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 HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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 HeartGold & SoulSilver. 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 HeartGold & SoulSilver. 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 facing backward by opening and closing its two-piece shell. It is surprisingly fast.

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 HeartGold & SoulSilver (Best Counters)

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 310-366%KO Energy Ball 2x 234-276%KO Vine Whip 2x 52-63% Bullet Seed 2x 33-38% View Carnivine builds →
Tangela Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 19 Mega DrainLv. 26 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 341-401%KO Energy Ball 2x 255-300%KO Vine Whip 2x 35-42% Mega Drain 2x 115-136%KO View Tangela builds →
Weepinbell GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Razor LeafLv. 39 Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 299-352%KO Energy Ball 2x 224-265%KO Razor Leaf 2x 59-70% Vine Whip 2x 47-56% View Weepinbell builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainLv. 37 Mega DrainLv. 21 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 270-317%KO Energy Ball 2x 203-241%KO Giga Drain 2x 171-202%KO Mega Drain 2x 92-108%KO View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 198-234%KO Energy Ball 2x 151-178%KO Magical Leaf 2x 100-119%KO Razor Leaf 2x 38-45% View Chikorita builds →

HeartGold & SoulSilver 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 5 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

8moves

Breed With (best first)

HeartGold & SoulSilver 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 Dive 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

HM05

Whirlpool

D358515Water

Egg Moves

Egg

Barrier

———30Psychic

Egg

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Egg

Icicle Spear

—2510030Ice

Egg

Mud Shot

—559515Ground

Egg

Rapid Spin

D5010040Normal

Egg

Rock Blast

D259010Rock

Egg

Screech

——8540Normal

Egg

Take Down

—908520Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Dive

C8010010Water

Tutor

Icy Wind

D559515Ice

Tutor

Iron Defense

D——15Steel

Tutor

Snore

D4010015Normal

Tutor

Swift

—60—20Normal

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

HeartGold & SoulSilver Shellder Locations

Easy grab on Shellder with high spawn rates across 40 locations in mid-game fishing spots. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.

Best Locations to Catch Shellder in HeartGold & SoulSilver

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

New Bark Town

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City

10%Mid

New Bark Town

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City

10%Mid

Route 41

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route

10%Mid

Route 41

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route

10%Mid

Pallet Town

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City

10%Mid

Pallet Town

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City

10%Mid

Route 26

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route

10%Mid

Route 26

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route

10%Mid

Route 27

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route

10%Mid

Route 27

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route

10%Mid

Vermilion City - City

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City

10%Mid

Vermilion City - City

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City

10%Mid

Route 47

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route

RareMid

Route 47

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route

RareMid

Route 20

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route

RareMid

Route 20

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route

RareMid

Route 21

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route

RareMid

Route 21

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route

RareMid

Cinnabar Island - Gym

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Water

4%Mid

Cinnabar Island - Gym

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Water

4%Mid

Cinnabar Island - Gym

HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Water

40%Late

Cinnabar Island - Gym

SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Water

40%Late

New Bark Town

HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City

30%Late

New Bark Town

SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City

30%Late

Route 41

HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

30%Late

Route 41

SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

30%Late

Route 47

HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

CommonLate

Route 47

SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

CommonLate

Pallet Town

SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City

30%Late

Pallet Town

HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City

30%Late

Route 20

HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

CommonLate

Route 20

SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

CommonLate

Route 21

HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

CommonLate

Route 21

SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

CommonLate

Route 26

HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

30%Late

Route 26

SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

30%Late

Route 27

HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

30%Late

Route 27

SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

30%Late

Vermilion City - City

SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City

30%Late

Vermilion City - City

HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City

30%Late

Shellder Guide

Shellder evolves into Cloyster using a Water Stone. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 305 BST.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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 HeartGold & SoulSilver. 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 HeartGold & SoulSilver. 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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Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Shellder Razor Leaf 2x 44-56% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Damage vs Shellder Vine Whip 2x 44-56% View Bellsprout builds →
Plusle Electric	D
Upcoming Move Moves SparkLv. 15 Learns Spark at Level 15 View Plusle builds →
Minun Electric	D
Upcoming Move Moves SparkLv. 15 Learns Spark at Level 15 View Minun builds →
Shinx Electric	D
Upcoming Move Moves SparkLv. 13 Learns Spark at Level 13 View Shinx builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Vine Whip 2x 55-68% Bullet Seed 2x 38-45% View Carnivine builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Shellder Bullet Seed 2x 25-30% Absorb 2x 50-60% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 6 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Razor Leaf 2x 43-53% Bullet Seed 2x 25-30% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Vine Whip 2x 43-53% Bullet Seed 2x 30-38% View Bellsprout builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
TM Move Moves Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Bullet Seed 2x 30-38% View Paras builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 292-344%KO Energy Ball 2x 223-263%KO Vine Whip 2x 58-69% Bullet Seed 2x 35-44% View Carnivine builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 254-300%KO Energy Ball 2x 196-231%KO Bullet Seed 2x 25-31% Absorb 2x 46-56% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 190-225%KO Energy Ball 2x 142-169%KO Magical Leaf 2x 100-119%KO Razor Leaf 2x 42-50% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 244-288%KO Energy Ball 2x 185-219%KO Vine Whip 2x 46-56% Bullet Seed 2x 31-38% View Bellsprout builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 185-219%KO Energy Ball 2x 138-163%KO Bullet Seed 2x 25-31% View Paras builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 298-353%KO Energy Ball 2x 228-268%KO Vine Whip 2x 53-63% Bullet Seed 2x 35-42% View Carnivine builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 21 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 263-311%KO Energy Ball 2x 200-237%KO Mega Drain 2x 93-111%KO Bullet Seed 2x 21-26% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 196-232%KO Energy Ball 2x 147-174%KO Magical Leaf 2x 102-121%KO Razor Leaf 2x 39-47% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 249-295%KO Energy Ball 2x 188-221%KO Vine Whip 2x 44-53% Bullet Seed 2x 26-32% View Bellsprout builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 188-221%KO Energy Ball 2x 142-168%KO Bullet Seed 2x 26-32% View Paras builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 296-348%KO Energy Ball 2x 222-261%KO Vine Whip 2x 51-61% Bullet Seed 2x 32-39% View Carnivine builds →
Oddish GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Mega DrainLv. 21 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 258-304%KO Energy Ball 2x 196-230%KO Mega Drain 2x 88-104%KO Bullet Seed 2x 22-26% View Oddish builds →
Chikorita Grass	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Magical LeafLv. 20 Razor LeafLv. 6 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 188-222%KO Energy Ball 2x 139-165%KO Magical Leaf 2x 96-113%KO Razor Leaf 2x 36-43% View Chikorita builds →
Bellsprout GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Vine WhipLv. 1 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 243-287%KO Energy Ball 2x 184-217%KO Vine Whip 2x 43-52% Bullet Seed 2x 25-30% View Bellsprout builds →
Paras BugGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Shellder Solar Beam 2x 180-213%KO Energy Ball 2x 136-161%KO Bullet Seed 2x 25-30% View Paras 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 →