →

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 307-363%KO Giga Drain 2x 194-228%KO Razor Leaf 2x 60-72% Bullet Seed 2x 30-36% View Abomasnow builds →
Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 304-358%KO Giga Drain 2x 194-228%KO Vine Whip 2x 52-63% Bullet Seed 2x 33-40% View Carnivine builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 330-390%KO Giga Drain 2x 209-246%KO Magical Leaf 2x 167-197%KO Mega Drain 2x 113-134%KO View Roselia builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 224-264%KO Giga Drain 2x 143-170%KO Bullet Seed 2x 18-22% View Lileep builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 224-264%KO Giga Drain 2x 143-170%KO Razor Leaf 2x 49-58% Bullet Seed 2x 25-31% View Nuzleaf builds →

Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Wood HammerLv. 36 Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 5 Damage vs Shellder Wood Hammer 2x 121-142%KO Solar Beam 2x 306-362%KO Giga Drain 2x 192-227%KO Razor Leaf 2x 58-69% View Abomasnow builds →
Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 300-354%KO Giga Drain 2x 188-223%KO Vine Whip 2x 51-62% Bullet Seed 2x 32-38% View Carnivine builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 13 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 329-388%KO Giga Drain 2x 209-246%KO Magical Leaf 2x 167-196%KO Mega Drain 2x 114-135%KO View Roselia builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 224-265%KO Giga Drain 2x 144-169%KO Bullet Seed 2x 19-23% View Lileep builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 222-262%KO Giga Drain 2x 140-165%KO Razor Leaf 2x 49-58% Bullet Seed 2x 26-31% View Nuzleaf builds →

Magnezone ElectricSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves ThunderboltSTAB Hidden Power Fire Thunder Wave Explosion Damage vs Shellder Thunderbolt 2x 402-473%KO Explosion 60-71% View Magnezone builds →
Roserade GrassPoison	B
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves Toxic Spikes Hidden Power Fire SpikesHazard Sleep Powder View Roserade builds →
Rotom ElectricGhost	C
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves ThunderboltSTAB Shadow Ball Will O Wisp TrickUtility Damage vs Shellder Thunderbolt 2x 324-382%KO Shadow Ball 144-169%KO View Rotom builds →